On October 6th, MDD Records will release “My Veneration”, the second album of the stoner/doom/rockers PATRIARCHS IN BLACK, the band by riff god Dan Lorenzo (Hades/Non-Fiction) and Johnny Kelly (Type O Negative/Quiet Riot). Once again the two warhorses are supported by a whole bunch of guest musicians. The complete list, which you can find below, reads like a “who’s who” of the rock, alternative and metal scene. With “Dead Or Dying” there is now also a musical taste of the opener, with Karl Agell (Corrosion of Conformity Blind) on vocals, on the label’s YouTube channel.
Here’s what Dan says about the song: “I played Dead and Dying to a couple of my friends after Karl finished it and they all said the same thing; “Karl is singing better than ever”. I agree. Karl has been touring with Legions of Doom and Lie Heavy and I guess instead of that hurting his voice, it’s actually making it stronger. I wrote the music for this song, but Karl wrote all the lyrics and melody.”
Guests on this album Karl Agell – vocals John Kosco – vocals Mark Sunshine – vocals Rob Traynor – vocals DMC – vocals Gianni Pontillo – vocals Kelly Abe – vocals Bobby Jensen – vocals Johnny Araya – bass Eric J. Morgan – bass Anthony Vitti – bass Dave Neabore – bass John “JD” DeServio – bass Emma Smoler – violin Jonathan Eng – violin Paul Walter – keys Scott Mueller – organ Eddie Heedles – guitar solo Danny Kelly – guitar solo Jerry Babcock – backing vocals
Extreme metal icons CRADLE OF FILTH will return to imbue Europe’s stages in inescapable darkness, bringing their matchless live presence and musical onslaught to their enormous fanbase in 2024 with their “Necromantic Fantasies” tour. The tour will kick off in Tel Aviv, IL on February 10, visiting 21 cities in total, before ending in Košice, SV on March 8. After releasing their most successful record to date, Existence Is Futile, in 2021, followed by their first live album in 20 years, Trouble And Their Double Lives, in 2023, England’s finest extreme metal export with legendary frontman Dani Filth will conjure a hell of a show to remember without the shadow of a doubt!
On top of that, the tour features top-notch special guest and labelmate, The Duke of Spook himself, WEDNESDAY 13, celebrating his former band, revered glam punk icons Murderdolls, plus alternative outfit Sick N’ Beautiful. WEDNESDAY 13 and his current band will perform an intense set of Murderdolls songs, taken from the band’s celebrated 2002 debut album, Beyond The Valley Of The Murderdolls, and their 2010 sophomore album, Women And Children Last.
CRADLE OF FILTH w/ Special Guest WEDNESDAY 13 – “Necromantic Fantasies” tour dates: Support: Sick N’ Beautiful
10.02.2024 IL – Tel Aviv / Reading 3* 12.02.2024 PL – Gdansk / B90 13.02.2024 LT – Vilnius / Loftas 14.02.2024 LV – Riga / Melna Piektdiena 16.02.2024 FI – Tampere / Pakkahuone 17.02.2024 FI – Seinäjoki / Rytmikorjaamo 18.02.2024 FI – Helsinki / Tavastia 20.02.2024 EE – Tallinn / Helitehas 22.02.2024 PL – Warsaw / Progresja 23.02.2024 PL – Krakow / Studio 24.02.2024 CZ – Plzen / Serikovka 25.02.2024 CZ – Brno /Fleda 27.02.2024 RO – Cluj / Form Space 28.02.2024 RO – Bucharest /Quantic Club 01.03.2024 TR – Istanbul / IF Performance Hall Beşiktaş 02.03.2024 GR – Thessaloniki / Principal Club Theater 03.03.2024 GR – Athens / Fuzz Club 05.03.2024 BG – Sofia / Club Joy Station 06.03.2024 HU – Budapest / Durer Kert 07.03.2024 SV – Bratislava / Majestic Music Club 08.03.2024 SV – Košice / Collosseum Club *no WEDNESDAY 13 & Sick N’ Beautiful
Dani Filth comments: “We are so looking forward to performing at all these extraordinary places on this tour – it will be our first time playing in Turkey, can you believe it? – that it actually hurts!
In the company of two great bands – Wednesday 13 and Sick’N‘ Beautiful – the anticipation for some riotous performances is running very high across the Baltics, the Balkans and Eastern Europe. So prepare yourselves for a night never to be forgotten, one of maleficent spectacle and debauch! You have been warned! See you early next year fellow Filthlings.”
WEDNESDAY 13 adds: “We are extremely excited to be hitting the road with our friends in Cradle Of Filth. We will be performing in places in Europe that we’ve never been or haven’t been to in quite some time. We can’t wait to see you all on this tour!”
Order CRADLE OF FILTH’s live album, Trouble And Their Double Lives, HERE
On April 28, 2023, CRADLE OF FILTH dropped their first live album to be released in 20 years, entitled Trouble And Their Double Lives. Recorded between 2014 and 2019 at different performances in the U.S., Europe, Australia and beyond during their “Cryptoriana World Tour” and dates following, Trouble And Their Double Lives serves as a time-capsule of blisteringly intense live energy, and an astounding testament to CRADLE OF FILTH’s renowned latest era. The brand new live onslaught also featured two entirely brand new songs, entitled “She is a Fire” and “Demon Prince Regent”, and debuted at #9 on the US Current Hard Music Albums chart.
CRADLE OF FILTH is: Dani Filth – vocals Donny Burbage – guitar Ashok – guitar Daniel Firth – bass Martin Skaroupka – drums Zoe Marie Federoff – live female vocals & keyboards
Texas has been swamped by a brutal heat wave. That’s not great for folks who want to spend their summer soaking up the sun, but black metal fans will be pleased to know that the Lone Star State is about to get even hotter.
NECROFIER are playing four special shows across their home state this October. They’ll be playing songs off their new album ‘Burning Shadows in the Southern Night’. Joining them are demonic, majestic, Northwest torchbearers Hulder.
Texas dates October 5 – Dallas @ Double Wide [TICKETS] October 6 – The Compound @ Houston [TICKETS] October 7 – Austin @ Lost Well [TICKETS] October 8 – San Antonio @ Paper Tiger [TICKETS]
“Where you live helps shape someone”. That’s Christian “Bakka” Larson, who sings and plays guitar in Necrofier. He’s right; the band’s new album burns with a thick, sweltering melodicism that you don’t often get from black metal. “Total Southern Darkness” opens with ominous piano and mournful, operatic vocals, while “Whispers That Burn in the Dark” is whipped along by blast beats that pound the air like a horde of bats.
“It’s hot most of the year in Houston,” says Larson, “which gives us warmer tones and more of a heavy metal influence compared to our brothers from the North.”
People have been feeling the heat, too. “It’s a great-sounding black metal that almost feels more like a live record than a studio album,” says A&P Reacts about Burning Shadows in the Southern Night.
It’s tough to pick just one, but “Destroying Angels” might be the most satantic track on Burning Shadows in the Southern Night. Dobber Beverly is so cold and merciless behind the drum kit that his fills could flay flesh. “Sacrifice my life in blood”, Larson screams. His bloodlust sounds so murderous, it’s like he’s being burned at the stake by those searing guitar riffs.
The video for “Destroying Angels” is just as sinister. Watch what happens when a harem of witches catch an innocent princess wandering through their enchanted forest.
“‘Destroying Angels is about transforming yourself into something new after learning things you believed to be true were not. The song was also written while on mushrooms and lyrically is inspired by Selim from The Devil’s Blood. RIP’
Burning Shadows in the Southern Night: 01. The Fall from Heaven (03:24) 02. Total Southern Darkness (05:43) 03. To the Wolves (03:54) [WATCH] 04. Forbidden Light of the Black Moon (05:20) [WATCH] 05. Destroying Angels (05:09) [WATCH] 06. Whispers That Burn in the Dark (04:40) 07. The All Seeing shadows (04:44) 08. On Wings of Death We Burn the Sky (03:50) 09. Call to the Beyond (04:29) 10. Burnt by the Sacred Flame (06:00) [WATCH] Total Running Time- 00:47:12
Finnish-French ghost rock band The Nearlies lovingly invites you to share a few minutes listening to the hip-swaying musical story of Calendula. Superman has plenty of those flowers in his garden, for a good reason! This is the second single from their upcoming second studio album “Fresh Memories” to be released later this year via Concorde Music Company.
Composer: Jarmo Kortesmaa Lyricist: Hanna Kortesmaa
The Nearlies was formed some 15 years ago in France. Future bass player and guitarist were seeking other options than excessive wine drinking for their leisure time. Starting with instrumental music they soon realised that adding vocals was compulsory to open the doors of local concert venues. After auditioning one singer it was decided that the bassist must sing. Fast-forwarding to 2019, the duo met their missing wheel, percussionist Derico Da Purificacao. Things moved rapidly and first album Ghost Rock was released in 2020. After a few years of practising and brainstorming, maybe a few bottles of wine, comes Fresh Memories in autumn 2023. It’s a collection of melodies and thoughts they have gone through with these complicated times On the more serious note, the guitarist had some experience from years before, playing with Mama & The Darkbreakers in early 90’s in Pohjanmaa and late 90’s with B-fly in Helsinki.
Line-up: Vocals, bass: Hanna Kortesmaa Gtr: Jarmo Kortesmaa Drums: Derico Da Purificacao
BraveWords.com recently announced the launch of BraveWords Records and now BraveWords Records is excited to announce the signing of Lillian Axe. Look for Lillian Axe to release their first title for BraveWords Records in 2024.
BraveWords Records founder Metal Tim Henderson, “NOLA rises again! Having followed the career of these raucous ruffians from the late ‘80s, I’m honored to be able to work with Steve and his bandmates, especially after he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame recently. We are in for ride. More importantly, so are the fans!”
Steve Blaze, founder of Lillian Axe, “On behalf of the entire band and organization, we are extremely happy to announce that Lillian Axe will be joining the brand new BraveWords Records label as we begin work on our next studio album! BraveWords has always been one of the most prestigious organizations in the field of hard rock and metal music, and we are ecstatic about our new team! We have started the writing process for our next studio album, and we will continue to play shows and promote From Womb to Tomb until it’s time to start recording the new one! Thanks to Brian, Giles, Tim and the whole team at Brave Words for this new partnership!
Lillian Axe is a million-selling dramatic hard rock band orchestrating a comeback with their latest album “From Womb To Tomb” and extensive tour dates which included their return to Europe for the first time in years. The album reached number 28 on the Billboard on the Hard Rock Album chart and has been touted as the band’s magnum opus. In 2010, they became the first-ever hard rock act inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In November, 2021, Steve Blaze was inducted for the second time for his individual accomplishments as a guitarist and songwriter, which include multiple TV and film soundtracks and appearances, sessions for major artists, and nine years as guitarist for legendary rockers Angel. In 2017, Lillian Axe was awarded the Jackson Indie Music Ikon Award for their musical contribution to the Mississippi music scene for the last 30 years. Since releasing their debut album in 1988, the band has toured with icons such as Alice Cooper, RATT, Accept and many others, as well as rocking hundreds of thousands of fans worldwide at major festivals such as Sweden Rock, Firefest, M3 and Rocklahoma.
About BraveWords Records: There is a serious void which desperately needs to be filled, hard-working and creative bands that have yet to find a partnership and a mutual vision with a professional team. The music-fuelled minds behind BraveWords Records, Brian Adams, Giles Lavery, Tim Henderson and Michael Brandvold, have built the ultimate home for an artist that will take you where you want to be. Collectively, with nearly 100 years of music industry experience under our belts, the BraveWords Records team will take care of all the crucial aspects of your project from global distribution (digital and physical), publicity and media coverage (web, radio, visual), social media blanketing and streaming opportunities (such as Streaming For Vengeance). Where most labels have forgotten the concept of actually marketing a release sensibly, BraveWords Records will construct a viable and comprehensive marketing plan, including visibility at BraveWords.com, which attracts a million visitors monthly. BraveWords Records has all senses on high alert as the music industry continues its never-ending transitioning, so the artist will always be aware of new opportunities to build their brand and strive for world domination. BraveWords will also have a focus on licensing film and TV content, both contemporary and retrospective across many genres. As artists and labels transition to the many new mediums available today for their work, BraveWords intends to stay ahead of the curve in providing and actively seeking opportunities for our roster of clients.
With the rapid spread of the world wide web, BraveWords.com was born in 2000 and quickly became the CNN of heavy metal. With its team of global writers and photographers, the site flourished with 24/7 updated news, features, reviews, audio and video steams.
For nearly 30 years, BraveWords wears their metal heart loudly on their sleeve, as they celebrate the greatest genre of music with the most dedicated and passionate fans on the planet!
Connecticut, US melodic death / doom metal group FIRES IN THE DISTANCE will be releasing an instrumental version of their acclaimed sophomore album, Air Not Meant For Us, via Prosthetic Records on October 6. Alongside the album announcement, the quartet has shared a guitar playthrough of album track Adrift Beneath the Listless Waves, featuring a guest appearance from Burial in the Sky’s James Tomedi.
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE head out on a co-headlining US tour with labelmates Dawn of Ouroboros this October – full details and dates below.
Speaking on the album announcement, Yegor Savonin (composition, guitars, programming, lyrics) comments: “As we get closer to closing out the year and our tour with Dawn of Ouroboros, we have one more component of our new album left to release. As with our last album, Air Not Meant For Us will be released in full instrumental format on October 6.
“Alongside the album announcement we’ve shared a playthrough video for Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves, which was once again filmed by our friend and videographer Jayson Cessna of Astralborne, and features the masterful James Tomedi of Burial in the Sky contributing a scathing guest solo.” Teaming up with Salt Lake City composer and producer Randy Slaugh, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s chief songwriter Yegor Savonin (composition, guitars, programming, lyrics) sought to reach even greater dynamics within the band’s core sound of melodic death and doom metal. With live orchestration in the form of violas, violins, cellos, as well as piano work, proving to be an incredibly fruitful collaborative process for both band and producer.
Air Not Meant For Us marks the first time the band have recorded with new drummer, Jordan Rippe, who delivers his own wide range of ornate work and feeling to the group’s established sound. Whilst drums for the album were recorded at the historic Power Station New England, the rest of the instruments were tracked at Studio Wormwood in North Carolina with returning producer, Dave Kaminsky, who handled recording and mixing in both studios.
In addition to the collaboration with Randy Slaugh, the album also features a guest appearance from Burial in the Sky guitarist James Tomedi on instrumental track Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves, who’s deft fretwork adds an additional layer of dynamic sheen.
Kristian Grimaldi’s thunderous vocal delivery compliments the album’s composition strongly and projects the songs to a greater level of formidability. The record is rounded out by Craig Breitsprecher’s complex and serpentine bass work which weave throughout the LP with an imperative sense of cohesion.
Seeking to retain aesthetic continuity, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE once again reached out to Caelan Stokkermans for the album’s art and layout, which masterfully conveys Air Not Meant For Us’ emotional core. With a runtime of 51 minutes across six songs, FIRES IN THE DISTANCE’s sophomore effort is a melodic doom and death metal odyssey in both artistic vision and sound.
Air Not Meant For Us tracklist: 1. Harbingers 2. Wisdom of the Falling Leaves 3. Crumbling Pillars of a Tranquil Mind 4. Adrift, Beneath the Listless Waves 5. Psalm of the Merciless 6. Idiopathic Despair
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE and DAWN OF OUROBOROS The Perserverance of Light tour dates: 04 October – Subterranean – Chicago, IL 05 October – Black Circle – Indianapolis, ID 06 October – The Vortex – Akron OH @ The Vortex 07 October – Legends – Cincinnati, OH 09 October – The End – Nashville, TN 10 October – Justice Pub – Jacksonville, FL 11 October – Brass Mug – Tampa, FL 12 October – Conduit – Orlando, FL 13 October – Boggs Social – Atlanta, GA
FIRES IN THE DISTANCE is: Yegor Savonin – composition, guitars, programming, lyrics Craig Breitsprecher – bass, vocals Kristian Grimaldi – guitars, vocals Jordan Rippe – drums
THE ROCK ALCHEMIST – Italian Rock Band from Turin with a strong sonic identity that blends modern rock with progressive, hard, alternative, and pop elements!
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
