Something mysterious and intriguing is lurking behind the curtains of the global metal landscape. MAYFIRE Chronicles project is narrated through the heads of Mayfire’s vision and passion for songwriting and filmmaking. The ambition is: Epic -larger than life- audio/visual story-driven experience, suited for the large scene experiences and future platforms like metaverse and VR etc. Modern, Melodic & Cinematic Metal. Inspired by artists like: Dream Theater, Ghost, Leprous, In flames and more. Inspired by visionaries like: James Cameron, Denis Villeneuve, George Lucas and more.
“Cloudscapes & Silhouettes” will be released on November 17, 2023 as Digipack CD, Orange / Black Splatter Vinyl limited to 300 copies worldwide and digital streaming/download format.
• Written and produced by MJX / RD • Recording studio: Mayfire Studios • Mix & Mastering by EKF at W5 studio • Featuring Baard Kolstad of Leprous, EKF and ØBB
TRACK LIST: 1. The Fall 2. City of Ruins 3. Shadows (featuring Baard Kolstad of Leprous) 4. Cloudscapes & Silhouettes 5. Thicker Than Water 6. A Sense of Purpose 7. Vinternatt 8. Fearless 9. The Age of Kings
The hottest rising power metal band in recent years, DOMINUM, have just signed a worldwide deal with Napalm Records! The band around singer, producer and songwriter Felix Heldt (known from his work for Feuerschwanz, Visions of Atlantis and others) in the character of Dr. Dead, takes the living into the world of the undead – telling stories of zombies, survival and insatiable hunger for more, creating their own intense and captivating reality.
Showcasing the highest level of production value right off the bat with their first single, “Patient Zero”, which was mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Arch Enemy, Katatonia, Delain, Amaranthe & more) and is accompanied by an official music video directed, produced and edited by 360 Grad design (Rammstein, Within Temptation, Peter Maffay & more), the band proves they are poised to become one of the biggest successes in the current power metal universe.
Dr. Dead on “Patient Zero”: “Living people, I am very pleased to finally be able to offer you a glimmer of hope in your hopeless situation. With “Patient Zero”, I have succeeded in achieving a breakthrough in the realm of immortality. My old colleague Frankenstein had thought everything through well – but not carried it to its logical conclusion. “Patient Zero” signifies the beginning of a long story that will have a positive ending for all of you livingbeings. Yours, Dr. Dead”
At the core of DOMINUM, fantastic storytelling, genius songwriting and high levels of musicianship combine the energy of metal with the drama and narration of horror movies!
With no music released yet, DOMINUM have already put on stellar performances – at Austria’s Area 53, for example – have been booked on a tour with Die Apokalyptischen Reiter and Equilibrium, as well as shows with Hämatom and Winterstorm, and have more in the pipeline for 2024!
Join the Living Dead Squad and become a part of the hottest up-and-coming force in theatrical power metal!
DOMINUM live: 01.09.23 AT – Graz / Metal On The Hill
w/ Winterstorm, Six Finger Jack 24.09.23 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch
w/ Hämatom 28.10.23 DE – Kaiserslautern / Kammgarn
w/ Die Apokalyptischen Reiter, Equilibrium 26.12.23 DE – Munich / Backstage Werk 27.12.23 CH – Pratteln / Z7 28.12.23 DE – Cologne / Essigfabrik 29.12.23 DE – Hamburg / Grünspan 30.12.23 DE – Jena / F-Haus
DOMINUM are: Dr. Dead – Vocals Patient Zero – Bass Victor – Drums Tommy – Guitars
Swedish-American atmospheric melancholic pop duo SILENT SKIES are releasing their highly anticipated new full-length, Dormant, tomorrow, September 1, 2023 via Napalm Records! Today, the international ambient collaboration unveils one more single, entitled “Reset”.
Diving deep into philosophical and existential themes through their poetic, reflective lyrics and tender piano melodies, with “Reset” SILENT SKIES presents yet another heart-wrenching and beautiful original composition. The single is accompanied by a music video, directed by the international joint team of Patric Ullaeus and Paul Moore, which offers an evocative visual rendition of the song’s central themes.
SILENT SKIES add: “Our third single, ‘Reset,’ from the album Dormant, explores issues of identity and inner spirit. Many of us struggle with feelings of dissatisfaction, a lack of inner peace, and pressure to meet societal expectations. The journey of self-actualization is difficult, and both external and internal forces work against us. Each day presents new obstacles as we strive for serenity and purpose. ‘Reset’ serves as an introspective examination, a candid and unfiltered reflection of our deepest existential worries, and, most importantly, an invocation to rediscover, revitalize, and reconnect with our true selves.”
SILENT SKIES’ third offering is melancholic and calming, yet effervescent and incandescent, expanding the duo’s sonic universe in every direction – it is the result of brave sonic experimentation married to the tastefully artistic aesthetic that defines the group. Throughout the varied peaks and valleys of their compositions, it is their powers of expression, and reflection on the human experience – in their own words, “conversations with life, about life” – that give their music the power to speak to a vast array of lived experiences, and reach people with diverse tastes, as long as they are interested in appreciating art as a reflection of life itself.
SILENT SKIES on Dormant: “We are thrilled to present Dormant, our third record, crafted with immense joy and offered with satisfaction and eagerness to share our heartfelt dedication over the past 18 months. With Dormant, SILENT SKIES propels itself further into more uncharted territory, embarking on a journey whose destination remains unknown even to us. Like passengers on a train, we embrace the excitement and exhilaration of the ride, relishing in the uncertainty of our future direction. The freedom of creativity is a vital source of energy for us during the composition and production journey for our music. Within Dormant, you will find a multitude of intricate details, a plethora of musical landscapes, and an abundance of concepts, all waiting for you to dive in and explore their depths. At its core, Dormant delves into the awakening of a sleeping or forgotten consciousness, urging it to be present and take action in the now.
It is an album that, from the early stages, felt like a profound conversation with life, about life. It encapsulates the ongoing dialogue and introspection with our inner selves as we seek equilibrium and harmony. Ultimately, it is a realization that what we yearn for is a stillness of the mind and soul — a sense of contentment, pride, and connection with what is our most authentic selves. We believe that you will find resonance with many of the reflections we share within Dormant, and we eagerly anticipate continuing this dialogue with all of you.
This journey has only just begun. Let’s awaken together.
The opening track on Dormant, “Construct”, calls for the listener to join the two musicians on a soulful journey, building the atmosphere to a sublime conclusion, before continuing along a darker, brooding and intense path in the yearning “New Life”. Englund’s heartfelt vocals speak directly to the soul, while balancing perfectly with Shankar’s thoughtful instrumentation, driven by tender piano and elevated by an engulfing production. The harmonious “Churches” and pop-inflected “Just Above The Clouds” – the latter featuring a compelling solo from Leprous/Musk Ox cellist Raphael Weinroth-Browne – build up to a mesmerizing daydream, leaving the listener lost in the wonderful nuances that Dormant has to offer.
The calming and profoundly introspective “Reset” and “Tides” envelop the listener in seemingly endless melancholic soundscapes, whereas the poignant “The Real Me” is imbibed with electronic hues that yield a brighter, more modern atmosphere. Throughout these tracks, SILENT SKIES’ work is characterized by deep and thoughtful expansion of their signature sound, where analog synthesizers, intricate programming, meticulously constructed soundscapes, and stately piano melodies are paired with the introspective vocals of Englund, who delivers profound lyrical sentiments with thoughtfully expressive character. The deeply moving “Light Up The Dark” and the serene atmosphere of the title track “Dormant” are followed by the glimmering hues of “The Last On Earth”, the last original composition on Dormant, in which modular synth loops and moody piano reflections are paired with chiming guitars that encapsulate the duo’s commitment to the development of their sound.
Dormant tracklisting:
Construct
New Life
Churches
Just Above The Clouds
Reset
Tides
The Real Me
Light Up The Dark
Dormant
The Last On Earth
The Trooper (Bonus Track)
Dancing In The Dark (Bonus Track)
Numb (Bonus Track)
SILENT SKIES are: Tom S. Englund – Vocals, Production Vikram Shankar – Piano, Keyboards, Production
POWERWOLF set another milestone in their career, and live music as a whole, when they made history with the use of augmented reality at a live music festival in Europe during their headline set at Summer Breeze Festival in Germany! It was one of the biggest productions ever, during which POWERWOLF performed in front of tens of thousands of fans.
Together with ARTE Concert and the 0221 Mediaagentur, using technology used in video games, they created a monstrous wolf above the stage in real time during the set, visible by both fans on site, as well as devotees watching the livestream from all over the world. The wolf was visible four times during the set, during their hits “Incense & Iron”, “Amen & Attack”, “Beast Of Gévaudan” and “Resurrection By Erection”.
The show at Summer Breeze was yet another demonstration of power by POWERWOLF, who currently reign as Germany’s most actively successful artist right now. With the biggest pyro show of the festival, a mass of actors on stage, a huge fireworks display and a band in top form in front of the biggest crowd of the entire festival, the high priests of heavy metal have impressively underlined their status as the leading force in the genre!
Watch below POWERWOLF’s Stunning Full Headline Show.
POWERWOLF are undoubtedly one of the most celebrated and successful heavy metal bands of the last decade. Multiple #1 album chart entries, gold and platinum records, huge sold out arena shows, as well as headline slots at the biggest festivals have paved their way. In less than 20 years of band history, POWERWOLF have made it to the very highest league of heavy metal.
POWERWOLF LIVE: 08.09.23 CZ – Havirov / Havirovske Slavnosti 31.10.23 DE – Dusseldorf / Mitsubishi Electric Hall 02.11.23 DE – Ravensburg / Oberschwabenhalle 03.11.23 DE – Bamberg / Brose Arena 04.11.23 NL – Den Bosch / The Rock Circus 05.11.23 DE – Leipzig / Quarterback Immobilien Arena
[Photo Credit: Matteo Vdiva Fabbiani for VD Pictures]
About POWERWOLF: The story of POWERWOLF, beginning in 2004, reads like a true fairytale, but is the result of the efforts of one of the most innovative and entertaining live bands on the heavy metal planet. POWERWOLF have secured a remarkable collection of gold and platinum awards, starting in 2015, when they reached Gold status for the first time in the Czech Republic with their album, Blessed & Possessed. Additionally, both Preachers Of The Night (2013) and the subsequent masterpiece The Sacrament Of Sin (2018), as well as the groundbreaking streaming event The Monumental Mass: A Cinematic Metal Event (2022), entered the German album and DVD charts at #1 (a massive achievement for an audio-visual release). The thrilling DVD, The Metal Mass, (2016) also secured the #1 spot on the German DVD charts. Most recently, the new studio album, Call Of The Wild, entered the album charts at #2 (and staying for 16 weeks in the charts) while the hit single “Dancing With The Dead” went gold and platinum. The Best Of album, Best Of The Blessed, released in 2020, also successfully entered the German charts at #2, while the in-between album Interludium climbed on #3.
POWERWOLF achieved massive success as they headlined large venues with their phenomenal stage performances on the almost completely sold out Wolfsnächte headline tours (2019 & 2022), as well as numerous summer festival shows in which crowds were thrilled and completely captivated by the wolves and their unique, (un)holy metal mass. Beyond many others, they’ve also headlined Wacken, Masters Of Rock, Summer Breeze – all massive live successes. After the huge success of the recent Summer Breeze headline show, the whole world is completely under the sign of the wolfpack once again!
POWERWOLF are: Attila Dorn – vocals Falk Maria Schlegel – organ Charles Greywolf – guitar Matthew Greywolf – guitar Roel van Helden – drums
Coming straight out of Queens with an exhilarating blend of modern rock and a hint of vintage guitar, the NYC based outfit KING FALCON has announced their much-anticipated self-titled, debut album, out October 27th via Mascot Records. Melding indie-rock adventurousness with Classic Rock swagger, King Falcon’s ultra-catchy songwriting recalls artists like Black Keys, Jack White, Cage the Elephant, The Strokes, Royal Blood, and The Killers. To celebrate the announcement, King Falcon has released a music video for their latest single “Rabbit Gets The Gun,” a colorful electro-pop track with driving bass and drums-dominated verses and a deliriously fun sing along chorus. “The song is about an inversion of power,” frontman Michael Rubin explains. “The outcasts and weirdos rising up.” Check out the video HERE and pre-order ‘King Falcon’ HERE.
The announcement follows the release of the band’s two recent singles “Ready Set Go” and “Cadillac,” which have both garnered impressive attention, now boasting over 500K streams each. Peaking at an impressive #5 on the US Submodern Singles Chart, rocker “Ready Set Go” perfectly encapsulates the frenetic energy and urban sprawl of King Falcon’s hometown, while the music video for “Cadillac” provides a visual treat, capturing a Ferris Bueller-esque escapade featuring a friend’s stunning red 1957 Eldorado Cadillac.
Bathed in garage guitar riffage, power pop choruses, soulful melodic lead vocals, and rich indie-rock atmospherics, the album’s narrative is a powerful testament to friendship, personal growth, and the audacious dream of living a rock n’ roll fantasy. And with the craftsmanship of producer Marshall Altman and mixing by the 12-time Grammy-nominated Mark Needham, the album promises a sonic experience like no other.
Track list
Everybody’s Down
Ready Set Go
Cadillac
Set Me Free
Rabbit Gets The Gun
Soul Sucker
Ride
My Name Is
Touch
On Your Soul
Go On
Michael’s journey to music began during his early days with Guitar Hero. “My dad would often joke, ‘you spend so much time in front of the TV with that game, why not learn the real guitar?'” Michael recalls. Accepting the challenge, he picked up a guitar and, alongside James Terranova — who functioned as both a drummer and occasional recording engineer — they began their musical venture. In 2020, the duo released the funky and infectiously catchy single, “Shake! Shake! Shake!.” The duo’s evolution into King Falcon, marked by Tom Diognardi joining as the drummer and James transitioning to bass, ignited their true musical potential.
However, the pandemic cleared King Falcon’s calendar before their debut show. The guys made the most of the situation by sending its single, “When The Party Is Over,” out to labels. “That song represented me trying to convince my parents, and myself, that I could get somewhere playing guitar,” Michael says. The song turned out to be aces for the band landing them a recording contract with Mascot Records.
Now, with their debut album set for release, King Falcon is gearing up to embark on an extensive US tour. A special highlight of the tour will see King Falcon opening for the legendary Southern rock band, Saving Abel, For more information and to purchase tickets visit https://kingfalconband.com/
NOCTEM, the revered pioneers of Valencian Black Metal, embark on their sinister journey through European lands with their “Credo Certe Ne Cras” tour. After the conclusion of their forays into Central Europe, performing at some of the continent’s largest festivals, the band is poised to deliver a series of blasphemous rituals on another tour in this territory.
The dates are as follows:
01.SEP Wroclaw – Siekera Fest (PL) 02.SEP Szczecin – Black Metal Night (PL) 03.SEP Dresden – Chemiefrabrik (DE) 06.SEP Utrecht – DBS (NL) 07.SEP Kortrijk – DVG CLUB (BE) 08.SEP Blizen – South of Heaven (BE) 09.SEP Ulm – CAT (DE) 30.SEP Bilbao – Azkena (ES) 05.OCT Barcelona – Sala Bóveda (ES) 07.OCT València – Black Orange Fest (ES) 08.OCT Madrid – Sala Silikona (ES) 11.NOV Alicante – Mortis fest (ES) 02.DEC Murcia – Kpitall Extreme Metal Fest (ES) 08.DEC Faro – Al Metal Fest (PT)
This tour promises to be a testament to their relentless dedication to Black Metal, captivating the audience with their impious rituals and unbridled energy.
In the words of Beleth: “Join the congregation, the flames of Black Metal are reignited across Europe.”
For information on tickets and shows, please visit noctemofficial.com
About Noctem: Noctem is a renowned Black Metal band known for pushing the boundaries of extreme music beyond our borders. With over 20 years in the industry, Noctem has made a name for themselves on the international scene, appearing at major festivals in Europe and undertaking around 30 tours across Europe, Russia, Asia, and North America. With a show crowned in blood and fire, Noctem continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of extreme music.
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