The new year has hardly begun, and some great news has already arrived from the far north. Swedish heavy metallers ENFORCER have listened to their fans and revived their classic track ‘Running In Menace‘. Today, the band has released a fresh, re-recorded version of the track originally released in 2010, launching them into the new year headfirst. Along with the song re-release, the band have revealed a new video, which shows exclusive clips of the Swedes, filmed during their last European tour in spring 2022.
ENFORCER‘s Olof Wikstrand comments: ”Let’s kick off the new year with some exclusive stuff! Last year we had an Instagram vote for your favourite album song that we don’t normally play. And the winner was… ”Running in Menace” from 2010! So, we decided to include that in our set, but also, we re-recorded the song during a soundcheck in Warsaw and put together a tour video for it. Hope you all enjoy it!”
Swedish heavy metal band ENFORCER formed in 2005 by lead vocalist and guitarist Olof Wikstrand. The first two albums Into The Night (2008) and Diamonds (2010) established the band’s loyal fanbase and left a long-lasting imprint in the heavy metal world. With increasing success in the underground scene, ENFORCER led and created a worldwide movement later referred to as ‘the new wave of traditional heavy metal’. In 2012 the Swedes were recognised for their impressive musical repertoire and signed a worldwide record deal with the biggest metal label in the world, Nuclear Blast Records. Since then, the band have released three more studio albums with Death by Fire (2013), From Beyond (2015) and Zenith (2019). To date, ENFORCER have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. The culmination of their tireless work ethic resulting in the release of two live albums, Live By Fire (2015) and Live By Fire II (2021). ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, and in 2023 they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands.
Finnish atmospheric progressive metallers ALASE are set to release their second studio album ‘A Matter of Time’ on April 14th 2023 via Finnish Inverse Records. A new single & music video ‘Clear Sky Is Not a Curse’ is released today and it’s available here: https://push.fm/fl/alase-clear
Guitarist Janne Lunnas comments:
“We chose Clear Sky Is Not a Curse as the first single taken from the album as the song is pretty straight-forward but still progressive. This song was born as our other guitarist Mikko sent me the intro’s clean guitar tracks and I started to build other elements on top of them. The song is filled with hooks and it represents many musical elements of the album. Once again our lyricist Ninni Swan managed to capture fragile emotions that many people can relate to. Vocalist Juha Tretjakov sang almost every song on this album and he was a perfect fit as the vocalist for Clear Sky Is Not a Curse as well.
If I would need to compare the song to other bands, I think this song is pretty much in the same ballpark style-wise with Katatonia and VOLA as they combine beautiful elements to crushing heavy drumming and riffs in similar way.
Aarni Visuals filmed a music video to be accompanied with this song and I think they nailed it great how the atmosphere matches with the song.”
Rising modern symphonic metal outfit AD INFINITUM are breaking in with their mesmerizing new single, “Seth”, exceeding all expectations and heating up the excitement for their electrifying new studio album, Chapter III – Downfall, out March 31 via Napalm Records, once more!
The new hit “Seth” creates a heavy presence with distorted guitars crushing a groovy riff, charging into a captivating chorus with Melissa Bonny at lead singing a beautifully triumphant melody. This song’s resounding modern sound and eerie ambience will have new fans turning heads, all emphasized by an accompanying bombastic video. “Seth” is now available on all streaming services worldwide!
Having crashed into the scene in 2020 and ascending ever since, AD INFINITUM‘s unique sound has spurred hits like “Marching on Versailles” and “Unstoppable”, garnering more than 2.8 million video views, each, to date.
AD INFINITUM on “Seth“: “Today we unveil one more piece of our upcoming album Chapter III – Downfall. A song about Seth, the god of chaos and destruction, about jealousy, ambition, betrayal, treason and illusions. And eventually about justice and resolution. All this served with heavy riffs and a beautiful video by Vincent De Fallois. Enjoy!”
Chapter III – Downfall bewitches with an innovative sound full of soaring melodic splendor juxtaposed against brooding, dark and even gothic heaviness. Exploring concepts of Ancient Egyptian history and mythology, AD INFINITUM melds a perfect balance of storytelling and technically sophisticated songwriting, spreading their wings in both areas of production and lyricism. Charging instrumentals, pounding drums, chunky, grooving riffs, mind-boggling solos and enchanting orchestrations build the band’s unique world of sound as frontwoman-to-watch Melissa Bonny’s soul-stirring cleans and haunting growls put her incredible vocal range on display – dropping jaws with each line.
Produced by AD INFINITUM and Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Chapter III – Downfall showcases that this up-and-coming quartet can effortlessly turn the genre upside down, gracing it with contemporary vibes without forgoing their signature metal origins, and thrilling all metal fans as they rise to the top!
AD INFINITUM add: “The word is out, Chapter III – Downfall is on its way! For this album, we explored stories and legends of Ancient Egypt with, as star character and main inspiration, Cleopatra. We added some extra dimension and sounds to our signature AD INFINITUM sound to create an extra dimension, transporting the listener to mystical landscapes of another era. We are beyond excited to start to unveil this new record!“
Opening track “Eternal Rains” immediately catches your breath with a captivating chorus, followed by electric “Upside Down”. “From The Ashes” impresses with reminiscence of artists like Meshuggah, proving that AD INFINITUM never fails to deliver surprises. “Under The Burning Skies” directs its haunting vocals towards the horizon, unfolding into an intense mid-tempo ballad shortly after. As a special treat, AD INFINITUM welcomes Chrigel Glanzmann of Eluveitie, who provides his voice for the atmospheric monologue introduction on “Legends”, paving the way for a touch of Middle Eastern-inspired djent flavor.
Tracklist:
Eternal Rains
Upside Down
Seth
From The Ashes
Somewhere Better
The Underworld
Ravenous
Under The Burning Skies
Architect Of Paradise
The Serpent’s Downfall
New Dawn
Legends (Featuring Chrigel Glanzmann)
AD INFINITUM are: Melissa Bonny – Vocals Adrian Thessenvitz – Guitars Korbinian Benedict – Bass Niklas Müller – Drums
Extreme Management Group (EMG), home to bands like Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, Rings of Saturn, and more, has announced their partnership with Australian metal band BRIMSTONE.
Brimstone was never conceived with public consumption in mind. This was two regular guys making the kind music they love on terms they could commit to. Drawn towards their mutual appreciation of heavy riffs, melodic vocals and guitar solos, the blueprint was as uncomplicated as the songs themselves – a modern take on 90s-era traditional heavy metal. If it made your foot tap, your head bang and you could sing along, it made the cut.
In 2013 their debut album “Raise a Glass” was released in limited quantities to favourable reviews. Metalasfuck.net claimed the album does “more than enough to establish their credentials as the latest in Australia’s production line of high-octane first division hard rock bands”.
The next few years were spent playing various gigs around Australia, including a Sebastian Bach (ex-Skid Row) support, with their friends as guests in the live line-up. Following this active period, Brimstone took a break to focus on family and their day jobs, while continuing to work on demoing new material.
By 2019 there was an abundance of ideas to form the next album however before pre-production could be scheduled the whole world entered COVID lock down and froze for the next two years. With recording plans on an indefinite hold, focus was put on finessing the new material in preparation of recording once the gates were open and normality returned.
Enter 2022 and with much of the world reopened for business, it was beyond time to get back to the studio.
As with “Raise a Glass”, Brimstone tapped Steve James (Sex Pistols, Screaming Jets, Airbourne) for producing and mixing the new offering, titled “The Descent”. The sophomore release sees Brimstone expand upon their existing sound without abandoning their mission statement. The feet will tap, the heads will bang, and the riffs and vocals will find their way into that part of your brain that will see you involuntarily recreate them when you least expect.
Brimstone isn’t reinventing the wheel, they focus on the familiar elements of some of your favourite bands that have stopped making the albums you love, because much like you, it’s what they want to hear blasting through the speakers when they press play. Like a well-worn pair of jeans and a pair of Converse on your feet, it’s familiar, and feels good.
Now the band has signed with Extreme Management Group, and had the following to say about the partnering, “Brimstone are very excited to announce a worldwide partnership with Extreme Management Group Inc. from New York, USA. It is an honour to join their existing roster of bands and we look forward to what this partnership will bring in the next phase of our career.” EMG said, “Brimstone has done a ton of work getting themselves to this point. We intend to make that hard work count.” Anticipate big things to come from Brimstone and Extreme Management Group.
BRIMSTONE are Boris Billing – Vocals, drums Peter Black – Guitars, Bass
Legendary GRAVE DIGGER live album “25 To Live” will be released on 03.02. in a strictly limited, one-off edition as a 4 LP box on Metalville Records.
Recorded in 2005 in Sao Paulo in front of a frenetic audience, the 27-song concert features not only all the classics but also rarely played live tracks and is still one of the absolute high points in the band’s successful career.
TRAGEDY – one of New York City’s most famous tribute bands and the undisputed inventors of “disco metal” – recently announced their new, upcoming full-length album, I Am Woman, out March 3, 2023 via Napalm Records. Flipping the script on sleaze rock tropes, I Am Woman pays tribute to the most powerful force in the band’s lives, celebrating womanhood in all forms on 14 newly-reinvented disco and soft rock anthems!
Today, following their latest cover of legendary track “Venus”, the band showcases their heavy metal take on The Pointer Sisters‘ classic anthem, “I’m So Excited”. Follow the band in the Cara Maria O’Shea-directed music video to their Halftime Show performance at the Big Bank SuperDuper Dome – you won’t be able to contain yourself as you rock out to a metallized version of this iconic track with half-timed grooves, squealing solos and energetic vocals.
Frontman Mo’Royce Peterson says about “I’m So Excited”:
“Anita Pointer sadly passed away very recently, and this is our tribute to her and her sisters’ impact on music, as well as, of course, their everlasting and unbridled enthusiasm for ‘pleasures in the night’ on this track.
The song is about the building, burning anticipation of impending carnal satisfaction. The heart races, hormones surge – gratification is imminent! In the video, the “excited” band members pack themselves into the family minivan, then play the Halftime Show at the Big Bank SuperDuper Dome – an event viewed live by over 700 Billion people worldwide!”
TRAGEDY had a glitter-encrusted grip on the entertainment world when they emerged in the early 2010’s. Now, following the 2015 breakout viral music video for their cover of Grease’s “You’re The One That I Want” and 2017’s second viral hit, a cover of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees, TRAGEDY are back with a brand new twist on I Am Woman!
Having introduced their raucous trademark stage show to audiences in the USA, the UK, Germany, France, Switzerland and beyond, and releasing several albums of metalized disco, soft rock and pop covers before even tasting their first viral hit, TRAGEDY proved early on that they were never just your everyday satirical cover band. These six warriors of wacky fully embody the soul of the original and reimagine it from the top down, infusing the tracks with an undeniably infectious energy that can be felt both on stage or on wax. And while their 80s hair metal image would imply that plenty of misbehavior is to be seen on the surface, one only need witness TRAGEDY live a single time to understand that the band’s true overarching message is one of carefree joy, humanity, acceptance and the simple pursuit of a damn good time.
…Shiny costumes, dramatic eye makeup and headbanging hilarity…” – The Village Voice (US)
“Hard riffs, tight white flares, and even tighter octave-scraping harmonies… essential listening” – The Sun (UK)
On I Am Woman, TRAGEDY turn the energy up to 11 with recharged dancehall favorites like “Le Freak”, “Respect” (featuring soul powerhouse Marcy Harriell) and “I’m So Excited”, and double down on the drama with heavy, recomposed covers of belt-worthy classics “Memory” (featuring legendary drag performer, singer and guitarist Mrs. Smith), “Goldfinger” and “Roar”. Tracks like “I Will Survive” evoke the spirit of Queen with choral harmonies and blazing solos, while unabashed anthems like “She Bop” and “Venus” fully convince with authentic 80s hair metal flavor. Power metal reigns on the band’s opus-like version of “Flashdance… What a Feeling” and the theatrical Maiden-meets-Meatloaf-esque “Lay All Your Love on Me”.
I Am Woman is bolstered by a retro production aura that allows the intricacy of each rearrangement decision to shine, as blistering guitar work, classic drumlines and dynamic vocal performances cascade throughout each track. With I Am Woman, TRAGEDY truly embody the spirit of metal classics while providing a fresh take on some of the world’s most timeless classics of empowerment, independence and self-love – important messages that resonate now more than ever!
I Am Woman track listing:
Le Freak
I Will Survive
She Bop
Memory
Lay All Your Love on Me
Venus
Goldfinger
Respect
Flashdance… What a Feeling
I’m So Excited
Here You Come Again
All I Wanna Do
I Am Woman
Roar
TRAGEDY will provide support to Steel Panther and Crobot on their upcoming US tour, beginning February 24 in Las Vegas, NV! Then, TRAGEDY will continue on to their co-headline European tour alongside fellow comedy metal icons and labelmates NANOWAR OF STEEL, beginning April 18 in Southampton, UK. See below for all tour dates!
TRAGEDY: US Tour with Steel Panther and Crobot (as special guest)
02.24.23 – US: Las Vegas, NV – House Of Blues 02.25.23 – US: Anaheim, CA – House Of Blues 02.26.23 – US: Tempe, AZ – The Marquee Theatre 02.28.23 – US: San Antonio, TX – The Aztec Theater 03.01.23 – US: Houston, TX – House Of Blues 03.03.23 – US: Dallas, TX – House Of Blues 03.04.23 – US: Oklahoma City, OK – Diamond Ballroom 03.06.23 – US: Nashville, TN – Marathon Music Works 03.08.23 – US: Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room 03.10.23 – US: Orlando FL – The Plaza Live 03.11.23 – US: St. Petersburg, FL – Jannus Live 03.12.23 – US: Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre 03.14.23 – US: Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live 03.16.23 – US: New York, NY – Irving Plaza 03.17.23 – US: Philadelphia, PA – Keswick Theatre 03.18.23 – US: Sayreville, NJ – Starland Ballroom 03.19.23 – US: Worcester, MA – The Palladium 03.21.23 – US: Detroit, MI – The Fillmore 03.22.23 – US: Columbus, OH – The Bluestone 03.24.23 – US: Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room 03.25.23 – US: Chicago, IL – House Of Blues 03.26.23 – US: Bloomington, IL – The Castle Theatre 03.28.23 – US: Milwaukee, WI – The Eagles Club Stage 03.29.23 – US: Minneapolis, MN – The Fillmore 03.31.23 – US: Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre 04.01.23 – US: Denver, CO – The Fillmore 04.02.23 – US: Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot 04.04.23 – US: Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom 04.06.23 – US: West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go 04.07.23 – US: West Hollywood, CA – Whisky A Go Go 04.08.23 – US: San Diego, CA – House Of Blues
TRAGEDY: European Decimation co-headline tour w/ Nanowar of Steel *TRAGEDY only (w/o Nanowar of Steel)
18.04.23 – UK: Southampton, 1865 * 19.04.23 – UK: Oxford, O2 Academy 2 * 20.04.23 – UK: Hull, The Welly Club 21.04.23 – UK: Carlisle, The Venue 22.04.23 – UK: Glasgow, Cathouse 23.04.23 – UK: Sheffield, O2 Academy 2 24.04.23 – UK: Newcastle, Think Tank 25.04.23 – UK: Liverpool, O2 Academy 2 26.04.23 – UK: Birmingham, IS2 27.04.23 – UK: London, O2 Academy Islington 28.04.23 – UK: Dorset, Teddy Rock Festival 29.04.23 – UK: Bristol, Thekla 30.04.23 – UK: Brighton, Patterns 02.05.23 – FR: Nantes, Ferrailleur 03.05.23 – FR: Paris, Petit Bain 04.05.23 – FR: Toulouse, Connexion Live 05.05.23 – ES: Barcelona, Sala Boveda 06.05.23 – ES: Madrid, Sala Revi Live 07.05.23 – PT: Lisbon, RCA Club 08.05.23 – ES: Murcia, Sala Garage Beat Club 09.05.23 – ES: Valencia, Sala Peter Rock 10.05.23 – ES: Portugalete (Bilbao), Sala Groove 11.05.23 – FR: Lyon, Rock’n Eat
TRAGEDY is: Disco Mountain Man – vocals, keys Mo’Royce Peterson – vocals, guitar Andy Gibbous Waning – bass, vocals Gibbon Ass Freehly – guitar, vocals, horns The Infernal Demigibb – drums The Lord Gibbeth – drums
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 