After releasing a very successful debut album in the hard rock/AOR scene, the stakes are now higher for Swedish band NIGHTHAWK, led by guitarist Rob Majd (Captain Black Beard, Metalite). With Björn Strid (Soilwork, The Night Flight Orchestra & Donna Cannone) joining on lead vocals, Magnus Ulfstedt (Ginevra) on drums, John Lönnmyr (NFO) on keyboards and Christan Ek (Captain Black Beard) on bass, the group booked world-famous Abbey Road Studios and made some magic.
Today, Metal Shock Finland has a pleasure to premiere the band’s new official video ‘Running Wild’, for Finland, enjoy it below.
“Running Wild” is the first spell from the album. A song that not only keeps the path walked by Nighthawk in their debut album, but also sets the “new” band approach for the project. Tighter, groovier, more melodic. More memorable.
“An album I made just for the fun experience of doing it, working with new people and trying something different, turned out great!”, Rob Majd says. Judging by “Running Wild”, indeed, great things are ahead on the Nighthawk skies.
Nighthawk’s new album will be released in the first half of 2023.
Lineup: Robert Majd – guitar Björn Strid – vocals Magnus Ulfstedt – drums John Lönnmyr – keyboards Christian Ek – bass/backing vocals
Photo by Benedetta Gaiani – The Hurricane Photography
Time for NERVOCHAOS’ new digital single, from the Brazilian death metal institution upcoming album “Chtonic Wrath”. “”Torn Apart” is about the seduction game between a man and a woman”, drummer Edu Lane comments about the song. “The woman seduces the man to possess him and, together with the creatures of the night, devours him. Totally dominated, and standing before death, he gets delusional in spiral flights and perishes. This is a fast and aggressive track, in a death and thrash metal mix with some black metal hints”.
Today NERVOCHAOS team up with Metal Shock Finland, to premiere for Finland, their aggressive ”Torn Apart” video, join the premiering below.
July 2021. Pandemics was still hitting hard the entire globe, specially Brazil, where deaths exceeded the 30 thousand. Local death metal big guns NervoChaos were home for far too long. Being used to tour most of the year and not having that chance, due to Covid-19 related constrictions, the band had a brand new album entirely written and ready to record, even before their current album at that time, “All Colors Of Darkness”, hit the shelves. Not ones to wait for the perfect music industry timing or sit on their arses, the Brazilians got themselves in the Abracadaver Studio, with producers Addasi Adassi and Adriano Daga (Angra, Almah, Torture Squad, etc) and recorded what was to be their next album. “Chthonic Wrath” was born.
Merely two months later, American producer Brendan Duffey, which worked previously with Nervosa, Angra and Andre Matos – to name just a few – got the 14 tracks to mix and master, and was utterly impressed. What NervoChaos achieved with “Chthonic Wrath” was their death metal essence, in all its brutality and technical prowess glory, but with hints of a renewed energy and heaviness. How could a group in their 26th year as a band be so hungry for more, passionated about death metal and still motivated enough to dig up riffs so vile, rhythm patterns so vicious and vocal attacks so violent that shake the listener to the ground? On top of it all, the subtle melody nuances and the superb acoustic guitar interlude (aptly named “Tomb Mold”) recorded by Brazilian traditional music researcher Ricardo Vignini. NervoChaos might be an experienced band with thousands of accumulated stage hours. Some might even call them “old”. But they’re nowhere near their descent of the central role in Brazilian – and South American – death metal and they keep firing all cylinders when it comes to no bullshit, truly angry extreme music.
The band gained cult status in the music scene due to their hard work over the past 26 years, offering a sonic extravaganza in their unique way. The group has tenth full-length studio album out, being the latest one “All Colors Of Darkness” – their first for Emanzipation Productions – released in 2022. NervoChaos is also constantly touring worldwide to support their releases, doing around 100 concerts per year – from clubs to big festivals, with everything in between.
“Chthonic Wrath” will be released on digital and CD via Emanzipation Productions on March 31st, 2023.
Lineup: Luiz “Quinho” Parisi: guitar Woesley Johann: guitar Edu Lane: drums Pedro Lemes: bass Brian Stone: vocals
Birthed at the juncture where hardcore and punk meet metal, DEATH RAY VISION are proud to announce they have found a home. They have signed with Metal Blade Records for their forthcoming third album, No Mercy From Electric Eyes, due out in summer of this year. More details on the album are coming soon.
The band has shared the following teaser, which includes a snippet of a new song. Watch and listen here:
“I could not be more excited about Death Ray Vision joining the Metal Blade family,” says bassist Mike D’Antonio. “The new record is a banger, and I can’t think of a better record label to release it to the world!“
Metal Blade founder Brian Slagel concurs, “Super excited to welcome Death Ray Vision to the Metal Blade family! We love working with Mike D and look forward to this one!“
Commencing writing in late 2018 following a tour with Killswitch Engage – who share bassist D’Antonio with DRV – the band had a lot of creative momentum still burning following that year’s Negative Mental Attitude and kept it rolling. The results will demonstrate that they are playing at the top of their game. “We’re a lot more cohesive as a band after playing together for so many years, and we’ve gotten better at songwriting and collaborating to bring out the best in everyone’s ideas,” says guitarist Pete Cortese.
A further new dimension affecting the sound is the addition of vocalist Keith Bennett to the band’s ranks, who the existing members knew would be the perfect fit from his time with notable acts Wrecking Crew, Panzerbastard (both of whom shared the stage with Cortese and D’Antonio’s other band Overcast), and Ramallah. “Keith brings a whole lot of piss and vinegar, with a side of street cred. He brought a new sense of enthusiasm and excitement and got us even more fired up to make a great record,” says Cortese. Guitarist Chris Rosati adds, “Creatively speaking, Keith is a force of nature. His ability to get inside a new song and quickly come up with vocals and lyrics is really something to witness.“
Expect great things from DEATH RAY VISION in 2023!
DEATH RAY VISION ARE: Keith Bennett – Vocals Chris Rosati – Guitar/vocals Pete Cortese – Guitar Mike D’Antonio – Bass Colin Conway – Drums
KAMELOT is one of few bands in the symphonic genre to fully embrace the dark, but of course, there can be no light without it. Inspiring, engaging lyrical themes of determination, strength, overcoming personal battles and growth are abound on The Awakening, provoked by extreme societal shifts and the overwhelming realization that we have such a brief time to be true to ourselves and live life to its fullest.
With crystal clear modern production helmed by the band and longtime producer Sascha Paeth, plus mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios, KAMELOT’s score-like 13th studio album is accented by guest contributions from the likes of Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum) and renowned instrumentalists like violinist Florian Janoske and Grammy nominated, soundtrack-featured cellist Tina Guo.
KAMELOT guitarist Thomas Youngblood says:
“With The Awakening, we have one of our most diverse albums in years. We’ve fused elements from progressive, power and gothic metal to symphonic and melodic metal on this one. Working with incredible guest artists from around the music industry and having producer Sascha Paeth and Jacob Hansen mixing gave us another step up on overall sound. This album offers everything to KAMELOT fans and also reaches beyond borders to new metal and hard rock legions.”
Showcasing the incomparable, stage-seasoned vocal acrobatics of Tommy Karevik and increasingly airtight, renowned technical teamwork of guitarist Thomas Youngblood, drummer Alex Landenburg, keyboardist Oliver Palotai and bassist Sean Tibbetts, The Awakening embraces enlivening themes that every listener can relate to. KAMELOT’s intense brand of ultramodern gothic and symphonic theatricality is amplified further and with more emotionality than ever on this inspiring, anticipated addition to the KAMELOT legacy.
Tracks honoring KAMELOT trademarks like cinematic “The Great Divide” and darkly hopeful eternal farewell to a loved one, “Eventide”, prove that while The Awakening stays true to the aural foundations fans have embraced for decades, equally-addictive outputs like “One More Flag in the Ground” – a radio-ready anthem about overcoming seemingly unbeatable illness and the mental challenges we all face, featuring additional vocal layers from JUNO Award winning musician and producer Brian Howes – showcase a band devoid of sonic stagnancy. Profound compositions are plentiful, like stage-ready, operatic “Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem)”, which features a hair-raising dual solo from guitarist Thomas Youngblood and guest cellist Tina Guo, as well as epic, synth-laden “New Babylon”, elevated by the dynamic vocal attack of frontman Tommy Karevik and Ad Infinitum’s Melissa Bonny. Further balancing darkness with light, grooving, heartfelt “NightSky” and ode to conquering one’s adversities “My Pantheon (Forevermore)” boast some of the album’s heaviest moments and most complex guitar solos, while pensive hymns such as Celtic-infused “Midsummer’s Eve” and ebbing-and-flowing hymn of cherished memories “Willow” provide necessary balance to an album fittingly primed for spectacular performances to come.
The Awakening tracklisting:
Overture (Intro)
The Great Divide
Eventide
One More Flag in the Ground
Opus of the Night (Ghost Requiem)
Midsummer’s Eve
Bloodmoon
NightSky
The Looking Glass
New Babylon
Willow
My Pantheon (Forevermore)
Ephemera (Outro)
Watch the video for first single ‘One More Flag in the Ground, below.
KAMELOT will tour the world in support of The Awakening! See below for their upcoming European Awaken The World Tour dates.
KAMELOT to Release New Album ”The Awakening” on March 17th
KAMELOT Awaken the World Tour Europe – Part 1: w/ special guests Myrath, Eleine, League of Distortion
Mar 12, 2023 – Pratteln, CH / Z7 Mar 13, 2023 – Lille, FR / Splendid Mar 14, 2023 – Paris, FR / Elysee Montmartre Mar 17, 2023 – Cologne, DE / Essigfabrik Mar 18, 2023 – Den Bosch, NL / Mainstage Mar 19, 2023 – Brussels, BE / La Madeleine Mar 21, 2023 – Hamburg, DE / Gruenspan Mar 22, 2023 – Roskilde, DK / Gimle Mar 24, 2023 – Oslo, NO / Sentrum Scene Mar 25, 2023 – Gothenburg, SE / Trädgårn Mar 26, 2023 – Stockholm, SE / Berns Mar 29, 2023 – Helsinki, FI / Vanha Ylioppilastalo Mar 31, 2023 – Tampere, FI / Pakkahuone Apr 1, 2023 – Oulu, FI / Tapahtumakeskus Tullisali Apr 3, 2023 – Tallinn, EE / Helitehas Apr 4, 2023 – Rīga, LV / Melnā Piektdiena Apr 6, 2023 – Warsaw, PL / Progresja Apr 7, 2023 – Prague, CZ / Meet Factory Apr 8, 2023 – Budapest, HU / Barba Negra
Spring/Summer Festivals:
May 4, 2023 – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival, NO – Headlining Sep 8, 2023 – ProgPower USA XXII, USA – Headlining
DISPYRIA follow up with a second single from “The Story Of Marion Dust”. After the great Zak Stevens (Savatage, Trans Siberian Orchestra) drove the story forward on the first song, Carsten Lizard Schulz (Lazarus Dream, Devoid) now shines in the role of the council member.
“In the over 5-minute epic, we witness what happens after the innocent and shy young woman Marion Dust is darkly transformed into the demoness. Carsten “Lizard” Schulz, disguised as a member of the “Council of the Knowing”, travels through the various dimensions of the “Eternal Eye” and tries to dissuade Marion from her diabolical plan. He witnesses Professor Smith trying in vain to change Marion’s mind. Composer Juergen Walzer, who filmed and then eventually produced the entire video himself, takes us on a journey through dimensions, colors, feelings and progressive metal.”
Cast: – Leadvocals & Darsteller: Carsten “Lizard Schulz (Lazarus Dream, Devoid)” – Eileen Scherer als Darstellerin der Marion & Aelyrea – Juergen Walzer – Gitarre – Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream, Barnabus Sky)
Kamera: Kalle Klaas, Juergen Walzer, Susanne Esser (Stills) Prosthetics & Make up: Susanne Esser (https://www.mein-augen-blick.de)
“DISPYRIA – The Story Of Marion Dust” is the third concept album about the protagonist Josh Devon and his fight against his demons. An essential role plays the girl Marion Dust, who is the focus of the new album. It is about the fatal fate of the girl who – confronted with supernatural powers – has to decide which path she will take in the future to use these powers for good or evil.
Mastermind and composer Juergen Walzer succeeded in winning Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) as well as Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear) and Carsten “Lizard” Schulz (Lazarus Dream) for the vocals on this grandiose concept album. Other guest musicians are Markus Pfeffer (Lazarus Dream) and Dezperadoz guitarist Wolfgang Sing.
Musically, the album ranks between Avantasia and Savatage, A masterpiece of progressive metal – without seeming playful or losing itself in itself – with eight gripping songs that tell a poignant story.
Tracklist: 01 – A Girl Called Marion 02 – The Mark 03 – Blue Mirror 04 – Eternal Eye 05 – The Resistance 06 – Fire Child 07 – Pandoras Box 08 – The Curse
Line-up Album Cast: Juergen Walzer – Guitars, Bass, Programming Zak Stevens – Leadvocals (on 01, 02, 03, 04, 06) Ralf Scheepers – Leadvocals (on 05) Carsten „Lizard“ Schulz – Leadvocals (on 07, 08) Roland Moschel – Hammond Organ Markus Pfeffer – Leadguitars (on 03, 08) Wolfgang Sing – Leadguitars (on 04, 07) Sabrina Roth – Backingvocals Stephan Hugo – Backingvocals
June 24, 2022 seen rising melodic power metal act, FALLEN SANCTUARY, the band project featuring Georg Neuhauser (Serenity) and Temperance guitarist Marco Pastorino, release their first full-length album, entitled Terranova, with AFM Records.
For the first time ever, the band has just released their epic Vinyl bonus track, “The Giant”, on digital platforms! Says Marco: “2022 was great, our first album Terranova receveid a fantastic feedback everywhere , especially from the fans of melodic metal.That’s the reason why we decided to share with you other tracks taken from the studio session. The first one is called The Giant; some of you already heard this song as bonus track on the limited vinyl edition of Terranova. It’s a bombastic metal track with our classical trademarks, great melodies and big choirs!”
Neuhauser and Pastorino became friends in 2018 during a joint tour and realised that they pretty much share musical idols and tastes. Soon they joined forces and FALLEN SANCTUARY was born, that also features permanent drummer Alfonso Mocerino and bassist Gabriele Gozzi, who complements the band live on stage.
Their much acclaimed debut, Terranova, was produced by Neuhauser / Pastorino, and was recorded at the Groove Factory Udine, Italy and Rec.-It Telfs in Austria, and was mixed and mastered by Jan Vacik at the Dreamsound Studios in Munich, Germany. Available through AFM Records, you can pre-order your album copy at THIS LOCATION!
FALLEN SANCTUARY is: Georg Neuhauser (Vocals) Marco Pastorino (Guitar) Alfonso Mocerino (Drums) Gabriele Gozzi (Bass)
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
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 