Continuing his trek down the deep dark rabbit hole, Italian multi-genre producer, musician and vocalist Marco Calanca, also known as BECKO, returns with the sixth installment of his upcoming ’90s-inspired concept album ‘Present Day//Present Time’ with “EAT ME, DRINK ME!”.
The turbulent story began with “Home” and continues in “EAT ME, DRINK ME!” as Becko faces his inner demons. Becko’s signature screaming vocals intertwine with aggressive guitars encompassing the angst-ridden high-octane soundscape. Fusing break-core with rock and nu-metal, Becko continues the plight of a man being tormented from the inside out. “Eat me drink me is a dark break-core track with aggressive metal riffs,” says Becko. “The song is about a deep talk with inner demons that wanna eat you alive.”
“EAT ME, DRINK ME!” is out now from independent multi-genre label FiXT.
Rising from the ashes of post-hardcore band Hopes Die Last, Italian multi-genre producer, musician, and vocalist Marco Calanca created Becko as a solo project, uniting influences of EDM, Hip-Hop, Industrial, and Emo-Rock. With previous releases under his belt with labels ranging from Warner Italy and Universal Italy, to Monstercat, Lowly Palace, and Smash the House since 2014, Becko found a new home in early 2020, signing a multi-album deal with the independent, artist-owned/operated USA-based electronic-rock label FiXT, founded by genre-pioneering artist & producer Klayton (Celldweller, Circle of Dust). In 2020, Becko released the full-length album INNER SELF, as a triumphant fusion of trap & metal. In 2021 Becko released a flurry of singles including “Darkest Days” which was produced by Mike Shinoda all on the path leading up to the release of his second full-length trap-metal album with FiXT, You Are (Not) Alone, which dropped in early 2022. Becko introduced his latest 90s-inspired concept album Present Day//Present Time with the release of “Home” and continues to build towards the full album release in 2023.
In an era when everything seems to have been done and heard in heavy metal music, it’s refreshing to have a band like STARGAZER, which is simply looking for the best possible heavy metal/hard rock balance that makes them happy. “Can You Conceive It”, the new single from the Norwegian combo, is precisely that: an unpretentious heavy rock tune, with all the ingredients in the right amount and in the right place. And if you have a gram of heavy metal or hard rock in your blood system, it will surely make your day.
STARGAZER have teamed up with Metal Shock Finland to premiere “Can You Conceive It” for Finnish territory, enjoy it here:
After their previous release “The Sky is the Limit”, Norwegian band Stargazer entered the radar of connoisseurs of the hard rocking world. The group was loudly hailed as one to watch. They received a lot of great reviews all over the western world and were, back then in late 2019, ready to take on the world for serious touring. But serious touring saw an abrupt end due to Covid-19 for almost every band in 2020-21, with Stargazer being no exception.
The nordic five-piece didn’t lose their spirit and, diligently, took the downtime to start penning their next album. Produced by guitar player William Ernstsen and vocalist Tore André Helgemo, “Life Will Never Be The Same” is the result of those dark times with a silver lining ahead. Engineered by William at Jedimasterstudios, Trondheim, and mixed and mastered in Medley Studios, Copenhagen, by Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes, Electric Guitars, etc), “Life Will Never Be The Same” is exactly the kind of album that you’d expect from a matured Stargazer and then some.
The five-piece powerhouse hammers on with Scandinavian vibes that consists of virtuosity and a vintage sound with a modern twist. Firing on all cylinders in combination with the sense of good melodies, great riffs, solos and songwriting handcraft. With one of rock’s best voices and one of the best blues-based hard rock guitar players around today. All this on top of a rock steady hard groove with killer rock songs such as “Live My Dream”, or down to the most tender and heartfelt tunes, as for example the single “Live Today”, with emotions worn on their sleeves.
“Life Will Never Be The Same” is the sound of Norwegian classic hard rock flagship, and Stargazer sets sail again with this third release in their discography. One to change their life – and yours – for good.
“Life Will Never Be The Same” will be released on digital, digipack CD and gatefold double LP (black vinyl, limited to 500 units) via Mighty Music on March 3rd, 2023.
The holidays are over, so get up, couch potato! High voltage party polka virtuosos RUSSKAJA provide the perfect soundtrack to get you moving with their new album, Turbo Polka Party, out February 3, 2023 via Napalm Records. Once again mixing elements of punk, ska, polka and metal, the upcoming record is their most danceable and hard-hitting studio album to date.
Only RUSSKAJA can properly blend nu metal with the aforementioned contrasting genres and come out the other side with a perfectly addictive new track like “Shapka” (the name for a Russian fur cap)! The multinational musicians conjure the likes of nu metal legends Limp Bizkit in their MTV heydays, blending addictive beats, chunky riffs and raucous rap interludes with upbeat potete and tuba blasts – uniting the best of both worlds. Along with a new lyric video, the relentlessly catchy single lines right up with RUSSKAJA fan favorites.
Is it the mighty Fred Durst you can hear in RUSSKAJA’s new single “Shapka”? Or is it guitarist/songwriter Engel Mayr giving the song an unmistakable nu metal twist with his voice? Check it out and let us know if you can find Fred Durst in the brand-new track!
Drummer Mario Stübler on the new single: “I can’t wait to play “Shapka” live! It’s got a groove that makes you move so put on your dance shoes and shake your booty with us!”
Hailing from Austria but wearing their Ukrainian and Russian heritages on their sleeves, RUSSKAJA present their hardest-hitting studio album to date. Although they are one of the most entertaining bands in rock, RUSSKAJA have never strayed away from clear political statements.The band, known for utilizing Soviet imagery as a nod to their cultural background, sends a clear sign against war – calling for peace and humanity on Turbo Polka Party. This message is particularly emphasized on “No Borders” – reflective of the cries for peace RUSSKAJA stated in the wake of the Ukrainian/Russian tensions flaring in the beginning of 2022.
The band has also produced a special “No Borders” shirt, and will donate 100% of proceeds earned from its sale to the charity organization “Volkshilfe”, benefitting Ukrainian refugees. The shirt is available together with the Special Edition autograph card “No Borders”, which is signed by the entire band, and can be purchased via RUSSKAJA’s website.
RUSSKAJA undoubtedly master the tightrope act between clear message and entertainment. With “Russki Style”, they show themselves on well-tread paths. But a party can’t happen without friends! Micha Rhein from In Extremo finds a place on the wistful “Olga von der Wolga”, while Skindred singer Benji Webbe supports the rousing reggae metal track “Vozdukh” and Hamburg dance act Le Fly convinces with exotic groove on the German-Spanish song “Senales”. Even the Wham hit “Last Christmas” is not safe from RUSSKAJA.
Olga von der Wolga (feat. Micha Rhein – In Extremo)
Paschli
New Life
Vozdukh (feat. Benji Webbe – Skindred)
Senales (feat. Le Fly)
Last Christmas
Baila
Turbopolka
Touring relentlessly while still rocking stages on TV as the house band on the prestigious “Willkommen Österreich” – RUSSKAJA’s Turbo Ska Punk is unstoppable and develops with each new album! It’s time to shake a leg and toast to an unforgettable time together with RUSSKAJA.
RUSSKAJA live: Turbo Polka Party Tour 2023 w/ Paddy & The Rats, Bloodsucking Zombies from outer Space 23.02.23 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch 24.02.23 DE – Munich / Backstage 25.02.23 CH – Pratteln / Z7 Konzertfabrik 26.02.23 AT – Dornbirn / Conrad Sohm 28.02.23 DE – Leipzig / Werk 2, Halle D 01.03.23 DE – Jena / F-Haus 02.03.23 DE – Hanover / Musikzentrum 03.03.23 DE – Cologne / Kantine 04.03.23 DE – Hamburg / Grünspan 05.03.23 DE – Berlin / Columbia Theater 08.03.23 AT – Linz / Posthof 09.03.23 DE – Bochum / Zeche 10.03.23 DE – Frankfurt am Main / Batschkapp 11.03.23 DE – Stuttgart / Im Wizemann 23.03.23 AT – Salzburg / Rockhouse 24.03.23 AT – Graz / PPC 25.03.23 AT – Vienna / Arena 30.03.23 UK – London / Omeara 01.04.23 UK – Manchester / Deaf Institute 02.04.23 UK – Glasgow / Stereo 03.04.23 IE – Dublin / The Grand Social 04.04.23 UK – Bristol / Lost Horizon 06.04.23 FR – Villeurbanne / CCO 07.04.23 FR – Fontenay-le-Compte / Festival On N’a Plus 20 ans 08.04.23 FR – Paris / Petit Bain 09.04.23 NL – Haarlem / Patronaat
RUSSKAJA are: Georgij Makazaria – Vocals Engel Mayr – Guitars, Vocals Hg Gutternigg – Potete, Tuba Mario Stübler – Drums Nico Loro Ravenni – Sax Dimitrij Miller – Bass Lea-Sophie Fischer – Violin
In May this year, Danish blackened melodic death/thrash metal band CHRONICLE will release its new album. The third album from the Frederikshavn (in the Northern part of Denmark) four-piece was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Tue Madsen at Antfarm Studios (Hatesphere, Moonspell, Mnemic, etc).
““Where Chaos Thrives” is by far Chronicle’s most ambitious album to date“, guitar player and vocalist Lars Bo Nepper comments. “We have strived to create an album that showcases both our most technical musicianship yet, but at the same time stands as the most cohesive work we have done. The music, lyrics and artwork are all intended to create a whole, bigger than the sum of its parts, where all the different assets of the album support the record’s central theme – humanity’s impending demise, due to the destruction of our own ecosystem“.
The follow-up to “Demonology” (released by Mighty Music in 2020) will have a cover designed by Sam Nelson (Allegaeon, Pile Of Priests, Wayfarer, etc) and is expected to have nine tracks and will be available in CD, vinyl, and digital formats. The release date will be set up to May.
Lineup: Lars Bo Nepper – guitar/vocals Sebastian Skousgaard – guitar Jacob Wammen – bass/vocals Jari S. Holopainen – drums
Sensational symphonic metal outfit SERENITY have released a new live performance video for their catchy track “Souls and Sins”! The third single off of the recent live release, MEMORIA, was originally released on SERENITY’s latest chart-breaking studio album, The Last Knight (2020), and this time features two exciting guest appearances. The incredible Sascha Paeth, producer of Avantasia, supports the quartet on guitar, while talented Visions of Atlantis vocalist Michele Guaitoli lends his magical voice on the track, bringing fresh energy to SERENITY‘s distinctive dreamlike soundscape.
SERENITY on ”Souls and Sins”: “This song is taken from our previous album, ‘The Last Knight’, that we released three years ago, and was inspired by the life of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. We feel honored to welcome well-known guests like Michele Guaitoli and Sascha Paeth for the performance of this song about the good and evil in our souls by reflecting the consequences of every action we take.“
Symphonic metal unit SERENITY offers a new approach to beguiling the senses with their live performance, MEMORIA, now on DVD and BluRay! Interpreting their illustrious songs anew in a conceptual show, they are sure to enchant listeners and viewers alike. Showcasing incredible hit density, the band embraces their symphonic power and provides a magical feeling throughout the entire performance. From classic folklore pieces like “Coldness Kills” that intrigues with its fairytale-like sound and classic instrumentals, to “Set The World On Fire” with catchy hooks and dashing soundscapes, SERENITY give it all in every single piece. On “Set the World on Fire” and “Broken Dreams”, the unit is joined on their journey by the smooth and magical voice of Marco Pastorino awakening old myths and legends anew. These dreamlike soundscapes are supported with enchanting guitar riffs in “Velatum” and “Souls and Sins” by none other than Sascha Paeth, the producer of Avantasia. This way, the band not only showcases their incredible musical talent supported by talented vocalist Georg Neuhauser, but also their love and dedication for the art of music. Touching ballads like “Journey Ends” and “Fairytales” supported by the incredible vocal range of legendary Visions of Atlantis vocalist Clémentine Delauney forge reminiscence of earlier times, while moving duets like “Changing Fate” refer to multifaceted Scottish mythology. In “Spirit of the Flesh”, Nicklas Müller offers rhythmic support by adding steady drums. As a special bonus on MEMORIA, the band taps Sascha Paeth and Michele Guaitoli from symphonic metal greats Visions of Atlantis for their stage performance of “Souls and Sins” and “Legacy of the Tudors”.
SERENITY on MEMORIA: “After a long time of waiting, we’re excited to finally release our first live album. We still think back to the evening when we performed this very special show at KulturQuartier in Kufstein and we’re so proud we could bottle the unique atmosphere of this night and release it now under the title MEMORIA. Being able to perform this concert in this terrific atmosphere of a theater with so many guests was a really ‘once in a lifetime experience’ and we’re extremely happy to share it now with all of our fans.”
Tracklisting: 1. In Memoriam 2. United 3. Changing Times 4. Set the World on Fire 5. Broken Dreams 6. Changing Fate 7. Journey’s End 8. Velatum 9. Souls and Sins 10. Coldness Kills 11. Fairytales 12. Legacy of Tudors 13. Spirit in the Flesh 14. Engraved Within 15. In the Name of Scotland 16. Lionheart
SERENITY are: Georg Neuhauser – Vocals Christian Hermsdörfer – Guitars/Mandolin/Vocals Fabio D’Amore – Bass/Vocals Andreas Schipflinger – Drums/Vocals
This week’s SAGAS, conducted by the co-host Serpent Tongue, is a Special Tribute Episode #48 for Ren Marabou’s son Cahir, feat. Mike LePond from Symphony X and Matt Anipen, Baby Shark’s Voice! 🔥🤘🏻!
Serpent Tongue shared: “This is a special tribute episode of SAGAS to Ren and his son Cahir and hope this makes him and the family smile even just for a moment! I’d like to also give a massive shout out to Matt Anipen (AKA Daddy Shark) and legendary bassist Mike LePond for the intro contributions they made for this special episode of The SAGAS Metal Podcast Furthermore in this episode we talk about the 2000 release “V: The New Mythology Suite” by legendary Prog Metal Band ‘Symphony X’. Discussing the record that started the career journey of bassist Mike Lepond, I had him on to discuss his debut record with the band and the impact it had not only on the band but his life as well!”
In earlier SAGAS episodes, hosts Ren Marabou and Serpent Tongue were discussing about the great albums of Dream Widow, Panopticon, Periphery, Beneath The Massacre, Carnifex, Wolves In The Throne Room, Harakiri For The Sky, Maylene And The Sons Of Disaster, Black Flag, Alter Bridge, Death, Korn, Slipknot, Swans, Metallica, Expedition, Sumac, Basalt Shrine, Behemoth, Stone Sour, Devin Townsend, Artillery, Memphis May Fire, Diamond Head, TNT, Týr, Black Label Society, Suicide Silence, Amorphis, Ghostmane, Celtic Hills, Pantera, Mastodon, Aztlan, Gloryhammer, Nails, Insomnium, Sunn O))), In Flames, Cradle Of Filth, Megadeth, Dimmu Borgir, Him, and last but not least, Ren Marabou and the Berserkers. In case you missed, check them out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5agm3BCgG1k0XGafH4TaoA/videos.
Hailing from the Emerald Isle and based in the hills of Co.Donegal these Irish Viking Metal/Norse Pagan Rockers, REN MARABOU AND THE BERSERKERS, deliver their own take on this powerful genre with a high energy stage show and anthemic, contemporary stylings. Endorsed by Cassidy Guitars, Skull Strings, Fishsticks drum sticks and Iron Age Guitar Accessories. Signed to United Music Mafia and Managed by Split Screen Management. The band’s new album ‘Tales Of Rune’ was released on July 1st, 2022. In September REN MARABOU AND THE BERSERKERS joined 2022 “Final Declaration: Northern Tour 2022” with Polish titans VADER and HATE all across Scandinavia! The band released their special “Odin (Songs for the All Father)” Compilation, on November 16th through United Music Mafia.
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 ) 