Japanese alternative rockers THE UNDERTAKER have announced their new live shows for this Summer and Autumn! See the details below.
June 30, 2023 (Friday) Shinjuku HEIST
July 14, 2023 (Friday) Shinjuku SCIENCE, HEIST
July 22, 2023 (Saturday) Shinjuku SCIENCE
July 29, 2023 (Saturday) Musashisakai STATTO
August 11, 2023 (Friday/holiday) Shinjuku HEIST
September 15, 2023 (Friday) Shinjuku HEIST, SCIENCE
October 25, 2023 (Wednesday) Shinjuku HEIST
The band is currently working on their full-length album, coming out in 2023. More details TBA. Their sound is unique, drawing influences from rock, blues, country, hardcore and punk.
Formed in 2021 as a “big old rookie band” including members of veteran bands such as SURVIVE and AGGRESSIVE DOGS a.k.a. UZI-ONE that are active in Japan and abroad. The band’s first EP, “The Undertaker,” was released in 2022 and ranked in the top 20 on the iTunes store, an unprecedented accomplishment for an underground heavy band. The band’s worldview is truly one-of-a-kind, ranging from old-school Japanese hardcore, which has long been respected in the international scene, to extreme metal, and lyrics that incorporate Japanese poetry. Their unparalleled sound is sure to take the scene by storm.
US progressive death metal band HORRENDOUS already gave us a glimpse at their new album. Now, they’re leading us deeper inside ‘Ontological Mysterium’ with “Cult of Shaad’oah”.
“Beat me back, but I’ll keep on climbing!” That’s how the band kicks off the album’s second single. They’re so eager to crack skulls that they’re practically foaming at the mouth.
Prepare for brutal ascent, indeed. “Cult of Shaad’oah” is a blazing onslaught of bombastic, old-school death metal. It sounds like carving your way up Mount Doom with the evil sword from Soulcaliber. Cymbals crash and ping, while dueling leads race toward a fiery death.
Here’s what the band has to say about “Cult of Shaad’oah”: “This song is a symbolic quest through the wastes of doubt and slumbering awareness. Its nameless hero ascends from the underworld to the heights of the gods, daring to penetrate the outer reaches of the universe itself and become master of all”.
‘Ontological Mysterium’ will be released on August 18, 2023 by Season of Mist. Pre-save the album HERE. Pre-order it HERE.
HORRENDOUS will let their chariots ride this July, when they saddle up and smash the Southwest United States.
Tour Dates 07/06: Houston, TX @ Black Magic 07/07: Austin, TX @ The Lost Well 07/08: San Antonio, TX @ Bonds 07/09: Dallas, TX @ Double Wide 07/11: El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill 07/13: Tempe, AZ @ Metalheads Clubhouse 07/14: Los Angeles, CA @ Knucklehead* 07/15: San Diego, CA @ Tower Bar* 07/16: Long Beach, CA @ Supply and Demand* 07/17: Atascadero, CA @ Dark Nectar* 07/18: Sacramento, CA @ The Colony* 07/19: Santa Rosa, CA @ Arlene Francis Center* 07/20: Oakland, CA @ Thee Stork Club*
*with special guests PENURY.
Cover art: Brian Smith
Tracklist: 1. The Blaze (02:00) 2. Chrysopoeia (The Archaeology of Dawn) (07:16) 3. Neon Leviathan (03:30) 4. Aurora Neoterica (01:56) 4. Preterition Hymn (03:58) 5. Cult of Shaad’oah (05:24) [WATCH HERE] 6. Exeg(en)esis, (03:38) 7. Ontological Mysterium (04:44) [WATCH HERE] 8. The Death Knell Ringeth (05:20) Total run time: 37:44
“Surprises always come up during writing — spontaneous ideas pull you into new territory and enable the realization of novel possibilities that previously were inaccessible.”
Such are the words from Horrendous drummer Jamie Knox when discussing the creation of the band’s fifth full-length, the highly anticipated ‘Ontological Mysterium’. Knox’s quote also encapsulates Horrendous’s approach to extreme metal. Since 2009, the band has capably tapped into the inaccessible by providing a fresh, unconventional take on death metal that harnesses technical brilliance with elaborate, mind-melding melodies, frothy, spewing vocals and labyrinthine song structures. This combination has made each Horrendous long play a clinic in the gratifyingly unorthodox. The trend continues on Ontological Mysterium.
The follow-up to 2018’s Idol was recorded, mixed and mastered at Subterranean Watchtower Studios in Virginia, which doubles as the homestead of guitarist/vocalist Damian Herring. While the band (completed by guitarist/vocalist Matt Knox and bassist Alex Kulick) finished much of the songwriting for Ontological Mysterium in 2019, its recording was delayed by the 2020 global pandemic and various life events. Horrendous eventually finished recording in early 2022 and mastered the album before the start of 2023.
The album upholds Horrendous’s position as one of the underground’s best outside-of-the-box extreme metal bands. Having long abandoned concern whether people would appreciate their “uniqueness,” Horrendous has embraced its role as a band willing to veer far from death metal conventions, intentionally stretching and breaking norms. To wit, the band primarily views its music as filtered through a death metal lens. This may be Horrendous’s defining trait: By not accepting parameters, nothing is off-limits.
Lineup: Damian Herring – Guitar, Vocals Matt Knox – Guitar, Vocals Alex Kulick – Bass Jamie Knox – Drums
Producer / Sound Engineer / Mixing / Mastering: Damian Herring at Subterranean Watchtower Studio,Arlington, VA, USA
Canadian sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD are celebrating 40 eventful years of existence in 2023 and therefore announced a special Anniversary studio album entitled Morgöth Tales, to be released on July 21st, 2023 via Century Media Records.
A new single off Morgöth Tales has been launched today with “Condemned To The Gallows (2023 Version)”, which is a very special choice, as it once marked VOIVOD’s first ever song released on an album, originally appearing on the Metal Massacre V Compilation back in 1984. The track can be streamed HERE.
VOIVOD vocalist Denis “Snake” Bélanger has checked in with a comment about “Condemned To The Gallows (2023 Version)”: “The Morgöth Tales album starts where it all began. ‘Condemned To The Gallows’ was the first song ever recorded in a studio. I recall being shocked, hearing my voice for the first time, and I was a bit intimidated. I had joined the band only a few months prior to that and I didn’t know how to sing or even if was capable of doing the job. So I jumped in, and this 40 year adventure was about to begin. Revisiting this song was a real trip. Going back in time when we were young and wild, recapturing that same fury inside that led us up to now made me realize that the spirit never gets old. Thanks to Mom, who kept well preserved, the only lyrics sheet existing on the surface of this planet, with my smudged left handed writing. Otherwise we would have been screwed.”
Previously, a first single/video was launched for the song “Nuage Fractal (2023 Version)”, which can also be checked out in a lyric video created by Cloud Music Typography here: https://youtu.be/YNQTBSu79T4
Once more recorded and mixed by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio, mastered by Maor Appelbaum and produced by VOIVOD, Morgöth Tales includes fresh studio (re-)recordings by the band’s current line-up of 9 especially selected, not-so-obvious picks from the band’s hyper-classy and extremely diverse back catalog (between 1984 and 2003) as well as a brand-new song in the album’s title-track, Morgöth Tales.
The cover artwork for Morgöth Tales was once again created by VOIVOD drummer Michel “Away” Langevin and this is the complete track-listing for this special 40th Anniversary release:
VOIVOD – Morgöth Tales
Condemned To The Gallows (2023 Version) [Originally on Metal Massacre V Compilation, 1984]
Thrashing Rage (2023 Version) [Originally on “Rrröööaaarrr”, 1986]
Killing Technology (2023 Version) [Originally on “Killing Technology”, 1987]
Macrosolutions To Megaproblems (2023 Version) [Originally on“Dimension Hatröss”, 1988]
Pre-Ignition (2023 Version) [Originally on “Nothingface”, 1989]
Nuage Fractal (2023 Version) [Originally on “Angel Rat”, 1991]
Fix My Heart (2023 Version) [Originally on “The Outer Limits”, 1993]
Rise (2023 Version, feat. Eric Forrest) [Originally on “Phobos”, 1997]
Rebel Robot (2023 Version, feat. Jason Newsted) [Originally on “Voivod”, 2003]
VOIVOD are currently touring across Europe as part of their 40th Anniversary celebration, so make sure not to miss them on the upcoming shows: VOIVOD – Live 2023: June 13, 2023 – Hamburg (Germany) – Markthalle w/ Testament June 14, 2023 – Amersfoort (The Netherlands) – Flour June 15, 2023 – Wasquehal / Lille (France) – The Black Lab June 17, 2023 – Clisson (France) – Hellfest June 18, 2023 – Dessel (Belgium) – Graspop Metal Meeting June 22, 2023 – Oslo (Norway) – Tons of Rock Festival July 13, 2023 – Trois Rivieres, QC (Canada) – Expo Agricole de Trois-Rivières Aug. 5, 2023 – Wacken (Germany) – Wacken Open Air Aug. 7, 2023 – Copenhagen (Denmark) – Beta Aug. 8, 2023 – Aalborg (Denmark) – 1000Fryd Aug 9, 2023 – Stockholm (Sweden) – Nalen Klubb Aug. 11, 2023 – Helsinki (Finland) – Helsinki Metal Festival Sept. 7, 2023 – São Paulo (Brazil) – Septembro Negro Festival / Pre-Festa Sept. 15, 2023 – Quebec City, QC (Canada) – Envol et Macadam Festival Sept. 22, 2023 – Gaspé, QC (Canada) – Centre de Création Diffusion de Gaspé Sept. 23, 2023 – Rimouski, QC (Canada) – Salle Desjardins-Telus And more international dates to be announced soon…
“Morgöth Tales” succeeds VOIVOD’s 15th (!) much acclaimed and Juno Awards winning studio album “Synchro Anarchy”, which entered sales charts upon release in early 2022 as follows: Germany # 7 (!), Switzerland # 64, Austria # 67, The Netherlands # 88, Belgium # 129, UK (Rock & Metal) # 7, Canada (Hard Music) # 2, USA Current Hard Music # 8, USA Top New Artist # 11, USA Heatseekers # 56 and USA Current Album # 67. VOIVOD also released the special “Ultraman – EP” in late 2022, which contains a highly original tribute to the “Ultraman” TV series theme.
Run to the Light, originally released by Metal Blade Records on July 15, 1987, is the third studio album by doom metal legends TROUBLE. Metal Blade Records will proudly reissue the quintessential classic this Friday on CD, vinyl and digitally. The CD and digital release will feature three previously unreleased demos – “The Misery Shows,” “Thinking of the Past and “Run to the Light,” along with a cover of the Beatles classic “Come Together,” previously available on the “Best of Metal Blade Vol.2” (1987). All versions are available at: metalblade.com/trouble
Guitarist Bruce Franklin had this to say about the re-release; “Run to the Light was long overdue for a re-release. So, since it took 35 years, we thought remastering and some bonus tracks were in order. The first bonus track is a cover version of The Beatles ‘Come Together,” which was recorded during the Run to the Light album sessions. It previously was only available on a Best of Metal Blade compilation. The other bonus tracks are from a 1986 demo of 3 songs that would end up being prominent titles on the actual Run to the Light album, recorded in 1987. Throw in a bunch of not-seen-before tour pictures from the 1987 tour with King Diamond and you have a new repackaging of Run to the Light with plenty of extras for Trouble fans.“
CD / Digital Tracklisting: 01. The Misery Shows 02. Thinking of the Past 03. On Borrowed Time 04. Run to the Light 05. Peace of Mind 06. Born in a Prison 07. Tuesday’s Child 08. The Beginning 09. Come Together 10. The Misery Shows (Demo) 11. Thinking of the Past (Demo) 12. Run to the Light (Demo)
LP Tracklisting: SIDE A 01. The Misery Shows 02. Thinking of the Past 03. On Borrowed Time 04. Run to the Light SIDE B 05. Peace of Mind 06. Born in a Prison 07. Tuesday’s Child 08. The Beginning
About the band: Trouble is an American metal band noted as one of the pioneers of their genre. The band created a distinct style taking influences from the British heavy metal bands Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, and psychedelic rock of the 1970s. A critically acclaimed group, their first two albums, Psalm 9 and The Skull (on Metal Blade) are cited as landmarks of doom metal. To date, Trouble has released nine studio albums including their latest release, “The Distortion Field” (July 2013 on FRW Music) featuring new singer Kyle Thomas. “The Distortion Field” was listed in CMJ’s Top 50 Rock Albums of the Year and came in at #125 on Billboard’s Top Independent Albums Chart, and #25 on the Top New Artist Albums Chart (Heatseekers).
With their upcoming debut album Portal To Darkness, Poland / South Africa-based death metal force, UNBLESSED DIVINE, open a unique portal to brutal music history. The album is scheduled for a release on August 18, 2023 via Massacre Records and can be now pre-ordered HERE!
Today, UNBLESSED DIVINE has unleashed a music video for their first single, the colossal album opening track “Book Of Lies”! Says Lee Wollenschlaeger (vocals, guitars, bass):
“The title pretty much sums up what the song is about. But if you go deeper it’s about the horrible nature of how morality is taught in the “holy” bible. As a Satanist myself, and the majority of Satanists see all the disgusting teachings in this horrible book. Slavery is taught as a good thing. It even describes to you how to enslave them. Homosexuality is taught as a sin, where it is not the person’s choice to be gay. They were born that way. I can go on and on but to sum it up, it is a terrible book that should have an age restriction on it.”
UNBLESSED DIVINE combines 90’s classic death metal with electronics in a way no other band has used in extreme metal before, and this summer, they will unleash a unique album that brings darkness to our world. The 8 tracks on Portal To Darkness include both fast and uncompromising songs as well as more epic ones, all giving the listeners something they won’t forget.
But don’t be fooled, this is death metal in its rawest and most bestial way, along with a bit of a disturbing end-of-the-universe feel to it. Portal To Darkness was mixed and mastered by Tomasz “Zed” Zalewski at Zed Studio, with a cover artwork created by UNBLESSED DIVINE. Slated for a release on August 18, 2023, pre-order your copy of this must-have death metal manifesto at THIS LOCATION!
Portal To Darkness track listing:
Book Of Lies
Replace The Light
The Dark Supremacy
Blacken The Soul
God Of Darkness
The Exalted One
I Feed
The Glorious Flames
UNBLESSED DIVINE is: Lee Wollenschlaeger – Vocals, Guitars, Bass Michał Grall – Guitars, Clean Vocals, Keyboard, FX Michał Łysejko – Session Drums
August 11, 2023 will see Boston-based progressive rock act, THE MYSTICAL HOT CHOCOLATE ENDEAVORS, release their hotly-anticipated, new studio album, entitled A Clock Without A Craftsman, via Massacre Records.
On their sophomore offering, the band unleashes a hefty 98-minutes-long double concept album, bringing together various sounds and styles for a truly unique listening experience. From the heaviest of heavy, to the most atmospheric of ambience, everyone will find something to enjoy on this musical journey. The album was written as a self/world analysis during the uncertain times that were the 2020 lockdown. Societal uproar, mental health degradation, substance abuse, what extreme isolation does to a person. Following the previously-released, first single “Sorry”, now, the band has shared an animated video for the track “Eye To Eye”. Band mastermind Craig Schmuhl comments:
“Eye to Eye” is a song that I have been wanting to write for a LONG time. Depeche Mode, Tears For Fears, The Psychedelic Furs, etc., were all the bands I grew up listening to, but my early musical endeavors would have never allowed for anything so minimalist and calm. With the racial tension issues that have been building for years EXPLODING in 2020, I felt a song like this would better convey my feelings on the situation, rather than something more over-the-top-rock-band-y would have done.”
THE MYSTICAL HOT CHOCOLATE ENDEAVORS started off in 2015 as a passion project by Hate Storm Annihilation founder Craig Schmuhl, who had been interested in pursuing musical endeavors outside the sonic boundaries of the Death Metal genre. The band delivers a unique live musical experience that offers incredible dynamic range to a wide array of sonic territories. Everything from 70’s Progressive Rock, 90’s Alternative Rock/Shoegaze, 80’s New Wave, 2000’s Post-Rock, and even moments of Modern “Extreme Metal”. In February of 2022, THE MYSTICAL HOT CHOCOLATE ENDEAVORS signed with Massacre Records and released their much-acclaimed “MU-TH-UR EP”.
A Clock Without A Craftsman, will be out as a Double CD on August 11, 2023, you can pre-order your copy now at THIS LOCATION!
A Clock Without A Craftsman track listing:
CD 1
The Clock
Come Hell Or High Water
Present, But Not Here
It All Has To Mean Something
I’ll Never Be
Outta Sight Outta Mind
Eye To Eye
CD 2
How Much Longer?
Sorry
The Deceiver
AOTTFDTSR
In His Image
A Clock Without A Craftsman
THE MYSTICAL HOT CHOCOLATE ENDEAVORS are: Craig Harley Schmuhl – Vocals, Guitar Trevor Martin – Guitar, Keyboard Tyler Novak – Bass William M. Candelario – 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
