BEFORE THE DAWN Sign Worldwide Contract with Napalm Records, New Album Coming in 2023

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 8, 2022
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo: Teppo Ristola

Napalm Records proudly announces the signing of Finnish melodic death metal band BEFORE THE DAWN! Formed in 1999, chart-cracking BEFORE THE DAWN reigned as one of the most successful Finnish metal bands of the early 2000’s, and since their burial in 2013, hundreds of thousands of new fans have discovered their music on streaming platforms, entirely without promotion or labels involved. Did the music find the people, or the people find the music – one can’t be sure, but after being inactive for almost a decade, BEFORE THE DAWN now returns stronger than ever!
   
BEFORE THE DAWN are currently back in the studio and ready to take to stages with a brand new lineup. The band originated as Finnish Metal Award winning Tuomas Saukkonen’s (Wolfheart) solo project, but throughout the years, there have been several lineup changes. With the new exciting lineup, the band introduces its biggest changes so far. Previous guitarist and vocalist Saukkonen has moved behind the drums, and talented Voice Of Finland 2022 finalist Paavo Laapotti has taken on all vocalist duties. The Finns have fully transformed into their new power and are ready to reconquer the scene!

Sebastian Münch, A&R, Napalm Records states:
“Tuomas Saukkonen and I have been working together with Wolfheart for a couple years now and from time to time we talked about bringing BEFORE THE DAWN back.
Last year, when the band released the single ‘The Final Storm’, I was absolutely amazed by how good the new song turned out. Now being part of releasing a new full length studio album, and it being the first one in over a decade, is a great honor!”
 
Tuomas Saukkonen comments on the signing:
“One cornerstone of the BEFORE THE DAWN comeback plan and fundamental criteria was that we needed to find strong enough partners, in addition to our long time Fin label Stay Heavy Records, that will raise the band to a whole new level after a decade of slumber. We could not be happier about the newly signed contract with the mighty Napalm Records and we are absolutely ecstatic for the fact that the new BEFORE THE DAWN album will be in the best possible hands when it sees the light of the day worldwide in 2023.”

BEFORE THE DAWN are:
Vocals: Paavo Laapotti
Guitar: Juho Räihä
Bass: Pyry Hanski
Drums: Tuomas Saukkonen

RUSSKAJA Announce New Album “Turbo Polka Party”, Out February 3rd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 8, 2022
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

[photo credit: Markus Haas]

Stand up, couch potatoes – it’s time to get moving! High voltage party polka virtuosos RUSSKAJA provide the most danceable heavy album of early 2023 with Turbo Polka Party, out February 3 via Napalm Records!

Hailing from Austria but wearing their Ukrainian and Russian heritages on their sleeves, RUSSKAJA present their hardest-hitting studio album to date, once again mixing elements of metal, punk, ska and polka to create an addictive mixture you can’t help but move to.

Today, the band has released the new album’s first single, “No Borders”, alongside an animated official music video. 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 earlier this year:

“No borders, no wars
We‘re equal, all the same
No nations, no fighting
Just stop this game”

Guitarist/songwriter/producer Engel Mayr about “No Borders”:
“Besides the incredibly important message of the song, we’re also really happy we did another video with the great Juppi Juppsen again, who has done some of our greatest visuals like “Energia” & “El Pueblo Unido” in the past!”

The band also produced a special “No Borders” shirt – 100 % of proceeds earned from the sale will be donated to the charity organization “Volkshilfe“ and will benefit Ukrainian refugees.  The shirt is available together with the Special Edition autograph card “No Borders“ signed from all band members and can be bought on the RUSSKAJAs website.

RUSSKAJA undoubtedly master the tightrope act between clear message and entertainment. With “Russki Style”, they show themselves on well-tread paths, while “Shapka” hits a multi-faceted color scheme of polka, ska and classic 90s nu metal. 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 single “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.

Pre-Order your copy of Turbo Polka Party HERE

Turbo Polka Party tracklist:
1.           No Borders
2.           Russki Style
3.           Shapka
4.           Olga von der Wolga (feat. Micha Rhein – In Extremo)
5.           Paschli
6.           New Life
7.           Vozdukh (feat. Benji Webbe – Skindred)
8.           Senales (feat. Le Fly)
9.           Last Christmas
10.         Baila
11.         Turbopolka

Touring relentlessly while still rocking stages on TV as the house bandon 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:

w/ In Extremo
21.12.22 DE – Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
22.12.22 DE – Cologne / Palladium

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

THE ZENITH PASSAGE Sign to Metal Blade Records

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 8, 2022
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Photo by Nicole Papastavrou

Metal Blade Records is proud to announce the signing of Los Angeles, California’s THE ZENITH PASSAGE, a progressive death metal band featuring former members of The Faceless and Cynic.

“We are extremely excited to announce that we have signed with Metal Blade Records. It is an incredible opportunity and big dream of each member of The Zenith Passage to join this eclectic and visionary roster full of friends, heroes, and legends. We’ve pushed our limits in all directions on this latest album and the album following, they have been some of the most emotionally and physically challenging works of music in our careers that we’re very proud of and can’t wait for it to be a part of Metal Blade’s innovative legacy and to share it with all of you!“

The Zenith Passage is currently in recording mode with Justin McKinney handling tracking and Ryan Williams (longtime The Black Dahlia Murder engineer) producing vocals. The band will be mixing with Dave Otero of Flatline Audio (Cattle Decapitation, Khemmis, WAKE, etc.).

Stay tuned to metalblade.com and the band’s socials for details on the upcoming release and touring in 2023.

Formed in 2012 by Justin McKinney as a small recording project, the band began turning heads after their debut EP, Cosmic Dissonance, which then saw the band become a full touring outfit. Members include Derek Rydquist, Brandon Giffin, Chris Beattie, and Justin McKinney. The Zenith Passage released the full-length album Solipsist in 2016 and singles ‘Algorithmic Salvation’ in 2021 and ‘Synaptic Depravation’ in 2022, with 2 new albums on the way.

More information at https://www.facebook.com/TheZenithPassage

AHAB Unleash Music Video for New Single ‘Colossus Of The Liquid Graves’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 7, 2022
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[ photo: Stefan Heilemann ]

January 13, 2023 sees extreme doom metal masters AHAB return with their fifth studio album, entitled The Coral Tombs, via Napalm Records. The album is the band’s first full-length offering in eight long years.

Following the German four-piece’s first single and lyric video for “Prof. Arronax’ descent into the vast oceans” (featuring Chris Noir of ULTHA), today, AHAB have released a new track taken off The Coral Tombs! “Colossus of the liquid graves” showcases their exceptional talent and a sound only AHAB can create. It’s evil, ugly, beautiful and heavy all in one.

Says guitarist Christian Hector about the new single and video:
“I’ve always wanted to have a video for AHAB like ‘Colossus of the liquid graves’. Actually we developed the ideas for a storyboard ourselves during a flight to a show in Athens – which was a great experience. It was so inspiring to see our ideas animated literally little by little. Needless to say, the team of puppet builders, stop motion animators and camera operators did an awesome job on getting it all done the way we had it in our minds. The story itself is quite gloomy and the video breathes life into our cover artwork. We’re all very excited and thankful for this fine little moving picture.“

Following their much acclaimed, chart-impacting 2015 album, The Boats Of The Glenn Carrig, and the epic Live Prey release (2020), as usual, the kings of nautik doom – a genre they invented – once again interpret a maritime novel, inspired this time by Jules Verne’s masterpiece 20000 Leagues Under The Sea. Throughout seven new tracks, AHAB take their fans on a new musical journey with Captain Nemo and Professor Arronax. Of their entire discography, The Coral Tombs is arguably the closest the band has come to their sound resembling a real soundtrack: it’s evil, it’s longing, it’s sad, it’s meditative, it’s cavernous, it’s vast, it’s ridiculously epic and as heavy as the colossal squid itself!

The Coral Tombs was recorded, mixed and mastered by Jens Siefert at RAMA Studios in Mannheim, Germany. Along with AHAB’s exceptional vocalist Daniel Droste, the album features guest appearances of ULTHA’s Chris Noir as well as none other than the master of extreme doom himself, Greg Chandler – singer and mastermind of ESOTERIC, who closes the album and an incredible ride through the depths of vast oceans and the abysmal nature of mankind. AHAB not only invented and still steer the ship of their genre, but The Coral Tombs is poised to top 2023 Album Of The Year lists and will see the band sailing again as one of the best extreme doom metal bands of all time!

[ Artwork by Sebastian Jerke ]

Pre-Order The Coral Tombs HERE

Tracklist:

  1. Prof. Arronax’ descent into the vast oceans
  2. Colossus of the liquid graves
  3. Mobilis in mobili
  4. The sea as a desert
  5. A coral tomb
  6. Ægri somnia
  7. The Mælstrom

WOEWARDEN to Release “In the Art of My Caged Existence” for the First Time on Vinyl

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 7, 2022
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Hailing from Perth, Western Australia and featuring past and present members of well-known and established acts such as Deadspace, Advent Sorrow, Flesh Worship and Pestilential Shadows, WOEWARDEN blend pummeling percussion, razor sharp guitar work and piercing vocals to weave a desolate tapestry of torment and despair. With their critically acclaimed last album “In The Art Of My Caged Existence”, the band left a lasting impression within the scene, taking listeners on a dark and hypnotic journey straight into the depths of the human being. With nine tracks of atmospheric and depressive black metal, “In The Art Of My Caged Existence” has become an imposing work full of rage and beauty, haunting atmospheres and mournful feelings.

In collaboration with Bitter Loss Records, Woewarden have now announced that they will be releasing their latest album on vinyl for the first time in 2023. “In The Art Of My Caged Existence” will be coming out on March 1st and will be limited to 300 copies, standard black vinyl with a limited variant of a dark smoke.

Woewarden on “In The Art Of My Caged Existence” and the upcoming vinyl release:

“Under the new moniker, Woewarden, are proud to showcase the third full length album soon to be released on vinyl in 2023 (CD and Digital released October ’22): ‘In the Art of my Caged Existence’.

Comprised of former and current members of Deadspace, Advent Sorrow, Pestilential Shadows, Doomcave and Flesh Worship, we are also honoured to have our good friend Déhà (Imber Luminis, Déhà, and Slow) take the helm on production for this record; creating an engulfing yet clear mix and master that perfected our vision of the album.

Combining that with our newly formed allegiance with Australian label, Bitter Loss Records (Battlegrave, Crypt Crawler, Ashen, Pustilence), and the always amazing artwork from Adam Burke of Nightjar Illustration, we truly believe we’ve created something truly special and reflective of our take on atmospheric, yet bleak and harrowing Australian black metal.“

“In The Art Of My Caged Existence” will be released on vinyl on March 1, 2023. Check out the band’s latest lyric video for “Wreath of Viscera” here:

Tracklist:

  1. Ravelled
  2. Prisons Within Prisons
  3. Excised
  4. The Name Of Suffering
  5. Wreath Of Viscera
  6. Degenerate
  7. Alexithymia
  8. The Blade Draws More
  9. In the Art of My Caged Existence

WOEWARDEN are:
John Pescod – Vocals
Dan Jackson – Guitar
Hrodrik André Segovia – Guitar
Thomas Major – Bass
Herb Bennetts – Drums

AMMOTRACK Release New Single ‘Under My Skin’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 7, 2022
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Swedish rock n’ metal band AMMOTRACK have released their new single ‘Under My Skin‘ via Crusader Records, part of the Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group.  The track is about ringing ears, otherwise known as tinnitus, affecting around 15-20% of the population. 

‘Under My Skin‘ explains that living with ringing easy is not easy but it does get better if you accept it. To every one of you out there, stay strong and safe and don’t forget to protect your ears. It’s a high price to pay to being a rock n roll soldier! 

Stream/buy ‘Under My Skin’ HERE

ABOUT AMMOTRACK

Ammotrack is a rock n’ metal band from Skövde, Sweden. The band was formed in 2004 and consists of Mikael De Bruin, Anders Franssohn, Jonas Jeppsson, and Sebastian Nero.

Since the release of their debut album Ammotrack have been described as one ofSweden’s most exciting hard rock bands. With their combination of heaviness,  cool melodies and a rock n’ roll attitude hard as stone, it isn’t too hard to understand why!

Ammotrack have been aired on major Swedish radio stations and also performed live on National TV and is well published in the Swedish hard rock press, but above all; they have made themselves known for their fantastic live performances. The tour list is impressive, with sold out tours with D.A.D and Hardcore Superstar.