REASONS BEHIND have released a video for ‘The Flame Inside’, third single taken from the new album ‘Architecture of an Ego’ to be released on May 26th, via Scarlet Records.
‘Architecture of an Ego’ takes a step deeper into the imaginative Reason Behind EDM-metal universe: a new musical & visual chapter where trance vibes enhance the heavy rhythms and catchy pop melodies.
The final result is a thrilling journey where fast songs alternate with mid-tempos and heartbreaking ballads; the silky voice of Elisa Bonafè always fits perfectly, dancing between powerful chorus and soft emotional parts.
Reasons Behind masterfully narrate a true dystopian short novel – conceived once again by the band leader, songwriter and guitarist Gabriele Sapori – about human relationships; an entertaining story that will truly come alive on stage through a flashy neon lights show.
The depraved song “Sielunsyöjät” is the third and final single from KAKSONEN‘s upcoming album (release date June 9th). The song illustrates the epic proportions that a dysfunctional and codependent relationship can reach at its worst. In the monumental track, the band’s tone develops from hard rock to a more ambient and emotional bridge and finally explodes into all of its destructive grandeur, depicting the diverse and challenging nature of human relations.
Kaksonen was founded 2007 in Äänekoski Finland. On May that year the band played it’s first live show on a local battle of the bands. And as a winner of the contest they recorded their first EP. Main goal from the very beginning was to create really heavy music that would also have a life loving aspect and that would resonate to people from different backgrounds. Next six years Kaksonen played loads of furious shows and released four EPs and one full length album. After that the band split up as the members moved all around the nordic countries. Now after about 10 years the band has activated again and they are releasing the hardest and heaviest album so far!
Hot on the heels of their previous single ‘Partners In Crime’, South African Flash Rockers MARENE return with ‘Prisoner Of Love’’, the second single from their upcoming album ‘Rising After Midnight’. This is another fun, cheeky song that captures the essence and spirit of MARENE, whilst proving they can blend multiple genres into one (and still have a song that can get stuck in pretty much anyone’s head). MARENE confidently and competently delivers another earworm with infectious riffs and driving beats, designed to keep you on the edge of your seat!
“Prisoner of Love is my favourite song off the Album. It’s so coherently catchy and I think that Maronay did an amazing job adding the little intricate synths that just make the song pop and come to life. Compared to the first single, this one is a lot less heavy and really showcases the ability of MARENE to appeal to the pop and rock spectrums at the same time. If you listen to the chorus, just be prepared to be singing it in the shower, in the car and while you’re at work. It’s got a hook that gets stuck, and there’s no pulling it out once it’s in.”
Maronay Todkill (Keyboard & Vocals)
“Prisoner of Love is a fun, cheeky song that really captures the essence and spirit of MARENE. It is also one of those songs that prove that you can do it: you can blend multiple genres into one and still have a song that can get stuck in pretty much anyone’s head. My favourite part of the song is the punk-inspired, nostalgic guitars and how every other instrument can complement them–be it in the form of frilly little bells, drum fills or punky bass lines. I am truly proud of this work, and I hope listeners fall in love with it much like I have.”
Ozzey Padayachee (Bass & Vocals)
“Prisoner of love is our take on the quintessential rock pop earworm. We worked very hard on walking the line between catchy sing song choruses and straight forward rock verses punctuated with synths that make you feel like you’ve been swimming in an acoustic pool. My favourite part of the song is the blend between the synths and guitar solo, the call and response is something new we tried and I think it’s worked out really well. It’s a new sound for us and I’m glad we get to share it with the world.”
Skye Nagel (Drums)
“Prisoner of Love is catchy as hell and full of energy. The drums especially help with this. Hearing the subtle intensity coming from the ride is very satisfying for me, and the way the crashes compliment the guitars in certain sections is the sonic cherry-on-top. Of course, my favorite thing about the song is the synth solo, and how it flows through the guitar solo and they just melt together. I feel like that has to be everyone’s favorite because it’s so sick. The track is very pop-rock but in a way that walks a line between old and new rock. It’s the kind of track that’s gotten stuck in my head plenty of times and I know it will for whoever listens to it.”
Arian Helm (Lead Guitar)
“Prisoner Of Love is a different kind of MARENE song in my opinion. It captures a different side of our sound and broadens the listener’s perspective with the amazing Synths by our bandmom Maronay. The catchy, melodic vocals from Tyler and a synth & guitar solo from Maronay and myself. I find the opening riff of this song to be very catchy and sort of punky, it really gets stuck in a person’s head after hearing it a couple times. I hope the listeners enjoy this single as much as we enjoyed making it. May it bring a lot of Rock N Roll into the world.”
About MARENE
MARENE is more than just a band, they’re a force to be reckoned with on the rock scene. Led by the dynamic Tyler Duggan, the band’s sound is a fusion of epic riffs, electronic vibes, and sing-along choruses that will have you hooked from the first note. Ozzey Padayachee’s growling bass lines and Arian Helm’s mind-blowing guitar solos are a match made in rock heaven, while Skye Nagel’s powerhouse drumming and Maronay Todkill’s electrifying synth work add a unique edge to the band’s sound. Each member brings their own unique style to the stage, creating a truly unforgettable performance.
MARENE’s live shows are a must-see event, where the band’s energy and passion for rock music are on full display. From the moment they take the stage, the band commands attention with their commanding presence and electrifying performances. The band’s chemistry is undeniable, and it’s clear that they’re having as much fun as the audience. With two EP’s already released and a full-length album in the works, MARENE is a band on the rise, and one that you won’t want to miss. Keep an eye out for their upcoming shows, and be ready to experience the ultimate rock and roll experience with MARENE!
Following the announcement of the band’s new live album, ‘Live: Eastern Forces of Evil 2022’, SIGH now give us the first experience what fans can expect in the form of the performance of ‘Mayonaka no Kaii’.
Taken from 2022’s ‘Shiki’ album, ‘Mayonaka no Kaii’ brings with it a spectral atmosphere which is no coincidence considering Mirai’s frightful experience that informed the song.
At exactly 00:00am Mirai was woken up and after a quick trip to the bathroom, quickly returned to his slumber. Yet, despite what felt like a few hours, he woke up and was faced once more with the clock face at exactly 00:00am. Thinking the battery in his clock was dead, he looked at his phone and to his surprise there it was, 00:00am as well… A truly otherworldly and inexplicable experience.
Mirai elaborates below:
“Mayonaka no Kaii”, which is based on my eerie experience, is my favourite track off the latest album “Shiki” released last year, and it’s been always on the setlist since it was out. It got all the elements Sigh have from hammond solo, shakuhachi solo, flute solo, vocoder and so on. Also it definitely is a fun-to-play song. The adrenalin starts to flow towards the ending!
He continues: “I’m not a person, who easily confuses dreams and reality. I clearly remember going to the toilet at the first alarm, and I took the watch out of the room after the second one, so neither of these was a dream. This was the first experience in my life which I cannot logically explain at all. It was SO scary.If you have a similar story, let me know.”
‘Live: The Eastern Forces of Evil 2022’ track listing:
Cult Japanese black metal legends Sigh formed in 1989/90, featuring mainman Mirai Kawashima, Satoshi Fujinami & Kazuki Ozeki. Following initial demos, Shinichi Ishikawa was brought in to the band. It was following this shift that Sigh set about recording the masterpiece debut ‘Scorn Defeat’ for the then-Mayhem guitarist Euronymous’ Deathlike Silence Productions, going on to become one of the country’s greatest and most revered metal exports. With a journey through the strange and the psychedelic, incorporating a whole eclectic mix of genre styles & experimentation throughout their career, Sigh has remained a vital creative force in the avantgarde field. However, at its core, Sigh has always remained true to its roots of old school metal, and 2022’s ‘Shiki’ album represented a new high point for the band, encapsulating all that was endearing about Sigh, with a perfect mix of styles and injection of eastern flair.
Since their formation in 2002, British thrash masters EVILE have been turning heads and taking names, delivering pure thrash offerings blended with an uncompromising metal assault. Not only have the band played a notable role as the thrash metal resurgence movement of the mid-to-late 2000s, but as Kerrang! praised, they have “carried the genre’s whole ‘revival’ on their shoulders.” This summer, following their latest, critically acclaimed album, Hell Unleashed (2021), July 14, 2023 sees the four-piece strike again with their sixth full-length offering, entitled The Unknown, via Napalm Records!
This time, EVILE prove that they are more than just a thrash band, churning out slower tempos with a heavier approach. In addition, melodic vocals meet serious, in-depth lyrical topics – ranging from depression, overcoming loss and recurring nightmares, self-esteem and image, to more personal themes like living with dementia, struggling through the music industry and even the concerns of becoming a new parent.
We’re really excited to start revealing the next page in the Evile chapter”, says frontman OL Drake. “We’ve taken a completely different approach on this album and I looked inward for inspiration; I’ve opened myself up like I never thought I would. We’ve always been at 500mph, like on the previous album (Hell Unleashed) and this time around we felt we wanted to try the polar opposite – some slower-than-we’ve-ever-done tempos with more melodic vocal hooks, and give Adam some freedom on the leads/writing. I’ve been working on my vocals since diving in the deep end in 2021, and we’ve worked hard for 2 years on this, so I’m excited for everyone to hear the fruits of our labour. We’re really proud of what we’ve all accomplished with this album. This is the one I hope can catapult us to more ears and places we haven’t been before to play for people who are constantly asking us to play in their area.
First up is the title track, “The Unknown.” I wrote the basic lyrical content and concept back in 2017 when I was out of the band. The song deals with my fears and anxieties of becoming a father for the first time and all the doubts and worries that come with the responsibilities it brings.”
On The Unknown, EVILE are more profound, personal and deep, while also proving heavier, stronger and more raucous than ever! Songs such as “The Unknown” showcase the band’s haunting elements and the stirring, “new” side of EVILE, balancing a dark, melodic and almost mesmerizing vibe with colossal, heavy riffage and thundering drums. While EVILE still stays true to their explosive trademarks and roots, they leave nothing but a hammering new world of sound, building up to a stomping thrash manifesto. The Unknown unchains the rampant songwriting talent of these British thrash metal frontrunners, proving that thrash does not always have to be fast-paced. It can also be in-your-face with outstanding musical skill, without fear of showing a still unknown facet of lyrical depth and an enthralling, versatile, brave modern metal sound!
The Unknown was recorded by Tim Vincent at Longwave Studios, Cardiff UK, and was produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Clancy at the same Longwave Studios.
Following the release of ‘Life is Strangely Accidental’ album in late February, the eclectic Rock project known as ROYAL AUTUMN have released their split single release on Thursday, 18th May.
Watch the stunning official video for ‘Say Goodbye’ here. Created by Very Metal Art.
Capturing a wide variety of influences, Royal Autumn are a unique and captivating group of artists that fuse many genres together with carefully thought out theatrics, and a blatantly deep passion for what they do.
February’s full length album, ‘Life is Strangely Accidental’ saw the band achieve some impressive reviews from critics who fell in love with their ability to weave influences such as Judas Priest, Ghost, Fleetwood Mac, Queen, Tom Petty and more…
Their collective love for old school showmanship is very much present in their live shows where on any given night you’ll be treated to a visual spectacle of exquisite stage clothes, (as well as the odd feather boa), alongside a truly authentic sense of classic old-school Rock, but with a contemporary twist. In essence, Royal Autumn are flying the flag for classic songwriting.
Speaking of the singles and the decision to release it as a split with a remix of I’ve Got A Hold On You’, vocalist Neill Marshall says; “We recognised ‘Say Goodbye’ as a single early on, but it ended up being number 4 for a couple of reasons. ‘Take it to the Grave’ was released first, prior to the album coming out as a bite-sized sample, simply due to its length, ‘L.I.S.A’ second due to it’s accessibility & the fact we had filmed a ‘Stripped’ live video for it, ‘Thin & Blond’ was always the BIG music video to be released in tandem with the album itself, as it was the most ‘visual’ song, so even though ‘Say Goodbye’ is maybe the most catchy track, it got bumped to 4th. We opted to do a fun B-side just to make the release a little more flavourful, the album is now 2.5 months old, so we thought a new music vid AND a remix would be exciting to throw out there. IGAHOY was chosen as it’s always straddled the line between ‘Synth song’ or ‘Rock song’ – The Album version is a bop, but now we get to unleash it as a fully-realised club banger.”
Royal Autumn’s latest album ‘Life is Strangely Accidental’ is out now and can be accessed here.
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
