Polish pagan group VARMIA – who pay tribute to their Baltic roots by combining black metal with traditional instruments such as the goat horn and the tagelharpa – have revealed their first new music since 2021’s ‘bal Lada’ album. The new song “Oddal” is presented as a standalone video (no digital single at this time) and comes as an introduction for the intriguing and unique group’s next chapter. The music video can be viewed below.
“In the near future we will share our three new pieces. A musical and visual triptych, which in fact is a prologue to what’s next to come,” further explains vocalist/guitarist Lasota. “For the first time in our history, we’ve felt that the album needs some sort of introduction, an opening. So, here’s the first lift of the veil. ‘Oddal’ is a Polish word for seclusion, distance and isolation. We invite you there.”
“Oddal” opens the band’s new EP, ‘Prolog,’ that will be released January 6th across all digital platforms. You can pre-save or pre-order ‘Prolog’ now at www.smarturl.com/varmiapresave
VARMIA was formed in 2016 by composer Lasota with a mission of fusing black metal with musical influences that pay tribute to the ancient Baltic tribes of the historical Warmia region of northern Poland. Vocally, harsh growls shroud the band’s music and native Polish lyrics in a visceral aura, the only breaks occurring when using the traditional, ancient technique of “whitevoice” clean singing as utilized during ancient East-Central European rituals, rites of passage and festivals. Meanwhile, the power of the band’s metal influences are enhanced by traditional ethnic instrumentation of the Baltic Rites via sounds of tagelharpa, goat horn, wood tuba and krivula. The final result is a compelling mix of dark metallic sounds that channel the spirit of early Enslaved, Satyricon and Wolves in the Throne Room and folk elements that drive acts such as Wardruna and Heilung.
VARMIA has released three albums to date – 2017’s ‘Z mar twych,’ 2018’s ‘W ciele nie’ and 2021’s international release, ‘bal Lada,’ their first collaborating with M-Theory Audio. The group records all of their music in culturally significant remote locations throughout their native Poland.
More information on VARMIA and the upcoming release of the ‘Prolog’ EP will be unveiled by M-Theory Audio in the weeks to come, and by VARMIA at http://www.facebook.com/varmiaband.
Better Noise Music, the largest indie rock label, shared their new playlist for the holiday season, The Retaliators Christmas Songs. The playlist already includes rock Christmas classics from iconic artists such as AC/DC, Queen, Sixx:A.M., Def Leppard, and Alice Cooper – full playlist track list below – and in a 7-week-long campaign, there will be 7 Deadly SinSongs highlighted. Every Friday a different holiday track will be added as follows, “O Holy Night” by Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein, “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” by Classless Act, “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” by Tempt, “Carol Of The Bells” by Bad Wolves, “Jingle My Bells” by Cory Marks, “The First Noel” by Eva Under Fire, and “Silent Night” by Bleeker. Listen to the playlist on Spotify and Apple.
“O Holy Night,” composed by Stranger Things composers Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein is now available on digital streaming platforms and as part of the playlist. The track is featured in the The Retaliators Original Motion Picture Score for the Christmas horror-thriller creating buzz in film circles this year.
New York rock band Tempt is releasing a new track and video for “Christmas Is The Time To Say I Love You” on November 18. Tempt delivers a mid-tempo rendition of the classic, filming the video in New York City amidst some of the most iconic sites, including Radio City Music Hall and the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
After introducing a new lead singer to the band last year, Bad Wolves stormed the scene with their album Dear Monsters and will be releasing their own cover of “Carol Of The Bells.” The band will also premiere a new video for the track on November 25.
Other tracks that were included in The Retaliators Motion Picture Score and will be part of this playlist include, Cory Marks’ “Jingle My Bells,” Eva Under Fire’s “The First Noel,” and Bleeker’s “Silent Night.” All three tracks have been previously released.
7 Deadly Songs Playlist
Cory Marks – Jingle My Bells
Bad Wolves – Carol Of The Bells
Classless Act – It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
All Good Things – Are You Coming Home (Silent Night)
Escape the Fate – Christmas Song
Bleeker – Silent Night
Eva Under Fire – The First Noel
Tempt – Christmas Is The Time to Say I Love You
Kyle Dixon/Michael Stein – O Holy Night
SixxAM – Xmas in Hell
ACDC – Mistress for Christmas
Queen – Thank God It’s Christmas
The Funeral Portrait – In The Bleak Midwinter
The Killers – Don’t Shoot Me Santa
The Darkness – Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End)
MAD MAX would like to celebrate the vinyl versions’ release date of their latest album “Wings of Time” by offering a special video to their fans, the video for “The Stage is for You” is showcasing parts of their recent successful European tour alongside Axel Rudi Pell!
“Wings Of Time” was released on September 2, 2022 as digipack CD and digital streaming/download format and today, November 4, 2022 as Gold vinyl as well as Blue/Gold Splatter vinyl. Both vinyl editions are limited to 300 copies worldwide!
MAD MAX are: Julian Rolinger – Lead Vocals Juergen Breforth – Guitars & Backing Vocals Dethy Borchardt – Lead Guitars Axel Kruse – Drums Fabian “Fabs” Ranft – Bass & Backing Vocals
On December 9th, post black metal pioneers HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY will launch the re-recordings of their two first albums “Harakiri For The Sky” and “Aokigahara”. As they have never been fully happy with the production of these two early albums, the Austrian duo decided to take a deep dive into their past for their 10th band anniversary and revive them as “MMXXII Editions”, together with longtime collaborator Krimh on drums and a re-designed cover artwork by Art Of Maquenda.
Listen to the re-recorded version of ’02:19 AM, Psychosis’ here:
Vocalist J.J. comments on the track: “I think ’02:19 AM: Psychosis’ was the second song we ever worked on together as HFTS. It’s difficult to think back to these days, since it’s nearly 11 years that I wrote its lyrics. All I remember is that I was stuck in a very lengthy and toxic relationship where I wanted to get out of, but somehow was to afraid to leave. For several years. I also know, that I was quite enamoured with “The Catcher in the Rye” at this time as you can read between the lines. I think that is the main story of this song, its conclusion…”
The debut album will be available as: – grey lim.99 via Napalm Records – grey splatter lim.99 via EMP – black & white ink spot lim.99 via AOP Records *SOLD OUT* – galaxy silver/ grey lim. 199 via AOP Records – Digipak
“Aokigahara” will be available as: – black/ yellow ink spot lim. 199 via Napalm Records – gold marbled lim. 199 via EMP – A/side-B/side” vinyl effect in beer, bone, black with bone splatters lim.199 via AOP Records *SOLD OUT* – green cloudy vinyl lim. 199 USA exclusive via Indie Merch – Digipak – Boxset with exclusive patch, shot glass housed in hard carton with foam
On 2nd December 2022 BMG releases GARY MOORE’s A Different Beat.
A Different Beat, was Moore’s 12th solo album, where he explored new areas of blues and rock. This album has never previously been released on vinyl, and contains new liner notes written by Dave Everley. This double vinyl release will be pressed onto transparent orange vinyl and includes bonus track ‘Can’t Help Myself (E-Z Rollers Remix)’. A Different Beat will also be released on CD.
Gary Moore rocked the world of Blues and Rock with his virtuoso guitar playing and soulful voice. Best known for his evocative solo hits, Parisienne Walkways and Still Got the Blues, and his on/off membership of Thin Lizzy, Gary Moore’s solo career comprises over twenty albums. Throughout the 1980s, Gary moved up the rock hierarchy, but turned his back on what he regarded as the empty flash of metal and reverted to his heart music – the blues – where ironically he scored his biggest commercial success through his 1990s and 2000s blues albums.
A Different Beat saw Moore exploring a new direction, in this case combining his signature guitar work with contemporary dance beats. Fusing blues and dance music A Different Beat stands as the boldest thing Moore ever did.
Moore is regarded as one of the most influential Irish musicians of all time. Having been honoured by both Gibson and Fender with signature guitars, the Northern Irish star is still seen as one of the best guitar players of all time.
A Different Beat LP/CD Tracklist: 1. Go On Home 2. Lost In Your Love 3. Worry No More 4. Fire 5. Surrender 6. House Full Of Blues 7. Bring My Baby Back 8. Can’t Help Myself 9. Fatboy 10. We Want Love 11. Can’t Help Myself (E-Z Rollers Remix)
3x Grammy-nominated rock outfit NOTHING MORE have launched a social media campaign surrounding their recent single, “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS,” encouraging fans to submit videos sharing what love means to them and tagging the band and song on socials using the hashtag #LOVEMEANS. Those who submit a video will be entered in a raffle to win a signed copy of their new album SPIRITS out now via Better Noise Music. “YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS” is about the ups and downs of toxic relationships and how sometimes you just need to break the cycle.
Frontman JONNY HAWKINS shared an emotional video message with followers detailing a recent experience he had on tour meeting a fan who shared his story of how NOTHING MORE’s music saved his life and led him to meeting his partner, who was also impacted by the band’s work. This inspired HAWKINS to start the #LOVEMEANS campaign and inspire others to share their stories of overcoming adversity. Listen to his message here:
Watch YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE MEANS music video here.
On SPIRITS, NOTHING MORE pairs unapologetically massive anthems, catchy hooks, and progressive music with introspective, philosophical lyrics and thought-provoking emotionalism. HAWKINS elaborates on its concepts and the album’s coinciding meta-personality “SPIRITS TEST” (inspired from Myers-Briggs, Big 5 and the Zodia along with the philosophy of Alan Watts and Carl Jung) in the Q&A below. The result of the test determines your “Spirit Type” which ascertains specific characteristics that are further embellished across the album’s artwork and in their upcoming graphic novel “SPIRITS VOL.1” due in early 2023 via Z2 Comics.
“With its incredibly powerful utilization of [Jonny] Hawkins’ range, the detailed orchestration of each track for maximum effect and the poignancy of the messaging and intention throughout the album, ‘Spirits’ makes its mark as one of Nothing More’s best works,” lauds Cryptic Rock (10/14).
-Nothing More has gained attention from critics and audiences alike for your riveting live performance which sees you appear on stage in body paint while vigorously moving throughout the set and engaging with the crowd. You’ve previously mentioned some of the inspiration for your performance was based on Native American culture. Can you expand further and/or share other factors of your personal life/hobbies have helped you develop your show?
“I have a background in drumming, and I was the original drummer of the band for many years, so that has had a huge influence on not only how I think about the show but even how I move my body. I’m always connected to the rhythm, the beat; naturally my extremities move subconsciously to the drummer in my head. I also did drumline in high school and we performed all over the nation doing really elaborate performance pieces which influenced my desire to always want to do these drum ensemble kind of moments with the entire band. Lastly, I was always interested in martial arts. I wrestled in high school and I do jujitsu and some boxing now. I was always fascinated by the overlap of the warrior spirit or the martial artists and art. There was an overlap at times between those two things and how you would move your body through space and time–and even the body paint that I wear is inspired by primitive cultures that would put on the war paint with intention of getting into a spirit of war or a spirit of battle. In the same way, I like to conjure those energies within myself before the show as I put on my paint and get in the right mindset.”
-We’d be remiss to leave out the other stunning element of your live performance, The Scorpion Tail and the Drum Machine. While both are visually engaging elements, can you explain how both were designed and how specifically they impact the band’s sound?
“The Scorpion Tail was designed originally from an idea that I had in the jam room with a wireless MIDI controller that almost looked like a video game controller. I wired Dan and Mark’s guitars through a computer, and I was affecting what they were playing in real time. Just like a DJ effects a prerecorded track, I was playing the effects on their instruments. Daniel, our bass player, decided to weld this monster that I could kind of wrestle with my whole body rather than just pressing buttons with my fingers. We thought it would be more visually compelling and more exciting to perform than something small that you manipulate with your fingers.”
SPIRITS was written during a time of global isolation which caused many to feel weary and anxious for a questionable future and therefore led to a lot of self-reflection. How did you incorporate those themes into the writing process?
“I think a lot of the themes of what’s happening in the world around us just naturally make their way into our writing. It’s not really something that we have to think too hard about–it just naturally flows into our lyric writing and our intention and energy into the song. It’s not as planned out and conscious as you might think. When we’re writing the lyrics, we definitely reflect on them and tweak them based on what’s going on around us and how we want to portray ourselves in the public sphere, but it all just happens naturally.”
-“Spirit” has multiple meanings–one is “qualities regarded as forming the definitive or typical elements in the character of a person, nation, or group.” The SPIRITS TEST you designed bases its result on how individuals perceive and react to these elements to determine their “SPIRIT TYPE.” What is your SPIRIT TYPE and what are some of its characteristics? How do you think those results feed into your musicianship or vice versa?
“My spirit type is the Tru type. I think the characteristics of the Tru type are more visionary and that lines up with my role in the band quite perfectly. I think when we take the SPIRITS TEST for each member in the band, it has really made a lot of sense as to why we interact the way we do with each other–everyone’s role, and everyone strengths and weaknesses. I think that it influences my writing very naturally. When writing lyrics, I gravitate towards the particular sounds or chords or the way my voice just emanates naturally. Mark and Dan are the Fuse types which are more on the heart side of the chart whereas I’m a little more on the head side. Our drummer Ben is a Constant and so that makes sense because we’re a little more analytical and destructive in our process. Mark and Dan are a little more heartfelt and creative in the sense that they’re the positive force and Ben and I are a little more the negative force and together they are making a Yin and Yang to our writing process.”
-Nothing More’s mission statement is to “reflect, provoke and inspire.” Can you share how SPIRITS reflects, provokes and inspires?
“I think our lyrics are written in a way that we try to say wh
at people have thought and felt that they didn’t quite know how to say themselves a lot of times. That’s the goal in our songwriting and I think with the album ‘SPIRITS,’ it is tapping into a deeper side. It’s a little more esoteric and a little less obvious in regard to the lyrics and the meanings and the messages behind some of the songs. It’s touching on a more subconscious level in people whereas on the songs from our self-titled album, the lyrics were a little more straightforward and you understood them consciously. This one touches on some deeper archetypal and older themes in the human spirit.”
-If you had the ability to universally change one thing that would positively impact humanity, what would it be and why?
“I’m going to quote Alan Watts on this one; I think he actually was quoting someone else, but I heard it from him. He said that if everyone could have an organ in their body that was a constant reminder of death that they would live their lives in a way that looked very differently than the way that we tend to live our lives. I thought that was an interesting thought and I think that that might affect humanity for both better and worse. I don’t think it would be just for the better. It would be interesting to see what that would cause people to do and how it might change their behaviors.”
-What are three surprising facts people might not know about you?
“‘The Office’ is my favorite TV show of all time. Stepbrothers is my favorite comedy movie of all time, and I love horror films and scary movie nights.”
-Are there any particular books or films that have helped shape your sensibility as an artist?
“A book by Alan Watts called ‘The Book’ and then another one of his books called ‘Become Who You Are’–that’s a great one.”
-If you were to record a duet with a current artist outside the genre of music for which you’re known, who might that be and which song would you cover and why?
“I’m going to say Carrie Underwood because she’s been a fan of the band and has even come out to one of our shows. I think it would be really interesting to do a duet with a country artist or someone just outside of the box that we’re typically in. If it were a cover song, ‘The World I Know’ by Collective Soul would be a great cover song on acoustic.”
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 ) 