In recent times, everyone has wandered dark paths – death, doom and misery have no longer been exclusive to occult spheres and mythical surroundings, they have become a part of everyone’s reality. The more present strong and negatively connotated emotions are, the more important it is to canalize them – and let something powerful rise out of the ruins and shattered pieces of one’s mind.
The multinational band WOLF COUNSEL, based in the gloomy and ever tales-enriching heights of Ireland, are about to channel their anger and troubled senses on their 5th full-length album Initivm, garnished with heavy riffs and diversely vigorous vocals. They have definitely devoted their hearts and souls to give their fans yet again a true masterpiece of haunting harmonies and complex arrangements.
Wolf Counsel came into existence in 2014, when two veteran musicians merged their enthusiasm for monumental low-tuned music and great appreciation of ponderous bass lines into a new band. Primarily rooted in the style of late 70s and 80s prototype doom metal, their sound quickly developed a very unique and heavy signature, drawing in influences from everything that’s heavy and slow. The band members themselves name a few bands as their musical inspiration such as Solitude, Aeturnus and Cathedral.
In 2020, one of the two founding members moved to Ireland, which led to a nouveau and close creative collaboration with the new frontman Con Doyle. Wolf Counsel now lives on with the addition of new influences, a new voice and new inspiration to deliver more pure doom metal with an even heavier and more epic approach than ever before.
As the band thrives to go deep while still lyrically playing with the topic of death and mythical stories of days long gone, this approach heavily reflects on the album’s first single Farewell. When it comes to explaining the story behind the song more closely, bassist and backing vocalist Ralf W. Garcia, who is also the main songwriter, comments: “The song is about dying and how in certain ways we live through other people’s memories. It’s important to come to terms that none of this is permanent and everyone is going to die and it’s okay for people to move on.”
As the album was written during the lockdown, the fans are probably eager to see what was created behind closed doors. Live shows are definitely what everyone is waiting for – and Wolf Counsel promise to give a stripped down, true old school metal show. They don’t want any nonsense nor artificial images and no compromises. The band has played gigs all across Europe with bands like Procession (SE/CI), Epitaph (IT), The Order of Israfel (SE), Castle SF (US), Year of the Goat (SE), Obelyskkh (DE), Orange Goblin (UK), Dead Witches (UK), Iron Void (UK) and Ahab (DE) and will hopefully add new dates to their route very soon – because those songs just need to be heard live. They have the power to provide a mass catharsis for everyone attending.
Initivm by Wolf Counsel will be released on September 30th, 2022; available on their website.
Following hot on the heels of his single Come On, TROY REDFERN is set to release the epic slide guitar blues rock anthem Gasoline, the second single from his upcoming highly anticipated album The Wings of Salvation.
The official music video for Gasoline premieres on YouTube on Wednesday August 17th. Watch the video HERE.
The Gasoline single, released Friday August 19th, is available to stream and buy HERE.
Featuring ten infectious slide guitar savvy tracks, The Wings of Salvation album is released Friday September 23rd. The album is available to pre-order from www.troyredfern.com/shop.
“With Gasoline I wanted to write a positive, uplifting, good-time rock ’n’ roll tune,” says Troy.
“Right now, we’re bombarded with a lot of negative news in the media. Lyrically, I wanted to put something out there that was the opposite to that. The groove of this tune is in 7/8, which isn’t a typical rock ’n’ roll rhythm, but I really love the flow and feel of riffing in this time signature, especially playing slide using the National resonator in a low tuning. The combination sounds huge.”
Produced by Dave Marks (Hans Zimmer) at the UK’s Dulcitone Studios, The Wings of Salvation is an exciting new chapter in Redfern’s trajectory, not only as a slide guitarist, but as a creative force in the recording studio.
“My goal was to make a record that was a true representation of where I am right now as an artist,” says Redfern. “I wanted to create something in the spirit of the old school classic rock albums that I grew up listening to.”
After releasing an unprecedented six albums in just under two years, Troy’s new album The Wings of Salvation, is his most compelling work to date. The album highlights Redfern’s powerfully edgy vocal delivery, condensed song writing skills, tight arrangements, complimented by his trademark “firebrand” slide guitar playing.
“I felt like the time was right to head back into the studio as the creative juices were flowing,” says Redfern. “On the new album, I wanted to approach the recording process by starting with a completely clean slate.”
I wrote the new album from scratch in just under five weeks, in the same way that the bands that I grew up listening to use to do. It makes everything fresh and immediate. It’s an accurate snapshot of where you are as an artist at that moment.”
Says Troy, “Dave Marks, my producer, and I also decided early on we wanted an old school aesthetic for this album, in that we wanted no studio fixes, no autotune, no drum editing or samples. It had to be real, with only complete takes, no chopping up parts in post-production to make them sound perfect. We wanted an album that authentically captured my sound. I feel satisfied in knowing that we achieved what we set out to accomplish, and I couldn’t be prouder of this album.”
“My 1935 Dobroresonator features heavily on the new album along with my MagnatoneTwilighter amplifier,” reflects Redfern. “I found this to be a killer combination. It’s such a huge tone without the need for layers and layers of guitar tracks.”
For drum duties Dave enlisted the skills of Paul Stewart, the drummer from chart toppers The Feeling. Troy says, “Dave felt that Paul was the perfect fit to play drums on this album. He connected with my new material and took it to another level.”
“It was important for me to get the right drum sound for this album as that’s the foundation everything else is built on,” recalls Redfern. “I wanted a more three-dimensional, ‘open’ sound for this record.”
We used Lee Russell’sDulcitone Studios in Kettering to track the drums, which is a beautifully converted church, and it has the most amazing natural reverb sound. The results are astounding. On the new album we’ve managed to take the production to the next level.”
“Mastering is an important part of making a great sounding record” explains Troy. “Abbey Road Studios was the only option. It has the gold-standard reputation for the best mastering facilities in the world. I decided that Sean Magee would be the perfect choice to master the new album. His credentials include the Beatles, Deep Purple, John Lennon, the Ramones, Tina Turner, Sex Pistols, Rush, and Iron Maiden. He turned out to be an excellent choice. He gave the album that gorgeous shine Abbey Road is renowned for.”
Album cover charcoal portrait by Troy Redfern
Album Track Listing 1. Gasoline (3:53) 2. Sweet Carolina (3:54) 3. Come On (3:50) 4. Navajo (3:24) 5. Mercy (4:06) 6. Can’t Let Go (4:21) 7. Dark Religion (3:20) 8. Profane (3:00) 9. Down (3:30) 10. Heart & Soul (3:47)
Production Credits
Troy Redfern: Lead vocals, electric and acoustic guitars, backing vocals Dave Marks: Bass guitar, piano, keyboards, percussion, banjo, additional guitars, backing vocals Paul Stewart: Drums Produced by Dave Marks at Two Wolves Studios Engineered by Dave Marks and Troy Redfern Drums recorded by Lee Russell at Dulcitone Studios Mixed by Jo Webb at XXX Studios Mastered by Sean Magee at Abbey Road Studios
Track By Track
Gasoline The album opens with a slice of pure 21st century southern rock. Delivered with Troy’s feral slide guitar playing, heavy low tuned resonator guitars, and a monster 7/8 groove. Positive vibes abound lyrically with themes of “good times up ahead,” and “nothing’s gonna stand in your way.” Gasoline is hi-octane, good-time rock n roll.
Sweet Carolina Sweet Carolina is celebration of fiercely independent women everywhere and has a ‘Stones’ meets ‘Bolan’ feel that permeates this upbeat sunshine rocker. Despite the hat tip to the past this is a truly ‘Redfern’ tune with Troy’s trademark nicotine drenched vocals and slide guitar.
Come On This bombastic, high-energy blues boogie comes out of the gate like a tasered rodeo horse. A traditional blues beat, but on steroids with a dash of glam rock, Come On epitomises what Troy does best – fuzzed up slide guitar, big choruses, and raw slide guitar solos. Navajo Resonator guitars conjure up hazy images of the dust blown plains of the Wild West. Lyrically, it’s inspired by the 1864 Long Walk of the Navajo nation; used as an allegory of the loss of modern-day freedoms in all their forms.
Mercy Opening with a vintage vibe slide motif, Mercy bursts into a wall of uplifting guitars and Paul Stewart’s half time epic power groove. Dealing with themes of doomed love and moving on from bad situations, Mercy’s chorus opens-up like a break in the clouds leaving nothing but blue skies ahead.
Can’t Let Go Lyrically, Can’t Let Go explores the feelings of watching world events play out in the media. It’s about the desire to dislocate from the negativity that we’re all force fed daily, and the need to reconnect with what really matters in life.
Dark Religion This song is the prequel to The Line and Ghosts. Played on a vintage 1935 Dobro resonator in a 3/4 sea shanty vibe, it follows the story of a girl setting sail to a new land with her hopes and dreams, but she inevitably comes to the realisation that all that glitters isn’t gold.
Profane Like Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’ Sin City meets the punk energy of The Damned, this high-octane psychobilly car chase soundtrack roars through the noir cityscape at breakneck speed. Revenge, retribution and finally redemption. Redfern lets it rip by with tasty guitar licks courtesy of his vintage 1962 Silvertone Jupiter guitar.
Down Underpinned with a tribal voodoo beat and brooding rhythm guitars, Down’s verse simmers with tension before exploding headlong into its supercharged chorus. The harmonised vocals of middle eight almost feel ethereal, before it jumps into a slash and burn guitar solo.
Heart & Soul Heart & Soul strips things right back to the essentials with guitar, voice, and kick drum. Having the vibe and intensity of one of Troy’s solo performances, the raw energy is evident, especially in the extended guitar solo where the guitar sounds like it’s crying out in anguish.
DARE OCTOBER 2022 UK TOUR SPECIAL GUEST: TROY REDFERN TICKETS AVAILBLE FROM WWW.THEGIGCARTEL.COM
Leeds, Brudenell Social Club Thursday 6 October 2022
Newcastle, The Cluny Friday 7 October 2022
Glasgow, The Garage Saturday 8 October 2022
Bury St Edmunds, The Apex Thursday 13 October 2022
Rescue Rooms, Nottingham Friday 14 October 2022
Bilston, The Robin Saturday 15 October 2022
Shoreham Ropetackle, Brighton Friday 21 October 2022
Southampton, 1865 Saturday 22 October 2022
Bristol, Fleece Sunday 23 October 2022
London, O2 Academy Islington Thursday 27 October 2022
Manchester, Academy Friday 28 October 2022
Newbury, Arlington Arts Centre Saturday 29 October 2022
Lethbridge, AB, Canada’s HELL DIABLO are coming at you fast like a bat out of hell with a brand new rock n roll single “Push Comes To Shove” that serves to tempt listeners in advance of their upcoming album “Bad News Travels Fast”. This will be the second album, following 2021’s “Blood Is The New Black” and the greasy, dirty, bluesy garage rock will get you moving.
As the first single, “Push Comes To Shove” encompasses all the fury that the album provides! It is raw, yet full of the Hell Diablo sound, all contained in a succinct two minutes. The band shares their enthusiasm for the release:
“This song has a lot going on for a song less than 3 minutes in length! It is in your face, but still has a melodic nature. The lyrics are dark and tell a bit of a sadistic story. It is an in-your-face rock and roll machine! Loud, greasy, and lots of fun! We don’t really like to be restricted to a specific sound/genre, so this album shows that side. Musically it is a bit more metal than the previous release, and lyrically, it is angry/contemplative and sarcastic.”
When Hell Diablo first started out, rising from the ashes of another band, The Phantom Creeps, there was definitely a rockabilly/dirty blues element to the start of the sound and it has since evolved with a bit more stoner rock vibe working its way in. This upcoming album is a bit more aggressive than the first, but according to the band, the overall sound they have carries over. The nine-track release will provide an energetic, raw performance, with in-your-face loud rock and roll!
Through their sound, Hell Diablo is trying to capture what rock and roll used to be – an exciting, energetic feeling, but also kind of dirty and raw. They are recommended for fans of Supersuckers, Nashville Pussy, and The Nomads.
About: Hell Diablo is a greasy, dirty blues-infused Garage Rock Machine, hailing from the wind-swept prairies of Southern Alberta, Canada. Rising from the ashes of the Canadian Psychobilly group, The Phantom Creeps, singer/songwriter Tyler Brownfield found himself at the crossroads once again and searching his Rock and Roll roots for new inspiration. Having many influences in Rock & Roll, Punk, Rockabilly, Outlaw Country, and Stoner Rock, it was time to blend them together. In early 2021, Taylor Ackerman (Global Acid Rest, Shaela Miller) joined in the role of Guitarist, as well as recording the first album, ‘Blood is the New Black’. Since then, Shawn Worden (Bass) and Eric Hamilton (Drums) have rounded out the lineup.
IMMORTAL GUARDIAN have released “Southern Rain,” the latest new song and music video this year from the progressive/power metal band. The digital single can be heard at all streaming/download platforms or watch the video, below.
“For several moments in our history, we have doubted the humane side of humanity. Now, this is the moment we arise to say: ENOUGH! No matter how hard things get, no matter how south things go, we will never back down,” states singer Carlos Zema. “We will not race against the races. We will not stand as victims anymore. We will unite and persevere against all the bullets that our families dodge every day. Together as one, we stand against the next bloodstain in our history, at all costs.”
“Southern Rain” is the third new song the talented and hard-working quartet has released since the spring highlighting their efforts in creating the follow-up to the successful 2021 ‘Psychosomatic’ album behind “Ozona” and “Echoes” forming a basis for their next conceptual piece.
‘Psychosomatic’ has been lauded by Metal Temple for its “melody and power, two things displayed in a smashing way throughout this album” and led Metal Rules to call the group “one of the most interesting bands that have emerged in recent years on the international power metal scene.” Video clips for the title track,“Candlelight,” and “Phobia,” the latter of which featured a guest appearance by Angra guitarist Marcelo Barbosa, have captured the ears of heavy metal fans worldwide, while their videos for “Clocks,” “Lockdown” and “Read Between The Lines” have earned praise from the likes of MetalSucks, Metal Injection and Gear Gods. CD and digital editions of “Psychosomatic” are still available for purchase at https://www.smarturl.com/immortalguardian.
After making a splash via their 2018 full-length debut “Age of Revolution” – which featured its own fair share of creative music videos, including the “Armageddon”-meets-telenovela clip for “Stardust” – and through tours with the likes of Marty Friedman and Exmortus, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN gathered in Las Vegas at the beginning of 2020 to record their second album. As the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent pandemic began to ensue, shutdowns around the world began being enforced, resulting in the band completely scrapping the record that they had been working on and writing and creating a new thematic record about their emotions surrounding current events. The resulting “Psychosomatic” was a truly multi-national record, with guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian – known for his uncanny ability to play the two instruments simultaneously – remaining in Las Vegas, singer Carlos Zema recording his vocals from his home in Brazil, drummer Justin Piedimonte tracking from Montreal and bassist Joshua Lopez recording from IMMORTAL GUARDIAN‘s native Texas.
The newly-released music videos and singles are just a small taste of the new territory that IMMORTAL GUARDIAN plans to take their sound in 2022. More information on additional new music and touring in 2022 will be revealed in the months to come by M-Theory Audio and at https://www.facebook.com/igmetal/.
IMMORTAL GUARDIAN is: Gabriel Guardian – guitars/keyboards Carlos Zema – vocals Justin Piedimonte – drums Joshua Lopez – bass
With three weeks to go before the release of BEHEMOTH’s 12th studio album, Opvs Contra Natvram, the black metal messiahs unleash one of their most fierce and menacing singles yet. ‘Thy Becoming Eternal‘ tells a story of finding strength in times of misfortune and is encapsulated in an epic animated video, produced by animator Ruben Fro.
Frontman and BEHEMOTH visionary, Adam “Nergal” Darski, comments on the track:
“Legions! Our new offering from Opvs Contra Natvram…Thy Becoming Eternal. As always, we’re trying to keep things fresh! The video was produced by talented Japanese animator, Ruben Fro, who created this epic, aeonic CG landscape for our stoic warrior to journey through. The song itself is a fast and furious beast with a bombastic ending, definitely one of the most intense songs in Behemoth’s catalogue. Let us know if you agree!”
Opvs Contra Natvram is the sheer embodiment of rebellion, individuality and unflinching self-expression, shaped by a literary worldview. It also reflects a musical evolution, there’s little doubt that Opvs Contra Natvram is BEHEMOTH’s strongest and most sophisticated musical collection to date.
Pre-order or pre-save the album here, and check out the video for ‘Thy Becoming Eternal‘ below.
BEHEMOTH are not only the creators of Poland’s extreme metal scene, but they are masters of their vision and showcasing what a band can achieve when hard work is put in. With Opvs Contra Natvram they have created 10 fresh chapters, created at a very strange time for the world. Their goal to create something new, something that doesn’t sound like anything that has gone before, is an ambitious one.
Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail and absolute creative control of BEHEMOTH’s world, frontman and band visionary, Adam ‘Nergal’ Darski revelled in the depressurised environment afforded by the pandemic. It meant that for nearly the first time since the band’s inception over 30 years ago, there was no deadline to observe, allowing for a nearly unprecedented level of attention to the process of writing and recording. Beyond any confines of genre, BEHEMOTH have grown to become nothing less than the personification of rebellion, individuality and unflinching self-expression informed by a literate worldview and worldliness that’s resulted in a locking of horns with everything from the mainstream press to the Polish Catholic church – most notably manifesting in Nergal’s trial for blasphemy in 2010 that only served to expose the deep-seated hypocrisies that his music seeks to challenge.
Album artwork: Anton ‘Strss893’ Pavsyuk.
BEHEMOTH EU Summer Festivals 21.08. FR Saint Nolff – Motorcultor
BEHEMOTH, ARCH ENEMY + CARCASS + UNTO OTHERS The European Siege Tour
27.09. UK Dublin – 3Olympia Theatre (just a few tickets left) 29.09. UK Glasgow – O2 Academy 30.09. UK Manchester – O2 Apollo 01.10. UK Birmingham – O2 Academy 02.10. UK London – O2 Academy Brixton 04.10. FR Paris – Zenith 05.10. FR Ramonville-st-agne, Le Bikini 07.10. PT Lisboa – Coliseu dos Recreios 08.10. ES Madrid – Palacio Vistalegre 09.10. ES Barcelona – Palau Sant Jordi 11.10. FR Caluire-et-cuire – Radiant-Bellevue 12.10. IT Milan – Alcatraz 14.10. DE Berlin – Columbiahalle 15.10 CZ Pardubice – Tipsport Arena 16.10. HU Budapest – Barba Negra 18.10. AT Wien – Gasometer 19.10. PL Katowice – Spodek 21.10. D Ludwigsburg – MHP Arena 22.10. NL ‘s-herogemnosch – Mainstage Brabanthallen 24.10. DE Saarbrücken – Saarlandhalle 25.10. CH Zürich – Samsung Hall 26.10. DE Frankfurt am Main – Jahrhunderthalle 28.10. DE Munich – Zenith 29.10. DE Düsseldorf – Mitsubishi Electric Halle 30.10. DE Hamburg – edel-optics.de Arena 31.10. SE Partille – Partille Arena 02.11. FI Helsinki – Helsinki Ice Hall 04.11. SE Stockholm – Annexet 05.11. DK Frederiksberg – Forum Black Box 06.11. NO Oslo – Spetrum Scene
It’s cyclical. Every now and then since the 80s, AOR as a music genre has a big explosion of popularity and new bands, then gets a bit worn out by the excess of players in the scene, and then it comes back again, bigger than ever.
In the downtimes, however, there are new bands that stand out and help carrying the style, presenting it to new generations and bringing a fresh take to it. CAPTAIN BLACK BEARD is clearly one of these bands. Like their Swedish countrymen The Night Flight Orchestra, the five-piece grew up with the classic sound of bands such as Journey and Foreigner, but found a way to take a renew approach to it, own the AOR sound in such a bossy way that it draws the attention of a whole new generation of fans.
The development of Captain Black Beard’s sound over the last ten years and several albums and singles releases made the tag “disco AOR” stick to them, as a way to describe the incredible catchy and all-round composition and sound they achieved. The ultimate expression of this “disco AOR” sound is the new Captain Black Beard album, “Neon Sunrise”, to be released this Fall via Mighty Music. Groovy drums, melodic guitars, lots of keyboards and Martin’s powerful voice to top it off will make your love for AOR – old or new – boil once again in your blood.
“Neon Sunrise” will be released on digital, CD, and LP (transparent magenta vinyl, limited to 300 units) via Mighty Music on October 7th, 2022. Pre-orders available here.
Tracklist:
1. Flamenco 2. We’re The Forgiven 3. Physical 4. Moment Of Truth 5. Wasted Heart 6. Night Reaction 7. Chains Of Love 8. Burning Daylight 9. Break (Into Forever) 10. Invincible 11. State Of Denial 12. Neon Sunrise
Lineup: Christian Ek – guitar Martin Holsner – vocals Daniel Krakowski – guitar Robert Majd – bass Yngve Strömberg – drums
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Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 