DRAKKAR to Release “When Lightning Strikes Twice” Album on May 25th, Reveal Lyric Video for ‘We Ride’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2022
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Italian Power Metal veterans DRAKKAR have announced that their new release, “When Lightning Strikes Twice”, will be out on May 25th, 2022, again under the banners of Punishment 18 Records, that also published their latest effort “Chaos Lord” in 2021. The announcement is tied to the release of the lyrics video for the first single, “We Ride”.

“When Lightning Strikes Twice” is a full remix and remaster of Drakkar’s 2012 comeback album, “When Lightning Strikes”. Back in the day, it was the album that put Drakkar on the map again after a long hiatus; met with great reviews and beloved by old and new fans alike, the ambitious sci-fi concept record was the fuel that the band needed to get back as a prominent force in Italian Power Metal. This new version has been completely remixed and remastered from the original recording sessions; 90% of it is the original performances, only a few rhythm guitar tracks have been re-recorded because the hard disks storing them were damaged. However, the impressive work done by Mattia Stancioiu at Elnor Studio has given it a completely new life! Now-classic Drakkar songs like “We Ride”, “When Lightning Strikes” and “Revenge Is Done” sound better then ever, with increased power, clarity and feeling.

Lose yourself in the fascinating sci-fi story that will take you through time and space, mainly ispired by the works of comic book legends like Jack Kirby and Alan Moore, narrated through epic and bombastic power metal songs that apply the lesson of giants like Blind Guardian and Running Wild to create a deeply personal musical voyage.

A strictly limited 200 copies “10th anniversary edition”, including a box set with gadgets, will be available exclusively on the band’s Bandcamp page (https://drakkarofficial.bandcamp.com/) and as a reward for the higher tiers of their Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/darianmetal).

Sometimes, even Lightning Strikes Twice!

BLITZPØP Announce “MDMA” EP + Share Trippy Music Video for High Voltage Title Track

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2022
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[ photo: Liz AW ]

Up-and-coming, alternative/garage rock and soul-grunge outfit BLITZPØP has announced the release of their much awaited debut EP, entitled MDMA, that will drop on September 30, 2022.

Formed by MOTHER’S CAKE frontman Yves, GIANT ANTEATER vocalist and bassist Pia, Alex of THE VINTAGE CARAVAN and drummer Kajetan, BLITZPØP unleashes a new wave of a straightforward sound and a “Fuck off the deep shit“ attitude, combining alternative, grunge and garage rock elements with a fuzzy dose of the soul and electronica funk. Their rough yet melodic and heavily groovin‘ debut should please fans of 90’s rock and grunge era in the likes of Hole and Nirvana, Dead Weather, The Distillers or The Kills, but stands out due to its very own touch and strong individuality.

Says guitarist Yves: “We’re super excited to share our debut EP including six powerful tracks with the whole world! Blitzpøp is all about crazy songwriting with mainly naughty and painfully recognizable lyrics. Most Important for us was to not think too much about what we create, it should simply kick ass! 

We wrote the songs in our small dirty flat which was the perfect environment for that kind of music. We started to produce the song ideas ’till we had about 10 tracks. What was missing was the band. Pia and I started to call some friends like the awesome drummer Kai and the hammering bass player Alex (The Vintage Caravan)…a few minutes later bllitzpøp was born!

We hope all you Pøppers will have as much fun while listening as we had while creating it!”

Today, the band released a first single and the high voltage EP album title track, MDMA. Watch the trippy music video here:

“We proudly present our new single MDMA! We’re very excited to release our first single with a video,“  Yves continues. “Join blitzpøp on a smashing journey full of energetic moments as we had while we were playing this song.

I remember Pia came up with this riff and verse, then I grabbed the guitar and we had a songwriting session and recorded it on the same day. Afterwards we started to jam and practise this song with Alex and Kai in our rehearsal room. We thought it would be cool if the chorus sounded like a choir and had this sing along hook, so we decided to sing the chorus all together! Finally a hook was born! Everything felt so easy. As always, no pressure, just fun & naughty parties afterwards!”

BLITZPØP’s upcoming debut was recorded by Raphaël Neikes, Manuel Renner and Tom Kornis at Chaos AD Studios and at Moonwalker Productions. The EP was mixed by Raphaël Neikes at Moonwalker Productions and mastered by Tom Kornis at Chaos AD Studio. MDMA will be self-issued by the band directly on September 30, 2022, you can now pre-save the EP at THIS LOCATION.

Tracklist:

  1. MDMA
  2. The Sickness is Coming
  3. Martyr
  4. Spirit of Times
  5. Cybergods
  6. All The Pain is Real

VLAD IN TEARS Sign with Metalville Records, New Studio Album “Porpora” Out in September

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2022
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Gothic Metal band VLAD IN TEARS will release their new studio album “Porpora” in September this year on Metalville Records.

VLAD IN TEARS was reborn after decades when the three brothers Kris (vocals & piano), Lex (guitar), and Dario (bass) decided to move from the old and too sunny Italy to Germany in 2013. The brothers immediately showed their great musical skills and their ability to be great live performers. This development was well received by their rapidly growing fan base.

After releasing their first three records including UNDERSKIN, which was produced by John Fryer (Depeche Mode, HIM, Nine Inch Nails), the band released their self titeled next album containing the hit single “Feed On Me”.

After that release, VLAD IN TEARS played a lot of festivals such as M’era Luna in Hildesheim/Germany followed by an European tour together with The 69 Eyes.

2017 was full of more festival appearances, playing Rock Harz, Castle Rock Festival, Autumn Moon Festival as well as festivals outside Germany, for example Maximum Rock in Romania.

After that festival season, VLAD IN TEARS released two more studio albums and kept touring.

In 2020 VLAD IN TEARS released their next album DEAD STORIES OF FORSAKEN LOVERS from which they released as a first single “Born Again” in collaboration with Lex from “Megaherz”. In 2020 the band also released THEATRE OF MEMORIES ACT I which is the first part of an acoustic trilogy.

The forthcoming new studio album PORPORA will be the next big step in the band’s carrer.

Untiring and insatiable, VLAD IN TEARS are always looking for new sounds, contamination and blend the melody perfectly with very dark sounds ranging from 80’s Wave to the hardest and most modern sound of Rock with guitars in drop C and D. The strongest point of the Band is the voice of the singer Kris, which has no limits.

CIVIL WAR Release Second Single + Lyric Video ‘Battle Of Life’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2022
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Swedish power metal veterans CIVIL WAR – featuring former members of Sabaton – drop another martial power-anthem with their newest single “Battle Of Life”, beginning with synthesizer elements that lead into the band’s epic power metal trademark with a catchy chorus. The lyrics deal with inner conflicts and war – focusing on changing one’s perspective, conquering fears and calling on one’s inner strength. These topics serve also as inspiration for the impressive lyric video that’s released in tandem today!

“Battle Of Life” is one of the 10 new wartime anthems on the band’s new album, Invaders, out via Napalm Records on June 17, 2022. Detailing harrowing stories of sorrow and tales of turbulent triumph from around the globe, as well as human nature itself, the album marks the band’s first with masterful frontman Kelly Sundown Carpenter and formidable shredder Thobbe Englund (ex-Sabaton).

Kelly Sundown Carpenter (vocalist) on “Battle Of Life”:
“This song is about perseverance and finding the courage to stand back up after we fall, and how our perception changes everything. If you can change the way you see the world…you change the world.”

The album starts off with the captivating “Oblivion”, inviting the listener into an apocalyptic world with its exotic, menacing sound, strong vocals and heavy guitar riffs. Packed with epic symphonic power, Invaders continues with the war anthem “Dead Man’s Glory”, telling a story of Irish resistance – fighting to preserve their way of life against a Viking invasion. The album rages on with the retelling of legendary Native American victory at the Battle of the Wabash on the fast-paced “Invaders” and then settles into the pulsating, atmospheric “Heart of Darkness” before arriving at “Andersonville” – recounting the horrors of Confederate prisoner-of-war camp Andersonville Prison through the letters of a Union soldier to his wife. This song soars as a massive power ballad with heart-rending symphonics, choirs and emotive vocals. “Battle of Life” delivers the grand finale of Invaders as a pummeling, fiery power metal pinnacle, summoning listeners of all walks of life to persevere and call on inner strength in times of trouble. In keeping with the album’s theme, the Western-inspired heavy metal battle cry “Custer’s Last Stand” sees its 10th anniversary re-recording and re-release as a bonus track, entrancing the listener with Carpenter’s passionate vocal delivery, searing guitar harmonics, keyboard fanfares and tribal drums. With Invaders, CIVIL WAR prove they’ve once again etched a position all their own in the annals of modern power and heavy metal while proving their deft storytelling skill and knack for engaging lyricism. Invaders is a must-listen!

Daniel Mÿhr (keyboards) on Invaders:
“It took its time, but we’re happy and proud to present our new album Invaders to the world. CIVIL WAR is back in a nice, new uniform, and with Kelly Sundown Carpenter and Thobbe Englund joining the ranks we have finally put together our fourth full-length album. By taking one step in every direction we have taken our sound to even darker places, but also to more positive ones. But one thing remains the same – our roots in Heavy Metal!

Pre-Order InvadersNOW

Invaders tracklist:

1. Oblivion
2. Dead Man’s Glory
3. Invaders
4. Heart of Darkness
5. Andersonville
6. Carry On
7. Soldiers and Kings
8. Warrior Soul
9. Slaughterhouse 5
10. Battle Of Life
11. Custer’s Last Stand

THE BLACK SKELETON Release New Single ‘Total Control’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2022
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Quinn Gardener-Kane is best known as the charismatic singer of Australian funk/hard rock band, DEFRYME. He recently returned with a new project THE BLACK SKELETON and today they release their brand-new single ‘Total Control’ on digital platforms via Golden Robot Records.
 
The Motels’ eighties feminine anthem, ‘Total Control’, is given a raunchy, guitar driven overhaul taken from a male perspective on THE BLACK SKELETON’s latest release. Dark and haunting – it will provoke a different point of view from the very first listen.

‘Total Control’ is the follow up to recently released singles ‘The Ledge’, ‘All Around Me’ and ‘Out of Our Minds’. With an eclectic collection of songs that partner so perfectly with each other, THE BLACK SKELETON has created an EP’s worth of music that will soon be available through Golden Robot Records. 

Listen to ‘Total Control’ HERE

THE BLACK SKELETON is a powerful, melodic rock journey! 

Quinn Gardener-Kane has been making what started as a fun journey of writing and recording with other super creative friends, into an emotive rock ‘n roll beast all of its own. 

THE BLACK SKELETON is a window to the inner thoughts and stories of Quinn’s life experiences; some dark and haunting, but always personal. The themes and depth of this collection of songs will resonate, provoke and have a different point of resonation with each listen.  

Quinn has sought after and secured some of Australia’s most accomplished musicians to assist in the final recordings, and form the live band to showcase these amazing, kick ass songs. 

VOMIT FORTH Sign with Century Media, Release New Album “Seething Malevolence” on July 8th, Single for Title Track Unleashed

Posted by tarjavirmakari on May 11, 2022
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VOMIT FORTH have joined forces with Century Media. The Connecticut-based “Northeast Death Metal” powerhouse are set to release their long-awaited full length, Seething Malevolence on July 8th . While the band is known for a sound that borrows from the underappreciated East Coast death metal blueprint belched up from bands like Internal Bleeding and Scattered Remnants, Seething Malevolence expands to more experimental and unexpected sounds, refracting the band’s love for the likes of Napalm Death or Full of Hell. 

Already known for their furious live show, sharpened by recent North American touring with labelmates, Frozen Soul and Sanguisugabogg, as well as experimental hardcore legends, Integrity, VOMIT FORTH’s name has cemented itself into the U.S. extreme metal landscape. The self-produced Seething Malevolence,  which was mixed and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Ghostmane and features U.S. noisemonger, Prurient on the opening track “Untitled” is a clear next step. The band’s prior demos, collected on 2019’s Maggot Stomp issued Northeastern Deprivation won the band raves in the underground and the attention of Century Media.

“We’re excited and grateful to be working with Century Media,” says frontman Kane Gelaznik who started the band in 2017 with drummer Nick Herrmann, bassist Tyler Bidwell and guitarist Ricky Brayall.  “Going back to buying CDs from Asphyx, Merauder or Napalm Death, we’ve been fans of the label and really see them as a forward-thinking force in death metal. That’s the same attitude and vision we have towards our band and music – it’s no rules but our rules.”

“Hearing the unmixed record the band had produced themselves before they had signed with CM blew me away,” says Century Media Vice President of A&R, Mike Gitter. “While the band’s influences in death metal and hardcore are present, that’s just where it starts. VOMIT FORTH is onto something deeper and more extreme.” 

Seething Malevolence delivers on the promise of everything VOMIT FORTH has hinted at so far. Northeast Death Metal. The preorder has officially started, so check out the self-titled first single or preorder the album.

Pre-order here.