After two long years, this May the Desertfest Berlin community finally re-unites. To celebrate the return of heavy live music, and its 10th anniversary edition, this year Desertfest Berlin will excel with one of their best line-ups to date!
Alongside headlining bands such as ELECTRIC WIZARD and Berlin’s very own KADAVAR, 2022 will see high class acts such as WITCHCRAFT, ORANGE GOBLIN, BARONESS, Desert Legends Brant Bjork and Nick Oliveri with their new outfit STÖNER, YOB, TRUCKFIGHTERS, ELDER, MY SLEEPING KARMA, 1000MODS, the return of mighty UFOMAMMUT among many more renowned as well as up&coming bands storm the stage of Desertfest Berlin! Today, the unique underground festival in the heart of Berlin has revealed its final line-up, adding VUG, LOVE MACHINE, THE WELL and VELVET TWO STRIPES to their eclectic bill of 2022!
Grateful for the loyal support and while most of the Desertfesters kept their tickets since 2020, the cult festival has extended its upcoming edition from 3 to 4 days. All 3 Days Ticket Holders will get access to all 4 Days of Desertfest Berlin, the 2020 ticket will be valid for the entire festival in 2022! Taking place between May 26 – 29, 2022 at the Arena Berlin, and since most day and all weekend passes are sold-out, you better act quick to get a ticket for at least Thursday and/or Sunday! These rare, handful of tickets are available at www.desertfest.de – The Day Splits will look as follows:
GRAVE DIGGER have been an integral part of the German heavy metal scene for over 4 decades. Chris Boltendahl, Axel Ritt, Jens Becker and Marcus Kniep are not only a force to be reckoned with in the live sector, they also regularly deliver high-quality Heavy Metal albums.
On their latest album “Symbol of Eternity” they continue to spin the story of the Crusaders… after having dealt with it once before on the album “Knights of the Cross”, they devote themselves once again to the fabled history of the Templars. Razor-sharp riffs, opulent choir arrangements and the distinctive voice of Chris Boltendahl are components of Grave Digger’s new work. All the trademarks that have made the band stand out for 4 decades can be heard on the album… an original and hard album is “Symbol of become eternity”. And yet, next to the merciless riffs, like in the opening headbanger “Battle Cry”, melodic refrains are always in the foreground… hard double bass attacks alternating with mid-tempo songs and the almost doom-like title track will make every headbanger’s heart beat faster.
Grave Digger have never been so varied and are not afraid to think outside the box like on the bonus track “Hellas Hellas” which is a cover of the Greek superstar Vasilis Papakonstantinou in which Chris sings Greek for the first time in his career and the Band was even able to win Vasilis himself for some vocal passages. Open your ears and eyes when the new album will be in stores worldwide on August 26th, 2022 and you can take another journey into the secret world of the Templars… The king is dead… long live the king!
TRACK LIST (CD 1 –Digipack Version-): 1. The Siege of Akkon 2. Battle Cry 3. Hell is my Purgatory 4. King of the Kings 5. Symbol of Eternity 6. Saladin 7. Nights of Jerusalem 8. Heart of a Warrior 9. Grace of God 10. Sky of Swords 11. Holy Warfare 12. The Last Crusade 13. Hellas Hellas
TRACKLIST (CD 2 -Live at Metal Hammer Paradise / Mediabook version-): 1. The Clansman`s Journey 2. Healed by Metal 3. The clans will rise again 4. Lawbreaker 5. The Roundtable 6. The Curse of Jacques 7. Season of the Witch 8. Excalibur 9. Rebellion 10. Witch Hunter 11. Heavy Metal Breakdown
• Produced by Chris Boltendahl & Axel Ritt • Mixed and mastered by Chris Boltendahl at Graveyard Studios / Cologne from November 2021 to February 2022 • Guitars, bass and drums recorded at Meadow Studios / Babenhausen by Axel Ritt • Vocals recorded at Graveyard Studios / Cologne • All songs composed and arranged by Boltendahl & Ritt except “The Siege of Akkon” composed by Marcus Kniep and “The Last Crusade”, composed by Axel Ritt & Jens Becker • All lyrics written by Chris Boltendahl • Keyboards played by Marcus Kniep • Cover and booklet paintings by Uwe Jarling • Cover concept by Chris Boltendahl • Booklet Layout by Wanderley Perna
International rock powerhouse FOZZY, led by multi-hyphenate superstar Chris Jericho and acclaimed guitar guru Rich Ward, have released their highly anticipated new studio album, Boombox, via Mascot Records/Mascot Label Group (ex-NA). PRESS HERE to listen. Boombox, Fozzy’s eighth full-length album produced by Johnny Andrews, features the band’s anthemic new single “I Still Burn,” which is quickly rising up the US Active Rock radio charts, currently at #24. The 12-track collection also features their US Top 10 singles “Nowhere To Run” and “Sane.” Boombox, the follow-up to their massive 2017 album Judas, is available now digitally and on CD with vinyl shipping later this year.
“After already having three charting hits over the past 18 months from an album that is only now getting released, AND then playing them (along with three other bangers from the record) live every night, I can honestly say that Boombox is going to be a SMASH hit for our band!” shares Chris Jericho. “Watching the fans and friends of Fozzy rock out to these new tunes nightly with open arms and open legs confirms that we were 1000% correct in waiting until the time was 1000% right to release what we feel is THE album of our career. And the best part is the other six songs that haven’t been heard by anybody yet might even be better than the ones you already love! But now the time has finally come…so sit back, relax and crank up the Boombox!!”
Fozzy first introduced this chapter in their decades-long career in 2019 with the release of the gritty rocker “Nowhere To Run” and then followed it up in 2021 with “Sane,” an ode to those who live their lives a bit crazier than the average person and Boombox’s opening track. The band’s latest single “I Still Burn” is a visceral anthem that speaks to Fozzy’s unwavering drive. Serving as the band’s mission statement, the song is the story of the dreams, passion and fire that lie within all of us to be the absolute best and to do whatever it takes to achieve the goals to make dreams come true. The official music video for “I Still Burn” has amassed over 700K views since its release last month – PRESS HERE to watch. Elsewhere on Boombox is the reflective power ballad “Army of One,” arena-ready “Purifier” and an unexpected cover of Frankie Goes To Hollywood’s “Relax.” Full track listing for Boombox below.
After touring the world and building a loyal fanbase for the better part of twenty years, Fozzy is the epitome of what a killer rock n roll band should be: catchy, groovy, hooky, sweaty, and most importantly, a great effen time! In addition to their own successful headline tours, Fozzy has also shared the stage in recent years with the likes of Metallica, KISS, Iron Maiden, Avenged Sevenfold,Shinedown, Slash, Three Days Grace, and many more. These five seasoned pros light up every stage they play on with their electricity and charisma, making Fozzy one of the hottest rock acts in the world today. And with five consecutive Top 20 singles, Fozzy is steadily becoming one of the most successful bands on Modern Rock Radio.
In addition to their brand-new album, Fozzy recently celebrated another career milestone. Their breakout hit and Top 5 rock single “Judas,” off their album of the same name, was certified Gold by the RIAA in March, symbolizing sales of over 500,000. PRESS HERE to watch the “Judas” music video, which has been viewed more than 56 million times. The track is also heard by millions of fans worldwide weekly on TBS Network’s hugely popular “AEW Dynamite” program, where Jericho wrestles every Wednesday.
Track list Sane I Still Burn Purifier Army Of One Ugly On The Inside Relax (Frankie Goes To Hollywood) Nowhere To Run My Great Wall What Hell Is Like Omen The Worst Is Yet To Come The Vulture Club
Canadian extreme metallers UNBOWED have released another ripping new track from their 3rd full-length album, “Colour The Soul,” that’s coming May 20th. Titled “The Holy Momentum,” the song features guest vocals by Frederik Jensen of MOTHER OF ALL and is a cacophony of blistering destruction and neck-snapping mayhem.
Diving into the song’s meaning the band says:
“This song takes up the responsibility to represent the concept of ‘Lich’ which concerns itself with mind and body synchronicity. This concept can be found within ancient concepts leading back to the ancient myths of Mesopotamia. It is the symbolism of two serpents endlessly chasing one another, it is the DNA helix, etc. The symbol indicates movement, and an endless chase; thus creating a generation of energy and power, a concept crucial to the creation of all art forms. This is the left brain, right brain, Apollo and Dionysus, or mind and body. In order for one to generate the power and energy needed to go the distance along the journey, the soul must be nurtured by the experiences and stresses put on both mind and body. This song represents the endurance through all forms of extreme resistance against the path forward.”
UNBOWED is a melodic death/black metal band formed in Guelph, ON, Canada in 2011 and consists of Ioan Tetlow (Vocals), Steven Rowlands (Guitars), Aiden Watkinson (Bass), Alex Snape (Guitars) and Cory Hofing (Drums). The band has to date released two full-length albums, two EPs, and two singles and is now gearing up to release their third full-length album and strongest effort to date, the 10 song LP “Colour the Soul.”
“Colour the Soul” features artwork by illustrator Marta Sokołowska, who is also created the art for their debut self-titled EP released in 2013. The album was written and recorded by UNBOWED at Nomadic Arts Studios in Guelph, ON, Canada, mixed and mastered by Alex Snape and features guest appearances from Joel Violette (Thrawsunblat, Woods of Ypres), Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns (Finntroll, And Oceans, Dispyt) and Frederik Jensen (Mother Of All, Plained).
Florida death metal vets INHUMAN CONDITION, consisting of vocalist/drummer Jeramie Kling (VENOM INC, EX-DEO, THE ABSENCE), guitarist Taylor Nordberg (DEICIDE, THE ABSENCE) and bassist Terry Butler (OBITUARY, DEATH, MASSACRE, SIX FEET UNDER), lay waste to fans with a merciless new single titled “The Mold Testament.” The song is featured on their eagerly awaited sophomore album, “Fearsick,” that’s due out on July 15th on Kling/Nordberg’s own Listenable Insanity Records. In addition to the 9 new blistering tracks, the band has recorded a series of cover songs to be delegated to the labels they have signed license deals with for their CD releases.
Commenting on the meaning behind the new song, Kling says:
“’The Mold Testament” represents a true sense of the word “conflict.” In this video, I wanted to show the daily conflict we have between consumerism and humanity. We do not realize how symbiotic those two things are and how each is related. We all end up in the same place. Have fun and remember you mosh/dance like your life depends on it.”
In case it was missed, check out the video for INHUMAN CONDITION’s previous single “Recycled Hate“: https://youtu.be/N0X6V-EWVPs
“Fearsick“ Tracklisting: 1. The Mold Testament 2. Recycled Hate 3. Caustic Vomit Reveries 4. I’m Now The Monster 5. King Con 6. Hellucid 7. Wound Collector 8. Fencewalker 9. Where Pain Is Infinity
“Fearsick“ CD Bonus Tracks: Listenable Insanity Records (USA) – “Whiplash” (Metallica cover) Spiritual Beast (Japan) – “Executioner’s Tax” (Power Trip cover) Black Serpent Records (Europe) – “Pull The Plug” (Death cover) Rapture Records (South America) – “Surprise! You’re Dead!” (Faith No More cover) Metalized Distro (Central America) – “Magnificat” (Benediction cover)
*Artwork by Dan “Babe Ruth” Goldsworthy (CORPSEGRINDER, ACCEPT, CRADLE OF FILTH)
Three-piece extreme metal formation VLTIMAS are now announcing new European tour dates for the summer of 2022! A full list of confirmed dates, including festival appearances, can be found below.
Rune Blasphemer comments on the tour: “After close to 2 and a half years of impatiently waiting it is with utmost pleasure we finally can announce that VLTIMAS will be getting back on the road. Aside from playing some of the finest festivals Europe has to offer, we will also do some selected club shows, including a thorough stint in the UK. A few more shows will be added so stay tuned. Join us in our celebrative and triumphant return to the live stages. We keep marching on!”
In further news, VLTIMAS have started the writing process for their 2nd album, which is tentatively due next year via Season of Mist! For updates on the process, follow the band via Facebook or Instagram!
VLTIMAS 2022 11 Jun 22 Death Coast Festival (DK) Esbjerg 15 Jun 22 Rotterdam (NL) Maassilo 16 Jun 22 Dessel (BE) Graspop Metal Meeting 17 Jun 22 Bochum (DE) Matrix 18 Jun 22 Weinheim (DE) Café Central 23 Jun 22 Ukmerge (LT) Kilkim Zaibu 25 Jun 22 Spálené Porici (CZ) Basinfirefest 26 Jun 22 Clisson (FR) Hellfest II 28 Jun 22 Palma de Mallorca (ES) Es Gremi 02 Jul 22 Helsinki (FI) Tuska 03 Jul 22 Manchester (UK) Rebellion 04 Jul 22 Nottingham (UK) Rescue Rooms 05 Jul 22 London (UK) The Underworld 07 Jul 22 Bristol (UK) Thekla 08 Jul 22 Sheffield (UK) The Corporation 09 Jul 22 Torgau (DE) In Flammen 10 Jul 22 Hengelo (NL) Metropool 14 Jul 22 Gävle (SE) Gefle Metal Festival
VLTIMAS will be touring in support of their debut album ‘Something Wicked Marches In’, which can be heard in full HERE.
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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 ) 