HEAD FIRST Release Video for First Single ‘Stars Of Life’ from Forthcoming New Studio Album, Out May 27th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 15, 2022
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HEAD FIRST have released the official video for “Stars Of Life”, the first single from the debut album of the Finnish funk/metal band around Waltari mastermind Kärtsy Hatakka (Metalville Records – release 27 May). Watch the video below.

Kärtsy says about the song:

“This is a style I have never have been singing before: a groovy soul-like stuff!

Later teenage period I felt very hot for 2 totally different music worlds (as usual:)): at that time new fresh speed/thrash metal..and Prince!

Early Waltari for sure took advantage to use all the possible metal sides as its musical tool for creating its original ultimate cross over music. But seldom we had the guts to even try funky soul-like material, later it became more possible thru the technology, latest in Waltaris wild version of Madonnas Vogue. But in this song in Head First I did have a chance! And the girls did like it:)! Indeed!

This was the first time I ever tried this style! Do check out, how I managed it!”

Jaani (the guitar player and the main composer of Head First) comments:

“The Stars of Life… well… certainly not an archetypal song in out repertoire, but it was chosen to be the spearhead since the song reveals our soft and melody-oriented side.

We nicknamed the song “The Son of David” and that is what we still like to call it. In an early demo recording Jaani played a guitar solo that contained a really exaggeratedly melodic and simple theme of just few notes and the drummer commented afterwards that the solo was maybe the most stupid thing he had ever heard. “Like a singalong chorus part of a religious song”.

Anyway… to find out, what Head First is all about, make sure you check out our releases to follow too! :-)”

Once there was Waltari… and HEAD FIRST!!!

There’s no denying the status of Finnish crossover monster Waltari as the first “metal-like” band export from their home country back in the early 1990s.

But only a few can still remember that their singer Kärtsy Hatakka already had another band back then under the name HEAD FIRST… the only real funk metal band from Finland! And now this very band is releasing their debut… after 30 years of waiting!

Kärtsy initially played in two bands at the same time, Waltari and Head First. The latter achieved considerable success in the Helsinki area with their danceable mix of funk, metal and prog rock. In some of the first Waltari songs, the funky influence of Head First was also clearly audible.

“Head First was hip, all the big Helsinki live venues loved the band, and bigger and bigger crowds came,” Kärtsy remembers.

But then Waltari surprisingly got an international record deal in 1991, and the rest is history. And so Head First was put on hold indefinitely. But now, after 30 years, they are back!

Already a few years ago, the band took the first steps towards re-activation by playing some shows in Helsinki and the surrounding area. So the wish to finally release a first album became the declared goal of Head First.

Based on the biggest live killers, the existing song material was adapted to today’s sound expectations. In addition, some brand new songs were created. In addition to the three original members Kärtsy, Jaani Marttila and Sami Timonen, a new bass player, Jesper Anastasiadis, was brought into the band.

Head First means old-school funk metal with a fresh edge of groovy beats and infectious energy!

HEAD FIRST Line Up:
Kärtsy Hatakka: Vocals
Jaani Marttila: Guitars
Jesper Anastasiadis: Bass and Backing Vocals
Sami Timonen: Drums

More information at
https://www.headfirst.fi/
https://www.facebook.com/theofficialheadfirst

IN TORMENTATA QUIETE Announce The End of a Vision

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 15, 2022
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Even beautiful things have a beginning and an end and their label My Kingdom Music has issued the end of a journey, of a project, of a vision. Italian Avantgardish Metallers IN TORMENTATA QUIETE cease to exist. They leave behind 24 years of pure art in the name of uncompromising originality.

IN TORMENTATA QUIETE have issued the following statement:

“In Tormentata Quiete are musicians at the service of a story. We did nothing but listen to it and reproduce it in our own way, letting ourselves be carried away on a journey that we believed was aimless. In the end we have reached the goal.
After 24 years dedicated to telling ourselves, the need for communication has taken other directions, forms, visions.
This is why In Tormentata Quiete stops his chant and stops on his journey hoping that for someone this chant was useful, at least, to dream.
This is our greeting to those who have accompanied us, who have always been, who have recently, giving us strength and energy.
Now In Tormentata Quiete ceases to be a single whole and each of us will continue with their own story giving vent to the diversified need of every conscious musician to bring with them a piece of the pilgrimage made as In Tormentata Quiete.
Thanks to all of you for being our companions!
Even if separated, even if with other chants, we will always be InTormentataQuiete! “

GAEREA Release Guitar Play-Through for ‘Glare’, Join ESP Artist Roster

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 15, 2022
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Photo by Catarina Rocha

Cathartic black metal outfit GAEREA is proud to announce that they have officially joined the ESP Guitars artist roster! In celebration, the band is now releasing a brand new guitar playthrough for the song “Glare.” The song is taken from the band’s latest album ‘Limbo,’ which was released in July 2020. The video, which was filmed at the Mouco Hotel in Portugal, can be seen HERE.

GAEREA comment: “We’re beyond amazed to fulfil what could be named as a dream come true by becoming Official ESP Guitars Artists from today forth. Since day one, every GAEREA Riff has been written, studio recorded and performed live on ESP Guitars and we thank this amazing family for welcoming us with the warmth of a thousand suns. With that said, Gaerea are proudly endorsed by Quantum Industries, Strap Portugal and ESP Guitars!“

GAEREA proudly uses Strap PT.

‘Limbo’ is out NOW and can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.

GAEREA Live in Europe 2022:
29 Apr 22 Antwerp (BE) Kavka
01 May 22 Reithalle (DE) Stummschen
02 May 22 Lyon (FR) Rock & Eat
21 Sep 22 Riga (LV) NOASS
22 Sep 22 Tallin (EE) Sveta Baar
23 Sep 22 Helsinki (FI) On the Rocks
24 Sep 22 St. Petersburg (RU) MOD Club
25 Sep 22 Moscow (RU) DK Crystal

GAEREA Europe Tour Dates 2022 (w/ Gaahls WYRD + Saor)
09/30: Haarlem (NL) @ Patronaat
10/01: Arlon (BE) @ Léntrepot
10/02: Cologne (DE) @ Club Volta
10/03: Berlin (DE) @ Holle 44
10/05: Poznań (PL) @ U Bazyla
10/06: Krakow (PL) @ Hol
10/07: Prague (CZ) @ Futurum
10/08: Vienna (AT) @ Vienna Metal Meeting
10/09: Budapest (HU) @ Instant
10/11: Milan (IT) @ Slaughter Club
10/12: Martigny (CH) @ Les Caves Du Manoir
10/13: Lyon (FR) @ CCO Villeurbanne
10/14: Barcelona (ES) @ Boveda
10/15: Madrid (ES) @ Caracol
10/16: Toulouse (FR) @ Le Rex
10/17: Paris (FR) @ Petit Bain
10/19: London (UK) @ The Garage
10/20: Antwerp (BE) @ Zappa
10/22: Essen (DE) @ Turock
10/24: Munich (DE) @ Backstage Halle
10/25: Frankfurt (DE) @ Das Bett
10/26: Leipzig (DE) @ Hellraiser
10/27: Hamburg (DE) @ Logo
10/28: Copenhagen (DK) @ Vega
10/29: Gothenburg (SE) @ Pustervik
10/30: Stockholm (SE) @ Slaktkyrkan

Dark Essence Records Welcomes ALFAHANNE Back Into The Fold

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 15, 2022
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Dark Essence Records, the label that gave the  Swedish Rockers their recording start back in 2014, have welcomed ALFAHANNE back into the fold, something the band is more than happy about:

ALFAHANNE is back where it all started at Dark Essence.  We got side-tracked but now we are right back on track and where we belong. It feels so great to be on Dark Essence again – to be part of their roster, and we  couldn’t be more pleased about this. Everyone at the label has always felt like friends and we enjoyed working with them on the release of our first two albums, and  will enjoy working with them again on the release of our fifth.  So  now let the darkness begin…

When ALFAHANNE burst onto the scene in 2010 their minds were fully set on bringing the danger back to rock n roll.  Playing what they call “Alfapocalyptic Rock”, ALFAHANNE  mixes Black Metal with Classic Rock and Punk, and good old Rock n Roll, creating their own style of music. A style that has earned them plaudits from critics and fans alike.

With a lineup comprising Pehr Skjoldhammer on guitars and vocals, Fredrik Sööberg on guitars, Jimmy Wiberg on bass,  Niklas Åström on drums, and Stefan Eriksson on keyboards, ALFAHANNE’s stage debut came at 2014’s Inferno Metal Festival where their show garnered them high praise. 

Since  then, their high energy, exuberance, and easy going, friendly  interaction with the fans (both on and off the stage) make them guaranteed crowd pleasers and much in demand for club and festival appearances.

The band’s popularity is not limited to fans, as the list of guests of the ALFAHANNE’s previous albums demonstrates.  A list that fans of extreme genres will find mouth-watering and that includes fellow Dark Essence artists Hoest (TAAKE) and V’gandr (HELHEIM), as well as other titans of the Scandinavian scene such as Dolk (KAMPFAR), Erlend Hjelvik (KVELERTAK), Spellgoth (HORNA, TURMION KÄTILÖT), Nattfursth (SORHIN), David Lindh (YVONNE and BRODER DANIEL),  Sanrabb (GEHENNA) and Niklas Kvarforth (SHINING).

With work progressing on their fifth studio album, ALFAHANNE had this to say about what fans could expect:

Having already released four album,  Eskilstuna´s finest will soon be back with a new one. Once again we will explore the darkness of mankind and continue to widen our musical realms.  The new material will mark the beginning of a new era for the band and the fifth album will truly be a monster. Its release will make it clear that ALFAHANNE is an unstoppable force…

ALFAHANNE have already been confirmed to appear at Steelfest Open Air in Finland and Rock Away Winter in Borås, Sweden, in May, the Spetakkel Festivalen in Larvik, Norway in September, and the Eindhoven Metal Meeting in the Netherlands in December.

Details  about the new album will be released in due course, and more information about ALFAHANNE can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/alfahanneofficial

A video of ALFAHANNE performing the track “Indiehora” from their album “Alfapokalyps”, live at Inferno Festival 2014, and featuring  V’gandr of TAAKE & HELHEIM can be seen below.

Pest Records to Release MORTTICIA’s “A Light In The Black” on CD

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 15, 2022
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After the excellent response to the digital release of their “A Light In The Black” EP, and in anticipation of their debut full-length album, Brazilian Progressive Heavy Metal quintet MORTTICIA in collaboration with Pest Records are set to release “A Light In The Black” on CD format this June 13th.

Here’s the lyric video for the track Ocean Of Change:

Here’s what the band had to say about “A Light In The Black”

“We were looking to sound more professional in ‘A Light In The Black‘, so we did some intense pre-production work. We spent a lot of time in the studio going through several takes and after that we spent a lot of time producing and mixing it. In the end this helped us elevate the quality level of our songs. We re-recorded some of our demo songs because we felt that these compositions were too good not to get new versions and this helped us understand the real potential they had. We think the result speaks for itself!

In this album we base our sound in the classic ‘heavy metal’ style established in the 80’s (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Queensryche, Black Sabbath), but we incorporate more modern influences and elements from progressive rock/metal bands. Things like tempo changes, synthesizers, orchestration, also we and the bass solos that are also a signature of the band. Most of our lyrics seek to explore social, philosophical or political messages with a tales or stories so that the narrative illustrates the argument or moral of the story.

For example, in ‘Hear My Words‘ we about a people’s insurrection, whereas they rebel against their lord in order to build their own alternative society instead of fighting his unjust war. Meanwhile in ‘Limiar‘, the lyrics describe a pivotal moment of change for an individual. They’re frustrated with the emptiness of their life and a materialistic view of the world. The chorus repeats: ‘everything is for sale’. Rather than ending it on a bad note, the message we try to send is that this is the time to build something new and finally say ‘but I’m not for sale’.”

More info coming soon!

MORTTICIA
https://mortticia.rocks/
https://www.facebook.com/Mortticia.official
https://www.instagram.com/Mortticia.official

PEST RECORDS
https://pestrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pestrecords/

MOTHER OF MILLIONS Release New Video/Single ‘No Light, No Light’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 15, 2022
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Greek Prog rock/metal quartet MOTHER OF MILLIONS are back with a brand new video/single “No Light, No Light”. The song is taken from their upcoming  EP, entitled “Orbit”.

Orbit is the band’s first release after the loss of keybordist Makis Tsamkosoglou, during a show in June 2019. It is a soul-searching, introspective and affecting record, that attempts to share all emotions that followed this tragic event. Recording it, was described by the band as a necessary healing experience for its restart process.

Orbit is set for release on May 6th on 12″ vinyl and digital.

Mother of Millions is a prog-metal quartet based in Athens, Greece.

The band has released 3 albums, “Human” (Bungalo 2014), “Sigma” (ViciSolum Productions 2017), Artifacts (ViciSolum Productions 2019), getting the most positive reviews from the audience and the global music press. A new EP is soon to be released, while Mother of Millions are working on a new album.

The band performed sold-out headline shows in Athens, shows with Textures on their last European tour, support shows with Ruud Jolie’s For All We Know in the Netherlands, while the band has shared the stage with artists such as Pain of Salvation, Devin Townsend, Leprous, Oceans of Slumber, Septic Flesh etc.

In June 2019 during a show promoting Artifacts, Mother of Millions’ keyboardist and beloved friend Makis Tsamkosoglou passed away. Following this tragic incident, the band decided to keep going as a quartet.

Mother of Millions sounds equally massive as cinematic. Intense soundscapes involving elaborate rhythms, folk aesthetics and progressive rock tunes.

Pre-order at: https://vicisolumrecords.com/