For more than two decades, CULT OF LUNA have forged a sound that has grown incomparable to that of others. Ambitious, epic, visceral, drenched in emotion, and long regarded as one of Sweden’s premiere metal acts, Cult of Luna has a storied career with nine studio albums to their name, countless tours spanning the globe, and a win for “Best Metal Band of the Year” in Sweden, the band returned in 2022 with ‘The Long Road North‘. Now, they’re releasing an interactive gaming experience for the music video “Cold Burn”.
Instead of a traditional music video, Cult of Luna creates an immersive audiovisual experience in collaboration with creative agency North Kingdom / NoA, where innovation and storytelling stand at their core.
The player’s mission is to help a “lost light” to escape the darkness, and to find its way home through a dystopian maze. The player can also gather other lights and bring them to The Mother Light, at the center of the maze.
The single has been rebuilt in the real-time tool Unreal Engine, to dynamically adapt to how the player navigates the gaming experience’s world. This makes each experience unique in the dynamic version.
The gaming experience can be found on Steam and is created by Swedish creative agency North Kingdom / NoA, with long-running experience of collaborating with gaming and tech companies such as EA, Riot Games, and Google.
“For as long as we have known Linus Johansson of North Kingdom, which spans from the Leave me here video in 2004, he’s always tried to push interactivity and blur the line between the artist and the art. So it came as no surprise to us when he suggested making a video game out of the Cold burn video. “Go right ahead,” we said and now we are as intrigued by the result as we hope you are,” Johannes Persson of Cult of Luna comments.
On July 22nd, Canada’s WAKE will release their sixth full-length, Thought Form Descent, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of the album, a new video for the single “Swallow the Light” (directed by Michael Jari Davidson//@MJD_DOP) can be viewed at: metalblade.com/wake – where Thought Form Descent can also be pre-ordered in various formats.
Never a band interested in repeating themselves, WAKE has evolved with every release. 2020’s Devouring Ruin made this clearer than ever, hammering the point home with the Confluence EP in the same year, and now they return with Thought Form Descent – their most dynamic, diverse and emotional release to date. “I’d describe the record as a place to reconsider what ‘extreme’ means. The words ‘brutal’, ‘crushing’, ‘devastating’ are overused adjectives for extreme music. We wanted to force people to confront the idea that ‘brutal’ or ‘extreme’ ideas aren’t just blastbeats or angular tritones, or, more importantly, ‘brutal’ elements alongside pointedly passive elements can create their own experience that can channel both and neither.” The result is eight nuanced tracks that run the gamut from relentlessly heavy to exquisitely beautiful – often simultaneously – and instantly grab hold of the listener, demanding their full attention. However, at the same time, they are lushly textured and densely layered, and offer more with every subsequent exposure, unfurling to show hidden depths, and taking WAKE to a whole new level.
To track the album, the band once again collaborated with Dave Otero (Allegaeon, Cattle Decapitation) at Flatline Audio in Denver, CO. “Dave is someone who does something we love – supersedes what people think of him. Sure, he recorded many successful death metal albums, but his ability to understand pop music and its composition, his knowledge of music theory and his willingness to get right into the movement of a song and its chord progressions, not just the riffs, are things that go way beyond ‘death metal’. He can make hard right turns into wildly different sonic territory without batting an eyelash, and he always has an idea during the deviation, too. He contributed a lot to this record.” Having prepared exhaustively in advance, once in the studio the band were able to try new things, play with ideas and rearrange songs, having the time to go down the proverbial rabbit hole and see where it took them. Kevin Hufnagel of Gorguts also makes an appearance, playing guitar on “Pareidolia” and “Observer To Master”, the latter track one of the most melodic on the record.
Album artwork by: Samantha Muljat
Thought Form Descent track-listing: 01. Infinite Inward 02. Swallow the Light 03. Mourning Dirge (Repose of the Dead) 04. Pareidolia (feat. Kevin Hufnagel of Gorguts) 05. Venerate (The Undoing of All) 06. Observer to Master (feat. Kevin Hufnagel of Gorguts) 07. Bleeding Eyes of the Watcher 08. The Translation of Deaths
For fans eager to hear the latest from WAKE, the band will be on the road across North America – starting this week! – with Misery Index, Origin, and Wolf King. See below for all dates.
WAKE tour dates w/ Misery Index, Origin, Wolf King May 6 – Chicago, IL – Cobra Lounge May 7 – Indianapolis, IN – Emerson Theater May 8 – Detroit, MI – Sanctuary May 9 – Toronto, ON – Velvet Underground May 10 – Ottawa, ON – Mavericks May 11 – Montreal, QC – Foufounes Electriques May 12 – Quebec City, QC – La Source De La Martiniere May 13 – Boston, MA – Sonia May 14 – Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus May 15 – Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz May 16 – Greensboro, NC – The Blind Tiger May 17 – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade (HELL) May 18 – Tampa, FL – Brass Mug May 19 – New Orleans, LA – Banks Street Bar May 20 – Houston, TX – Acadia May 21 – Dallas, TX – Amplified May 22 – Austin, TX – Come and Take It May 24 – Denver, CO – Hi-dive * WAKE only May 25 – Salt Lake City, UT – Aces High Saloon * WAKE only
First featured on their successful 2018 studio album The Sacrament Of Sin (#1 GER album charts), POWERWOLF have now revealed the haunting live action version of “Venom Of Venus” and its exciting video clip, both cut from THE MONUMENTAL MASS – A CINEMATIC METAL EVENT – a movielike live spectacle available via DVD, BluRay and many other physical formats on July 8, 2022! The song impresses with POWERWOLF trademarks like strong guitar solos, standout vocals and exciting dynamics.
With the studio album version netting nearly 10 million streams on Spotify alone to date, “Venom Of Venus” breathes new life as a secret gem of this unique release – prominently accented by standout sound production and blazing stage pyrotechnics and effects.
POWERWOLF on “Venom Of Venus”: “Although The Monumental Mass already had its live premiere a few months ago, it still feels fantastic to share scenes and songs from this unique event once again! The months of preparation and work we put in with our team to create an exciting journey into the world of POWERWOLF really paid off and with “Venom Of Venus” we have a song we’ve never performed before, so it’s even more special to share this song with you today!”
At the end of 2021, POWERWOLF – the most successful German metal band to date – fascinated with a streaming event of unprecedented dimensions. Those who thought they had seen everything in the live sector were instantly proven wrong with unmatched audio production and visuals that can only be described as simply breathtaking. This summer, on July 8, 2022, this new benchmark for music streaming events will finally be available to view any time you crave. THE MONUMENTAL MASS – A CINEMATIC METAL EVENT will be unleashed on DVD, BluRay and many other physical formats!
POWERWOLF have stood at the peak of superlative, epic metal moments for years, but what they present with this streaming event surpasses anything seen before. After months of detailed work, a story was crafted and presented in several chapters based on the stunning music and elaborately staged cinematic scenes. All show effects, actors and stage settings work hand in hand with each other and bring the medium of live music to a level never seen before. From battles with clergy to stories of nuns, monks and burning angels, cinematic images immediately capture the viewer.
THE MONUMENTAL MASS – A CINEMATIC METAL EVENT is a live spectacle that unveils new details watch after watch, and cements POWERWOLF‘s status as the most outstanding band in their genre!
Pre-Order your version of THE MONUMENTAL MASS – A CINEMATIC METAL EVENTHERE
[Cover Artwork: Zsofia Dankova]
THE MONUMENTAL MASS – A CINEMATIC METAL EVENT track listing: Chapter I – Temptation 1 Prologue / Monumental Mass Theme 2 Faster Than the Flame 3 Venom Of Venus 4 Stossgebet 5 Demons Are A Girl‘s Best Friend
Chapter II – Sin 6 Dancing with the Dead 7 Cardinal Sin 8 Resurrection By Erection 9 We Drink Your Blood 10 Glaubenskraft
Chapter III – Confession 11 Fire & Forgive 12 Beast of Gévaudan 13 Incense & Iron 14 Where The Wild Wolves Have Gone
Chapter IV – Forgiveness 15 Amen & Attack 16 Army of the Night 17 Blood for Blood (Faoladh) 18 Armata Strigoi 19 Epilogue / Monumental Mass Theme
THE MONUMENTAL MASS – A CINEMATIC METAL EVENT will be available in numerous formats including a 96 page earbook, 48 page mediabook, deluxe box, vinyl box and other elaborate formats. The mediabook format will feature POWERWOLF‘s legendary headline show from Wacken 2019, Hallowed Be The Holy Ground, in full as a special bonus. The show is also included in the vinyl box – you can’t get more live action than this!
POWERWOLF live: w/ Dragonforce, Warkings 11.11.22 DE – Berlin / Velodrom 12.11.22 DE – Munich / Zenith 13.11.22 CZ – Prague / Tipsport Arena 14.11.22 PL – Katowice / MCK 16.11.22 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra 17.11.22 AT – Vienna / Gasometer 18.11.22 DE – Stuttgart / Schleyerhalle 19.11.22 CH – Zurich / Samsung Hall 21.11.22 ES – Barcelona / Razzmatazz 22.11.22 ES – Madrid / Riviera 24.11.22 IT – Milan / Alcatraz 25.11.22 DE – Frankfurt / Jahrhunderthalle 26.11.22 DE – Oberhausen / Rudolf-Weber-Arena 27.11.22 FR – Paris / Zenith 29.11.22 UK – London / Roundhouse* 01.12.22 NL – Amsterdam / Afas Live 02.12.22 DE – Hamburg / Sporthalle 03.12.22 DE – Saarbrücken / Saarlandhalle 04.12.22 BE – Antwerpen / Lotto Arena *without Dragonforce
Greek metal legends ROTTING CHRIST have teamed up with Flymachine and Knotfest for a very special livestream of their upcoming Houston, TX performance at White Oak Music Hall, which will take place on May 16 at approximately 8:45 P.M. PDT // 11:45 P.M. EDT (airing in Europe on May 17 @ 05:45 CEST). The stream will air worldwide and here is where/how to watch!
Via Flymachine:
Passes are available NOW at THIS LOCATION for $15 USD ($18 USD day of stream)
Via Knotfest:
Stream will be available free to Knotfest Premium Members. Non-members can upgrade their Rotting Christ stream ticket to a Knotfest Premium yearly membership and will gain access to this and future streams. Plus exclusive concert opportunities, content, merch discounts and more from the biggest artists in heavy culture. More info can be found HERE.
ROTTING CHRIST recently debuted a brand new single, “Holy Mountain,” which features guest vocals from Lars Nedland of BORKNAGAR! The bands are celebrating their North American tour together, which kicks off TONIGHT in Berkeley, CA! The song can be found with an accompanying video HERE while it is now available on all streaming services HERE.
ROTTING CHRIST made their live debut of “Holy Mountain” during their headlining set on the Devastation on the Nation tour! Dates are selling out fast! Tickets can be found HERE.
“Holy Mountain” will be released exclusively on flexi disc via Decibel Magazine! To snag this special item, be sure to get a deluxe Decibel subscription by June 1 at THIS LOCATION.
ROTTING CHRIST is supporting their critically-acclaimed record, ‘The Heretics,’ which was released in early 2019 and can be ordered, downloaded, and streamed HERE.
ROTTING CHRIST (Devastation on the Nation w/ Borknagar, Abigail Williams, Ghost Bath + Stormruler) 05/04: Montreal, QC @ Foufounes Electriques [TICKETS] 05/05: Quebec City, QC @ Imperial [TICKETS] 05/06: Manchester, NH @ Jewel [TICKETS] 05/07: Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar **SOLD OUT** 05/07: Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus Bar **late show // doors @ 11:00 PM** [TICKETS] **LOW TICKET WARNING** 05/08: Baltimore, MD @ Soundstage [TICKETS] 05/10: Greensboro, NC @ Blind Tiger [TICKETS] 05/11: Nashville, TN @ Exit/In [TICKETS] 05/12: Birmingham, AL @ Zydeco [TICKETS] 05/13: Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade (Hell) [TICKETS] 05/14: Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum [TICKETS] 05/16: Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall [TICKETS] 05/17: Fort Worth, TX @ Haltom Theater [TICKETS] 05/18: Austin, TX @ Come and Take It Live [TICKETS] 05/19: El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar [TICKETS] 05/20: Phoenix, AZ @ Nile Theater [TICKETS] 05/21: San Diego, CA @ Brick By Brick [TICKETS] 05/22: Los Angeles, CA @ 1720 [TICKETS]
FOUR STROKE BARON have today released a video for the track Prostitute Part II: Pretty Woman (Makes Money) taken from their third full length album, Classics. The Reno, NV duo recently confirmed a European tour starting in September supporting VOLA, alongside Voyager. Watch the video below.
Mixed by Devin Townsend, their 2021 album features ten tracks brimming with catchy riffs and unforgettable choruses – in other words, classics. Having streamlined into a duo, Kirk Witt and Matt Vallarino cast a sardonic eye over the human condition on Classics – as seen through their own uniquely distorted lens. They are our guides as we traverse the filthiest folds in the dark underbelly of Reno, Nevada; illuminating the darkest corners of their twisted psyches with their upbeat and insanely catchy pop hooks.
Upon the release of Classics, FOUR STROKE BARON hit the road in North America with Sarah Longfield; now they’re setting their sights on Europe with a string of dates that will take them through Germany, Poland, the UK, France and more.
FOUR STROKE BARON on tour with VOLA and Voyager:
09 September – Feierwerk – Munich DE 10 September – Bahnhof Pauli – Hamburg DE 11 September – Cassiopeia – Berlin DE 12 September – Zaścianek – Krakow PL 13 September – Hydrozagadka – Warsaw PL 14 September – Chelsea – Vienna AT 15 September – A38 – Budapest HU 16 September – Rock Café – Prague CZ 17 September – Legend Club – Milan IT 18 September – KiFF – Aarau CH 20 September – Bóveda – Barcelona ES 21 September – Moby Dick – Madrid ES 22 September – Connexion Live – Toulouse FR 23 September – CCO – Lyon FR 24 September – Backstage – Paris FR 27 September – Fleece – Bristol UK 28 September – Rebellion – Manchester UK 29 September – Garage – London UK 30 September – 013 KZ – Tilburg NL 01 October – Melkweg OZ – Amsterdam NL 02 October – Essigfabrik – Cologne DE
Golden light, full green vines and flower wreaths – today, Danish deathcore outlet CABAL gets ready to spice up this idyllic setting with their new brutal banger ‘Magno Interitus’ featuring Joe Bad (FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY) that the band releases today.
Supported by an haunting yet disturbing performance video that shows the band’s jaw-dropping live presence and skills, the new track of Danish finest extreme metal export comes with sawing riffs and massive breakdowns. Witness the madness here:
CABAL about their new song ‘Magno Interitus’: “‘Magno Interitus’ written while the pandemic was at its highest and everything seemed like it was going to collapse around us. Politicians still just serving their own best interests, peaceful protests having what are essentially war crimes committed against them, all while the impending threat of global destruction due to rapid climate changes, seems to be downplayed severely or outright ignored by those in power. The track is three and a half minutes of pure vitriol spewed in the face of those who dare to try and ignore the great decay that is happening right before our eyes and all around us. To really make the track stand out as much as possible we elicited the help from one of our favourite vocalists; Joe Bad of the amazing Fit For an Autopsy.
This May, CABAL will showcase their capturing live character on the HELLHOUNDS Tour haunting Europe alongside NuMetal monarchs King 810, Yavid and Born A New.
HELLHOUNDS EU/UK TOUR 2022 w/ King 810, CABAL, Yavid, Born A New
27.06. SE Malmö – Babel 28.06. SE Stockholm – Slaktkyrkan 29.06. NO Oslo – John Dee 30.06. SE Gothenburg – Valand 28.07. SI Tolmin – MetalDays Festival 30.07. UK Guildford – Radar Festival UK
CABAL is one of the most brutal and promising heavy acts hailing from Copenhagen, Denmark. The band aims to create a visceral and doom-laden atmosphere throughout both their music and visual expression. The production is crystal clear, whilst the songwriting draws inspiration from everything from black and death metal to djent and hardcore.
Since the release of their debut album “Mark of Rot” in 2018, the young band has managed to make a name for themselves in both Denmark and the rest of the world by playing renowned festivals like Copenhell, Roskilde Festival, Euroblast Festival and Complexity Fest as well as touring in Europe, Japan and North America.
CABAL released the sophomore album “Drag Me Down” in April 2020 – a dark descent into a personal hell brought to life by crushing instrumentals, an oppressive atmosphere and dark personal lyrics delivered with relentless intensity, while still leaving room for experimentation and expansion of CABAL’s signature sound. Add to this guest appearances from metal titans TRIVIUM‘s Matt Heafy, rising metalcore stars POLARIS’ Jamie Hails and Denmark’s Blackgaze darlings MØL’s Kim Song Sternkopf and there is no doubt that CABAL is a band with friends in every corner of the metal scene.
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 ) 