Following their latest album “Into The Depths”, May 27th will see the release of “…Of Light”, the third full length record by Berlin, Germany -based black metal act STIRIAH. Featuring six brand new tracks spanning over 45 minutes, with “…Of Light” the band delivers a furious and ferocious, yet emotional journey through the spheres of black metal. Crossing musical borders between the legendary sounds of the 90s and hypnotic soundscapes, STIRIAH‘s brand new album is a dark and mournful, harsh and desolate ride from start to finish, which thematically narrates the tightrope between origin and extinction of existence. In support of the new album, the band has shared a brand new music video for the track “Companion Of Light”.
STIRIAH comments:
“With the release of the video for ‘Companion Of Light’, there’s something to warm you up right away before the album release on May 27. Faster, more precise and more powerful than the previous albums, ‘…Of Light’ is our improved recipe of black metal and technic. We hope you enjoy it!“
“…Of Light” will be self-released by STIRIAH on May 27th. The album was recorded, mixed and mastered by Cryst in Aurora Studio, Berlin. Cover artwork by Donovan Hernandez, with layout by Irina Akhmetova. The album is available for pre-order HERE
SCARLET is a 1999 founded Grunge band from Eastern Finland. In 2015 the band returned from 10 year hiatus. Even if the instrumental skills were in a bit of a rust the good old feeling and groove was found pretty fast after they gathered to their rehearsal room. New material started to take it’s form and that material became their debut full length album. Long hiatus had made their sound even stronger. The debut album was recorded in Astia Studio by Anssi Kippo with full analog studio equipment. The debut album to be released in autumn 2022 is a package full of rough energy for the Grunge era music fans. Authentic music with strong vocals.
“Big Fat Downplay is a catchy tune that grows towards it’s end and tells a tragic story about depreciated person who have had enough.” the drummer Wellu Jaatinen backgrounds the story of the now released single track.
Extreme Management Group (EMG), home to bands like Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, Rings of Saturn, and more, has announced their partnership with Brazilian Death Metal band OPHIOLATRY.
Ophiolatry, derived from the term meaning “the worship of Serpent”, is a Brazilian Death Metal band formed in 1998 by Jhorge “Dog” Duarte, Antonio Cozta, Fabio Zperandio and Tiago Nunes. Ophiolatry’s sound is a mixture of aggressiveness, technique and speed; combining infernal blastbeat filled drumming, frantic, unforgettable rhythms and innovative guitar solos. Accompanied with angry and atrocious lyrics of dark art, it gives power to the lyrics with guttural vocals enriched by infectious choruses.
They recorded their first demo, Opposite Monarchy, in 1999, and also released a split on Mutilation Records with the band Ancestral Malediction. In 2000, Relapse Records included Opposite Monarchy on their compilation album Brazilian Assault, which was released in Europe and North America. After signing on the North American record label Evil Vengeance Records, Ophiolatry recorded their first full-length album, Anti-Evangelistic Process, in 2001.This album was mastered by Erik Rutan (Morbid Angel, Hate Eternal) and released in 2002. In 2003, the band did a 50-day tour of Europe after recording the new EP Misanchristianthropy. This EP was released in 2003, by US record label Deathgasm Records, as a split with Infernal Dominion. After releasing two more split albums in 2005 and 2006, the band signed on Forces of Satan Records, the Norwegian record label run by Gorgoroth guitarist and founder Infernus. 2006 also marked their appearance at Brutal Assault festival in Czech Republic and the inclusion of their single Diabolism on the Brutal Assault Open Air Festival compilation Vol 11. Their latest full-length album, Transmutation was released in early 2008 through Forces of Satan Records and Regain Records. 2002s Anti-Evangelistic Process was also re-released in the summer that year.
After a 13 year hiatus Ophiolatry emerged with a new lineup consisting of original member Jhorge “Dog” Duarte on drums, Jaime Veron on vocals, Diego Santiago on bass and Fred Barros on guitars. Ophiolatry’s mission is to destroy the religious hegemony that reigns over the world through the manipulation and the alienation of humanity.
Now the band has signed with Extreme Management Group, and had the following to say about the partnering, “We are beyond excited to join forces with Extreme Management Group. We can’t wait to burn the stage down to the ground!”. EMG said, “Ophiolatry has done a ton of work getting themselves to this point. We intend to make that hard work count.” Anticipate big things to come from Ophiolatry and Extreme Management Group.
TROLLFEST’s flamingo madness is taken to another level today with the release of their new single “Flamingo Libre”! If you were delivered a mysterious package to your door – by a Flamingo of course – would you open it? If there was an ominous drink in that package – would you take a sip, just to see what it tastes like? If your answer to both of those questions is “yes”, then you are in for a wild, wild ride with “Flamingo Libre”!
“Flamingo Libre” is a psychedelic flamingo party, accompanied by deep saxophone, shrill organs and a catchy chorus. With crystal clear mixing and mastering by Jacob Hansen (Hansen Studios), TROLLFEST’s multi-faceted, colorful Flamingo Overlord comes to life on this track!
TROLLFEST singer Jostein “Trollmannen” Austvik on “Flamingo Libre”: “Flamingo libre is a fairly unknown substance favored by dictators and mad people alike. No one knows exactly what it is or what it does, but a lot of people have radically changed their outlook on life after contact with it. The song flamingo libre is, to date, the most in depth study of this concoction we have. It is by no means complete, so caution is advised whenever approaching any and all things looking like or otherwise connected to this elixir.
If Michael Jackson had gotten all his plastic surgery to make concrete balls instead, this would have been his biggest hit.”
More flamboyant than Elton John, as intense as Slipknot, cooler than Limp Bizkit and boasting dance tunes that would make even ABBA proud —TROLLFEST has it all and more. In addition to their beloved trademarks, on Flamingo Overlord, TROLLFEST don’t shy away from adding new elements to their already expansive soundscape.
Catchy, groovy and threatening to have you seeing Flamingos wherever you walk in life, TROLLFEST’s Flamingo Secret Agents will soon be everywhere.
Flamingo Overlord begins with the insanely catchy “Dance Like A Pink Flamingo” – the unforgettable track made world-famous with the band’s zany performance at Eurovision qualifier Melodi Grand Prix earlier this year – clearing the way for the bar anthem “All Drinks On Me”, which keeps the energy and drinks flowing before venturing into “Twenty Miles an Hour”. The track continues the party with a groovy funk flavoured sound, featuring a rap and saxophone solo that will leave listeners going bonkers! “Flamingo Libre” will soon whisk you away and have you dreaming of tropical drinks and magical nights, while “Pina Colada” stands as a much-needed summer anthem best suited for blasting while convertible cruising. Flamingo Overlord closes with the mysterious “Bob Venke”, telling the unlikely story of the mighty Flamingo Overlord‘s quest for world domination.
Flamingo Overlord track listing: 1. Dance Like a Pink Flamingo 2. All Drinks on Me 3. Flamongous 4. Twenty Miles an Hour 5. The Flamingorilla 6. Flamingo Libre 7. Piña Colada 8. Rule the Country 9. The Way You Earn Your Drinks 10. Overlords Have Feelings 11. Bob Venke
Catch TROLLFEST live on tour in Europe!
05.05 The Tivoli, Helsingborg SE 06.05 The Gimle. Roskilde DK 14.05 Lid Ar Morrigan, Vallet FR 09.07 Masters of Rock, Vizovice CZ 15.07 La Guerre Du Son, Landresse FR 28.07 Vagos Metal Fest, Vagos PT 23.09 Ovenpaa, Kopervik NO 30.09 Gregers, Hamar NO
Orange County’s BLEED THE SKY have parted ways with Vocalist Noah Robinson.
Statement from the band:
“Since releasing our last album, This Way Lies Madness, in Jan of 2020, we have been working hard to consistently put out new music, schedule tours, etc. During this process, we realized as a group, that all band members were not aligned with the future goals for Bleed the Sky. Unfortunately, this meant that we have had to move forward without Noah for the time being. We all love Noah and consider him more than just a friend or bandmate, he is a brother for life. The contribution he has made to Bleed the Sky is immeasurable and we truly wish him the best.”
“We have so much new music that we have been preparing. We brought on a new vocalist with the same drive and passion for recording, and touring, that the rest of the band has. We are excited to share these new releases with you, and to announce that our new vocalist will be heard on the upcoming single ‘Rot In Flesh,’ which will be released on April 25th, link to pre-save below.”
Formed in 2003, California based metalcore band Bleed The Sky have released two well received albums on Nuclear Blast Records, Paradigm in Entropy (2005) and Murder the Dance (2008). The band has once again redefined who they are with the Art Is War Records release This Way Lies Madness (2020). Bleed The Sky brings an intensity that is familiar to fans of the previous sound, as well as a new brutality that contends with any modern metal genres.
Life’s Machine is the stunning debut album from Portsmouth-based five-piece rock, blues, and soul band BRAVE RIVAL featuring the hypnotic lead vocals of Lindsey Bonnick and Chloe Josephine.
The band’s second single taken from the debut album is entitled Heart Attack, and it will be released Friday 22 April 2022. Heart Attack is available to pre-save HERE.
Watch the official music video for Heart Attack below.
“Heart Attack is a raucous rock belter that came from our guitarist’s crunchy guitar riff,” says BR’s co-lead singer Lindsey Bonnick. “It was one of the first songs we wrote when our guitarist Ed Clarke joined the band. For the bridge we took inspiration from Pink Floyd to make it atmospheric with the heart beats and vocal harmonies. Johnny Henderson’s Hammond adds to the huge sound.”
Brave Rival, who were recently nominated for “Emerging Blues Artist Of The Year” at the UK Blues Awards 2022, recorded the debut album in the picturesque Surrey countryside at The Mayfair Studio. The band enlisted the talents of record producer and engineer Tarrant Shepherd, an up-and-coming maestro of the control room who cut his teeth with Brit Award-winning producer Greg Haver and award-winning multi-platinum producer and engineer Clint Murphy.
For Tarrant, this was his first professional album under his own stewardship, and he left nothing on the table. This team was a match made in heaven, and one that was a long time in the making.
Originally scheduled for a spring 2020 recording session, Life’s Machine was unceremoniously put on hold due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. A situation which stung all the harder for Brave Rival as the first lockdown occurred mere weeks after a successful Kickstarter campaign raised the funding to record.
Undeterred by the social distancing measures which forced the band to stay at home, Brave Rival took to technology to continue writing songs (many of which feature on Life’s Machine).
“We didn’t want to just give up and hide away,” says co-lead vocalist Chloe Josephine. “We wanted to keep the momentum going and keep ourselves from going crazy whilst stuck at home. We would have regular Zoom calls as a band to work on song ideas. Our guitarist, Ed, came up with a guitar riff that he would record at home, then our bassist, Billy Dedman, or our drummer, Donna Peters, would record their parts at home and the song would grow organically.”
The additional year ended up being time well spent as it allowed the band to fine tune their craft, writing upwards of 50 songs, ultimately allowing them to select the best stand out songs for the 12-track album.
“It was important for us to ensure every song deserved to be on the album,” states the band’s bass guitarist Billy Dedman. “We wanted each song to be a true representation of us and our sound. This demanded the best performances from each of us and the best production. Joining forces with Tarrant really was the greatest decision we made as it allowed us to achieve both of those goals”
For their debut album, Brave Rival also collaborated with some incredible musicians to bring their songs to life. On Hammond organ and keyboards, they brought in the amazing Jonny Henderson (Ian Siegal, Matt Schofield, Elles Bailey).
“I was absolutely blown away by what Jonny brought to certain tracks,” says co-lead vocalist Lindsey Bonnick. “We let him do his thing with songs such as Heart Attack, Guilty Love and Without You, I just couldn’t imagine them now without his signature flair!”
For the title track of the album, Life’s Machine, the band required a bit of melancholy drama and found it in the form of a grand piano at 13 Sound Studios, Somerset. “Ian Shepherd was entrusted with adding his emotive playing and style to the title track as well as the album closer, Long Time Coming. The extra layers on top really made the songs come alive for us” enthused the band’s guitarist Ed Clarke.
And finally, to round out the album, Brave Rival turned to the abundance of talent on the Portsmouth blues and soul scene. Chloe and Lindsey, together with six beautiful soul and gospel singers, created the Bravian Choir. Their parts were performed and recorded at St Mary’s Church in Portsmouth and the results were epic. “The sustain and natural reverb in the church was insane. I had goose bumps whilst watching them sing,” recalls Brave Rivals drummer Donna Peters, “After hearing the songs with the choir mixed in, I started tearing up! It made the songs so beautiful.”
With all the elements recorded and mixed, it was time to turn their sights on mastering. Brave Rival knew they wanted someone with the right kind of energy and found it with Katie Tavini (Ash, We Are Scientists, Nahli). “What attracted us to Katie, was her impressive work ethic and back catalogue for such a young age but equally, Brave Rival is all about female empowerment, therefore, it was important for us to work with other female professionals in a male dominated industry” remarked Chloe. “We are so happy to have found Katie, her final touches to our album completely blew us all away!”
ALBUM TRACKLISTING
1. Heart Attack (4:11) 2. Guilty Love (3:36) 3. Without You (4:34) 4. Run And Hide (3:50) 5. Come Down (5:58) 6. What’s Your Name Again? (4:50) 7. Secrets (4:54) 8. Long Time Coming (5:33) 9. Thin Ice (3:40) 10. Fool Of You (4:12) 11. Break Me (6:07) 12. Life’s Machine (6:13)
All songs written and performed by Chloe Josephine, Lindsey Bonnick, Donna Peters, Billy Dedman and Ed Clarke Recorded at The Mayfair Studio, Churt, Surrey Piano recorded at 13 Sound Studios in Kewstoke, North Somerset Tarrant Shepherd – Producer, Engineer, Mixer Rupert Peters – Assistant Engineer
BAND LINE-UP Chloe Josephine – Vocals Lindsey Bonnick – Vocals Donna Peters – Drums, Percussion Billy Dedman – Bass Ed Clarke – Guitars
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS
Jonny Henderson – Hammond, Keyboards Ian Shepherd – Piano Amba Tremain – Bravian Choir Leonie Tremain – Bravian Choir Bradley Jago Jackson – Bravian Choir Marlene Hill – Bravian Choir Olivia Haggarty – Bravian Choir Faye Carpenter – Bravian Choir
ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK
Heart Attack Blues-Rock that will get your heart pumping, pulse racing and your chest pounding. A ‘turn-it-up-in-your-car’ track with a Floyd inspired middle 8. Intrigued?
Guilty Love Ultimate earworm, reminiscent of an eighties rock classic. A celebration of leaving a relationship that just isn’t right for you. Without You This is a sentimental song that explores the journey of loss and the longing for a loved one. It’s a song with beautiful harmonies, rocking guitars and driving rhythms with plenty of light and shade.
Run And Hide Adrenaline fuelled, high energy and catchy as hell. A great song to run to, especially from someone you don’t like. Soak in the incredible drumming featured in this banger!
Come Down The lyrics to this epic tune were written in the bath after a gig about the inevitable post show blues. Expect an exceptional blues solo, spectacular vocals by Chloe Josephine and breath-taking moments from the Brave Rival ‘engine room’ – Donna Peters and Billy Dedman.
What’s Your Name Again? Slide guitar? Check. Heavy riff? Check. Filthy theme? Check. … Turn it up!
Secrets A gut punching rock anthem full of fury. Chanting encouraged for those who have ever been lied to and cheated on – ‘three years, I’ve wasted!’
Long Time Coming A song you will feel you already know and love. Close and intimate heartfelt vocals that build to an outstanding masterpiece with our Bravian choir allowing Lindsey Bonnick to “take it home.” It’s a song about the longing and aching for home and family.
Thin Ice Industrial percussive sounds really take this song up a gear. With such a catchy, heavy riff, two-part fiery vocals, and a chant you’ll be singing along to at the end, this song is hard to forget. Fool of You Aretha inspired gospel intro leading to a funky groove with a dollop of soul and a splash of rock to make this number what it is. Listen out for the sexy bassline driving this song forward.
Break Me The story is told from the perspective of two women entangled in a love triangle. A unique slow blues rock tune featuring one of the best solos you’ll hear and a gospel choir that takes it to another level. Fun Fact, the Bravian Choir was hand-picked by the band and recorded at St Marys Church, Portsmouth.
Life’s Machine Written during the Covid-19 global pandemic, it’s a heart wrenching, spine tingling and goose bump inducing rock ballad summing up how it feels to lose someone you love during such a gruelling time. One of two songs to feature a grand piano on the album, Life’s Machine takes the listener on a journey through delicate verses and mournful choruses all building to an epic crescendo. The song ends with the sounds of ghost-like spirits with the cycle of life complete.
07/05/2022 – Lincoln Rock & Blues Festival 2022 08/05/2022 – Bilston Rock & Blues 2022, Robin2 19/05/2022 – Bannermans Bar – Edinburgh 20/05/2022 – Parish Hall – Sedgefield 11/06/2022 – Brave Rival Album Launch, Echo Hotel Music Club, Hook 16/06/2022 – Tring Blues Club 21/06/2022 – Tuesday Night Music Club, Coulsdon 26/06/2022 – Cleethorpes Blues Rhythm & Rock Festival 2022 07/07/2022 – Bullfrog Blues Club, Southsea, Portsmouth 14/07/2022 – The Beaverwood, Chislehurst 31/07/2022 – Uckfield Blues and Roots Festival 2022 05/08/2022 – Jolly Sailor – Southsea 16/09/2022 – Cheese and Grain – Frome (supporting Laurence Jones) 07/10/2022 – The 1865 – Southampton (Supporting Laurence Jones) 05/11/2022 – Coolham Music Club (Supporting Catfish) 11/11/2022 – Hallelujah Festival – Hartlepool 13/11/2022 – The Musician – Leicester 15/11/2022 – The 100 Club – London (Supporting Corky Laing) 16/11/2022 – The Bullingdon – Oxford (Supporting Corky Laing) 19/11/2022 – Parish Hall – Sedgefield (Supporting Corky Laing) 20/11/2022 – Whitby Blues Festival – Whitby
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 ) 