OBSCURA’s New Album “A Valediction” Out Now, Announce Tour Dates for North America & Europe 2022

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 20, 2021
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Today it´s finally time to launch the sixth studio album of OBSCURA on Nuclear Blast Records.

As a retrospect and a new beginning at the same time, “A Valediction” has become OBSCURA’s most carefree album to date and the band doesn’t seem to be running out of creativity anytime soon, which should only accelerate their rise to one of the most important contemporary extreme metal bands.

Truly, there is no band quite like OBSCURA. “A Valediction” proves that persistence, perseverance, and enterprising minds can achieve anything. Welcome to the next level – welcome OBSCURA 2.0!

Listen to the album here or get one of the few remaining copies of the digipak including a signing card, or one of the 2LPs with etching on the d-side and gold foil finish on the album cover:  https://bfan.link/Obscura

In case you missed the previous music videos from OBSCURA, check them out here:

 ‘When Stars Collide’ here: https://youtu.be/YQdGX_zefvg
“Devoured Usurper”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHwWlAIDLaM
“A Valediction”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMsTtZSBcXg
“Solaris”:  https://youtu.be/PA1CYWB0J5o

The band will head out in early 2022 to an extensive North American round, followed by a European tour later in the year. Find all tour dates below.

OBSCURA – North America 2022
support: Abysmal Dawn, Vale Of Pnath and Interloper

02/03 San Diego – Brick by Brick
02/04 Mesa – Nile Theater
02/05 Los Angeles – 1720
02/06 Las Vegas – Backstage Bar
02/07 Salt Lake City – Urban Lounge
02/08 Denver – The Oriental Theater
02/10 Oklahoma City – Whisky Nights
02/11 Austin – Come and Take it Live
02/12 Dallas – Amplified live
02/13 Houston – Warehouse Live
02/14 New Orleans – Santos
02/16 Orlando – The Haven
02/17 West Palm Beach – Respectables
02/18 Tampa – The Orpheum
02/19 Atlanta – Masquerade
02/20 Nashville – The Basement East
02/21 Knoxville – Barley’s Knoxville
02/22 Virginia Beach – Elevation 27
02/23 Baltimore – Soundstage
02/24 Harrisburg – HMAC
02/25 Brooklyn – Knitting Factory
02/26 Boston – Sonia
02/27 Hartford – Webster Underground
02/28 Quebec City – Imperial Bell
03/01 Montreal – Foufounes
03/02 Ottawa – Maverick’s
03/03 Toronto – Lee’s Palace
03/04 Rochester – Montage Music Hall
03/05 Pittsburg – Preserving Underground
03/06 Indianapolis – Emerson Theatre
03/07 Louisville – Diamon Concert Hall
03/08 Detroit – The Sanctuary
03/09 Chicago – Reggies
03/10 Milwaukee – X-Ray
03/11 St. Paul – Turf Club
03/12 Winnipeg – Park Theater
03/14 Calgary – Dickens
03/15 Edmonton – Starlite Room
03/17 Vancouver – Rickshaw Theater
03/18 Seattle – El Corazon
03/19 Portland – Dante’s
03/21 Santa Cruz – The Cataclyst
03/22 Petuluma – Phoenix Theater
03/23 Fresno – Full Circle

OBSCURA – European Tour 2022
support: Persefone & Disillusion

07.09.2022 COLOGNE (DE) – GEBÄUDE9 
08.09.2022 HAMBURG (DE – KNUST 
09.09.2022 BERLIN (DE) – HOLE 44
10.09.2022 PRAGUE (CZ) – FUTURUM
11.09.2022 WARSAW (PL) – HYDROZAGADKA (new show)
13.09.2022 VIENNA (AT) – VIPER ROOM
14.09.2022 ZÜRICH (CH) – KOMPLEX KLUB
15.09.2022 MILAN (IT) – LEGEND CLUB
16.09.2022 LYON (FR) – CCO
17.09.2022 BARCELONA (ES) – LA NAU
18.09.2022 MADRID (ES) – CARACOL
19.09.2022 TOULOUSE (FR) – LE REX
20.09.2022 PARIS (FR) – PETIT BAIN
22.09.2022 BRISTOL (UK) – EXCHANGE
23.09.2022 DUBLIN (IR) – VOODOO LOUNGE
24.09.2022 GLASGOW (UK) – AUDIO
25.09.2022 LEEDS (UK) – BRUDENELL
26.09.2022 LONDON (UK) – THE UNDERWORLD
28.09.2022 NIJMEGEN (NL) – DOORNROOSJE
29.09.2022 FRANKFURT (NL) – DAS BETT
30.09.2022 MANNHEIM (DE) – MSC COMPLEX (new show!)
01.10.2022 MÜNCHEN (DE) – BACKSTAGE HALLE

Ticket link: https://realmofobscura.com/live/

OBSCURA wrote, recorded, and finalized “A Valediction” during the pandemic. The stipulations of working during this time allowed OBSCURA to work cross-country, tracking each respective part—drums, guitar, and bass—in national studios across The Netherlands, Austria, and Germany. Once the pieces were completed, the recordings were shipped off to award-winning producer Fredrik Nordströmand Studio Fredman (In Flames, Architects) in Gothenburg, Sweden, where Kummerer and Münznercompleted vocals and acoustic guitars using custom-built ENGL amps. Nordström was also tapped to mix and master. The final result is a deeper, heavier, yet more rounded production.

Lyrically, “A Valediction” is layered in structure and meaning. The word ‘valediction,’ by definition, deals with goodbyes and farewells. In a way, this is auf wiedersehen to the four-part album series while also addressing complex topics of Kummerer’s personal life. Insteadof obscuring issues of loss, death, and abandonment in metaphor and allusion, the German laid bare his torment across songs like ‘Forsaken,’ ‘Solaris,’ ‘In Unity,’ ‘The Neuromancer,’ and ‘In Adversity.’ But for every line of desperation, he also offers positivity. Indeed, new beginnings—physical, emotional, or environmental—can provide light in the darkness. Lauded artist Eliran Kantor (Testament, Helloween) was brought on board to visualize the leitmotif. The bronze-themed colourway Kantor used exemplifies OBSCURA’s resistance to individual and sonic corrosion.

ESKIMO CALLBOY to Release New Single “Pump It” on December 3rd, Vlog Teaser Available

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 20, 2021
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Ladies and gentlemen! Time to put on your gym-gear and tie your laces because ESKIMO CALLBOY announce their new single “Pump It”. After recently landing another mega hit with their current track “We Got The Moves” the infamous band from Castrop-Rauxel already tease another glaring banger that will be available on December 3rd. 

The band comments: “When your mind is pumped up with good vibes and positive energy, it only needs a matching song to let your body transform into aesthetic perfection. With our new song ‘pump it’ we make you people grow… mentally, physically, any way you want! Check it out!”

CHECK OUT THE BANDS NEW “PUMP IT” VLOG HERE

To spice things up ESKIMO CALLBOY also launch a strictly limited maxi CD bundle including “Pump It” + two remixes on CD, an exclusive t-shirt as well as an A2 sized “Pump It”-poster that will be released on December 3rd. The presale has already started so make sure to get your exclusive “Pump It”-bundle now!

PREORDER THE LIMITED BUNDLE HERE

CELTIC HILLS’ Jonathan Vanderbilt And NOAGE’s First Collaboration Single ‘Surrender’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 20, 2021
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Italian legendary Speed/thrash metallers CELTIC HILLS‘ Jonathan Vanderbilt and Germana Noage teamed up for NOAGE‘s new album on Elevate Records, the first single ‘Surrender‘ was released today, November 19th, on all digital platforms! The first video will also be out soon.

Stream ‘Surrender’ here: https://smarturl.it/eqgwtw

or via Youtube, here:

The collaboration between the two artists began when Germana Noage sang as a guest on the record of Celtic Hills.

Intense period for the leader of Celtic Hills, Jonathan Vanderbilt, who wrote the songs both for NOAGE and CELTIC HILLS. In fact, in a few months the follow up of the successful album “Mystai Keltoy” will be released. The new studio work of Celtic Hills (album still produced by Michele Guaitoli, singer of Vision of Atlantis and Temperance) will see the participation as singer of the drummer Simone Cescutti who, after this work will give himself to a career as a singer and guitarist and who greets the fans of the band singing a song!

Earlier Jonathan revealed on the upcoming album:
“Again this time we will talk about Friuli, and the theory is at work that the location of the American Air Force Base Aviano is used to control an ancient access to the underground world, which has been used by the pagan gods since ancient times. The magical rites of the inhabitants of the mountains and the places where elves, fairies and gnomes once lived among the people are revealed. There are already definitive titles such as The Sound of the Earth in F sharp minor. A text tells how you can use the beneficial energy of the trees at dawn to strengthen your energies, but there will be no lack of historical events that accompany every CELTIC HILLS album.”

2021 has been a very positive year for CELTIC HILLS! The reviews of the ‘Mystai Keltoy’ album have been many, published on the major world newspapers and all with an average rating of around 9.

“Mystai Keltoy” (which is an enigmatic name that alludes to the Eleusian Mysteries) was released on May 15th 2021 via Elevate Records, and it’s inspired by themes ranging from ancient alien civilizations, European pyramids, legends and historical facts of Friuli, as you can already guess from the album cover. The disc was recorded and produced at the Groove Factory in Udine by Michele Guaitoli, a prominent name for being the lead singer of Temperance, Vision of Atlantis, Era.

Coverart was created by Sheila Franco.

Order the album here: http://smarturl.it/zr31wj
Stream the album on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/album/5pPqQTeqqhudestuaOr8KC

The formation of the power trio is Simone Cescutti on drums, Jacopo Novello on bass and Jonathan Vanderbilt on vocals and guitars. The cover is hand painted by Sheila Franco, the same girl who painted Blood Over Intents, and represents the myth of the ancient visitors. Jonathan Vanderbilt played and recorded the album with Panico Custom instruments, the Italian sponsor of custom lutherie of Luca Panico di Ravenna, a guitar specially created with the specifications requested by the Canadian guitarist.

Also watch/ stream the earlier videos:
‘The 7 Headed Dragon of Osoppo’ (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/Qn4cQykiyZg
‘Eden’ (Official Video), Feat. Germana Noage – https://youtu.be/5rWiTOzKdHI
‘Alliteratio’ (Official Audio) – https://youtu.be/jAG7A4G2t-E
‘The Blood Is Not Water’ (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/5SwaiwcMuho
‘The Tomorrow Of Our Sons’ (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/J6el2hinrqE
Guardian Of 7 Stars (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/odGPBPbEK6M
Blood Flows Down (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/9uDHXPp03PE
A Happy Abdicant King (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/kLaB9QfVAdU
Forum Julii (Official Lyric Video) – https://youtu.be/fMFSBhtx24U
Time (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/o-DCnVNYsbw
Warpriest (Official Video) – https://youtu.be/6kFIovUDn_c

CELTIC HILLS were born in 2010, in 2020 they sign a recording contract with Elevate Records with which they release the album “Blood over Intents” and the EP “Schrage Musik” both in 2020.
In 2021 another album is out “Mystai Keltoy” produced and recorded by Michele Guaitoli singer of Temperance, Vision of Atlantis and Era. The style played is difficult to place in a single vein of metal, as there are many influences ranging from death to power, with sound elements that can also recall a certain type of 90’s thrash. The singing is quite varied, and for some listeners it may seem unusual in a metal band. power, speed and good melodic lines distinguish the band from others. Between 2010 and 2020 they released “Horns helmet fighters” and for the Slovak Music Globalliance they came out on international compilations on volumes 2,3,4.

New CELTIC HILLS’ logo was created by https://www.wappenschmied.com.

More information at
BAND: https://www.facebook.com/CELTIC-HILLS-OFFICIAL-279464367306 | https://www.n1m.com/celtichills/
MANAGEMENT: https://www.facebook.com/SplitScreenManagement | http://www.splitscreen-management.com
LABEL: https://www.elevate2records.com/categoria-prodotto/elevate-records

MORTEMIA Release Lyric Video for Latest Single ‘Devastation Bound’ Feat. Melissa Bonny

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 20, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

Morten Veland (SIRENIA, MORTEMIA and founder of TRISTANIA) has released a lyric video for the 5th MORTEMIA single from ‘The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions’. The song features Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The Dark Side of the Moon) on guest vocals. Watch below the lyric video for ‘Devastation Bound’.

After 11 years of silence Norwegian multi-instrumentalist, producer and artist Morten Veland is once more active with his solo project Mortemia, this time with a brand new concept. ‘The Pandemic Pandemonium Sessions’ is a series of singles  released on a monthly basis, each song featuring a well known and highly profiled singer in metal. Madeleine Liljestam (Eleine), Marcela Bovio (Stream of Passion, Ayreon, MaYaN, The Gentle Storm, Dark Horse White Horse), Alessia Scolletti (Temperance) and Liv Kristine (ex-Theatre of Tragedy, ex-Leaves Eyes) were the four first special guests on this project. And for the fifth single Morten teamed up with Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum, The dark side of the moon).

Photo credits Morten: Angst Im Wald

MORTEMIA – Devastation Bound (feat. Melissa Bonny) official lyric video – YouTube
Devastation Bound (feat. Melissa Bonny) by Mortemia – DistroKidDecadence Deepens Within (feat. Liv Kristine) by Mortemia – DistroKidThe Hour of Wrath (feat. Alessia Scolletti) by Mortemia – DistroKidMORTEMIA – Death Turns a Blind Eye (feat. Marcela Bovio) official lyric video – YouTubeDeath Turns a Blind Eye (feat. Marcela Bovio) by Mortemia – DistroKidThe Enigmatic Sequel (feat. Madeleine Liljestam) by Mortemia – DistroKid

More information at https://www.facebook.com/mortemianorway

Billy Graziadei/BillyBio Drops Video for ‘One Life To Live’ Following Social Media Leak

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 20, 2021
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(photo credit: Alan Vasquez)

Iconic hardcore guitar player and frontman Billy Graziadei has a new full length BillyBio album coming out on AFM Records in 2022 titled Leaders And Liars. Earlier this week a video was unwittingly leaked by sometime Graziadei collaborator Lindsay Martin on her Instagram @drummerlinz. From there it spread quickly over various platforms. Ghost Cult Magazine picked up the story and posted a news item HERE. Graziadei says “It blows my mind how fast things can spread on the internet! It’s not how I wanted everyone to hear about the new release but at least it’s something I’m proud of so I hope the fans enjoy it!”

Having been caught by surprise Graziadei and AFM Records have now officially posted the lyric video for the song “One Life To Live” HERE. The song is a call to action. It is an adrenaline drenched anthem inciting fans to stand up for what is right. “I love how every generation has their version of YOLO,” Graziadei says, “Life is too short to be worried about bullshit. Those, who let the crap out there consume them, get pushed to the grave quicker than everyone else.” The song features Graziadei’s long time friend Toby Morse (H2O, Hazen Street).

BillyBio is raw and gritty in the spirit of classic New York hardcore bands such as Agnostic Front, Cro-Mags and Crumbsuckers. Leaders And Liars borrows from the Biohazard legacy in that it also defies being pigeonholed. The album represents Graziadei’s love of punk, hardcore and classic metal (Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden), delivering a 15 song take-no-prisoners aural assault.  

“If you’re a fan of hardcore,” writes Cameron Morat Mouat for Metal Hammer, “then it’s hard not to be a fan of Billy Graziadei: a pioneer in the genre with Biohazard.”

Graziadei explains the album title saying: “We are born into this world as pure souls and then are poisoned by the nefarious darkness that surrounds us. Those who stay the path and navigate the blackness with success become real leaders, the rest rot away as liars and thieves.” He adds: “I dedicated this record to a friend from the record label Bauke de Groot (RIP) who helped me a lot when I first joined the AFM family.”

Graziadei wrote, performed, recorded and produced all fifteen tracks on Leaders and Liars in 2020 and 2021 at Firewater Studios in Los Angeles. In addition to recording and producing Biohazard there, he’s also had Powerflo, Madball, Agnostic Front, Devil Driver in the studio which he runs full time when not on tour. The record was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen. Additional musicians performing on the album include Fred Aching Rios (Powerflo) on drums; Ra Dias (Suicidal Tendencies, currently touring with KORN) on bass; Daniele Manca on bass; Dan Palmer (Death by Stereo, Zebrahead) on guitar; Robbie Davidson (The Exploited) on guitar. Vocals on “Remission” and “Just In The Sun” by Jennifer Bair with Jay Roth. Toby Morse (H2O, Hazen Street) appears on “One Life To Live.” Album artwork by Lecru Eyebrows and design by Filipe Horsch. Photos by Alan Vasquez.

Leaders And Liars Tracklist:
1. “Black Out”
2. “Fallen Empires”
3. “Leaders and Liars”
4. “Lost Horizon”
5. “Turn the Wounds”
6. “Sheepdog”
7. “Deception”
8. “Generation Kill”
9. “Looking Up”
10. “One Life To Live”
11. “Our Scene” 
12. “Just The Sun”
13. “Enough” 
14. “Remission” 
15. “Cyanide”

AFM Records exclusive pre-sale link: https://shop.afm-records.de/billybio/
Link to pre-save the album on digital platforms: https://bfan.link/leaders-and-liars-billybio

#billybio #biohazard #sickofitall #agnosticfront #h2o #thecromags #suicidaltendencies #leadersandliars #onelifetolive #yolo #hardcore #metal #punk

All-Star Charity Project SAVE THE NOIZE’s New Single + Video ‘Save The Noize 2’ Out Now

Posted by tarjavirmakari on November 20, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

SAVE THE NOIZE is a charity project started by Rasmus Harnesk Wiklund (Hårdrock – För Fan! – Podcast, Corey Duvette, Veritas) and Jesper Lindgren (Velvet Insane) at the end of 2020. The project was started in benefit of “Musikerförbundets crisis foundation”. In April 2021 the song “Save The Noize ” was released under the roof of “Sound Pollution Distribution”, on digital streaming services alongside a music video for the song. The track was written by Erik Modin (Wildness) and Martin Sweet (Crashdiet). The song was produced by Roger Bergsten (Nevo Studios), mastered by Thomas Plec and the music video was produced by Gustav Kronfelt who has done music videos for Dregen and Electric Boys, to name a few. The covid – 19 pandemic has stricken hard toward everybody, not to say at least towards musicians in Sweden and around the world. Musicians from USA, Sweden, Norway and Denmark therefore came together under the banner of “Save The Noize”, to collect money for charity. Like Swedish Metal Aid in 1985 or Hear ‘n Aid in 1986, where musicians came together for charity, but this time they all came together to save their own jobs and their own community.

Watch Save The Noize 2 below.

Artists that guested this modern and socially relevant track was to name a few, Tony Harnell (TNT), Jesper Binzer (D.A.D), Åge Sten Nilsen & Trond Holter (WIG WAM), Pontus Norgren (Hammerfall) and Ryan Roxie (Alice Cooper). A total of 30 something musicians and artists came together for this common cause. Now after this fantastically successful project, Rasmus Harnesk Wiklund and Jesper Lindgren presents: “Save The Noize 2”. Save The Noize version 2 is a pure follow up to the first track. It’s the same track but in a totally new and different take. Fewer artists are guesting the second track but bigger names get to take place, with the focus on the international market. With this version and with the accompanying music video, we want to show that the light at the end of the tunnel is finally here. Musicians can slowly but surely come out and play, travel on the roads and come back to their jobs. We want to give hope and show that we made it through this together. In benefit of Musikerförbundets crisis foundation.

The lineup for Save The Noize 2 consists of:

Dee Snider – Vocals (Twisted Sister, Solo)
Michael Starr – Vocals (Steel Panther)
Johnny Gieoli – Vocals (Hardline)
Howie Simon – Vocals/Guitar (Jeff Scott Soto, Stryper)
Kee Marcello – Guitar (Ex Europe, Kee Of Hearts, Out Of This World).
Jimmy Jay – Bass (H.E.A.T)
Eric Bazilian – Vocals (The Hooters)
Martin Thomander – Guitar (Electric Boys)
Per Soläng – Drums (Corroded)
Chaq Mol – Guitar (Dark Funeral)
Martin Sweet- Vocals (Crashdiet)
Niklas Isfeldt – Vocals (Dream Evil)
Nalle Colt – Guitar (Vintage Trouble)
Carl Sentence – Vocals (Nazareth)
Jens Werner – Rhythm Guitar (Veritas)
Corey Duvette (Rasmus Harnesk Wiklund) – Backup Vocals/Choir (Veritas, solo)
Jesper Lindgren – Rhythm Guitar (Velvet Insane)
Alex Kron – Keyboard/Organ (Bad Baron)
David Åkesson – Backup Vocals/Choir/Arrangement of choirs. (Qantice)

The song is produced once again by Roger Bergsten (Nevo Studios) and mastered by Thomas Plec. The music video is made by Martin Sweet (Crashdiet). The album cover is made by Michelle Rudolfsson.