Finnish sleazy rockers SERPICO are unveiling the power ballad “Dark Energy”, which will be featured on their forthcoming album “The Chosen Four” due out summer 2022 via Rockshots Records.
The album is produced by platinum-selling Finnish record producer Anssi Kippo (Children of Bodom, Hanna Pakarinen, Teräsbetoni) who had this to add about the track.
“From the very first demo version, this song stood out by having something magical! Usually, with a song like this, you’d stack a huge wall of guitars, record dozens of backing vocals and at least as many keyboards. On Dark Energy, we took a completely opposite approach and ended up having a wall of just two rhythm guitars, only one keyboard and a single vocal track. With a song of this magnitude, any additional tracks would simply have decreased its magic.”
The music video for “Dark Energy” was directed by Ville Juurikkala and brings the band into a whole new light. Enthusiasm for Serpico‘s music paved the way for the collaboration with Juurikkala who is best known for his works with Slash, Steven Tyler, HIM, Michael Monroe, 69 Eyes, Apocalyptica, Nightwish and many more.
“Serpico has some great authentic and rough rock’n’roll both as human beings and in music. I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to work with them!” adds Juurikkala.
“Dark Energy” can be watched and hard at the following links:
Berlin-based SHOVEL have inked a worldwide record deal with Argonauta Records, home for some of the heaviest underground bands in the realms of doom, sludge, stoner, post-metal and beyond! Appropriately, the Italian label is proud to welcome the four-piece to their eclectic artist roster and for a 2022-album release.
SHOVEL connects the immediacy of heavy, intense riffs, existential screams and the elusiveness of otherworldly sounds and atmospheres. Emerging from the mud of sludge, doom and post-metal, the band’s music travels through the openness and freedom of psychedelic textures to end up crawling in black metal claustrophobia and despair with an unconventional and distinct sound.
Says the band: “We are really thrilled to release our debut album with Gero and Argonauta Records, a label that is home to some legendary bands of our scene and at the same time is supporting young and motivated bands to grow and evolve!”
Ever since their first gig, SHOVEL created an immediate connection with the vibrant scene of Berlin, Germany, and following their colossal demo in 2019, they managed to establish themselves within the heavy music underground. 2022 will see SHOVEL release their much acclaimed debut album, recorded live on tape in Big Snuff Studio (Berlin) by producer and engineer Richard Behrens (Kadavar, Samsara Blues Experiment, Elder). The album was mastered in The Atomic Garden Studio (California, USA) by Grammy nominated producer Jack Shirley (Amenra, Deafheaven, Oathbreaker).
But give ear, as to shorten your wait for SHOVEL’s full-length, today the band unleashed a first track taken from their upcoming album! Dive into their raw and bleak soundscapes, and listen to “VII-Havoc” here:
Finnish alternative death metal band EXTINCTION IN PROGRESS released a third single “Cold, Pt. 2: Mårran” from their upcoming debut album “Shades Of Pale” which is set to be released later in 2022 via Inverse Records.
The band comments: “The song is the second part of an opus titled ”Cold”, which will be fully released on the upcoming album ”Shades Of Pale”. It’s an epic and dark piece with a variety of shades about loneliness and coldness, both internal and external. With this song, the band takes a deep bow towards the art of Tove Jansson.”
Metalville Records welcomes PURPENDICULAR feat. Ian Paice – the new studio album “Human Mechanic” will be released later this year.
PURPENDICULAR was formed in October 2007 by Irish Vocalist Robby Thomas Walsh. With over 25 years experience, He played in several semi pro bands before turning full professional with PURPENDICULAR.
The success story of PURPENDICULAR is nothing short of amazing, as in the first touring year the band completed a short European tour with original Deep Purple Drummer Ian Paice.
“This Band is one of the Top Bands I work with, you’r going to love them, These Guys are so good I only have to worry about myself”– Ian Paice 2012
Ian had become attached to PURPENDICULAR due to the reliable musicianship at hand and his friendship with vocalist Robby Walsh who were incidentaly introduced together before their first show in Vienna Austria in 2004.
The first two years the band completed shows in Austria & Germany mainly concentrating on the Steve Morse line up era of Deep Purple.
In 2010 the band were invited to St Petersburg and perform with the legendary vocalist Joe Lynn Turner.
By 2012 the band embarked on the official 40th anniversary tour of “Machine Head” which was endorsed by Ian Paice. During the Tour another major event for PURPENDICULAR was the invite to play in Montreux Switzerland. The band have now performed there annualy since!
2012 seen PURPENDICULAR as the worlds most booked Deep Purple tribute show. This was repeated in 2013 and 2014.
In August 2015 PURPENDICULAR released their debut album “tHis is the tHing#1”
2016 saw PURPENDICULAR embark on another Ian Paice collaboration. This tour was by far the most successful earning rave reviews from the media and Ian Paice himself stating – ‘I have to seriously thank my Friends in Purpendicular, they are a fine Band of very Talented Musicians that give me the chance to play when im not with Purple, we always have a great Time’.
In May 2017 the second studio album “Venus To Volcanus” was released. The same year the band performed a fantastic show at Graspop Festival too.
A successful TV appereance at SWR 1 Hitparade in germany also became part of the band history.
Over the years PURPENDICULAR worked with great musicians like Roger Glover bass in Pratteln Switzerland in 2012 as guest. Tony Carey ex Rainbow on the album Venus to Volcanus 2017, Paul Morris ex Rainbow on keys touring with the band in 2018 and Neil Murray ex Black Sabbath, Whitesnake, Brian May joined ther full tour on bass in 2021.
In 2020 PURPENDICULAR decided to write for the third original record “Human Mechanic”. Major decisions by vocalist Walsh and Drummer Paice were made on the line up in order to progress. The record itself has been delayed by nearly two years because of Covid . Musically the album is written around typical Ian Paice grooves and more funky disco bass lines, but keeping that heavy hard rock sound intact.
Here you won’t find a copy of Deep Purple, but many influences, but still the Hammonds and guitars are still evident.
LINE UP Ian Paice – Drums Nick Fyffe – Bass Robby Thomas Walsh – Vocals Christoph Kogler – Hammonds Keyboards Herbert Bucher – Guitars
Left to Right in photo is: Mike Lepond, Marc Lopes, Steve Bolognese, Ross The Boss
– Photo: Scott Braun
Ex-Manowar guitarist ROSS THE BOSS will be spotted once more on European soil in 2022 – headlining shows on his own and appearing on festivals throughout much of the spring and into the summer (and joined on many of the dates by either Dark Embrace, and The Evolution of Fire Tour 2022 along with RAM, and Trauma ), in support of his last RTB effort, ‘Born of Fire’ on AFM.
“The highest energy set possible,” is what Ross says fans can expect from the upcoming dates. “We are chomping at the bit to play! 100% every tune will be amazing! Of course we will perform my classic Manowar-era epics and crushing new tunes from ‘Born of Fire’!”
‘Born of Fire’ was originally issued in March 2020, and is the group’s fourth album and arrived not even two years after their chart breaking 2018 effort, ‘By Blood Sworn.’ Unfortunately, Ross was unable to launch a proper tour behind the album due to the pandemic. But soon, he will be making up for lost time – with dates running from March through July 2022.
The shows during April will see Ross joined on a bill with Dark Embrace, while RAM and Trauma will team with Ross for much of May – before appearances as part of the Sweden Rock Festival, Big Gun Festival, and Midalidare Rock Festival this coming summer.
“We deliver every night! Metal excitement like no other band can!” And in the new year, metalheads will finally have the opportunity to catch the mighty ROSS THE BOSS where he belongs – on the concert stage.
CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:
03.03. DK, Soborg – Richter 04.03. DK, Viborg – Viborg Metal Festival 05.03. DE, Hademarschen – Hademarschener Hof 06.03. BE, Aarschot – De Klinker Club 09.03. UK, Great Yarmouth – Hard Rock Hell Springbreak 21.04. ES, Barcelona – Boveda, w/ Dark Embrace 22.04. ES, Pamplona – Sala Totem, w/ Dark Embrace 23.04. ES, Valladolid – Porta Caeli, w/ Dark Embrace 24.04. ES, Gijon – Sala Acapulco, w/ Dark Embrace 26.04. PT, Oporto – Hard Club, w/ Dark Embrace 27.04. PT, Lisbon – RCA Club, w/ Dark Embrace 28.04 ES, Sevilla – Sala X, w/ Dark Embrace 29.04. ES, Almeria – Sala Emma, w/ Dark Embrace 30.04. ES, Valencia – Paberse Club, w/ Dark Embrace 01.05. ES, Madrid – Caracol 03.05. MT, Valetta – Aria Complex 05.05. NO, Kopervik – Karmøygeddon 07.05. GR, Athens – Kyttaro Live 08.05. GR, Thessaloniki – Eightball, w/ RAM + Trauma 08.05. DE, Hamburg – Knust, w/ RAM + Trauma 13.05. DE, Oldenburg – Amadeus w/ RAM + Trauma 14.05. NL, Tilburg – Little Devil, w/ RAM + Trauma 15.05. NL, Rotterdam – Baroeg, w/ RAM + Trauma 17.05. DE, Osnabrück – Bastard Club, w/ RAM + Trauma 18.05. DE, Bochum – Matrix, w/ RAM + Trauma 19.05. DE, Würzburg – Posthalle, w/ RAM + Trauma 20.05. DE, Siegburg – Kubana, w/ Trauma 21.05 DE, Weinheim – Cafe Central, w/ RAM + Trauma 22.05. DE, München – Strom, w/ RAM + Trauma 24.05. CH, Pratteln – Z7, w/ RAM + Trauma 25.05. IT, Bergamo – Druso, w/ RAM + Trauma 26.05. AT, Salzburg – Rockhouse Bar w/ RAM + Trauma 27.05. DE, Leipzig – Hellraiser, w/ RAM + Trauma 28.05. DE, Eisenhüttenstadt – Gesellschaftshaus Schleicher 10.06. SE, Sölvesborg – Sweden Rock Festival 01.07. RU, Pereslavl – Big Gun Festival 15.07. BG, Mogilovo – Village Midalidare Rock
Tickets for all engagements on sale now and can be purchased via this link.
Ahead of their anticipated album DAMNUM (out February 25th), ALLEGAEON have delivered the next video from the album, the visually haunting and captivating “Of Beasts And Worms.” Accompanying the track, the band shares details behind the video, track listing and additional tour dates. Album and merch pre-orders are available now at: metalblade.com/allegaeon.
“This is the place where I rest my bones and the river that cleanses me runs alone!” cries frontman Riley McShane on the track. “This song is about finding a place of inner quiet, a safe haven to explore your thoughts and escape from the anxieties of your life,” the vocalist explains. “This lyrical intention is paired with a depiction of disparity and tiredness with the world around you and the stressors that contribute to the deafening silence of the mundane. In the music video, we showcase a more physical – and graphic – display of this thought process where the escape from the daily grind is manifested into a willing self-sacrifice. Though a dramatization, this concept of sacrifice to find your own personal peace can be applied to something less tangible and played an important role in my own process while writing the lyrics for DAMNUM. Thank you for watching and listening, we hope you enjoy it.“
ALLEGAEON recently released the first video behind the album, “Into Embers,” and have built themselves a unique place in the musical landscape, forcing both technicality and melody to the forefront as they create tumultuous and riveting death metal. With DAMNUM, their sixth full-length, they push everything further into the extreme, and in the process deliver the definitive ALLEGAEON record.
DAMNUM Track Listing: 01. Bastards of the Earth 02. Of Beasts and Worms 03. Into Embers 04. To Carry My Grief Through Torpor and Silence 05. Vermin 06. Called Home 07. Blight 08. The Dopamine Void Pt. 1 09. The Dopamine Void Pt. 2 10. Saturnine 11. In Mourning 12. Only Loss
Catch ALLEGAEON as their first tour behind DAMNUM kick offs with the band supporting OMNIUM GATHERUM beginning February 26 in Brooklyn, NY.
ALLEGAEON ON TOUR: With OMNIUM GATHERUM: February 2022 26 – Brooklyn, NY @ The Kingsland 27 – Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery 28 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 March 2022 1 – Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade 2 – Orlando, FL @ The Haven 4 – Austin, TX @ Come and Take it Live! 5 – Houston, TX @ Satellite Bar 6 – Dallas, TX @ Amplified Live 7 – Kansas City, MO – BLVD Nights 8 – Denver, CO @ Oriental Theater 9 – El Paso, TX @ Rockhouse Bar & Grill 10 – Mesa, AZ @ Nile Theater 11 – San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Catch One @ Jewel 13 – San Francisco, CA @ DNA Lounge 14 – Portland, OR @ Bossanova Ballroom 15 – Seattle, WA @ El Corazon 16 – Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre 18 – Calgary, AB @ Dickens 19 – Regina, SK @ The Exchange 20 – Winnipeg, MB @ Park Theater 21 – Minneapolis, MN @ Amsterdam Bar & Hall 22 – Madison, WI @ The Crucible 23 – Chicago, IL @ Reggies 24 – Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground 25 – Montreal, QC @ The Ritz 26 – Quebec City, QC @ Source de la Martinière 27 – Boston, MA @ Middle East Downstairs
FACES OF DEATH TOUR With RIVERS OF NIHIL, ARCHSPIRE, BLACK CROWN INITIATE, TO THE GRAVE November 2022 11 – Germany, Oberhausen @ Kulttempel 12 – Germany, Karlsruhe @ Die Stadtmitte 13 – Italy, Milan @ Slaughter Club 14 – Switzerland, Aarau @ KiFF 15 – Germany, Munich @ Backstage 16 – Czech Republic, Prague @ Futurum 17 – Austria, Vienna @ Viper Room 18 – Hungary, Budapest @ Dürer Kert 19 – Poland, Poznan @ U Bazyla 20 – Germany, Dresden @ Puschkin 21 – Germany, Berlin @ Hole44 22 – Germany, Hannover @ Béi Chéz Heinz 23 – Denmark, Copenhagen @ Stengade 24 – Germany, Hamburg @ Logo 25 – Netherlands, Nijmegen @ Doornroosje 26 – UK, Bristol @ Thekla 27 – UK, London @ O2 Academy Islington 28 – UK, Glasgow @ Cathouse 29 – UK, Manchester @ Rebellion 30 – UK. Birmingham @ Mama Roux’s December 2022 1 – UK, Southampton @ The Loft 2 – France, Paris @ Gibus 3 – Belgium, Aarschot @ De Klinker Club
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 ) 