VENOM PRISON have released “Nemesis”, taken from their upcoming album “Erebos”. Like the two clips previously released the video was directed and produced by Thomas Coe-Brooker and can be viewed HERE.
Band comments:
“This song is about the urge to hurt the person who has caused you irreparable harm and has changed your life forever. It deals with having been left to fix the damage done to you all by yourself. This specifically relates to experiencing narcissistic abuse and the trauma resulting from it”.
“Erebos” will be out on February 4th, 2022. Pre-orders are already up for the following formats: Ltd. CD Digipak, Gatefold black LP, Digital Album, 500 x Gatefold hot pink-black marbled LP at CM Distro Wholesale EU and cmdistro.de, 300 x Gatefold red LP at EMP, 500 x Gatefold glow in the dark LP directly from the band at venomprison.com
USA: 1000 x Gatefold ivory LP at all Indie outlets, 500 x Gatefold emerald green LP at Revolver, 500 x Gatefold marigold LP at centurymedia.store
Italian legendary Speed/thrash metallers CELTIC HILLS have released their first single and lyric video ‘After the Earthquake‘, taken from the band’s new album “Huldufólk“, coming out in the first quarter of 2022 via Elevate Records.
“After The Hearthquake” is a song that tells of the strength and aggregation of the people after the terrible earthquake of May 6, 1976 in Friuli. A text that tells the tenacity, the solidarity for what has gone down in history as the Great Reconstruction of Friuli. A hymn to remain united and help each other during the tragedies that afflict the peoples of the whole Earth.
Watch ‘After the Earthquake’ lyric video here:
The new album “Huldufolk” collects and relaunches the excellent reviews obtained from the previous work. “Huldufolk” is a record with a lot of melody but characterized by the speed that distinguishes Celtic Hills, and this single is a great taste of what we’re going to hear.
The album was produced also this time by Michele Guaitoli singer of Temperance and Vision of Atlantis in the studios of the Groove Factory in Udine and for the realization of the cover again the talented Sheila Franco.
Just recently band’s singer and guitarist Jonathan Vanderbilt announced the guest guitarist, Gabriele Pala (Karnak, Azure Agony, Goldenseed), playing two solos in the album for the songs ‘Green Forest’ and ‘Gate of Hollow Earth’. In addition to being a very good guitarist, Gabriele is an expert connoisseur of Chapman Stick, an instrument played with the tapping technique.
Earlier Jonathan revealed on “Huldufólk”: “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.”
Jonathan Vanderbilt reveals on the album cover artwork: “The cover was again entrusted to Sheila Franco with the input of drawing a brighter cover, with the predominant green between the green that characterizes the MATRIX movie and the green of uncontaminated nature. A record in the balance between the enchanted world of legends, heroic deeds performed by people who wanted a better world. A record that looks to the past, projecting itself into a future to be built. A passing disc that wants to take past history with it to go further …to draw.”
The tracklisting reads the following: 1 – The Secret of the Grail 2 – Metal Message 3 – After The Eartquake 4 – Hidden Folk 5 – Green Forest 6 – Gate Of Hollow Earth 7 – Living Out Of The Egg 8 – The Sound Of Earth 9 – The Hammer Of Thor 10 – Villacher Kirktag Bonus track Words In Out (remix 2022) Living Out Of The Egg sings by Simone Cescutti
Photo-edit by Pino Magliani.
CELTIC HILLS’ previous album “Mystai Keltoy” was released on May 15th 2021 via Elevate Records. Order the album here: http://smarturl.it/zr31wj
CELTIC HILLS were born in 2010, in 2020 they sign a recording contract with Elevate Records with which they released 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. CELTIC HILLS’ new album “Huldufólk” is coming out in the first quarter of 2022 via Elevate Records.
“Angels With Dirty Faces”, LIONHEART‘s second single from the global release of “Second Nature” (Metalville Records – January 21st), is a giant nod to the classic James Cagney / Humphery Bogart movie of the same name from 1938. The song defines the high point of Lionheart’s newly-founded writing collaboration with singer Lee Small and set the standard for all their subsequent work. With a memorable, singalong chorus showcasing Lionheart’s famed 3 part vocal harmonies along with Lionheart’s classic twin guitar harmonies from Steve Mann and Dennis Stratton, the song is powered by the inimitable combination of Rocky Newton’s driving bass line together with Clive Edward’s rock solid groove on the kit. Angels With Dirty Faces is a particularly fine example of modern classic rock at its best.
In 2017 the album Second Nature hailed Lionheart’s triumphant return to the melodic rock music scene with a collection of powerful and memorable songs featuring the distinctive harmony vocals and harmony lead guitars for which Lionheart were so renowned.
The first Lionheart album to feature the extraordinary talent of Lee Small on lead vocal, Second Nature was released in Japan (on King Records) and Europe. Unfortunately in 2020 the European deal lapsed and the album disappeared from the market outside of Japan.
Now Metalville Records have stepped up to the plate and are releasing a repackaged version of the Second Nature album and, for the first time, globally.
To mark this special event the album has been re-mastered to sound punchier than ever, and now also includes 2 bonus tracks.
The release will also include the remarkable ‘Circle Of Bands’ chart by Tristan Greatrex which has been brought up to date and which was up to now only available in the Japanese release.
TRACK LISTING Prelude Give me the Light Don’t Pay the Ferryman Angels with Dirty Faces 30 Years On Our Way Second Nature Prisoner Every Boy in Town Time is Watching Heartbeat Radio Lionheart Mary Did You Know (bonus track) Paperback Writer (bonus track) Reprise
LINE UP Lee Small (lead vocals) – formerly lead vocalist with Shy and Phenomena Dennis Stratton (lead guitar/backing vocals) – formerly guitarist with Iron Maiden Steve Mann (lead guitar/backing vocals) – currently guitarist and keyboardist with Michael Schenker Rocky Newton (bass guitar/backing vocals) – formerly bass player and backing vocalist with McAuley Schenker Group Clive Edwards (drums, percussion) – formerly drummer with UFO, Wild Horses, and Uli Roth
Today, Swedish melodic death metal legends SOILWORK officially kick off the new year with an exciting news to share with all their fans: The band welcomes bass virtuoso Rasmus Ehrnborn to their ranks as full member of SOILWORK.
The band states: “We are pleased to finally welcome Rasmus Ehrnborn to the Soilwork family and announce him as our official bass player and full time member of the band. Rasmus has been onstage with us ever since the 2019 Verkligheten campaign and recorded our EP A Whisp Of The Atlantic as well as our upcoming album that is due this year. Rasmus is a world class musician and has truly become an important member of the band, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for this new constellation”.
Rasmus Ehrnborn himself adds: “For me, joining SOILWORK as a full time member is a bit of a dream come true as I’ve been a big fan of the band for many years. Their musicianship and songwriting is out of this world, and after touring and recording with the guys these past few years I’ve come to consider them all dear friends. I’m humbled and proud to be a part of the next chapter of SOILWORK”.
Currently, the band is finalizing their new studio album – stay tuned for big news to come this year and make sure to follow SOILWORK to not miss a single bit! To catch a very first glimpse on how SOILWORK will sound in 2022, head over to Metal Hammer Germany presenting a short look behind the scenes HERE!
With more than twentyfive years of experience, countless shows and eleven studio albums under their belt, it’s safe to say that SOILWORK is one of the godfathers of Swedish Melodic Death Metal. Their last album “Verkligheten” was highly lauded by press and fans all over the world and made it to #10 in German album charts.
Last week, multi-platinum selling Finnish rock band THE RASMUS revealed they will compete in Finland’s annual Eurovision selection contest, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (The New Music Competition). The response from the media and the band’s fanbase following Wednesday’s announcement has been enormous, with The Rasmus peaking at #11 in the UK as a trending topic on Twitter and making headlines both internationally and in their native Finland, where the band were featured in all major media outlets, including TV and the country’s biggest newspaper.
Today, the band have released their infectious new single and Eurovision entry bid ‘Jezebel’ via Playground Music, one of seven songs competing in the UMK. Stream the track here and watch the lyric video here.
The track was co-written and produced by Desmond Child, who collaborated with The Rasmus on their seventh studio album ‘Black Roses’. Child is responsible for formulating some of rock’s biggest hits, with co-writer and production credits on iconic songs by KISS, Bon Jovi, Aerosmith and Alice Cooper, to name a few.
Singer Lauri Ylönen comments: “It was awesome to work with Desmond again. He really knows how to put a hit song together. Jezebel is about a girl who takes what she wants, without asking. A free spirit.”
Speaking about the collaboration, Desmond Child says: “Lauri gives me a call and says ‘Hey, I need to write the biggest, greatest song in the entire world, ever. Will you do it [with me]?’ and I said ‘Yeah but I am in Folegandros (Greece)’ and he says, ‘I’ll be right there’. Jezebel is an homage, a tribute, to the strong women of today, who own their bodies, who are in charge of their sensuality, their sexuality, and who are determined to be an equal.”
The UMK winner and Finland’s next Eurovision Song Contest participant will be chosen at the UMK22 event in Turku Logomo on February 26, 2022. The final will be shown live on Yle TV1, Yle Areena and Yle’s radio channels from 9 pm to 11 pm EET. The winner will be chosen by TV viewers and the International UMK Jury. Those outside of Finland can watch the show at https://areena.yle.fi/tv
The band also announced the departure of founding guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi and introduced their new guitarist, Emilia ‘Emppu’ Suhonen. The UMK performance will be the band’s first with their new lineup.
More details about The Rasmus’ upcoming new album will be revealed soon, until then you can revisit the previously released singles: “Venomous Moon” (feat. Apocalyptica): https://youtu.be/71fGZWoncZQ “Bones”: https://youtu.be/dMfRJofGyIs
Armed with a new arsenal of songs and a revitalised lineup, The Rasmus will embark on a World Tour in the fall of 2022.
October 2022 10 Germany Hamburg / Markthalle 11 Germany Berlin / Metropol 12 Poland Warsaw / Proxima 13 Poland Krakow / Kwadrat 14 Germany Leipzig / Taubchental 15 Czech Rep. Prague / Forum Karlin 17 Hungary Budapest / BNMC 18 Austria Vienna / Ottakringer Brauerei 19 Germany Munich / Neue Theaterfabrik 21 Italy Milan / Fabrique 22 Switzerland Bern / Bierhubeli 23 France Paris / La Maroquinerie 24 Luxembourg Esch-Sur-Alzette / Rockhal 25 Germany Wiesbaden / Schlachthof (Halfhouse) 27 Germany Cologne / LMH 28 Holland Haarlem / Patronaat 30 England Nottingham / Rock City 31 England Manchester / O2 Ritz
November 2022 01 Scotland Glasgow / Garage 02 England Bristol / O2 Academy 03 England London / O2 Forum Kentish Town 05 Ukraine Kiev / Mc Hall 06 Ukraine Lviv / Malevich Club 07 Ukraine Odessa / Musical Comedy Theatre 08 Ukraine Dnipro / Shynnic House Of Culture 09 Ukraine Kharkiv / Mekhanika 11 Russia Moscow / Stadium 12 Russia St Petersburg / A2
SVEN GALI, Canada’s harbingers of Melodic Hard Rock, debut a mesmerizing new single, “Spellbound,” a masterful take on the Triumph classic; Release details on brand new album slated for May release.
Sven Gali have been hard at work during the chaotic times that the Covid-19 Pandemic has rained upon us. The band has taken this time to write and record the follow-up to 2020’s epic, comeback, EP “3” and are kicking it off with their rendition of the iconic, Triumph classic, “Spellbound.”
Dan Fila, Sven Gali’s Drummer:“We were made aware that a Triumph tribute record was coming out, and all of us being Triumph fans, decided to submit “Spellbound.” It was Dave who chose the song – it was his favorite Triumph song.” “The cool part about the video is that we shot it in Studio One at Metalworks where the original song was recorded. Having Gil at the console was super cool. The beautiful lady sitting next to Gil is his wife Sunny – the song was written about her.” “Like many things Sven Gali, it was not planned out. We invited Gil and Sunny out to hear the song, and they loved it. Next thing we know they spent the afternoon with us and played a huge part in the video. It was a very special day for all of us – things just happened organically.”
The new record titled “Bombs and Battlescars,” is slated to be released in late May and will include the single “Spellbound.” The digital track for “Spellbound” will be available on all digital platforms on February 4th.
Fila Offers album details:“We are working with Andy Curran on a few of the tracks and that has been a great experience. Andy knows how to keep morale high, the mood light and get crushing performances. We have also teamed up with Juno award winning engineer Vic Florentia to track – again; just a huge talent. All of the songs on the record will be mixed by Brian Robbins in NYC. Brian plays a large role in getting the Sven Gali sound. These tracks will be recorded at Metal Works in Studio One where Triumph recorded their classic albums.”
SVEN GALI built a name fast with their live shows; drawing growing crowds on the Canadian and US circuit while building their songwriting chops and a wild reputation. David Bendeth signed the band to BMG Music Canada in 1991 and produced the self-titled debut, released in 1992.
The debut album includes the hit “Under The Influence,” which was Much Music Best Metal Video award of 1993 and the emotional ballad “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,” a song that hit no. 6 as Can Con song of 1993. Following their profound release the band was nominated for Hard Rock Album of the Year and Most Promising Band at the Juno’s. The debut album, SVEN GALI went gold in Canada that same year.
Following extensive touring worldwide, being a major event on stages with legends (April Wine / Foreigner / Pearl Jam / Def Leppard), SVEN GALI didn’t stop there and they continued their journey with the release of their sophomore album, “In Wire”, in 1995.
Twenty-five years after their debut album went Gold in Canada, SVEN GALI came back rockin’ in 2018, with a modernized edged rock covered in Metal with “Kill The Lies” and a year later with “You Won’t Break Me.”
Sven Gali dropped the EP “3” in June of 2020, a re-introduction of sorts that welcomed a renewed vigor and an edgy, modern vibe to the music while maintaining the classic Sven Gali vibe. The EP was received with rave reviews and the single “Now” won best hard rock song at the Banger Music Awards. The fanbase was quickly juiced and ready for the next wave of Sven Gali tunes. The New album “Bombs And Battlescars” will bring a heavier, yet more melodic approach that harkens back to the debut, but still hints at the modern influences and style. It promises to be exactly what the fans have been waiting for and more.
In 2022, Sven Gali is also celebrating The 30th Anniversary of the band’s debut album on August 8th with Sony planning a special reissue of the classic album with promotion including on Record Store Day. Stay tuned for more details on the release.
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 ) 