Old school death metal revivalists CARNATION have announced the physical release of their ‘Galaxy Studio Sessions’ performance, which was previously aired as a live stream event on April 18, 2021. The live album is slated for release on January 7, 2022 and will be available on all digital platforms and a limited edition vinyl version. Pre-orders are now available HERE.
In celebration, CARNATION is now releasing the first live video for the track “Reincarnation,” which is taken from the band’s latest record, ‘Where Death Lies.’ The clip is available at THIS LOCATION.
CARNATION comments: “To celebrate the excellent experience we had during our livestream event at the Galaxy Studios, we have decided to release the entire recording as a standalone live album. We consider this performance as an important milestone during our ‘Where Death Lies’ album cycle, as we were finally able to present the new tracks in a live capacity after multiple unsuccessful attempts. We hope you will enjoy this recording, and let it be a reminder to stay persistent against all odds.”
Carnation now has their very own Instagram filter via Instagram stories! Search for the Carnation filter via @Seasonofmistofficial to have some fun!
‘Where Death Lies’ is out NOW and can be ordered, streamed, and downloaded HERE.
HEARTS & HAND GRENADES just released a new single and a music video for the title track off their upcoming full-length album “Between the Lines“. This is the third single from their upcoming sophomore album Between the Lines. The video was directed by Nick Sonricker at Twenty6 Productions. Watch it right now at this location.
“Between the Lines is about discovering something you thought was true in fact, was actually a lie” says guitarist Mike Bress. “Trying to unfold the truth while you feel like no one is listening can be frustrating. We often see this is the case when it comes to politics and propaganda spread by governments. Sometimes you have to question what you’re being told, do the research, and find out for yourself what is really going on!” Lead vocalist and bassist Stephanie Wlosinski adds, “this is the third video directed by Nick Sonricker, and once again, he brought his flair for quick cuts, sharp angles, and plenty of camera movement to capture the live feel of our stage show. His energy matches ours and makes for a smooth video shoot. During the shoot, Mike and Kenny stood up on side platforms and I stood on a narrow staircase in the middle of the stage. Well, I’m absolutely terrified of heights and had to hide my fear during those takes. We shot that twice and that was enough. I was in a panic at that point, and I needed a minute to calm my nerves to continue. Besides me being a wimp with heights, everything else was fantastic.”
Between the Lines contains ten hard-rocking earworms full of savage riffs and powerfully deep lyrics. The album was produced by Justin Rose (Goo Goo Dolls, James Taylor, Spyro Gyra) at GCR Audio, and the cover art was designed by Jeff Ballance at 119 Design. Between the Lines will be released worldwide via Eclipse Records on November 19, 2021. Standout tracks include the album’s high-energy first single “Bad Medicine” which represents the disappointment experienced when something doesn’t go as planned. “Beautiful Pain” is about the kind of pain you can learn and grow from, while owning your actions that may have brought you to that point. The title track “Between the Lines” is about the lies we are told by the media and how it negatively affects society and of particular note, “Moonlight” is the band’s modern rock version of Moonlight Sonata by one of history’s greatest composers, Ludwig Van Beethoven. This album is pure, controlled emotion… rock like you’ve never quite experienced it before, and the kind that only Hearts & Hand Grenades can deliver. Get ready to scream it out for the world to hear… Hearts & Hand Grenades are back and their latest album rocks!
From the early days in 80’s California, to going on to become a band recognised as a pioneer of the thrash metal scene, EXODUS are back! After seven years since their last album, “Blood In, Blood Out”, the brutal and eleventh studio album “Persona Non Grata” is set for release on 19th November via Nuclear Blast.
Metal Shock Finland’s Alison Booth caught up with drummer Tom Hunting for her radio show Blackdiamond’s Metal Mayhem, which is broadcast every Tuesday from 6PM GMT on UK station TotalRock.
Of course all fans know Tom has been fighting cancer and had a successful gastrectomy in July. We had a chat about his health before the interview, Tom told me that everything is looking great and he is back at work with the band, with some recent shows taking place.
Lots of topics were discussed from the new album and its recording and back to the old days, with more in between. You can check out the audio interview below, with some written excerpts – it wasn’t the best connection so it’s a little clipped in places, but Tom had lots of interesting things to say!
About the release of “Persona Non Grata”, Tom expressed:
“We feel awesome about it, I mean this album’s been done for quite a while but we’re super proud of the work we did on it and you know, the manner in which we recorded it and the songwriting process was, we just had fun all the way around. Crazy times and we just kinda like did the best with the time we had you know? Everything’s hooky and just you know, lotsa crunch. We’re very happy with it.
I think all the fun we had recording really came out in the music you know and we had a good time. We were under no time constraints like for tracking or anything like that. We had an open book of creativity and it was flowing you know?“
About recording in home studios, Tom revealed:
“Usually, when it comes time to track drums, we have the songs and arrangements worked out, but I usually only have like seven or eight days to set up, get my tracks in and then I can never revisit or redo anything. The way we did it this time, I set up, did my tracks – got it done pretty fast. But if I heard something you know, if I wanted to enhance a riff or whatever, I can go and basically insert a different drum fill or whatever. And that was a great privilege to have for me, ’cause at the end it’s a more beautiful drum template to play, you know? The guys liked it too and the same could be said for them, ’cause we were all stuck here together and it just worked out, everything lined up.
And it was the first time we tried to record this way, so remotely. Usually we do the drums in a proper studio and everything else gets done anywhere. But this time we just did it all, there was a lot of DIY involved. I was nailing up big ass pieces of carpet, you know I had my stapler out – I was stapling pieces of fabric to the ceiling to try and get those sound waves right for the cymbals crashing [laughs].”
Regarding keeping EXODUS going after so many years, Tom said:
“Well, I’m gonna go with a cliche here and we’ve all said it, everybody in our band. It’s crazy, if you’d asked me, you know when we first started, if the journey would still be going in 2021, I would tell you I don’t think so. But Gary is a force, Gary Holt is a guitar force in this world, our band’s more of a brotherhood than other bands I see that do it like on our level. You know, we’re still best of friends and we’re family you know.“
I think as younger men doing this we probably were more into it for the party you know and now we’re older, I think we respect the journey a little bit more. It’s the best education I ever could get in my life.”
Talking about debut album “Bonded By Blood”:
“There’s times I dread having to play Piranha for the umpteenth billion time, but I’m super proud of the fact that we made an album that was a statement, so long ago and so many statements were made back then. We just had fun – we were young, guys in the throws of creativity and just kind of hungry and learning our instruments.”
Tom had lots to say about his love of English drummers:
“I think about Clive Burr all the time. I watch his videos. I have to say I was pretty mad at Iron Maiden for releasing him without any real explanation as to why [laughs]. Don’t get me wrong, I love Nicko McBrain, I’ve been listening to him since he played with Pat Travers and I love Nicko, he’s a very colourful drummer, but I love the way Clive drove that band. The way he would install these crazy heavy metal disco type beats and he had such a fast flick of the wrist, you know?
And then of course Keith Moon was a maniac. You expect from a traditional drumming standpoint, even rock drumming, you would think he would do one thing and he does another. And Bonham, he was a force. There’s a lot of ’em, a lot of English drummers. Ian Paice, my favourite leftie, a man after my own heart ’cause I too am left handed, he’s still doing it!“
EXODUS is: Gary Holt | Guitar Tom Hunting | Drums Steve “Zetro” Souza | Vocals Jack Gibson | Bass Lee Altus | Guitar
BLACK THERAPY have re-signed with Black Lion Records, and furthermore announce their new drummer and album coming in 2022.
Black Lion Records states:
“We are happy to announce we have extended our partnership with Black Therapy and will be joining forces once again to release their new album in 2022, after the success of their latest album in 2019 it stood clear that there was more to witness and were looking forward to see what the band is bringing for the next album !”
The band states: “We are thrilled to announce that our 4th album will be released under Black Lion Records and it will be entitled “Onward”. After the experience with our previous record, we feel this label is the right home for our music. We also want to share with you the news that we have a new drummer! We want to thank Luca for all the great things and the memories that we shared together. Please welcome Francesco Comerci, whom you might recognize for his work with the band Helslave. To those in Italy: you will be able to watch him live with us this friday on the 15th of October at Traffic Club in Roma!”
Danish-Swedish quartet VOLA are delighted to announce that they will be returning to the UK and Europe in February 2022, joining US Rock four-piece Starset as their special guests on a 20-date tour calling through Luxembourg, The Netherlands, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Austria, Poland, Belgium and France. You can get tickets here.
Speaking about the upcoming tour VOLA says: “We are thrilled to join the American rock phenomenon Starset on their upcoming EU/UK tour. The time has finally come for us to tour Europe and the UK again after 2019. It has been way too long, and we impatiently look forward to meeting you, our beloved fans, on the road again.” This will be the first opportunity for many of the fans ever growing fanbase to hear songs from the bands’ new album Witness in person, following the bands’ intimate but stunning live-streamed spectacle – Live from the Pool, where fans were able watch the Danish-Swedish quartet perform songs from their back catalogue in a unique online setting.
Released in May this year, Witness has already passed 7m streams and shines a light on the subject of failed relationships, on a societal scale—the friction between leaders and followers, which is caused by the misuse of power. The album was produced by the band and was mixed and mastered by the Grammy nominated Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, The Black Dahlia Murder, Amaranthe). Witness has seen the band continue their incredible upward trajectory, with 3 singles being playlisted at Kerrang! Radio, as well as high praise from Metal Hammer, Prog Magazine, Distorted Sound Magazine and The Riot Act Podcast.
“If I zoom in,” guitarist-singer Asger Mygind says. “The failure is born from unrequited love, grief, manipulative behaviour and insecurity. Connecting it with the album title, one could view the characters portrayed in the lyrics as being witnesses to the dissolution of the bond they have created with people in their lives.”
VOLA wrote the songs after they returned from their successful 2019 headline tour across Europe. The tour had a string of sold-out shows along the way. It capped off an incredible two years, which had seen them also tour with Dream Theater, Anathema, Katatonia, Haken, Monuments, as well as show-stealing performances at Euroblast, Ramblin’ Man Fair, Radar Festival, Bloodstock, Damnation Fest, Tech Fest and more.
Always evocative, VOLA glide along, barely a breath away from their subject matter, holding the listener close and silent as you observe the journey unfold. It’s their ability to create a cinematic aesthetic that allows you to be a detached observer, but also enveloped in the narrative, pulling you deeper within the rabbit hole, following the story further down into its veins.
VOLA are Asger Mygind (vocals/guitar), Martin Werner (keys), Nicolai Mogensen (bass) and Adam Janzi (drums).
Tour Dates
Tue 15th February 2022 – Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette – Rockhal Wed 16th February 2022 – Netherlands, Amsterdam – Melkweg Max Fri 18th February 2022 – UK, London – O2 Forum Kentish Town Sat 19th February 2022 – UK, Wolves – Steelmill Sun 20th February 2022 – UK, Glasgow – Garage Tue 22nd February 2022 – UK, Nottingham – Rock City Wed 23rd February 2022 UK, Manchester – Academy 2 Fri 25th February 2022 – Switzerland, Zurich – Komplex 457 Sat 26th February 2022 – Germany, Munich – Tonhalle Mon 28th February 2022 – Italy, Milan – Alcatraz Wed 2nd March 2022 – Czech Republic, Prague – Lucerna Music Bar Thu 3rd March 2022 – Hungary, Budapest – Durer Kert Fri 4th March 2022 – Austria, Vienna – Simm City Sun 6th March 2022 – Poland, Warsaw – Proxima Mon 7th March 2022 – Germany, Berlin – Hole 44 Tue 8th March 2022 – Germany, Hamburg – Markthalle Thu 10th March 2022 – Germany, Cologne – Live Music Hall Fri 11th March 2022 – Germany, Frankfurt – Zoom Sat 12th March 2022 – Belgium, Antwerp – Trix Mon 14th March 2022 – France, Paris – L’élysée Montmatre
US Prog Metal Project PYRAMID have released their new official video ‘Stigma’, feat. Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens and The Harps’ vocalist Andry Lagiou. ‘Stigma’ is taken from the project’s upcoming album “Validity“, coming out worldwide on November 5th via Sleaszy Rider SRL, featuring also FATES WARNING’s Mike Abdow.
Watch ‘Stigma’ here:
Lance Sawyer states on the project: “This is a Prog Metallers paradise of its own raw and wild nature. It’s foundation is built on brining heart felt melodic melodies and music that takes you on a metal journey”
Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens adds: “Had a blast making the Pyramid, so much there to have fun with as a singer!! I had so much fun making Validity I went on to make a whole other CD which will come out in the future. This forth coming release is a singers dream to do because I can whatever I want and use all my voices!! Lance and all involved just killed it and all top notch musicians! This is a great listen and a fun ride.”
Andry Lagiou tells that “this project is different from every other style you might have heard, bringing equal both female and male vocals together!”
PYRAMID is a American progressive metal collaboration featuring iconic members. Vocalist and Musicians known worldwide formed by songwriter and bassist Lance Sawyer in 2017. Currently the project is working already for the next album, music by Lance Sawyer and on some tracks lyrics and melodies by Tim Owens and Andry Lagiou.
The current line up includes “guests vocalist“ Tim ‘Ripper’ Owens, Vocalist Andry Lagiou, guitarists Adam Bentley, Guitarists Gabe Pietrzak, Guitarists Mike Abdow, Keyboardist Joey Izzo, Drums James Knoerl, Violinist Perrine Missemer, Bassist Song Writer Lance Sawyer.
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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Visionary artist KIMMO KUUSNIEMI's ANCIENT STREAMING ASSEMBLY (ASA) have released “Aurora Nuclearis”, a powerful 12-minute audiovisual experience, dedicated to the Late Keyboardist Esa Kotilainen. - Click image to watch the video
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 