AS I MAY is a four-piece modern melodic metal band from Mikkeli, Finland – formed in 2016. The band combines modern elements, yet keeps focus on the heavier side of the music, and they sound like a modern-day US mixture of In Flames and Amorphis, so almost any metal fan would get a treat from listening to the music of these Finns! It’s a mature band, displaying a truly professional attitude towards the modern sound of heavy metal. The soul of the music lies within the catchy melodies and the big choruses.
The band released their debut album “Speak No Evil” in 2017, and got the attention of lots of fans and from the record label Rockshots Records, who decided to sign As I May for the release of their 2nd album “My Own Creations”, which was released in the summer of 2019. In Asia, the album was released through the label Spiritual Beast.
As I May played a wide array of local Finnish shows and were booked for a European tour, as support for the Brasilian powerhouse-metal act Semblant… and then Covid-19 reared its ugly face, postponing everything for everyone.
The tour is postponed until the spring of 2022 and in the lock-down period, As I May have spent the time, composing and recording their brand-new opus ”Karu” – a venture into more modern and direct in-your-face songs, which caused for UPRISING! Records to sign the band on a worldwide deal.
“Karu” will be released on digital, LP (red/black marble, limited to 300 units) and CD formats on March 4th, 2022, via UPRISING! Records. Pre-orders up here and here.
This Friday As I May release a new digital single off the album. “Devil Rides With Me” can be previewed and pre-saved here.
NOCTURNA has released a video for the song ‘Daughters of the Night‘ – second single, title track and conceptual cornerstone of the debut album set to be released on January 21st, via Scarlet Records.
Luca Morselli: direction, filming Federico Mondelli: direction, art direction, editing Video shot in partnership with Comune di Brescia-Film Commission
THE QUILL present the official video for “Where Eagles Dare”, the first single from their upcoming album “Live, New, Borrowed, Blue” (Metalville Records – release 28.01.). The “Maiden” classic, which will also be released as a digital single this Friday, originally comes from the long out-of-print 2003 tribute album “Slave To The Power”, to which THE QUILL contributed with this track.
“Live, New, Borrowed, Blue”
Digging through old boxes you find stuff you’ve totally forgotten about – and every once in a while you find old nuggets well worth rediscovering again. And when you’ve been active as a band for a long time, you always find songs that didn’t fit into the usual album format. For the reasons we know, THE QUILL had a lot of free time last year to look through the remaining tracks to shorten the waiting time for the next studio album for the fans. “Live, New, Borrowed, Blue” contains tracks from the sessions for the last album “Earthrise” as well as some cover songs that THE QUILL recorded in the late 90s for various tribute albums that are now long out of print. As a kind of icing on the cake, there are also two live tracks from the Sweden Rock Festival 2019, as a reminder of this fantastic performance.
TRACK LISTING Keep On Moving (Extended Version) S.O.S. (Too Bad) Children Of The Sun Where Eagles Dare Keep It Together (Live) Mount Everest Burning Tree Frozen Over Hole In My Head (Live)
Season of Mist is proud to announce the signing of Australian black metal project WOODS OF DESOLATION!
Multi-instrumentalist and mastermind D. comments, “I am proud to announce that Woods of Desolation has signed with Season of Mist! It is an honour to be a part of a label host to so many influential acts, and I look forward to our collaboration together for the forthcoming album – and beyond.”
The band will be releasing a new album via Season of Mist at a later date! For a glimpse of what’s to come, listen to WOODS OF DESOLATION‘s discography via Bandcamp.
WOODS OF DESOLATION was formed by multi-instrumentalist D. in 2005 as a means for personal expression through music. Firmly built upon this ethos, a series of demo recordings garnered attention and a solid following within underground black metal circles worldwide. Continually evolving and working with different guest musicians in pursuit of new artistic territory, D. began to showcase his talent for crafting melancholic, yet at times uplifting, melodies on the debut album Toward The Depths (2008), further refining it on the Sorh EP (2009) and the influential sophomore full-length Torn Beyond Reason (2011).
In 2014, WOODS OF DESOLATION released the critically acclaimed third full-length As The Stars, receiving strong places on Decibel’s “Top 40 Albums of 2014” and Stereogum’s “50 Best Albums of 2014” list. This album saw D. further introduce a wider array of musical influences, such as post rock and shoegaze, into his unique take on black metal, becoming one of the main protagonists in what would become the burgeoning genre of post black metal. Additionally, lyrical themes were expanded beyond what had come before – nature, life, sorrow – now personally exploring the metaphysical aspects of spirituality and the afterlife.
In the intervening years that followed, D. created and worked on two new black metal projects REMETE & UNFELLED, simultaneously writing and developing material for the next WOODS OF DESOLATION full-length. In 2021, finally ready, D. teamed up with Vlad (DRUDKH, WINDSWEPT) on drums & keys to record the long-awaited follow-up to As The Stars, slated for release via Season of Mist.
This forthcoming album sees the musical palette of D. and WOODS OF DESOLATION continue to grow, exploring higher peaks, deeper depths, all the while maintaining honest artistic expression, unfettered and free – remaining ever faithful to those principles that lead the way all those years ago
MARK STEIN has just released a new collection of songs through Deko Entertainment about Hope, Unity, Concern and Redemption titled ‘There’s A Light”. Sidelined during the recent Covid-19 pandemic and unable to perform live with popular rock band, Vanilla Fudge, Mark decided to put his down time to good use. He wanted to write and record songs about what was going on in America and the rest of the world. He saw social unrest, racial disparity, political division, violence, widespread sickness, and an entire world on the brink of an economic disaster due to the spread of a disease like no other. Yet, at the same time, Stein saw a great opportunity.
Mark has just released a video for the track “Let’s Pray for Peace” which even resonates more during this Holiday season. As Mark explains, “During this Holiday Season, I hope this song helps to bring our volatile world a little closer together” Merry Christmas & A Happy Healthy New Year.”
‘There’s A Light’, Mark’s first ever solo album is a thematic collection of ten songs which weave a remarkable story of what America was, has become, and may or may not face in its future, and critics are taking notice.
“Stein sounds as inspired as ever, and the message he shares is underscored by the clarity of both his passion and purpose.” American Songwriter
Mark Stein first came to prominence in Vanilla Fudge, formed with Carmine Appice, Tim Bogert and Vince Martell. In addition to his many years within Vanilla Fudge, Stein has also worked extensively with such rock legends as Alice Cooper, Dave Mason, and the late guitarist Tommy Bolin. He has also made guest appearances with Deep Purple, Carl Palmer, Steve Miller and once recorded and sang with Michael Jackson.
There are limited edition bundles (while supplies last), which you can order via the Mark Stein Store here: MARK STEIN STORE
“There’s A Light” Track list: 01. We Are One 02. Ball of Confusion 03. We Are Survivors 04. Lyin’ 05. Racism 06. All Lives Matter 07. Let’s Pray for Peace 08. People Got to Be Free 09. Break It Down 10. America the Beautiful
[Photo Credit: Holger Fichtner & Patrick Schneiderwind]
German heavy metal outfit KISSIN’ DYNAMITE kicks off another race to heat the anticipation for their new studio album, Not The End Of The Road, out January 21st via Napalm Records. After releasing the bursting high-voltage first single and title track “Not The End Of The Road“, followed by igniting “What Goes Up” and charity awareness single “Good Life“, the chart-topping five-piece serves another smashing surprise with the enthralling new song “Yoko Ono”, alongside an exciting music video.
On their homage to “Yoko Ono”, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE surprise with massively catchy tunes added to their trademark sound. The new single is certainly a standout track in the band’s history and will be stuck in listeners heads forever – 80s stadium rock abounds!
KISSIN’ DYNAMITEon the new song: “We all know of Yoko Ono and her double-edged story. Our song is exactly about people like Yoko Ono, who like a spider catch you in their web at first, to eventually use and abuse you. In the video for this song, we tried to outline, or better yet, re-arrange Yoko’s art 😉 Enjoy Folks!”
Founded in 2007, German heavy metal formation KISSIN’ DYNAMITE have made more than just a name for themselves in the scene: With six studio albums and various chart entries (#7 on the GER album charts with their full-length Ecstasy in 2018), the band established their trademark style – characterized by modern sound, massive anthems and catchy hooks paired with an 80s stadium rock attitude and eccentric look. Now, the five piece is ready to release their Napalm Records debut, Not The End Of The Road, and usher in heavy metal in 2022!
The new studio album was produced, recorded and mixed by vocalist Hannes Braun (Südland Music) himself, who has also worked with bands like Santiano, The Kelly Family and Beyond The Black. Mastering was completed by Grammy Award winning producer Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, known for his work with bands like Volbeat and many more.
Ande Braun on the new album: “Not The End Of The Road is an album that accurately describes our experiences as a band since Ecstasy in 2018. First and foremost, we highlight with songs like “Not The End Of The Road”, “What Goes Up”, “Yoko Ono” and “Only The Dead”: We’re up for it, we’re pulling together and we want to reach the rock Olympus! Titles like “Coming Home”, “Gone For Good” and “Scars”, on the other hand, deal with real feelings like loneliness, homesickness and sadness, which are also part of life.”
Hannes Braun adds: “With Ecstasy, we already didn’t make any compromises and just wanted to compose music that speaks from us. Not The End Of The Road seamlessly picks up exactly here.”
Pre-order Your Copy of Not The End Of The Road NOW!
With Not The End Of The Road, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE set another milestone in their successful discography: In guitar-driven power metal fashion, the tune of the intro and title track “Not The End Of The Road” prepares the listener for a thrilling road trip and new anthems straight from the heart of the KISSIN’ DYNAMITE universe. Crusher “What Goes Up” takes its listener into the truly spectacular soundscapes that make stadiums shake and convinces with Aerosmith-like guitar attacks and an anthemic hook. But KISSIN’ DYNAMITE are also not afraid to show their mellower side, as heard on delightfully tranquil tracks like “Good Life” and “Gone For Good” – not only showcasing the almost calm touches pervading the melodies, but also presenting the softer side of Braun’s vocal repertoire. While tracks like “No One Dies A Virgin” and “Yoko Ono” symbolize catchy party hymns, standouts “Coming Home” and “Defeat It” underline their origins of stadium rock without being pigeonholed. “Voodoo Spell” manifests the variety of the band and their different influences – starting with strong dark rock elements, the song becomes an opus that easily competes with the biggest stadium giants. The album’s closer, “Scars”, proves once again that KISSIN’ DYNAMITE can reach the depths and showcase lyrical vulnerability – an impressive ending that screams to be played live.
Not The End Of The Road track listing: 1. Not the End of the Road 2. What Goes Up 3. Only the Dead 4. Good Life 5, Yoko Ono 6. Coming Home 7. All for a Halleluja 8. No One Dies a Virgin 9. Gone for Good 10. Defeat It 11. Voodoo Spell 12. Scars
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 ) 