Following ‘Living a Lie’, the hard rocking debut single by GTARZEE and taken from his upcoming solo album, comes ‘Ave Maria’, one of classical composer Franz Schubert’s most popular songs, which he composed in 1825. The songs melody has haunted Gtarzee for years and now he gets the opportunity to make it one of his own with a surprising treatment, just in time for the season. Gtarzee’s version of Franz Schubert’s ‘Ave Maria’ is arranged by Gtarzee and drummer Kari Storckovius (from the Finnish-Canadian hard rock band Forth) and they take the song to a whole new dimension with its searing lead guitar, thunderous drums and fat bass. You won’t be disappointed.
The song was mostly recorded by Gtarzee in his home studio and then partly in Soundwell Studio by Valtteri Kallio, who mixed the song and the upcoming album. He also plays a bit of percussion on the song. ‘Ave Maria’ was mastered by Janne Hakanen and it is released by Secret Entertainment.
Who is Gtarzee? Gtarzee is Tim Norrgrann – the solo artist. Tim Norrgrann is best known as the co-founder, composer, occasional lyricist, lead guitarist and backing vocalist of the Finnish-Canadian hard rockers Forth. Co-writing some of their most memorable songs, Tim is building a reputation of writing songs that are melodic, beautiful, powerful and yet easy listening. Tim started playing guitar early on, but switched to bass in the early 2000’s and joined two bands of different musical styles; the pop rock band Beneath the Bed and the progressive rock band Ethereal. Tim switched back to lead guitar after joining the hard rock band Naked Idol in 2008. Continuing his musical adventures Tim picked up the bass again and recorded the bass guitar for the song ‘Voittaja’ by Kultakypärä. The song ‘Voittaja’ was the 2010 theme song for Fintoto (horse racing in Finland). In august 2010 Tim picked up the guitar once again and formed The Roc with Canadian vocalist Brian Forth. A few years later the band changed its name, at the suggestion of Tim, to Forth. Up until today, Forth has released three albums; the debut album “Road Stories” (2014), the sophomore album “Captivity” (2019) and the newly released third album “Forth” (2021). Now the musical adventures of Tim Norrgrann continue alongside of Forth as the solo artist Gtarzee.
Back with a vengeance and hell-bent on destruction, Norwegian death metallers, CADAVER, are back in business and ready to reign. Edder & Bile, the first full length from this band’s new incarnation of Anders Odden’s original, extreme metal vision, was unleashed unto the world in November of 2020 via Nuclear Blast Records. Today, the band releases the music video for “Years Of Nothing” which can be viewed here:
Anders Odden comments, “The release of ‘Years of Nothing’ symbolizes the 2 years we have gone through just now with the most boring end of the world ever. It is also the last Covid-19 styled video we will make. When the world closed down musicians started to jam across the continents and do these split-screen videos from their studio. It’s exactly how we did this. Writing this comment on tour with sold-out shows with MAYHEM right now feels great. May the pandemic be behind us.”
Edder & Bile was produced by the band as well as Adair Daufembach who also handled the engineering. The album was recorded and mixed at Northwood Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA. The album features vocal cameos from death metal icons Kam Lee (MASSACRE) and Jeff Becerra (POSSESSED) ensuring that this crushing rebirth has underground credentials to spare. The photo for the artwork was taken by Hannah Verbeuren and the layout was created by Justin Bartlett.
COMEBACK KID have revealed a new single and video, “Crossed,” featuring guest vocals from Gojira’s Joe Duplantier. Alongside the riff-heavy first single “No Easy Way Out” and the tone-setting dynamic title track (“Heavy Steps”), “Crossed” will appear on Comeback Kid’s anticipated seventh studio album, Heavy Steps which is set for release on January 21, 2022 via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-save/order Heavy Steps here: https://bfan.link/CBK-heavysteps-album.ema
In celebration of their forthcoming release, COMEBACK KID has recently partnered with Fanaply, a platform creating eco-friendly Non Fungible Token (NFT) for the biggest names in sports, music and entertainment, to bring fans their first ever eco-friendly NFT. Starting today, fans can enter a competition to earn points for sharing, following and more. On December 10th, 25 of the top point earners will win the NFT. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/3GbNfLs
Says lead vocalist Andrew Neufeld of the new single: “Crossed is a no frills metallic hardcore track. Lyrically it deals with someone in my life that seemed so far gone and I had to watch them dig themselves further and further into a low and unrealistic place. “Crossed into the void” so to say. We enlisted Joe from Gojira to represent somewhat of an overlord menacing presence in the song. An overshadowing power via his blood curdling scream. This song is direct and to the point about staying in reality and warns of the elements that could bring us further into darkness.”
Comeback Kid fighting against outside pressures and personal demons
Directed by Daniel Prieß and Max Maltais and filmed in Quebec, the video for “Crossed” is a performance style video that sees members of the band fighting against outside pressures and personal demons until they fall into what is visually depicted as “the void”. A true hybrid collaboration that ignited a lot of inspiration and out of the box imagination, the video involved green screening in drummer Loren Legare from Vancouver when he was unable to attend the shoot in Quebec and utilizing a special FX team and editing team in Germany.
“It was wild how this song and video all came together,” Neufeld continues. “So many people from all over the world contributed to this project. On top of the teams used to create the video, the track was recorded in Winnipeg and was mixed in New York by Will Putney. Then Joe [Duplantier] recorded his parts at his house (I believe) in France! This is one of the most fun collaborative projects that I have had the pleasure of working on.”
“Heavy Steps”, the follow up to 2017’s critically acclaimed full-length “Outsider”, sees the hardcore veterans returning to their roots both geographically and musically. Although the members of the band are currently residing on different sides of the country in Vancouver and Toronto, the band decided to write and record their latest effort in the band’s originating city of Winnipeg, Manitoba at Private Ear Recording Studio and once again enlisted the services of producer John Paul Peters (CANCER BATS, PROPAGANDHI) who recorded the band’s debut album “Turn It Around”. In addition to co-production by Peters, on “Heavy Steps”,COMEBACK KID collaborated with prominent Grammy award-winning mixer and long-time fan of the band Will Putney (KNOCKED LOOSE, EVERY TIME I DIE). Featuring a guest appearance by GOJIRA’s Joe Duplantier, “Heavy Steps”is no longer a prerequisite to realizing COMEBACK KID’s influence on modern punk, but a delivery of pure anthemic chaos, sheer speed and force. It is a statement of intent.
“It’s about hitting the ground running, not knowing when or where the ground could break from underneath you.” summarizes Neufeld. “It’s heavy steps on thin ice. ‘Heavy Steps’ on hollow ground.”
Kicking off with the pummeling title track that features punishing bass lines, masterful drumming, sludgy guitar riffs and an infectious singalong chorus, the 11 tracks that is “Heavy Steps” embody all the things that make COMEBACK KID so revered in their genre. It’s fast, fun, beautiful crafted melodic hardcore.
“Heavy Steps” Track Listing; 01. Heavy Steps 02. No Easy Way Out 03. Face The Fire 04. Crossed ft. Joe Duplantier 05. Everything Relates ft. JJ 06. Dead On The Fence 07. Shadow of Doubt 08. True To Form 09. Inbetween 10. Standstill 11. Menacing Weight
The band will kick off the year 2022 with dates in the UK and Europe supported by BE WELL, DEVIL IN ME and SCOWL. Tickets for all dates are available now. For a complete list of tour dates, see below.
COMEBACK KID European Headline Tour 2022 w/ BE WELL, DEVIL IN ME, SCOWL 19.01.22 Germany Berlin @ Hole44 20.01.22 Germany Hannover @ Faust 21.01.22 Germany Bochum @ Matrix 22.01.22 Germany Karlsruhe @ Weisse Rose 23.01.22 Netherlands Utrecht @ Tivoli Pandora 24.01.22 UK Bristol @ Fleece 25.01.22 UK Birmingham @ Mama Roux 26.01.22 UK Leeds @ Key Club 27.01.22 UK Manchester @ Rebellion 28.01.22 UK London @ The Dome 29.01.22 Belgium Hasselt @ Muziekodroom 30.01.22 France Paris @ Gibus 31.01.22 Switzerland Wil @ Gare De Lion 01.02.22 Italy Milan @ Circolo Magnoilia 02.02.22 Germany Munich @ Backstage 03.02.22 Czech Rep Prague @ Futurum 04.02.22 Germany Leipzig @ Conne Island
The tour remains subject to the current global situation.
DIG LAZARUS have premiered a new music video for ‘Time Froze’ which features Ally Dickaty of The Virginmarys. This latest news proceeds the alt-rock trio’s new album launch show this December with special guests SKAM and an acoustic set by Ally.
Watch ‘Time Froze’ (official music video):
“When writing the track ‘Time Froze’ we could hear Ally’s voice on the track, so when he agreed to record it for our new album we were over the moon. Supporting The Virginmarys on their recent UK tour was an absolute blast and a dream come true. The highlight was probably having Ally join us on stage to perform the song in Birmingham. Opening up for our favourite band every night was an absolute pleasure, we’ve so much love and respect for them.
Having two incredible artists, SKAM and Ally, be special guests for our end of year album launch show in Leicester is amazing, it’s going to be an incredible last hurrah for 2021!”
Dig Lazarus debut album ‘Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time’ was produced by Dave Draper (The Wildhearts, Terrorvision) and is out now via RPM Records.
ESKIMO CALLBOY have shared their highly anticipated new single “Pump It”. Following the footsteps of their recent viral hit “We Got The Moves” (Top 100 German single charts) the band sets sails to even surpass the success of its predecessor.
Kevin comments:
Here we go work out fam! „Pump it“ is out now! And this our friends, means the start of an incredible journey for your body and soul! Listen to our song, make it a part of your daily routine, and feel yourself grow, physically and mentally! Pump it loud, pump it hard and get the true Eskimo Callboy body culture spirit!
Obviously ESKIMO CALLBOY have another fantastic music video in the pipeline for this release that is bursting with colorful fitness-vibes straight from the 90s. Watch it HERE
Accompanying the release of “Pump It” the band launched 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.
Mystic death metallers SYMBOLICAL – feat. Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski – will release their new EP “Igne” on December 25th, which is the first part of three EP series.
Musically, “Igne” is a continuation of the death metal sound Symbolical carved out on their first two full-length albums “Collapse in Agony” and “Allegory of Death”. “Igne” tells the story of Jesus’ birth but not as popularly accepted… In “Igne”, Mary gives birth to Jesus the Antichrist, and condemns the world to destruction.
The band commented: “We wanted to portray the essence of Symbolical in a three-song formula. Rage and beauty are our favorite feelings, and we love to mess around with our listeners’ feelings. We think that this EP will surprise many people.”
“Igne” was recorded, mixed & mastered by JNS Studio / Pawel Janos, except the vocals which were recorded with Arnaud Ménard of Sicarius Productions. The cover artwork is painted by William Blake “Judas Betrays Him” c.1803–5. All music was composed by Cymer, and arranged by Symbolical, while all lyrics were written by Karol “Charles” Gozdzik.
Dariusz “Daray” Brzozowski is one of the most recognized drummers within the metal scene. Well known for his extreme drumming, blastbeats, precision and supersonic speeds, he earned his reputation through the years and was repeatedly valued for his achievements. Extensively touring the world with his bands. He played over a 1000 shows.
Born in 1980, he got his first kit at the age of 14. His story began with the band Vesania, and was continued in Vader, Masachist, Hunter, Black River. He’s also a session musician for multiple bands. Today, drumming for Vesania and Dimmu Borgir and being an active clinician and educator, he remains in the lead of worlds‘ uncompromising drummers.
Please Note, DARAY is available for studio sessions, drum clinics, as well as session drummer for tours etc. For further information, please contact tarja@splitscreenproduction.com.
Watch Daray Brzozowski (Meinl cymbal artist) performing “Dimmu Borgir“ off of Dimmu Borgir’s album “Abrahadabra“ at the 2016 Meinl Drum Festival: https://youtu.be/ioA5YrUDx6I
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 ) 