On November 26th Italy’s PREHISTORIC PIGS will release their brand new album “The Fourth Moon” on Go Down Records. The trio’s fourth album marks the band’s return to rough and raw stoner rock, delivering six action-packed tracks full of groove and mind-bending soundscapes. With “Meteor 700” PREHISTORIC PIGS have shared the first single from the upcoming album, streaming here:
“Meteor 700′ is the name of the atomic engine used by the arms-trafficking interstellar primate. A tireless engine with an obsessive roar. No distance will ever again be unbridgeable, no peak unreachable!” the band states.
Tracklist:
C35
Old Rats
Crototon
The Fourth Moon
Left Arm
Meteor 700
“The Fourth Moon” will be coming out November 26, 2021 on vinyl and all digital platforms and is available for pre-order here:
For lovers of Candlemass and Black Sabbath, the new video from ARKENSTONE, entitled “Tree of Witches,” reanimates souls of a million passed to deliver a skull crushing song of epic proportions – which is the second clip overall issued from their forthcoming EP (released on December 3, 2021), ‘Ascension of the Fallen,’ and can be viewed here:
The Australian based band features the incredible talent of singer Louie Gorgievski, guitarist/producer Stu Marshall (Death Dealer / Dungeon / Night Legion), Mike Lepond (Symphony X / Death Dealer) on bass, and drummer Clay T (Night Legion).
As Marshall explains: “There is no doubt Candlemass has been a huge influence and in turn that must also mean Black Sabbath, right? Well, ‘Tree of Witches’ was one of the first riffs I presented to Louie and he conjured some incredibly powerful vocals that instantly found itself as the first song we wrote together for this band. It’s dark, evil, and a headbanger.”
Gorgievski adds: “This is the track that reignited our song writing partnership and essentially is the creation of Arkenstone. ‘Tree of Witches’ is the foundation of the ‘Ascension of the Fallen’ EP. It inspired power, emotion, and delves in the dark realms of witchcraft. Stu Marshall’s musical genius delivers a timeless and riffy classic – ‘Tree of Witches’ presents as the ultimate rock anthem”.
Concerning the band’s mysterious name, according to metal-archives.com, “In the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien (most notably in ‘The Hobbit’) the Arkenstone is the great jewel discovered beneath the roots of Erebor (The Lonely Mountain) by Thráin I soon after the establishment of the Dwarf-kingdom there, and prized by his descendants as ‘The Heart of the Mountain’.”
The EP comes with a huge label sampler disc as a special bonus and is available for pre-order here.
Bristol, UK-based band RXPTRS, who blend rock, metal, punk, and hardcore with a seamlessness that is enviable, creating something that is unique that seethes with boundless energy – have signed with Blacklight Media / Metal Blade Records.
The band, tipped by Alternative Press as one of 20 UK bands you need to know, has shared the video for the new single “Gutterflies.” Watch the clip, directed by Nathan Roach, here:
“‘Gutterflies’ is a middle finger to the abusers and an anthem for the abused,” the band explains about the song’s deeper meaning. “No stone is ever gonna be left unturned, and this band refuse to stand by idly. This one’s for the voiceless, this one’s for the silenced. Now is the time to be loud, now is the time to be deafening.“
Regarding their partnership with Metal Blade and Blacklight Media, the band says, “RXPTRS are honored to be joining the Metal Blade Records family and starting our journey with Blacklight Media. Those that know the band know we work our knuckles bloody, stand up for everything we believe in, and leave the bulls**t at the door, so there’s no other team we’d rather be a part of.“
Blacklight Media Records’ Chris Santos comments, “I’m so excited that RXPTRS has joined the Blacklight Media/Metal Blade Records Family! I was instantly hooked the first time I heard and saw them, by their unique blend of infectiously heavy riffs, insanely catchy lyrics, and their all around rock ‘n’ roll swagger! This is a band that’s going places and I couldn’t be happier to take the ride with them! 2022 will be the year of the RXPTR!“
RXPTRS (pronounced “Raptors”) are a new wave of British rock. The energetic quintet combines ferocious grit with an ear for melody. Built upon the backdrop of the UK, the fiercely creative, long-term friends set out with a sonic mission statement to not succumb to a single barrier, to push boundaries and go beyond the limit of genres, creating a raw sound that is unmistakably their own. Each raucous track is laced with lyrical depth as RXPTRS lay it all on the line. They state, “Music is a vessel, this is how we channel the experiences that have shaped us. This is how we bare our scars.” Quickly becoming renowned for their explosive live performances, the group’s hardcore following continues to grow. Their workhorse mentality towards touring has seen them light up stages across the UK and Europe alongside the likes of Escape the Fate,King 810, As It Is, Light the Torch, and more. RXPTRS‘ visceral energy continues to infect the population as they cut their teeth on the live scene, with no sign of slowing, they’re truly hellbent on showing everyone the way of the RXPTR.
The four-headed Irish/Australian rock Hydra from Sydney’s Inner West, FLICKERTAIL (formerly The Bitter Sweethearts) play guitar-fuelled rock and roll exactly the way it’s supposed to be played. Drawing inspiration from the likes of Thin Lizzy,TheDubliners, Airbourne and The Darkness, the band honed their sound in the garages and booze dens of Sydney before hitting the road in 2015 to showcase their unique sound at every pub, club and back yard along Australia’s eastern coast.
‘Heroes (Live in the Studio)’ is taken from their upcoming Afterlife, the posthumous EP from Sydney’s premier retro-rock band. Five tales of kitchen-sink drama and ill-advised adventures recorded live in the studio. ‘Heroes (Live in the Studio)’ has now been released digitally on all platforms via Golden Robot Records along with an accompanying ‘Live In The Studio’ video clip.
No overdubs, no studio magic, just the raw, unfiltered energy of a phenomenal live act at the zenith of their powers.
Each tune carries the band’s signature dual-guitar attack, heart felt lyrics, and lead vocalist and chief songwriter Liam Whelan’s soulful, crooning voice.
‘Heroes (Live in the Studio)’ isDavid Bowie as you’ve never heard him before. Bouncing Motown bass courtesy of Matt O’Callaghan, JonnyGoldrick’s raucous Townshend-meets-Slash guitar playing and a powerhouse vocal performance from Liam Whelan.
The lyric “we could be heroes, just for one day” stood out like life in a rock band. You’re a regular person all day, but for an hour you jump on stage and make the people happy. Brilliant.
Polish death metal veterans TRAUMA will re-release their second full-length album “Suffocated in Slumber” on 17th November via Pagan Records.
The album was first released in 2000 and has been sold out for around 20 years. “Suffocated in Slumber” put the band on the global metal map and has led to a European tour with Krabathor, Master and Xenomorph.
The reissue was not remastered and will feature the album’s original sound. Mister, the band’s leader, commented: “the album was recorded 20 years ago and we didn’t want to mess around with the atmosphere of that period with unnecessary edits. We did not re-master these recordings, and didn’t even add any minor cosmetic adjustments.”
How did the album stand the test of time? See for yourselves.
“Suffocated in Slumber” will be released in the form of a classic CD in a regular edition as well as in a strictly limited edition box filled with lots of gadgets. Pre-orders are available via Pagan Records: https://tinyurl.com/22nyhzed
The vinyl edition is planned for the first quarter of 2022.
Listen to “Suffocated in Slumber”:
“Suffocated in Slumber” track list: 1. A Gruesome Display 2. Unable to React 3. Suffocated in Slumber 4. A Deep Scar 5. Swallow the Murder 6. Words of Hate 7. Tools of Mutual Harm 8. Dust (Kill Me) 9. …Bloodshot Eyes
Shortly before Swedish death metal legends UNLEASHED release their new studio album, No Sign of Life, the Einherjar legions of Asgard release their third single, “You Are the Warrior!”, talking about struggles in the life of a true warrior. This is another musical weapon in trademark UNLEASHED fashion – true old school death metal, transferring Viking values into modernity!
The new single is accompanied by an official performance video transforming the intensity and force of the song and the story behind it. The visual makes you dive deep into the song and transforms the strength of an UNLEASHED live show.
Johnny Hedlund on the story behind “You Are the Warrior!”: ”In the battle of life there will be moments, for the Warrior, when the whole world seems to be against you. When pain and suffering is at its peak and everything is pitch black. This is the time to recall the reason for the struggle, and to remember those before you, their resolve and will of steel. You aim for the most noble deed of all and strive toward greatness, the highest of all ideals. That…is the call to Odin.
As you sail into the great unknown of life, the great adventure, there will be dark clouds on the horizon, and know that sooner or later the winds will die down, and YOU will need to ROW. That…is the hour of the Midgard Warrior.
It is then your time to bear the axe of responsibility, and the shield of protection for those who cannot protect themselves. Your forefathers’ battle is over, this is now yours! You are the Warrior! And You FIGHT!”
Watch the new video for “You Are The Warrior!”HERE:
UNLEASHED is led by founding frontman Johnny Hedlund, and features drummer Anders Schultz and two guitarists Tomas Måsgard and Fredrik Folkare – delivering and defining supreme death metal for over 32 years. On No Sign of Life, the band formed of Viking descendants transports the listener straight into an outraging battle with 11 forceful tracks that revive the essentials of death metal, facing the sheer brutality of war. UNLEASHED are back to defend their throne, forging another wrecking machine that continues the marvelous legacy of Vikings.
The silence gets crushed right within the first notes of the album opener “The King Lost His Crown” and invents a paving rage that leaves you no time to catch your breath during its entire playing time. Bare boned screams are accompanied by epic shouts praising Odin and heavy guitar riffs as the journey of clashes continues in “The Highest Ideal”, until the album reaches its glorious peak with “Here at the End of the World” as a fading hymn for the victorious march that leaves the battlefield behind in ashes.
The Chief Vikings of Swedish death metal leave no doubt that they are still true to their roots after 32 years of existence. UNLEASHED proves that they indeed are and will stay the unchallenged leaders of Sweden’s death metal forefathers!
UNLEASHED on the album: “It is our hope that our warriors all over the world will enjoy the new album just like they have our previous ones. We have, as always, tried to stick to our roots while testing our steel to develop the genre of Viking Death Metal even further.
No Sign Of Life track listing: 1. The King Lost His Crown 2. The Shepherd Has Left the Flock 3. Where Can You Flee? 4. You Are the Warrior! 5. No Sign of Life 6. The Highest Ideal 7. Midgard Warriors for Life 8. Did You Struggle with God? 9. Tyr Wields the Sword 10. It is Finished 11. Here at the End of the World
UNLEASHED live: 10.12.21 NL – Eindhoven / Eindhoven Metal Meeting 07.01.22 CH – Zurich / Meh Suff Winter Festival 13.02.22 UK – Brimingham / Hammerfest 13 26.02.22 UK – London / Electric Ballroom 05.03.22 SE – Gothenburg / Monument 28.05.22 DE – Haag / Bavarian Battle Open Air 09.07.22 DE – Ballenstedt / Rockharz Open Air 14.07.22 DE – Balingen / Bang Your Head Festival 16.07.22 SE – Gävle / Gefle Metal Festival 06.08.22 RO – Rasnov / Rockstadt Extreme Fest
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 ) 