L-R: Kai Huppunen (Guitars), Brian Waddell (Guitars), Jon Howard (Vocals), Scott Whalen (Bass), Ryan Van Poederooyen (Drums) – Photo by Erich Saide
All-star modern metallers IMONOLITH return with a bass-heavy, self-released cover of Björk‘s ‘Army Of Me’.
Says drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen: “Imonolith are excited to release our version of the classic Björk hit, ‘Army of Me’. I had an idea of how to cover the song back in 2011 and demoed it with a past project but never released it. I brought up this version to everyone in Imonolith, they dug it, so we re-recorded it with a few new twists. It’s basically a heavier version of the original song with some big modern day production. Jon did an incredible job paying respect to Björk’s vocal melodies. Musically, the chorus and a few other parts of the song get injected with some new energised patterns. We’re stoked on how it turned out and can’t wait for everyone to hear what we did with this classic song.”
Imonolith features drummer Ryan Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project), guitarist Brian ‘Beav’ Wadell (Devin Townsend Project), Jon Howard (Threat Signal), guitarist Kai Huppunen (Methods of Mayhem, Noise Therapy) and Scott Whalen (Econoline Crush). The collective of heavy-hitting players at the top of their game, released their debut album State of Being, in 2020. The album features special guest appearances from Jens Kidman (Meshuggah) and famed Swedish vocalist Johannes Eckerström and is made up of 10 hook-laden, riff-heavy tracks that centre around the theme of how people deal with various stages of life.
Even with their big album touring plans cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the band showed no sign of slowing, and recorded a series of play-through sessions. Watch them here: https://www.youtube.com/imonolith
With tour plans firming up for later in the year and 2022, you’ll be hearing a lot more from this ferocious new act very soon.
Legendary heavy metal vocalist and pop culture icon DEE SNIDER will release his triumphant fifth full-length album, Leave A Scar, out today via Napalm Records! Produced by Jamey Jasta with co-production, mixing and mastering by drummer Nick Bellmore, Leave A Scar sees DEE SNIDER & Co. continuing in the invigorated, modern direction of his previous release, For The Love Of Metal, infusing a dose of classic heavy metal flavor that longtime fans will rush to embrace.
Today, following the album’s charging first single of resilience, “I Gotta Rock (Again)”, and hard-as-nails second single, “Time To Choose” featuring the brutalizing vocals of Cannibal Corpse’s George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher, DEE SNIDER returns with the charging heavy metal rallying cry “Down But Never Out”!
DEE SNIDER says about “Down But Never Out”: “I pride myself on the fact that throughout the decades, my music has always tried to not only push back against all oppressors (in this case Covid-19), but also lift people up and encourage them to fight back. ‘Down But Never Out’ is a perfect example of this ethos.”
Watch the official music video for “Down But Never Out” HERE
Like a scar itself, Leave A Scar is an illuminating plentitude of angst etched in time – serving as a musical refuge and expressive output for Dee. But in turn, this auditory time capsule written to express the anger, unease and pain he experienced during lockdown emerges as not only blisteringly heavy, but relentlessly powerful. Each of the 12 tracks on Leave A Scar not only further bolster DEE SNIDER’s position as one of the most celebrated frontmen of all time, showcasing that his vocal delivery and commanding swagger is as strong as ever, but that he is nowhere near stopping.
DEE SNIDER says about Leave A Scar: “By the end of 2020, I knew I not only had to get back into the studio, but for the first time since the ’90s, I wanted – no, needed – to be a part of the writing process. I reached out to my producer Jamey Jasta and told him I was ready to make another record. Leave a Scar is filled with messages to and for the silent voices in the world who need someone to speak out on their behalf. This is my purpose.”
Jamey Jasta says regarding working with DEE SNIDER again: “Getting to work with Dee again has been incredible! The power and range in his vocals on this album really shine. Not only is he an American treasure and staple in the rock/metal community, he’s a truly original voice and talent like no other. Combine that with the metallic prowess of the Bellmore bros + Russell Pzütto and Nick Petrino, you get a rockin’ metal recipe that even the most “Dee-hard” SMF’ers will surely love!”
Leave A Scar tracklisting: 1) I Gotta Rock (Again) 2) All Or Nothing More 3) Down But Never Out 4) Before I Go 5) Open Season 6) Silent Battles 7) Crying For Your Life 8) In For The Kill 9) Time To Choose 10) S.H.E. 11) The Reckoning 12) Stand
For the digital release of “GHØSTKID (THE COMMENTARY ALBUM)” GHØSTKID teamed up with Nik Nocturnal and TankTheTech, two renowned content creators, to provide an in depth insight into the self-titled debut album that was released at the end of last year.
GHØSTKID on the idea: “An album commentary version is a great possibility to give the people some insights into the album and the message behind every single track. A little while ago I got in touch with Nik Nocturnal and TankTheTech, because I was always in love with their reactions. We became really good friends and it was a lot of fun to create this commentary version together. They did an awesome job and I‘m super happy to share this really personal experience with all of you.”
Nik Nocturnal comments: “It was an absolute pleasure being able to talk further in depth with Sushi regarding the new GHØSTKID album. Every song has its own unique identity and story. Hearing Sushi’s perspective on each track and how they were conceptualized brought a whole new meaning to the album which makes it just that much more enjoyable to listen to.”
TankTheTech adds the following: “When I was originally asked to do this, I was extremely excited and also surprised that they wanted to involve content creators from YouTube on a project like this. But knowing what I knew about Nik, and already having a relationship with GHØSTKID, it was clear the moment we all got together that this was going to work very well. Being able to sit with two other musical minds from different perspectives and really talk to GHØSTKID about his album, how he wrote it, and even bring up the stuff that we heard and noticed from our viewpoint was such a wild experience. I am super humbled that they asked me to be a part of this, and have to applaud GHØSTKID and his team for thinking outside the box and trying something new when it comes to a commentary album.”
Just recently GHØSTKID released a cooperation with the the mysterious artist IMHUMAN for “FØØL (INHUMAN Remix)”: https://youtu.be/X_n75XbA2jk
GHØSTKID’s music is a headlong dive into darkness and aggression. It aligns on new paradigms: baring its teeth while keeping a sense for catchy melodies. GHØSTKID is the new namesake of Sebastian “Sushi“ Biesler and a conspiracy of friends and likeminded allies who have come to a riot of their own.
In November of last year the band released their self-titled debut album to international acclaim and was nominated for “Best International Breakthrough Band” for the Heavy Music Awards (UK). Click here for various options to purchase and stream the album: https://ghostkid.lnk.to/FOOL-INHUMAN-Remix-Single
The only thing missing in their agenda were live shows to introduce the band to their new fans – until now. The band is currently playing selected shows and festivals:
Kingstar presents: GHØSTKID
Social Distance Shows 2021 Presented by Fuze, More Core
26.08.21 (DE) München – Backstage 27.08.21 (DE) Würzburg – Posthalle 28.08.21 (DE) Siegen – Bluestock Festival 29.08.21 (DE) Dortmund – Junkyard Open Air
Close your eyes and dive into the magical tunes and hear Johanna’s youthful and tender voice…fragile, yet powerful and moving beyond words.
You can almost see the green and peaceful little valley taking shape in front of your inner eye.
“The Valley” is the second single taken from the upcoming album “II – Those We Don´t Speak Of”, which will be released on September 3rd.
Tuomas Holopainen comments on the track as follows: “The Valley is an ode to homecoming. It`s about things worth a long wait, and about all the wondrous waypoints on the road. And, while you`re wandering on that road, why not write a little tune to keep you company. A tune most delicate and hard to catch, but willing to reveal itself once you`ve made your journey, and have almost reached home.”
London based metallers JASON PAYNE & THE BLACK LEATHER RIDERS released their 6-track debut EP ‘The Abyss‘ on July 16th. Today the band unleash their new lyric video for ‘Breathing Rage‘ featuring by Andy Martongelli, Italian legendary heavy metal guitarist!
Watch the lyric video ‘Breathing Rage’ here:
Jason on ‘Breathing Rage’: “Breathing Rage is an aggressive, fierce and energetic track, taken from “The Abyss”. Featuring our good friend, Andy Martongelli (plays a spectacular solo), this track’s theme is a psychological thriller that describes a battle between the demons of the “hero” and his willingness to fight them and set himself free.”
Just recently the band has unleashed a video for their latest single ‘The Purge’. In case you missed it, watch it here: https://youtu.be/tw_KxmTr8xg
Jason Payne on the debut EP “The Abyss”: “The Dark is a song that sums up the theme of this EP, “The Abyss”. It’s about death, obscurity and the “nothing”. It talks of things like trying to reach to the void, feeling confused and betrayed, and about a person that’s losing his essence. Without a consciousness, and with no purpose in our lives, we’re just a bunch of roamers taking a road to the abyss, and that leads us to the dark and lashes us to insignificant beings floating in “the nothing”. When I was writing this EP, I got affected by the outside world. It’s a dark period that we’re living. I caught the essence and the feelings that this time put me through and made a whole EP about existentialism and nihilism. This period made me question who am I, what’s my purpose, what have I done with my life and what if this all ends now? Would it matter? Do we matter? Does life matters? Of course, it does! In my opinion, there’s no point of doing anything or living if this doesn’t matter. However, when I wrote this EP, I don’t give you the bright side of the story. That’s for the fans to find out. My whole point with this work is to make people question their lives and feel these emotions. This record means so much to me, since it’s about everything I felt and still feel. I’m a person who never stops asking questions. I always want to know more. Specially, when it comes to existentialism, I’m always in internal conflict, since I question everything. This is my message, this is my music and it’s about how I feel, and hopefully, people will relate to it.”
Jason on ‘The Abyss’ EP and coverart: “Writing this EP was a sensational experience for me. Lyrics are very personal and me and the guys put our hearts and soul in making this. It’s the most powerful, boldest and heaviest work we’ve ever done so far. I believe this sets new standards for our future works and I couldn’t be prouder of what we achieved by creating such a unique work of art. We named it the Abyss due to the dark period of time we’ve been going through, due to the pandemic. However, by diving into an abyss, for us, it doesn’t necessarily mean to hit the ground and die, but to be reborn. If we learn something from life is that every time we have to face a hard path, we have to find a way of overcoming those obstacles. These tracks are full of rage, insanity and introspective moods. Fall into the glooms of darkness with us.”
With a history boasting over half a million streams, 50 live shows and a modest lifetime of musical creation with past acts, London based metal artist Jason Payne took 2020 to embark on a new journey; JASON PAYNE & THE BLACK LEATHER RIDERS. A culmination and reincarnation of his strongest creations, featuring debut single ‘Waking The Damned’, plus ‘The Dark’, ’The Purge’, and numerous other high energy tracks making up the arsenal that is The Abyss, the debut EP out now. Think Slash, Alter Bridge, Metallica, and many other legendary influences. Think big riffs, impactful grit-laden vocals, and an energy just screaming to be invited to the live stage.
Belched from Hell’s depths into the rustic charms of the Witch County, Suffolk, thirty long and disturbing years ago, CRADLE OF FILTH are undisputed giants of the Heavy Metal realm. Imperious purveyors of a perennially unique strain of dark, dastardly and wilfully extreme metal, with deep roots in the worlds of gothic horror and occult curiosity, the band led by Dani Filth has weathered three decades of tumult and trial, earning a formidable reputation as both a singular creative force and one of the most riotously entertaining live bands the metal world has ever produced.
Now the gates of hell have finally opened up again, to reveal the band’s 13th manifesto, recorded during the lockdown periods of 2020 and entitled »Existence Is Futile« (out October 22nd). Pieced together in isolation, at Grindstone Studios in Suffolk with studio guru Scott Atkins (Devilment/Benediction/Vader), the band’s latest chef-d’oeuvre is a pitch-black, perverse and at times absurdly brutal and extreme masterpiece following a truly nihilistic concept:
“The album is about existentialism, existential dread and fear of the unknown,” frontman Dani Filth explains. “The concept wasn’t created by the pandemic. We’d written it long before that began, but the pandemic is the tip of the cotton-bud as far as the way the world is headed, you know? I guess the title, »Existence Is Futile«, does sound a little morbid. But again, it’s more about recognising that truth and saying that everything is permitted because nothing really matters, which mimics the occultist Aleister Crowley’s maxim. We all know we’re going to die, so we might as well indulge life while we possess it. The final track on the album – ‘Us, Dark, Invincible’ – really drives that point home. Also, the artwork for this record was created by the Latvian visionary Arthur Berzinsh, who also dressed the last two albums, and that reeks of the exceedingly beautiful yet apocalyptic too.”
Diehard fans will be thrilled to learn that horror icon Doug ‘Pinhead’ Bradley makes a welcome return to the CRADLE fold, lending his dulcet tones to the band’s most polictically astute song to date, the epic ‘Suffer Our Dominion’ as well as the album bonus track ‘Sisters Of The Mist’, which is the conclusion to the ‘Her Ghost In The Fog’ trilogy that started over 20 years ago on the infamous and classic “Midian“.
Yet today, the hellhounds from Suffolk will reveal one of their most brutal tracks on the new album, accompanied by an infernal music video directed by Vicente Cordero.
Poison your eyes and ears with CRADLE OF FILTH‘s latest Lovecraftian anthem and evoke the ‘Crawling King Chaos‘ here:
“Existence Is Futile” consists of 12 new tracks with a total playing time of 54 minutes: The Fate Of The World On Our Shoulders Existential Terror Necromantic Fantasies Crawling King Chaos Here Comes A Candle… (Infernal Lullaby) Black Smoke Curling From The Lips Of War Discourse Between A Man And His Soul The Dying Of The Embers Ashen Mortality How Many Tears To Nurture A Rose? Suffer Our Dominion Us, Dark, Invincible Sisters Of The Mist (Bonus track) Unleash The Hellion (Bonus track)
So, if we’re all going to perish in the fire of our own stupidity, we might as well have a suitably deranged and destructive soundtrack to do it by.
CRADLE OF FILTH, 2021 A.D., are: Dani Filth | Vocals Richard Shaw | Guitar Ashok | Guitar Daniel Firth | Bass Martin ‘Marthus’ Skaroupka | Drums Anabelle | Female vocals, keys, lyre & orchestration
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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
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