Denmark’s IOTUNN Announce European Tour in Support of Mighty ARCTURUS

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 7, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment
Photo credit: Nikolaj Bransholm

IOTUNN are very glad to announce they will be supporting legendary ARCTURUS on their upcoming European tour in January and February of 2022!

Iotunn comments: “We are proud and excited to be a part of this extensive Arcturus anniversary tour! It will bring us across much of Scandinavia, the European mainland and the UK which has been something we all wished to do. Finally, we can share our album ‘Access All Worlds’ with people around the continent where it is meant to be shared – live on stage!

Arcturus has created groundbreaking music over the years that has inspired all of us in IOTUNN deeply. To be able to share this journey with them as they go on their biggest European tour yet is really something special! We all hope to give the attendances around Europe a one-of-a-kind experience when we seek to make every night as monstrous a journey possible. See you out there Europe!“

ARCTURUS
+ IOTUNN
EUROPEAN TOUR
Jan. 20, 2022 – NO – Oslo – Parkteatret
Jan. 21, 2022 – SE – Gothenburg – Valand
Jan. 22, 2022 – SE – Stockholm – Hus 7
Jan. 23, 2022 – DK – Copenhagen – Beta
Jan. 24, 2022 – DE – Hamburg – Logo
Jan. 25, 2022 – PL – Gdansk – Drizzly Grizzly
Jan. 26, 2022 – PL – Warsaw – Hydrozagadka
Jan. 27, 2022 – CZ – Prague – Rock Café
Jan. 28, 2022 – DE – Leipzig – Hellraiser
Jan. 29, 2022 – CH – Zurich – Hall of Fame
Jan. 30, 2022 – AT – Vienna – Viper Room
Feb. 01, 2022 – SI – Ljubljana – Orto Bar
Feb. 02, 2022 – IT – Milan – Legend Club
Feb. 03, 2022 – FR – Toulouse – Le Rex
Feb. 04, 2022 – ES – Madrid – Copernico
Feb. 05, 2022 – ES – Barcelona – Boveda
Feb. 06, 2022 – FR – Rennes – Ubu
Feb. 07, 2022 – GB – Manchester – Rebelion
Feb. 08, 2022 – GB – Glasgow – Audio
Feb. 09, 2022 – IE – Dublin – Opium
Feb. 10, 2022 – GB – London – The Dome
Feb. 11, 2022 – NL – Rotterdam – Baroeg
Feb. 12, 2022 – FR – Paris – Petit Bain

Iotunn released their latest full-length, Access All Worlds, via Metal Blade Records in February of 2021. Purchase and stream Access All Worlds in full now at: metalblade.com/iotunn

There is a new Iotunn shirt design and vinyl colour available at: eu.kingsroadmerch.com

FEAROUT Release Second Single And Music Video ‘Point Blank Range’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 7, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo by Janne Mökkönen

Finnish Helsinki based metallers FEAROUT are set to release their debut album Bleedthrough on November 5th 2021 via Inverse Records. The band released their second single Point Blank Range today with music video.

Singer Justus Latvala comments:
“Point Blank Range is a little bit older song. I think I sent the first demo to the band in 2015. Then we spent five years trying to get lead vocal melodies right. We always thought that the song contained good riffs and rhythms and it had potential, but I never really nailed the vocals until last December.Point Blank Range was the first song that we mixed for the album and we spent quite some time to get the guitar sound right. And actually, re-recorded all the guitars four or five times because we weren’t satisfied with the sound.The song deals with the consequences of the choices that we make. It raises the question that if you had a chance, would you make the same choices and do the same mistakes all over again. Which one is more important: the journey or the destination?”

Listen to the single on:
Youtube: https://youtu.be/vwkXq1uTkHk
Bandcamp: https://fearout.bandcamp.com
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3aaHgZb
Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/en/album/252309012
Tidal: https://listen.tidal.com/album/194584658/track/194584659
Apple Music: https://apple.co/3aemSGF

Album cover by Markku Minkkinen & Minttu Minkkinen

Fearout – Bleedthrough

01: That Was the Day I Decided to Start Using Hard Drugs
02: The End of the Beginning
03: Point Blank Range
04: Obsession
05: Nevermore
06: Which One of You
07: Smokescreen
08: Fist. Dreams. Insanity.
09: Half-Empty Man
10: What’s in the Box
11: Betrayal
12: Bring Me Down

CHRISTIAN DEATH Announce ‘The Dark Age Renaissance Collection’ Parts 1 + 2

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 7, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Gothic death rock pioneers CHRISTIAN DEATH are now announcing the final half of their four part ‘The Dark Age Renaissance Collection’ series!

‘The Dark Age Renaissance Collection, Part 1, The Renaissance,’ due on December 10, 2021, combines four of CHRISTIAN DEATH‘s early genre-defining early recordings. This special set pulls together their classic albums, ‘Catastrophe Ballet’ (1984), ‘Ashes’ (1985), ‘Atrocities’ (1986), and ‘The Scriptures’ (1987).

‘The Dark Age Renaissance Collection, Part 2, The Age Of Innocence Lost,’ due November 5, 2021, combines four of their middle-period recordings that marked the rebirth of the band as fronted by Valor Kand. This special set pulls together their 1988 commercial break-through ‘Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ’,  (1990), ‘All the Love All the Hate’ Part 1 – All the Love and Part 2 – All the Hate (both 1989), and the full-album version of ‘The Wind Kissed Pictures’ (1988).

The band has previously revealed the special, limited edition ‘The Dark Age Renaissance’ CD collections for Part 3 and 4!

The Dark Age Renaissance Collection Part 3: The Age Of Decadence’ is a 4 CD jewel case set features three of their middle-period recordings and 1990 demos/outtakes compilation – ‘Insanus, Ultio, Proditio, Misericordiaque’ (1990), ‘Sexy Death God’ (1994), ‘Prophecies’ (1996), and ‘Pornographic Messiah’ (1998) – into one limited and specially-priced package of provocative dark art. This is set for release on October 8, 2021 via Season of Mist!

‘The Dark Age Renaissance Collection Part 4: The New Dark Age’ combines their three most recent recordings – ‘Born Again Anti Christian’ (2000), ‘American Inquisition’ (2007), and ‘The Root Of All Evilution’ (2015). 

In addition, CHRISTIAN DEATH will be reissuing their long out-of-print 1985 EP ‘The Wind Kissed Pictures’ on November 19, 2021 via Season of Mist! This will be the first time in 30 years that it will be available on vinyl format. The endeavor features the vocal debut of Valor Kand, and marked the start of a new era for the revolutionary band. This expanded edition includes the companion ‘Lacrima Christi’ 7″ feat. the track in both its English & Italian versions, as well as three additional tracks from that era. ‘The Wind Kissed Pictures’ was way ahead of its time, and it further proves that the bulk of modern dark music still exists under the shadow of their influence.

All upcoming releases are now available for pre-orders at THIS LOCATION.

This is part of an ongoing series of CD and vinyl reissues of CHRISTIAN DEATH‘s acclaimed catalog via Season of Mist. Previously, the label reissued LPs for the band’s highly influential ‘Catastrophe Ballet’ (1984) as well as ‘The Root of All Evilution,’ ‘Ashes,’ ‘The Scriptures,’ and ‘Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ’ as well as CD and vinyl reissues for 1986’s ‘Atrocities.’ All reissues can be found at the Season of Mist E-Shop.

Founded in Los Angeles in 1979 by Rozz Williams, the hugely-influential band trail-blazed the American goth and death-rock movement with their debut album, ‘Only Theatre of Pain’ (1982) and genre-defining ‘Catastrophe Ballet’ (1984) and ‘Ashes’ (1985). Of these, ‘Ashes’ is a true testament to the CHRISTIAN DEATH legacy, as it marks the final appearance of the classic band lineup. ‘Ashes’ features the final recordings of founder Rozz Williams alongside current CHRISTIAN DEATH main-man Valor Kand, vocalist-keyboardist Gitane Demone and drummer David Glass before Williams’ untimely demise in 1998.

HALCYON DAYS Release New Captivating Single ‘Sleepwalking’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 7, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Norwegian melodic hardcore band HALCYON DAYS have revealed their brand new single “Sleepwalking” today! Tune in & listen to the single here: https://orcd.co/sleepwalkinghalcyondays

Heavy, groovy, and always melodic is how we know the sound of Halcyon Days. The band’s newest effort “Sleepwalking” is yet another driving melodic hardcore anthem that follows their captivating alt-rock approach.

Well played dynamics make “Sleepwalking” a very balanced single that features big soundscapes, remarkable melody lines and an emotional chorus accompanied by Madsen’s passionate shouts. In between the alternative rock vibes á la 30STM, there’s still enough place for heavy hardcore elements, which perfectly combine with their melodic and atmospheric Architects-y side and create a true post-hardcore anthem. In the end, “Sleepwalking” follows the stream-lined path of Halcyon Days, who just created another banger that again increases anticipation for their upcoming record “Keep Me From Sinking”.

As the band states:

”’Sleepwalking’ is about regaining your self-confidence and happiness, taking back control over your own life, letting go of the past, always looking forward.”

With “Sleepwalking” the band released their fourth and final single off their upcoming album “Keep Myself From Sinking”, which will be released on November 5th via Indie Recordings!

Pre-order CD, LP & more HERE!

Digital Pre-orders HERE!

Based out of Oslo, Norway, Halcyon Days are a hard-hitting melodic metal band.  Since their beginning in 2012, they have released two EP’s, and two albums.
Their debut album ‘.ELEVATE’ was frequently playlisted and recommended on Norway’s national radio, NRK P3. Two years after their debut album, they released their self-titled EP in 2016, scoring more than 350k total streams on digital platforms.

The EP was met with an amazing response worldwide, putting the band on the map outside of Norway. The band signed with Indie Recordings and released their second full-length album, with the title “Rain Soaked Pavements & Fresh Cut Grass” June 15 2018. Metal Trenches (US) stated that the album is “one of the better metalcore releases of the year”, while PureGrainAudio (CAN) defined it as “a superb example of melodic metal/hardcore.”

The release hit 1 Million streams on Spotify and landed the band their first big shows outside of Norway at festivals like Summer Breeze Open Air, Reeperbahn Festival and High Five Summerfest. The band have been working with legendary names in Metal as Daniel Bergstrand, Fredrik Thordendal and Henrik Udd for their upcoming third full-length album due Nov 5th, 2021 via Indie Recordings.

“Keep Myself From Sinking” – tracklist:

1. Awakening
2. Hands of Time
3. Shadows
4. Collapsing Walls
5. Keep Myself From Sinking
6. Collecting Scars
7. Sleepwalking
8. Better Days
9. Face Exposed

SÓLSTAFIR And VREID Join Forces for Cinematic, Mountaintop Concert Stream

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 6, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Icelandic atmospheric rock ‘n’ rollers SÓLSTAFIR and Norwegian Sognametal brigade VREID have joined forces for a unique and spectacular event! On October 15, these legendary performers will unveil a collaborative concert stream in which they will transport viewers right from their living rooms to the breath-taking mountaintops of the bands’ respective homelands. The performance is free to watch, but generous fans may donate as they wish via VIPS and PayPal. The stream will air live at 3:00 P.M. EST // 19:00 GMT // 21:00 CET via the Season of Mist YouTube Channel and members from both bands will be in the chat!

Tune in on the stream HERE.

The ACROSS project is a cinematic experience that brings two unique artists together to share their cultural identities and bridge the sea between the two fjords. Spectacular views of the Storehogen Mountain in VREID’s hometown of Sogndal, Norway and of Hellisheiði in SÓLSTAFIR’s native Iceland lay the majestic backdrop for this one-of-a-kind, 90-minute long digital streaming event. Each band’s signature sound rings through the cavernous expanse, creating a symbiotic musical dialog that can be heard from across the globe.

SÓLSTAFIR‘s Aðalbjörn Tryggvason comments: “Playing live music in sideways rain on moss grown lava. They wanted something Icelandic. Doesn’t get any more Icelandic than this.”

VREID songwriter and bass player Jarle Kvåle adds: “SÓLSTAFIR‘s and VREID‘s stories are two parallel stories of the north. In this weird world, our paths have crossed on several occasions and this time they have merged into something new.  This is the third streaming event VREID has done, and in many ways, it represents the end of a trilogy for us. This time we have recorded the show in a place very special for us, probably the most monumental and iconic place of our beloved home region of Sogn. Join us as we go ‘Into the Mountains.’”

THERE’S A LIGHT to Release New Album “f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope?” on December 10th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on October 6, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
[photo credit: Nicolas Kuri]

Just recently, German post-rock/experimental quintet THERE’S A LIGHT inked a worldwide record deal with Napalm Records. Now, the promising discovery announces its second album f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope? for release on December 10, 2021. With their symbiosis of ambient post-rock, THERE’S A LIGHT create an atmospheric, multi-layered soundscape, setting a trance-like state of mind. Some of the eleven stirring songs are underlined by soulful, carefully placed vocals and everything earthly seems to fade away when the hauntingly beautiful sounds envelops the listener in all-consuming atmosphere.

Today, the Black Forest post-rockers offer a first glimpse of their upcoming second full-length by unveiling the passionate first single, “Elpis“, alongside a breathtaking music video. “Elpis” invites the listener on a journey into a dreamy experience that comes close to an out-of-body experience. The sporadic presence of Andreas Richau’s gentle voice seems to become one with the spherical cascades of sound and resembles a falling raindrop hitting the ocean, there to blur into infinity.

THERE’S A LIGHT on “Elpis”:
“We’re excited! Not only because this is our first single of the new album but because this is our first music video ever!

This song is about Elpis, the personification and spirit of hope in ancient Greece. We put it into another context and wrote a new story. Hope can lead you to false ends, but they were probably there from the start – you just couldn’t see them. To overcome these obstacles is the message of the song, which usually only works if there is hope left.”

Watch the new music video for “Elpis” HERE:

Thematically, on f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope? THERE’S A LIGHT take a deeper look at the question of the true meaning of hope as well as at the different facets of it: On the one hand, hope can be something positive – a flourishing force that always gives a new impulse to grow beyond oneself. On the other hand, it can also do harm, for example, if one holds on to something that will never become reality.

The radiant album opener “...The Storm Will Set The Sails” immediately enchants with its shimmering melody and great arrangements, while the following “Within The Tides” presents a more dramatic, progressive touch with impressive technique and rhythm. The driving “Like The Earth Orbits Sun” is one of the tracks that features bassist Andreas Richau’s captivating, emotional vocals, along with the multi-faceted exclamation point “Elpis” and spherical “Be Brave, Fragile Heart“. “Dark Clouds Behind, Bright Skies Ahead” and “Appearance Of Earth” open up another spectrum of sound and expand the cosmos with the passionate cello playing of guest musician Akito Goto. The grand finale “Even In The Darkest Place…” weaves powerful instrumentation with dreamy moments into a harmonious overall construct, once again underscoring a hypnotic post-rock experience in the style of bands like God Is An Astronaut, Russian Circles and Sigur Ros.

THERE’S A LIGHT on the new album:“So, we asked ourselves what hope stands for and what it means to us. We had a lot of conversations within the band about the good but also the bad aspects of hope and our experiences with it.

And we got answers and inspiration by history and philosophy. Like Kant who has
extremely positive views on this topic – hope is necessity for human existence, it’s not seen by him as a personal but collective thing. This is where the album title came from.

The whole process of creating this album really took us on a journey and we found new ways to express our thoughts and feelings with our music. We took a few trips to France and wrote songs together in a cabin, but we also had to write a lot of parts simultaneously, since we are not living in one city any more. We had the chance to work together with new lovely people but we also reconnected with old partners in crime.

All in all it wasn’t an easy journey, but now we made it and are happy and proud to finally release this album with Napalm Records!”

Get your copy of f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope? NOW!

f̶o̶r̶ ̶w̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶m̶a̶y̶ ̶I ̶h̶o̶pe̶? for what must we hope? tracklist:
1. …The Storm Will Set the Sails
2. Within the Tides
3. Magnolia
4. Like the Earth Orbits Sun
5. Dark Clouds Behind, Bright Skies Ahead
6. Refugium
7. Elpis
8. Fear Keeps Pace with Hope
9. Be Brave, Fragile Heart
10. Appearance of Earth
11. Even in the Darkest Place…