ETERNAL SILENCE Release New Video + Single “Glide in the Air”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 10, 2021
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Italian symphonic metallers ETERNAL SILENCE will be releasing their new album “Timegate Anathema” on October 8, 2021 via Rockhots Records. Recorded at The Groove Factory (Udine, Italy) and Line/Out Studio (Milano, Italy) with mixing and mastering by Michele Guaitoli (Visions of Atlantis, Temperance, Kaledon), “Timegate Anathema” will feature ten tracks of symphonic and power prog metal plus will see the band introduce new elements and experimentation into their sound. The album goes from power metal songs like “The Way Of Time” and “My Soul Sad Until Death” to heavy and dark ones like “Rain and Red Death Masquerade“, passing through the catchy melodies of tracks like “Glide In The Air” and acoustic moments on “Lonely and Firefly“. The main theme that inspired the album is the concept of Time.

“It has been a long time since our last full length was released, we took our time to make the best songs possible and then the pandemic broke in and forced us to stop and wait for the right time to publish it. But now everything is ready and we can’t wait to finally share this with you all.” adds the band.

Today, Eternal Silence unveils their music video for the second single “Glide In The Air”, which is one of the most easy-listening songs from the album with its catchy melodies and beating rhythm. 

The band explains the song’s concept in further detail:
“This song was conceived by our guitarist Enzo Criscuolo. The guitars and the rhythmic section are strong and the beat of the drums plays a main role. Unlike the other tracks on the album, for Glide In The Air, there’s no bombastic orchestra and classical strings, but electronic keyboards and synthesizers that give the entire song a different taste and personality. The vocal part is completely entrusted to Marika, who shows her full potential in a more modern and poppy ambiance.”

Digital single: https://backl.ink/146941995
Album pre-order: http://bit.ly/TimegateAnathema_CD

Formed in Varese, Italy in 2008, Eternal Silence combines powerful guitar riffs, a thunderous rhythmic section, catchy melodies, and bombastic orchestral tracks with the support of two vocalists, Marika Vanni and guitarist Alberto Cassina sharing the front stage. The band’s current line-up is completed by Alessio Sessa (bass), Andrea Zannin (drums) and Enzo Criscuolo (guitarist).

Since their formation, the band has unleashed three albums and two EPs. 2020’s “Renegades” (EP), 2018’s “Metamorphosis” (EP), and 2017’s “Mastermind Tyranny” were released on Sliptrick Records, and their earlier full-lengths “Raw Poetry” (2013) and “Chasing Chimera” (2015) were released on Underground Symphony Records.

Over the years, the band has been a consistent touring presence in Europe, performing in Germany, Switzerland, France, Czech Republic, Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Italy, and Hungary along with being support for bands such as Temperance, Therion, Haggard, Sound Storm, Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius) and Jani Liimatainen (Insomnium) Blackoustic.

Tracklisting:

  1. The Way Of Time
  2. Edge Of The Dream
  3. Ancient Spirit
  4. Heart Of Lead
  5. Lonely
  6. Glide In The Air
  7. Rain
  8. My Soul Sad Until Death
  9. Firefly
  10. Red Death Masquerade

Indian MIDHAVEN Explore Concept Of Time on New Album “Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 10, 2021
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Indian metal trio MIDHAVEN’s new album, Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt, a rich concept album based on the theory of time, is available today.

Not clockwork time, but universal, cyclical time,” the band says. “We’ve grown up with a belief system that has repeatedly told us that things that have happened will happen yet again, and again, and again. Time is seen as a continuum, and there are more universes than just this one. These are subjects we’ve debated and discussed from time immemorial. From the ancients, right down to us, this is how time is experienced where we come from. So naturally, when we started discussing lyrical concepts, time is something that all subjects were ultimately pointing toward. We were acting from an awareness that in this grand circuit of the cosmos, the self is constantly recreated in every moment. It’s not just about time, it’s also about a very personal experience of that time, through the aeons as life itself. It ultimately boils down to how time chisels to perfection the one universal soul that finds itself echoed in every living being. For reasons not entirely known to us, it felt as though time channeled itself through us for the creation of this album. We were merely conduits in this process.”

Keeping in line with the concept of time, the first video from Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt, “Primal Song,” premiered with Rolling Stone India on the Summer Solstice. Watch “Primal Song” below.

The three-piece Mumbai-based band fuses traditional metal with progressive and modern rock to create earth shattering, heavy music with soaring guitars, operatic vocals, guttural growls and war track ready drums, polished off by deeply fascinating lyrical concepts. The melancholic and anguished tracks “Codeman” and “Para Brahman” focus on the existential search for “the reason why,” while the screams and cries of the past echo through “Primal Song” with its rage-induced lyrics and grimy vocals, conjuring images of man’s animalistic need to maraud and destroy. “Zhitro” and “Mahakaal” are the heavyweights of the album, ushering in Indian elements of dark, experimental sounds that are at once groundbreaking and heavy. Riddled with references to the ancient past, “Mahakaal” is the running theme of the album – consuming the world we exist in.- and an homage to Shiva, the Hindu god known as the Destroyer.

Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt was recorded in 2019 and readied for release by mid-2020, but Covid-19 – and particularly India’s staggering second wave of infection – caused the band to delay its release. “Covid-19 and its wreckfest on planet Earth put a huge stop sign right in front of the music industry’s gate,” says the band. “We held off on release until things got better but a second lockdown prevented any place for release or tours in our country. We curated a 2021 release, and even though vaccinating a country as big as India is a daunting task, we just couldn’t wait on it any longer. ‘Of The Lotus & The Thunderbolt’ is a universal, yet personal experience that is being conveyed in the form of heavy metal. The world hasn’t had enough metal from this side of the planet.

Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt’s artwork, brought to life by prolific indie artist Gaurav Basu (aka Acid Toad), reflects the theme of the album, presenting a gorgeous visual representation of the album’s concept. The record was mixed and mastered by ARIA nominated and internationally renowned Australian producer Forrester Savell (Animals As Leaders, Make Them Suffer, Karnivool), who adds a touch of polish and refinement while not straying far from the raw, analog recording process.

Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt track listing:
1-Para Brahman
2-Primal Song
3-Codeman
4-The Immanent Effervescence of Sorrow
5-Zhitro
6-Mahakaal
7-Bhairav

Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt is available at https://linktr.ee/midhaven.ind.

Formed in 2012, MIDHAVEN grew quickly with the launch of their first release, the 2013 EP Tales From The Tide. The trio soon became one of the first major signings of an Indian metal band to a worldwide record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), which release MIDHAVEN’s debut full-length, Spellbound, in 2014. Like Of the Lotus & the Thunderbolt, Spellbound was also a concept album and featured re-recorded tracks from Tales From The Tide. MIDHAVEN has been nominated for the VH1 Sound Nation awards in the category of Best Metal Act, performed live on VH1’s Indian Music Diaries, and was nominated for Radio City’s Best Metal Live Act in 2015.

TEN YEARS AFTER Release “Naturally Live” (Deluxe Edition), Out August 13th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 10, 2021
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TEN YEARS AFTER are best known for their Platinum selling album “A Space in Time” which featured the Top 40 hit “I’d Love to Change the World“, and their prodigious performance appearance at the Woodstock Festival in upstate New York, August 1969. Their rendition of “I’m Going Home” was featured in both the subsequent film and soundtrack album and catapulted them to star status.

Original members Ric Lee and Chick Churchill have continued this legacy and are now rounded out by Guitarist/Vocalist Marcus Bonfanti and Bass Icon Colin Hodgkinson. “Naturally Live” was recorded at HsD, Erfurt, Germany on 24th March 2018 and contains live recordings such as: ”Land Of The Vandals”, “Silverspoon Lady” & “Last Night Of The Bottle” taken from their phenomenally successful studio album A Sting In The Tale. These tracks are combined with old favorites such as “I’d Love To Change The World”, “Hear Me Calling”, “Good Morning Little Schoolgirl” and, of course, the Woodstock killer track “I’m Going Home”. Also included is the band’s semi-acoustic section of their current live show which features three tracks from the very early days in 1967:  “Portable People”, “Don’t Want You Woman” & “Losing The Dogs”. 

This Deluxe Edition due out August 13th also contains “I Say Yeah” which was previously only available on the vinyl edition and the previously unreleased rendition of “32-20 Blues” performed by bassist Colin Hodgkinson. Founding member Ric Lee states, “In the early days at London’s Marquee Club we did an acoustic performance where Alvin Lee played an acoustic guitar, Leo Lyons played an upright string bass, Chick played the Marquee’s acoustic piano and I went from the drum set to the front of the stage to join the guys with just a snare drum on a stand and a pair of brushes. The slot went down really well and several years later when we were playing larger venues, I suggested we played the acoustic spot again to add some variety to what we were doing. Alvin didn’t think it would work and so it didn’t happen. Much later, after Alvin had more or less retired and we had Joe Gooch on vocals and guitar I again suggested we do the acoustic set but this time Leo didn’t think it was right. 

When Marcus and Colin joined us and we were discussing new material for the set, they were both very enthusiastic about doing the three acoustic songs included on the Naturally Live (DeLuxe Edition) album and it proved to be a good decision, as that part of the set goes down fantastically well with our audiences. “I Say Yeah” always sounded like an unfinished song to me so we worked out a new arrangement and it’s become somewhat anthemic and involves audience participation. 

What can I say about Colin’s performance of John Lee Hooker’s 32-20 Blues? It’s a superb showcase of his amazing bass playing and vocalizing. Colin is an extremely talented and experienced musician. The people he’s played with throughout his long career reads like a who’s who of the music business. From my point of view it’s an honor and a pleasure to have him in the Ten Years After rhythm section and, to cap it all, he’s a great guy too!”.  

“On this record you can hear a band that lives on its legacy but also wants to look ahead….New frontman Bonfanti further enhances the band’s rock image. Never before had Ten Years After a singer with such a rough and growling voice. With his equally rough guitar playing, Bonfanti is the rock star among the old veterans.”  – BLUES MAGAZINE

There are limited edition bundles (while supplies last), which can be ordered via: https://bit.ly/30fsewb

Product Includes:

  • One (1) TEN YEARS AFTER – “Naturally Live (Deluxe Edition)” CD
  • One (1) TEN YEARS AFTER Tee
  • One (1) TEN YEARS AFTER Tote Bag
  • One (1) TEN YEARS AFTER Autographed Photo

“Naturally Live” (Deluxe Edition) Tracklist:
Land of the Vandals
One Of These Days
Hear Me Calling
I’d Love To Change The World
Silverspoon Lady
Last Night Of The Bottle
Portable People
Don’t Want You Woman
Losing The dogs
50,000 Miles Beneath My Brain
Good Morning Little Schoolgirl
I’m Going Home
Ric Lee Introducing TYA
I Say Yeah (bonus track)
32-20 Blues (bonus track)

PORTRAIT Reveal details for New Album ‘At One with None’, Launch Video for New Single “Phantom Fathomer”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 9, 2021
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Photo credit: Stefan Johansson

On September 3rd, Portrait will release their new album, At One with None, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of At One with None, a video for the new single “Phantom Fathomer” can be viewed at: metalblade.com/portrait – where the record can also be pre-ordered in various formats.

When it comes to modern heavy metal, there are few bands operating at the same level as Portrait. For a decade and a half, the Swedish unit have been forging their own path, and in the process, infusing life into a longstanding, well-established genre and taking it in new directions. Following up 2017’s acclaimed Burn The World, they return with the mighty At One With None, which was recorded at JFK Studios in Kristianstad, Sweden with Tommy Hansen (Helloween, Hatesphere) handling the mixing. While Portrait fans will immediately recognize it as the work of their heroes, they are not simply rehashing old ideas and treading where they have before. “One simple ‘rule’ that I have had personally is that no song written for this album and onwards should be similar to any song that we have already written and released. We have been doing this for 15 years now, and I am proud to say that I think we have managed to find our own identity and sound, which can’t really be said about that many bands today. This is our greatest achievement, and the goal is to keep exploring and developing our own sound, without repeating ourselves.” The results of working with this philosophy are undeniable, making for an essential addition to the Portrait canon.

At One with None track-listing
1. At One with None
2. Curtains (The Dumb Supper)
3. Phantom Fathomer
4. He Who Stands
5. Ashen
6. A Murder of Crows
7. Shadowless
8. The Gallow’s Crossing

Album artwork by: Adam Burke

KILLSET Release New Video “Tell Me Something”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 9, 2021
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The Killers are back!!  The California Rockers KillSET are a five piece band hailing from Los Angeles and are pleased to announce the release of their new video “Tell Me Something” from their upcoming album titled “Kíllìn’ Sprëë”. The overwhelming support from the previous albums has allowed KillSET to embark on another musical journey, which has culminated in the brand new and highly anticipated album Killin’ Spree!  Special thanks going out to Eric Kalina (co-producer), Eddie Wohl (co-producer and mixer), and Maor Appelbaum Mastering (mastering engineer) .

“Tell Me Something” is one of the most introspective and honest songs lyrically from the lead singer Chris Luca.  “It describes someone struggling with depression and/or anxiety, the feelings associated with this and the attempted coping methods. It’s what’s inside of me another personality. Another voice that takes control. Another voice that has no soul. Simply put, the song is a desperate cry for help!” “

More information at https://www.facebook.com/killsetofficial

LEE AARON: “Metal Queen, lyrically is a feminist statement, a song of empowerment, a woman in charge”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on July 9, 2021
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Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon from The Metal Voice spoke to legendary Canadian artist Lee Aaron about her new album ‘Radio on’ which will be released July 23rd via Metalville Records. Aaron also talked about working in the past with the Scorpions on Savage Amusement (Back Vocals), Venom, producer Bob Ezrin, the moniker Lee Aaron and so much more.

When asked about her new album
“I like to take the listeners on a journey. I think every record I have ever done ultimately sounds like a Lee Aaron record cause obviously it’s my voice with the production values that I like and the style of music I like to write. I think the challenges as I have become  more older and a more mature person is, how do I write songs that reflect my world view  and where I am  personally and how to engage my fans? The reality is my fans have grown up with me  they are between 40 and 60 years old, so the subject matters that are going to reel them  are the same things that are on their mind, as my mind.”

When asked about the type of music she plays
“I really don’t consider my music Metal, it might have little elements of that. I don’t think my music has been metal for many many years. Truthfully there are other females out their like Doro and Lzzy Hale that I think carry that torch far better than I do. I am just a fan of all kind of music and I am influenced by all kinds of things. I am always on the quest, for me to write the ultimate great song and to me the ultimate great song is something that not only has the greatest guitar parts and riff but has a real memorable melody and something that people can latch onto lyrically and sing along with. “

When asked about the band Venom mooning her in May 1985 on the ECT show live on British Channel 4. ECT (Extra Celestial Transmission) 
“That was one of the most disconcerting moments of my career (laughs). I think there were three rotating stages. Even back then the Venom guys didn’t think I was metal and they were like how can we get Lee Aaron. So there I was trying to play my tune, playing live and these guys are full on ripping their shorts down in front of us trying to throw us off our game.” (laughs)

When asked her doing back vocals on the Scorpions Savage Amusement song Rhythm of Love
“I believe it was 1987, The record label  was trying to get some stuff for a live record and they had employed (producer) Dieter Dirks and got a mobile recording studio to  come out and record some of our shows on our German tour that year. The Scorpions in the meantime were in the middle of  recording  Savage Amusement album with Dieter Dirks who was there long time producer. And they were trying to find somebody to hit this super high harmony on the song ‘Rhythm of Love’. If you listen closely people say you can actually really hear my voice. Udo from Accept came in and tried it, Don Dokken tried it, they had a few guys come in but they just didn’t have that register to sing up there. So Dieter went back to the band and said hey I’m recording this girl right now she is from Canada and has a real great rock and roll voice and we should consider bringing her down to the studio and sing on the song. So I went down there and it was just the funniest day. “

Has been called The Metal Queen been a Blessing or a curse
“As a curse,  I have to say the whole image was somewhat crafted for me. So for those who  don’t want to see me able to do anything or be labeled as anything but Metal, it’s a curse. I got angry for a few years I didn’t want to play the song live (Metal Queen). I need to be allowed artistically to be able to expand beyond this pigeon hold box that I  have been put in. So artistically I found it very constricting and that is why I said screw everybody I’m going jazz and blues for a while. Artistically I love taking these diversions. I love to step away from the whole Metal Queen image thing. In the blessing part, Metal Queen, lyrically it’s a feminist statement, it’s a song of empowerment, it’s about being the woman in charge. I think is a blessing that that message is getting across. Metal Queen has been also the moniker that labels all the great women in Rock and that is something.”

Multi-platinum, award-winning Canadian vocalist Lee Aaron is back with a collection of 12 brand-new originals that invite you to tune into the heartbeat of your personal radio dial and hear the best of what this rock ‘n’ roll legend has to offer.

LINEUP
Lee Aaron – lead vocals
Sean Kelly – guitars
Dave Reimer – bass
John Cody – drums

DISCOGRAPHY
1982 The Lee Aaron Project
1984 Metal Queen
1985 Call of the Wild
1987 Lee Aaron
1989 Bodyrock
1991 Some Girls Do
1994 Emotional Rain
1996 2preciious (with 2preciious)
2000 Slick Chick (with the Swingin’ Barflies)
2004 Beautiful Things
2016 Fire and Gasoline
2018 Diamond Baby Blues
2019 Power, Soul, Rock N’ Roll – Live In Germany