When Andrew Lloyd Webber composed The Phantom of the Opera in the early eighties, he already felt that there was a distinct metal energy to the main theme of his global success. That is why he had electric guitars added to the 1986 promotional single release, which reached number 7 on the UK billboard charts. Now symphonic metallers DREAM OCEAN are here to max out this classic’s full epic potential with their operatic prowess and relentless double bass driven savagery: “Since our first album we enjoy engaging in different projects with the great names of the metal music scene. And we know how much symphonic metal listeners love the iconic musical theater duet of Phantom of the Opera. So we decided to give this amazing piece a modern and bombastic new touch of Dream Ocean.” The song is a perfect amalgamation of the elements the band embodies: Intense emotions ranging from hellish depths to soaring highs, a hypnagogic blur of dreams and reality complemented by an orchestral soundscape, which Dream Ocean skillfully galvanize with their highly technical metal sensibilities.
Lead singer Başak Ylva takes on the role of Christine with her exceptional mezzo soprano voice, effortlessly reaching the highest note of the entire musical: “Our singer Başak re-awakens Christine with her unique, dark and powerful vocals.” Finding a male counterpart who could match her performance left no room for debate either: “For this project we could not imagine anyone other than the amazing Tommy Johansson himself as the Phantom!” The Swedish vocalist and guitarist (Sabaton, Majestica) was more than eager to join the Turkish-German collective of virtuosos in the role of the Phantom: “I’m very happy to be a part of Dream Ocean’s amazing cover of one of my all time favourites – Phantom of the Opera! I have for a long time wanted to record this song somehow, and when they asked me to act as the Phantom I was very glad and didn’t hesitate for a second! They have really captured the exciting and scary emotions of the original song and at the same time added a new, heavier touch to it that doesn’t ruin this classic song, but instead enhance it in a very MAJESTIC way!” The pleasure is mutual, as conservatory graduate Başak underlines: “Since we have heard his voice for the first time we always wanted to do a project with him and we are honored to call him our friend as well as our guest on this amazing project. We are thrilled to announce our strange duet The Phantom of the Opera with Tommy Johansson.”
Find the music video for Phantom Of The Operafeaturing Dream Ocean and Tommy Johansson here:
Two decades into their journey as ritualistic black metal conjurers, WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM have emerged from the forest with “Primordial Arcana”, their most majestic album to date, and their first release via Century Media Records (outside of USA and Canada) and Relapse Records (USA and Canada) out August 20th.
After releasing a first taste with “Mountain Magick” in June the band has just launched “Spirit of Lightning” including a special visualizer that is diving deeper into the aesthetics of “Primordial Arcana”. Yet again the clip was was produced by WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM:
The band comments on the song itself: “’Spirit of Lightning’ returns briefly to the earthly plane as a tribute to the human connections forged in music. Metal is a community that’s bonded together through music and spirituality. This song is an homage to that community, that brotherhood and the virtues that can be espoused through it—going all the way back to the progenitors of the genre.”
“Primordial Arcana” is the band’s first completely self-contained work: In addition to composition and performance, brothers Aaron and Nathan Weaver alongside guitarist Kody Keyworth handled all aspects of recording, producing and mixing at their own Owl Lodge Studios in the woods of Washington state.
“Primordial Arcana” is out August 20 via Century Media Records outside of USA/Canada.
Album Cover Art by Amjad Faur and Wolves in the Throne Room
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM’s new album title “Primordial Arcana” is a reference to the band’s ongoing reach back to the most ancient, archetypal energies.
Leadoff track “Mountain Magick” sets the august tone with alpine guitar melodies cresting skyward in triumph. “Spirit of Lightning” returns briefly to the earthly plane as a tribute to the human connections forged in music. Meanwhile, “Primal Chasm (Gift of Fire)” is an explosion of cosmic grandeur, a symphonic rendering of the hermetic maxim “as above, so below” as envisioned by Keyworth. In fact, Primordial Arcana is the first WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM record in which Kody was a part of the writing process from the start, so it benefits from his background in cosmic funeral doom.
Always uncompromising, “Primordial Arcana” sees WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM stay true to their unique vision. An album born out of the DIY ethos, “Primordial Arcana” proves to be the band’s most genuine and focused. One of the year’s most ambitious recordings, “Primordial Arcana” cements WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM’s legacy as one of US Black Metal’s most daring, unique, and quintessential bands.
WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM BLOOD INCANTATION Stygian Bough (A collaboration between Bell Witch & Aerial Ruin)
13.10.21 (DE) Hamburg – Knust 14.10.21 (DK) Copenhagen – Pumpehuset 15.10.21 (NL) Utrecht – Tivolivredenburg Pandora 16.10.21 (NL) Nijmegen – Doornroosje 19.10.21 (PL) Warsaw – Proxima 20.10.21 (PL) Krakow – Kwadrat 21.10.21 (CZ) Prague – Futurum 22.10.21 (HU) Budapest – Instant 23.10.21 (AT) Vienna – Szene 26.10.21 (FR) Lyon – CCO Villeurbanne 27.10-21 (DE) Karlsruhe – Die Stadtmitte 28.10.21 (FR) Colmar – Le Grillen 29.10.21 (DE) Munster – Sputnikhalle 31.10.21 (DE) Leipzig – Conne Island 02.11.21 (DE) Berlin – SO36 03.11.21 (DE) Hannover – Musikzentrum 04.11.21 (FR) Paris – La Machine du Moulin Rouge 05.11.21 (FR) Dunkirk – Les 4Ecluses 06.11.21 (UK) Leeds – Damnation Festival 07.11.21 (UK) London – Heaven 09.11.21 (SP) Madrid – Mon 10.11.21 (SP) Barcelona – Apolo 1 11.11.21 (FR) Toulouse – Le Rex 12.11.21 (IT) Milano – Legend Club 13.11.21 (CH) Winterthur – Gaswerk 14.11.21 (DE) Munich – Backstage Halle
European fans can also look forward to seeing the band at Wacken Open Air 2022 and many more Summer fests to be announced.
Legendary German thrash metal powerhouse DESTRUCTION is launching an all devastating, neck-breaking Live Attack onto the masses! The new BluRay/CD live event, including some pre- and after-show bonus content, will be released on August 13, 2021.
Today, those scene-leading frontrunners evoke the second outburst out of this energetic offering and release the live single and music video for bone-crushing “Reject Emotions”. The song was cut from the set list for quite a long time and demanded by many fans since then. For their incomparable streaming event, Live Attack, the German thrash metal institution DESTRUCTION, with legendary founding members Schmier on vocals/bass and Mike on guitars, brought this anthem back to the stage.
SCHMIER states: “The die-hards voted for ‘Reject Emotions’ to be on the setlist at this special show on our social media pages. We did not perform this fan favorite in its full length since the 80s, cause it was written for two guitars. Most fans know, it is actually the first song we ever wrote as a four-piece.
This is why we chose this as a single now for our BluRay release. It is a very rare live track, finally played again with the power of two axes, the way it was meant to be! A cult song that always had a special place in our metal-hearts! The flashback shots from the 80s in honor of the old line up build a bridge to our history and will hopefully bring back some joy and good memories for many supporters!”
Watch the insanely thrashing live video for “Reject Emotions”HERE:
Founded back in 1982 and since their first demo, followed by debut EP, Sentence Of Death (1984) and first full-length, Infernal Overkill (1985), the German foursome DESTRUCTION has turned heads and broken necks with their incredibly honest and uncompromising thrash metal power. Now, 39 years into their unstoppable rampage of a career, DESTRUCTION bring the power of hard-hitting drums, speedy riffs and punishing vocals to the comfort of your home on the new BluRay & 2 Audio CD’s, Live Attack! It follows their latest record, Born To Perish (#26 GER album charts), recalling a nearly two hour live stream attack the heavy steamroller unleashed in January this year.
DESTRUCTION on their first release with Napalm Records: “This show at our fave club, the Z7 in Switzerland, was a really special one in the middle of this dreadful pandemic! When we recorded it as a live stream on the 1st of January, it gave us hope back and connected us with the fans worldwide! Many supporters demanded to release it in physical form, so we had to make it happen. The setlist reflects four decades of DESTRUCTION with an almost two hour best-of setlist, which includes some really rare live tracks! It was for sure a night to remember… we hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!”
When the music world was forced to shut down venues and cancel tours for an indefinite period of time, DESTRUCTION came through to deliver their outstanding power via live stream to their loyal fans at home – now available for you to enjoy on high-definition BluRay! Witness DESTRUCTION ripping through their live set of 22 songs, including beloved classics like “Mad Butcher”, “Thrash Till Death”, “Born To Perish” and many more! Filmed and recorded at the legendary Z7 venue in Pratteln (Switzerland), DESTRUCTION spare no expense or effort to bring you a live show experience that will make you bang your head like you’re in the front row at the show, getting your ear drums penetrated by rumbling double-bass grooves! The BluRay is filled with exclusive pre- and aftershow insights and behind the scenes footage from DESTRUCTION’s live show – a must-have for fans of true thrash metal!
Live Attack BluRay bonus content: Pre-Show After Show
Tracklist: 1. Born to Perish 2. Death Trap 3. Nailed to the Cross 4. Armageddonizer 5. Tormentor 6. Rotten 7. Mad Butcher 8. Reject Emotions 9. Thrash Till Death 10. Betrayal 11. Sign of Fear 12. Damir’s Shred 13. Inspired by Death 14. Release from Agony 15. Life without Sense 16. Antichrist 17. Invincible Force 18. Under Attack 19. Bestial Invasion 20. The Butcher Strikes Back 21. Curse the Gods 22. Total Desaster
Dublin’s GREYFACE will release their stunning, emotive new single ‘Dead Men (Don’t Walk In Circles)‘ on 16th July.
The release of last month’s single, ‘Underground Star’, GREYFACE are once again pushing the boundaries of their genre-bending sound, with their new single/video, ‘Dead Men (Don’t Walk in Circles)’, due on July 16th.
‘Dead Men (Don’t Walk in Circles’)’ sees GREYFACE present a wonderfully sombre ballad-like opus, that blossoms into a gargantuan aural monolith, loaded with their, now, trademark anthemic, dark-pop approach to song writing.
Speaking of the new single, ‘Dead Men (Don’t Walk in Circles) the band comments: “’Dead Men…’ is our third single and features ‘Tadhg’ on piano accompaniment. It serves as a defining rock-opera moment within our upcoming EP, backed full-force by distorted guitars, and expressive rhythms and riffs. The track swells providing orchestral backing to match intimate piano-lines, and whispered vocals, which gradually develop the song into a power-ballad.”
Following the fantastic reception of their most recent single, ‘Underground Star’ (June 4th), GREYFACE have been featured on independent radio around Europe, The United Kingdom and the USA, as well as receiving a video premiere and write-up from Ireland’s own ‘Hot Press’. They also featured on Ireland’s National Broadcast on “RTE 2FM” radio station. Lyrically the song serves as a looking glass into the band’s conceptual character of the ‘Underground Star’, whose story shines light upon human nature and it’s many grimacing vices.
Slide guitarist and singer-songwriter, TROY REDFERN, dubbed as Britain’s “King of Slide Guitar”, releases the official music video for his haunting new single Ghosts. Watch the breath-taking cinematic video HERE.
Ghosts is the second single taken from his forthcoming album The Fire Cosmic released by RED7 Records on Friday August 6th. The song is playlisted on Planet Rock and any other radio stations including The Max, MMH Radio, ERB Radio, HRH Radio, and many more.
Written on a beat up 1929 National Triolian Resonator, the new single Ghosts from the forthcoming album The Fire Cosmic follows a character that first appeared in the song The Line from Troy’s previous album Dirt Blues Ritual.
Ghosts is available to stream HERE. Pre-order the The Fire Cosmic album HERE.
Troy states, “To me this song is part two to an old song of mine called The Line. It’s the same woman in the narrative of that song. She’s escaped from a destructive, violent relationship, and is riding into the sunset, never once looking back.”
One word that keeps coming up when people describe Troy’s music and guitar playing is “authentic”, and with Ghosts this couldn’t be more apparent. From the layers of weaving acoustic resonator guitars to the blistering slide guitar solo, Ghosts takes you on a musical journey deep into the Wild West.
This brand-new video for Ghosts captures the essence of the songs vintage, Appalachian feel. Filmed at a rustic cabin on the banks of the River Wye in Hereford, Troy’s performance encapsulates the sense of urgency and the striving for resolution that can be heard echoing throughout his big sky cinematic soundscape.
The new album, The Fire Cosmic, follows five unprecedented albums that Troy released in 2020. It was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in North Wales, the same studio where Queen recorded all their early albums including Sheer Heart Attack (1974) followed by A Night At The Opera (1975) – the latter featuring the legendary Bohemian Rhapsody.
For the new album, Troy enlisted one of the best rhythm sections in the UK, including the legendary Darby Todd on drums (The Darkness, Paul Gilbert), and bass guitarist Dave Marks (Hans Zimmer). Guitarist Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal (Guns ‘N Roses, Asia, Sons of Apollo), plays guitar on the song On Fire.
Troy describes the contributors on the album as “the ultimate dream team” on what is arguably the British guitarist’s most distinctive and powerful release to date.
“I chose Rockfield Studios because so much of the music I grew up listening to was recorded at this legendary studio (Queen, Black Sabbath),” says Troy. “The studio has a timeless reputation for all the iconic, classic albums that have been produced there.”
“It was important for me to capture the raw energy of three guys playing live in the same place, at the same time. That’s something that you just can’t get if you’re sending files from different locations, it doesn’t have the same vibe or feel if you do it that way.”
As soon as we arrived at Rockfield, everyone, including Darby and Dave who’ve recorded all over the world, were excited to be there,” continues Troy. “It’s that kind of place. It has that effect on every musician who records there. Even before we started recording, the energy and vibe was there, which definitely set the tone for the entire album.”
Troy cut his teeth and refined his style over the last few years, playing festival main stages and blazing a trail across Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia. He’s also become a well-known draw on the UK Blues Rock festival circuit, playing alongside rock luminaries including Robert Plant.
The forthcoming studio album is a culmination everything Troy has learnt so far on his musical journey, and, more importantly, brings into sharp focus a much tighter song-writing and more visceral, muscular production style.
For production duties, Troy enlisted the Brighton- based producer Paul ‘Win’ Winstanley, best known for his epic rock production style, and whom Troy met and had worked with previously on the 2019 RHR album, Hotel Toledo. Troy and Win bonded immediately, and shared the same musical aesthetic, no nonsense work ethic and dry sense of humour.
Rockfield’s vintage mics, mixing desk, and analogue outboard gear gave Win options to capture the dynamic performances on the album. “It was like being a kid in a candy store,” says Win.
“It was important for the album to sound massive,” says Troy. “It was a much bigger sound than anything that I’ve released before. As soon as we heard the first takes in the control, we were blown away. We knew that we captured something special. It sounded fantastic.”
MUSICIANS
TROY REDFERN – VOCALS, GUITARS RON ‘BUMBLEFOOT’ THAL – GUITARS (TRACK 5) DARBY TODD – DRUMS DAVE MARKS – BASS, PIANO, KEYS, PERCUSSION RECORDED & MIXED AT ROCKFIELD STUDIOS BY PAUL ‘WIN’ WINSTANLEY ASSISTANT ENGINEER – JOE JONES MASTERED BY FRANK ARKWRIGHT AT ABBEY ROAD STUDIOS
Cardiff, The Globe – Thursday 16 September 2021 Sittingbourne, The Bourne Music Club – Friday 17 September 2021 Chester, Live Rooms – Saturday 18 September 2021 Leeds, Brudenell Social Club – Sunday 19 September 2021 Newcastle, The Cluny – Monday 20 September 2021 Manchester, Night & Day – Tuesday 21 September 2021 Nottingham, The Bodega – Wednesday 22 September 2021 London, The 100 Club – Thursday 23 September 2021 Edinburgh, Voodoo Rooms – Friday 24 September 2021 Aberdeen, Cafe Drummond – Saturday 25 September 2021 Hartlepool, South Durham Steel Works Club – Sunday 26 September 2021
Palladium, Bideford – Friday 4 March 2022 Old Bakery, Truro – Saturday 5 March 2022 Phoenix, Exeter – Sunday 6 March 2022 The Musician, Leicester – Wednesday 9 March 2022 The Flowerpot, Derby – Thursday 10 March 2022 The Bullingdon, Oxford – Friday 11 March 2022 Philharmonic, Liverpool – Saturday 12 March 2022 Continental, Preston – Wednesday 16 March 2022 Bodega, Nottingham – Thursday 17 March 2022 Hug & Pint, Glasgow – Friday 18 March 2022 The Cluny, Newcastle – Saturday 19 March 2022 Elsewhere, Margate – Wednesday 23 March 2022 Junction, Cambridge – Thursday 24 March 2022 The 100 Club, London – Friday 25 March 2022 Thekla, Bristol – Saturday 26 March 2022 Guildhall, Gloucester – Wednesday 30 March 2022 The Greystones, Sheffield – Thursday 31 March 2022 Town Hall, Selby – Friday 1 April 2022 The Tivoli, Buckley – Saturday 2 April 2022 The Star, Guildford – Wednesday 6 April 2022 The Robin, Bilston – Thursday 7 April 2022 Arts Centre, Bridgwater – Friday 8 April 2022 Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon – Saturday 9 April 2022 Nightrain, Bradford – Thursday 21 April 2022 The Tivoli, Wimborne – Friday 22 April 2022 Ropetackle, Brighton – Saturday 23 April 2022
Bergen’s Psychedelic Rockers HIMMELLEGEME are back with “Variola Vera”, the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut album “Myth of Earth”. Recorded during the late spring through late fall of 2020 at Bergen’s Broen Studio, the band’s latest outing was produced by Anders Bjelland (ELECTRIC EYE / HYPERTEXT) who also mixed and mastered the album.
Not quite a concept album HIMMELLEGEME described “Variola Vera” thus:
The overall themes of the album are the impact we humans have on planet earth, and the destruction we leave in our wake wherever we go. Not only in regards to the planet itself, but also to the people inhabiting it. It’s not a concept album per se – the lyrics are fictional with roots in reality, but based on newer and older events seen from different viewpoints.
Set for release on Karisma Records on the 1st October, in CD, Digital and Limited Edition LP formats, fans have today been given a taste of “Variola Vera” with the release of the single “Let the Mother Burn” which can be downloaded or streamed on various platforms at this location.
It is a single about which the band had this to say:
Let The Mother Burn was one of the first tracks that we wrote for the album. It definitely has our sound to it – a little slow paced, but also powerful and tribal. The lyrics are about being consumed by the sheer beauty and horrors that Mother Nature can provide us – it can be amazing, but also quite frightening.
Influenced by both Blues and Atmospheric Prog Rock, HIMMELLEGEME’s lineup of Aleksander Vormestrand (vocals, guitar), Hein Alexander Olson (lead guitar, slide, drums), Lauritz Isaksen (keys), Erik Alfredsen (bass, backing vocals, misc. instruments), Leiv Martin Green (drums, backing vocals), use heavy-hitting riffs, chilling melodies and melancholic lyrics, to create a dark, otherworldly, and timeless sound.
With cover art by Samantha Muljat, the track list for “Variola Vera” is as follows:
Shaping Mirrors Like Smoke
Heart Listening
Blowing Raspberries
Brother
Let the Mother Burn
Caligula
Agafia
Variola Vera
“Variola Vera” is now available to pre-order from the following:
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s ASA unveil the long-overdue release of "Collective Failure" + first music video for title-track! Check it out and stay tuned for more news! Click image to watch the video
Kimmo Kuusniemi’s SARCOFAGUS return with a Historic 2010 Concert Video Premiere on YouTube! Click image to watch the video
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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
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 