Experimental Sludge outfit ERDVE will be releasing their new album ‘Savigaila’ via Season of Mist tomorrow, July 23! The band is now streaming the offering in full ahead of the release. Listen at THIS LOCATION.
ERDVE comments: ”Finally, we are able to share our creative output at the fullest extent. This record is a huge step for us as a band and got us really hyped on experimenting further with heavy music, visuals and narrative. There was quite a bit of emotional weight that came up with the birth of this album, so we are really looking forward to all the feedback from the listeners. Now that the album is being released, we are very thankful to everyone who supports our work! You can be sure to hear much more from us soon, but for now, we hope you will enjoy this record.”
OTHERWISE and Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group have presented the second reveal from the band’s upcoming EP titled Defiance. The song is in some respects a celebration and rallying cry for the band’s now hometown football team the Raiders. Titled Silver and Black, the recording can be previewed here: https://smarturl.it/OTHERWISEmusic.
Adrian Patrick reflects, “Growing up in Las Vegas, we never had our own professional sports team. So, for a lot us football fans, the closest thing was our second west coast home: Los Angeles. The Raiders have always been known as the ‘bad boys’ of the NFL and we can totally relate with that, from a rock n roll perspective. My first Starter brand ball cap was a Raiders hat and anyone who is a huge fan of NWA (like we are), knows how cool that cap made me feel as a kiddo! With all of the illustrious musical artists that call Vegas home, we’d love to be the first to present our new hometown team with their un/official anthem: Silver and Black. With arms open and horns up, we welcome the Raider Nation to our beloved Sin City… just win, baby!”
The lead track shared was a recording of “Halo,” which can be heard here: https://youtu.be/NWTq0jbnGHI. Patrick offered prior, “We’ve had ‘Halo’ hidden in our six-demon bag for quite some time. Written in Los Angeles and recorded in Las Vegas, it personally functions as a celestial middle finger to every hypocrite out there… including the ones in the mirror.” The collected body of work will feature B-sides, live recordings, and special guests. Further detail will be shared in the coming months.
Patrick reflects back on the last eighteen months sharing, “The pandemic basically brought a screeching halt to the album cycle for DEFY, and it was honestly heartbreaking. But we took the huge, perpetual chip on our shoulder and made an opportunity from it, one in which we could breathe new life into our art by revisiting the music in a live acoustic setting, as well as fully producing some of our favorite songs from the DEFY sessions that may not have been given due diligence. Thus, in the spirit of being rock n roll soul-rebels, we’ve named this upcoming release DEFIANCE.” Cumulative streams of repertoire featured on DEFY exceed 11 million plays, while the singles “Lifted” and “Crossfire” charted at Active Rock radio.
After the continuation of the “Hypercube Sessions” online stream event series as well as the long overdue return to live-stages in their Canadian home ground, progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD have now announced a Kickstarter campaign to raise funding for the continuation of their documentary film project.
VOIVOD have joined forces with metal film director Felipe Belalcázar, who most recently issued the critically acclaimed Chuck Schuldiner documentary “DEATH by Metal”, to make their official documentary entitled “We Are Connected”. “We have worked with Felipe in other projects, and we have a mutual understanding of VOIVOD’s story,” says drummer Michel “Away” Langevin. Exclusive interviews and archive access combined with Away’s artwork will take you on a sci-fi, thrash-metal journey into the VOIVOD dimension. “We managed to film about a quarter of the interviews planned before the pandemic hit in March 2020, and plan to resume production once cross-border restrictions are lifted,” adds Felipe.
In other news, VOIVOD are pleased to announce their return to European stages as part of the “MTV HEADBANGER’S BALL” Tour in November/December 2021. Here is a complete list of dates for this next run:
MTV HEADBANGERS’ BALL TOUR 2021 Vio-Lence (US) – VOIVOD (CA) – Exciter (CA) – Artillery (DK)
24.11. Amersfoort (The Netherlands) – Fluor 25.11. Mannheim (Germany) – MS Connexion Complex 26.11. Zlin (Czech Republic) – Hala Euronics 27.11. Budapest (Hungary) – Barba Negra 28.11. Munich (Germany) – Backstage 29.11. Zurich (Switzerland) – Dynamo 30.11. Stuttgart (Germany) – LKA Longhorn 02.12. Hamburg (Germany) – Kulturpalast 03.12. Oberhausen (Germany) – Ruhrpott Metal Meeting 04.12. Aarhus (Denmark) – Voxhall 05.12. Stockholm (Sweden) – Slaktkyrkan 06.12. Gothenburg (Sweden) – Tradgarn
More shows will be announced soon…
And last but certainly not least, VOIVOD are also pleased to announce to be back at RadicArt studios as of the end of this month of July to commence work together with Francis Perron for their upcoming studio album, expected for release in 2022 via Century Media Records.
VOIVOD drummer Michel “Away” Langevin checked in with the following comment about all current activities: “There is so much happening I don’t even know where to start…It’s been wonderful lately with the online ‘Hypercube Sessions’ and our first two live shows in a long while. Now we just can’t wait for the upcoming European tour at the end of this year! Presently, we are fine-tuning the music for the next album, which we will start recording next week. I must say it’s a real thrill to write new material with Chewy, Rocky and Snake. Finally, we’ve also been involved in the making of ‘We Are Connected’, Felipe’s long overdue official VOIVOD documentary. We carry on!
VOIVOD have most recently released the live album “Lost Machine – Live” worldwide via Century Media Records at the end of last year. Consisting of 13 tracks across 74 packed minutes of playing time, the album was recorded in Québec City during the worldwide touring cycle for the band’s latest studio album “The Wake”, mixed by Francis Perron and you can check out a few video-clips with audio recorded in Québec City (07/13/2019), video filmed in Montréal (06/30/2019) and material processed in Morgöth (2020) by Felipe Belalcázar for the release here:
“Lost Machine – Live” is available as limited CD with O-Card packaging (in its first European pressing), as Digital Album and as Gatefold 2LP on 180g vinyl (in several variations and limitations), which can be purchased here: https://voivodband.lnk.to/LostMachineLive/
Bay area thrashers NEGATIVE SIXXX are carrying on the region’s legacy with their latest track, “Thrive,” an uncompromising advocation for survival through adversity.
Watch the quintet’s video for “Thrive” today via Revolver at this location.
“To thrive is something we all need to do,” says drummer Mark Miller. “That alone is our motivation.”
Born in the watering holes of Oakland, CA, NEGATIVE SIXXX offers no-holds-barred metal, and “Thrive,” the first single from their upcoming sophomore release, shows the band at its best, perfectly blending heaviness and melody.
For its accompanying video, the band collectively created a simple concept, then turned the idea over to director Dave Perga. “Dave took the simple idea and warped and twisted it into something special,” says guitarist Chris Van De Ven. “I believe the only way to move forward in this industry is to come out swinging, and we really did with this song and video.”
As friends and local scene veterans, vocalist Sid Frankosky and guitarists Chris Van De Ven and Rick Chaves often put down a few beers together and talked about starting a new band, but it wasn’t until seeing drummer Brian Sohler that they knew they had found the element they were looking for to create what would become NEGATIVE SIXXX. Add bassist Rawn Wadley, fast forward a few months, and this band’s live maiden voyage was opening a sold-out show for Flynn and Phil Demmel’s classic thrash band Vio-lence.
Melding thrash and modern metal influences, the band released their debut EP, The Truth Shall Set You Free, in 2019 to overwhelming critical acclaim. The EP’s four tracks have racked up over 15,000 Spotify listens to date and have received airplay worldwide, even earning Band of the Month on Castle Blakk Radio and Most Requested Band on Texas’s ZTR.FM. The band has likewise garnered the support of local legends such as Exodus vocalist Steve “Zetro” Souza, who featured NEGATIVE SIXXX on his Zetro’s Toxic Vault YouTube channel, and Robb Flynn, who hosted band members on his podcast No Fuckin’ Regrets.
After the departure of drummer Sohler, bay area metal alum Mark Miller was brought into the fold and NEGATIVE SIXXX is continuing their positive trajectory with the impending release of their new album.
Juno Award-nominated symphonic death metal band EX DEO recently announced the release of their upcoming full-length album, The Thirteen Years Of Nero, out August 27, 2021 via Napalm Records! On The Thirteen Years Of Nero, the collective transports the listener back to Ancient Rome with 10 cinematic masterpieces that tell the conceptual story of the reign of Emperor Nero. Accented by sounds of ancient instruments like lyra and harp and detailing the harrowing stories of Nero’s surroundings, close allies and enemies, listeners will connect with intense psychological tones of political turmoil and paranoia.
Today, following the release of their bludgeoning first single “Imperator” and its equally brutal, bloody music video, EX DEO have revealed their standout second single, “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)” featuring the powerful pipes of Unleash The Archers frontwoman Brittney Slayes!
Frontman Maurizio Iacono says about “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)”: “Queen Boudicca has been a symbol of freedom and rebellion in England since her ultimate sacrifice on the battlefield defending her people and their beliefs. Rome, in full expansion and under the rule of emperor Nero, was on a mission to annex Britain as a Roman province after the death of King Prasutagus (Boudicca’s husband). The Roman treaty died, and so did peace.
The song embodies the tense exchange and mind frame of Boudicca against the Roman Empire’s invasion and occupation. We are thrilled that Brittney Slayes of Unleash The Archers accepted the invitation to guest and deliver a powerful performance on this song. There’s no one that better embodies the fighting spirit of Boudicca in metal than Brittney – the choice was clear. Prepare to be transported to ancient times of war and let the metal flow!”
Guest vocalist Brittney Slayes of Unleash The Archers adds: “I was beyond excited to get the invite to be a part of this project! I am a huge EX DEO fan, plus I love the history and mythology they always incorporate into their albums, so it was a huge honour. Not to mention getting to ‘play’ the role of the iconic and powerful Boudicca was the chance of a lifetime! I have always been inspired by the warrior queen of the Iceni and could not wait to lend my voice to her part. Here’s hoping everyone enjoys this track as much as I do!”
Watch the brand new music video for “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)”HERE
EX DEO returns with more massive, brutal soundscapes than ever on The Thirteen Years Of Nero! The Canadian unit is led by founding frontman Maurizio Iacono (Kataklysm) and producer/guitarist Jean-François Dagenais (Kataklysm, Misery Index, Despised Icon), with the stylings of Stephane Barbe (Kataklysm) on lead guitar, Jeramie Kling (Venom Inc.) on drums, Dano Apekian (Ashes of Eden) on bass and Clemens Wijers (Carach Angren, Lindemann) manning the intense orchestral score.
The Thirteen Years Of Nero pierces through the silence with its first auditory spear, “The Fall Of Claudius”, immediately drawing the listener in with a savagely heavy, grooving riff, ground-shaking swells and warning strings and horns. Discordant harmonies collide as a mosh-worthy battle riff chugs and pinches through the center of the song, showcasing the ruthlessness to come. “The Head Of The Snake” and unforgivingly immense “Britannia: The 9th At Camulodonum” balance sinister, spectral-like channels with up-tempo elements, racing like a chariot of symphonic death metal influences that careen the listener back to a sonic dimension of time forgotten. Standout opus “Boudicca (Queen Of The Iceni)” features the deft vocal stylings of Unleash The Archers frontwoman Brittney Slayes, the album’s weightiest thunderous percussion work and a glistening guitar solo, while the embers of pulsing “The Fiddle & The Fire” spark as the track traverses methodically yet steadfastly, like an iron striking a blade. “Son Of The Deified” and “What Artist Dies In Me…” bestow some of the album’s most strikingly dynamic guitar work, as well as ominous instrumentals, orchestral and choral pathways, before closing with the superb epic “The Revolt of Galba”. The track ebbs and flows between grooving, eerie piano-laden riffs and crystal-clear flourishes bestrewn with soaring strings.
With The Thirteen Years Of Nero, EX DEO have released their finest work yet while telling a timeless story of political intrigue, suspicion, evil and tyranny!
Maurizio Iacono says about The Thirteen Years Of Nero: “When it comes to Ancient Rome, the content is long, rich and extensive, the personalities reflect every society imaginable from just, fair and generous to greed, evil and merciless. The world we live in today was shaped by Rome – it doesn’t take much see it all around you in the simplest things. For this record, it was the proper time to fallow the timeline of one Rome’s most controversial figures, Nero. On this album, we follow him through his thirteen-year journey as emperor of Rome and unveil the true face of one of the world’s most worshiped villains.”
The Thirteen Years Of Nero tracklisting: 1. The Fall of Claudius 2. Imperator 3. The Head of the Snake 4. Boudicca (Queen of the Iceni) Feat. Brittney Slayes 5. Britannia: The 9th at Camulodonum 6. Trial of the Gods (Intermezzo) 7. The Fiddle & the Fire 8. Son of the Deified 9. What Artist Dies in Me… 10. The Revolt of Galba
The aptly named eclectic Aussie rock punk outfit known as SMOKING MARTHA have released a brand new music video for ‘Good Girls’. The scorching single is the lead track from their forthcoming second studio album ‘Universe’.
Vocalist Tasha D says, “‘Good Girls’ is the fun, energetic, side of our music. We have a fast punk background and this is in full force on this new track!” The video’s visual lean even further into the fun energy of the song, “we went with a bit of a retro 1970s feel, and what’s more energetic than a hot roller disco girl doing rad tricks?!”, says Tasha.
Brisbane’s Smoking Martha have built up a strong cult following across the UK, Europe and Australia with their high energy debut album record ‘In Deep’.?? The band has been burning through music venues with crushing live shows since their first EP was released in 2014. Smoking Martha has toured and shared stages with prestiogius artists ?like Sisters Of Mercy, Everclear, Fuel, Uriah Heep, Seether, Cherie Currie, Trapt, Bernie Torme, Wolfmother, Hardcore Superstar, Saxon, Thunder, Saliva, P.O.D, and many more.? With regular appearances at Australia’s favourite alternative festivals The Dead of Winter Fest and Mojo Burning, they also claimed their first UK festival with an evening slot at Hard Rock Hell festival UK in 2018.
Two shoulder surgeries and a pandemic later the band are ready to release new music again! Smoking Martha’s diverse blend of rock featuring Tasha’s smoldering vocals and the band’s captivating instrumental hooks will see Smoking Martha elevate their unique high voltage with the release of album number two in 2021. Produced by Matthew Bartlem (Dead Letter Circus, Matt Corby), ‘Universe’ will be released by Xelon Entertainment later this year. More news to follow…
Get ready for a diverse portfolio of music as tough as the hard heritage of their nation, yet overflowing with tonnes of soul and heart felt passion.
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 ) 