ALLEGAEON Enter The Studio to Record Sixth Full-Length Album

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

After releasing their latest album, Apoptosis, to critical acclaim in 2019, ALLEGAEON toured the world in support of it, joining the likes of Obscura, Fallujah, and more on the road, before heading back into writing mode last year. Now, Allegaeon is ready to enter the studio to begin recording this sixth full-length, with Dave Otero (Flatline Audio) at the helm once again.

Allegaeon comments: “Since the cancellation of our US headlining tour in April 2020, we have been hard at work writing a new album and now, one year later, we are ready to get into the studio to record it in preparation for release. Starting April 19th, we’ll be spending the following month at Flatline Audio in Denver, Colorado with our long-time engineer and good friend Dave Otero. This album is a milestone in our career as a band for a lot of different reasons, and because of that, we want to share as much of the recording experience with you as possible. We’ll be making regular updates to our usual social media accounts, as well as exclusive live-streams and in-studio interviews via our Patreon (patreon.com/allegaeon), so be sure to follow and subscribe wherever you are able.”

This upcoming album will also be the first to feature Jeff Saltzman (drums). Allegaeon comments: “We are proud to announce that we will be joined in the studio by drummer Jeff Saltzman (Unflesh, Aversed) for the entirety of the recording process. Jeff’s creative input and remarkable skill behind the kit has been an invaluable asset to the band during the writing process of this newest album, and we are overjoyed to bring him into the fold. Watch his unique take on our song ‘Extremophiles (B)’ in the playthrough video below and give him a warm welcome.
Thank you for reading & for all of your continued support as we move forward collectively through 2021 and into a new era of Allegaeon.”

Watch Jeff Saltzman’s drum play-through for “Extremophiles (B)” now here:

This November/December, Allegaeon will be hitting the road with Rivers Of Nihil, Archspire, Black Crown Initiate, and To The Grave for the European “Rising Merch Faces Of Death Tour 2021”. See below for dates; purchase your tickets now at: facesofdeathtour.com

Avocado Booking presents:
“Rising Merch Faces Of Death Tour 2021” w/ Rivers Of Nihil, Allegaeon, Archspire, Black Crown Initiate, To The Grave
Nov. 12, 2021 – Bochum, Germany @ Matrix
Nov. 13, 2021 – Munich, Germany @ Backstage
Nov. 14, 2021 – Milan, Italy @ Slaughter Club
Nov. 15, 2021 – Aarau, Switzerland @ KiFF
Nov. 16, 2021 – Karlsruhe, Germany @ Die Stadtmitte
Nov. 17, 2021 – Vienna, Austria @ Viper Room
Nov. 18, 2021 – Budapest, Hungary @ Dürer Kert
Nov. 19, 2021 – Dresden, Germany @ Puschkin
Nov. 20, 2021 – Prague, Czech Republic @ Nova Chmelnice
Nov. 21, 2021 – Poznan, Poland @ U Bazyla
Nov. 22, 2021 – Hannover, Germany @ Béi Chéz Heinz
Nov. 23, 2021 – Berlin, Germany @ Hole44
Nov. 24, 2021 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Stengade
Nov. 25, 2021 – Hamburg, Germany @ Logo
Nov. 26, 2021 – Aarschot, Belgium @ De Klinker Club
Nov. 27, 2021 – London, UK @ O2 Academy Islington
Nov. 28, 2021 – Birmingham, UK @ Mama Roux’s
Nov. 29, 2021 – Glasgow, UK @ Cathouse
Nov. 30, 2021 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
Dec. 1, 2021 – Manchester, UK @ Rebellion
Dec. 2, 2021 – Southampton, UK @ The Loft
Dec. 3, 2021 – Paris, France @ Gibus
Dec. 4, 2021 – Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje

GARMARNA Chosen as Finalist in John Lennon Song Writing Contest, Semi-Finalist in International Songwriting Competition

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Swedish folk rock pioneers GARMARNA have been selected as a Session II finalist in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest 2020 and have also been chosen as a semi-finalist in the International Songwriting Competition! The band was recognized for the song “Dagen Flyr” in the world music category for each respective contest.

The full list of Session II finalists and more information on the John Lennon Songwriting Contest can be found HERE.

The full list of semi-finalists as well as more information on the International Songwriting Competition can be found HERE.

The revered song “Dagen Flyr” is taken from the band’s 2020 full-length, ‘Förbundet,’ and can be heard at THIS LOCATION.

The visionary folk sounds of Sweden’s GARMARNA marry the past to the present on their captivating new album ‘Förbundet.’ ‘Förbundet’ (Swedish for connected) is an especially apt title as their songs, inspired by traditional Swedish folk music and Scandinavian ballads, are played by acoustic instruments but accented by a flourish of modern electronics (beats, loops and samples). The album, led by Emma Härdelin’s spellbinding vocals and aided by the rich production of Christopher Juul (HEILUNG), see the Grammis (Swedish Grammy) winning group operating at the heights of their powers. GARMARNA has persevered for nigh on four decades now, and ‘Förbundet’ further secures their legacy as one of the worldwide leaders of traditional Scandinavian folk music.

‘Förbundet’ can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.

DESASTER Reveal Details For New Album ‘Churches Without Saints’, Launch Video For New Single “Learn to Love the Void”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment
Photo credit: Diana Mennicke

On June 4th, DESASTER will release their new album, Churches Without Saints, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of Churches Without Saints, a video for the new single, “Learn to Love the Void”, can be viewed at: metalblade.com/desaster – where the record can also be pre-ordered in various formats.

Since 1989, Germany’s Desaster have been churning out their unique and unholy blend of extreme metal, and in 2021 they return with perhaps their most powerful album to-date, the towering Churches Without Saints. “It’s a typical Desaster old school black-death-thrash metal album, with a lot of aggression, but also great atmosphere and epic tunes!” enthuses guitarist and founding member Infernal. With a simple remit of making an album full of “neck-breaking songs”, the quartet have once again proven themselves leaders in their chosen genres, giving their faithful and newcomers alike plenty to salivate over.

With a five-year gap elapsing since they dropped last album The Oath Of An Iron Ritual, fans have had to be very patient, but will find the results more than worth the wait. This new effort also features Hont taking over behind the kit from previous drummer Tormentor, bringing a welcome change to the way they work. “He’s a very skilled drummer and can play really anything. Whereas in the past the songwriting was a lot of ‘trial and error’ with testing many rhythms, we nowadays can work much more efficiently. Hont knows what rhythms fit to the riffs immediately. He has studied Desaster‘s music in detail and knows what works best, but he is not just copying Tormentor’s style – he brings his own skilled style into the music, and also some new rhythms and figures. That of course brings some fresh wind into the songs.”

The record was tracked in the band’s rehearsal room and was recorded, mixed and mastered by their live mixer Jan “Janosch” Gensheimer. This led to a very relaxed atmosphere throughout the whole process, having rehearsed a lot prior to recording and also doing a full pre-production demo with their own equipment, meaning they could record very fast and without many mistakes. They did however change things up a little, sonically speaking. “It was a big goal for me to change the sound a bit,” says Infernal. “Whereas the last albums had a very harsh sound, where the mid and high frequencies were dominating, I wanted a warmer and smoother sound this time. I always liked the sound of our ‘Tyrants of the Netherworld’ album from 2000 very much, and the new album is an effort to develop this sound with more details and different instruments. On ‘Tyrants‘, we had the rough mud of deepest hellish caves, now we present you the black lava which is flowing around the throne of Satan himself!” And having achieved everything they set out to, Churches Without Saints definitively starts a new and exciting chapter in one of extreme metal’s most consistently thrilling bands.

Churches Without Saints track-listing
1. The Grace of Sin
2. Learn to Love the Void
3. Failing Trinity
4. Exile Is Imminent
5. Churches Without Saints
6. Hellputa
7. Sadistic Salvation
8. Armed Architects of Annihilation
9. Primordial Obscurity
10. Endless Awakening
11. Aus Asche

MAGG DYLAN Express Frustration In New “Pawns” Music Video & Single

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: . Leave a comment

Virginia Beach alternative metallers MAGG DYLAN have revealed a new music video for their brand new single “Pawns”. The song is a blistering anthem for the Spring about the lack of unity over the novel virus. The video was directed by Digital Thunderdome. Watch it right now:

“This song has a very deep meaning for us, and it is a lot heavier than most of the songs from our full-length Amethyst” says lead singer Suzanne De Iulio. “We shot this video exactly 365 days after we shot Delusional with the same director – Digital Thunderdome and they are masters of their craft. The School Bus Graveyard was a perfect location for this video because it signifies abandonment, and I think this really conveys the overwhelming emotions in the song. This was our first experience with a drone camera and that was epic, making for some big shots.” Bassist Les Moseley adds, “it was a bone-chilling day and night… freezing! If we were doing anything outside of something for this band it certainly would have been in our top 5 most miserable days because I could feel every degree of that day through every little rip in my jeans and I can only imagine how Suzie felt. Thankfully, Scott, Desiree and the rest of the crew kept us on point and handled everything so professionally. I don’t think we could’ve managed without them!”

“Pawns” is the bands latest single since their stunning rendition of the Grammy-winning 90’s rock hit originally performed by Alanis Morissette, “You Oughta Know”. Watch that music video at this location.

VREID Release “Into the Mountains,” Ft. Valfar’s (WINDIR) Original Recordings

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment
Hváll and Valfar in Elm Street Bar, Oslo (2002)

Sognametal veterans VREID are now releasing “Into the Mountains,” a very special track from their upcoming full length, ‘Wild North West.’ “Into the Mountains” is a homage to the Sognametal spirit and legacy. The ideas for that track were written in 2002 by Jarle ‘Hváll’ Kvåle and late WINDIR frontman Terje ‘Valfar’ Bakken. Inspired by these ideas, Hváll wrote the song and included the original demo keyboard tracks from 2002, which were recorded back then by Valfar. The song and its accompanying video, which is the latest chapter of the band’s ambitious film project, can be found at THIS LOCATION.

VREID songwriter and bass player Jarle Hváll Kvåle comments:
“‘Into the Mountains’ is the essence of Sognametal, a hymn to Sogndal and a celebration of our ancestors and legacy. Late winter 2020 preparing for the new album, I went through my old recording hard discs and I found some old ideas for riffs that I had made in 2002. It was from a session between the 1184 and Likferd albums. I also found some unused keyboard parts recorded by Valfar from the same period.  I could not remember neither of these and became euphoric by rediscovering this. So, I blocked out the outside world, locked myself in the studio, and it instantly send me 20 years back in time. I felt Spellbound working on this song. For a few days it felt like me and Valfar was working together in the studio again, and what a weird and fantastic session this was. The dynamic of working together with Valfar is something that I will always miss, and these strange days was like a time travel into a lost time. The result of this session is ‘Into the Mountains,’ a song that feels so pure, fresh and vital for us, yet with a great homage to our olden times. Life is a strange curvy road”

Moreover, VREID recently announced their exciting and unique partnership with the Sogndal Football Club! The club has for many years been known for developing and cultivating extraordinary talent, as the men’s team currently plays in first division, the second tier of the Norwegian football league system. Now, Sogndal Football Club is paying tribute to the band that has brought Sognametal to the whole world, by putting the logo of metal veterans and forefathers VREID on the chest of player’s uniforms for this upcoming season.

VREID has  recently appeared on Norway’s TV2, the biggest commercial news station in the country! The clip spotlighted the band’s ‘Into the Mountains of Sognametal’ livestream, which attracted over 140,000 fans from all over the world when it premiered in June of 2020, as well as the band’s ambitious upcoming album and film. The TV2 news item can be seen HERE.

‘Wild North West’ is a concept album that developed alongside an entire movie. Inspired by both true events and pure imagination, the listener is taken on a whirlwind of a journey, diving deep into themes of war, fear, betrayal, loss, anxiety, and madness with thought-provoking lyrics that embody human nature. It captures the Nordic heart at the core of their sound, taking cues from Norway’s rugged landscape as it ricochets between eternal darkness and the solace of bracing light.

Tracklist:
1. Wild North West (05:23)
2. Wolves at Sea (05:14)
3. The Morning Red (05:42)
4. Shadows of Aurora (05:20)
5. Spikes of God (04:10)
6. Dazed and Reduced (04:55)
7. Into the Mountains (05:20)
8. Shadowland (09:53)
Total: 0:49:23 

The cover was created by Remi Juliebø (Deformat Design)

IRON MAIDEN’s ‘Legacy of the Beast’ Announces Ground-Breaking In-Game Collaboration With AMON AMARTH

Posted by tarjavirmakari on April 14, 2021
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: , , . Leave a comment

IRON MAIDEN‘s Legacy of the Beast free-to-play mobile game is excited to announce their first ever in-game band collaboration with Swedish metallers AMON AMARTH.

Entitled the “Viking Invasion”, the month-long event takes its broad themes from Iron Maiden‘s song, “Invaders”, from 1982’s The Number of the Beast album. Taking a page out of its own (comic) book, Legacy of the Beast created a new character and storyline borrowing from Amon Amarth‘s latest album, The Berserker.

After a spate of murderous attacks on his village, a lone Beserker vows revenge on the culprits who slaughtered his family. No stranger to battle, retribution or revenge, Eddie, Iron Maiden‘s infamous mascot, leads not only the Beserker but also Norse Goddess, Freya, into battle against unrelenting waves of enemies to seek vengeance for the Berserker’s fallen kin. Are these random attacks, or is something more sinister afoot?

Find out when you meet The Berserker in the Viking Invasion Dungeon launching April 13th, 2021 at 5pm PT in Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast mobile game.

“Legacy of the Beast was built on a foundation of Iron Maiden songs, art and history, but has also always been about introducing and developing creative ideas that extended beyond Maiden,” band Manager Rod Smallwood comments, “and, just as we’ve always invited bands out to tour with us, we are delighted to invite some friends to become part of our game and to provide another dimension to the fun, dexterity and excitement of it.”

In Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast, metal and RPG gaming fans take on the role of the band’s iconic mascot, Eddie, who travels through time, across a spectacularly diverse array of worlds in captivating 3D environments. Eddie appears in many forms, each a part of Iron Maiden‘s rich history, and each with a set of special powers and abilities.

Amon Amarth‘s lead vocalist & Viking-in-chief Johan Hegg explains, “To have our own character in the Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast game is just insanely cool! And such an honor. We hope everyone will enjoy our humble contribution to this awesome game!”

Players can earn the Berserker character for free from April 13th – May 12th, 2021.

Over the years, the game has expanded to include 20 dungeons and 6 unique Worlds, from the pits of The Beast’s Hell, Powerslave‘s Ancient Egypt, AMOLAD‘s World War II to The Final Frontier of the far future, hundreds of characters including 90 Eddies based on classic Maiden album and single covers. A vast array of enemies – corrupt Demons (Lucifer, Baphomet), Gods (Horus, Osiris, Odin) and Monsters aplenty, a bloody Player vs Player Battle Arena and a ruthless Gauntlet feature designed to satisfy new players and hardcore long-term players. The latest feature, “Clans”, allows players to join forces with their blood brothers to complete team tasks and face off against monstrous Raid Bosses. All to an in-game soundtrack of over 30 Iron Maiden tracks including – “The Trooper”, “Where Eagles Dare”, “Lord Of Light”, “Aces High” and more.

Iron Maiden: Legacy of the Beast is a 4.6 star- rated, action-packed, free-to-play mobile game available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

For more information please visit: ironmaidenlegacy.com