DOBBELTGJENGER Reveal Video And New Single “Building Skyscrapers”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 10, 2021
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Known for their ability to stretch their sound in a variety of different directions, Norwegian Rockers DOBBELTGJENGER recently announced that their latest album “SMOOTH FAILING” was set for release on Karisma Records on the 9th April.  Welcome news indeed for fans who had been waiting three years for new material from a band whose avowed intention is to bring back not just the Groove, but also the Fun, in Rock Music.

And today, with the release of single “BUILDING SKYSCRAPERS”,  Karisma Records offers us another glimpse into what to expect from DOBBELTGJENGER’s third full-length album.  The image created in the mind’s eye by the title of the song itself is very apt for the subject matter,  as the band explains:

Building skyscrapers together with other people and within ourselves takes courage. Meeting and getting close to people is very scary, but incredible and beautiful. The height of the potential fall of a skyscraper and the majestic and impressive nature of them, makes them a perfect metaphor for new and intense relationships.

“BUILDING SKYSCRAPERS”, can be streamed or downloaded from a variety of services at this location.

“BUILDING SKYSCRAPERS” is a totally different animal from the previously released single “JOHANNA”, and stands as a clear testament to the different sound that DOBBELTGJENGER’s lineup of Vegard Wikne (OCEAN OF LOTION) vocals, guitars, bass and synths;  Sondre Veland (MAJOR PARKINSON & OSSICLES) drums, percussion, grunts and guitar solo on Johanna; Knut-Martin Langeland Rasmussen on guitars; Bastian Veland on guitar, synth, percussion etc., and Jone Kuven on bass, with Jonas Flemsæter Hamre (session saxophone), are able to bring to the band’s music.

With “SMOOTH FAILING” DOBBELTGJENGER have come up with an album that is full of catchy songs and funky rhythms, or, as the band says:

An explosive, dark and neon saturated party album, where naive, riff based “the Strokes-esque” themes are met with vigorous grooves and cheeky falsettos. The album is about the gritty “BOOM!”s, manic “FUN!”s, gut wrenching “OH FUCK!”s and terrifying “I LOVE Y…”s of life.

Of course, “SMOOTH FAILING” is not just about fun, manic or otherwise, and comes with  a darker side, as the band recently revealed:

This album has been brewing on different computers for over three years. The record was written in a quite tumultuous, manic and self-destructive period of primus motor Vegard Wiknes’  life. SMOOTH FAILING revolves around the delight and self-deception of doing all the wrong things in your life. It´s a dark party album, made for bad decisions!

With artwork by Klende, track listing for “SMOOTH FAILING” is as follows:

  1. ELEPHANTS IN THE ROOM
  2. COME ON OVER
  3. JOHANNA
  4. DIVE IN
  5. BUILDING SKYSCRAPERS
  6. LIVING IN OVERDRIVE
  7. ELECTRICAL SEASONS
  8. LA DEE DA
  9. DO THE WRONG THINGS

“SMOOTH FAILING”  will be available in Digital, CD, and Vinyl formats and can now be pre-ordered from the following:

Webshop:  karismarecords.no/shop
Bandcamp: https://dobbeltgjenger.bandcamp.com

DOBBELTGJENGER’s previous single “JOHANNA”, can be streamed or downloaded from the following  https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/DOBBELTGJENGER_JOHANNA

Whilst the video can be seen at https://youtu.be/bieplRiafAA

BLUE HOUR GHOSTS Release New Single “Shine”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 10, 2021
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Alternative/Prog Metal Act BLUE HOUR GHOSTS have unleashed their new single “Shine”, taken from the forthcoming album “Due” Out February 12, 2021.

LYRIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/YnXAgF43ZIk
DIGITAL: https://backl.ink/144204268
PRE ORDER: http://bit.ly/Due_CD​ 

The band comments on the track:
“Shine is a melancholic andante/mid-tempo rocker with a “grungy” feel, introduced by piano and vocals, before a riveting guitar riff sets on; then, a subtle, atmospheric verse makes way for a truly powerful and dramatic chorus; the song ends with a final climax that brings the listener back to the initial melodies in circular fashion. The track is literally packed with hooks and melodies that greatly enrich the musical fabric, sustaining Ricky’s wholehearted singing. In spite of its somber tone, the song is about finding the courage to accept our flaws and unlock all the beautiful things we keep inside ourselves, to overcome our fears, our sense of inadequateness or incompleteness, and the cages sometimes relationships bind us to, which can smother our will and diminish our self-esteem. It’s an exhortation to take the initiative, bear the suffering and then find out how an ugly duckling can become a swan, even through pain and waiver.”

Lyric Video by Evolution Lab

BLUE HOUR GHOSTS’ forthcoming  “Due” is the follow up to their 2016 self-titled debut album. Teaming up once again with Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi (session musician for Fear Factory, Grenouer, Levania, Noveria), BHG’s “Due” is their sophomore effort continuing their blend of progressive, classic, gothic metal, and alternative rock.

Taking a fresh, powerful, and intense melodic assault, “Due” depicts a wide range of soundscapes ranging from full metal aggression to soft, acoustic atmospheres, passing through infectious and catchy hooks and refrains that will enthrall any music addict, along with sophisticated layered arrangements to satisfy the most demanding palates. Throughout the 9 songs, all the ghosts hiding in the blue hour are made alive in the deep and heartfelt narration provided by both music and lyrics, offering a unique and compelling listening experience.

Keyboardist Simome Pedrazzi comments about the new album:
“With “Due” we are trying to engage new and established fans with an enjoyable, fresh, and yet sophisticated multi-level listening experience. All the nine songs offer an abundance of hooks that can stick into the ear from the first listen and remain impressed into the listener’s mind, stimulating his/her curiosity. There is no room for boredom, as within each song and throughout all the album, powerful and atmospheric sections alternate with each other in a seamless flow, thus keeping the attention high. The variety of musical colours displayed throughout the album and the extreme care we put into obtaining a lush and polished sound will allow for an extremely pleasant sonic experience.”

Track Listing:
1. Walking Backwards (4:01)
2. On Black Clouds (3:45)
3. Dead in August (5:12)
4. Damn Wrong (4:23)
5. Shine (5:19)
6. Fearless (4:00)
7. Lower the Wires (3:57)
8. Disheartened (4:27)
9. Involved/Bored (3:52)

Produced by Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi for dysFUNCTION Productions
Recorded and Engineered by Giuseppe Bassi
Mixed and Mastered by Giuseppe Bassi
All music and lyrics written by Blue Hour Ghosts
Additional arrangements, keyboards, sound design and programming by Giuseppe Bassi
Artwork concept and paintings by Blue Hour Ghosts
Band photos by Patrizia Cogliati – Musicphoto
Graphic layout by Francesca Dalla Costa – Secondalinea Officine Creative

THUNDERMOTHER Postpone German Tour Dates

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 10, 2021
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THUNDERMOTHER have to postpone their German Tour to March 2021. With regards to the regional Corona restrictions this tour will legally happen with reduced capacity, distance, safety & hygiene measures.

During that free time upfront the the tour the band is recording new tracks for the upcoming Deluxe Edition of their recent album “Heat Wave” in Medley Studios in Kopenhagen. The album entered German album charts on sensational #6 last summer and stayed in the Top 100 for weeks.
Die release of the “Heat Wave” Deluxe Edition is going to be released in April 2021 and will include several new tracks and exclusive versions.

Despite all current circumstances, the girls do their thing. Even if the situation for musicians, artists and the entire event industry with millions of jobs is massively endangered and after months of stagnancy is becoming more and more existence-threatening, THUNDERMOTHER want to set an example again.

Band founder and lead guitarist Filippa Nässil:
“The new postponement really hurts extremely! But, we are not going to hang in there and will go on tour 2 months later than planned. Our fans can be sure that we fight for Rock’n’Roll! As soon as we can we will play live again! We won’t resign and we all in the same boat! Keep it up and believe in it: Rock’n’Roll never dies!”

The new tourdates are here:
27.02. Berlin/ Columbiahalle
28.02. Bremen/ Meisenfrei
04.03. Oberhausen/ Resonanzwerk
05.03. Lindau/ Club Vaudeville
06.03. Obertraubling/ Eventhall Airport
07.03. Nürnberg/ Der Hirsch
09.03. Hamburg/ Indra Club 64
10.03. Hamburg/ Fabrik
11.03. Bielefeld/ Lokschuppen
12.03. Friedrichskoog/ Haus des Kurgastes
13.03. Kolding (DK)/ Godset
15.03. Osnabrück/ Bastard Club
16.03. Frankfurt/ Batschkapp
18.03. Würzburg/ Posthalle
19.03. Kaiserslautern/ Kammgarn
20.03. Saarbrücken/ Garage – ROCK’N’EAT 
21.03. Weinheim/ Café Central
23.03. München/ Backstage
24.03. Kufstein (AT)/ Kulturfabrik
25.03. Memmingen/ Kaminwerk
26.03. Selb/ Rockclub Nordbayern
27.03. Selb/ Rockclub Nordbayern 
29.03. Köln/ Rock-Pit (Acoustic Show)
30.03. Bonn/ Harmonie

WYTHERSAKE Release ‘Iniquity’ Lyric Video

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 10, 2021
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US blackened-death metal hottest newcomers WYTHERSAKE have released a lyric video for the song  ‘Iniquity’, taken from their debut album ‘Antiquity’, set to be released on March 26, 2021 on Scarlet Records.

This is how the band commented: “‘Iniquity’ touches on the belief that you are wicked and a lost sinner from the moment you are born. The process of teaching this forces people to accept this uncritically – Questioning the belief itself is considered a transgression, which creates a type of echo chamber. Ultimately, breaking away from the bonds of that type of indoctrination is a very liberating and rewarding experience.”

Combining the sophisticated and progressive/melodic side of the 90’s Scandinavian death-black masters with sheer American fierceness and frenzy, Wythersake is the band that the extreme metal scene was craving from a long time. Formed in 2016, the Washington D.C. quartet quickly developed a unique style and released a couple of acclaimed singles online. Now, the secret ingredient of their astonishing debut album is the fact that they allowed themselves the freedom and time to explore different sounds, layers and dynamics, all pushed to the limit. Lyrically, the concept of ‘Antiquity’ revolves around apostasy and Gnosticism: in the early Middle Ages, personal spiritual growth and knowledge and the eradication of ignorance became considered heretical and were replaced by salvation through unquestioning faith and piety and a focus on eradication of sin (by any means necessary). Wythersake is the much-needed antidote: an exhilarating symphony of destruction that will elevate your soul.

The evocative artwork by Alvaro Valverde (Unanimated) beautifully depicts the themes of the album, which will be released in a 4-panel digipack.

ABIOTIC Launch Full Album Stream Of ‘Ikigai’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 10, 2021
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This Friday, February 12th, recently re-emerged technical death metal outfit ABIOTIC will drop their highly anticipated third full-length, Ikigai, via The Artisan Era. 

While going on hiatus does not necessarily mean a group’s best days are behind them, often this rings true, yet Abiotic eagerly buck that trend with their finest effort yet on Ikigai. Abiotic states, “We also leaned on some classical and eastern style instrumentation, along with some progressive and jazzy elements.”

Ikigai also boasts numerous killer guest spots from musicians such as Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder), Chaney Crabb (Entheos), Brandon Ellis (The Black Dahlia Murder), Scott Carstairs (Fallujah), Jared Smith (Archspire), and Jonathan Carpenter (ex-The Contortionist). Abiotic have dug deep and hit a new apex and the end result of their evolution is astounding on Ikigai.

Today the band partnered with Decibel Magazine to launch an early album stream of Ikigai. 

Decibel comments
“After releasing their debut EP in 2011, the stateside-based team of highly trained tech-death musicians known as Abiotic went on to release two full-length albums, and tour extensively, before falling unexpectedly quiet some time in 2016. Now Abiotic returns after five years, just as abruptly as they left. Like a warrior returning from training in seclusion under a master so mysterious as to be mythological, Abiotic reemerge from the mists with an achievement of staggering heaviness and incredible daring.”

Abiotic – Ikigai Pre-orders
Label Store: https://www.theartisanerastore.com/category/abiotic
Bandcamp:  smarturl.it/Abiotic-Bandcamp

MEMORIAM Release Second Album Trailer

Posted by tarjavirmakari on February 10, 2021
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photo © Timm Sonnenschein

Onwards into battle, one more time… In the two years since MEMORIAM released Requiem For Mankind, the band haven’t rested on their laurels. Their fourth studio album, To The End is due for release on March 26 via Reaper Entertainment.

Today, the band presents the second album trailer for this upcoming record.
Let Karl Willetts explain you more about the lyrical concept and the connections with the album cover:

The second digital single “Failure to Comply” will be released on February 26th, 2021.
You can pre-save the single on Spotify now: https://smarturl.it/FailureToComply

ICYM:
The first album trailer can be seen here: https://youtu.be/lfjU9vr8P0E
The lyric video of the first digital single “Onwards Into Battle” can be seen here: https://youtu.be/goDKHYj-UFY

Karl Willetts states:
“Onwards into Battle” is the opening track from the new album “To the End”. 
A powerful introduction that sets the tone of the album and gives the listener a taste of what is to come. 
Lyrically the track provides continuity from the previous album  “Requiem for Mankind” and is similar in many ways to the track “Fixed Bayonets”. The lyrics focus on the start of battle “Zero Hour” which is appropriate for the start of the album.
within the theme of “War” the lyrics explore the brutally of trench warfare specifically. 
The war continues. Let battle commence.”

You can pre-order “To The End” here: www.reapermusic.de/memoriam-end

Marking the beginning of a second trilogy of albums, To The End serves as something of a prologue to the first three MEMORIAM albums. Working backwards and narrating the life story of the leader whose demise was depicted in the first trilogy, the lyrics on the album may play out in a fictional realm, but they incorporate inspiration from real life. A central theme of war is coloured with political fulminations and everyday experiences that combine to create a cohesive and enthralling chronicle.

The four-piece returned to producer, Russ Russell, for the recording of To The End. For the first time, the band demoed the songs and entered the studio with a new level of preparedness. Coupled with their close relationship with Russell, this created an environment that allowed for greater experimentation, as demonstrated by the diverse array of textures and sounds present on the nine tracks on the album. 

From the earliest days of the band, they had their eye on the art Dan Seagrave (Benediction, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Suffocation etc) as an accompaniment to their music. Having created the artwork for the first three MEMORIAM albums, he has also created the cover for To The End.