On January 29th, DEMON HEAD will release their new album, Viscera, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of the record, a video for the new single, “The Feline Smile”, can be viewed at:
Demon Head comments: “Today we give you ‘The Feline Smile’, the second single from our 4th album ‘Viscera‘. 12-string guitar and pipe organ initiates the song’s many changes. Mellotron arrangements accompany brittle vocal harmonies developing into a climax of cryptic guitar solos. A song of haunting and hidden pleasure; the untamed wild of the feline smile. A cut-up video assemblage by David Thelen reveals artwork from the album.”
The previously released single, “The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony”, can be heard at: metalblade.com/demonhead – where Viscera can be pre-ordered in various formats.
Demon Head is comprised of five internationally based and widely acclaimed musicians; Mikkel Sander Fuglsang, Birk Gjerlufsen Nielsen, Marcus Ferreira Larsen, Thor Gjerlufsen Nielsen and Jeppe Wittus. Though hesitant to compromise the description of the music they perform through generalizing terms of genre, they’ve coined the term “diabolic rock” as an appropriate presentation.
Their fourth full-length – Viscera – is a new beginning for Demon Head. Recorded during the first months of 2020 between the legendary Sweet Silence Studios by Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, Rainbow) and a remote country house in Sweden, the album was mixed by Martin ‘Konie’ Ehrencrona (In Solitude, Tribulation, Nifelheim). The production shows the impeccable qualities of joined forces, where old techniques meet new aesthetics, and major label possibilities meet underground, uncompromising DIY dedication. The resulting 10 songs showcase acoustic instruments, flourishing mellotron strings, brass instruments, tape manipulation and church organ – displayed in equal measure to the sound of the crushing drums of J.W, cryptic guitars of brothers B.G.N and T.G.N, pounding bass lines of M.S.F, and the vocals of M.F.L combined with the eerily captivating falsetto and baryton of B.G.N.
Demon Head comments: “We are now ready to offer You ‘Viscera‘. It contains more of us than any album we have made before, and we hope that You will welcome it as sincerely as it will welcome You.”
Viscera track-listing 1. Tooth and Nail 2. The Feline Smile 3. Arrows 4. Magical Death 5. The Lupine Choir 6. A Long, Groaning Descent 7. In Adamantine Chains 8. Black Torches 9. Wreath 10. The Triumphal Chariot of Antimony
Demon Head will play 2 release shows on January 30th (sold-out) and 31st at Pumpehuset in Copenhagen. “Release ceremonies will take place in Copenhagen when this year is newly dead. Tokens for the passage are available here: pumpehuset.dk
With “Through Aureate Void” set to be released on the 25th February, Dark Essence Records have today released the single “Leaf in the Current”, from what will be FIVE THE HIEROPHANT‘s second full-length album.
“Leaf in the Current” is the opening track from the album and this is what FIVE THE HIEROPHANT had to say about it:
“Leaf in the current’ is the first piece we ever did for the new album. It has been well over a year since we started the recording, a process that was supposed to be like a quick exciting bang and ended up in being like this draining everlasting orgy without hope for culmination on the horizon. If you excuse the metaphor. So from the perspective of this time, I believe that this track is the most representative of Five The Hierophant version 2020 and should give you a good clue as to what is about to unfold.
FIVE THE HIEROPHANT’s lineup comprises Chris on drums, Dan on percussion instruments (toms, bongos, djembe, zither, tabla, triangle guirro, shakers, death whistle, cymbals), Mitch – bass guitar effects, omichord, noisebox, analogue synthesizer, Jon on saxophone, music saw, bells, Kali on guitar, field recordings, violin, zither, bow guitar, dungchen. And much more besides!
With their use of such a plethora of unusual instruments FIVE THE HIEROPHANT are able to create a sound where psychedelic black metal combines with jazz and doom, leading the listener into drone-like universe shrouded in mysticism and mystery.
And, with their latest offering, the band has followed an even more psychedelic direction, whilst keeping intact the heaviness and darkness that make FIVE THE HIEROPHANT’s music so devastating, as the band recently explained:
It took us longer than anticipated, as you can imagine, due to circumstances that befall us all. Nonetheless, the new album is finished, and ready to take you on a journey through aureate void. It’s quite abstract, and there’s lots of experimentation, both in regard to the sound and instruments used, and to the song structures. A lot of it comes from improvisation and leaving things to chance. I suppose we have taken it further than our debut album.
FIVE THE HIEROPHANT have once again used the work of the legendary Norwegian painter Odd Nerdrum for the album’s cover art, and track listing for “Through Aureate Void” is as follows:
1. Leaf in the Current 2. Fire from Frozen Cloud 3. Berceuse (for Magnetic Sleep) 4. Pale Flare over Marshes 5. The Hierophant (II)
“Through Aureate Void” will be available in CD, LP and Digital formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:
UNDER ATTACK‘s Virus Alert, released today, is a concept album set in a dystopian future, the themes are very current such as the danger derived from a society where finance dominates, a world where mass manipulation techniques increasingly prevail. In this struggle for power all the wickedness that can inhabit man is manifested. In this Orwellian and apocalyptic world, the war for oppression occurs above all on an economic and social level.
Those who dominate the market, the banks and the media are those who hold true world power, power which then translates first into a ferocious dictatorship and finally into a world war, a war of the future where conventional weapons are associated with use of nuclear and battery weapons. All this evil seems to have the upper hand but the picture described by the songs lets us glimpse the light of a divine and supernatural intervention that will stop the madness of evil and self-destruction forever.
To represent this concept also in the cover and in the graphics, Under Attack relied on a great artist, author of numerous covers of important bands such as Evergrey; Gianni Nakos.
The sound of the album refers to the classic metal of the 80s with a particular attention to the guitar solos.
Track by track by Daniele Sciacca from Under Attack: Soldier presents the general theme that the following songs will develop. In a dystopian future the war for power has begun, a war fought mainly through the use of technology and science against man and with the world of the media oriented towards one-way propaganda. A war where economic interests are all in favor of the most powerful. The song is a cry of conscience, like the cry of a soldier preparing to attack the enemy…
Ready For Escape is a fast track, I wanted a riff that would enter your head immediately and bring this atmosphere to life. The lyrics is very basic and asks a question to an imaginary protagonist: are you ready to exit the system? Are you ready for what is to come? In this song there are two really strong solos, one by Nando who helped me in the drafting and edited the arrangements and one by Fabio who co-produced the song and is a guest with his solo.
Secret Plan – In this Orwellian world, a group of powerful people have worked in secret and prepared a terrible plan for domination over the masses and total control. It seems to be no escape. The riff is tough and the feeling, especially the chorus, opens up echoing a bit the Classic metal of the 80’s to which the whole album refers.
The Rules is the second song co-produced with my friend guitarist Fabio Rossi and which also hosts his solo together with that of Nando Bonini. In this piece Nando was really strong in the arrangements with the two starting guitars intertwining together over the keyboard carpet and the rhythm section. A very nice intro in my opinion and the song was actually chosen as the highlight of the EP released last year.
Beyond The Sea – The song is inspired by the depths of the sea and is a metaphor for the problems and the darkness in which we sometimes walk in life. It is a song that invites you to never give up in the face of the hardest trials, to get out of your fears and depressions and find the key to take your life back and live it as protagonists. The song is heavy and the initial riff is also a tribute to the classic metal of the 80’s.
Under Attack is perhaps the hardest track of the project. It was one of the first songs I composed, in fact the title of the album was originally supposed to be included in the EP that came out in 2019 but then we thought of keeping it and inserting it in the album. We are under attack. Everything is ready and the big control system is about to play its dirty game…
In The Sign And The Cross, I wanted to refer to many prophecies starting from Revelation in which we speak of a great sign, visible to all men that will precede the end of time. A warning therefore that the time allowed for evil to act in the world is drawing to a close and that the true King is about to make his return, restoring balance, bringing salvation to those who have remained faithful. The song is a ballad and Nando was really strong in describing this epic and apocalyptic feeling in music.
The Last War is about this relentless struggle between those of men who wish to be free and a political, economic and social system that uses mass control to be the only possible system. The only way to live seems to be that of being slaves to a system that presents itself as a promoter of new freedoms and democracy but which instead glorifies itself and its plans of death.
The End Of The Road – I love this song for its travel feeling, in the car, with the radio on and maybe a road that crosses a large valley bordering the desert or that runs along the sea. It’s the end of the story. That’s when you sum up and understand how it ended. Did the good win or the evil triumph? It always depends on us. The song is melancholy, because it speaks of ruins and destroyed cities. Every war brings terrible consequences, but afterwards, as always has been from the beginning, there is a rebirth. And we all have to work for this rebirth. We all inhabit the task of making our lives better. To give a future to our world and our children.
Virus Alert | Released January 12th, 2021 via Sliptrick Records
Track Listing: 01. Soldier | 02. Ready For Escape | 03. Secret Plan | 04. The Rules | 05. Beyond The Sea | 06. Under Attack | 07. The Sign And The Cross | 08. The Last War | 09. The End Of The Road
Iconic guitarist Steve Hackett, releases his new acoustic album Under A Mediterranean Sky on 22nd January 2021 as a Limited CD Digipak, Gatefold 2LP + CD + LP-booklet and Digital Album via InsideOut Music. Under A Mediterranean Sky is Steve Hackett’s first acoustic solo album since Tribute in 2008 and takes inspiration from Steve’s extensive travels around the Mediterranean with his wife Jo.
Today sees the release of the third track from the album, and last before the album release. Watch the video for the enchanting ‘Sirocco’ here:
Steve comments: “Visits to the vast and atmospheric Arabian and Sahara deserts of Egypt, Jordan and Morocco inspired this music.”
Late last year he launched the second single from the album, the epic ‘Mdina (The Walled City)’. Listen now here: https://youtu.be/7LHxna8OoRw
Working closely with long-time musical partner Roger King, Hackett has used his time during 2020’s lockdown to take us on an extraordinary musical journey around the Mediterranean, painting vivid images of stunning landscapes and celebrating the diverse cultures of the region. Famed for his rock roots with Genesis, and through his extensive solo catalogue, Hackett demonstrates the exquisite beauty of the nylon guitar at times venturing into the exotic ethnic and often supported by dazzling orchestral arrangements.
“A lot of acoustic ideas had been forming over the years, and it felt like the perfect time to create this album,” notes Hackett, “a time to contemplate the places we’ve visited around the Mediterranean with the kind of music which evolved from the world of imagination. Because we can’t really travel, substantially at the moment, I hope that the album will take people on that journey. Whether you sit down and listen to it or drift off to it with a glass of wine…”
Track Listing: Mdina – The Walled City (Steve Hackett / Roger King) Adriatic Blue (Steve Hackett) Sirocco (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King) Joie de Vivre (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett) The Memory of Myth (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King Scarlatti Sonata (Domenico Scarlatti) Casa del Fauno (Steve Hackett / Roger King) The Dervish and the Djin (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King) Lorato (Steve Hackett) Andalusian Heart (Steve Hackett / Jo Hackett / Roger King) The Call of the Sea (Steve Hackett)
Our journey around the Med begins on the island of Malta, in Mdina – The Walled City. It’s imposing strength is portrayed by Roger King’s dramatic orchestration while Hackett’s guitar weaves through the atmospheric streets describing the creativity, love and strength that held Malta together between all the waves of conflict.
With Hackett’s delicate guitar work, Adriatic Blue paints an enchanting view of stunning scenery as tall cliffs of forested mountains plunge into the deep blue sea along the Croatian coastline. Sirocco is altogether more atmospheric, inspired by the winds playing through the imposing structures of Egypt.
The lively Joie de Vivre expresses the unique sense of joy the French have through their wine, food and folk music, with paintings reflecting family gatherings, spectacular vistas and the vibrant colours of their cities. The art of dreaming is embodied in their sensual love of life.
“At first hand, I’ve marvelled at the mystical whirling Dervishes,” says Hackett. Along with otherworldly beings such as the Djin (Genie) they sprang from Persia’s dreaming past. The Dervish And The Djin captures the extraordinary atmosphere of this most exotic of civilisations with the help of Hackett’s touring band regular – Rob Townsend’s soprano sax, the tar of Malik Mansurov (from Azerbaijan) and Armenian Arsen Petrosyan’s duduk. “Of course, those countries are virtually at war with each other,” Hackett adds, “and there has been something like a thousand casualties (at the time of writing) on both sides. Again, it’s a case of music being able to do things that politicians fail to do – something constructive.”
The Memory of Myth embodies the deep and rich history of Greece and features the violin of Christine Townsend (no relation) while Lorato – ‘love’ in the language of the African Tswana tribe – is a pretty folk tune. Love is the force that heals and links all disparate peoples of the Mediterranean.
Hackett and his wife Jo were enchanted by the little Faun statue in the House of the Faun, Pompeii. “The villas there seemed to come back to life as we walked through those wonderful atriums and gardens,” inspiring Casa del Fauno and featuring the light and airy flute of Hackett’s brother John and Rob Townsend on flute.
The only non-original piece is Domenico Scarlatti’s Sonata. This embodies the Baroque music of Italy, a sensitive interpretation embellished with cross-string trills, a technique introduced to Hackett by the fine classical guitarist, the late Theo Cheng.
Hackett also expresses his admiration for the flamenco guitarists of Andalucía who are celebrated on Andalusian Heart. “One of the flamenco guitarists was showing me the extraordinary things they are able to do,” Hackett explains. “Seeing the gypsies playing and dancing in caves there, you get the feeling that these people are dancing for their lives.”
Our journey comes to an end with The Call Of The Sea, a gentle and peaceful reflection of the vast body of water that unites the many civilisations both ancient and modern.
Under A Mediterranean Sky features Steve Hackett playing nylon, steel string and twelve string guitars, charango and Iraqi oud. Keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements are by Roger King. Featured musicians are John Hackett and Rob Townsend, flute (Casa del Fauno); Malik Mansurov, tar and Arsen Petrosyan, duduk & Rob Townsend, Sax (The Dervish And The Djin); Christine Townsend, violin (The Memory of Myth and The Call Of The Sea). All tracks were produced by Steve Hackett and Roger King with all tracks recorded and mixed by Roger King at Siren.
“I had a great time doing this album, seeing it take shape, and I’m very pleased with the outcome. I’m very proud of it,” says Hackett. “The nylon guitar has a very individual sound but, within the compass of what the nylon-strung guitar can do, there are a lot of different tones. You can do the full-on attack, the kind of salvo that you expect from the flamenco players but, at the same time, it can also be very gentle, gentle as a harp. It’s shades of black and white. It’s also exciting to play alongside instruments from around the world, as well as a wide range of orchestral sounds.”
“Marko’s resignation has left us with some difficult decisions and choices to be made. After much thought and consideration, we have, in mutual understanding, decided to perform the upcoming ‘Human. :II: Nature. -world tour’ as planned, but with a session bass player. The live line-up will be announced at a later date. We respect Markos decision and wish him all the very best. We will not comment any further.”
(Photo credits: Sami Grunge)
Resignation announcement from Marko:
“Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life. For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We have streaming company big guns demanding 9/5 work from artists of inspiration while unfairly sharing the profits. Even among the artists. We’re the banana republic of the music industry. Biggest tour promoters squeeze percentages even from our own merchandise while paying dividends to Middle East. Apparently some theocrasies can take the money from the music that would get you beheaded or jailed there without appearing as hypocrites. Just a couple of examples here. This past year forced me to stay home and think. And I found myself very disillusioned about these and a lot of things. I found out that I am in need of that validation. For me to write, sing and play, I need to find some new reasons and inspirations. ”My Walden” so to speak. And it’s even in my book that I’m a chronic depressive. It’s dangerous for me and the people around me, if I continue. Some of the thoughts a while back were dark. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I have my two sons, a wife, the rest of the family, friends, a dog and lots of love. And I don’t think that I’ll be gone for good. Conspiracy is the word of the day. For the people who like them I need to say that my 55th birthday is now on 14th of Jan and I’ve certainly done my time for now. Blaming for instance Tuomas is an insult to both him and my free thinking. This is a very sad thing to all of us too. Have a care please. But of course now we’ll know, if some go there on purpose. There are a couple of things agreed on that I will do on 2021. Otherwise I kindly and with respect ask the media, bands, artists projects etc. to not ask me for anything within the next year. I have some reinventing to do. I hope to tell you about it on 2022. It’s not a promise though. I am so sorry about this.
P.S. Tony Iommi is an exception to the “no contact whatsoever”. Childhood hero takes a precedence.”
On January 29th, TRIAL (SWE) will release a new 2-track EP, Sisters of the Moon, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of Sisters of the Moon, a video teaser can be viewed at: metalblade.com/trial – where the EP can also be pre-ordered as a 7″ in various versions.
The members of Trial (swe) joined forces in 2007 in Sweden, laying their previous musical endeavors to rest to create something together. Doomed by the restlessness of youth, many songs were written during their humble beginnings, but few withstood the test of time. For two years, Trial (swe) rehearsed, wrote and fought their way through hard times – until finally, in 2009, they found Linus, who was able to unite the band and become the voice of Trial (swe).
From then on, their vision became clear. The group released their first demo in 2010 – without money, proper equipment or label – which lead to a record deal for their first full-length, The Primordial Temple (2011). Determined to develop their brand of heavy metal even further, Trial (swe) wrote and recorded the Malicious Arts EP (2013), which became yet another stepping stone from where the band was to where they wanted to be. “That EP, in many ways, became our first road to liberate us from ourselves,”Trial (swe) recalls. “Rising from the ashes of our former selves, we took things further beyond, which ultimately resulted in the album ‘Vessel‘.”
After earning acclaimed reviews for Vessel (2015), Trial (swe)‘s popularity continued to grow, and it wasn’t long before Metal Blade Records signed the band. With plans to re-invent themselves once again, Trial (swe)‘s debut for the label proved to be another step forward in their career. They took the colossus that is Motherless (2017) and headed out on the Roadkill tour together with Metal Blade comrades Ram and Portrait to conquer Europe. After the tour, the cold winds of change were blowing. On the other end of the storm, Arthur W. Andersson (ex-Air Raid) stepped forth as the new front-man of the band. Re-energized and fully focused, they entered their new phase. As the curse of the world grew stronger, they decided to reveal their new singer through their EP, Sisters of the Moon. Covers of Fleetwood Mac and Black Sabbath were recorded during the black summer of 2020, displaying new levels of Trial (swe) – traditional yet unconventional. “With ‘Sisters…’, we decided to pay tribute to one of the biggest bands out there, the Mighty Mac. Our version is a different take than the original, filled with blazing guitar duels and piercing vocals. This is a side of Trial (swe) you’ve never heard before,” the band explains. “For our Sabbath cover, it all made sense to record ‘Die Young,'” the band continues, “as it is the most outstanding song on ‘Heaven and Hell‘. This one is more true to the original, and we are happy to share both of the songs with you.”
Sisters of the Moon track-listing 1. Sisters of the Moon 2. Die Young
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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
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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 