The END 1977 – 2020 The First Finnish Heavy Metal Godfathers – SARCOFAGUS – Call It A Day!

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 29, 2020
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SARCOFAGUS, The Godfathers of Finnish Heavy Metal, fronted by filmmaker and guitarist Kimmo Kuusniemi, declares the band has returned to the Valley Of The Kings.

Kimmo Kuusniemi: “Sarcofagus has been great balance of fun and pain. My albums have always had social commentary as many of my films have. I had come to the conclusions on the CORE VALUES re-release video long before the Covid19 pandemic arrived, that I am fed up with writing songs about social problems. Technology is progressing with ever increasing speed but us as humans we seem to be doomed to repeat our mistakes.

Since Covid started I have been working on a new audio visual project. This combines my need to create something new both in music and in film. There is already several songs finished with collaboration with great musicians from Siberia to Los Angeles.

This project will be released as album, videos and a world tour. Without going yet into too much detail this project is designed to work in the post Covid world. When we get over this virus I do not think the music business will ever be the same. So it is time to re-invent the wheel 😉

Ending Sarcofagus has been in my mind quite long time but this year it became very clear that there is no space for Sarcofagus in my mind anymore. Time for a reset.

Sarcofagus has been an interesting and complicated 43 year rollercoaster ride, but everything comes to an end. At the end of this press release there is the Sarcofagus story ‘in brief’. The same story with plenty photos, some never published before, are available online at http://www.sarcofagus.com .

On digital platforms (Spotify, iTunes…) you will also find the newest single release “Absence Of Light”, accompanied by a fresh remake of the song “Go To Hell”, featuring an almost original lineup of the band.

We started the band with Hannu Leiden, Juha Kiminki and Esa Kotilainen so like the title of the first album “Cycle Of Life” another Cycle of Life has come to a full circle with the “Absence Of Light” release.

The “Absence Of Light” was meant to be the next Sarcofagus album but in 2019 I decided to stop working on it. There already were few songs made for it.

Now the fantastic artwork for “Absence Of Light” by Toni Hietomaa are available as Sarcofagus T shirt and A3 Poster from the Sarcofagus website: http://www.sarcofagus.com.

These are made to order for awhile. So there is no stock and these are aimed for the fans and collectors to commemorate the 43 years of metal work.

The next project will be introduced soon so stay tuned.

Thank you for all the fans who have been supporting us through these years!”

Kimmo Kuusniemi

More information at
http://www.sarcofagus.com

SARCOFAGUS IN A NUTSHELL:

Sarcofagus is reputed to be one of the most influential & original Scandinavian Progressive Heavy Metal Bands (formed 1977). They have inspired numerous new metal bands.

-Officially the first Finnish Heavy Metal Band

-First Finnish Heavy Metal Band singing in Finnish

-First Scandinavian Heavy Metal Band to have a female vocalist (Muska Babitzin)

-First Scandinavian Band (first in the world?) to release a FULL ALBUM length story/broadcast quality video ever (Moottorilinnut/Motorbirds). This was before MTV, rental or sales videos and before people had VHS players

-1979-1982 Released 1 Single and 3 Albums (Single: Go to Hell/All those Lies 1979, Albums: Cycle of Life 1980, Envoy of Death 1980, Moottorilinnut 1982)

-Kimmo Kuusniemi was the 1st spoke person for Finnish Heavy Metal. He also started the Finnish Heavy Metal Association to bring together all the Finnish metal fans

-Kimmo Kuusniemi brought metal to radio, TV and papers where he was often used as the expert to explain the metal philosophy to reporters

-1996 the albums Cycle of Life and Envoy of Death re released as CDs in Italy by Mellotron

-2004 Kimmo Kuusniemi released a downloadable free web version of 1981 Moottorilinnut (Motorbirds) album with original alternative Sarcofagus cover

-2006 Cycle of Life re released in Finland

-2007 Envoy of Death and Moottorilinnut (Motorbirds) re released in Finland

-2007 the 4th Sarcofagus album “Core Values” came out after 25 years with most of the original band onboard; Kimmo Kuusniemi (guitars/drums), Esa Kotilainen (keyboards), Juha Kiminki (bass) and Tanja Katinka Karttunen (vocals)

-2008 limited edition CD release of an previously unpublished studio tape “Sarcofagus Live in Studio 1979″, and a limited edition DVD release of the 1982 full album length music video “Moottorilinnut”

-2008 Kimmo Kuusniemi produced a feature length HD TV documentary “Promised Land of Heavy Metal” that tells the story of the Finnish Metal Phenomenon (featuring also Sarcofagus) – Finland is the only country in the world where metal is now mainstream. The film is directed by Tanja Katinka Karttunen. It is in worldwide TV and DVD distribution (and also available as an iPhone App)

-2009 Sarcofagus Anthology 1979-1982 double CD by Rocket Records published in Finland, including the first Single and 3 Albums, artwork and booklet with lyrics, history of the band and a foreword by Kimmo Kuusniemi

-2010 First Finnish Metal Band to have an iPhone App

BILL CHAMPLIN (Formerly of Chicago) New Single “Reason To Believe” Drops January 1st; New Album Livin’ For Love Releases January 22nd

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 29, 2020
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Legendary Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist BILL CHAMPLIN has signed a record deal with Imagen Records. Bill’s first single, “Reason To Believe,” is due out on January 1, 2021. The single is off of his new record Livin’ For Love that will release on January 22, 2021.

“Hey everyone, this is Bill Champlin. I just wanted to letcha’ know that my new album Livin’ For Love has got a new home. Bob Winegard, at Imagen Records, loved the music and we’ve decided to work together on the Digital Release of the new album. We’re both hard at work coming up with ways for people to know that it’ll be available in the usual places: Spotify, I-tunes, etc etc. Bob has Steve Nathan working on opening up my visibility factor. I’m very happy that Bob’s team is “Taking the bull by the horns” and working on getting this record heard. Imagen has great world wide distribution in place and I’m sure it’s gonna’ be a good thing. My wife Tamara and I will be simultaneously releasing CD versions at billchamplin.com/shop. I know some of my friends really like CD’s with info about the songs in the booklet. I’m sure we’ll be putting a link out that you can use to get lyrics and credits if you just do a digital thing. Now, the music. Many of you have heard my stuff over the years and may think you know what this one sounds like. I think it’s the best album I’ve ever made and anyone who’s heard it agrees. Imagen Records will be releasing a single, right around New Year’s Day, so you can get an idea what “Livin’ for Love” is about. A lotta’ good songs and great playing. Anyway, I digress; I want to say how proud I am to be doing this with Bob Winegard and his whole team on Imagen Records. Onward and Upward. Be safe, Be good, Be Baaaaaaad.”

Bill Champlin started his career very early on in Marin County, CA. In 1965, his band “Sons Of Champlin” released a single on Verve Records and got a little AM radio play. The band then recorded a double album in 1968, Loosen Up Naturally, that got more than local notice but little “Top 40” airplay. Over the next 10 years the Sons released a total of 8 records on 3 different labels, but still not a lot of “Top 40” play. The band, and Bill in particular, got a lot of notice from industry people and, for sure, other musicians across the country. After the Loving Is Why album Bill left the Sons and moved to LA and started working on 2 solo albums, as well as various studio background vocal dates. His two solo albums Single and Runaway were produced by David Foster, who has proven to be a major league player/writer/arranger/producer over the years. One of the songs written for Single was covered by Earth, Wind. and Fire. The single “After the Love has Gone” became a big hit for EWF and Bill replaced the song on the Single album with something else after EWF cut it.

Two years later, Jay Graydon and Steve Lukather called Bill in to co-write “Turn Your Love Around,” which Bill did along with backgrounds on the song for George Benson. It was a big #1 hit for George. Bill, Foster and Graydon wrote “Friends in Love” for Dionne Warwick and Johnny Mathis, as well as “Smile Again” for Manhattan Transfer. Bill was also a co-writer for Lee Ritenour’s “Is It You” and was on backing vocals for it as well.

As a singer and ensemble arranger he was on numerous hits which included “Little Jeannie” by Elton John, as well as a lot of Donna Summer songs. Bill and Chicago cohort, Jason Scheff, did pretty much the whole chorus of “20 Years Ago” for Kenny Rogers. Bill has arranged and sung background vocals for numerous artists that we’ve all heard, as well as some TV and movie vocals. The TV show “In the Heat of the Night” had Bill on the theme and is still playing regularly in living rooms all over the world. Bill was also a member of the musical group “Chicago” and sang on numerous hits like: “Hard Habit to Break”, “I Don’t Want to Live Without your Love” and one of the band’s bigger radio hits, “Look Away”. He was with the band for 28 years but still made CD’s during that time, which were mostly released in Japan, Scandinavia, Europe etc. Through it All, He Started to Sing, Mayday and No Place Left to Fall were all well received CD’s.

Bill has just finished his first solo album in almost 10 years and is very excited about this music. The title of the album is Livin’ For Love. He’s inked a deal with Bob Winegard’s Imagen Records, who will be in charge of digital sales. Bill will also have CD’s available for mail order at www.billchamplin.com/shop. According to Bill and some of the awesome players on the album, they all think that this music is as good as it gets. If you think you know what this album sounds like based on past albums you’ve heard of Bill’s, you’re wrong. This thing is really raising the bar for any singer/player/producer/songwriter albums, even Bill’s past albums. Bill Champlin has a long career of great music and Livin’ For Love is the cherry on the cupcake.

HRANICE ABYSS Release Debut Video “Violation Of Human Condition”

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 28, 2020
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HRANICE ABYSS seek the union of visceral with aesthetic beauty, from pure catharsis to sublimation. Inspired by these concepts, the band releases the single together with the debut video “Violation Of Human Condition” through SLAM WORLDWIDE. With several influences, ranging from The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decaptation, Necrophagist, Death, Lamb of God and Slayer, mixing with more modern views of bands like Meshuggah, Slipknot and Decapitated, and contemplating productions from Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree, Hranice Abyss is the new bet of Death Metal / Deathcore and delivers a professional, modern work with reflective lyrics, which bring to philosophical issues of the cultural industry of Adorno and Horkheimer, of nihilism and the liberated life of Nietzsche, of the liquid relations of Bauman and Baudrillard simulations.

“We visited Freudian psychoanalysis and using the Byronesian poetics, to raise questions about where the postmodern man fits, of its complexes and traumas, the resignification of life, of affective relationships. In this media world where everything is a product and mental spaces are getting smaller, we want to face the abyss and contemplate the void that plagues our soul to find our meaning and transform it into art ”, explains the band.

In August 2020, Brazilian guitarist Henrique De Fina and Brazilian vocalist Vic Ferreira joined forces to create Hranice Abyss, a modern and artistic project, which believes that it is possible to produce a lot, with quality and with little resources. The band gains notoriety for being DIY (Do It Yourself), producing, directing and recording all their material, from the videos to the EP. From the beginning, the idea was to do everything and be in control to present a quality and professional project.

“Violation Of Human Condition” marks the band’s debut in the music market, and anticipates the first EP of their career, entitled “Aphagy”, which will be released in 2021.

Producer: Henrique de Fina and Vic Ferreira
Recording: Abyss HQ Studios
Mixing and mastering: Henrique de Fina and Vic Ferreira – Abyss
HQ Studios
Video: Henrique de Fina and Vic Ferreira
Artwork: Vic Ferreira
Photography: Lucas Aldi

BLUE HOUR GHOSTS To Release New Album “Due” February 2021

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 28, 2020
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Rockshots Records announce they will be releasing BLUE HOUR GHOSTS new album “Due” on February 12, 2021.

The album is the follow up to their 2016 self-titled debut album. Teaming up once again with Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi (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.

Vocalist Ricky DC comments about the new album:
“Those who already knew Blue Hour Ghosts from their debut will notice a different approach, resumed in a much more album-oriented songwriting, a stronger identity as an outcome of the most recent lineup changes (vocals+drums) and will experience an extremely catchy full length, revealing new nuances of the Blue Hour sound.”

Keyboardist Simome Pedrazzi adds:
“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 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”.

The first single “Walking Backwards” off the forthcoming album is on streaming at the following links:

YouTube 
Spotify 
Apple Music 

“Due” is available in Pre-Order: Digipak CD and Digital Download
ALBUM PRE SAVE: https://backl.ink/143813663  
CD PRE ORDER: http://bit.ly/Due_CD

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)

Album Credits:
Ricky DC – Vocals
Diego Angeli – Guitars
Francesco Poggi – Guitars
Simome Pedrazzi – Keyboards
Matteo Malmusi – Bass
Andrew Gunner – Drums

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

LION’S SHARE Celebrate LEMMY’s Memory & Music With Cover Of MOTÖRHEAD’s ‘Killed By Death’, Feat. Mikkey Dee

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 28, 2020
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Swedish heavy metallers LION’S SHARE have made their tribute to Lemmy and MOTÖRHEAD available on streaming services and digital service providers on the fifth anniversary of Lemmy‘s death, December 28th, to celebrate his memory and music.

Watch below the video ‘Killed By Death’ (feat. Mikkey Dee).

Player for “Killed By Death” – https://orcd.co/l8enr9m

LION’S SHARE singer Nils Patrik Johansson says: “Lemmy is truly the definition of rock ‘n’ roll – and even though LION’S SHARE is more heavy metal than rock ‘n’ roll, MOTÖRHEAD and Lemmy has been a great inspiration over the years.”

“We’ve been talking about giving our friends and fans a surprise, and when I came up with the idea to cover ‘Killed By Death‘, Lars [Chriss, LION’S SHARE guitarist] was all in and made a great arrangement that just didn’t copy the original, which would have been pointless.”

Chriss adds: “We had the pleasure of supporting MOTÖRHEAD, DIO and MANOWAR on the ‘Monsters Of The Millennium‘ tour, and all the bands treated us so extremely well. Lemmy was such a great and funny person to be around. I have so many great memories from that tour. Very cool to have fellow Swede Mikkey Dee (MOTÖRHEAD, SCORPIONS), doing the introduction to our video for the song as well. Plus, of course, the inclusion of all the great photos that Lemmy fans from all over the world sent in.”

In late 2018, LION’S SHARE released a new five-track EP, plus its complete catalog – remastered with new artwork – on streaming services and digital service providers for the first time. The band have since released a few more digital singles, some of which will and some of which won’t end up on the forthcoming full-length album.

Both Johansson and Chriss remark that they have always worked very well together, and at this point it feels the most natural to keep LION’S SHARE as a duo, with friends helping out wherever needed.

The LION’S SHARE catalog features appearances by members and ex-members of KISS, MEGADETH, KING DIAMOND, HAMMERFALL, SYMPHONY X, CHIMAIRA, THERION, YNGWIE MALMSTEEN, CANDLEMASS, etc. 
Mixers include top engineers such as Jens Bogren (ARCH ENEMY, OPETH, SYMPHONY X, AMON AMARTH) – Niklas Flyckt (one-time Grammy Award winner and four-time nominee) and Ronny Lahti (ROXETTE, EUROPE, Glenn Hughes).

LION’S SHARE has toured with bands like MOTÖRHEAD, MANOWAR, DIO, SAXON, ICED EARTH, NEVERMORE, U.D.O. (ex-ACCEPT), Dee Snider (TWISTED SISTER) and has played many of the major rock and metal festivals.

GENTLE SAVAGE: New Single ‘YNAMW (You Never Ask Me Why)’ OUT NOW And Available For Streaming

Posted by tarjavirmakari on December 28, 2020
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“With love from us to you, here’s ‘You Never ask Me Why'”

GENTLE SAVAGE, formed in 2013, have released their new single ‘YNAMW (You Never Ask Me Why)’ today. The single is taken from the band’s upcoming debut album ‘Midnight Waylay’, out in February 2021.

Stream on Spotify, here: https://smarturl.it/GS_YNAMW_2020

  • Available on all major streaming services

The ‘YNAMW’ release party will air tonight, at 6pm CET, on Facebook, join here.

Lead vocalist Tornado on the single:
“YNAMW (You Never Ask Me Why) started out as a funny triplet feel guitar riff with sound effects of whipping and wicked screaming. The first idea was to write a song with the feel of a Clint Eastwood type of a Western movie. While being on a sick leave, vocalist Tornado Bearstone watched The Twilight Saga (accidentally of course). Somehow the idea of superhuman powers, beauty and eternal love appealed to Tornado’s state of mind and a modern Cowboy – Vampire character was born in his imagination. So you can say that the story of You Never Ask Me Why was inspired by the movies.”

He continues, “As a composition YNAMW is somewhere between Gentle Savage’s songs Run Run Poor Boy and Karelian Magic. It has a melodic chorus that gives a good contrast to the quite bold and rhythmic feel of the verses. You can easily recognize it as a Gentle Savage song with the guaranteed sounds they are already known for. There’s plenty of interesting things going on both musically and story wise as the Cowboy – Vampire goes out looking for the one he loves! And bites.”

The lyric video for the single will be unleashed on 01.01.2021. Watch the teaser video at this location.

Gentle Savage’s debut album, ‘Midnight Waylay’ is coming out in February 2021. It’s a way of describing an ambush at midnight, or going to a rock show; you never know what’s going to happen out there.

Midnight Waylay depicts a ‘taking it easy in the daytime, turning into a beast at night’ kind of lifestyle. Just like a hunter strikes from the shadows, ruthless and silent, these songs can without warning rock your world.

As a concept the album Midnight Waylay is best appreciated when served whole, but each song has its own character and works well independently. Find your own adventure, let yourself loose!”

“It is all about the songs. And their internal message. That’s the basic philosophy behind Gentle Savage.”

Also watch the videos for the first three singles:
‘Honey Bunny -the Rock’n Roll transformation’ – https://youtu.be/CsBGKvzZKko
‘Run Run Poor Boy’ – https://youtu.be/_TJ3BfgOz6k
‘Karelian Magic’ – https://youtu.be/osEmTdkQCps

Subscribe to GENTLE SAVAGE’s new youtube channel hyperurl.co/GentleSavageYouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSe-yyD7_XB5cFE37yYBtaw

GENTLE SAVAGE are:
Tornado Bearstone, songwriter, vocals and guitar
Jay B, drums and backing vocals
Vance Bead, bass and backing vocals
Tim O`Shore, guitar and backing vocals
Theo van Boom, keyboards and backing vocals

’Treat yourself and let our magic in. We’ll take care of the rest’.

Band promo photo by Timo Soasepp
Single coverarts by Vin Valentino

More information at
https://www.facebook.com/Gentlesavagerockband
http://gentlesavagerockband.com
https://www.instagram.com/gentlesavageofficial