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SACRED STEEL Unleash Brand New Video Single ‘Demon Witch Possesion’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 27, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: SACRED STEEL. Leave a comment
[photo credit: Benjamin Hölle]

April 25, 2025 will see iconic heavy metal titans SACRED STEEL release their 10th studio album, entitled “Ritual Supremacy”, via ROAR. Available on CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, you can pre-order your favorite format of choice at this location https://sacredsteel.rpm.link/ritualbumPR!

Following the previously-released album tracks, “The Watcher Infernal” and the heavy-as-hell title track “Ritual Supremacy”, today, SACRED STEEL unleash “Demon Witch Possesion“, their latest furious single accompanied by an official music video!

“This little ditty is quite catchy! Even though it ́s fast and furious. We wanted for once to start a track with the chorus directly and that ́s what we did here”, Vocalist Gerrit P. Mutz reveals. “I recently watched the full season of “Ash vs. The Evil Dead” again and remembered that I once took the inspiration for the lyrics to this track from that phenomenal series. All hail metal! All hail Ash!”

The song is now available on all digital streaming services at https://sacredsteel.rpm.link/demonPR

For more than 25 years, SACRED STEEL have been offering metalheads a killer, trend-free alternative to bloated trigger drums, cheesy keyboards and boring cliché sounds that are hyped year after year as “the next big thing in metal”. SACRED STEEL have always remained true to themselves, constantly reinventing their traditional style and releasing some highly acclaimed classics, such as their legendary debut “Reborn In Steel” (1997 as the first German band ever signed to Metal Blade Records), the follow-up “Wargods Of Metal”, or their heaviest album to date: “Slaughter Prophecy”. 

The band’s fortchoming album release will be celebrated with a much-awaited performance at the 25th anniversary of the “Keep It True Festival” and many more shows this year (find all upcoming dates listed below, with many more to be announced soon!). “Ritual Supremacy” will also mark the first album to feature new members Toni Ieva (bass) and Jörn Langenfeld (guitar), who joined the band in 2023.

Get ready for the next chapter and let there be…SACRED STEEL, who are a trademark in the metal scene: All METAL with attitude, never everybody’s darling – and damn proud of it!

[Artwork: Andy Pilkington]

“Ritual Supremacy” track listing:

01 – Ritual Supremacy
02 – Leather, Spikes & Chains
03 – The Watcher Infernal
04 – A Shadow In The Bell Tower
05 – Entombed Within The Iron Walls Of Dis
06 – Bedlam Eternal
07 – Demon Witch Possession
08 – Covenant Of Grace
09 – Omen Rider
10 – Let The Blackness Come To Me

Sacred Steel live:

11.04.2025 – Villingen-Schwenningen (GER) – Little Black Forest Festival
17.04.2025 – Oberhausen (GER) – THRASH SPEED BURN FEST
25 – 26.04.2025 – Lauda-Königshofen (GER) – KEEP IT TRUE Festival
30.04.2025 – Ludwigsburg (GER) – Scala – Album Releaseshow (+ ATTIC + KNIFE + UNDER RUINS)
02.05.2025 – Oldenburg – MTS Records – Album Releaseshow
03.05.2025 – Ochtendung (GER) – A Chance For Metal Festival

SACRED STEEL is:
Gerrit P. Mutz – Vocals
Jonas Khalil – Guitars
Jörn Langenfeld – Guitars
Toni Ieva – Bass
Mathias Straub – Drums

For More Info Visit:
http://www.sacredsteel.de
https://www.facebook.com/sacredsteelofficial
https://www.instagram.com/sacredsteelofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/@SacredSteelOfficial

MOB RULES Unveil “Rise Of The Ruler” Album Details + First Spectacular Video Single ‘Back To Savage Land’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 27, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Mob Rules. Leave a comment
[photo: Karsten Koch]

North German power metallers MOB RULES have unveiled the first details about their eagerly awaited, new album “Rise Of The Ruler”, slated for a release on August 22, 2025 via ROAR!

The follow-up to 2018’s successful album “Beast Reborn” (which reached a sensational #37 in the German and #59 in the Swiss album charts) is not only a work brimming with creativity, wit and quality, but also the conceptual continuation of their two early albums “Savage Land” (1999) and “Temple Of Two Suns” (2000), with which MOB RULES laid the foundation for their career. Both albums are linked by an exciting concept story about life in a dystopian, hostile end-time world in which resources are becoming scarce. This is exactly where the band’s new offering “Rise Of The Ruler” comes in and keyboardist Jan Christian Halfbrodt (who is responsible for all the lyrics) continues the thread.

In addition to the eleven-track standard album (available as CD digipak and colored vinyl), MOB RULES have also been working on a very special fan item over the last few months: The limited earbook edition of “Rise Of The Ruler” comes with an exclusive bonus CD containing five additional, brand new songs, as well as a spoken version of the concept story, an alternative version of “Dawn Of Second Sun” and the two video clips for “Back To Savage Land” and “Dawn Of Second Sun”! The large-format, hardcover book-style 48-page earbook extensively documents the creation of the album, video shoot, photo shoot and provides insights into the concept story.

The album pre-sale of “Rise Of The Ruler” has just started at this location: https://mobrules.rpm.link/rotralbumPR

A music video for the first album single, “Back To Savage Land”, is now premiering below! “Back To Savage Land” is programmatic in this context. The band around singer Klaus Dirks has succeeded in creating a true power metal anthem that will take the hearts of metal fans by storm with its speed, strong melodies, healthy heaviness and catchiness. The first taste of “Rise Of The Ruler” perfectly sums up the band’s strengths in its compactness. In collaboration with director Rainer Fränzen (Orden Ogan, Grave Digger, among others), the most extensive video concept in the band’s history was created! Stream the track now on https://mobrules.rpm.link/back2savagePR

“”Conceptually, ‘Back To Savage Land’ follows on from our first two albums and continues the concept story,“ vocalist Klaus Dirks comments. “Here, a group sets off for their old, abandoned homeland, the “Savage Land”, and this arduous journey awakens memories for them. The journey is fraught with danger, but there seems to be no alternative, creating a “do-or-die” atmosphere. Detached from the concept story, “Back To Savage Land” also has a simple message: “It is a call for courage and perseverance, to focus on the goal and not let the imponderables and setbacks get you down.” 

Once again “Rise Of The Ruler” was mixed and mastered by the experienced hands of Markus Teske (Vanden Plas, The New Roses etc.). After “My Sobriety Mind” (from the “Beast Reborn” album), MOB RULES also collaborated again with singer Ulli Perhonen (Snow White Blood), which is reflected in the beautiful duet of the song “On The Trail”.

The visual design was created by French cover artist Stan W. Decker (Masterplan, Primal Fear etc.), who perfectly staged the post-apocalyptic scenery of “Rise Of The Ruler”.

One can be sure, it was definitely worth the wait: After “Beast Reborn” (2018), the live album “Beast Over Europe” (2019) and the anniversary compilation “Celebration Days – 30 Years Of Mob Rules” released in 2024, the Northern Lights are finally back with a powerful new studio album that marks another milestone in their extensive career!

“Rise Of The Ruler” CD Tracklist:

01 – The Fall Of Dendayar
02 – Exiled
3 – Future Loom
04 – Dawn Of Second Sun
05 – Back To Savage Land
06 – Trial And Trail Of Fear
07 – Providence
08 – Nomadic Oasis
09 – Coast Of Midgard
10 – On The Trail
11 – Equilibrium (Rise Of The Ruler)

MOB RULES Live:
02.05.2025 (DE) Bremen, Meisenfrei
14.06.2025 (DE) Hude, Klosterbeben
23.08.205 (DE) Oldenburg, Cadillac (Album Release Party)

Artist Line-Up:
Klaus Dirks – Vocals
Sven Lüdke – Guitar
Florian Dyszbalis – Guitar
Markus Brinkmann – Bass
Jan Christian Halfbrodt – Keys
Sebastian Schmidt – Drums

For More Info Visit:
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/mobrulesband
Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mobrulesband
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@mobrulesband

K.F.R Unveils New Video ‘Retrograde’

Posted by metalshockfinland on March 27, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: K.F.R., Maxime Taccardi. Leave a comment

Time To Kill Records is proud to unveil the official video for “Retrograde”, the latest single from Maxime Taccardi’s K.F.R. This haunting visual experience encapsulates the bleak and atmospheric essence of the track, drawing the viewer into a realm of darkness and introspection. With striking imagery that complements the song’s evocative intensity, “Retrograde” offers a profound glimpse into the band’s artistic vision.

Watch the video HERE.

Time To Kill Records has recently launched preorders for the reissue of K.F.R’s latest album “Pain/Ter”. Fans can secure their copies in various formats, including limited edition CD and LP versions. Additionally, exclusive bundle options are available, pairing the album with the reprint of “The Book of Death”, allowing collectors to experience Taccardi’s vision across both audio and visual mediums.

The new physical editions of “Pain/Ter” will be released on April 20th 2025.

Tracklist:

Vinyl:

1. Painter
2. Retrograde
3. All there is was never Meant
4. Une Dernière Valse avant de Crever
5. The Queen of Diseases (+intro)
6. Till there is Nothing left in Me
7. The Serpent’s Kiss (+ Kvarforth)

CD:

1. Painter
2. Retrograde
3. All there is was never Meant
4. Une Dernière Valse avant de Crever
5. The Queen of Diseases (+intro)
6. Till there is Nothing left in Me
7. The Serpent’s Kiss (+ Kvarforth)
8. Deliver Me Not (*bonus track)

Preorders:

  • https://timetokillrecords.com/collections/kfr-maxime-taccardi-pain-ter
  • https://kfr-dajjal.bandcamp.com/album/pain-ter

ime To Kill Records is thrilled to announce a landmark partnership with Heavy Music Artwork, the UK-based publishing house renowned for its high-quality art books and unparalleled dedication to the world of metal-inspired art. Heavy Music Artwork has carved a unique niche with their stunning publications, becoming a global favourite among fans and collectors alike. Their portfolio includes SNAKES, an acclaimed magazine celebrating the intersection of music, art, and culture, as well as a newly launched podcast, offering yet another dimension to explore the vibrant world of heavy music.

This partnership represents a pivotal step in promoting and preserving metal culture on an international stage. The first fruit of this collaboration is the much-anticipated reprint of The Book of Death by visionary artist Maxime Taccardi.

The Book of Death is a visceral collection of poems, essays, and illustrations created using ink, acrylic, pencil, and, uniquely, the artist’s own blood. Explaining his process, Taccardi shares: “My visions come from my dreams. Most of the time, I try to maintain an open wound between reality and dreams. My blood paintings are symbolically linked to that idea. I cut my wrists and used the brush directly on my wound. It is not intended to shock but is simply a process. I see art as a ritual, a conversation between spirits and my mortal flesh. Plato described art as the manifestation of spirits through artists’ bodies, and that deeply resonates with my work.”

In tandem with the reprint of The Book of Death, Time To Kill Records is proud to announce the signing of K.F.R, Maxime Taccardi’s main musical endeavour. Established in 2012, K.F.R translates Taccardi’s nightmarish, blood-soaked artistic visions into sound, merging vile black metal with deeply unsettling dark ambient tones.

The name K.F.R – derived from the Arabic word “Kafir” (“disbeliever”)- also references the word inscribed on the forehead of Dajjal, the antichrist figure in Islamic eschatology. This imbues the project with a profound conceptual depth, reflecting Taccardi’s commitment to exploring the darkest recesses of the human soul.

Since the release of its debut album ANTI in 2014, K.F.R has collaborated with notable figures in the extreme metal scene, including Déhà, Meyhnach (Mütiilation), Vordb (Belketre), and Kvarforth (Shining). Through this work, K.F.R aspires to create a gesamtkunstwerk (a total work of art) in the spirit of Wagner, engaging all the senses to deliver a haunting, all-encompassing experience.

Time To Kill Records is set to re-release K.F.R’s latest album, Pain/Ter, in April, marking the first time the album will be available in physical formats, including CD and vinyl.

Crafted using frequencies designed to evoke anxiety, fear, and distress, Pain/Ter rejects anything pleasurable or comforting. For Taccardi, black metal is a raw manifestation of the evil that lies within us all, stripped of compromise or pretense.

This partnership between Time To Kill Records and Heavy Music Artwork underscores their shared commitment to celebrating and amplifying the richness of metal culture through groundbreaking projects that blur the lines between music and art.

Heavy Music Artwork
https://heavymusicartwork.com/
https://www.facebook.com/heavymusicartwork
https://www.instagram.com/heavymusicartwork/

K.F.R
https://kfr-dajjal.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/KfrKafir
https://www.instagram.com/k.f.r666/

DEREK SHERINIAN Wins BURRN! MAGAZINE ‘Best Keyboardist’ Award for Third Year in a Row

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 27, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: DEREK SHERINIAN. Leave a comment
Photo credit: Greg Vorobiov

Keyboardist Derek Sherinian was recently named “Best Keyboardist” in Japan’s BURRN! Magazine 2024 Readers Poll (an award he also received previously, in 2020, 2022, and 2023). Derek was also voted “Greatest Keyboardist of the 21st Century” and #8 “Greatest of All Time” by  MusicRadar.com, and also was ranked #9 “Greatest of All Time” in PROG Magazine. 

Sherinian has distinguished himself by his versatility, and aggressive “guitaristic” approach to his signature keyboard style. MusicRadar.com declared, “His virtuoso playing has seen him dubbed the keyboard-playing version of Eddie Van Halen.” David Coverdale claims that “Derek plays the Hammond organ like the son of Jon Lord.”  Glenn Hughes has called Sherinian, “The best living rock keyboardist.”

Starting his pro career with Alice Cooper in 1989 on the “Trashes the World” world tour, Sherinian proceeded to tour and record with KISS, Dream Theater, Yngwie Malmsteen, Billy Idol and Whitesnake. 

He has also released nine solo albums, and was the co-founder of Planet X, Sons of Apollo, and supergroup Black Country Communion (also featuring Joe Bonamassa, Glenn Hughes, and Jason Bonham), who will be touring in Europe this Summer. 

For a listing of BCC tour dates and ticketing links, visit: https://blackcountrycommunion.com/live/

Also, the video for “Stay Free” off Black Country Communion’s 2024 album ‘BCC V’ can be viewed here:

Black Country Communion Tour Dates:

June
7 – Sölvesborg, Sweden – Sweden Rock Festival
9 – Tilburg, Netherlands – 013 Poppodium, Tilburg
10 – Hamburg, Germany – Stadtpark
12 – Berlin, Germany – Zitadelle
13 – Olomouc, Czech Republic – Korunni Pevnüstka
15 – Charlotta Valley, Poland – Rock Legends Festival
17 – Koln, Germany – Tanzorunnen
19 – Vienna, Austria – Vienna Gasometer

FOR MORE INFORMATION: https://www.facebook.com/dereksherinianofficial

Steve Di Giorgio & Jeroen Paul Thesseling’s QUADVIUM Premiere Music Video for New Track ‘Náströnd’

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 27, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: Jeroen Paul Thesseling, QUADVIUM, Steve Di Giorgio. Leave a comment
Photo credit: Judit Petrás

The instrumental progressive metal-fusion quartet QUADVIUM, half in California – half in the Netherlands, founded in late 2019 by American bass player Steve Di Giorgio (Testament, Death) and Dutch bass player Jeroen Paul Thesseling (Obscura, Pestilence), is premiering a music video for the first single off the band’s debut studio album “Tetradōm”, set for release on May 30th via Agonia Records.

Watch the video for the song “Náströnd”:

On the new single, co-founders Steve Di Giorgio & Jeroen Paul Thesseling comment: “We’re stoked to reveal Quadvium’s first single «Náströnd». We hope you’ll enjoy listening, and watching the video for the song. Thank you all for your patience. It has been quite a long trip building our concept and striving together for the best ideas. And now here we are – the first glimpse into an album that is quite a musical adventure! It’s very important and means a lot for us to bring new music for an open-minded audience. We’re very excited to invite you in to our musical creation, and really enjoy reading your reactions! The team at Agonia Records has been a huge support for the group to accomplish this production. Stay tuned, more to be announced soon!”

Steve Di Giorgio and Jeroen Paul Thesseling are both innovators in bringing a different style of fretless bass playing to metal. Launching a band with two predominantly multi-string fretless bass players is no common occurrence, and the bass-duo felt they needed to take very special and deliberate time to get the right alignment with who is participating and what will be the end result – meaning the right sound and composition to represent this rare vision.

Over time, together with Dutch master drummer Yuma van Eekelen (Our Oceans, Pestilence) and American guitar virtuoso/composer Eve (Myth Of I, Kaathe) – whose contribution and expertise play a huge part of QUADVIUM – the music began to take shape. The line-up is just the right blend to mix the delicate balance of such a heavy aural offering and a full vocabulary of high level constructed pieces.

Photo credit: Agonia Records

“We had an intention many many years ago to make some music together… to feature two predominately multistring fretless bass players playing in duet form,” Steve & Jeroen reflect. “That is to say, neither being «rhythm bass & lead bass» nor some trading off hot solo licks mess. But easier said than done! While hanging out, we exchanged some thoughts about how it would be to form a group to support our bass-ic needs. At that time it was just a spontaneous idea, but over the years the topic was brought up again and again. This vision was blurry at best and it took us a long time to not only imagine how to feature the bass in this way, but more importantly – who would share in this concept with us. Yuma is an old acquaintance and lucky for us, he needed this project to add to his list of a thousand others! But having a drummer that understood that 2 bass players would be filling the sonic spectrum, he was undaunted in contributing the backbone as well as keeping our outlandish ideas in check. After a long search for the next musician, a gold mine was found on Instagram reels by the name of Eve. Some of the most insane guitar (and bass!) videos we ever saw inspired us to ask if this was a project worth joining… not only did we have our final member aboard, but a studio genius and the main composer of this strategy we had so long ago, who brought it all together and focused everything into the album we are so proud to share with you now. Thanks to the solid support from Agonia Records for supporting our dream and making this album a reality! Fans of instrumental progressive metal fusion – and fretless bass! – will surely enjoy these musical journeys.”

“Tetradōm” was recorded and produced by Eve and co-produced by Yuma van Eekelen. The album was mastered by Dereck Blackburn at Quiethouse Recording. Travis Smith (Amorphis, King Diamond, Cynic) created the album’s artwork and layout.

Tracklisting:

  1. Moksha
  2. Náströnd
  3. Apophis
  4. Ghardus
  5. Adhyasa
  6. Sarab
  7. Eidolon

Pre-orders: https://quadvium.agoniarecords.com/
Pre-save: https://orcd.co/arcd292

“Náströnd” single: https://orcd.co/arcd292s1

Line-up:
Eve – guitar, sound design
Steve Di Giorgio – bass
Jeroen Paul Thesseling – bass
Yuma van Eekelen – drums

Follow QUADVIUM:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/quadviumofficial
Instagram: https://instagram.com/quadviumofficial

Steve DiGiorgio:
Website: https://www.stevedigiorgio.com
Jeroen Paul Thesseling:
Website: https://www.jeroenpaulthesseling.com

LINX to Release Debut Album “Annihilation” on August 15th

Posted by tarjavirmakari on March 27, 2025
Posted in: Int. News, News. Tagged: LINX. Leave a comment

Canada’s latest Rock sensation LINX signs with Metalville Records. The long-awaited debut album “Annihilation” will be released worldwide on August 15th 2025.

The band from Montreal is a female-fronted Industrial-Rock duo formed by versatile singer/guitarist/bassist/keyboardist Zenab Jaber (nicknamed “Zee”), and by drummer/keyboardist/programmer Frederic Gauthier. Their music is a groovy, heavy, moody, poetic, electric and powerful blend of pure originality and influences in genres such as metal, prog, rock, Industrial, cultural and soundtracks. 

Linx’s raw charisma and hypnotic stage presence, combined with the sheer power of their sound, are already building a devoted fan base and a formidable reputation. Their long-awaited, 13-track debut album, Annihilation, is more than living up to the hype surrounding this extraordinary band. Their music is bold, expansive, and electrifying, with lyrics that are smart, introspective, and, at times, pure poetry.

Zee is:

A self-taught musician and songwriter. Singer, guitarist, bassist, keyboarding. Lead woman of LINX and the ex-Bass player of the Toronto based punk band The Anti-Queens. Her musical style knows no bounds. Her influences range from movie soundtracks, classic music, grunge, metal, and alternative rock, with each genre leaving its mark on her compositions. Her Middle Eastern background adds a unique depth to her work, blending cultural elements seamlessly with her diverse musical taste.

An actress, a filmmaker, a certified IATSE lightning tech and stage rigger, who has been featured and worked on productions such as Jack Ryan, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Scream VI, Seaside, La Recette du Bonheur etc. She also creates and directs Linx’s videos (Crystal Jellyfish, Dream Watcher, One Step, Dead). A free spirit who enjoys traveling, challenges, working hard, and hates routine.

Fred is:

A trained Musician who graduated from Music College. A drummer, keyboardist, and programmer, he is a master at creating new sounds and sonic textures. He was part of the “Rock n Road Drummer” TV show 2008, and a touring live drummer for bands such as DOT and Projekt F. A creative force with great work ethics.

TRACK LISTING

01 – The Prey
02 – The Hunter
03 – Crystal Jellyfish
04 – Lost In Between
05 – Li3
06 – Periodic dance
07 – Fox N’ Crow
08 – Dream Watcher
09 – Dead
10 – One Step
11 – Love Virus
12 – Them
13 – 11.13

https://www.facebook.com/linxband
https://www.instagram.com/linxmtl/
https://www.youtube.com/@linxband
https://www.tiktok.com/@linxmtl
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/2M4JigW1pcb4ynbPoAAgh1

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