The year 2015 started more than promising for fans of high class melodic metal: SERIOUS BLACK, a so-called “allstar band” appeared on the scene and dropped their highly acclaimed debut album “As Daylight Breaks”. Much to the surprise of many, the band indeed proved to be a real band and they kept their promise of rocking the stages wherever possible. So during only a year they not only successfully released a fantastic debut album, but also went on extensive European tours with HammerFall and later Gamma Ray. In addition, SERIOUS BLACK was chosen to be special guest on Kamelot’s German Summer shows and also played numerous festivals in Europe. Being that active in the past 18 months, it’s surprising to see the band announcing a brand new studio album already. You’ll be even more surprise when “Mirrorworld” sees its release: SERIOUS BLACK have managed to excel their excellent debut! Prepare for something special: the “Mirrorworld” opens on September 9th…
“Mirrorworld” will be available as CD, Digipak (7 bonus tracks), ltd. Vinyl, ltd. Vinyl bundle (“Mirrorworld” + “As Daylight Breaks”) & ltd. box set.
Pre-order here: http://shop.afm-records.de/en/serious-black-en
Tracklisting:
01 Breaking The Surface
02 As Long As I’m Alive
03 Castor Skies
04 Heartbroken Soul
05 Dying Hearts
06 You’re Not Alone
07 Mirrorworld
08 Emotional Blackmail (Digipak Bonus)
09 The Life That You Want (Digipak Bonus)
10 State of My Despair
11 The Unborn Never Die
12 This Machine Is Broken (Digipak Bonus)
13 Hello Moon (Digipak Bonus)
14 Goodbye My Angel (Digipak Bonus)
15 I Show You My Heart – Acoustic Version (Digipak Bonus)
16 Sealing My Fate – Acoustic Version (Digipak Bonus)
AFM Records is pleased to announce the signing of HERMAN FRANK! The much acclaimed guitarist has written metal history with Accept and Victory amongst others and in addition he has released two successful albums with his solo band.
Comments AFM Records: “We’re looking forward to unleash the new Herman Frank album later this year and also re-issue the first two albums “Loyal To None” and “Right In The Guts”.”
U.S. thrash metal legends FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have inked a worldwide deal with AFM Records. The band’s new album, simply titled “Flotsam and Jetsam” will be released on May 20th. The band have released a lyric video for the track ‘Iron Maiden’, check it out below:
Flotsam and Jetsam is a band from Phoenix, Arizona with a legacy that goes back well over 30 years. Originally signed to Metal Blade records in the mid 80’s, Flotsam and Jetsam released their highly acclaimed debut “Doomsday for The Deceiver” in July of 1986. At this time the band consisted of Eric AK Knutson (Vox), guitarists Michael Gilbert and Edward Carlson, and founding members Kelly David Smith (Dr) and bassist Jason Newsted. Soon after the release of “DFTD”, Newsted left the group to join Metallica shortly after the passing of their bassist Cliff Burton. Shortly after, Flotsam hired bassist Michael Spencer (Sentinel Beast) and continued to tour and write for their next album, “No Place For Disgrace.” In theory, the band FLOTSAM AND JETSAM started in January 2015 when Eric AK, Mike Gilbert, Michael Spencer, Steve Conley and Jason Bittner got in a room together to start rehearsing for upcoming 2015 European tour dates, and to commence writing for the band’s next record. Initially the band concentrated on the back catalog and most recent setlists to make sure the touring obligations would be fulfilled, and the band was comfortable playing together. Soon after, the band focused on it’s writing and started pre-production for the new songs that were taking shape. After a 5 month initial writing process, the band completed 18 rough ideas to start having Bittner track drums to. At first the band thought about a double release, but realized it would be better to concentrate on an album’s worth of killer material by what essentially is a new band with a 30-year history.
After picking the final songs, the band compiled some demos to start gathering label and producer interest. Shortly following summer festivals, a short US tour, and another fall European headline tour, the band finally secured Chris Collier (Prong/KXM) to produce the band’s “return to form”, as well as AFM records to provide the much needed label support that the metal veterans required.
The end result is the self- titled effort “FLOTSAM AND JETSAM” which is the culmination of a year of hard work which shows five very distinct personalities and influences come together for the common goal of creating another soon to be metal classic, as well as another pillar in the foundation of a band that has managed to stay alive and current amongst an ever-changing music scene.
In addition to being available as a digipak CD, the album will also be available as a limited gatefold 2LP edition in black and gold, both limited to 500 copies.
A limited edition boxset (500 copies) will also be released and includes the digipak, a Flotsam And Jetsam flag (official tour backdrop design), patch, printed autograph card, and certificate of authenticity. Order details can be found at the AFM Records Shop.
The album’s available to purchase from: http://promo.afm-records.de/flotsam_jetsam/en.html “Flotsam and Jetsam” album tracklisting:
01. Seventh Seal
02. Life Is A Mess
03. Taser
04. Iron Maiden
05. Verge Of Tragedy
06. Creeper
07. L.O.T.D.
08. The Incantation
09. Monkey Wrench
10. Time To Go
11. Smoking Gun
12. Forbidden Territories
US thrash metal legends FLOTSAM AND JETSAM have inked a worldwide deal with AFM Records. The band’s new album, simply titled “Flotsam And Jetsam” will be released on May 20th.
Timo Hoffmann (AFM Records A&R): “We’re honoured that Flotsam and Jetsam have decided to join our roster. Of course we’ve followed their career for many years and always valued the band’s qualities. This new, self-titled album is a blast! We’ve been convinced right from the very first demos sent. It was obvious to us why the album is titled as it is: ‘Flotsam and Jetsam’ holds the essence of what defines the band – this album is a statement, something to be proud of. And we are proud to start working with the band with such a special release“.
The band states: “Flotsam and Jetsam really appreciated the fact that AFM laid out a legitimate, business plan for us when they made their offer to sign us. We believe they are as committed to us as a band, as we are to providing them with quality metal to get behind and promote. Along with signing to a new label, all the forward movement for the band in the last two years has also allowed us to partner with new team members; like Chris Collier of CMC21 Productions, who just completed the mixing and mastering of the album and Andy Pilkington of Very Metal Art out of the UK, for the album cover and stage production art, who are both doing a phenomenal job for us. We’re looking forward to playing the music on this album live, which hasn’t been a luxury for the band on past releases, as well as debuting our new stage look”.
“Flotsam and Jetsam” album tracklisting:
01. Seventh Seal
02. Life Is A Mess
03. Taser
04. Iron Maiden
05. Verge Of Tragedy
06. Creeper
07. L.O.T.D.
08. The Incantation
09. Monkey Wrench
10. Time To Go
11. Smoking Gun
12. Forbidden Territories
Flotsam And Jetsam is:
Eric “AK” Knutson – vocals Steve Conley – guitars Michael Gilbert – guitars Michael Spencer – bass Jason Bittner – drums
Melodic metal kings MASTERPLAN have unleashed a brand new live clip for the song ‘Spirit Never Die’, which is taken from the band’s upcoming DVD “Keep Your Dream aLive”, due for release on October 9th as DVD/CD and Bluray/CD. Check out the video below:
“Keep Your Dream aLive” can be ordered via AFM Records at this location.
Finnish power metallers BURNING POINT have signed with AFM Records. Being an active part of the European power metal scene for the last 15 years, the band around mastermind/guitarist Pete Ahonen has added former Battle Beast vocalist Nitte Valo to the group’s ranks in 2014 and is set to release their new album soon. Exact details will be announced soon. Ahonen comments: “To me AFM Records has always been a label of quality releases and the words can’t describe of how happy and excited I and we are to be a part of the AFM family! It has been very clear from the start that they have a heart full of fire and huge load of enthusiasm towards the bands in their roster. I have to say that first time in YEARS we (label and the band) work as a TEAM.”
A first song snippet (re-recorded 2015 version of the band’s track “All The Madness”) is available for streaming here:
For more information on BURNING POINT, visit their official Facebook page here.
