Norvegian Heavy Power Metllers GAIA EPICUS have announced that their upcoming album, “DARK SECRETS” which will be released on March 26th, is now avilable on itune.
“Finally we can reveal the release date for DARK SECRETS. After so many delays we are happy to say that 26th of march 2012 the album will be launched upon the world. As a waiting gift we have put 3 full songs on our music player for you to listen to. The songs are “Beyond the Universe”, “Hellfire”, “Last Chance” and the player can be found on the bottom of our official webpage. You can also download the song “Beyond the Universe” for free at our download page.” band posted.
And also GAIA EPICUS are going to release a new tribute album to Power Metal generators, HELLOWEEN and GAMMA RAY, on the same day march 26th. They have just released a new teaser clip or this album that you can watch it below.
Tracklist:
01. Tribute to the Past (Gamma Ray) GUARDIANS OF MANKIND
02. Warrior (Helloween) GAIA EPICUS
03. The spirit (Gamma Ray) PARALLAX
04. Mr. Torture (Helloween) AILLION
05. Anywhere in the galaxy (Gamma Ray) OPERA MAGNA
06. Ain’t got nothin` better (Helloween) KICKHUNTER
07. Last before the storm (Gamma Ray) SONEM
08. Where the rain grows (Helloween) ARMORY
09. A tale that wasn’t right (Helloween) DRACHEN
10. Just a little sign (Helloween) RAMPART
11. Leaving hell (Gamma Ray) ROTTEN
12. Judas (Helloween) 5th ELEMENT
13. Heaven or hell (Gamma Ray) BURN UNIVERSE
14. Before the war (Helloween) ILUNGARA
15. Land of the free (Gamma Ray) DEIMOS
UNISONIC, featuring former HELLOWEEN bandmates Michael Kiske (vocals) and Kai Hansen (guitars; GAMMA RAY) have released a limited edition 7″ coloured vinyl edition of their first single, ‘Unisonic’, via EMP. Go to this location to order.
The band also features Mandy Meyer (guitars; ex-KROKUS, GOTTHARD) and PINK CREAM 69 rhythm section Dennis Ward (bass) and Kosta Zafiriou (drums).
Unisonic released their debut mini-album, titled Ignition, this month via earMUSIC/Edel. The band’s debut full-length album is expected in March, 2012.
The Ignition mini-album features the single ‘Unisonic’, plus one demo and the Helloween classic ‘I Want Out’ – Live In Japan. The new video, for ‘Unisonic’, can be seen below:
Unisonic have also issued a unique promotional video clip:
“That´s what happens when you ask a serious and dedicated band like Unisonic to film some promotional clips.”
FIREBRAND ROCK RADIO announced via a post on facebook that DJ DOC and Mohsen Fayyazi from Metal Shock Finland are going to present a tribute show to legendary German power metallers, HELLOWEEN, entitled “Special Keepers Of The 7th Key Show“. The show will be on Air at FIREBRAND ROCK RADIOwebsite on Saturday, January 7th at 8pm (GMT).
And also previously reported the special NWOBHM show by DJ Blackdiamond is available now for streaming online, you can listen to this show on this location or download it here!
Some of Europe’s leading rock artists — including current and former members of DEEP PURPLE, EDGUY, HELLOWEEN, GOTTHARD, MAGNUM, KROKUS and TNT — have joined a campaign initiated by singer Tommy Heart (SOUL DOCTOR, FAIR WARNING) to raise money for the victims of the massive earthquake and tsunami which devastated Japan’s northeast coast this past March. The musicians have recorded a cover version of the classic THE BEATLES song “Help” for an EP entitled “Help! For Japan”, which will be released in Europe on the German label Avenue Of Allies in early March 2012. All proceeds from the sales of this project will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.
Perhaps you know that the Origin of Halloween represents a Scottish variant of the fuller All-Hallows-Even (“evening”). But of course all of us know what’s happening on Halloween and the meaning of “Trick-or-Treat”. And also Halloween is one of those events that has had much of its imagery and background used through rock and metal history, and some bands and artists such as King Diamond and Impellitteri have used the title of Halloween for their songs. Moreover, we have Helloween, a band whose name and logo represents Halloween.
For many of us Halloween is a reminder of some yummy and funny things such Candies, Chocolates, Pumpkins and some horror symbols like Vampires, Frankenstein and Ghosts. This horror part of Halloween was/is really an interesting issue for RockMetal bands and artists to be creative in writing songs about those topics.
Metal Shock Finland’s Chief Editor asked me to be the DJ of the MSF Halloween party, and select for you 10 best songs as the Top 10 Halloween songs. She left no choice and it has to be done! But forget about the number “10” because It’s Halloween and I want to give you my lucky number “13” and let’s hope we will not be trapped or hunted by some Halloweenish creatures!
13. Helloween – Dr. Stein
One of the Helloween’s most popular songs from the upbeat “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 2” It was written by Michael Weikath and The Dr.Stein single was released in July 1988. It also re-recorded for compilation album “Unarmed – Best of 25th Anniversary“, the new version is in Jazz and Roll though.
I want to put it in the chart and start the party with this song because Helloween and this song are really Halloweenish.
12. Iced Earth – Dracula
From “Horror Show” the sixth studio album of Iced Earth. This time we encounter with horror and a sad story about a Halloweenish demon, the lyrics are lifted straight from the Bram Stoker’s Dracula movie that was one of the best movies in this genre .
The songs and lyrics are written by Jon Schaffer and the style of singing from Matt Barlow is extremely AWESOME.
11. Wolf – Voodoo
Nothing is scarier than when the Wolf is howling upon the mountain in the dead of the night. It sends a shiver through the whole of your body so you could even feel the sharpness of wolf teeth in your flesh. Now Wolf is singing about one of mankind’s most scary horror stories, Voodoo!
This song is from the treasure of chest, “Ravenous” album, and it ‘s written by Niklas Stalvind. His singing style is really great, reminds me of old school heavy metal. Also Niklas studied psychology and I think that was a good basis to help him write a such a great horror song as Voodoo.
10. Megadeth – She Wolf
It seems tonight we have a great thrash song from a golden album by Megadeth here in our party as well, Both the Music and lyrics to She-Wolf is written by Dave Mustaine and it was released on June 17, 1997 on the “Cryptic Writings” Album.
The song starts with a great thrashy riff and it is completed perfectly by a great solo in the end. I believe She-Wolf is the best choice for having some thrash in our Halloween Party.
9. AC/DC – Highway to Hell
“A fucking highway to hell” Angus said when he was asked to describe what life was like being constantly on tour. By all means it’s time to rock with a gem from the Rock&Roll world, the “Highway to Hell” single by AC/DC spent 45 weeks on the German Singles Chart, even though it peaked at only No. 30, in its 19th week on that chart.
The song was written by Bon Scott, Angus Young and Malcolm Young while the main guitar riff was created by Angus Young and it was released in July 1979. But let’s remember Scott who was found dead, in the back of a friend’s car, just over six months after the song was released. R.I.P. Bon Scott.
Yes, let’s listen to a true Horror Metal song. King Diamond is a legendary Heavy Metal band who focus on horror stories and that’s what we need here. When King starts to sing, the whole of your body will be filled with horror and fear and nobody can do it better than the King!
Bye Bye Missy is written by King Diamond on the “Them” album that was released in 1988. This album is a concept album about a young King and his mentally ill grandmother. One night, King investigates strange voices and discovers his grandmother having a tea party alone, with the teacups and kettles floating in the air ….
Time to eat some fire, sent by one of METAL GODS. Tell me what is the most scary thing in this world?! You may agree with my view that it’s doomsday. Jugulator is the 13th studio album by Judas Priest. This album describes for you such a hellish end that you feel those shivers again, yeah, I can hear you whisper!
“Burn in Hell” was released in 1997 as the promo single for their 13th studio album Jugulator and is written by K. K. Downing and Glenn Tipton. A music video was produced for the song. It was shortened down to a little over four minutes.
Burn In Hell tells us about the evil that we do, As Nostradamus predicted the year 2012 will be the end of the world and it’s coming soon! So we are going to blister, BURN IN HELL!
After the doomsday and after we made Hell as our home, now it’s time to bang your head with some Power Speed elements from Germany. Some people call Kai Hansen a Metal God as well, and as he is one of the creators of Melodic power Metal, why not?!
“Hell Is Thy Home” is written by Kai and was released on the “Majestic” album in 2005. You’ll find it as fast and powerful as a Metal song could be plus it has a very dark lyrical concept. And I believe this song is a great example what the band is capable of.
Black Sabbath is another band I can call Halloweenish because of the horror kind of image the name invokes. Many critics and writers mention them as the first Heavy Metal band! They brought some horror elements to Rock music with using some Chromatic and Diminished scales.
“Lady Evil” was released in April 1980 on the golden album of Black Sabbath, “Heaven and Hell”. The exact origins of much of this album’s material is still a topic of debate. And this was the first album after Ozzy Osbourne was fired from the band and replaced with the Legendary Ronnie James Dio, R.I.P. The song has a strong Rainbow feel and is filled by a great Heavy rhythm and great guitar solos.
“We had read an article that someone was working on an artificial heart and that one day everybody is going to have a computerized heart. It talked, in general terms, about how more and more of humanity gets sucked out of the daily life and more and more replaced by machine. It’s not a new thing now, but then it was new. Humans versus machine, was the general vibe of the record.” Wolf Hoffmann explained the concept behind the album and that shows the reason why I chose this one.
The song starts with famous classical theme, Tchaikovsky’s Slavonic March, and continues with an awesome galloping riff, including Beethoven’s Für Elise in the main solo. Metal Heart was released in March 1985 on the album of the same name.
3. DIO – Night People
It’s still sad and painful, and I’m sure many of us need to wipe away our tears when we listen to our VOICE OF METAL, R.I.P. Ronnie James Dio, one of the most talented musicians in the whole of heavy metal history.
Night People is the first track of the fourth DIO album, Dream Evil. The song starts with awesome heavy riffs that make you bang your head from the first moment and the Ronnie’s voice is as perfect as ever. By continuing with that great solo in the middle of the song, the circle of perfection is completed.
2. Iron Maiden – Transylvania
For understanding why I chose this song as the second one in this list, just close your eyes and imagine yourself walking in Count Dracula land, Transylvania, It’s night and you can sense the smell of blood from everywhere. Yeah the Shivers again and that’s because of you are walking on the land where the most scary Halloween symbol, Dracula, lived his life and maybe he’s still somewhere there hiding. :s
Transylvania was released on 14 April 1980 on the self titled album of METAL GODS, Iron Maiden and composed by founder and bassist Steve Harris, which was later covered by Iced Earth on the album Horror Show. The fast and powerful riffs and solos in this song could show you how it’s dangerous and scary, walking in the land, Transylvania!
1. Helloween – Halloween
Listen… take care … In the streets on Halloween, The spirits will arise….
Now it’s time to go back to our most Halloweenish Metal Band, Helloween. The legendary creators of Melodic Power Metal released this long length song on May 23, 1987 on their most successful album, “Keeper of the Seven Keys Part 1”. This album has credits by many to be the birth of Power Metal.
The “Halloween” song is written by Kai Hansen and it is 13 minutes 18 seconds long. The scary and horror style riff, played by the keyboard and guitar in the intro disconcerts you and suddenly starting with a powerful riff, you’ll find out that you are entered to a Halloween party full of Ghosts, Witches, Pumpkinheads, Vampires and … The song keep going and you would like to dance with those creatures but BEWARE … Black is the night full of fright and you’ll be missing the day … And now horror is back again and this is the point that fantasy Rocks horror, you run and scream on Halloween. Now Listen to me again, Keep your praying: “Save me from the evil one Give me strength to carry on I will fight for all mankind’s Deliverance and peace of mind”
At the end of the song you’ll not exist anymore, you’ll find yourself a part of Halloween, singing “IT’S HALLOWEEN, TONIGHT”.
PS: Special thanks to my friend Ali Blackdiamond for help
Noisecreep.com recently caught up with KORPIKLAANI guitarist Kalle ‘Cane’ Savijärvi, who discussed his list of the five albums that changed his life. Check out an excerpt below:
HELLOWEEN – Keeper Of The Seven Keys: Part 1 (1987)
“I was only nine years old when this album came out. I didn’t have any records or cassettes of my own yet. My older brother, Sampsa, had this on vinyl and listened to it all the time… loudly. At that time I pretty much listened to whatever my brother did. There were lots of other good bands and records, but Helloween changed my life.”
Korpiklaani recently announced a change in the lineup for the first time since 2005. Violinist Jaakko “Hittavainen” Lemmetty, who’s been with band since the beginning, will leave the band.
Says the band, “There is a mutual understanding between him and the rest of the band and there is no big drama involved. His personal health issues made the constant touring and recording impossible.”
The band found Hittavainen’s replacement in a young prodigy Teemu Eerola, who’s already been rehearsing hard with the band. Teemu has already proven himself to be an excellent replacement and magnificent company. He also plays violin.
The first show with the new lineup will be in Rotterdam on September 24th. In Finland the revitalized band can be spotted in Pori on October 6th and in Helsinki later in the same month. The real test for Teemu’s abilities and endurance will be the 24-date North American tour, starting on November 23rd.”
Nuclear Blast Records released Korpiklaani‘s latest album, Ukon Wacka, on February 4th, 2011. The album tracklisting is as follows:
‘Louhen Yhdeksäs Poika’
‘Päät Pois Tai Hirteen’
‘Tuoppi Oltta’
‘Lonkkaluut’
‘Tequila’
‘Ukon Wacka’
‘Korvesta Liha’
‘Koivu Ja Tähti’
‘Vaarinpolkka’
According to the band, “Ukon Wack”a, or Ukon Vakat, is a pagan sacrificial feast from ancient times, on which a special made beer richly flowed. As can be expected from the title, this album has an ancient and very folky feel and is totally in Finnish. To make the lyrics understandable for non-Finnish people, we will add an English description/translation in the booklet as usual. The album consists of 10 songs, among which you will find a song name ‘Tequila’, which is especially written for (and inspired by) our South American fans, with whom we celebrated such hard times, and who welcomed us so warmly, when we were touring in South America. Another surprise is the title song, ‘Ukon Wacka’, in which a special guest features: the famous Finnish singer Tuomari Nurmio! Last but not least features a tribute song (‘Päät Pois Tai Hirteen’) to the Finnish rock band Peer Günt, a great and underestimated band. We hope and expect that this album will give you as much joy as we had making it; a big folky feast for all!”
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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Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 