Category: Press Releases

HYPERSPACE METALFEST Announces 2025 Lineup with ENFORCER, PLANESWALKER, GLYPH, LUNAR, SOLARUS, TYLOR DORY TRIO and More!

Canada’s premier melodic and power metal festival HYPERSPACE Metal Fest returns for its 6th edition after another year of crowd-pleasing epic fun in Vancouver, BC. Being hosted at The Cobalt (April 10 &11th) and The Rickshaw Theatre (April 12th), the 2025 lineup will feature headliners ENFORCER, PLANESWALKER, GLYPH along with Lunar, Solarus, Tower Hill, Luminator, Tylor Dory Trio, Heyoka’s Mirror with more to be announced.

Festival organizer Joey Hockin of Journeyman Productions adds:

“It’s finally time to reveal Hyperspace Metal Festival VI! We were a little later announcing this year because we want to make sure we’re bringing you the same quality you’ve come to expect. And on that, I think we’ve delivered! The full lineup will be announced in the fall. Hope to see you next April!”

Headlining Saturday, April 12th at The Rickshaw Theatre, Sweden’s ENFORCER have proved themselves both live and on record, they stake their place amongst the world’s most renowned heavy metal bands since first forming in 2005. They have toured the world over, playing the biggest festivals and garnering a global fanbase. Their latest sixth studio album Nostalgia (released May 2023 – Nuclear Blast), features 13 heavy metal anthems and throws ENFORCER back to their speed metal roots. Fusing extreme guitar riffing with catchy stadium choruses, ENFORCER is out to conquer the world.

Music Video – Nostalgia – https://youtu.be/XhfrJAPbOCY​

Headlining Friday, April 11th, and returning for their second time at HMF, the duo known as PLANESWALKER features Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer, ex-Helion Prime) present Magic the Gathering-inspired Power Metal. They recently released their latest single “Compleated” and were joined by Carlos Alvarez (ex-Power Theory, Behölder, Shadowdance) on bass and Stefanos Meletiou (The Zilla Project, Private Garden).

Music Video – “Compleated” – https://youtu.be/CBDLtHHvbXE​

Headlining Thursday, April 10th, the Pacific Northwest’s Glyph, is not just a heavy metal band, they are a crew of intergalactic mercenaries escaping a dying planet in their spaceship, the VSS Dragonlord. Clearly, Glyph isn’t just writing songs, they’re building worlds and they bring it forth in their latest album “Honor, Power, Glory” released this past March.

Music Video – Volarad – https://youtu.be/xGo7_1FdLao​

Also featured on this year’s 2025 lineup and making their first HMF appearance and performing for the first time ever, Lunar is a progressive metal project from California that features members from Witherfall, Helion Prime, Planeswalker, Novareign, Mokili Wa, Nordic Frost, Outloud, Double Vision. Their fourth and latest album “The Illusionist” features guests Jørgen Munkeby (Shining), Christian Münzner (Obscura), Andy Gillion (Mors Principium Est), Taylor Washington (Paladin), Sam Vallen (Caligula’s Horse), Ben Karas (Thank You Scientist), Gleb Kanasevich, and Patrick Corona.

Meant to perform on the 2024 lineup, but forced to cancel, Tylor Dory Trio returns for 2025, they are a monstrous progressive metal unit and beloved by many in Western Canada. This live performance will be their first following a nearly seven-year layoff.

Hailing from London, ON, Solarus, simply put, is a musical vision and ambition to bring musicians together through their shared love for music. They bring forth impressive female-fronted melodic power metal.

Traveling from Edmonton, AB, Tower Hill delivers premium old-school heavy metal inspired by bands like Running Wild, Riot, Judas Priest, early Blind Guardian, and Helloween. Forging the best of the late 80s and early 90s German, British, and US metal scenes into a new blend of shimmering steel, Tower Hill’s riff-driven, hook-laden traditional metal will have you banging your head and singing along.

Luminator is a fantasy power metal band from the Pacific Northwest (Tacoma, WA) and will be supporting their latest EP “On The Clouds”.

From Calgary, AB, Heyoka’s Mirror is a progressive rock/metal band with international roots that was brought to life in the summer of 2015 by founding members Andrew Balboa and Omar Sultan. Their first music video “Asylum” (directed by Seth Williams), was nominated as Best Music Video by the 2020 YYC Music Awards and was released in support of their debut full-length “The Uninvited King”.

Hyperspace Metal Festival VI – April 10th – 12th.​
One-day passes and three-day passes are available at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/hyperspace-metal-festival-vi-tickets-1000996957847​

Facebook Event – https://www.facebook.com/events/1637280440385808​

To follow updates for Hyperspace Metal Festival 2024, please visit the following links:
​Facebook.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​
​Instagram.com/HyperspaceMetalFestival​

Arctis preparing for a tour with Apocalyptica released their debut single “I’ll Give You Hell” accompanied by a music video

Drawing inspiration from the mythical winters and mystical summers of the North, Arctis from Finland is a multidimensional new-age metal band whose music combines the hooks and nuances of rock and pop with the heavy cornerstones of melodic metal. Arctis’ songs are part of a big story that takes the listener on an epic journey where only imagination is the limit.

The extraordinary band has already accomplished a lot even before the release of their first song – the band already has a record deal with Napalm Records and a European tour on the way with Apocalyptica.

Arctis release ´the debut single “I’ll Give You Hell”. The song is also the first taste of the band’s upcoming debut album.

“We are very excited about this song! It’s our debut song and our first music video. I’ll Give You Hell was also one of the first songs we wrote, so this is a meaningful release for us. We also can’t wait to share more of the fruits of our labor. Stay tuned – this is just the beginning!”, the band comments and continues:

“The lyrics and concepts of the songs Fire and I’ll Give You Hell came about when we designed wild music videos for them. So, in a way, the visual side came first. It was fun creating a song this way. However, the original ideas for the song “I’ll Give You Hell”, just released, did not end up in the final version. Probably better this way…”

Arctis will play their debut gig as support for Apocalyptica on 11.11. in Luxembourg, which starts an 18-show European tour.

Arctis is:
Alva Sandström – Vocals
Michael Mikander – Guitar
Björn Johansson – Guitar
Mats Ödahl – Bass
Mika Paananen – Drums

Turmio Kätilöt will release their “Reset” album on October 25th.

Turmio Kätilöt will release their “Reset” album on October 25th, the single “Yksi Jumalista” and its video are hurtling towards Turmion Kätilöt’s longest play ever.

Having released their successful album “Omen X” last year, Turmion Kätilöt put more water in the mill and releases their new album “Reset” via Nuclear Blast on October 25th. The uncrowned kings of disco metal take the listeners into the mood of the upcoming album already with the single “Yksi Jumalista”.

MC Raaka Pee states that the single is a deep dive into one’s own indecision.

“Especially in difficult situations, I’ve learned to ask myself and others the question: ‘what do you want?’. I’ve noticed that in conflict situations, people often have no idea what they really want, and this is then an essential question. Otherwise, the basis of the whole thing gets drowned in all kinds of nonsense. “

The upcoming “Reset” album promises to go even steeper.

“I could say that Reset is the bastard child of our previous albums, seasoned with new spices. It has everything you could want from Turmion Kätilöt in the same package and even more. One special thing on the upcoming album is the vocal parts, which are infused with big melodies alongside furious screams – often even at the same time,” adds MC Raaka Pee.

Turmion Kätilöt, who has also toured in Europe, for example on Nightwish’s journey, state that “Reset” is the most appropriate name for the upcoming ensemble. The journey has taken the courage to combine fierce musical and lyrical perspectives – but that’s exactly what Turmion Kätilöt is all about at its best.

“For us, Reset means that we can sum up everything we’ve learned over two decades and add new nuances to the whirlwinds of our metal disco. We’ve raised our own bar record after record, and Reset is our best album to date. We couldn’t be happier about it,” says MC Raaka Pee and continues:

“If we had to decide which new songs to play live, we’d love to play the whole album.”

Turmion Kätilöt released the “Schlachter” single at the end of summer together with Lord Of The Lost’s vocalist Chris Harms, which is also included in the upcoming album.
The album’s full tracklist:

Yksi Jumalista
Päästä Irti
Pulssi
Sinä 2.0
Musta Piste
Trauma
Otava
Se Mitä Et Näe
Kerran Kuollut
Puuttuva Naula
Schlachter
Reset 7 (not to be continued)

Turmion MKätilöt is:
MC Raaka Pee – Vocals
Shag-U – vocals
Bobby Undertaker – Guitar
Master Bates – bass
RunQ – Keyboards
DQ – drums

Omnium Gatherum celebrates next month’s tour in Japan and In China with “New Dynamic” live video

Omnium Gatherum celebrates next month’s tour in Japan and
In China with “New Dynamic” live video.

A new album is in the works, a special tour in Europe is also coming
in the beginning of the year with Insomnium.

Omnium Gatherum, one of the export powerhouses of Finnish metal, will go on tour to Japan and China next month, and the mood is being raised with a new video. The live video for the “New Dynamic” was shot in the band’s hometown, Kotka, at the Dark River Festival last year, and the clean live recording of the video is the best way to pay tribute to the band’s playing skills. The video was made by Coldstore Productions and directed by Jari Heino.

The band, who released their “Slasher” EP through Century Media last year, has taken a break from gigs for this summer’s festivals, focusing on working on the material for their next studio album. The upcoming tour in Japan and China is therefore also a special source of joy for the band, especially since the first gig in Tokyo was already sold out some time ago.

“Asia is calling again and OG is answering! There’s going to be full metal coverage in 13 cities, and it’s great to be back in the Far East again after a few years off,” the -[OG]- crew states.

The upcoming tour in Japan and China:

15.09.24 Tokyo – Shibuya Garret – SOLD OUT
16.09.24 Tokyo – Shibuya Garret⁠
17.09.24 Osaka – Yogibo Holy Mountain
19.09.24 Shanghai – Mao Livehouse
20.09.24 Beijing – Omni Space
21.09.24 Xi’an – Nu Space
22.09.24 Chengdu – Mao Livehouse
24.09.24 Kunming – Modernskylab
25.09.24 Wuhan – Threelive
26.09.24 Hangzhou – Rmmf
29.09.24 Guangzhou – Mao Livehouse
30.09.24 Nanjing – Owl Voice
02.10.24 Tianjin – Glass Space

Omnium Gatherum already reported earlier about the joint European tour with Insomnium, scheduled for January 2025. On that tour, Insomnium will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of their “Shadows of the Dying Sun” album, and Omnium Gatherum will also play a full-length special set for their “Beyond” album, which will also be re-released as a limited edition color vinyl through Lifeforce Records. January evenings are opened by Hinayana.

“Beyond the Shadows of the Dying Sun” European Tour
14.01.25 (UK) London – Heaven (no Hinayana)
15.01.25 (FR) Paris – Le Trabendo
16.01.25 (NL) Utrecht – TivoliVredenburg
17.01.25 (DE) Oberhausen – Turbinenhalle
18.01.25 (DE) Leipzig – Hellraiser
19.01.25 (CZ) Prague – Roxy
21.01.25 (DE) Berlin – Festsaal Kreuzberg
22.01.25 (DE) Hamburg – Markthalle
23.01.25 (DE) Frankfurt – Batschkapp
24.01.25 (CH) Pratteln – Z7
25.01.25 (DE) Stuttgart – Im Wizemann
27.01.25 (DE) Munich – Backstage
28.01.25 (AT) Vienna – Simm City

Omnium Gatherum is:
Jukka Pelkonen – Vocals
Markus Vanhala – guitar, clean vocals
Nick Cordle – guitar
Aapo Koivisto – keyboards
Mikko Kivistö – bass, clean vocals
Atte Pesonen – drums

Canada’s INFRARED Take Aim With Their Thrash Metal Hit “Concuss” Off New Album “Manifestation” Out Sept 2024

Infrared is true Canadian thrash metal, which initially started in 1986. After a hiatus, they re-emerged in 2016 and have put out a handful of albums since then. Their latest offering is the full-length “Manifestation”, which will be released on September 6, 2024. Ahead of this, they are releasing their second single “Concuss” with a video. They share their thoughts:

“This is a song that was a forced collaboration right from the start of the songwriting process. While Kirk had these great grooving riffs to build the song, the chorus pops with an all-out chant and in-your-face riff that makes you want to hit stuff which was brought to the table by Armin. As usual, Mike and Al ensure the rhythm section is exactly what is needed to get fists pumping.”

They go on to explain that “Concuss” is a straight-up anthem song about retaliating against those who stand in your way, but also a tip of the hat to all those crazy metalheads that hop in the pit and destroy.

Having emerged from the 80s thrash scene, Infrared‘s music is steeped in the same intensity that defined the genre’s pioneers. “Manifestation” continues this tradition, offering a streamlined, intense listening experience that captures the essence of classic thrash. It is recommended for fans of Anvil, Exciter, and Sacrifice.

Watch and listen to the music video for “Concuss” via its premiere on Decibel Magazine HERE.

Due out September 6, 2024, “Manifestation” is available for pre-order at https://infraredmetal.bandcamp.com​

First single – Music Video for “Demon’s Blood” – https://youtu.be/N5RWKQXfc_0​

​

Track Listing:​
1. Cataclysm (2:07)
2. Temple of Sin (3:20)
3. Nikko (3:40)
4. Demon’s Blood (3:08)
5. Pressure Syndrome (4:29)
6. The Manifest (0:48)
7. Manifest Nation (3:40)
8. Concuss (4:00)
9. Reforma (4:04)
10. My Dreams Are Real (3:48)
11. Parasite Patrol (3:47)
12. Then the Earth Goes Black (4:16)

More info: http://infraredmetal.ca/​

​

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“Heavy, powerful sound throughout and so much catchiness, it’s crazy. By now I must have listened to maybe 250 new albums this year, and this one is definitely in the top 5. Highly recommended for fans of technically minded thrash that fucking slays.” 4.75/5 – The Metal Crypt (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“Infrared’s “From the Black Swamp” is EXACTLY what the METAL world needs right now… full of heaviness, riffy-ness, depth, progressive leanings and thrashing madness! After consecutive strong releases over the last 5+ years, Infrared’s musical growth cannot be ignored! Raging from their classic 80’s roots, they’ve yet again raised the bar in terms of what powerful thrash metal should represent and embody in today’s heavy music landscape. I cannot get enough spins of this new release! A modern thrash metal masterpiece, this new slag of heaviness incites that tingly feeling on the back of your neck that you just can’t shake off… the thrash metal flag is triumphantly waving for these Ottawa legends!”- Steve Kraus Host of 6o on CKLU 96.7FM (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“Truly recommended as an essential to all thrash fans! 5/5” – Metal Epidemic (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“If you are a fan of very well crafted thrash metal, plan to add From The Black Swamp to your collection. Buy Canadian!” – Sleaze Roxx (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“INFRARED delivers vintage thrash metal with styles comparable to Slayer, Testament and early Anthrax. As all good things typically come back around and this old-school sound is a refreshing change in today’s metal landscape… As a Canadian band that started in the mid-eighties, it is impressive that INFRARED is still making a serious mark with their latest release. The impeccable studio work and enviable songwriting surely position this band for GREAT things to come. 9/10” – Spill Magazine (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“You can expect a bouncy style featuring sneering vocals, a hefty bass tone that goes hand in hand with the crunchy riffs and solid drum mechanics – crossing lines between thrash and traditional metal, along with the occasional punk/hardcore angst that fueled the early days.” – Dead Rhetoric (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“From The Black Swamp” is a masterpiece the world needs right here right now. Don’t call yourself a Bay Area thrash fan if you ignore it as I predict it will be someday mentioned in one breath with “South Of Heaven”, “The New Order”, “Peace Sells But Who’s Buying”, “Rust In Peace” (BIG TIME!), “Ride The Lightning” or “Master Of Puppets”, mark my words. 6/6″ – Eternal Terror (2021 – From the Black Swamp)​
​
​“Black Swamp’ is far from average, it is Infrared doing what Infrared do best and thrash fans will bang their head in appreciation.” – Metal Digest (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

“Once again, Infrared offers us a thrash metal that is both complex and easy to access: we will never get lost in watchtower-style twists and turns. 9/10″ – Soil Chronicles (2021 – From the Black Swamp)

Metal And Myth Intertwine In SIEGE PERILOUS’ New Power Metal EP “Creation’s Call” + Denver’s Mile High Power Fest

Denver’s Siege Perilous invites you to embark on an epic musical odyssey with their freshly released second EP “Creation’s Call”. A culmination of years of storytelling and musical craftsmanship, the EP will immerse power metal fans in a world of adventure and intrigue. Vocalist Shaughnessy McDaniel comments

“Our goal with ‘Creation’s Call’ is to present fans with an opportunity to escape the modern world and join us in the worlds of history and fantasy. For the more technically inclined, we have tight, complex arrangements and shredding solos that show off how incredibly talented my bandmates are and how fortunate I am to work with them. I like to think of this EP as a sampler platter of lyrical themes, musical ideas, and narrative storytelling that highlights what we are about in a very diverse array of 5 tracks.”

With each soaring guitar solo and thunderous drumbeat, Siege Perilous invites fans to delve deeper into the realms of their imagination, where epic battles and ancient prophecies unfold. From the thunderous opening chords of “Oathsworn” to the triumphant crescendo of “Brothers of the Five”, the EP takes listeners on a journey through realms both ancient and mythical.

Drawing inspiration from LARP, historical events, and fantasy literature, Siege Perilous crafts a cinematic landscape that resonates with fans across the spectrum of metal and fantasy fandoms. They are highly recommended for fans of Alestorm, Manowar, and Iron Maiden.

Listen to the full-stream premiere of “Creation’s Call” via MetalInsider HERE.

“Creation’s Call” is due out on August 23, 2024, and available for digital pre-save at https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/siegeperilous/creations-call-2 and made available at band’s online store – https://siegemetal.com/store.

Lyric Video – “Oathsworn” – https://youtu.be/HaosPQrqgAw​

Lyric Video – “Sons of the Verdant” – https://youtu.be/eU4mHuSslwg​

Lyric Video – “Across the Rubicon” – https://youtu.be/8TgeXstfSso​

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3xS9g3q​

Track Listing:​
1. Oathsworn (3:13)
2. Across the Rubicon (3:42)
3. Sons of the Verdant (4:49)
4. Creation’s Call (4:03)
5. Brothers of the Five (5:13)

Band Lineup (EP and Live):​
Shaughnessy McDaniel – Vocals
Scott Hancock – Guitar
Cody Martinez – Guitar
Eric Fischer – Bass
Mark Girard – Drums

In additional news, Siege Perilous will perform at their hometown Mile High Power Fest on August 24th, where they will be showcasing their new recordings live for fans for the first time!

Denver’s only power metal festival presented by BiteSize Productions, will be hosted at The Oriental Theater with Seven Spires, Aether Realm, Lords of the Trident, Traveler, Judicator, Seizure, Celestial Wizard, AfterTime, Graveshadow, and Starwraith. Event info can be found here.

More info: Siegemetal.com | Facebook.com/siegeband | Instagram.com/siegeperilousmetal | Tiktok.com/@siegemetal​

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“It gives me great pleasure to tell you that Creation’s Call is a blast. Siege Perilous has succeeded in creating what I would call Epic Power Metal for the Working Man. They don’t waste your time with overlong symphonic interludes between tracks, melodramatic narration, or overproduction that tests the limits of your sanity. The band gets right to the point and pulls you into their epic tales of heroic daring immediately. This is a nice breath of fresh air and if this EP is anything to go by, Siege Perilous has a great future ahead of them. Yes, this could be considered power metal but the no-nonsense approach and urgency to the songwriting makes this release absolutely worth checking out for those of us in the NWOTHM scene. Plus, it’s really just a lot of fun. This one is highly recommended. THENWOTHM SCORE: 9/10” – The NWOTHM

“‘Creation’s Call’ never gets boring, even on Heavy Rotation. Five gifted musicians have succeeded in creating a varied EP. The twin guitar solos are convincing the whole time. It’s just a shame that it ends after twenty-one minutes. It makes you wish for a full-length album. And, of course, a thrilling live performance. 9.3/10” – Metalheads Forever Magazine​
​
​“solid power metal style that should satiate any LARP-attendees or Dungeons and Dragons mavens. Keep an eye on this quintet – wield thy sword as they lead the battle charge for more quality power metal from the states. 8/10” – Dead Rhetoric​
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​“Creation’s Call not only highlights Siege Perilous’ dedication to epic storytelling but also emphasises their versatility within the power metal genre. With influences ranging from historical events to high fantasy, this EP offers a rich and varied auditory experience that will captivate fans. Prepare to embark on a grand journey through myth and history as Siege Perilous delivers their latest saga.” – Amplify The Noise​
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​“Creation’s Call it is a cohesive and well-crafted work, where the combination of rich letters in history and fantasy, with a meticulous musical execution, it makes mandatory, regardless of its short duration. [82%]” – Via Nocturna​
​“Creation’s Call doesn’t get boring even in heavy rotation. Five gifted musicians have created a varied EP. The solos of the twin guitars are convincing across the board. It’s just a shame that it’s over after twenty-one minutes. You want a full-length album. And of course a sweaty live performance. 9.4/10” – Keep On Rocking​
​
​“Colorfully mixed NWOTHM/Epic Heavy/Power Metal elixir that appeals to a broad range of fans between ALESTORM, BATTLEROAR, ETERNAL CHAMPION, GATEKEEPER, IRON MAIDEN, RUNNING WILD and WRATHBLADE. Awakens a huge appetite for a full long-play album. On this EP you can clearly see that the band has enormous potential and has already given a great taste of their skills. Conclusion: Strong-looking genretobak that falls out of the usual range! 8,5/10” – FFM-Rock​
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​““Oathsworn,” hits the guns from the get go, slamming through the turnstiles of time and building the great beyond.” – The Median Man

“[Betrayal of the Dracolich] was one of my favorite metal EPs of 2022” – Harry Cane Twisted Mind Radio

French thrash-hardcore gang EIGHT SINS shared new live video @ Hellfest 2024 // New album ‘STRAIGHT TO NAMEK’ out now

French thrash-hardcore gang EIGHT SINS shared new live video “Street Trash” @ Hellfest 2024.

A couple of months after officially released their new full-length album ‘Straight to Namek’,  French Thrash-Metal/Hardcore gang EIGHT SINS just unveiled a new live video illustrating the song “STREET TRASH” filmed at Hellfest 2024 and available right now on YouTube.

This song is part of the band’s new album ‘Straight to Namek’ out now on CD, LP & Digital but also all the main legal platforms (Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Amazon etc.) with the support of Victory Vision Agency (PERSEIDE, Synapse,…)

                                            ….For the record…

“BEERS & MOSHPIT!!” = Two words that perfectly defined EIGHT SINS.

Hardcore-Metal x Thrash entity founded in 2006 by a group of friends driven by the same passion and goal : to give the best on stage no matter what, Eight Sins are clearly influenced by American Thrash movement as well as New York Hardcore scene.

Their music is fast, heavy, precise and cut out for live performances. After more than ten years of existence, five studio recordings, several original clips and numerous concerts in Europe, the group has forged a solid reputation in French Hardcore-Metal scene.

This will have allowed him to share the poster with big names like Sepultura, Walls of Jericho, Agnostic Front, Terror, Municipal Waste, Madball, Sick of it All, Unearth, Black Bomb A or Lofofora… and also to play at Hellfest Open Air Festival.

EIGHT SINS released their debut full-length album in 2008 with ‘Straight Hate’ followed one lear later by a split EP shared with French rapper VII called ‘Blood Of Revenge’.

In 2013, the French gang joined the Swiss label Bad Mood Records with the aim to give birth to its sophomore album called ‘World Of Sorrow’ and then 3 years later by ‘SERPENTS’ (2016, Thousand Ghosts Highway Records).

In 2023, Eight Sins gave birth its fourth full-length album called ‘STRAIGHT TO NAMEK’.

For Fans of : Get The Shot; Iron Reagan; Municipal Waste; Slayer; Terror...

Crimson Sun’s last single release before the album – “Strive” is a straightforward rocking song

The Finnish metal pump Crimson Sun, which grabs millions of streams, is preparing for the release of its third album. The songs “Sailing Home”, “Neon Lights” and “The Mark Stays On” have already been cut from next month’s “Sorrowbreaker” album. The last single is “Strive”, which is a go-to song, but nevertheless quite melodic.

“The song deviates a little from our usual style by being heavier in its pedaling, but still retains the characteristic features of our band, such as straightforwardness and melody. With this song, we wanted to bring out the energy and intensity that arises when we combine a heavier soundscape with our familiar melodic formula.”

Behind “Strive”‘s lyrics lies a philosophical idea about humanity and the common good.

“The song’s lyrics reflect the phenomenon of today’s world, where innovations are born at breakneck speed. In the lyrics, we play with the idea of ​​a world where new inventions are made purely to promote the well-being of humanity and not only to pursue maximum financial profit. “Strive” challenges the listener to think about what would be possible if we strived towards common good and sustainable development instead of letting greed dictate our direction.”

Crimson Sun’s “Sorrowbreaker” will be out on September 20th.
The quintet will be performing in Helsinki and on a heavy metal cruise in October.

03.10.2024 On The Rocks, Helsinki w/ Nestruction (Record Labels)
26.10.2024 Merirock Vol. 13, Viking XPRS w/ Private Line & St. Aurora

Crimson Sun is:

Sini Seppälä – vocals
Joni Junnila – guitar
Jukka Jauhiainen – bass
Antti Rantavuo – drums
Miikka Hujanen – keyboards

MASSIVE SCAR ERA Collaborates w/ Entheos’ Chaney Crabb To Give A Voice To Recent Egyptian History w/ Single “School Girls” New EP “Assyad” Out October 2024

Massive Scar Era, the visionary Egyptian/Canadian metal project led by Cherine Amr, is thrilled to announce the release of their new single “School Girls | بنات المدرسة”. This track, featuring the dynamic vocals of Chaney Crabb from Entheos, is the lead single from their upcoming EP, “Assyad”, set to drop in October 2024. With “School Girls”, Massive Scar Era breaks genre boundaries again, blending progressive rock, post-grunge, Egyptian music, and metal into a captivating sound that resonates deeply with fans worldwide. Amr comments on the unique track:

“‘School Girls’ represents a dialogue between the Mu’allima (teacher) spirit, brought to life by Chaney’s voice, and the outside world. The chorus is adapted from the traditional Zar song “Banat el Madrassa,” reflecting a significant era in Egyptian society and feminism. It highlights the pursuit of higher education by middle and upper-class women in the 1950s, symbolizing their aspirations and empowerment. The Mu’allima serves as both a guide within the female Zar realm and a social archetype.”

Amr, the creative force behind Massive Scar Era, has dedicated years to studying Egyptian Zār traditions, weaving this deep cultural understanding into her music. Zār is a cult of possession in which ritual incorporates music and dance. Zar aims to establish a state of reconciliation between the individuals and the possessing spirits (Asyad) that inhabit their bodies and are believed to be the cause of illness.

For this EP, Amr received invaluable support from the community and cultural consultant, Dr. Kawkab Tawfik, who introduced her to Zar Abou El-Gheit, led by the master Zar musician, Muhammed AbouZeid. Muhammed invited Amr to attend one of their ceremonies held for a patient at his home in the village of Abou El-Gheit, a couple of hours outside Cairo, Egypt. They formed an immediate connection there, and Muhammed was instrumental in deepening Amr’s understanding of Zar songs.

Amr later invited Muhammed and his bandmate Salem to Montreal, where we engaged in daily songwriting workshops. Joining them were metal musicians Simon Mckay (the drummer of The Agonist) and Frédérick Filiatrault (bassist of Vvon Dogma I, Unexpect) for a month-long residency. Amr worked closely with Simon, recording the Zar songs played by Muhammed and Salem on a DR-70 Tascam. Amr would then take these recordings home to develop the songs further, sometimes sending Simon rough versions with unquantized drumlines or even without any drumlines. Simon would then rewrite the drumlines and occasionally assist with the guitar arrangements. The next day, they would reunite in the studio to share and refine their ideas. This process, which they repeated five days a week, was truly collaborative.

As Massive Scar Era continues to evolve, the release of the single “School Girls” marks a new chapter in the band’s journey, offering fans a glimpse into the rich, progressive musical experience that awaits in “Assyad”, which will be a concept record that blends Egyptian Zār songs with prog rock and metal.

“I believe this EP will be a journey that and I think it will resonate with those who appreciate concept albums and are drawn to non-mainstream metal music. In the world of Zar, what you are curious about also becomes curious about you. Each song on this EP is inspired by a specific Zar spirit, and I’m eager to see how each listener connects with the EP, as I’m sure everyone will be drawn to different songs in their own unique way.” adds Amr.

This single “School Girls” is a testament to Amr’s commitment to exploring and honoring these traditions while pushing the boundaries of modern metal music along with it being a bold statement, blending traditional Zār songs and rhythms with the raw power of metal into a unique and distinctive sound.

Recommended for fans of Merfolk, Nawather, and Zaeer, listen to “School Girls” ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) at the following links:

Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/AQoz_rPrJwE​

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/4716lSP​

Due on October 25th, 2024, “Assyad” is available for pre-order at https://massivescarera.bandcamp.com/​

Track Listing:​
1. Muluk al-Ardiyya | The Kings of the Earth – 4:54
2. Abdel Salam Lasmar – 3:17
3. Genie, Lambo – 3:17
4. Inner Dialogue – 3:33
5. El-Leil | The Night – 4:24
6. Pretend – 3:43
7. School Girls ft. Chaney Crabb (Entheos) – 3:26
EP Length: 26:38

More info: Facebook.com/massivescarera | Instagram.com/massivescarera​

Note: Funded by Canada Council for the Arts – https://canadacouncil.ca/​

EP Recording Credits:​
Creative producer: Cherine Amr
Zār Leader, teacher, and consultant: Muhammed Abouzeid
Community Connector, Cultural Consultant, and overseas executive producer: Dr. Kawakb Tawfik
All songs and lyrics are written by Cherine Amr.
Any Arabic vocals heard on Assyad are folkloric Zār songs.
Percussion and Kawala arrangement and performance: Muhammed Abouzeid
Traditional Zār singer: Salem Atallah
Drum arrangement and performance: Simon McKay
Bass arrangement and performance: Frédérick Filiatrault
Vocal, Guitar, and back vocals arrangement and performance: Cherine Amr.
Death Growl: Chaney Crabb on Track 7. School Girls
Music Producer: Etienne Tremblay (La Machine à Mixer)
Recorded at Studio Mix Art in Montréal, Québec, by Nicholas Pétrowski and Etienne Tremblay.
Mixed and Master by Etienne Tremblay (La Machine à Mixer)

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“Steeped in Metal, but bridging the gap to Egyptian music, Massive Scar Era is a Metal band you need to know about in 2023. The brainchild of visionary artist Cherine Amr, their new EP Metal Goes Egyptian, the seventh release in her career, is coming out in November. Not only does the band creative a ground-breaking mix of Metal and world music, Cherine had to flee her country where “the devil’s music” is forbidden to create, let alone defying gender norms that could lead to punishment, or worse. With its unique fusion of Prog Rock, post-Grunge, Egyptian music, and Heavy Metal, the group just released a new single “Between Waves!”” – Ghost Cult Magazine (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)​
​
​” When you’re a metal act, you either go big or you go home, and going big is what Massive Scar Era does extremely well. Today, the metal ensemble unveiled the video for their new single, “Oblivious,” off of their Metal Goes Egyptian EP. As an in-studio performance video, it’s simple but effective. It’s particularly effective due to the level of precision with which the band plays. Then you add in the orchestral elements, and you have essentially what amounts to a symphony. Beyond band founder and leader Cherine Amr, there are many minds and parties at play to bring this vision to life. Amr collaborates closely with musicians, producers, and video creators. Her goal is to combine heavy metal’s power with traditional Arabic music’s beauty and charisma. You’ll hear it all come together in perfect harmony upon Metal Goes Egyptian’s official release on November 3rd.” – V13 (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)

“As the title indicates, it’s metal with a middle eastern tone and style… mostly melodic death with clean and harsh vox.” – The Moshpit – WORT 89.9 FM (Madison, WI) (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)

“the Egyptian-Western music cocktail has an almost hypnotic effect” – PowerMetal.de (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)

“Through “Metal Goes Egypt”, their new EP, Canadian band Massive Scar Era invites open-minded heavy music fans to embark on a musical journey that transcends borders and creates a unique fusion of metal energy and the melodic beauty and cultural nuances of traditional Egyptian Arabic music.” – YoZone.fr (2023 – Metal Goes Egyptian)

Folk Metal and Classic Rock Collide w/ THEIGNS & THRALLS New Single “The Harrowing” Off Upcoming Album “The Keep And The Spire” Out Sept 2024

Theigns and Thralls, known for their distinctive blend of folk-metal and classic rock, are excited to announce the release of their new video visualizer for “The Harrowing”. This track is part of their forthcoming album “The Keep & The Spire”, which showcases the band’s evolution with a heavier and darker tone, devoid of acoustic tracks.
​
Historically, “The Harrowing” takes place at the end of the Viking era when, in the winter of 1069, William 1 (“The Conqueror”) ruthlessly put down a rebellion in the North of England. Slaughtering the population and despoiling the land. Unfortunately, we are all too aware of the North-South divide that still exists.

Listen to the new single at the following links:

Visualizer – https://youtu.be/WgxVlm_xsOs​

Digital – https://lnk.to/xTXUDl​

The brainchild of Skyclad vocalist and songwriter Kevin Ridley, Theigns & Thralls features Cruachan and Waylander band members.

“The Keep & The Spire” is the second album from the band, but it is the first album to be recorded as a band – though there are a few guest musicians on it. The title is taken from the song ’Theigns & Thralls’ and refers to the keep and the spire being considered as the twin towers of control (i.e. the state and religion).

Kevin Ridley started writing new material for this album as soon as the first album was released and had a few tracks together when he was contacted by Per Ablinsson (the Swedish lyricist) about the possibility of working together. This was something different for him because, while he has worked with lots of different musicians, he normally writes the lyrics. But he thought it was an interesting idea and decided to give it a go. This changed the shape and feel of the album, in that (after some discussion). Per quickly, came up with some lyrics that had strong Anglo-Saxon or Viking themes. Ridley then had the idea of combining some of these lyrics to form a ‘suite of tracks’ (something he had never done before), so that these songs would take up the whole side of an album. Those songs became ‘The Maldon Suite’, and the album could be viewed as ‘The Maldon Suite’ and other songs.

A lot of the other album tracks are based on poems and ideas that Ridley had for a while, like ‘The Harrowing’ and ‘Interrogativa Cantilena’ (which he did with Korpiklaani). And, as they didn’t want to make the whole album dark and serious, they added a few more up-tempo and fun tracks like ‘the Seeker’, ‘The Mermaid Tavern’ and ‘The Grape And The Grain’.

Pushing the boundaries of their sound, Theigns & Thralls cements their position in the global music scene. The new album not only reflects their artistic growth but also offers fans a deeper and more immersive experience.

The new album “The Keep And The Spire” is due out on September 20th, 2024, and will be available on CD / VINYL (Black and Orange/Marble editions) from Rockshots Records.

PRE-ORDER VINYL – https://bit.ly/46dJeEd​

PRE-ORDER CD – https://bit.ly/3WvOFeF​

Music Video – The Grape And The Grain – https://youtu.be/QMdnpT9_kpI​

CD Track Listing​
The Battle of Maldon Suite
1. Overture
2. A Single Beam
3. Fight And Lay Your Bones
4. The Battle of Maldon
5. Aftermath
6. Pagan Song
7. The Harrowing
8. The Seeker
9. Now My Life Is Done
10. The Grape And The Grain
11. Interrogativa Cantilena
12. The Mermaid Tavern
​
​Vinyl Album Track Listing​
Side 1
The Battle of Maldon Suite
1. Overture
2. A Single Beam
3. Fight And Lay Your Bones
4. The Battle of Maldon
5. Aftermath
6. Pagan Song
​
Side 2
7. The Harrowing
8. The Seeker
9. Now My Life Is Done
10. The Grape And The Grain
11. Interrogativa Cantilena
12. The Mermaid Tavern

For more info:

​Rockshots.eu​
​Theignsandthralls.com​
​Facebook.com/theignsandthralls​
​Instagram.com/theignsandthralls​