Valyria - nouvel Ep "Into The Dying of Time" le 18 juin et nouveau titre en écoute

Avec le monde devenant un endroit plus sombre jour après jour, nous avons besoin de plus de groupes de métal qui traitent de l'évasion réaliste; c'est l'évasion qui tire des événements dans le monde réel (voir plus loin le 'Héros aux mille visages' de Joseph Campbell) et aide les auditeurs à faire face héroïquement à leurs propres batailles quotidiennes. L'équivalent sonore du travail de George R.R. Martin! En effet, le groupe de death metal progressif VALYRIA tire son nom des œuvres de Martin.

Comme le groupe l'explique. "Valyria est une ville en ruine dans le monde d'Essos, le monde dans lequel a lieu" Un chant de feu et de glace "de George R.R. Martin. Valyria est une ville d'émerveillement, de magie et de pouvoir incalculable. L'esthétique que Martin crée dans ses romans est une atmosphère similaire à celle que nous, en tant que groupe, essayons d'évoquer avec notre musique. "

Influencé par Wintersun, The Faceless, Dragonforce, Blind Guardian et Omnium Gatherum, VALYRIA décrit leur son comme "dramatique, complexe, édifiant, émotionnel, technique" quelque chose que leurs fans pourront entendre sur leur nouvel EP "Into The Dying of Time", qui comprend des classiques tels que «Steel Inquisition», «Tome of The Shattered Vessels», «Of Sky and Sea», «The Crossing» et «Floating World».

S'unissant à Metal-Rules.com, VALYRIA dévoile son deuxième single "The Crossing" au lien suivant: http://www.metal-rules.com/2018/04/25/metal-warriors-valyria-attempt-the-crossing-via-metal-rules-new-ep-into-the-dying-of-time-out-may-18th/

Le groupe commente:

"The Crossing est l'exemple le plus succinct de notre son - à parts égales de djent, death et power metal, avec même une petite pointe de skate punk. Cette chanson est remplie de mélodies de clavier et de guitare scintillantes, de bruits brutaux et d'harmonies vocales. "The Crossing" est basé sur le roman de Haruki Murakami "La Fin des temps", une odyssée cyberpunk existentielle qui voit notre protagoniste se confronter et traverser sa propre disparition et vivre dans le monde des rêves".

Le EP de VALYRIA "Into The Dying of Time" sortira le 18 mai 2018 et sera disponible en pré-commande sur Bandcamp :

Song Stream - "Steel Inquisition" - https://youtu.be/4NJMnPw9XIo

[news] THE RAZ Posts New Lyric Video "No One To Blame"

THE RAZ Posts New Lyric Video "No One To Blame" Self-Titled Debut Album Out Feb 9th via Rockshots Records

Rockshots Records is thrilled to announce the release of Columbia, SC rock n' rollers THE RAZ‘s debut self-titled album on February 9, 2018.

The four-piece rock is comprised of four individuals from four different decades who love music, and more importantly, love to play music together. As The Raz, they bring their diverse backgrounds together and make it into what they like to call Raz-N-Roll. Taking their name from bass player Dale Raszewski’s nickname, “The Raz” is also comprised of Adam Shealy (Drums), David Scott Mcbee (Lead Vocals), and Nick “Kuma” Meehan (Guitar).

Their nine track debut self-titled album is a song and groove oriented rock record for fans who appreciate the sounds of classic rock with blues groove in the veins of Led Zeppelin, Badlands, Joe Bonamassa and Rival Sons.

Their first single and lyric video "No One To Blame" can now be viewed  and heard here after :



The band comments:

"The music for this track was written on the spot between guitarist Nick and bassist Raz, whom also wrote the lyrics about a former musician friend that had unfortunately passed away from cocaine addiction."

"The Raz" will be available on February 9, 2018 via Rockshots Records at the following links:
Amazon Link - http://bit.ly/TheRaz_AMAZON

CD / Digital, Other Buy Links - http://smarturl.it/theraz

Track Listing:
1. Black Garden (6:03)
2. No One To Blame (4:55)
3. Different Colored Leaves (4:45)
4. Since I Lost You (4:14)
5. 13 Years (5:01)
6. My Woman (3:02)
7. Mystery (4:09)
8. No Surprise (4:13)
9. What’s Real (7:32)
Album Length: 43:58

THE RAZ is
David Scott Mcbee – Lead Vocals
Dale “Raz” Raszewski – Bass
Nick “Kuma” Meehan – Guitar
Adam Shealy – Drums


For more info:
http://www.rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/RazRoll
EPK - https://wp.me/pciNW-bnM



About:

The Raz is a 4-piece Rock band out of Columbia SC. The band is composed of 4 individuals from 4 different decades who love music, and more importantly, love to play music together. As The Raz, they bring their diverse backgrounds together and make it into what they like to call Raz-N-Roll.

With Nick Meehan on Guitar, David Scott McBee on Vocals, Adam Shealy on Drums and Dale Raszewski (“Raz”) on Bass.

The Raz was formed in the spring of 2016 by Raz and Nick Meehan when they met at Guitar Center in Columbia, SC where Raz was working. They got together at Nick’s house, jammed, and wrote 2 songs that first night. Soon after they recruited another Guitar Center employee by the name Andrew Bowers to play drums. They started thinking of names and Nick said why don't we call the band "THE RAZ"?

So they started playing as a power trio. Soon Raz realized they needed a better singer, so David Scott McBee was asked to join the band. Soon after David joined the band, Andrew left, and the search for a drummer was on. The very first drummer to audition was Adam Shealy, and they offered him the job… and the rest is Raztory.

I love “The Raz” bluesier direction… the band sounds real tight.. Great songs and singer!” Rudy Sarzo (Ozzy, Dio, Whitesnake)

“…the band is jamming and the vocals are killer, great stuff!” Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal

[news] Nate Bohnet - Therapeutic Destruction

Nate Bohnet - Therapeutic Destruction

Self-Release - 16 February 2018

Nate Bohnet is unleashing a very heartfelt 14 track debut solo album entitled "Therapeutic Destruction" on February 16th, all recorded, mixed and mastered with his producer touch at his Medicine Hat, AB based Octave Studios.

Sharing with the world his emotional, groovy, melodic, organic, and therapeutic sounds, this is music cut from the very heart, a sonic sampling of a man’s soul, and while such cuts are deep and painful, the art created thereof is that of pain purged, for creator and listener alike, a symbiotic salvation if you will. Having lost his parents as a very young child; Nate has truly experienced what he writes about.

“This album is centred around the concept that music is therapy. We all go through times in our lives where nothing seems to make sense, everything is on the edge, and you don’t know what will happen next. We have all loved, laughed, lost, and experienced tremendous grief and joy in our time alive. ‘Therapeutic Destruction’ means harnessing all the negative energy that comes into your life, and unleashing it in music that some might consider destructive. I felt that the title fits the main idea of the album; using music as a way of therapy and harnessing it in such a way as to allow myself to deal with aspects of my life, and if one song reaches you and connects with you; it has done its job. The overarching message is that regardless of all these low points in our lives, all we have to do is push forward and strive. The only thing holding you back is your mind.” says Bohnet.

So far Bohnet has released the album's first single / free download "Suicidal Illusions" :

Bohnet adds about the track:

"We have all been there, whether we have acted on it, or it has just been a passing thought. Regardless though the subject isn’t easy and sometimes the only way to help someone who may be dealing with that situation, is to talk about it and be present."

[news] VANTABLACK WARSHIP - new video via The Sludgelord

VANTABLACK WARSHIP Premiere Video "Blood On The Mat" via The Sludgelord

(A Graphic Account From A Female MMA Fighter)

New Album "Abrasive Pulmonic Speak" Due Out Jan 26th

Montreal CD Launch Show Feb 10th @ Katacombes

Once again, Canada’s molten cauldron of metal, its crucible of carnage, spews forth a new release from one of its fine bands, the splendidly named VANTABLACK WARSHIP. Formed by veterans of the Quebec metal scene (Arseniq33, Ghoulunatics, Brutal Chérie, Foreshadow, Les Ékorchés, Buffalo Theory Mtl), this Montreal quintet conjures up images of a neon black pirate ship come to wage a metal storm on an unsuspecting Earth.

Metal legend Tony Dolan, AKA The Demolition Man of Venom Inc. recently described VANTABLACK WARSHIP as a “Cool Slayer”.

The band's new album "Abrasive Pulmoic Speak" due out on January 26th, 2018 features eight tracks of just solid riffage from heavy hardcore speed demon ripping to sludgy down tunes all applied with dirty in your face vocals ready to destroy with its moshpit anthems.

Guitarist Pat Gordon comments:

“Abrasive Pulmonic Speak”, the title of our album is a testimony to the harshness of our lyrics and music. They are pretty hardcore! But it also refers to the title track, which is based on the works of Henry Miller. He was expatriated for some of his earlier works that he put into print that at those times people never dared say out loud.  We are trying to channel that but from another an angle which is the stereotype that comes with metal music, which, quite frankly is tired. We have metalheads that are well into their 60s and 70s today. It’s annoying that people see us as a subculture when in fact we are a very legitimate culture.”

Teaming up with TheSludgelord, VANTABLACK WARSHIP is sharing their new video "Blood On The Mat", a track lyrically written from a firsthand perspective by a female mixed martial arts fighter and her graphic accounts in the ring.

The band comments:

"The lyrics to Vantablack Warship’s “Blood on the Mat” where written by a woman who wishes to remain anonymous. They are purposefully graphic to invite the reader to reflect on why we choose to live in a society where people pay to watch women inflict pain on each other for the profit of others. This in turn continues to normalize violence. Vantablack Warship strictly condemns all forms of violence against and amongst women."

Watch "Blood On The Mat" at the following link:
https://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2018/01/video-premiere-quebecs-vantablack.html

"Abrasive Pulmonic Speak" is available for pre-order at the following link here.

2nd Album Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE1bIjEeCSM

1st Album Teaser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4QwAEmEkl0

For those in the Montreal area, VANTABLACK WARSHIP will be hosting their CD launch show on February 10th at Katacombes with Floating Widget and Dizzygoth. Details can be found here.

“Vantablack Warship is a destructive machine live. Something to do with the heaviness of the sound! It echoes the decibel breaking Motorhead was known for with their loud amps. We are straight to the point non-stop metal! No dawdling around on stage and useless banter. We set a good atmosphere and interrelate well with the crowd. Vantablack Warship to the max!"

Show Dates:

Feb 10 - Montreal, QC - Katacombes

Track Listing:
1. Another Dead Rockstar (3:04)
2. Black Tongue Bertha (2:41)
3. Blood On The Mat (3:00)
4. Kill The Kid (2:44)
5. Ruderalis (2:26)
6. Abrasive Pulmonic Speak (2:57)
7. The Blackhole (2:52)
8. Crisis (4:57)
Album Length: 24:45


VANTABLACK WARSHIP is:
- Pat Gordon - Guitar
- Yannick Pilon - Vocals
- Thierry Hivon - Guitar
- Kurt Clifford - Bass
- Pierre Pitre - Drums


For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/VantablackWarship
EPK - https://wp.me/pciNW-b54
(bio written by Steve Earles)

"This is an 8 track album of pure metal that is full of incredible riffs and in your face vocals. Their hardcore, thrash and metal influences can clearly be heard throughout, however, they are no copy, they completely own this sound. It is as outstanding record and a definite must hear for all metal and thrash fans." - Baby Dolls And Razor Blades

"a pulverising hybrid between black, thrash, death and hardcore...an intense and overwhelming album." - Merchants of Air

“It’s a menacing mix of explosive thrash and you can let it pummel your senses by hitting play” – Exclaim!

“thrash, groove and gnarly vocals…it’s metal from start to finish and yet the overwhelming sense throughout is that this band’s attitude is punk to the core.”  – Five Albums

“Assurément un groupe québécois à suivre et à ne pas manquer lorsqu’ils se produiront en spectacle dans votre région. Croyez-moi sur parole, Vantablack Warship – le mini-album et le groupe – fera date dans l’histoire de notre métal. ” – Muzik Injection

“The six songs are exactly what you would expect from a band in this genre, hard, ruthless, aggressive and this with a healthy dose of “f*ck the world and all in it” attitude…With this short record, Vantablack Warship shows they fit right into the current crossover scene and fans of bands like Municipal Waste or Suicidal Tendencies can surely appreciate this little piece of work.” – Lords of Metal

“It’s a hard hitting good time from start to end, no weak spots. It’s a mind bending cluster fuck to the tenth power. The vocals through out the album, so rich, yet so creative and they are their own thing. The melodies and mixing, everything has been extraordinary. It was more than a pleasure to listen to this!” – Taste of Khaos

“play a remarkably catchy brand of rocking deaththrash” – The Killchain Blog

“I’m very much digging it and hopefully there will be more coming from Vantablack Warship because I’ll be spinning this one over and over again.” – Thy Demons Be Scribblin

[news] Shades Of Sorrow - Join Sliptrick Records

Canadian Group SHADES OF SORROW Join Sliptrick Records

Shades Of Sorrow (CA) Metal | Rock

Shades of Sorrow is a heavy metal band from Moncton, New Brunswick Canada. Their sound is a blend of old and new metal with a splash of European influence. Shades of Sorrow are an eclectic group that has spent the last 10 years honing their sound and are ready to expand their reach to the rest of the world. With influences ranging from all over the musical spectrum, they seamlessly blend multiple genres into their signature heavy sound. The group hasm had the pleasure to perform with some of the best bands from the East Coast and the rest of Canada as well as international touring acts.

Their fourth release and second album, Ascension was initially released independently on their own label, Chester Records, and will now be released worldwide through Sliptrick Records in early 2018. The album has already received a nomination for the “Loud” categories in both the MusicNB Awards and East Coast Music Awards and the band has performed at both of their respective showcases. Shades of Sorrow is currently recording the yet to be named followup to Ascension which will also be released via Sliptrick Records later in the year.

Shades of Sorrow are:
Monise Ouellette – Vocals | Mike Taylor – Guitars | Pascal Deslongchamps – Drums | Julien Leblanc – Bass

http://www.shadesofsorrow.ca/

[news] Deep Dark River - new single

Deep Dark River (side project of Morgan Rider of Vesperia)

(single) - Allure of The Earth (Woods of Ypress cover)

Self-Release

Just wanted to send a reminder on this tribute video to David Gold of Woods of Ypres by close friend Morgan Rider of Vesperia whom covered the the track in memory of Gold and the recent 6th anniversary of this death. The track was released under Rider's acoustic doom, folk, blues, ambient and soul side project DEEP DARK RIVER. The video was shot in Whitby, UK, Sherwood Forest, UK and Clarington, ON.


Morgan Rider comments:

“I have recorded, filmed and edited a cover of the song I performed at his memorial (Allure of the Earth). A lot of this project has been inspired by David and his works, so I feel like this is an appropriate time to announce this project.”

DEEP DARK RIVER‘s self-titled debut album is currently being recorded and is planned for a 2018 release.



For more info:
http://deepdarkriver.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcWVQO3a8T-4Ug9gCACBGXA
http://instagram.com/deepdarkriver
http://facebook/com/deepdarkriver
http://twitter.com/deepdarkriverca
http://deepdarkriver.bandcamp.com

[news] Calgary's DECIMATE METALFEST Announces First Round of Bands

Calgary's DECIMATE METALFEST Announces First Round of Bands For 2018 Line-Up

Calgary, Alberta - Distortion - Live Music Venue - June 7-9, 2018

Gearing up for their first annual year of brutality, DECIMATE METALFEST announces Chaos Being, Accostal, Hazzerd, Widow's Peak, From The Wolves and  Hammerdrone as the first batch of local bands to be added to the 2018 line up for the three night festival descending on Calgary, AB from June 7th - 9th at Distortion Live Venue.

DMF organizer Sloan Voxx comments:

"There is so much incredible talent in our city and we are very fortunate to have the pleasure of working with so many of them. We feel that the locals we have included on the first annual DECIMATE METALFEST are a wonderful asset to our fest and will round this bill out perfectly!"

Weekend Passes available at the following link (single tickets to be sold at a later date): https://www.showpass.com/decimate-metalfest-2018/

More info:
Website: https://decimatemf.wixsite.com/decimateme
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decimatemf/
Events Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/decimatemf/events
E-Mail: decimatemf@gmail.com
Instagram: DecimateMetalfest
Twitter: @decimatemf

Details on performing bands:

ChaosBeing

These boys are full metal jacketed. With grinding riffs, twice as hard as a coffin nail, and an "all in it together" stage presence, you're bound to bang your head along with their powerful metal grooves! Calgary-based, they've lit the scene up for years, and still got gas in the tank.

ChaosBeing was unleashed onstage May 2016 and came crashing forward with technical riffs, aggressive drums, melodic harmonies and wicked hooks. Immediately, they established themselves as a force to reckon with in the community of original metal bands from Calgary, Canada.

ChaosBeing's sound is best described as new age technical metal mixed with classic thrash. It is a well-orchestrated blend of melody and monstrosity. ChaosBeing are down to earth guys who are looking to branch out and be heard. They love to play and support the other amazing musicians in the local community!

The next part of ChaosBeing's journey will consist of producing some videos, writing new material and releasing a full length CD.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChaosBeing666/
Website: www.chaosbeing.com

====================

Accostal

Accostal is a blend of old school thrash riffs, pounding fast bass, drums and exciting vocal styles coupled with harmonies that are sure to get your fists in the air.

In early 2016, Accostal found their final line up, playing their first show rather quickly. Accostal came out in the summer of 2016 playing along with Brazilan superstars Hibria and opening Calgary Metal Fest, which brought Canada's big 4 thrash bands to Calgary.

Accostal's sound has evolved to a mix of melodic hooks and fast harmonies, high vocal range, with a mix of screams and growls. Each member brings his own preferred style of metal ranging from old school traditional and thrash to metalcore, and what you get in the end is something we are proud of and are constantly overwhelmed by the support of the metal community!

Accostal is truly excited to be added to the Decimate Metal Festival line up!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AccostalMetal/
Bandcamp: https://accostal.bandcamp.com/album/accostal

====================

Hazzerd

Hazzerd was formed by Drummer/Vocalist Dylan W. and Guitarist Brendan M. in August of 2012 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The two musicians jammed together a few times before realizing they had something good going. They agreed to join up and form an 80's styled thrash metal band closely following the roots of thrash legends such as Megadeth, Anthrax, Overkill, and Metallica.

In June 2014, Hazzerd entered the studio to record what was to become their first EP (With Brendan recording the Bass) "Victimize The Innocent" a concept of the innocent people in today's society being the victim no matter what the cause, Religious warfare, a deal made with the wrong character, all-out nuclear war, and the fantasies of a sick serial killer.
In March 2015, Hazzerd recruited their youngest member Toryin Schadlich at 18 years old he fit the lead position just right.
After months of searching and failing, they finally found a longtime friend and bassist Aaron Mckay who joined in August 2015.
In October 2016, Hazzerd entered the studio to begin work on their 2017 debut album "Misleading Evil.
In January 2017, Hazzerd parted ways with Aaron M. and was replaced by David S.
The debut album "Misleading Evil" released worldwide via World War Now Records on September 22, 2017 gaining the title of "One of the best thrash albums since the late 1980's"

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HazzerdThrash/
Bandcamp: https://hazzerdthrash.bandcamp.com/merch
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheParanormal4

====================

Widow’s Peak

April of 2016, Widow's Peak came spewing forth a unique and ferocious assault of death metal delivered through dynamic and unrelenting drumming, dissonant and technical riffs, crushing layers of vocals and blistering solos. Delivered with an undeniably contagious level of intensity, Widow's Peak demands absolute mayhem in response. This unstoppable assemblage revels in depravity and the obscene. Not for the faint of heart.

In the span of a year, WP has toured Alberta extensively ensuring no stone was left unturned in the local metal communities. Opening for bands such as Archspire & Reaping Asmodeia on their Relentless Mutation tour along with numerous local and smaller touring acts. Not to mention a crushing EP soon to be released in early 2018.

"We are ruthlessly driven and passionate about our music and are driven by an insatiable hunger to succeed. Our unique approach to music and business in general is forged through a persistent work ethic, no small measure of risk taking and a genuine "be yourself" attitude dedicated to becoming an unstoppable war machine. We pride ourselves on delivering an intense and fresh take on death metal that has been turning heads in our direction since day one." - Widow's Peak

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/widowspeakdm/
Bandcamp: https://wpdm.bandcamp.com/releases
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/widowspeakdm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WidowspeakDM?lang=en

====================

From The Wolves

 

Calgary reformed From The Wolves brings you hard hitting deathcore with heavy hardcore influences.
While releasing their newest track 'Necrotic Bloom', From The Wolves have demonstrated the raw power that they are capable of creating.
Despite only having one track recorded at the moment, their live shows pack a horrific punch that will leave you bruised and wanting more.
Some say From The Wolves is slam, but call it whatever you like; if you do not want to get hit, run the hell away!

Facebook: Facebook.com/fromthewolvesband
Instagram: @fromthewolves
YouTube: https://youtu.be/FzSunE40TIg
Bandcamp: fromthewolvesband.bandcamp.com

====================

Hammerdrone

Hammerdrone is a melodic death metal band from Calgary, AB, Canada.

Their music mixes up intense aggression, dark atmosphere and elegant melodies to deliver songs that are both epic and catchy.
Hammerdrone have been compared to the likes of Amon Amarth, early Soilwork, Behemoth and Rotting Christ.
No clean singing, no symphonics.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hammerdronemetal/
Website: https://www.hammerdronemetal.com/
Music: https://hammerdrone.bandcamp.com
====================
(Credit: Band bios written by Sloan Voxx)

About:

Decimate MetalFest is the brainchild of Sloan Voxx of Voxx Promotions, which is destined to become an annual Canadian metal pilgrimage to Calgary, Alberta, Canada. With the many yearly festivals becoming part of the national metal heritage, Sloan wants Decimate MetalFest to become one of the best-known events alongside the various festivals located within Alberta, and Western Canada. With Voxx Promos booking and promotional experience, and the support of metalheads internationally, there is nothing to stop them from reaching their goal of bringing in the masses and putting on incredible metal festivals for years to come!" (writing credit - Ingrid Newton)

Voxx Promos was the head promoter for Canada's Extreme Metal Radio's CEMR Metalfest in 2017 (https://www.facebook.com/events/222522428193641/), which showcased a killer line up of Western Canada's up and coming metal bands such as Terrifier, Planet Eater, Display of Decay, W.M.D, Vile Insignia, Path to Extinction, Tessitura, Anarcheon, Kelevra, Train Bigger Monkeys, Ye Goat-Herd Gods, Detherous, Juliet Ruin, Augurium, Anti-Pattern, Forsaken Rite, Graveyard Nemesis and Benevolent Like Quietus.


Partners:
Distortion - Live Music Venue
Big Rock Brewery
Jagermeister
Asher Media Relations
Metal Master Kingdom
Canada's Extreme Metal Radio - CEMR
TOTAL METAL Productions
Sane Clothing
Metal Nation Radio
Metal-Rules.com
A-BOMB Photography

Unshine - new album 'Astrala'

Rockshots Records

19 January 2018

 Band comments about the album:

“UNSHINE has always been a band without the traditional role models. The most important thing in a song is the melody. Sounds and rhythms create the overall atmosphere, but the melody wakes up the whole ancient story in it to life.” says UNSHINE guitarist Harri. “Secondly, it all starts from the nature and it all will end to the nature. This cuts through all aspects of our music. It echoes from those landscapes the modern world has almost totally abandoned and forgotten. The songs try to re-unite the old bonds between the dolmen gods and the digitized mankind. Nature is not our enemy; it’s our physical, but especially our spiritual home. That’s why we call our music druid metal.”

About:


The sign of a truly special band is that they transcend their own influences to create their own unique sound. Druid Metal!

Such a band is Unshine!

Inspired by artists as diverse as Enslaved, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull, Tangerine Dream and Iron Maiden, guitarist Harri describes their sound as ‘Finnish druid and folk metal’.

As guitarist Harrie says proudly. “Unshine has always been a band without the traditional role models. For us, the most important thing in a song is the melody. Sounds and rhythms create the overall atmosphere, but the melody makes the whole ancient story in it come to life.”

Nature is the true influence on Unshine’s music. Their alpha and omega. Their beginning and end. The modern world may have almost forgotten the ancient ways, but Unshine keep them alive in words and music. “The songs try to reunite the old bonds between the dolmen gods and digitised mankind. Nature is not our enemy, it’s our physical and especially spiritual home.”

This is not surprising when one realises that all five members of Unshine, friends for many years, were all raised in the countryside villages of Western Finland.

With a long history of recording and playing behind them, Unshine are super-stoked about the released of their new album ‘Astrala’, which is inspired by the “invisible side of the Earth. The first five album songs address the manifestations of Astrala and the last five songs describe travels to Astrala. The album has a touch of Nordic melancholy written all over it, also in the lyrics, and it includes music meant to create landscapes and themes from folk stories, mythology and nature religions, but also to present personal views describing the spiritual meaning of a forest as a cultural concept. The binding theme here is forest, although this is not a theme album.”

(bio written Steve Earles)

http://www.unshine.com

Rockshots Records 

[news] PureGrainAudio.com launch Exclusive Horror Series "Music Hell"

PureGrainAudio.com Features TRIVIUM In Volume #1 of Exclusive Horror Series "Music Hell"

Written By Author Michael Aronovitz & Illustrated By Nick McIvor

Canadian-based music authority  PUREGRAINAUDIO.COM announces the launch of their new horror series entitled "Music Hell". The series will feature 13 Horror-themed short stories by published author Michael Aronovitz that will each focus on one band and their most current release and include exclusive artwork by illustrator Nick McIvor. PureGrainAudio is warning fans, that the stories may contain horrific imagery and extreme violence.

 "Music Hell" is advised to be read with extreme caution. For every action there is a reaction, and because music has reached such an unprecedented level of artistry, the evil in the belly of the world has crept to the surface. Each month, a different super-star band will be cursed, haunted, stalked, and terrorized by vicious serial killers, demented miscreants, blood-sucking zombies, and hideous demon-spirits.

Author Michael Aronovitz comments:

“I got referred to PureGrainAudio by my friend Chris Poland: President of Eclipse Records. I was looking for review work, but Chris Gonda, the C.E.O. of PureGrainAudio took the conversation to another level altogether. He considered my hard-edged horror fiction and immediately came up with the idea that I could write short horror stories not only based on bands with newly released material, but starring them in the plot! Chris named the series “Music Hell” and gave me the press kit for one band's new record. I wrote the story in two days, and neither Chris or I have looked back since!”

Illustrator Nick McIvor adds:

"I’m excited for Music Hell, because heavy music + horror stories = some spooky fun drawing sessions."

PureGrainAudio's first Volume is called "The Sculptor" and is based on metal masters TRIVIUM and their latest release "The Sin And The Sentence" (Roadrunner).  The story follows the band into the depths of ........ 

Continue your journey to Music Hell at the following link: https://goo.gl/WGZUmb and stay tuned for Volumes 2 & 3 featuring Electric Wizard and Asking Alexandria respectively. There will be a total of 13 Volumes released monthly throughout the year.

About The Author:

Michael Aronovitz is a published author of (very) dark horror fiction. His first novel, Alice Walks, is available in newly released E-book form through Cemetery Dance Publications: http://tinyurl.com/y9fkxjhv. He has published two other terrifying novels (The Witch of the Wood and Phantom Effect) and two frightening collections (Seven Deadly Pleasures and The Voices in Our Heads), as well as writing a number of in-depth rock reviews for Hellnotes, Goblet of Shock, Metal Heads Forever, and Heavy Music Headquarters. In 2014 he had a short story featured in the renowned anthology Searchers After Horror, and has upcoming fiction coming in Ghostlight, Nemesis, and Apostles of the Weird. In 2011, his story “How Bria Died” was featured in The Year’s Best Dark Fantasy and Horror, Prime Books. Michael is a college professor of English and lives in Pennsylvania.

MichaelAronovitz.com

About The Illustrator:

Nick McIvor is an illustrator and comic creator from Australia. He studied Animation at the Queensland college of art, and has been working as a freelance artist ever since. His favourite things to draw are probably cats and goblins, and his preferred colour to design with is probably all of them. He moved to Canada to pursue comics, and to pursue little adventure, and he hasn’t been disappointed yet. You can often see him at one of Toronto’s many underground comic festivals – he’ll be the Australian one, you can’t miss him. Nick is excited to be working with Pure Grain Audio for this project, and he hopes to bring the fire.

NicholasMcIvor.com
Instagram @ Nickmcivor_art

For more info:

PureGrainAudio.com
1412-700 King St. W. Toronto, ON, M5V-2Y6, Canada
(416) 723-3911
http://www.PureGrainAudio.com
mail@puregrainaudio.com

[news] Greber - new album and song premiere

GREBER Premiere "Backhanded Interest" via Decibel Mag; New Album "Cemetery Preston" Out February

New Album "Cemetery Preston" Out February 2nd

Eastern Canadian Tour Dates (ON/QC/NB/NS)

Henry Miller wrote one of the great truths of life when he said “All growth is a leap in the dark, a spontaneous unpremeditated act without the benefit of experience.”

Such a quote could describe bass-and-drums duo GREBER, save that with past and present members of Fuck the Facts and The Great Sabatini, they have a great wealth of experience to bring to the table. Inspired by the truly great bands like Neurosis and Propaghandi, but inspired not to slavishly imitate what they have already created, but to forge their own sound, to blaze new trails. To look out at the world that surrounds us and reflect what they see truthfully; as though holding up a mirror to the darkness in the hope of reflecting a glimmer of light.

They truly have gazed into the abyss and put to music what they see there; their music has huge depths and they have none of the limitations that plague so many bands. They truly are their own beast and they truly have their own sound.

Since forming in 2008, GREBER have released two well-received full length albums, three 7" inch split singles, and played countless shows. As if they were morphing into a single entity, Drummer Steve Vargas and bassist/vocalist Marc Bourgon have made GREBER into their own unique entity, something as important to the duo as food and air.

On February 2, 2018, GREBER will release their new album "Cemetery Preston", through a collaboration between Ancient Temple Recordings, Pink Lemonade Recordings, Hibernation Release, No Why Records and d7i Records, on LP, CD, cassette and digital download. Audience’s jaws will drop at the raw mining of emotions it contains, its searing sincerity, and sheer innovation. As Bourgon explains. “Cemetery Preston is our best attempt at taking a fleeting snapshot of this living purgatory that we all call life.”

Teaming up with Decibel Magazine, the grind hardcore duo are premiering their first single "Backhanded Interest".
Drummer Steve Vargas comments:

"Backhanded Interest is a great showcase of themes we touch on both lyrically and musically throughout the album. We're always working with the dynamics of just bass and drums and this song is as crushing as it is just a great song in my opinion. Marc's riffs rule and it's always so much fun to get creative with my drum approach. When we sat down to figure out the first "single" it was an easy choice to choose this one."

Listen to "Backhanded Interest" here :

 

https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2018/01/04/track-premiere-greber-flattens-everything-sight-backhanded-interest/

Album Pre-Order available at the following links:

Vinyl - http://ancienttemplerecordings.bigcartel.com/
Vinyl - https://www.toysofdisharmony.com/en/greber-cemetary-preston
CD - http://pinklemonaderecords.bigcartel.com
Cassette - http://hibernationrelease.bigcartel.com

For those in Eastern Canada, GREBER will hitting the road in February to destroy with their live assault in support of "Cemetery Preston".

Tour Dates:
February 1, 2018 - Ottawa, ON @ Pressed
February 2, 2018 - Montreal, QC @ Atomic Cafe - info
February 3, 2018 - Quebec City, QC @ Scanner - info
February 6, 2018 - Fredericton, NB @ Manic Mansion
February 7, 2018 - Saint John, NB @ Second Spin
February 8, 2018 - Moncton, NB @ Plan B
February 9, 2018 - Halifax, NS @ Gus’s Pub
February 10, 2018 - Sherbrooke, QC @ Le Murdoch - info
February 23, 2018 - Toronto, ON @ Coalition
February 24, 2018 - Cambridge, ON @ Scout Hut

Track Listing:
1. Backhanded Interest (3:44)
2. The Wreckers (4:01)
3. Prophetic (3:03)
4. By Any Other Name (4:06)
5. Overdraft (2:38)
6. Our Burnt Treasure (3:12)
7. Grave Plot (3:15)
8. No One But You (3:07)
9. The Closer We Got (8:16)
Album Length: 35:27

For more info:
http://www.facebook.com/grebermetal
http://www.instagram.com/grebermetal 
https://greber.bandcamp.com 
EPK - https://wp.me/pciNW-bcl
(bio written by Steve Earles)

"…a ridiculously bottom-heavy racket" - Decibel Magazine

"The short version: If most “normal” grind is like a dude in a hockey mask hacking you to death with a machete, than Greber might be best described as a really pissed-off dude thumping you to death with a hammer, or maybe a 2 x 4. The edges may not be sharp, but it’s still fucking painful, y’know?" - Metal Sucks

"…the sound of two awesome dudes, one riding a bass like a surfboard, the other in a drum kit like a barrel, plunging down the steepest face of Mount Everest, sober but mad, screaming their way through the almost impassable barrier of snow, rock, trees, starving animals and unstoppable velocity." - David Hall, Handshake Inc. via Exclaim!

"this endless onslaught of blast beats smashing against detuned chug riffs, embittered, possessed bellowing, cacophonous and melodic interludes, with occasional audio samples is accomplished by nothing more than two minds looking to do the same thing: annihilate comprehension, deconstruct the rigid state of modern extreme music and create some of the heaviest fucking music possible" - Exclaim!

"What we have here folks is a seriously brutal fucked up and loud assault on the senses with this superb split release from Greber and Hiroshima Vacation. Excellent and Highly Recommended" - The Sludgelord

"Cambridge, Ontario’s Greber exists on the low end of things with their guitar-less line-up giving them a sludgier feel during those moments they slow down to a proverbial, but not complete, crawl. Rhythmic, pulsing and noisy, their three songs are like the most convulsive soundtrack to the dirtiest sex you’ll ever have during your 20s."- Decibel Magazine

"There is actually so much sonic space taken up with the bass, drums, enraged vocals, and other creepy aural nuances, that one couldn’t possibly imagine trying to fit in a guitar track anywhere." - Noisography

[news] Noturnall - new album "9"

Rockshots Records Announce Brazil's NOTURNALL "9" North American Release Jan 19th

Rockshots Records Announce Brazil's NOTURNALL "9" North American Release Jan 19th
Unleashed earlier this year in Europe on October 27th, 2017, Rockshots Records announces the North American release of Brazil's NOTURNALL's latest album "9" on January 19th, 2018. This third album from ex-Shaman members and Aquiles Priester (ex Angra, Tony McAlpine) also features a guest appearance from Adrenaline Mob’s Mike Orlando on their track "Wake Up" to follow their previous releases ‘Noturnall’ (one of the best sellings records on Brazil Rock/Metal charts) and ‘Back To Fuck You Up’. A loved metal band in their home country of Brazil who have performed at Rock In Rio, NOTURNALL offer a symphonic prog power sound not to miss.

Vocalist Thiago Bianchi comments:

“9” is about of the mysteries of the number Nine. If you take a good look at the album cover, you’ll learn that are 9 secrets on it. The cover shows the Planet 9 (the planet its supposed to be circling our solar system), passing near by earth, changing its climate, bringing an apocalypse to mankind, showing NOTURNALL’s mascot “JURARÁ” as its leader and she would bring the good word of REAL MEANING to the world. Inside the the actual CD booklet, you can also find the “Nine Commandments”, which talks about a post apocalypse world, where you’ll find the 9 guides of how to “restart” mankind. A way we could really evolve our race to its maximum potential as it should be.

"9" will be available on CD and digitally in North America on January 19, 2018 at the following link: http://bit.ly/NOTURNALL_9

European retailers: http://smarturl.it/Noturnall_9

Track Listing:
1. Hey (5:51)
2. Change (4:14)
3. Wake Up! (5:21)
4. Moving On (4:53)
5. Mysterious (4:43)
6. Hearts As One (4:00)
7. What You Waiting For (4:34)
8. Shadows (4:07)
9. Pain (3:54)
Album Length:


NOTURNALL is:
Thiago Bianchi - Vocal
Fernando Quesada - Bass
Léo Mancini - Guitar
Juninho Carelli - Keys
Aquiles Priester - Drums

For more info:
http://www.rockshots.eu
http://www.facebook.com/noturnallband
http://www.youtube.com/user/noturnallofficial
EPK - https://wp.me/pciNW-bf6

About:

Brazil is the largest Latin-American country in both population and area. Brazil spreads out over almost half the continent of South America and has more people than all the other South American countries combined. Brazil is the world’s fifth largest country, only Canada, Russia, China and the United States are larger.

With such a great abundance of people; it is no surprise Brazil produces thoughtful, inspiring and innovative metal, such as the mighty NOTURNALL!

Inspired by Megadeth, Iron Maiden, Pantera, Metallica and Alice In Chain, NOTURNALL describe their music as ‘prog thrash’.

This highly experienced group of dedicated musicians are about to release their new album entitled ‘9’ in North America on January 19th, 2018 via Rockshots Records to follow its European release on October 27, 2017. As befits a band who have walked in the footsteps of metal legends Iron Maiden, playing Rock in Rio, NOTRUNALL are much loved in their home country, and soon worldwide!

The follow-up to ‘Noturnall’ and ‘Back To Fuck You Up’; ‘9’ features a guest appearance from no less a metal luminary than Adrenaline Mob’s Mike Orlando!

NOTURNALL’s unique singer Thiago Bianchi explains that the band grew from a previous band called Shaman (orginally founded by ex-Angra vocalist Andrè Matos), and that it stands for ‘No Turn At All’ as it was destiny that drove them to become NOTURNALL. Lyrically and musically they mine the deep wellspring of the mysterious universe we live in.

Thiago wants all listeners to ‘embrace the new, open your hearts to the new…We’re just making good music and we hope it will find its way to those with good hearts to appreciate it!”

Live, NOTURNALL are a memorable experience, with their ‘Freakshow’ concept, which features all manner of zombies interacting with the audiences. ‘Walking Dead’ fans take note!

Thiago is stoked for fans to hear their new album, backed by a video clip for each track. “Each record has its own personality, its own vibe…we’re exploring and each time it’s getting deeper and deeper!”

(bio written by Steve Earles)

[news] DUSTIN BEHM - new album "The Beyond"

Rockshots Records Announces North American Release of Prog Metal Guitarist DUSTIN BEHM's "The Beyond" Jan 19th

Released this past November in Europe, Rockshots Records announces the North American release of progressive metal guitarist DUSTIN BEHM's debut solo album "The Beyond" on January 19th, 2018.

Picking up the guitar at the age of 13 and attending the Guitar Institute of Technology at the Musician's Institute in Los Angeles where he studied with world renowned guitarists such as Paul Gilbert, Scott Henderson, Greg Harrison and tapping master TJ Helmerich this offering from Behm features 13 shredding tracks.

After being snowed indoors for weeks at a time in one of the most extreme winters in Oregon history, Behm (guitarist for Portland's instrumental progressive metal band INCREATE) was eager to create new music and began work on his dream of creating his first solo album. After writing and recording during the spring and summer of 2017, Behm's debut solo album "The Beyond" was complete. On the release, Behm plays guitar, E-Bow, bass, keys and programming as well as handling production duties and album layout.

"The Beyond" was inspired musically by early 90's progressive death metal such as "Spheres" era Pestilence combined with modern metal influences Meshuggah, Allan Holdsworth and Chris Poland's "Return to Metalopolis". Other inspirations for this debut were Behm's simple love for classic horror movies, especially European horror of the 70's and 80's that can be seen in the album artwork, skillfully painted by Mark Cooper. The artwork represents figures from a series of nightmares Behm had as a child (of which Mark was unaware when he painted the piece).

"The Beyond" is set to be release on January 19, 2018 via Rockshots Records.

Amazon Link - http://amzn.to/2kAIBPI
Other Buy Links - http://smarturl.it/DustinBehm  

Track Listing:
1. Mechanization (4:04)
2. Poltergeist (3:11)
3. Alien Voodoo (4:20)
4. Interdimensional Traveler (3:45)
5. The Beyond (4:10)
6. Genesis (4:20)
7. Rituals (4:01)
8. Descent Into The Unkown (3:44)
9. Haunted Labyrinth (3:34)
10. Obelisk (3:29)
11. Last Resort (3:42)
12. Awakening (3:54)
13. Towers Of Glass (2:33)
Album Length: 48:46

For more info:

http://www.rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/dustinbehm
https://www.youtube.com/dustinbehm



About:

Dustin Behm's guitar talents began at the age of 13, being inspired by guitarists such as James Murphy, Dimebag Darrell, Joe Satriani, Tak Matsumoto, and Al Di Meola. In 2005, Behm attended the Guitar Institute of Technology at Musician's Institute in Los Angeles where he studied with world renowned guitarists such as Paul Gilbert, Scott Henderson, Greg Harrison and tapping master TJ Helmerich. There he discovered the music of his diverse main influences: Allan Holdsworth, Shawn Lane, and Meshuggah.

After his time at Musician's Institute, Dustin returned to Portland and played with a variety of metal bands in the area, ranging from symphonic metal to death metal. In 2012, Dustin had his original music played on FM radio in Portland and even taught guitar lessons in Italy with his friend and fellow guitar shredder Gianluca Ferro.

Near the end of 2013, Behm helped form the instrumental progressive metal band Increate. Increate's self-released, first album Void released to excellent reviews in February 2017. Void was produced in Sweden by legendary metal producer Jocke Skog. Dustin handled the album art and layout in addition to lead guitar.  

Behm is currently writing material for a new Increate album and regularly playing live shows around the Northwestern United States. Dustin has shared the stage with artists such as Amorphis, Dark Tranquility, Archspire, Arkaik, Rhapsody of Fire, Inanimate Existence, Vale of Pnath, Oceano, I Declare War, The Kennedy Veil, and Disentomb among others. 

[news] The Dead Centuries - new album and new song stream

THE DEAD CENTURIES Premiere "Attack of The Mutant" via PureGrainAudio; Debut Album Out Jan 26

For fans of Animals As Leaders, Scale The Summit, Protest the Hero, Periphery, Intervals

Instrumental Prog Metal THE DEAD CENTURIES Premiere "Attack of The Mutant" via PureGrainAudio

Debut Album "Race Against Time" Out Jan 26th, 2018

Visionary and highly influential writer Michael Moorcock, who worked with the bands Hawkwind and Blue Oyster Cult, memorably stated that ‘it is the business of the future to be dangerous’.

Ottawa three-piece THE DEAD CENTURIES are both futuristic and dangerous…which is as it should be. Influenced by Protest The Hero, Periphery, Paul Gilbert, Sithu Aye and Intervals, THE DEAD CENTURIES can easily hold their heads up in such exalted company.

Composing and performing technically precise instrumental progressive metal, THE DEAD CENTURIES are rich in virtuosity, melody, compositional skills, and most importantly...they create superb music to listen to. This isn’t the sound of three musicians showing off their undoubted skills, rather they are serving their songs above all else, with every fibre of their beings, every neuron firing in their minds, every tendon in their bodies. In a sense it is as if the three musicians that make up THE DEAD CENTURIES have become one mind in their own music.

Set to unleash their debut album "Race Against Time" on January 26th, 2018, the full length features ten tracks of melodic, high energy and refreshing material. Full of hook and sinker tracks, shining guitar riffs and overall escapades through their instrumental progressive metal has to offer.

Guitarist Adam Tremblett comments:

"The album title “Race Against Time” is loosely representative of the experience writing, recording, and preparing the collection of songs. Throughout the process there have been band member changes, last minute rewrites, and several other testing circumstances. These have only served to further determine The Dead Centuries to release a high quality release that truly represents the band as a whole."

Teaming up with PureGrainAudio, the trio premiere their second single "Attack of The Mutant" that features a guest guitar solo from Jeff Tremblett, brother of TDC guitarist Adam Tremblett.


Adam Tremblett adds:

“'Attack of the Mutant' is the heaviest song of the album thus far, using down tuned guitar and bass along with dissonant harmony to give the feeling of tension throughout the introduction. This tension is then resolved by a melodic, upbeat chorus which leads into another heavy section, followed by a guitar solo, and the album’s first guest solo. The song ends with several heavy parts, with the final section building into an extremely dissonant broken 'computer' sounding part.”

Listen to "Attack of The Mutant" at the following link: http://puregrainaudio.com/audio/the-dead-centuries-streaming-new-single-attack-of-the-mutant-featuring-jeff-tremblett-exclusive-premiere


Album pre-order for "Race Against Time" is available on the band's bandcamp here, iTunes and Google Play.

First Single - Song Stream - "Overdrive" ft. guest guitar solo James Krul (Mandroid Echostar) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNXocecyJ1I
 

Track Listing:
1. Freddy Lounds (4:07)
2. Gotham (4:18)
3. Reboot (3:33)
4.Tree Fort (5:49)
5. Blood Dragon (4:34)
6. Attack of The Mutant (3:57) ft. guest solo Jeff Tremblett
7. Venus Gospel (4:52)
8. Overdrive (4:29) ft. guest guitar solo James Krul (Mandroid Echostar)
9. Attack of The Mutant Pt. II (4:40)
10. Souvenir (5:14)
Album Length: 45:37

Album Band Line Up:
- Adam Tremblett – Guitar, Bass, Programming
- Bryant McNamara – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
- Adam Tremblett – Guitar
- Bryant McNamara – Drums
- Jacob McSheffrey - Guitar


For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/thedeadcenturies
https://twitter.com/deadcenturies
https://www.youtube.com/thedeadcenturies
https://www.instagram.com/thedeadcenturiesband
EPK - https://wp.me/pciNW-b5f
(Bio written by Steve Earles)

[news] PureGrainAudio.com Announces Acquisition of BrokenAmp.com

Canadian based music authority PUREGRAINAUDIO.COM announces their acquisition of international rock and metal outlet BROKENAMP.COM. The merger will see Broken Amp staff cross over to PureGrainAudio growing the established site to an even stronger music source for news, reviews, interviews and exclusive features of today's most known to underground artists. Over 14 staff members, which are about two thirds of Broken Amp's active staff will be joining the PureGrainAudio roster, growing their team to over 90+ contributors.

Broken Amp started in October 2014, and went through various iterations before it arrived at its final form - a website with accompanying podcast, focusing on heavy music in all its glorious forms. The site grew at a steady rate, taking on both talented new writers and grizzled veterans, all in the pursuit of one admirable goal - high quality music writing. Broken Amp amassed a respectable readership of their scribbles, and covered a wide range of continents and genres in search for the most interesting and best quality bands to write about. The former editing staff felt - and still feel - there is a dearth in this quality writing, and while Broken Amp itself is coming to a close, their passion and dedication has far from waned.

PureGrainAudio began in March of 2005 and has spent the past 12 years growing into Canada's premiere source for all forms of Rock, Metal, Punk and Hardcore music. After a year of hard work developing a brand new website, PureGrainAudio re-launched in early 2017 and at that time also expanded into Indie/Folk/Acoustic, Hip-Hop/Rap, Electronic and even Pop Culture. Their goal, by the end of the year is to be Canada's single biggest music news source.

Mark Angel Brandt (BA Founder and Owner, now PGA Co-Managing Editor, UK/EU) comments:

"The timing could not have been more serendipitous. Broken Amp feels like it has run its natural course, and this is the logical progression in bringing the talented team we have built to help grow a top-quality website. Jim and I are extremely excited to get to work in 2018, and take PureGrainAudio to new heights. Watch this space, we’ve got some great ideas germinating!"

James Parry-Smith (BA Assistant Manager, now Co-Managing Editor, UK/EU) comments:

"Mark's vision for Broken Amp has always centred around quality in music journalism, so this is an exciting opportunity for us. We're very much looking forward to becoming part of the PureGrainAudio family and combining our talented teams to provide the very best coverage. 2018 promises to be an exciting year for all of us and we're already concocting some great ideas, so keep an eye out!"

Graham Finney (PureGrainAudio Vice President) comments:

"2018 was always going to be a massive year for PureGrainAudio but now, with the addition of the excellent team from Broken Amp, the opportunity to take the site into new areas is mind-blowing!"

For more info:

PureGrainAudio.com
1412-700 King St. W. Toronto, ON, M5V-2Y6, Canada
(416) 723-3911
http://www.PureGrainAudio.com
mail@puregrainaudio.com

[news] Evilheart - new album

Mexico's Blackened Death Metal EVILHEART Part Ways With Guitarist Adrian Urias "Quinquaginta" Out Now via Test Your Metal Records

L to R: Alejandro Monroy - Bass, Adrián Urías - Guitar, Adam Benito - Vocals, Rodolfo Rogers - Drums

Mexican blackened death metallers EVILHEART announce the departure of long time guitarist Adrian Urias.

Drummer Rodolfo Rogers comments: "After 13 years working together, Evilheart and guitarist Adrian Urias will take different paths. We will continue to work in our next album and we wish Adrian the best for his future endeavors. A new guitarist will be announced at a later time."

EVILHEART's latest album 'Quinquaginta' was re-released in 2015 on Vancouver, BC based Test Your Metal Records. The band is currently working on their follow up. EVILHEART completed their second Canadian tour this past October, which featured new vocalist Adam 'Greasy' Benito of Calgary's Train Bigger Monkeys.

Formed in 1999 in Culiacán, Sinaloa in Northwest México as a melodic black metal band, EVILHEART released their demo "Summoned To War" in 2001 later followed by their debut album "Dark In Glory" in 2014. That debut shifted the band's sound to a more black death metal direction, giving them a foothold in the Mexican metal scene and pushing them forward to share the stage with international acts such as Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Deicide, Amon Amarth and others.

By 2007, EVILHEART released "Storm Of Annihilation", an album that lead them to play their first overseas shows in Europe in 2011.

In 2014, EVILHEART released their most challenging work "Quinquaginta", which combined the melodic elements of "Dark In Glory" with the brutality of "Storm Of Annihilation" plus a lethal dose of speed. In 2015, upon signing a deal with Vancouver's Test Your Metal Records, the band embarked on their first Canadian Tour from coast-to-coast in support of the "Quinquaginta" re-release. The tour had some difficulties as two members had their visa applications denied, but in the end, the tour was a double-win as the band had a great response from the crowd and session singer Adam Benito from Calgary became a full-time member. 

 Track Listing:
1. Perfection Collapsed (4:57)
2. Misanthropic Decree (4:32)
3. Selective Extermination (5:09)
4. Rebellion (4:49)
5. Decimated Opposition (6:16)
6. Supremacy And Holocaust (5:56)
7. Postmortal Corruption (5:20)
8. Genetics Of Betrayal (6:13)
9. Quinquaginta (9:47)
10. Bonus Track: Severance (Cenotaph cover) (6:27)
Album Length: 59:30


Album Band Line Up:
Jorge Millán – Vocals & Bass
Adrián Urías – Guitars
Rodolfo Rogers – Drums

Live Line Up:
Alejandro Monroy - Bass
(to be announced) - Guitar
Adam Benito - Vocals
Rodolfo Rogers - Drums


For more info, please visit:
https://www.testyourmetalofficial.com/evilheart
http://www.evilheart.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EvilheartOfficial
https://twitter.com/EvilheartBand

"Hickory, NC’s Rapheumets Well (pronounced Ra-few-mets) is a band heavily steeped in science fiction and fantasy. And when I say heavily, I mean HEAVILY. They slam dunk their lushly orchestral and luxurious symphonic melodic blackened death metal into a fantastical and fantastically creative and complex world that I don’t even want to embarrass myself trying to explain. But, you gotta give mad ol’ props to any band willing to dive head first into something as elaborately conceptual as this costumed and inventive septet have from the off." - Decibel Magazine

"The best symphonic metal albums understand the balance between the synths and the rest of the band, and Enders Door possesses that necessary element. Enders Door can also take you on a journey, offering a fantastic trip into unknown lands, which helps keep you on your toes. Most importantly, it lives up to the potential hinted at with The Exile, and should be an easy sell for fans of this style." - Dead Rhetoric

"The sense of epic that exists throughout Enders Door hits instantly with its mix of heavy riffs, death metal vocals, classical orchestrations & synth effects." - Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

"As you’re about to find out, this first song from the new album combines turbocharged death metal vehemence with sweeping orchestral melodies, interweaving blazing drumwork and rapid-fire riffing with cosmic synthesizer vistas and fluid soloing, vicious growls and hair-raising shrieks with a vaulting clean-sung passage that coincides with the protagonist’s decision to end his apathy." - No Clean Singing

"this album is chock-full of powerful, aggressive and moving sounds that show the diversity and complexity of the Symphonic Metal genre." - 925 Rebellion

"Enders Door – a humongous piece of synth driven, border line operatic, epic death/black metal.... To sum this album up, it is necessary to underline two things: Enders Door is massive, balls to the wall, in a sense very American in the old-school sense of bigger-better. It does not let up for a moment. It is also, for all its dramatic, heavy and violent darkness somehow rather filled with joy. For something so complex and bulked-up, there is a real sense of fun emanating from every track. Whether delivering rabid tech-death riffs over hyper fast blast beats, or introducing female vocals over multiple layers of synthesizers, strings and double kick drums, Rapheumets Well keeps it intense and inspired." - Archaic Triad

[news] Xael - new album

Xael - The Last Arbiter (2018)

Test Your Metal Records

Test Your Metal Records' latest signing sci-fi metallers XAEL whom blend, death, symphonic and a bit of folk metal influences unleashed three singles, which will be on their debut album "The Last Arbiter". Founded by Nassaru of Rapheumets Well/Enthean as well as Sorgiem “Daniel Presnell,” Tuurm “Alex Rush” from Enthean, and Xolotl “Fernando Ortega” and featuring various guest artists, XAEL is influenced by Septic Flesh, Iron Maiden, Augury, Wardruna and Fleshgod Apocalypse, vocalist / guitarist / studio drummer Nassaru describes the band’s music as “a thought provoking metal journey.”

XAEL and Test Your Metal Records will be unleashing the band’s music in a unique approach to debut their sound in 2018 by offering singles as pay what ya want leading to the album's official release later this year.

The band comments:

“We will have eight songs standard and two instrumental tracks. Instead of releasing an album upfront, we want fans to share in our progress in a musical series, releasing two songs a month to allow more time for fans to appreciate the work and for us to best represent the songs in some form of art to convey the entirety of our vision….The album series is called ‘The Last Arbiter’, referring to the protagonist’s mission in the story and his pursuit of an unattainable purpose in pacifying the destructive nature of the sentient world.” Nassaru adds. “It will be different and very diverse, but at its core it is extreme metal, melodies in abundance, and storytelling bard style! So I believe it will be refreshing…something different combining symphonic and folk elements with brutal metal…We want to paint a soundscape, a myriad of imaginative and diverse environments while exploring the complications of being sentient and self-aware.”

 "It is a grandiose, bombastic song (Apathy of The Immortal), but also one whose sweeping, emotional chorus gets stuck in the head quite firmly." - No Clean Singing

Band links: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/xael.metal/
Twitter https://twitter.com/XaelBand
Instagram http://instagram.com/xael_official

And more about the album:

The overall summary of the album is the sky ghost, the wayfarer, the shadow of time, the exile; in which the many names he is called by yet for the Immortal, he is cursed to traverse the cosmos aimlessly, searching for an unattainable purpose. Chained to him is a beast, a demon from antiquity who the Immortal keeps as a reminder of his past.

Upon the corridors of the Tymeer capitol the Immortal presents his seemingly profound doctrine called the “Compendium of Ethical Symbiosis”, which outlines a harmonious way of governing and regulating the various civilizations under the ruling regime through casting down warmonger ideologies and laws that degrade the value of its species.

Though momentarily entertained, the ruling counsel of Tymeer dismisses the wisdom of the wayfarer. Passing through the city gates tired and morally degraded, the Immortal along with his insidiously chained demon wanders into the wastelands of Tymeer. It is here that his journey begins.

[news] Savage Prophecy - new album Savage Gods & new video unleashed

SONIC PROPHECY - Savage Gods (2018)

Rockshots Records

American Power Metal

The album is for fans of bands like Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, HammerFall, Manowar, Saxon.
Watch their new music video for their first single " Night Terror"  to get acquainted with their sound :





About the album:

Featuring 10 fist pounding tracks rooted in traditional heavy metal melded with the symphonic beauty of power metal, SONIC PROPHECY capture the excitement and sound of such bands as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Helloween, Hammerfall and Kamelot while blending other musical styles to arrive at a sound all their own.


Vocalist Shane Provstgaard comments:

"We think our fans will love this album! Savage Gods, as a record, basically combines all of the things I think people liked about our previous releases and then moves us forward into new areas musically and lyrically. For our fans, there will be no mistaking this is Sonic Prophecy, but we definitely cover some new exciting ground on this record."

"Savage Gods" follows SONIC PROPHECY's 2015 sophomore release "Apocalyptic Promenade" (Maple Metal Records), an album that combined the melody and beauty of symphonic power metal while maintaining the crunch, drive and power of traditional metal plus their 2011 debut "A Divine Act of War", which had its music placed in the television series “Rock n’ Lock”, the video game “Volgarr the Viking” and movie Danny Trejo's “Vengeance”.

The upcoming release lyrically covers many topics, from quests and medieval wars, to mechanized genocide, to the dangers associated with extremist ideologies. Broadening and stretching their musical palate, "Savage Gods" will give fans an adventurous listening experience.  It's an album that combines melodic hard rock, driving heavy metal, and chest pounding anthems in a way that is uniquely Sonic Prophecy.

"This is pure heavy metal with driving guitars, thundering drums, and some of what I feel is my best vocal work to date. With songs "Night Terror, "Unholy Blood" and the album title track, we’ve really laid down a brutal sonic backdrop, along with keeping the melody, which is important to our music." adds vocalist Shane Provstgaard.

“Savage Gods” is available for pre-order on Amazon along with single “Night Terror” available for download on iTunes and Amazon.



Following "Savage Gods" release, SONIC PROPHECY has plans to hit the road and tour across North America, Europe and beyond. The band has performed with Tyr, Alestorm, Ratt, Cinderella, Accept and Sabaton.