Embrace of Souls is an Italian power metal band started by a drummer and songwriter named Michele Olmi. It was just a studio project, but they became a real band with their first album, The Number of Destiny, in 2021. Things went well for them, and here we are in 2026!
Embrace of Souls
The Battle of the Dead
Rockshots Records
22 May 2026
Giacomo Rossi – Vocals; Martina Mazzeo – Vocals; Edward De Rosa – Guitars; Xavier Rota – Bass; Davide Baldelli – Keyboards; Michele Olmi – Drums.
1. The Battle of the Dead 04:26; 2. Eversun 04:21; 3. The Plague 04:29;
4. The Gathering 03:24; 5. Spine 04:44; 6. Who Can Save Us 03:13; 7. Betrayal 03:28; 8. The Dark Lord 03:06; 9. The War 03:10; 10. Sacrifice 03:51; 11. Desolate Lands 04:50; total time 43:02.
For fans of: Rhapsody Of Fire, Stratovarius, Sonata Arctica, Nightwish
ABOUT THE BAND: Rockshots Records is proud to announce its signing of Embrace Of Souls for the release of their new concept album The Battle of the Dead. Founded by drummer and composer Michele Olmi, Embrace Of Souls has forged a solid identity within the Italian power metal scene by blending classic ’80s and ’90s heavy and power metal foundations with epic and symphonic influences. After the releases of "The Number Of Destiny" and "Forever Part Of Me", the band reached a natural turning point, choosing to move forward with renewed focus, strengthened artistic vision, and fresh creative energy. This new chapter is also marked by an updated line-up compared to previous albums. Giacomo Rossi, already involved in earlier recordings, now takes on a central role as lead vocalist, joined by Martina Mazzeo as soprano vocalist. Their combined vocal approach broadens the band’s expressive range, reinforcing the balance between driving power metal intensity and refined symphonic elegance that defines Embrace Of Souls’ current sound.
EMBRACE OF SOULS - Desolate Lands (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
Mike Jastremski (March 16, 1963 - May 23, 2005)
Mike "Yaz" Jastremski was an American metal musician best known for his work as a guitarist and bassist during the 1980s Bay Area metal movement. The Metal Archives shows that Mike began his recording career as a guitarist for the speed metal band Griffin, performing with the group from 1983 to 1986. Under the moniker "Yaz," he recorded guitars for the band's 1984 debut full-length album, Flight of the Griffin. After Griffin, he switched to bass and joined the thrash metal band Heathen, serving his first tenure from 1986 to 1988. He performed on the 1987 single "Set Me Free" (cover song) and Heathen's celebrated 1987 debut full-length album, Breaking the Silence. In 1988 he also recorded a demo with the band during the brief period when former Exodus vocalist Paul Baloff fronted the group. Mike rejoined Heathen for a second tenure from 2001 to 2004. His bass work during his time with the band has been featured on several retrospective releases, including the 2004 compilation Recovered and the 2017 compilation Pray for Death (The Complete Demo Collection), which featured his bass tracks on tracks 8 and 9.
Heathen - Set Me Free - Official Music Video
Sweet - Set Me Free (1974)
According to Wikipedia, this is the release date for this adventurous album by the long-running American prog rock band King's X. Check out a song from the album! People say the album is a bit wacky, and maybe that is true, but it's a King's X album, and not as weird as some people think. It's still King's X!
King's X
Please Come Home... Mr. Bulbous
Metal Blade Records
May 23, 2000
Doug Pinnick – bass, lead vocals; Ty Tabor – guitars, backing vocals; Jerry Gaskill – drums, backing vocals
1. "Fish Bowl Man" 4:28; 2. "Julia" 3:39; 3. "She's Gone Away" 4:37; 4. "Marsh Mellow Field" 5:30; 5. "When You're Scared" 4:26; 6. "Charlie Sheen" 3:51; 7. "Smudge" 3:52; 8. "Bitter Sweet" 2:13; 9. "Move Me" 4:58;10. "Move Me, Pt. 2" 7:20.
King's X - Marsh Mellow Field
This album marked the return of the classic lineup of Don, George, Jeff, and Mick, back together since the 1988 breakup of the band. The guitar tone is heavier and bluesier than in the 1980s. It's a different sound in a different time: not as polished as the 1980s, but it is a hard rock / heavy metal album with a good variety of tempos. Initially, the reception for the album was not super great from Dokken fans because it was too different, and they wanted the 1980s sound.
Unfortunately, '80s Dokken fans have been unable to get over the difference in sound, but the album certainly has good songs, and there is plenty to enjoy in it. Especially if one listens to this album as it is and for what it is, rather than listening to it wishing that it sounded just like things did in 1984.
Dokken
Dysfunctional
Sony Music
May 23rd, 1995
Don Dokken (lead vocals) - George Lynch (guitars) - Jeff Pilson (bass, vocals) - Mick Brown (drums, vocals)
1. Inside Looking Out 04:08; 2. Hole in My Head 04:33; 3. The Maze 04:50; 4. Too High to Fly 07:10; 5. Nothing Left to Say 04:30; 6. Shadows of Life 04:32; 7. Long Way Home 05:12; 8. Sweet Chains 05:46; 9. Lesser of Two Evils 04:03; 10. What Price 05:45; 11. From the Beginning (Emerson, Lake & Palmer cover) 04:12; total time 54:41
A reviewer named "Twisted Psychology" on The Metal Archives observes: "Dysfunctional still proves that Dokken is generally at their best when exerting catchy driving rock, albeit with a quirky slant. Lead single 'Too High To Fly' can border on feeling too long at seven minutes but I’m not one to argue with how well that bluesy snarl works with that slinky bass-driven hustle. 'Hole In My Head' and 'Shadows of Life' supplement their fast chugs with disorienting soundscapes in the former’s sitar and the latter’s intrusively sinister hums while 'What Price' dips into Galactic Cowboys territory with its borderline thrash eventually giving way to a fuzzy freakout." Interestingly enough, this same reviewer also notices the following: "What really makes Dysfunctional stand out compared to their peers in similar positions is how it ends up sounding like their attempt at a King’s X album? Granted Don’s world-weary croons are a way’s away from anything resembling Dug Pinnick’s signature soul, but the vocal harmonies have the sort of balanced involvement that makes one wonder if they managed to sneak Ty Tabor into the studio."
Dokken - Too High to Fly
