Tuesday, December 22, 2020
U.S. "sludge/doom/post-metal" Alltar streaming "War Altar" from February 2021 album Live At Ceremony of Sludge
Below is the song "War Altar" from the February 2021 album, and if you like what you hear below is also the band's 2019 debut album Hallowed from Bandcamp. As you see from the Metal Archives categorization, they operate in the field of slow heaviness. -Metal Bulletin Zine
Alltar
Live At Ceremony of Sludge
12 February 2021
ABOUT: Bring your pain, your loss, and your love and place it on the Alltar, as we honor those that came before us. Emerging from the Pacific Northwest region, Portland’s Alltar set out a two-fold reminder: one, of the potency behind a doom, sludge, and post-metal blend; and two, of just how good live music will be once it returns. After the successful release of their début Hallowed, the quintet’s next move is to release a live record commemorating a stunning set at Ceremony of Sludge in their hometown, which saw a stacked bill including Usnea and Brume shake The World Famous Kenton Club back in March.
“Ceremony of Sluuuuudge, baby!” comes booming through the speakers from vocalist Juan Carlos Caceres, whose amiable attitude contrasts with both the Ozzy-like wailing and harsher screaming - both of which hitting impressive peaks on “War Altar”. The lyrics draw from a wide range of topics; in the bands’ words, “the triumphs and tribulations of human-kind. From the technical and artistic birth of society’s achievements in art and technology, as well as the rise of power, war, destruction, and the control of humanity.”
One unusual feature of this release is just how damn good the mix is for such a young band in a festival format. Aside from the vocals soaring and shrieking, the drums pop and crash, the bass rumbles with menace, and the cavernous rhythm guitars are hypnotic. The five work seamlessly to stir the genre-melding pot, the contents of which contain pinches of Neurosis’ Souls at Zero, Amenra’s Mass series, latter-day Elder, and Cult of Luna.
The record itself is akin to a beast that awakens - it starts with smooth guitar lines interwoven with Moog synthesizers on “Arcana”, while by the time “Cantilate” rolls around, there’s an unfolding crescendo of crunch. And then, just as the audience recovers from the devastating closer, a simple “thank you, we’re Alltar, Glasghote is up next!” It’s over in a short space of time, but that’s the beauty of live albums - there’s always the replay button.
Live at Ceremony of Sludge
by Alltar
Hallowed
by Alltar
hear opening track "Dead Star" from Southern stoner trio DayGlo Mourning's February 2021 album
The second DayGlo Mourning album will be called Dead Star. As you can read below from the official information, they are a stoner band simply playing the type of music that has inspired them. In general, stoner fans should be interested in this interpretation of that tradition, which they are not trying to change but rather pay a tribute to with their songs.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
DayGlo Mourning
Dead Star
Black Doomba Records
12 February 2021
ABOUT: Sometimes a band just lands with such impact that their momentum carries them into instant recognition. DayGlo Mourning out of Atlanta are just that band - it wasn’t long after their self-titled début that they signed on the dotted line with established connoisseurs Black Doomba Records, which has been their home label ever since. Now, the time has come for a new record to showcase the best of what they have to offer. Dead Star embodies the band’s name: DayGlo vibrant colors adorn the packaging which envelops the Mourning-laden riffs.
The trio are not ones to waste a listener’s time, and go straight to what they do best - an homage to the fuzziest, most classic doom metal they can muster. The drums are on fire; Ray Miner may not be breaking any speed barriers, but he crashes and pounds out a fierce rhythm such as on opener “Dead Star”. Bassist Jerimy McNeil, meanwhile, gets a welcome centerstage slot on more than one occasion, leading the charge on “The Offering” and “Faithful Demise”. Naturally, the guitars are in the constant search for That Tone, and the one here is just the right level of amp-worshipping distortion, counterbalancing the beer-soaked yet melodic vocals of Joe Mills.
DayGlo Mourning didn’t get to this position by resting on their laurels, though, and Dead Star has a few tricks up its sleeve. One of these is the delightful blues-driven solos that litter the record, including a talk box solo on “The Offering”, while “Witch’s Ladder” shows just how low and heavy they go, while featuring intonations of curses to drag the listener into the depths of the occult. On a similar vibe, “Faithful Demise” feels strangely playful given its dark topics of death and religion, while the church-like choirs on “Ashwhore” are suitably sacrilegious.
In short, while the début was a strong opening statement, Dead Star is a necessary next step for DayGlo Mourning. Bound to delight fans of doom metal of all stripes, it’s a must-have record that stands proud among the growing accolades of a band who rep their city’s metal scene so strongly.
Dead Star
by DayGlo Mourning
Scorched-Earth (1995-2013; Washington state, USA)
Sciatica (Washington state, USA)
Schmutzhund (Washington state, USA)
Say 10 Hail Marys (Washington state, USA)
Sausage Slapper (Washington state, USA)
Sandrider (Washington state, USA)
Monday, December 21, 2020
Finnish death brutes Revulsion streaming three songs from February 2021 self-titled debut full-length
Metal Archives shows that the Finnish band Revulsion did a demo back in 2010 and an EP in 2011. Then they did a single in 2016, and now they are giving death fans a sample of what to expect in 2021 in the form of "Last Echoes of Life," "Pyre," and "Wastelands." Sometimes fans think of Finnish death as being very doomy, or sometimes as being a bit strange and kind of weird like a Finnish inside joke or something, or sometimes as being melodic death metal. All three have been welcomed by the fans all over the world. However, Revulsion is not any of those things. The album might be a surprisingly pleasant work for death metal fans here in the U.S., actually. The vocals are brutal gruff, and nothing else. The music goes at a headbanging pace, in an uptempo way as a general approach, and there is no shortage of blasting going on, while also having some moments that take things down to a midtempo. The riffs are thick, chunky, chugging, muscular and upfront, without trying to be anything else besides death. Fans of straightforward, no-messing-around, no-weirdness, no tech-prog death brutality and mosh pit action will feel at home with this album and this style. Fans looking for something that impacts quickly and efficiently, Revulsion is a good way to go about it.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Revulsion
Revulsion
Transcending Obscurity Records
5 February 2021
ABOUT: Revulsion happen to be one of Finland's best kept secrets. It's no surprise that the country boasts of some of the finest death metal bands and with their new full length, Revulsion are sure to be considered as one among them, joining label mates Sepulchral Curse and Sadistik Forest to take the Finnish death metal sound ahead. They're not stuck with the old school sound but are instead taking things forward with their aggressive, sharp and viciously groovy form of death metal that begs for repeat listens. There's an air of dissonance about their sound along with plodding doom metal influences that elevate them above the meat and potatoes kind of death metal bands, without allowing it all to affect the inexorable momentum that will knock you flat. This is death metal that is contemporary and practical, taking the best elements from all over and delivering it flawlessly without pulling any punches. Prepare yourself for a fantastic listening experience from start to finish. For fans of - Dying Fetus, Depravity, Suffocation, Sadistik Forest, Atræ Bilis, Gorguts, Psycroptic, Ulcerate, Morbid Angel, Cannibal Corpse, Paganizer, Broken Hope, Sepulchral Curse. Line up - Aleksi Huhta - Vocals;;
Jari Toppinen - Guitar;
Jarkko Viitasalo - Guitar;
Tuomas Alatalo - Bass;
Atte Karppinen - Drums. Artwork by Kuba Sokolski (Thou).
Self Titled (Death Metal)
by REVULSION (Finland)
instrumental shred guitar enchanter grand astrologer Lawrence Wallace has set February 1, 2021 as the day of alchemy manifestation; hear "Visions of Another World" now
Listen to the song "Visions of Another World" for a glimpse into the February 1st, 2021 album Journey Through Time, a work designed for the fans of shred guitar and everything that shred entails. Fluid, fast string action loaded with melody, and the craft of skillful guitar playing as the mission in life. Lawrence Wallace probably is unable to help people to complete their taxes, to fix the electrical problems around the house, to give a detailed analysis of the inner workings of the West Coast offense, and that's because he has dedicated his life to playing guitar. One listen to "Visions of Another World" and it will be clear as to what is on the agenda on the album. Listen to the song, and think about hearing a lot more shredding, and that is the story of this book. Of course, one song right now won't be able to satisfy shred fans' curiosity. Fortunately, there are previous recordings for the listener to hear. Below you will find some of those other recordings that are available on Bandcamp, and the official information about Lawrence Wallace.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Lawrence Wallace
Journey Through Time
1 February 2021
ABOUT: Guitar virtuoso Lawrence Wallace is set to release his newest full-length album, Journey Through Time. The album features 9 tracks of high-octane instrumental shred metal in the vein of Yngwie Malmsteen and early Jason Becker. Lawrence comments on Journey Through Time, “When I started writing songs for this album I had sort of a mystical theme for it in mind, but decided to steer it into an album that focuses primarily on guitar tricks and shredding. And why not showcase that side of my playing? It is, after all, an instrumental record. I wanted to keep the energy of the music high, but with add a couple slower songs as well. Overall, I was aiming for a Michael Angelo-Batio tone with a Paul Gilbert/Dragonforce playing style.”
Lawrence Wallace is a guitar and music virtuoso from the Philadelphia PA area. He started playing at the age of 16 and has studied under shrapnel recording artist Greg Howe. His playing is heavily influenced by celebrated shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen and Paul Gilbert. Lawrence has been in several bands, such as Shadows in The Crypt, Serpent ov Old, Infernal Opera, Chasing Squirrels and others. Lawrence has written well over 150 songs, including vocal and instrumental tracks, as well as soundtracks and various short clips for promo events. A creative and gifted shredder, Lawrence takes the art of instrumental guitar to the next level by incorporating a mystical, visual element into his music.
Band line up: Lawrence Wallace - guitars, bass, synth; Arnaud Krakowka - drums.
Journey Through Time
by Lawrence Wallace
Moonlight Prophecy Complete Instrumental Compilation
by Lawrence Wallace
Lawrences Creation Anthology (Compilation)
by Lawrence Wallace
Summer By The Lake
by Lawrence Wallace
Kentucky fried thrashers Belushi Speed Ball will have a big bucket of obesity-causing songs in January 2021 and there won't be a vaccine against it
Belushi Speed Ball is an American crossover thrash band from American Kentucky, America. Later on in January 2021 they will have a new recording called Stella 1 and Stella 2 (Double EP). Even though the new music is not up yet on Bandcamp, they have plenty of their previous music to make you mosh and eat pizza at the same time. They have a bunch of previous recordings, actually. Listening to those songs will give you an idea of the tomfoolery that is coming up in the new year. Below is the band's official information in which they explain how great they truly are, in their own opinion, especially from the perspective of the drummer, who has a rather high opinion of himself. Kentucky is so lucky to have him.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Belushi Speed Ball
Stella 1 and Stella 2 (Double EP)
sonaBLAST! Records
21 January 2021
ABOUT: There are bands who do things by the book…and then there is Louisville, KY’s own Belushi Speed Ball, who have successfully thumbed their collective nose at conformism since 2013. Belushi Speed Ball nominally play an aggressive brand of crossover thrash, but their focus on absurdity and unorthodox aesthetics allows them to stand in a category of their own creation.
Notorious for thrashing (and trashing) venues with their eccentric theatrical performances, every Belushi Speed Ball live experience is deliberately very different from the one prior. Their most recent performance, to paint a vivid picture, was a post-pandemic show where the band played from a moving van, visiting socially distanced bar patios while dressed in apocalyptic Mad Max attire. Each unique live experience is documented on the band's official youtube channel, "The Señor Diablo Show." In the words of Leo Weekly, “Watching a Belushi Speed Ball show is a lot like going to a pro wrestling event. There are costumes, outlandish characters and antics, raw energy and the key ingredient: an involved audience.”
To date, the band has released their music on notably obscure media. Prior releases include an album on a comic book, a working album for Gameboy Advance, and a single housed within the bowels of a Furby. Keeping with non-conformist tradition, their newest album will be released on (literal!) tapestry, which includes an informational VHS tape.
Stella 1 and Stella 2 is a double EP set to release January 21st, 2021 via sonaBLAST! Records on CD, digital streaming, and tapestry. Alongside a veritable bevy of crossover bangers, this release features the brand new single "We Are Not Thrashers, We are Hipster Posers," which was written in response to a harsh youtube comment left in regards to Belushi Speed Ball's physical appearance. Says vocalist Senor Diablo in regards to this latest opus: “We are super excited to have worked with Joel Grind and Chase Bensing in producing our new double EP. Keeping with the theme of obscure media release, we are proud to present our new album with informational VHS on literal wall tapestry, in addition to CD and all streaming platforms.”
Stella 1 and Stella 2 was mastered by Joel Grind (of Toxic Holocaust) and recorded and mixed by Chase Bensing. Album art created by Mxtro Catpiss
Belushi Speed Ball is:
Vinny - Guitar/Vocals;
Senor Diablo - Vocals;
Kyle - Guitar;
Jazzy - Bass;
Daniel Neel - Drums.
EP 1:
1.Captain Planet Can’t Stop Us
2.We Aren’t Thrashers, We Are Hipster Posers
3. Dirty Dan and Pinhead Larry
4. I’m Already Halfway There
EP 2:
1. Daniel Neel is the Best Drummer Alive
2. Glass Bones and Paper Skin
3.Shut the Snarf Up Mortal
4. Wumbology (Belushi Speed Ball Cover)
Prepare for Trouble
by Belushi Speed Ball
Belushi Speed Ball - Glass Bones & Paper Skin - Live at Spinellis
https://www.facebook.com/belushispeedballband/
Sunday, December 20, 2020
abstruse obscurantist technical deathsters Eximperitus streaming "Utpāda" ahead of 2021 album Šahrartu
Eximperitus is technical death metal with themes of "Sumerian/Babylonian mysticism, occultism, annihilation, death," as Metal Archives puts it. As fans of the genre will notice, Metal Archives lists Nile as the first name in the category of "similar artists." What it means is that it is technically proficient death metal but there is a component of adding more than wrist-breaking, arthritis-causing guitar wizardry, blasting drums and growling. In other words, the technicality is there in abundance but it is not the only thing that is important. The music seeks to have more imagination, more atmosphere than just assaulting the instruments at the highests speeds possible. The band is not afraid to slow down and offer a bit of melody to the blasting extreme metal. As you will see from the information below, the band has a gimmick or two that has gotten them some attention, but regardless of whether you consider the gimmicks as a real thing or as basic metal music marketing, the music by itself is rather interesting and deserves some serious consideration from fans looking for a tech-death band that has asked themselves the question, "What else is there besides playing fast, complicated brutal music? Once we have become very good at playing fast, what else is there that we want to do? There has to be more to death metal besides just being good at playing fast, right?!" Yes, correct. Consider this album as the ongoing quest to take impossibly fast extreme metal into a different way of thinking while keeping things blazing and brutal.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Eximperitus
Šahrartu
Willowtip Records
29 January 2021
ABOUT: Belarusian occult technical death metal band EXIMPERITUS will release their second full-length album Šahrartu in early 2021 on Willowtip Records. EXIMPERITUS (shortened from Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum) invoke the magic of ancient gods for six rituals of complex, forward-thinking brutality. Šahrartu not only brings EXIMPERITUS to a new level, but pushes boundaries of death metal beyond imagination. Willowtip Records will release Šahrartu January 29 on CD, digital and vinyl. Pre-order the album below.
Hailing from Minsk, Belarus, EXIMPERITUS takes its name from dead languages of the Ancient East. The band was formed in 2009 and released its first demo - Triumpho Tenebrarum In Profundis Mors – in 2011. Two years later the band released another demo, Promo 2013. In 2016, EXIMPERITUS released its debut full-length, Projecting the Singular Emission of the Doctrine of Absolute and All-Absorbing Evil…, on Japanese label Amputated Vein Records. Despite its provocative and perplexing lyrical concepts, the album was highly-acclaimed by listeners and critics, receiving rave reviews in numerous webzines and music issues around the world. The album proved EXIMPERITUS to be a band capable of creating a detailed, conceptual universe consisting of sophisticatedly composed music with inexpressible majestic atmosphere. The debut was followed in 2017 by W2246-0525, an EP that showcased the next step in EXIMPERITUS’ evolution. As work began for another full-length album, the band released a single titled "Tahâdu" in 2019. The song showed continued progression in the band’s sound and song-crafting and captured the attention of a growing legion of fans. EXIMPERITUS then signed with Willowtip Records for the release of Šahrartu. The album is a grandiose and majestic representation of a new era of death metal being ushered in by EXIMPERITUS.
Šahrartu
by Eximperituserqethhzebibšiptugakkathšulweliarzaxułum
dark techno rocker JoeyDiabolic will mess up everyone's new year's resolutions with twisted covers of Anthrax, White Zombie, and other unsuspecting victims
If you are up for some techno-industrial dark pop heavy rock, then you might find on this recording something to tickle your fancy. Right now there is one song streaming at Bandcamp and it provides plenty to see where this weirdness is going. Warning: Uptight people should know that this music will probably test your patience. There is going to be a techno heavy rock version of an Anthrax tune, and it might be genius or garbage, but you'll probably have an opinion on it (Sorry, the song is not streaming on Bandcamp right now.). However, the song that is available is a pretty good preview of the rest of the recording.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
JoeyDiabolic
Through Soundwaves Vol 3
15 January 2021
ABOUT: Multi-instrumentalist and solo artist Joey Diabolic has announced the release of his EP Through Soundwaves Vol 3, hitting digital music platforms on January 15th, 2021. The offering is a tribute to the film A Nightmare On Elm Street and features a variety of covers and original songs. One standout cover in particular is White Zombie's "Creature of the Wheel." Diabolic says, "I gotta be honest, it took me awhile to figure out which Astro Creep 2000 song to cover. When I finally figured out that my next releases were definitely going to be a fan-fiction reinterpretation of the Freddy Krueger/A Nightmare On Elm Street story line, 'Creature of the Wheel' was the most obvious choice." "It’s pretty obvious that I love White Zombie… So much so that I got their logo tattooed on my right bicep. As far as covering the song, I wanted to encapsulate my experiences of listening to their albums since 1993. There was no one that sounded like them… They were true originals."
Through Soundwaves Vol. 3
by joeydiabolic
Swedish instrumental space rockers CB3 start new the year with Live Sessions
Less than a year ago Charlotta's Burning Trio's album Aeons was released. Live Sessions finds them interpreting three songs from the album: "Acid Haze" (12:15); "Sonic Blaze" (8:11); and "Warrior Queen" (7:37). Below you will find two of the songs from Live Sessions in the form of the YouTube videos posted on the record label's channel. Just in case you would like to hear the studio album, below is the album from Bandcamp, too. Check out the official information about CB3. This music is for fans of contemporary takes on 1970s progressive rock and heavy rock with a psychedelic bent. Without vocals, the music seeks to take the listener to a calmer state of mind while also providing a doomy, bluesy guitar style and the times for slowing down and make people relax more and think less, and feel more tranquillity.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
CB3
Live Sessions
The Sign Records
15 January 2021
ABOUT the recording: CB3 (Charlotta's Burning Trio) are set to release a live session album on The Sign Records on January 15th, 2021. The album features three tracks from the band’s latest release Aeons, clocking in at 28 minutes of mind-bending cosmic jams. In addition, all three tracks will accompanied by live videos.
CB3 released their second studio album Aeons in February 2020, right before the pandemic hit. The essence of the band is the live concert experience; every song becomes different and new, solos are improvised, and the intensity is ever-shifting. With limited opportunities for gigs, the band decided to capture the live experience on record, so that fans can experience the music the way it's meant to be heard. Aeons Live Sessions will be available on Youtube, streaming platforms, and as a limited edition 12” vinyl. Recorded live at Signalverket in Malmö, the tracks "Sonic Blaze,", "Acid Haze," and "Warrior Queen" add up to almost half an hour of intoxicating, instrumental jamming. Close your eyes, set your mind free, and drift away into the musical universe of CB3!
ABOUT CB3: Stars above, evil below, and fire in between. A trinity in peace for aeons. CB3 (Charlotta's Burning Trio) is here to bring you on a journey with their explosive rock jams and mind-bending cosmic soundscapes. CB3 brings the spirit of psychedelic music to the 21th century with a style that ranges from heavy psych rock jams like Jimi Hendrix to delicate atmospheric passages akin to Pink Floyd and progressive rhythms that hearken King Crimson and Mahavishnu Orchestra.
Since their formation in 2013, CB3 has shared stages with bands like Monolord, Kikagaku Moyo, Hällas, Firebreather, Kaleidobolt and Spaceslug. Their live shows and music have been critically acclaimed by press outlets worldwide. As HYMN Magazine put it, "These amazing musicians make the music sound more like it is performed by a symphony orchestra than a trio. The only thing I wish, after being completely mesmerized by the gig, is that it would have been longer."
Lineup; Charlotta Andersson - guitar;
Pelle Lindsjö - bass;
Natanael Salomonsson - drums.
CB3 - ACID HAZE (Aeons Live Session)
CB3 - SONIC BLAZE (Aeons Live Session)
Aeons
by CB3 (Official)
https://www.facebook.com/charlottasburningtrio
Saturday, December 19, 2020
legacy-style German iron legion Generation Steel showcases "The Eagle Will Rise" and "Invoke The Machine" from January 2021 album The Eagle Will Rise
Generation Steel is traditional, hard-hitting, fist-raising heavy metal. No false advertising, no false promises, only the sound of what everyone understands as pure heavy metal, like what fans get from Judas Priest, Accept/U.D.O., and Primal Fear when those bands are at their no-nonsense rocking. This debut album shows no desire to jump over the fence and go see what there is on the other side, no longing to be other than what they already are. The vocals, the riffs, the drumming, the rhythms and even the stage moves are exactly what fans of the genre want. Here's a question for potential fans: Have you had enough of traditional, legacy-style heavy metal or do you want some more? Generation Steel is for those that have not had enough of true metal. The album has 13 songs, and they all stick to the same basic attitude with a stubborn, very stubborn belief. Bring it, Generation Steel!
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Generation Steel
The Eagle Will Rise
Pure Steel Records
January 22nd 2021
1.The Eagle Will Rise 04:59
2.Invoke The Machine 04:38
3.Generation Steel 04:32
4.Warbringer 03:47
5.Temple Of Malady 04:02
6.Praying Mantis 03:33
7.The Chariot 04:28
8.Shadow In The Dark 03:51
9.Soulmates 06:08
10.On My Way 03:42
11.The Wayward One 05:06
12.Heaven`s Calling 05:47
13.Alive 04:19
ABOUT: Classic Teutonic Steel Deluxe, produced by ACCEPT guitarist Uwe Lulis, can be presented by the new German steel hope GENERATION STEEL on their debut album "The Eagle Will Rise". Founded in 2019 by ex-DEAD MAN'S HAND and ex-BULLET TRAIN guitarist Jack The Riffer. The album is now with 13 compositions ready to enter the metalhearts worldwide. The new dreamteam of classic steel are Jack The Riffer, with Pascal Lorenz (lead guitar, e.g. Ex-OSCURA, Ex-CORBIAN), Michael Kaspar (bass, Ex-SQUEALER) and Martin Winter (drums). And with the great Rio Ullrich on the microphone, the formation has also won a famous singer. Without warning, GENERATION STEEL get going straight away, the guitars are smoking and the rhythm section doesn't think about it for a long time, they just play. And that's the best that they can. GENERATION STEEL is a wild quintet that should not only conquer the hearts of European metal friends.
GENERATION STEEL - The Eagle Will Rise - official Video (PURE STEEL RECORDS)
GENERATION STEEL - Invoke The Machine - official Lyric Video (PURE STEEL RECORDS)
https://www.facebook.com/GenerationSteelOfficial/?ref=page_internal
rising Canadian melodic progsters Red Cain streaming three new songs from sophomore album Kindred: Act II (January 2021)
It was only in 2019 that the debut album came out, an impressive and promising work of melodic power prog, the kind of prog that has plenty of melodic, midtempo heavy metal in it that's not exclusively for the prog crowd, and that's always a good sign for non-prog fans hearing the music. Now in late 2020 they are streaming three songs from the second album on January 22nd, 2021. On Bandcamp they are streaming the song "Demons," and then on YouTube they also have "Kindred" and "Varyag and the Shrike." These three songs should be enough to convince potential audiences of the style of the band. The melodies and the singing should go a long way towards gaining new fans that enjoy prog-leaning melodic heavy metal that functions on midtempo mode, allowing people to understand it rather quickly with one listen or two. If this seems interesting to you, then read the official information below.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Red Cain
Kindred: Act II
22 January 2021
01 - Kindred 5:07
02 - Demons 4:40
03 - Precipice of Man 5:19
04 - Baltic Fleet 4:54
05 - Varyag and the Shrike 5:55
06 - Sons of Veles 5:02
07 - Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire) 5:49
About: Described as a vehicle of “Melancholy and Rage” and born out of the emerging music scene of Alberta, Canada, 2017 YYC Awards Metal Recording of the Year winner Red Cain is a power/progressive metal project with Russian roots. With intricate songwriting, a heavy yet melodic feel reminiscent of progressive acts, and elements of Slavic myth and Russian paganism in the storytelling tradition of the cult of Veles, Red Cain champion a fluid, dynamic, and unique musical style centered around telling dark, conceptual Faustian sagas and constructing those into an unforgettable live experience.
Stated by frontman Evgeniy Zayarny as wanting to bring back the “Devil’s music” mysticism all too often missing in modern metal acts, Red Cain delivers flair, groove, and an intricate, lethal edge in their music. Listeners might well pick out elements reminiscent of such luminary acts as Kamelot, Symphony X, Tesseract, Amaranthe, Alter Bridge – whipped into a venomous new shape. The current incarnation of the band is all of these influences mixed with a lot of vodka and Eastern European melancholy, shaken and stirred.
Red Cain released its debut self-titled EP in November 2016 to rave reviews from a variety of publications such as Dead Rhetoric, MetalUnderground, and Fireworks magazine, among many others. Red Cain’s EP had the honour of winning Metal Recording of the Year at the 2017 YYC Music Awards. The band has a strong emerging fanbase around the world, being named one of the top 200 bands of 2016 by Headbangers Latinoamerica and the EP’s cover art selected as one of 2016’s 15 best by Metal Underground.
Red Cain’s first full-length album “Kindred: Act I” was released in March 2019 to a variety of excellent reviews internationally, reaching #1 on Canadian College Radio Earshot Loud charts and establishing the band as a force in the Canadian metal scene, and landing the band a distribution deal with European label Sliptrick Records. A variety of festival appearances at Loud As Hell Metal Festival, Hyperspace Metal Festival, and Canada Wacken Competition have served to cement that status. Red Cain’s music videos for “Juliet” and “Zero” have to date garnered 11 international film festival awards, including the Music Video Award at the Accolade Global Film Competition (LA) along with “Juliet” nominated for 2020 YYCMA Metal Recording of The Year.
During the last six months of 2020, the band has previewed epic storied singles “Sunshine (Blood Sun Empire)”, “Demons”, “Kindred”, and “Varyag and The Shrike” to fans from their forthcoming 2021 sophomore album "Kindred: Act II".
"Kindred: Act II" is seven evocative and powerful narrative tracks that continue the saga from "Kindred: Act I", following the warrior Zalcoatl along with combining other ancient myths and stories with a commentary on how these exist and apply in modern society. This album hits hard and heavy in the best prog power goth rock fashion, layering brazen up-front guitar riffs with a groovy electronic backing and pulsing basslines.
Recommended for fans of Kamelot, Mastodon, and Amaranthe, "Kindred: Act II" is due out on January 22nd digitally as a self-release by the band with signing with Sliptrick Records for its physical CD release at later date in the year.
Kindred: Act II
by Red Cain
Red Cain - KINDRED (Visualizer)
Red Cain - VARYAG AND THE SHRIKE (Visualizer)
American brutal prog chuggers Repaid In Blood streaming song "Rebel Scum" (Feat. Greg Burgess) ahead of January 2021 album Reflective Duality
Who is Repaid In Blood?! Well, the official propaganda below will give you so much information that you wll practically become an expert in Repaid In Blood and you will be able to talk about them like you have known their music since day one. We don't! This is the first time (if memory is correct) that we hear this California squad of chugging, growling, screaming brutal prog of good ole American groove metal. Check out the new song and see how it lands with you. By the way, Metal Archives shows the following recordings:
Repaid in Blood EP 2007;;
Follow the Blood Trail Full-length 2008;
One Bullet Shy of a Solution EP 2010;
I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus Single 2011;
Born in a Lazarus Pit EP 2014;
Terra Mourning EP 2017;
Reflective Duality Full-length 2021.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Repaid In Blood
Reflective Duality
21 January 2021
California geek metal squad REPAID IN BLOOD is gearing up for the release of their second full-length album, Reflective Duality . The album finds REPAID IN BLOOD maniacally bulldozing its way through eight tracks of pit-inducing fury. Featuring guest appearances from members of THREAT SIGNAL, ALLEGAEON, BORN OF OSIRIS and FLUB, Reflective Duality is the album metal fans need to kick off 2021 properly.
The band comments on the album, “We have always been a fun going band, writing about the things we love and care about, metal, comics, movies, all around geek stuff. Well this time around we also wrote about what we care about, this time it’s people! You, and everyone else, are created equal. This isn’t an album about hate, it’s about our love for our country and what it should stand for. This isn’t a political album, it’s about human rights. All humans are created equal, women, children and men. Metal IS Family. We should support each other, as well as everyone that needs help in our communities. If you have a problem with our views, kindly see yourself out of our socials. We thank you for your time.”
REPAID IN BLOOD mixes the best of Death Metal and Metal-core creating their own unique genre: Geek Metal! Which blends crushing riffs, searing solos, ball shattering breakdowns with a variety of pop culture, movies, games and geekdom samples into their performances that always gets the crowd going and shouting the lines and samples during the show!
REPAID IN BLOOD is a metal band that started in 2006 in Sunnyvale, CA. The name was taken from a lyric off The Black Dahlia Murder’s first full length album, Unhallowed. The name is an expression of violence in its truest form, vengeance. Victor Hernandez and Jake Burrmann formed a band in high school, with different members coming and going along the way, eventually turning into what became REPAID IN BLOOD. Jake Burrmann and Juan Galvez are the last of the founding members, and yet, with the powerful vocals and live performances of Darrell Durham, along with the blistering leads of Patrick Small, REPAID IN BLOOD is a strong cohesive family.
REPAID IN BLOOD has worked the local scene with a strong fan base, played in three showcases at South By Southwest, numerous West Coast and Southwest tours and US tours. REPAID IN BLOOD are serious about the music they create, but always have fun doing so. From the "I Saw Zombies Eating Santa Claus" Xmas parody to a Lego stop motion, Clerks inspired, Jaws parody video, to a full puppet band video for a parody of Salt N Peppa’s “Push It”, releasing tour and behind the scenes blooper videos, using Archer or Stranger Things for a live opening, kid’s cereal, zombies, pop culture, comic books, Game Of Thrones, to peeing on you, you are guaranteed to take something away from REPAID IN BLOOD musically and live.
REPAID IN BLOOD has one full length album, Born In A Lazarus Pit, which was released June 2014, with music videos released, national promotion, and press as well. REPAID IN BLOOD also has an earlier EP One Bullet Shy Of A Solution released August 2008 and more recently a second EP Terra Mourning in May 2017. The newest full length, Reflective Duality, is due out January 21st 2021.
REPAID IN BLOOD have done full US tours: East Bound And Death Tour with thrashers Apothesary, The Repaid In Death Tour with Australian Death Metalers In Death..., The Split Personality Tour with Death Will Tremble, The Danger Zone Tour with Casket Robbery, and the massive No One Gets Out Alive Tour with In Death..., Casket Robbery and Bury The Rod which was a great success. REPAID IN BLOOD has shared the stage with All Shall Perish, Allegaeon, Betraying The Martyrs, Embryonic Devourment, Forbidden, Incite, Morta Skuld, Voices Of Ruin, Sacrificial Slaughter as well as so many others on the road.
REPAID IN BLOOD is:
Darrell Durham on Vocals
Jake Burrmann on Guitar and Bass
Patrick Small on Lead Guitar
Juan Galvez on Drums
Reflective Duality was recorded, produced, mixed and mastered by Eric Hill at The Blue Room Recording Studio. All drums by Juan Galvez, all rhythm guitar, some leads and bass by Jake Burrmann. Vocals by Darrell Durham. Lead guitar by Patrick Small. Guest vocals on "Thots & Purveyors" by Jon Howard (Threat Signal). Guest guitars on "Ritualistic Stoning" by Travis Montgomery (Threat Signal). Guest guitars on "Rebel Scum" by Greg Burgess (Allegaeon). Guest vocals on "Molotov Circumcision" by Michael Alvarez (Flub, ex-Alterbeast) and guest guitars by Cameron Losch (Born Of Osiris).
Reflective Duality
by Repaid In Blood
Irish cult Primordial vocalist Nemtheanga's old heavy metal band Dread Sovereign returns in 2021 with Alchemical Warfare ("Venom-meets-Hawkwind-meets-Hellhammer-meets-rock & roll)
Hear for yourself this Halloween-ish cauldron of heavy rock by checking out the new song "Nature Is the Devil's Church." The music is kind of doom-ish sludge psychedelic heavy metal, if that makes any sense (It probably doesn't, right?!). Primordial vocalist Nemtheanga has an interest in the old heavy metal of the 1970s and 1980s, and this joins together those varied directions of the music of yesteryear.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
Dread Sovereign
Alchemical Warfare
Metal Blade Records
15 January 2021
OFFICIAL information from Metal Blade Records: Dread Sovereign was formed in Dublin, Ireland about a decade ago by Primordial vocalist Nemtheanga to give praise to filthy cult old doom, black and heavy metal! Except as well as singing he took up butchering the bass and then called on Bones (guitar) and JK (drums) to bring rotten flesh out the bones. An debut EP came out on Roadburn/Burning World records to coincide with the bands live debut at the same festival back in 2012 and what followed were two full lengths released by Van Records (All Hells Martyrs and For Doom the Bell Tolls) and now in early 2021 the band releases their new album Alchemical Warfare through Metal Blade Records.
Think Venom meets Hawkwind meets Hellhammer meets reckless rock´n´roll abandon in the pure old school sense! The subject matter and aesthetic are particular to the three characters on the front cover of each release, the time travelling trio who appear on the debut flaying Saint Bartholemew, on the second album hanging Sarah Wildes Averill in Salem and now as lab assistants to Isaac Newton as he tries to discover the secret of Alchemy. The subject matter is never fantasy, always rooted in the dark reality of historical fact but written in the lexicon of Evil!
Dread Sovereign have toured Europe and played various festivals several times over the years and their raucous sweat, spit and blood, no fucks given attitude has gained the respect of dirtbags everywhere.
The World is Doomed! Give Praise to the Devil in Man! „Our motto when we started was 'The World is Doomed'.....and it seems life is imitating art.....as we are looking like filthy prophets! Several years in the making the new Dread Sovereign is ready for the End of the World, which might be next year in case you didn't know! A bit more reckless and uptempo than the previous releases yet the template remains doom, 'Alchemical Warfare' just has a bit more Venom and Motorhead thrown into the mix. If it's the end of days we might as well go out with middle fingers raised right?“
Recorded in several stages over the last couple of years, as the band now live in separate countries. „Dread Sovereign decided to skip 2020 completely - annus horribilis and avoid it like the plague! Pun intended....so here we are right at the beginning of 2021, ready for the end of days!“
Alchemical Warfare
by Dread Sovereign
Dutch prog intellectual TDW gets personal about medical problems with The Days the Clock Stopped
With eight studio albums, it is very likely that devoted Dutch and European fans might already know about this entity. Is it also the case for the devoted fans here in North America? We are just finding out about TDW (Tom de Wit). We are beginning to educate ourselves in the prog of Tom de Wit with the latest album that is already out. It is more than 73 minutes long. This is, in fact, the type of prog that requires repeated listens and lots of patience. It is largely a traditional form of melodic prog but with some extreme elements, so it's kind of a mix of the traditional and the contemporary, but it does lean more toward the melodic, proggy side of rock and metal.
The digital version of the album is already out and the physical is programmed for January 15th, 2021. Below you will find the official information that gives insight into the album.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
TDW
The Days the Clocks Stopped
Layered Reality Productions
15 January 2021
ABOUT: Biographical stories have been the main source of inspiration for many novels, albums, movies and other forms of art ever since art became important to humanity. Often it is the relatable nature of it that attracts an audience. Stories of struggle and survival always inspire. But what if a story is so intense, that it almost seems unreal? What if a confrontation with death changes the very essence of that persons existence? This is something that songwriter, producer and singer Tom de Wit wanted to look into with this new release “The Days The Clock Stopped”.
After releasing multiple albums with both TDW & Dreamwalkers Inc, making youtube songs & vlogs, documentaries and more, Tom found himself at a crossroads in early 2019. For all this time, his work had been dedicated to writing about fictional characters and events to let out his own emotional turmoil... Often hiding behind metaphores & fiction to say what he realy felt through these characters & experiences. “I always felt like I had no right to speak on my own behalf. The characters would do that for me. I mean, I am in the end, just a guy that does stuff and makes things...”. Always these creations were heartfelt, passionate & made with intent, but it felt like something was ignored. A big set of events that changed his life significantly in his early 20’s that he had been running away from for 11 years now...
The Days The Clock Stopped is a concept album that dives head first into Tom’s medical history and how he fell ill with a highly potent inflammatory bowel disease at age 19 and dealing with that while also fighting the mental struggles that come along with being diagnosed as a highly sensitive person. The story chronicles the hospital experiences, being trapped inside a body & brain that are giving up, the medical mistakes made and what it can lead to when one is confronted by death not once, but twice.
Next to Tom writing the music and lyrics and helming the project, Tom was assisted by a host of guest musicians on this record ranging from big names and newcomers alike to bring his vision to life. Most notably, the inclusion of Aeon Zen/Annihilator’s Rich Gray as bass player, co producer and mastering engineer cannot be understated. As well as the massive drum performance by Fabio Allessandrini (Annihilator) who raised the albums intensity to the next level. Adding to this album, is a feature length documentary that tells the story behind the album from the third person which will be included in the physical boxset. The documentary also talks about the creation of the record and looks back on the TDW career that started in 2008 up until the creation of this album now.
One can wonder if it is pure vanity that drives a project like this, but when asked about this, Tom replied: “There is no pleasing everybody and that is okay. Though in this case, I hope the album and/or the documentary can be of help to anyone who is fighting a disease like this. It’s not just about my story, but it’s about finding the strength to carry on and finding the energy to live life to the fullest if you survive. If even just one person would take that away from this project, I would be perfectly happy..”
The Days The Clock Stopped
by TDW
Friday, December 18, 2020
Italian symphonic power metal Winterage streams song "Of Heroes And Wonders" from January 2021 album The Inheritance of Beauty
Get dressed, and put on your best clothes, because we're going to the opera tonight! Winterage is every single stereotype of European symphonic power metal and the fans are going to love it all from head to toe. The melodies, the singing, the violin, the keyboards and the mixing of classical music with metal, it's all here, proud and shining, waiting for the audiences to enter this opera house of power metal. If somebody asks what is symphonic power metal, just point in this direction where Winterage is located, and that will take care of that question as concisely and clearly as possible.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
WINTERAGE
The Inheritance of Beauty
Scarlet Records
15 January 2021
ABOUT: Having previously released the critically acclaimed debut album ‘The Harmonic Passage’ and shared the stage with renowned bands such as Angra, Moonspell, Elvenking, Dark Moor, Dragonland and Pathfinder and many others, Winterage are now ready to unleash their full potential and reach a broader audience with their new, ambitious effort.
‘The Inheritance of Beauty’ is a powerful Symphonic metal opus with strong influences coming from Irish folk, classical and medieval music. Alongside the typical rock instruments, the band is known for the presence in the line-up of a violin played in the classical way and the use of a real full orchestra and many choirs during the recording process of all their released albums.
The theme of the album is the fight of beauty against decadence. Botticelli's Venus, representing authentic art, has turned back to stare at our world: what she sees is decadence, forgetfulness of art's values and the forsaking of Nature. The inheritance of real beauty is hidden in the essence of human beings and artists can give it new life.
The Inheritance Of Beauty
by Winterage
Packer Country rowdy metal rockers Tantivy streaming two songs "I Am The Wolf" and "Cut 'Em Loose" in anticipation of January 2021 EP Eyes In the Night
Check out some rough-and-ready heavy metal rock and roll by the name of Tantivy. The music is direct, rocking and fun, and a bit kind of angry, like a band that loves to play in front of whoever is ready for some loud, upfront, fast rock and roll. You don't even to have to pay them with money, just pay them in burgers, fries and a couple of drinks, and they're ready to entertain the rock-starved home crowd in the best state in the whole country, Wisconsin, of course. Listen to these two songs now and be ready for more of the same contagious energy.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
ABOUT: With the drive of Motörhead, the hooks of Judas Priest, and the thrash acrobatics of Toxic Holocaust, Wisconsin duo Tantivy is chomping at the bit of traditional heavy metal. Guitarist, bassist, and vocalist Adam Geurink is joined by drummer Jon Zimick in a musical match made in hell.
While certainly a departure from Guerink's crust-influenced outfit WARDEHNS, Tantivy is no less imposing. Its rousing guitar lines, pummeling drums, and clever composition are complemented by Guerink's gritty vocal delivery. In five short tracks, Tantivy -- named for an archaic word meaning a rapid gallop or ride -- makes an impression that can often take years to muster. When Geurink snarls "Heavy metal's all I bleed" at unknown antagonist in the track "Houndin Ya," you know it's the truth.
Tantivy will release a teaser single later this year and their debut EP is expected in January 2021. Trad metal fans, don't sleep on this powerful new band.
FFO: Judas Priest, Dio, Toxic Holocaust, Motörhead, old Metallica, 3 Inches of Blood
Eyes in the Night
by Tantivy
crustpunkmetal Gravehuffer streams song "Ghost Dance" ahead of January 2021 album NecroEclosion
Gravehuffer is not as weird as the official information below makes it seem. It is real-human extreme metal (not robot-computer-software clinically perfect metal music) that sounds like a blackthrash band that has stopped caring about their "genre" and now they play whatever they feel like playing, and it does step out into the wilderness, but somehow, someway, the band cannot help the fact that they are a metal band that likes to make heavy, loud rock and roll; thus, whatever roads they end up taking, it's going to be pretty heavy and loud, and often kind of rowdy and fast. For instance, the listener will be able to tell that those drums are probably not computer software (This publication is unable to confirm the accuracy of these observations). Actually, despite the first impressions that people may get, this is closest to a raw form style of thrash, like a real swamp-thrash-punk-garage black metal band that refuses to polish the music to make it fancy. This is sweaty, mosh-friendly, and with some truly funny/comedic (just wait until you hear the ridiculous "Death Before Disco") or fun moments in some places. Let's not get it twisted, though, this music is headbanging metal, regardless.
-Metal Bulletin Zine
OFFICIAL propaganda from the ministry of hypeinformation: Nowadays metal is often seen as a desert of homogeneity, where it is rare for an oasis of originality to pop up. With this in mind, the out-of-the-box style of Gravehuffer that comes from the small city of Joplin, Missouri is, ironically given their name, a breath of fresh air. A monster of Frankensteinian design, its component parts include crust-punk, thrash metal, grindcore, death metal, and other surprise elements. Although they have 10 years under their belts in this guise (plus three as thrash outfit Krom), individual members have known each other since the late 90s, which makes for clear-cut chemistry music across their three releases. This third, the vividly titled NecroEclosion, sees a band pushing both themselves and the envelope.
First spin through the record is a whirlwind from start to finish, and each track takes a unique path of their blended formula. Some, like “Causes” and “Quarantine Death Machine”, lean on the band’s clear love for their crust. Others, such as “Ghost Dance” and “Hellhound”, bring on catchy yet rumbling death-thrash. Others still (cf. “Mad Wolf” and “Death Before Disco”) throw in brass instrumentation - including interpolating “You Should Be Dancing” by The Bee Gees. Because why not? On the vocal front, since the departure of lifer James Hiser the band have taken up the mantle collectively, in an overwhelming display of versatility.
Their influences look like a dive bar’s wall, plastered in posters of Aus-Rotten, Napalm Death, and Nausea next to Morbid Angel, old school Mastodon, and Voivod. Speaking of Voivod, NecroEclosion provides a chance for Gravehuffer to work with their heroes, as Dan “Chewy” Mongrain provides a ripping solo on Sights to the Sky, and Curran Murphy (Annihilator, Nevermore) tears up “Smaller Than Death”. On a more abstract level, the band’s surroundings of small-town Joplin also inspire their work, though recognizing that “a lot of the times, it's in a negative light unfortunately,” says guitarist Ritchie Randall. “Religious upbringing is a huge part of the town, so that does play a large part in shaping how we filter and process what goes on around us.” He also name-checks the working class roots and forested landscapes as other subliminal yet significant parts to their sound, which results in a sound that goes far beyond their genre peers.
NecroEclosion is a success on all fronts - it’s full of thrilling moments, and never dulls despite repeat spins. The production values have also ramped up from their last effort, an area that bassist Mike Jilge and Garry Moore honed in on. In short, Gravehuffer are on their A-game, and fans of metal, punk, and grind must give them a listen.
NecroEclosion
by Gravehuffer
Causes (single)
by Gravehuffer
Japanese power metal Iron Attack! -- "Knockin' on the Bright Door" (official music video)
DÉCEMBRE NOIR - A Swan Lake Full of Tears (official video)
This is the official music video for the song "A Swan Lake Full of Tears" from the album The Renaissance of Hope (2020), the fourth by melodic-melancholic death doomsters Décembre Noir (Germany). Check out the album for yourself as it is available on Bandcamp. The official information about the video and band is below.
ABOUT: "In a quite early stage of the album production, the idea arose to translate or better to illustrate the meaning of this song by means of a choreography of a female dancer. Our plan was to bring it directly on stage in the beginning of our release shows in November and throughout summer 2020 all the planning progress seemed promising. Unfortunately, due to the current situation, we were forced to work out a plan B. We found a way to follow our idea and used the time to plan and shoot a new music video in the very location the release shows should had been taken place.
The video was once again directed by the golden hands of Simon Roloff, who already captured the visually stunning clip for the song Hope/Renaissance.
The dancing part was done by the fantastic Veronica Bracaccini.
THE ALBUM: Hope is one of those things. That which is hope for one person can cause deep suffering for others. Hope always has a personal and very individual component. Just think of the very sensitive subject of active euthanasia. What a strong desire and what unconditionality must underlie the hope of finally being allowed to die. And what suffering must be experienced by the person who fulfils this wish out of love. This martyrdom of devotion, which cannot be imagined, is taken up in the artwork of "The Renaissance Of Hope". But once again: Hope can be so diverse, even if this term encases an unimaginable portrait of humanity itself.
Since 2008, DÉCEMBRE NOIR have introduced and developed their melancholic-melodic mix of Death and Doom metal. Following the LIFEFORCE RECORDS debut "Autumn Kings" from 2018, "The Renaissance Of Hope" marks the fourth album of this band from Thuringia. The quintet from Erfurt proves a grown feeling for the musical realisation of darkly coloured emotions and respective moods. As with the term hope itself, it is the same with the new songs of the group. Sometimes they are received with encouragement and confidence. Then again you feel a deep sadness, which grounds the listeners abruptly. "The Renaissance Of Hope" has been recorded at Alexander Dietz (Heaven Shall Burn, Gruppe Planet) Chemical Burn Studio, who has been working with DÉCEMBRE NOIR since 2014.
DÉCEMBRE NOIR - A Swan Lake Full of Tears (official video)
The Renaissance Of Hope
by Décembre Noir
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