DEATH DEALER UNION is: Lena Scissorhands – Vocals CC McKenna – Percussion Doug Weiand – Lead Guitars Hunter Havokk – Rhythm & Lead Guitars Jonny Heinz – Bass
DEATH DEALER UNION Premieres Third Single, “ILL FATED” + Eye-Catching Music Video | Watch HERE
Debut Album, Initiation, out now! via Napalm Records | Pre-Order HERE
Find the power within you! Get initiated into the DEATH DEALER UNION!
West coast-based metal unit DEATH DEALER UNION – featuring frontwoman Lena Scissorhands of modern metal leaders INFECTED RAIN – released their debut album, entitled Initiation via Napalm Records!
Following searing recent singles “The Vow of Silence“ and “The Integument“, today, the band has released a third single – the dynamic “ILL FATED”. The track juxtaposes 80s-influenced clean guitars and sinister metallic riffs as Lena displays her soaring trademark vocal delivery and introspective wordplay. The video features eye-catching imagery, sets and costumes, making for a striking viewing experience!
DEATH DEALER UNION says about the video: “We wanted to present something a little different with this video – everything from the fantastic Cherry Bombs dance troupe to the actors involved. We sought to do something not usually done in heavy metal videos. Enjoy!”
In 2019, metal musicians CC McKenna (drums) and Doug Weiand (lead guitars) set forth on a dark musical path – aligning diverse metal influences with otherworldly channelings of alchemy, the occult and all things esoteric. Little did they know, the final ingredient of their impending amalgamation was on the horizon, set to emerge as DEATH DEALER UNION.
After meeting acclaimed frontwoman Lena Scissorhands, a musical pact was instantly formed – propelling the band into the studio with producer Valentin Voluta (also recognized for his work with Infected Rain). Now, with two new members – Hunter Havok (rhythm and lead guitars) and Jonny Heinz (bass) – in tow, the band is set to unleash their very first sacrificial offering to the masses, Initiation. The album brings forth the huge sound and exciting visuals fans experienced with the band’s debut offerings, plus an entire new trove of musical and lyrical elements. While no track is the replicant of another, they all weave a common thread of compelling essence that will have listeners clamoring to heed the word of DEATH DEALER UNION.
Initiation track listing: 1. Initiation 2. The Vow of Silence 3. ILL FATED 4. Ekphrasis 5. The Integument 6. Mythos 7. The Big Blue 8. Back To Me 9. The Downfall 10. Love Me When I’m Ugly 11. Anew 12. Beyond Heaven
Initiation kicks off with its instrumental title track, droning deeply into electronic flourishes and spine-tingling organs. The track flows into first album single “The Vow of Silence” – a fast-paced burner featuring aggressive verses and a catchy chorus that fully showcases the album’s immense production, once again helmed by Valentin Voluta. “ILL FATED” juxtaposes 80s-influenced clean guitars and sinister metallic riffs as Lena Scissorhands displays her dynamic trademark vocal delivery and introspective wordplay. Tracks such as “Ekphrasis” and “Mythos” – the latter boasting one of the album’s most heart-stopping guitar solos – are rife with chunky 90s heavy metal and even nu-metal-inspired riffage. “The Big Blue”, “Back To Me”, “The Downfall” and “Anew” dance with metal styles ranging from symphonic power to progressive, showcasing the band’s diverse macrocosm of musical skill, before potent, heavy ballad “Love Me When I’m Ugly” provides heartfelt lyrics and melodies. Initiation ends with “Beyond Heaven”, an opus of expansive harmonies and eerie embellishments, closing the album with its most theatrical cut.
Find your own power within DEATH DEALER UNION – your Initiation is only the beginning!
Initiation will be available in the following formats: -1CD Digipak -2LP Gatefold Purple – available only via Napalm Records Mail Order and DEATH DEALER UNION, limited to 300 -Digital Album
Renowned around the world as one of the greatest and most distinctive heavy metal vocalists of all time, Bruce Dickinson will be releasing a brand new solo album in early 2024 on BMG Records.
Entitled The Mandrake Project it sees him reunited with long-time musical collaborator and producer Roy Z.
The Mandrake Project will be Dickinson’s seventh solo album and his first since Tyranny Of Souls in 2005.
Dickinson explains, “This album has been a very personal journey for me and I am extremely proud of it. Roy Z and I have been planning, writing and recording it for years, and I am very excited for people to finally hear it. I’m even more excited at the prospect of getting out on the road with this amazing band that we have put together, to be able to bring it to life. We’re planning to play as many shows as we can in as many places as possible, for as many people as we can!
The first live shows to be announced are in Mexico and Brazil in April and May 2024, with further touring plans to be revealed in due course.
In March 2022, Bruce told Consequence about his next solo album: “I’ve been working on it, on and off, since ‘Tyranny Of Souls’. But between lockdowns and albums and MAIDEN tours and everything else, I’m looking for a clear space to actually nail and say, ‘Okay, this is what it’s gonna be,’ and get [Bruce‘s longtime collaborator Roy [‘Z’ Ramirez] to put some backing tracks down. And then we can do it. So we’re at the point now where we’ve already got — I don’t know — anywhere between 50 and 70 percent of the material for the album, depend[ing] on what we pick, from things we’ve already got. And I think we’d like to tweak it a little bit.”
Back in December 2017, Dickinson said that his next solo LP would likely include a reworked version of “If Eternity Should Fail”, the opening track on IRON MAIDEN‘s 2015 disc “The Book Of Souls”. At the time, he said that he had about “half” of his seventh record already written and he also confirmed that “If Eternity Should Fail” was originally penned as a Dickinsonsolo track.
He told Finland’s Kaaos TV that the original plan was for his next solo record to be “a whole concept album, which was gonna be called ‘If Eternity Should Fail’. And ‘If Eternity Should Fail’ was the title track to my new solo album,” he said. “And a bit like [Dickinson‘s 1989 solo song] ‘Bring Your Daughter To The Slaughter’[laughs], it got commandeered for IRON MAIDEN. So if I did do another solo album, which I think I will, I might just stick to my original plan and have that as the title track. I mean, I did write it — it was the first track that I wrote for it. So, yeah, I’d probably still include that song. But it would be… the feel would be slightly different — not very much, though — from the MAIDEN version.”
Bruce Dickinson – The Mandrake Project Tour 18 April – Diana Theater, Guadalajara, Mexico 20 April – Pepsi Theatre, Mexico City, Mexico 24 April – Live Curitiba, Curitiba, Brazil 25 April – Pepsi On Stage, Porto Alegre, Brazil 27 April – Opera Hall, Brasilia, Brazil 28 April – Arena Hall, Belo Horizonte, Brazil 30 April – Qualistage, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil 2 May – Quinta Linda, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil 4 May – Vibra, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Australian extreme metal titans “Thy Art is Murder” officially announced McMahon’s departure from the Band and revealed that they had replaced his contributions on the new album with those of a new vocalist. Godlike was released today (Friday, September 22) via Human Warfare, with CJ‘s replacement having “finished re-recording vocals on the new album earlier this week”.In their statement, Thy Art Is Murder stated that this decision had been brewing for a while, alleging that McMahon had threatened to harm the band if they didn’t endorse his extreme views.
McMahon has commented on his dismissal from the group, adding that he only found out about it through their statement.
“I just woke up and saw the news. Yes this is how I found out. And yes it’s not the whole story. I’ll be going live tomorrow at 5PM Sydney, Australia time,” McMahon wrote, ending the post with, “Burn everyone to death.”
The latter part of McMahon’s post is in reference to the initial anti-trans comments he made in the first place. He’d reportedly reposted a video that was originally shared by political commentator Matt Walsh where a mother asked her child if they were a boy or a girl, and the child answered “both.” McMahon proceeded to comment that the mother “should be burned to death” for accepting the response [via MetalSucks].
This ongoing saga promises to continue, with McMahon planning an Instagram live session at approximately 3 a.m. EST. It’s bound to be an event worth keeping an eye on.
OBSCURA recently announced their highly anticipated live album, A Celebration I – Live in North America, which will be released on October 27 th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Today, the band presents a stunning live video for the track ´Emergent Evolution´, captured during their electrifying Mexico tour. This video promises to deliver a sensory experience like no other, showcasing the band’s unmatched talent and captivating stage presence.
Steffen Kummerer comments: “´Emergent Evolution´ quickly became the most popular track of our 2018 record Diluvium. The song has been part of our live shows ever since, and combined with a loud and wild audience as in Mexico back in 2022, it’s just pure joy to perform live on stage.”
A Celebration I – Live in North Americatakes you on a mesmerizing journey through their iconic discography, featuring fan favorites from albums like Cosmogenesis, Omnivium, Akroasis, Diluviumand the chart-breaking A Valediction.
The album has been mixed & mastered at Studio Fredman by award-winning producer and engineer Fredrik Nordström (Arch Enemy, In Flames, At The Gates), in Gothenburg, Sweden, in collaboration with OBSCURAs architect Steffen Kummerer. Vincent Grundke, who has been working alongside the band as a videographer and photographer since 2021, provided the visual accompaniments for the record.
A Celebraion I – Live In North America – Tracklist: 1. Forsaken 2. Emergent Evolution 3. Ode To The Sun 4. The Anticosmic Overload 5. Septuagint 6. A Valediction 7. Ocean Gateways 8. Akroasis 9. Orbital Elements II 10. Incarnated
Catch OBSCURA live, as they embark on an extensive Latin America tour, followed by another extensive run across UK with label mates DECAPITATED.
Latin America tour 28.10. ARG Buenos Aires – Uniclub 29.10. BR Sao Paulo – Carioca Club 31.10. CHL Santiago – Teatro Cariola 02.11. PER Lima – Teatro Cantaro 04.11. COL Bogota – Ace Of Spades 05.11. HND Tegucigalpa – Radio house Casa Campo 07.11. GTM Guatemala City – Rock ´ol Vuh 08.11. SLV San Salvador – Café Catedral 09.11. CRI San José – Pepper´s 11.11. MX Monterrey – Mexico Metal Fest
With Decapitated & Inferi 29.11. UK Bristol – The Fleece 30.11. UK Milton Keynes – MK 11 01.12. UK Bournemouth – The Old Fire Station 02.12. UK Torquay – The Foundry 03.12. UK Merthyr Tydfil – Redhouse Cymru 04.12. UK Liverpool – O2 Academy 2 06.12. IRE Limerick – Dolan´s Warehouse 07.12. UK Dublin – Opium 08.12. UK Belfast – Limelight 2 09.12. UK Glasgow – Slay 10.12. UK Newcastle – The Grove 11.12. UK Leeds – The Key Club 12.12. UK Norwich – The Waterfront 13.12. UK Southend-on-Sea – Chinneys 14.12. UK London – 229 15.12. UK Manchester – Club Academy 16.12. UK Birmingham – Asylum
CANNIBAL CORPSE: George “Corpsegrinder” Fisher – vocals Erik Rutan – guitar Rob Barrett – guitar Alex Webster – bass Paul Mazurkiewicz – drums
Cannibal Corpse, a revered name in death metal, unleashes their sixteenth studio album, “Chaos Horrific,” via Metal Blade Records. This band needs no introduction, but what about their latest offering? Well, it’s exactly what you’d expect from these veterans of brutality.
“Chaos Horrific” delivers the classic Cannibal Corpse experience, with unrelenting speed, brutality, and the unmistakable growls of George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher. The album kicks off with the thunderous “Overlords of Violence,” setting the tone for a fast-paced, riff-packed onslaught that rarely lets up. Clocking in at a tight 39 minutes, it’s refreshingly concise in an era of overstuffed albums.
Erik Rutan’s influence on guitar, alongside Rob Barrett, injects new life into the band’s sound. The solos add melodic nuance to the chaos, as seen in tracks like “Frenzied Feeding” and “Summoned for Sacrifice.” There are moments of monotony, but the album finishes strong with “Pestilential Rictus” and “Drain You Empty.”
The production packs a punch, although the mastering is a bit loud, but death metal is supposed to be experienced loud. George ‘Corpsegrinder’ Fisher’s vocals remain a force to be reckoned with, and drummer Paul Mazurkiewicz provides a rock-solid foundation.
“Chaos Horrific” doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it’s a testament to Cannibal Corpse’s consistency and vitality. For long-time fans, it’s a solid addition to their discography, while newcomers will find it a brutal introduction to the band’s world.
Vince Locke’s gruesome artwork perfectly complements the carnage within. When Cannibal Corpse releases an album, you know you’re in for a blood-soaked ride. “Chaos Horrific” lives up to the legacy, proving that these death metal pioneers still reign supreme. Don’t miss their upcoming tour with The True Mayhem, where these songs are bound to ignite mosh pits and headbanging galore. “Chaos Horrific” is out now, so prepare for a relentless onslaught of death metal fury.
Chaos Horrific track listing: 1. Overlords Of Violence 2. Frenzied Feeding 3. Summoned For Sacrifice 4. Blood Blind 5. Vengeful Invasion 6. Chaos Horrific 7. Fracture And Refracture 8. Pitchfork Impalement 9. Pestilential Rictus 10. Drain You Empty
Coinciding with the release of Chaos Horrific, CANNIBAL CORPSE will embark on a month-long North American co-headlining tour with Mayhem. The journey begins September 22nd in Nashville, Tennessee and runs through October 21st in Louisville, Kentucky. Support will be provided by special guests, Gorguts and Blood Incantation! See all confirmed dates below. CANNIBAL CORPSE w/ Mayhem, Gorguts, Blood Incantation: 9/22/2023 Marathon Music Hall – Nashville, TN 9/23/2023 The Fillmore – Charlotte, NC 9/24/2023 The Mill & Mine – Knoxville, TN 9/26/2023 Stage AE – Pittsburgh, PA 9/27/2023 Rebel – Toronto, ON 9/28/2023 L’Olympia – Montreal, QC 9/29/2023 The Palladium – Worcester, MA 9/30/2023 Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY 10/02/2023 The Royal Oak – Detroit, MI 10/03/2023 Hard Rock Live – Gary, IN 10/04/2023 The Fillmore – Minneapolis, MN 10/06/2023 Mission Ballroom – Denver, CO 10/07/2023 The Depot – Lake City, UT 10/09/2023 Temple Theatre – Tacoma, WA 10/10/2023 Knitting Factory – Spokane, WA 10/11/2023 Knitting Factory – Boise, ID 10/13/2023 The Warfield – San Francisco, CA 10/14/2023 SOMA – San Diego, CA 10/17/2023 The Aztec Theatre – San Antonio, TX 10/18/2023 The Factory – Dallas, TX 10/20/2023 The Eastern – Atlanta, GA 10/21/2023 Paristown Hall – Louisville, KY
It seems like an eternity has passed since Cattle Decapitation graced our shores at The Tivoli in Brisbane on February 13, 2020. In the time that has elapsed, we’ve witnessed a world grappling with afflictions, natural disasters, conflict, and scarcity, and I’m not just referring to their album “Terrasite.” Art indeed imitates life’s trials and tribulations.
Fallujah delivered an exceptionally polished performance, showcasing Kyle Schaefer’s remarkable stage presence, which exuded a natural charisma. A notable departure from conventional band arrangements saw the bassist, Evan Brewer prominently positioned alongside Kyle, a departure from the typical rhythm guitarist placement. This unusual setup allowed for engaging bass solos, demonstrating Evan’s exceptional prowess. The clean vocal elements, while a subject of personal preference within the metal genre, were executed with finesse and artistry.
Cattle Decapitation, in contrast, provided a truly captivating experience. The proficiency of the sound engineering team must be acknowledged, as they successfully replicated the band’s studio sound, lending credence to the bands prowess. The frontman, Travis, displayed an unparalleled showmanship, characterized by his genuine enjoyment and frequent smiles throughout the performance. His unique on-stage antics, such as the unconventional act involving spitting into the air and catching it, along with audience engagement, added an intriguing dimension to the show.
Throughout the evening, Travis expressed his fondness for performing in Australia, emphasizing the enthusiastic response of the audience. The collective chant of “ONE MORE SONG” and the subsequent encore performance of “Kingdom of Tyrants” served as a testament to the crowd’s appreciation. The band’s rendition of tracks like “Scourge of the Offspring” and “Bring Back The Plague” ignited intense moshing, fostering an atmosphere of unbridled fun.
Unlike typical concert experiences for me, fatigue failed to set in as the night progressed. The room pulsated with a palpable positive energy, indicative of the profound connection the Brisbane audience shares with Cattle Decapitation. It’s apparent that the band enjoys widespread adoration, as evidenced by the unanimous passion among metal enthusiasts, who consistently express their unequivocal affection for Cattle Decapitation.
Tour Dates w/ Citizen Rage Sept 15 – Calgary, AB – Dickens – info Sept 16 – Red Deer, AB – The Vat – info Sept 17 – Edmonton, AB – Starlite Room – Temple – info Sept 18 – Drumheller, AB – Neighbours Pub – info Sept 19 – Saskatoon, SK – D’Lish Cafe (All Ages) – info Sept 21 – Prince Albert, SK – The Spice Trail – info Sept 22 – Brandon, MB – East Side Eatery – info Sept 23 – Winnipeg, MB – Bulldog Events Centre – info
Canada’s Black Pestilence returns with their ferocious seventh studio album “Chaotic Wisdom”. The band started out as very chaotic black metal with small hints of punk rock and lots of noise. After, it slowly evolved into a punk rock structure with black metal vocals. Now it is much more catchy with shorter song lengths. It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly the sound that Black Pestilence is now. There are more electronic samples, simple verse/chorus song structures, and much less traditional black metal elements other than occasional blast beats and tremolo picking. Vocalist/bassist Valax comments on the album:
“I knew that following up “Hail the Flesh” would be a tall order. “Chaotic Wisdom” is a Satanic d-beat. The music is formulated around typical punk rock song structures while being projected through the playing style of black metal. Greater emphasis was placed on the samples used on this album in the form of additional percussion and cacophonous electronics. Many of the song lyrics touch base on various themes related to Satanic philosophy, societal stratification, and general debauchery.”
“Chaotic Wisdom” contains seven Satanic d-beat anthems. It is the result of three years of writing and recording and is the pinnacle of the Black Pestilence catalog. Similar to previous releases, this album is fast, infectious, and straight to the point. However, experimentation with dissonant tones, industrial electronics, and auxiliary percussion was emphasized to a greater degree on this album. This is not a stylistic change from Black Pestilence, but represents an elevation to the next level of chaotic noise.
The album was mixed and mastered by Sacha Laskow and the album artwork by Juha Vuorma. It is recommended for all black metal fans especially those who enjoy Impaled Nazarene, Acidez, and Midnight.
Track Listing: 1. Mortal Rift (3:29) 2. A Life of Evil (3:06) 3. The Devil’s Connection (3:29) 4. Chaos and Carnality (3:18) 5. Aspect of Darkness (3:06) 6. Infernal Might (feat. Mark Russell) (2:35) 7. Animus (5:50) Total Length: 24:53
““Crushing” is indeed the first word that comes to mind when hearing the massive mauling tones of the riffs, like rock being excavated by some humongous machine. That machine drives forward with snapping punk beats, laced with a sinister yet glorious guitar melody. The music itself also becomes more vicious as the riffs start rapidly jabbing and then seething. But the music also channels darker and more despairing moods, before those two solos kick up the pulse and transform the music into an experience of evil ecstasy. The thing turns out to be a very catchy beast too.” – The Devil’s Connection (single) – No Clean Singing
“I seriously can’t get enough of this. It’s big, nasty, and as rough as a badger’s arse. The black energy it creates is like a massive middle finger to the world and it says – you don’t like me, you don’t like my music or all the things I stand for – go and fuck yourself! This is real and this is as honest as it gets. Fantastic – more, please! 9/10” – My Global Mind”weave in some catchy hooks and melody especially on “Chaos of Carnality” and “The Devil’s Connection,” songs I can easily imagine crowds shouting along to.” – The Metal Crypt
“These Canadian metallers have returned with their seventh full-length offering, executing a unique blend of chaotic black metal and punk rock with electronic samples and catchy, shorter song lengths. This album, the result of three years of work, presents seven satanic-esque anthems that push the boundaries of their signature sound. While retaining their fast and infectious style, Chaotic Wisdom, also experiments with dissonant tones, industrial electronics, and auxiliary percussion, taking Black Pestilence’s chaotic noise to the next level. The album, mixed and mastered by Sacha Laskow, features artwork by Juha Vuorma, making it a must-listen for black metal enthusiasts, particularly fans of Impaled Nazarene, Acidez, and Midnight.” – Metal Insider
“While speed or thrash metal to the core, there’s a bit of punk about Black Pestilence. The band dances the fine line between thrash and punk with a destructive ease. That thrash punk blend can be heard in “Infernal Might” featuring Mark Russell and closing track “Animus”. And before one knows it, Chaotic Wisdom is over. It clocks in at a mere twenty-four minutes. Get distracted and you might not hear the entire album and that would be quite a shame. As fast as it is, Chaotic Wisdom is quick, melodic, and a great listen. MUST LISTEN TRACKS: “The Devil’s Connection”, “Aspect of Darkness”, “Infernal Might”, “Animus”” – Amplify The Noise
“Black Pestilence has its own approach to Black Metal, blending a raw, Punk-influenced base with strange futuristic elements. Chaotic Wisdom is very short, but provides a good overview of the band’s rage.” – Acta Infernalis
“Maintaining its Mad Max side, primitive and low-brow, Black Pestilence offers us a significantly more modern and exalted version of its furious mixture bathed in d-beat, Toxic Holocaust and Venom. Many new followers should easily join their cult.” – Eklektik Rock
ColourMind Are: Jimmy Watson – Vocals/Guitar Jonny Essiech – Backing Vocals/Guitar Tristan Chopping -Backing Vocals/Bass Matt Wenke – Drums
Perth’s ColourMind is set to drop their highly anticipated album, “Perfecting Failure,” in October 2023, and they’ve unveiled their latest track, “Endless.” The band’s music is an explosion of melodious intensity, igniting with colossal riffs and thunderous percussion. The vocals emanate a sound that’s truly captivating. ColourMind’s music is a visceral manifestation of unadulterated authenticity, delving deep into the realm of relentless metal fervency.
Much like the anthems “Trust” and “Fight For My Life,” their latest single, “Endless,” keeps the fires of rock and pop-punk burning brightly within the band’s repertoire.
“Endless” showcases the quartet’s ability to craft yet another irresistibly contagious musical gem. The track boasts the quintessential components of rock, featuring vigorous drumming that resonates with every heartbeat.
This song also carries the unmistakable essence of pop-punk, with lyrics that are both catchy and anthemic, practically begging to be sung and shouted at the top of one’s lungs.
The accompanying video for “Endless” is a whimsical and captivating experience, weaving elements of magic and mystical rituals, ultimately culminating in a riveting live performance by the band. Its sure to entertain!
With each listen, ColourMind’s allure deepens, leaving an indelible mark on the listener’s musical consciousness.
Despite the weighty themes explored throughout the album, ColourMind’s music remains infused with an unwavering sense of hope and positivity. The band’s unwavering commitment lies in sharing their profound message and music with the widest possible audience.
Perfecting Failure, the debut album from alternative Aussies ColourMind, has been a long time in the making. Jonny first started writing and composing the songs on the album when he was just a young teenager and the band has been working tirelessly to bring these songs to life in the studio. The album was recorded by Jay Huxtable at Oracle Sound in Perth and is set to be released in October 2023.
The album tackles a range of important themes, including social and political issues that are close to the hearts of the band members. The album’s title, Perfecting Failure, refers to the human race’s tendency to make mistakes and cause destruction, particularly through the actions of corrupt politicians and greedy bankers who prioritize their own interests over the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
Despite the heavy themes addressed on the album, ColourMind’s music is infused with hope and positivity. The band’s focus is on sharing their message and music with as many people as possible, and they are excited to get their music heard as well as played on radio stations, reaching a wider audience. With their catchy melodies, powerful lyrics, and energetic performance, ColourMind is sure to make a lasting impact on the pop punk and metal music scenes.
Tracklist: 01. Ouroboros 02. Fight For My Life 03. Neglect 04. Perfecting Failure 05. Wish It Was 06.Trust 07. Into The Forest 08. Say Goodbye 09. Friends With Enemies 10. Something To Me 11. Endless 12. Last Words 13. Perfecting Failure (Acoustic)
Perfecting Failure Release Date October 10th, 2023 via Sliptrick Records.
Peter Tägtgren comments, “We wrote this song together, me and my son Sebastian. He wrote all the music and I did the lyrics. And it turned out great. We are very proud of this song. The lyrics are about false information on social media and news, and for a normal person, it’s hard to understand what is right and what is wrong.”
PAIN also confirmed their set for Wacken Open Air next year.
PAIN, known for high-energy live performances, are thrilled to announce their “I AM” European/UK Tour. With 17 countries and 33 cities on the itinerary, this tour promises an unforgettable experience for fans throughout Europe and UK. Prepare to be captivated by the raw energy and intensity of PAIN’s performances as they take the stage. Don’t miss out on this epic metal adventure!
PHOTO CREDIT: Alibi Assylkhanov
ABOUT PAIN:
PAIN is an industrial metal project created by Peter Tägtgren, a Swedish musician, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. If you want to hear this story from him, it would be short and straight to the point: “PAIN was just me f*cking around in the studio, and it grew into becoming a band.”
Started as a one-man project with all the vocals, instruments parts, and production made by one person… Well, it still is, but not only. It also became a prominent touring group that today consists of, apart from Peter, his son Sebastian Tägtgren (drums), Jonathan Olsson (bass), and Sebastian Svalland (guitar).
Nevertheless, a long time ago, in 1997, when the debut album of the project was released, there was nobody but Peter. By this time, he already had four successful albums with HYPOCRISY — and also had some ideas that wouldn’t go with the band’s style.
That’s how the story of PAIN began — the story where eight albums are known and loved for such smashing hits as “End Of The Line,” “Shut Your Mouth,” “Same Old Song,” “Follow Me,” “Coming Home,” and many more. This story also contains strong lyrics, rich arrangements, solid melodies, unflagging energy, killing live shows, and big plans for the future.
THE ROME CARNAGE EXTREME FEST IS BORN IN ROME / ITALY!
The Rome Carnage Extreme Fest was born from the idea of creating an annual metal festival in Rome, with its own identity, which could involve Death & Black Metal realities of the Italian extreme scene and important international groups! The first edition will see the Germans headlining the event Fleshcrawlactive since 1987 and known for their unparalleled Old School Death Metal and many releases behind them! The Roman Deathsters will also be present Devangelic who will return to the capital 4 years after their last appearance and will present their new fourth album XUL acclaimed by excellent reviews internationally. The event will also see the Romans present OTUS, excellent musical reality with crosses between brutality and mysticism, between doom and sludge, a sound research certainly the result of numerous influences, with references ranging from Isis, Om, Cult Of Luna to Sunn O))). The band enriches the proposal through sound research capable of incorporating ethnic instruments, synthesizers, mantras. Completing the lineup will be the The Codontion with their atmospheric and experimental death metal, characterized by the presence of two distorted basses and the absence of guitars and the Dethroner who despite their young age, are dedicated to old school Black/Death Metal with no frills and a devastating impact! Event not to be missed!
Cabrakaän is a Mexican metal band that is now based in Calgary, Canada. They formed in 2011 and have made it their mission to infuse metal with traditional instruments and folky elements. This year they are releasing an album “Aztlán” and to complement it have produced a documentary further explaining their musical background and heritage. They share their thoughts on the video explanation:
“We hope that it will be engaging to people who aren’t necessarily metal fans, who are interested in music and culture. A lot of the music is a blend between our previous releases and stem tracks from our upcoming release. We hope that this helps to tell our story and to get audiences interested in how our album will sound.”
The overall goal of the documentary is to showcase the band’s story to existing and new audiences. It’s about how they use music to hold on to their Mexican cultural roots while setting their foundation in a new country through storytelling in their music, incorporating folk themes, and collaborating with Canadians as they weave their cultures together. The film is presented in Spanish with English subtitles and features interviews with professional instrument makers and an anthropologist.
In addition to the documentary, this past August, Cabrakaän released its music video for the first single “Mictlán” (pronounced mickt-lahn) off their forthcoming album “Aztlán”. The track details the nine levels of the underworld in Aztec mythology through which the dead must overcome a series of challenges before reaching their final resting place. Musically, “Mictlán”features nylon string instruments to emulate the sound of a vihuela (Spanish guitar), hompak (Mayan trumpet), and orchestral arrangements. The band explains more:
“Through haunting melodies and thunderous rhythms, “Mictlán” delves into the depths of Mictlán, painting a sonic landscape that takes listeners on a journey through the nine levels of the Aztec underworld. With its powerful and energetic sound, the song captures the essence of Mictlán, enveloping the audience in an otherworldly experience. Mictlán is a concept that is still relevant today in understanding the meaning of our lives. The song contains the musical elements that make Cabrakaän who they are: a fusion of folkloric themes, orchestral arrangements, and, of course: heavy metal.”
Cabrakaän’s sound and style were initially influenced by popular metal acts like Nightwish, Amon Amarth, and European folk metal bands. Soon after, the band established a distinct sound, style, and ambition to tell the forgotten pre-hispanic folk stories, mythologies, histories, and traditions of Mexico’s sociocultural past and present.
The lyrics and music on “Aztlán” are thematic and are heavily inspired by Mexican culture, history, and mythology. In the past, band founder and drummer Marko Cipäktli and vocalist Pat Cuikani’s lyrics have engaged with Aztec and Mayan mythology. Lyrics from “Aztlán” will engage with a mix of themes related to the Spanish conquest and more mythological concepts. It is recommended for fans of Nightwish, Epica, and Equilibrium.
Album Credits: – Produced by Marko Cipäktli and Cody Anstey – All songs mixed by Cody Anstey at Clarity Recording & Mixing (Osyron, Ravenous E.H., Wu-Tang Clan) – All songs mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Amorphis) – All lyrics by Pat Cuikani & Marko Cipäktli
Album Band Line-up: Pat Cuikani, Vocals Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar
Live Band Line-up: Pat Cuikani, Vocals Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar Brendan Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitar David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar
“In the world of metal music, where genres often blend and boundaries are pushed, there emerges a band that beautifully merges traditional folk elements with the raw power of heavy metal. Enter Cabrakaän, a Mexican folk metal band on a mission to reconnect with their ancestral roots and preserve the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.” – Infrared Magazine
“CABRAKAÄN has released an amazing, fun, well-written album with influences from various folk styles aligned with Death Metal. It’s definitely one of the best releases of the year in the style and the band deserves all the attention they are getting from the media and the public. 10/10” – Metal Temple (review 2019 – Cem Anahuac My Home)
“While the band may celebrate cultures that are unknown to most Canadian metal fans, Cipäktli says live performances by Cabrakaan are an immersive experience. The band, who wear face paint and costumes to conjure up the “time of the Aztecs,” like to give audiences both a visual and sonic feast.”
-Calgary Herald: “Symphonic Metal Band Cabrakaän Brings Spirit Of Ancient Mexico To Calgary”
“The use of traditional, lesser-known instruments that rarely leave Central/South America jamming along with metal instruments – in a way that would make Ozzy Osbourne in his prime proud – is the last thing Calgary expected to experience, and yet Cabrakaän is here.”
– Calgary Journal: “Cabrakaän, Calgary’s friendly neighbourhood Mexican folk metal fusion band”
BLACKBRIAR is: Zora Cock – VOCALS René Boxem – DRUMS Bart Winters – GUITARS Robin Koezen – GUITARS Siebe Sol Sijpkens – BASS Ruben Wijga – KEYS
Blackbriar RELEASE NEW SINGLE ‘FOREVER AND A DAY’ + NEW ALBUM A DARK EUPHONY OUT ON SEPTEMBER 29th
Today BLACKBRIAR release their brand new single ‘Forever and a Day’. The new album A Dark Euphony will be released on September 29th via Nuclear Blast Records. A Dark Euphony features 11 brand-new tracks.
Zora Cock comments: “Forever and a Day is a tragically romantic song, inspired by 19th-century mourning traditions. While listening, I imagine a Victorian lady, dressed in a heavy black mourning gown. She lost her love a long time ago, and can’t move on. One day, she replaces her black gown into a day dress to spend the day with someone, to see if there could be another future for her, only to realize she can’t give her heart to another. It’s the final single of our forthcoming full-length album.”
A Dark Euphony – Tracklisting: 1. An Unwelcome Guest 2. Far Distant Land 3. Spirit of Forgetfulness 4. Bloody Footprints in the Snow 5. The Evergreen and The Weeping Tree 6. Cicada 7. My Soul´s Demise 8. We Make Mist 9. Thumbelina 10. Forever and a Day 11. Crimson Faces
BLACKBRIAR also announced their ‘The Euphonic Downfall Tour 2023’ together withAD INFINITUM. They will be supported by the band PHANTOM ELITE. ‘The Euphonic Downfall Tour 2023’ includes 10 dates around Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Tourdates: The Euphonic Downfall Tour 2023 support: PHANTOM ELITE
26.09 DE – Saarbrucken, Garage 27.09 DE – Munich, Backstage 28.09 NL – Utrecht, Tivoli 29.09 NL – Heerlen, Nieuwe Nor 30.09 DE – Oberhausen, Resonanzwerk (+) 02.10 DE – Hamburg, Logo 03.10 DE – Leipzig, Hellraiser 05.10 DE – Aschaffenburg, Colos-Saal 06.10 CH – Solothurn, Kofmehl (*) 07.10 CH – Schaffhausen, Kammgarn (*) (+) festival (*) plus opener – INFINITAS
Get your tickets here: https://www.blackbriarmusic.com/#tour
“Some say that there is beauty in darkness – terrifying visitors, worlds far gone, gothic romances, bone-chilling legends, sin-eaters, burning hearts frozen in time, songs with a misleading voice, and a truthful whisper. This and so much more for you to discover on A Dark Euphony.”Such are the words of vocalist Zora Cock about the band’s upcoming sophomore album, set to release in fall 2023 on Nuclear Blast Records. A telling sign coming from a band who has reveled in gothic beauty and metallic darkness since their onset, spanning three EPs and a full-length album, along with long-time collaborator Joost van den Broek.
Formed in 2012 by Zora Cock, René Boxem, Bart Winters, and Frank Akkerman, they crafted their first single in 2014 with ‘Ready to Kill,’ but it was 2015’s second single ‘Until Eternity‘ that truly propelled them into the scene. A sweeping track with an equally compelling and beautiful video, it continues to draw many to the act with over 20 million views since its debut. Taking advantage of the growing buzz surrounding the band, they independently recorded and released their first EP, Fractured Fairytales, as well as acquiring a second guitarist in Robin Koezen. This EP layed down an impressive foundation for the band’s ethereal and breathtaking sound and brought about new opportunities for the act, including tour dates in The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Hungary, and more, where the band played alongside EPICA, HALESTORM, IN THIS MOMENT, DELAIN and MaYan.
To keep moving ahead with full control of their creative ideals, the band successfully crowdfunded their follow-up EP, We’d Rather Burn, and brought it to life in October 2018. This EP would be the first time the band worked alongside esteemed producer Joost van den Broek to arrange and produce the effort, and this fruitful collaboration allowed BLACKBRIAR‘s whimsical and enigmatic sound to reach new sonic heights. Released the same day as their self-made video for ‘I’d Rather Burn,’ this EP showcased a stronger sense of dreamy atmosphere and brought listeners beautifully grim tales of witches, banshees, and sea sirens. In the time following, keyboardist Ruben Wijga (ex-Re-Vamp) took a larger role within the band and began playing shows, after being involved in the songwriting process since Fractured Fairytales.
A busy 2019 followed, the band released a haunting single in May entitled ‘Snow White and Rose Red.’ A duet with Ulli Perhonen, their take on the Grimm’s fairytale featured striking cinematic visuals to accompany the spellbinding track. Continuing to dig deeper into fairytale realms, BLACKBRIAR closed the year with their third EP, Our Mortal Remains. Ever-sharpening their intoxicating blend of storytelling and breathtaking musicianship, the EP brought about new live exposures for the act as well. Small, sold out tours with EPICA in 2019 and 2020, as well as a sold out opening for DELAIN‘s Apocalypse & Chill release show in Utrecht followed, with more future plans then being put on hold due to COVID-19.
Championing their continued independence, which included everything from songwriting, maintaining their web presence, overseeing merch, as well as shooting and producing their own videos and photos, BLACKBRIAR reached out to their ever-growing and loyal fanbase for assistance to make their full-length album a reality in 2020. Fans fervently heeded the call, reaching the € 25,000 goal in under 24 hours and ending with a total of € 70,000 and achieving all five stretch goals. An impressive accomplishment for an independent act, which also showcases a strong internet presence with over 230,000 YouTube subscribers and 56.5 million channel views as well as 37.9 million Spotify streams and 275,000 monthly streamers on the platform.
Entering 2021, the band relinquished a bit of control in signing exclusively with Doomstar Bookings to help properly support their highly anticipated first full-length album, The Cause of Shipwreck, which released in April. Once again recorded with renowned producer Joost van den Broek (EPICA, AYREON, POWERWOLF) at Sandlane Recording Facilities, this release showcased the band’s continued evolution into masterfully dark gothic storytelling and theatrical aesthetics that entice you into a deadly yet spellbinding musical paradise. On the live front, launching into success with six sold out Dutch club shows, they later extended into more European territories such as Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and the Czech Republic as the band moved into 2022.
Despite a very successful 2021, the band still hungered for more, unleashing their latest single, ‘Fairy of the Bog‘ in December. A song about ‘het meisje van Yde’ (Yde girl), it’s a mixture of folklore, myth, and ancient local history wrapped into a more mystical and magical package that showcases what BLACKBRIAR does best. Due to winning ‘Drents Talent Award Culture 2021’ from ‘Stichting Kunst & Cultuur,’ BLACKBRIAR performed ‘I’d Rather Burn‘ live on television together with the Dutch ‘Noordpool Orchestra in early 2022. In April, the band parted ways with founding member and bassist Frank Akkerman. Not a band to slow down, they welcomed Siebe Sol Sijpkens from The Netherlands as their new bassist. A happy and energetic performer with a lifetime of global performances, he is a welcome addition to the act as they continue to strive forward.
With their vision looking firmly into the future, with a major label behind them, they set their sights on 2023 to conjure their most deadly siren song yet. The band previously released the song ‘Crimson Faces‘ to celebrate their partnership with Nuclear Blast Records, and now the world eagerly awaits the release of A Dark Euphony this fall. Set to contain 10 new original songs as well as a bonus track, they recently released their first single from it with ‘My Soul’s Demise.’ According to Zora, “We’ve had the pleasure of working with producer and musical genius Joost van den Broek, and we gave it our all to write this record and feel that this is our most complete, personal, and mature album to date.” With this in mind, the band launched a preorder campaign in April for the release, full of unique perks, which has been quite successful already. They have also been preparing on the road, with festival shows Wave Gotik Treffen, SummerBreeze, and Rock the Lakes in 2023, as well as being a special guest on CHARLOTTE WESSELS‘s Club Tour.
With accolades behind them, such as being nominated three times for ‘Best Artist’ in EuroSonic/Noorderslag’s Popgala Noord (2018, 2020, 2022), and continued fan support with current monthly streaming totals on YouTube and Spotify near 1.5 million streams, the world is primed and ready for a spectacular journey into darkness and beauty.
