John 5 Drops New Video For "Land Of The Misfit Toys", Taken From Brand New Album 'SINNER' - Out Now On Big Machine Records

November 2, 2021

JOHN 5

Drops Brand New Video For

"LAND OF THE MISFIT TOYS"

Watch below | Stream Here

Brand New Album

'SINNER'

Out Now

Via Big Machine Records | Stream Here

Incendiary guitarist and solo artist, JOHN 5, dropped his brand new, cinematic music video for epic track, "Land of The Misfit Toys". The new music video is set in 1980 and tells the tale of a young John Lowery who stumbles into a haunted house and becomes possessed by an entity. This entity gradually turns him into the guitar shredding, face-painted icon we all now know as JOHN 5. "Land Of The Misfit Toys" is taken from JOHN 5's brand new solo album, SINNER, which was released on Friday via Big Machine Records and is available everywhere now. Stream the album here and watch the new video for "Land of The Misfit Toys

Speaking on the new track and accompanying video, JOHN 5 shares:

"Land Of the Misfit Toys" is my favorite track on the record. It's a real epic and the longest track on the new album. I was watching a documentary on David Foster and how he would produce, arrange and build songs which really influenced me on the arrangement and production of this track. The camera that was used to film the video for "Land Of The Misfit Toys" was the same camera that was used to film the new Matrix movie that is coming out in December, which is pretty cool. The video tells the story of the 10 year old John Lowery (played by my producer's son), who stumbles into this haunted house and becomes possessed by an entity that causes him to start playing guitar and wearing the makeup. At the end of the video, he fully becomes John 5. everybody knows that I'm a big fan of horror so this was a really fun video to make alongside director Chantal Savage."

Commenting on his brand new album SINNER and the incredible reaction to it, John 5 continues

"I'm so excited that the record is finally out. We had such a great time making it. I didn't want to punch in with this record so each track is a full-performance. So if I started from the beginning and messed up, I would start again at the beginning until I got a great take all the way through. With a lot of time on my hands due to lockdown, I was able to really practice and focus on making the record the very best it could be. I'm so happy that the fans really love the album, because I do this for the love of the guitar and the love of music and without the fans, it wouldn't be anything. So THANK YOU again to the fans. I will see you all on the road soon."

As evidenced by the latest slab of sinister sounds, JOHN 5, who moved to Hollywood as a teen to pursue his rock n’ roll dreams, follows his artistic muse wherever it leads. SINNER is ten tracks of pure JOHN 5, summoned with the same mix of vibrant energy and passionate emotion beloved by fans of his work as guitarist for Rob Zombie, David Lee Roth and many more. SINNER is ten tracks full of hooks, melody, and thick guitar-driven groove. "Que Pasa" feat. Dave Mustaine was the first taste of what was to come from the legendary guitarist on his latest full-length. Since its release in August, the track has clocked up 230k YouTube views.

ABOUT JOHN 5

When Guitar World convened their State of Guitar in 2021 all-star summit, JOHN 5 appeared on the magazine’s cover, right alongside Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Tool’s Adam Jones. Without a doubt, his reputation as a guitar-slinging troubadour and top-notch shredder is well-earned, recognized by friends, peers, and collaborators like Slash, Paul Gilbert, and

Steve Vai over the years.

But the man whose passport reads “John William Lowery” is more than a postmodern guitar hero. An eclectic showman and horror-obsessed pop culture maverick, JOHN 5’s tastes and talent are as vast and diverse as his renowned collection of guitars and as robust as his expansive discography.

While his solo band and work with Zombie generally keep him otherwise engaged in recent years, he’s continuously called upon to cowrite, collaborate, and lay down leads for rock and pop music’s biggest names. It’s a huge list that includes Scorpions, Rod Stewart, Halestorm, and Alice Cooper.

John owes his love of the guitar to the long-running variety TV show Hee Haw, which he’d watch with his father at the young age of seven. KISS and Jimi Hendrix came after. His band Dirty Trixx won a Battle of the Bands in middle school. Vampirella came next, in high school, when he adopted his now-signature theatrical makeup look. At 18, he moved to Los Angeles to become a session player, performing with Lita Ford, Randy Castillo, K.D. Lang, 2wo (Two) with Rob Halford, David Lee Roth and Marilyn Manson, who gave him the “John 5” moniker.

After a chance encounter with the legendary Les Paul, John began work on his first-ever solo album, Vertigo in 2004, laying the groundwork for several records to come.

Rob Zombie recruited John initially to perform as a live guitarist only on the 2006 Ozzfest tour. But the chemistry between them proved so electric that they began work on 2006’s Educated Horses. As guitarist and co-writer, he appeared on all subsequent Rob Zombie albums and scored 2013’s The Lords of Salem. JOHN 5’s fifth record with Rob Zombie, The Lunar Injection Kool Aid Eclipse Conspiracy, became the hard rock icon’s first No. 1 album. The debut single from L.A. RATS, "I've Been Everywhere" saw John and Zombie paired with Nikki Sixx (Mötley Crüe) and Tommy Clueftos (Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie) and cracked Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Top 40.

Now comes SINNER, the sum total of all that’s come before, a perfect snapshot of where JOHN 5 has been and where he’s headed.

Find JOHN 5 Online

www.john5.com

NECRONOMICON Announces "Vivus Verum" Online Concert Stream

November 2, 2021

Canadian blackened death metal masters NECRONOMICON will be streaming an online performance on Friday, November 12 @ 3:00 P.M. EST // 21:00 CET! The "Vivus Verum" stream will be live premiered via the Season of Mist YouTube Channel. You can watch the trailer and set a reminder to tune in at THIS LOCATION.

Fans who are present for the live stream will have a chance to win a copy of NECRONOMICON's 'UNUS' CD. Instructions on how to enter will be shared during the live chat for those in attendance.

NECRONOMICON will be supporting 2019's 'UNUS,' which can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.

Montreal’s premier blackened death metallers are back with 'UNUS', the crushing and cinematic follow up to 2016’s 'Advent of the Human God'. With each record NECRONOMICON has created in the span of their 31-year career, the band has steadily evolved in both sound and power; 'UNUS' is no exception to this.

Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s legendary grimoire, NECRONOMICON formed in 1988 by founding guitarist and singer Rob "The Witch" in the deep, northern part of Canadian province Quebec, Fjord of Saguenay. Since then, the band have carefully released each full-length without haste, allowing them to perfect every nuance before unleashing their sonic assaults upon the masses. In 2019, NECRONOMICON was presented with a certificate of honor for over 30 years of service via H.S. production/Tommy Tremblay, and the people of Saguenay Lac St Jean, making them the second band after VOIVOD to ever receive this honor.

'UNUS' is a searing cacophony of blistering riffs, machine-like drums, and a symphonic ambience, culminating in a sound that calls to various metal icons such as DIMMU BORGIR, SEPTICFLESH, BEHEMOTH, and DEICIDE. The record combines the furious elements of death metal with the orchestral prowess of black metal, creating the perfect synthesis of both genres. Standout tracks like “Paradise Lost” and “Singularis Dominus” only solidify NECRONOMICON’s ability to continuously produce high quality metal that’s just as dark and brutal as it is elegant.

Line-up
Rob the Witch: Guitar/vocals
Divider: drums

Recorded at Sliver Wings studio, produced by Rob The Witch

Mixed and mastered at Darth Mader music studio by Logan Mader (Machinehead)

Recording line-up:
Rob the Witch: Guitar/vocals/bass
Divider: drums

Special feature: Geirlioz (Dimmu Borgir) on Piano in ''From Ashes Into Flesh''.

Artwork: Dragon caducea design by Nestor Avalos, layout and artwork by Simon Bossert

Style: Blackened Death Metal
For more on NECRONOMICON, visit their official FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.

KANDIA ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE "THE FLOOD"

November 1, 2021

SINGLE & LYRIC VIDEO OUT TODAY

NEW STUDIO ALBUM DUE IN EARLY 2022

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of 'The Flood', the new single from the awesome new alternative metal band Kandia. Watch the lyric video for 'The Flood' below.

Stream/download the single HERE: https://orcd.co/kandiaflood

The single precedes the band's upcoming label debut, due in early 2022.

Kandia, an alternative metal band from Portugal, create raw, melodic, and sensual music that delivers positive messages while not leaving the aggressiveness out of the music.

“We are excited and very eager to work with Frontiers," says the band. "The label is passionate about music and we are proud to be part of the family. Our new album will definitely have our identity, but we always like to experiment with new things. These hard times that we are going through are giving us much inspiration, so this record will be filled with different emotions.“

Kandia started in November 2007, founded by singer Nya Cruz and guitarist André Da Cruz. They decided to name the band Kandia – to obfuscate, to blind by light – as they felt it would represent the positivity they wanted to radiate. Influenced by progressive rock bands such as A Perfect Circle, Tool, Porcupine Tree, Pink Floyd, and metal giants like Metallica and Pantera, the band was able to find a unique sound joining all these influences in their songwriting.

Kandia has released two full length albums thus far, both produced by Daniel Cardoso (Anathema), and one EP.

For More Info Visit:

https://www.facebook.com/KandiaOfficial

https://www.instagram.com/kandiaofficial

Black/Epic Metal Pioneers DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED Release New Single + Video “Murktide and Midnight Sun”

November 1, 2021

Black/Epic Metal Pioneers DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED Release New Single and Video for Thrilling “Murktide and Midnight Sun”

Watch below.

New Album, Angel of Carnage Unleashed, out November 12, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order NOW!

After the black/epic metal pioneers DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED reemerged from the depths of doom after a 23-year dormancy with their first single “In Evil, Sickness and in Grief” off the upcoming album, Angel of Carnage Unleashed (out November 12, 2021 via Napalm Records), the Finnish foursome takes it up a notch with their thrilling second single, “Murktide and Midnight Sun”!

The original line-up of DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED has rejoined forces, now augmented by Tuomas Holopainen as a full member of the band and Kai Hahto (both of Nightwish) as session drummer. “Murktide and Midnight Sun” showcases the epic, folk and Viking elements that are characteristic of the band’s sound. With a blend of Pasi Kankkunen's clean warrior vocals, majestic choirs, heavy guitar riffs and Kai Hahto’s pounding drums, DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED present a hymn of true black epic metal!

DARWOODS MY BETROTHED on their new single:

“It was very important for us when choosing the singles off the new album to demonstrate the versatility of our sound: how we can put forward a blasting black metal carnage with tortured shrieks and follow that up with an epic anthem with clean vocals – and the two songs definitely sound like the same band. Epic songs and clean vocals have always been part of our trademark sound and “Murktide and Midnight Sun” is absolutely one of the finest and catchiest epic anthems that we have recorded.”

Watch the new lyric video for "Murktide and Midnight Sun”

Angel of Carnage Unleashed contains eight songs written by the three musicians who founded the band in 1993: Pasi Kankkunen, Jouni Mikkonen and Teemu Kautonen (with substantial creative inputs from the fourth member Tuomas Holopainen). It sets free a unique blend of brutal, fast-driven black metal and epic anthems, in which eerie screams merge with heroic clean vocals, monumental choirs and majestic keyboards along with gory stories of famine, war, plague and the inescapable brutality of Finland’s nature in the era of the Great Northern War (1700-1721). It explores how Finns experienced the many manifestations of the Angel of Carnage, sent by God to punish them for their sins.

Guitarist Jouni Mikkonen on Tuomas Holopainen now being a full member of the band:

“‘Tuomas was featured as a session keyboardist on all previous albums. This time he was fully on board from the moment we decided to make this album and hence it was natural for him to become a full band member. He also made a substantial contribution to the creative process.”

Pre-order your copy of Angel of Carnage Unleashed NOW!

The album opener “Name the Dead'' sets off with atmospheric organ tunes but leaves no scope for weakness, as only a few seconds later storming drums, aggressive riffs and raging growls set the stage for everything that is about to come: brutal soundscapes spliced with epic accents! The second track, "In Evil, Sickness and in Grief'', pierces through the core with a poisoning vocal attack and contrasting operatic female background layers. “Murktide and Midnight Sun” marks folk and Viking reminiscence with its clean and catchy vocal presentation, grand choirs and mystic atmosphere, followed by the heavily stomping “You Bitter Source of Sorrow” and “Where We Dwell” with its haunting, all-consuming keyboard passages. “In Thrall to Ironskull's Heart” showcases the multifaceted character of DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED with an almost balladic start, which evolves into an uptempo, epic journey into the Battle of Napue (1714). The title of the penultimate track “Massacre” conveys the track’s musical direction with precision: expect in-your-face blastbeats and gory lyrics. The final song “Black Fog and Poison Wind” unleashes a sonic monster once more, combining aggression, haunting soundscapes and evil melodies, before Angel of Carnage Unleashed ends with the tunes of a soundtrack-like outro.

Bassist Teemu Kautonen on the album:

“The lyrics are based on the work of the renowned Finnish historian Teemu Keskisarja. His research inspired us both to carefully embed all lyrics in the appropriate historical context and to bring forth the human dimension by focusing on stories of individual people and how they experienced this perhaps darkest period of Finnish history.”

Vocalist/guitarist Pasi Kankkunen adds:

“’It was very important for us to have the original line-up on the comeback album. We also agreed right at the beginning of the process to share the songwriting in equal proportions – just as we did on the 1996 classic album, Autumn Roars Thunder.”

Angel of Carnage Unleashed will be available in the following formats:

12P Digipak

2LP Gatefold BLACK (Etching Side D)

2LP Gatefold Crystal Clear (Etching Side D) - limited to 300 copies worldwide

Digital Album

[2LP Gatefold Crystal Clear (Etching Side D) - limited to 300 copies worldwide (Napalm Mailorder ONLY)]

DARKWOODS MY BETROTHED are:

Pasi Kankkunen - vocals, guitar

Jouni Mikkonen - guitar

Teemu Kautonen - bass, backing vocals

Tuomas Holopainen - keyboards

Kai Hahto - drums (session)

CHRISTIAN DEATH Announces 'The Dark Age Renaissance Collection' Parts 1 + 2

November 1, 2021

Gothic death rock pioneers CHRISTIAN DEATH are now announcing the final half of their four part 'The Dark Age Renaissance Collection' series!

'The Dark Age Renaissance Collection, Part 1, The Renaissance,' due on December 10, 2021, combines four of CHRISTIAN DEATH's early genre-defining early recordings. This special set pulls together their classic albums, ‘Catastrophe Ballet’ (1984), ‘Ashes’ (1985), ‘Atrocities’ (1986), and ‘The Scriptures’ (1987).

'The Dark Age Renaissance Collection, Part 2, The Age Of Innocence Lost,' due November 5, 2021, combines four of their middle-period recordings that marked the rebirth of the band as fronted by Valor Kand. This special set pulls together their 1988 commercial break-through 'Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ', (1990), 'All the Love All the Hate' Part 1 – All the Love and Part 2 – All the Hate (both 1989), and the full-album version of 'The Wind Kissed Pictures' (1988).

The band has previously revealed the special, limited edition 'The Dark Age Renaissance' CD collections for Part 3 and 4!

The Dark Age Renaissance Collection Part 3: The Age Of Decadence' is a 4 CD jewel case set features three of their middle-period recordings and 1990 demos/outtakes compilation - 'Insanus, Ultio, Proditio, Misericordiaque' (1990), 'Sexy Death God' (1994), 'Prophecies' (1996), and 'Pornographic Messiah' (1998) - into one limited and specially-priced package of provocative dark art. This is set for release on October 8, 2021 via Season of Mist!

'The Dark Age Renaissance Collection Part 4: The New Dark Age' combines their three most recent recordings - 'Born Again Anti Christian' (2000), 'American Inquisition' (2007), and 'The Root Of All Evilution' (2015). It will be released on September 3, 2021 via Season of Mist!

In addition, CHRISTIAN DEATH will be reissuing their long out-of-print 1985 EP ‘The Wind Kissed Pictures' on November 19, 2021 via Season of Mist! This will be the first time in 30 years that it will be available on vinyl format. The endeavor features the vocal debut of Valor Kand, and marked the start of a new era for the revolutionary band. This expanded edition includes the companion 'Lacrima Christi' 7" feat. the track in both its English & Italian versions, as well as three additional tracks from that era. ‘The Wind Kissed Pictures’ was way ahead of its time, and it further proves that the bulk of modern dark music still exists under the shadow of their influence.

All upcoming releases are now available for pre-orders at THIS LOCATION.

This is part of an ongoing series of CD and vinyl reissues of CHRISTIAN DEATH's acclaimed catalog via Season of Mist. Previously, the label reissued LPs for the band's highly influential 'Catastrophe Ballet' (1984) as well as 'The Root of All Evilution,' 'Ashes,' 'The Scriptures,' and 'Sex and Drugs and Jesus Christ' as well as CD and vinyl reissues for 1986's 'Atrocities.' All reissues can be found at the Season of Mist E-Shop.

“Christian Death take a relentlessly confrontational stand against organized religion and conventional morality, with an appetite for provocation that makes Marilyn Manson look like Stryper.” - VH1

“One of the top ten goth bands of all time.” - Rolling Stone Magazine

Founded in Los Angeles in 1979 by Rozz Williams, the hugely-influential band trail-blazed the American goth and death-rock movement with their debut album, 'Only Theatre of Pain' (1982) and genre-defining 'Catastrophe Ballet' (1984) and 'Ashes' (1985). Of these, 'Ashes' is a true testament to the CHRISTIAN DEATH legacy, as it marks the final appearance of the classic band lineup. 'Ashes' features the final recordings of founder Rozz Williams alongside current CHRISTIAN DEATH main-man Valor Kand, vocalist-keyboardist Gitane Demone and drummer David Glass before Williams' untimely demise in 1998.
Management : Gunter & Alexander Ford - Alexander@worldentertainmentinc.com & Gunter@worldentertainmentinc.com

Under License from Knife Fight Media - Alexander@knifefightmedia.com
@knifefightmedia

Pre-Sale: http://redirect.season-of-mist.com/ChristianDeath
For more on CHRISTIAN DEATH, visit the band's official WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.

GIRISH AND THE CHRONICLES ANNOUNCE NEW SINGLE "LOVERS' TRAIN"

November 1, 2021

NEW STUDIO ALBUM SCHEDULED FOR EARLY 2022 RELEASE

Buzzworthy Indian hard rockers Girish & The Chronicles (GATC) have released a brand new single, 'Lovers' Train'. Stream or download the single HERE: https://orcd.co/loverstrain 'Lovers Train' serves as an appetizer for the bands forthcoming new studio album, which will be released in early 2022 via Frontiers Music Srl. Stay tuned for more details on that coming soon.

Girish says, "We are a hard rock/melodic rock/heavy metal band. We like making the kind of music that we grew up listening to, which revolves around the '80s. However, we do like including a song or two that may have a very different vibe. Could be in the form of a progressive song or maybe a riff that has a bit of "India" in it. All in all, we think of it as a roller coaster ride with the meanest in-your-face songs to beautiful ballads. We feel no matter how dedicated we are to the art, we still should not stop ourselves from exploring more, but without losing the essence of what we truly love."

GATC has released two acclaimed albums, their debut “Back on Earth” (Universal Music India) and the more recent 2020 release, “Rock The Highway” (Lions Pride Music).

Starting off in the city of Gangtok in Sikkim, India, and now based out of Bengaluru in Karnataka, GATC are known for their soaring, powerful vocals, biting guitars, thunderous bass, and pounding drums, staying true to the authentic ‘80s heavy metal/hard rock sound which they grew up with. Many rock outlets, listed GATC’s "Rock the Highway" on their list of top Top Rock/Metal Albums of 2020 and the group has gained a cult following with '80's and '90s hair metal and hard rock aficionados.

GATC is also well known in the Indian rock scene for electrifying live shows and have toured across the nation and beyond. The group has supported bands ranging in variety from American alt rockers Hoobastank to Finnish rockers Poets of the Fall to German thrashers Destruction. Additionally, the band has been part of various leading music festivals in India consistently. They also recently toured with/backed ex-Lamb of God drummer Chris Adler during his performances in India. Vocalist Girish Pradhan is also part of the international metal group, Firstborne, which is led by Chris Adler, James Lomenzo and Hugh B. Myrone. He has also toured the UK, France, Spain, Portugal and other territories with his other side projects in the past. In their 11 year existence, they have been credited by many fans for bringing the classic hard rock culture back in India and are an inspiration to many new and upcoming bands in the scene.

BEAST IN BLACK REVEAL BOLD VIDEO FOR NEW SINGLE "HARDCORE"

November 1, 2021

BEAST IN BLACK REVEAL BOLD VIDEO FOR
NEW SINGLE "HARDCORE"

NEW ALBUM "DARK CONNECTION" OUT NOW!

Last Friday, the international powerhouse BEAST IN BLACK released their long awaited third album "Dark Connection."

But that's not all, they have another surprise for their fans with the release of the striking new video for third single "Hardcore," taken from the new album.

"Welcome to the next century. Dark connections and prohibited pleasures is the name of this ultimate game, a reality within reality. Some things are just too irresistible not to taste, even when it's your own life that is at stake." Anton Kabanen comments, as he sums up the core message of the video.

"Time to reveal the naked truth and face the judgment. What you're about to witness is the result of an unapologetic and unforgiving vision inspired by the mind bending works of Hajime Sorayama and raw cyberpunk animes of the 90's, namely, 'AD Police Files: The Phantom Woman'.
For your pleasure, or your slight, we present you: 'HARDCORE'!"

Watch the video below.

Listen here: https://bfan.link/dark-connection

And there is one more highlight the band has in store - the amazing video game that they developed for their fans. You can play and get addicted here: https://beastinblack.com/game

"Dark Connection" will be available as digital album, CD, Black Vinyl, Clear/Sky Blue Marbled Vinyl [limited to 300 pieces], Blue Transparent Vinyl [UK exclusive, limited to 300 pieces], Red/Ocean Blue Splattered Vinyl [Bravado Exclusive, limited to 300 pieces], White/Red Inkspot Vinyl [EMP exclusive, limited to 300 pieces] and Purple/Silver Inkspot Vinyl [US exclusive, limited to 300 pieces].

Produced, recorded and mixed by Anton Kabanen himself as well as mastered by Emil Pohjalainen (Amethyst Sound Productions), »Dark Connection« may feature the most prominent synths of all of BEAST IN BLACK’s recordings so far, especially in the form of the Italo disco, Euro beat and symphonic elements that the band are so widely loved for. Despite that, at its core it’s still all about simple heavy metal.

The kind of ageless melodies that Kabanen has always been able to create. These tunes once again melt with heroic stories that are rooted in sci-fi, fantasy and cyberpunk, that are represented in the artwork of the band’s long-time companion Roman Ismailov.

THE HALO EFFECT SIGN WITH NUCLEAR BLAST & ANNOUNCE DEBUT SINGLE

November 1, 2021

THE HALO EFFECT SIGN WITH NUCLEAR BLAST & ANNOUNCE DEBUT SINGLE

BAND TO TOUR EUROPE WITH AMON AMARTH & MACHINE HEAD!

The year of the corona-pandemic, when the music world was forced into a standstill, five old friends put in motion an old idea that had been lingering - and what eventually was to become a new band and powerhouse:THE HALO EFFECT, who recently inked a contract with Nuclear Blast.

The members of THE HALO EFFECT are not only masters of their domain, but also pioneers of the Gothenburg melodeath scene, who, at some point, have all been members of fellow Gothenburg icons IN FLAMES: Lead guitarists Niclas Engelin (ENGEL) and Jesper Strömblad (CYHRA), lead singer and lyricist Mikael Stanne (DARK TRANQUILLITY), the foundation of power, bassist Peter Iwers, and his partner in crime since twenty plus years, hard-hitting drummer Daniel Svensson.

"Having grown up alongside Nuclear Blast in the early days of extreme metal, it just makes perfect sense for THE HALO EFFECT to partner with this prestigous label. Our music holds true to our roots and what made us who we are today while trusting our shared experiences to move forward. Joining our old and new friends at Nuclear Blast Records is an honour and a privilege and we look forward to to releasing this labour of love for metal together!", states the band.

Jens Prueter, Head of A&R Nuclear Blast Europe adds: “In 2009 I was going to Gothenburg to produce the 'Where Death Is Most Alive' documentary for a DARK TRANQUILLITY DVD. Getting deeper into the Gothenburg scene, going through hours of archive footage and listening to all the interviews, I though it was a jungle of incest. In the early 90s a bunch of guys moved between IN FLAMES, DARK TRANQUILLITY, CEREMONIAL OATH, HAMMERFALL and many more. We shouldn’t forget that most of the protagonists were still teenagers when they released their first 'Desecrator' or 'Septic Broiler' demo tapes. What looked like incest was just a group of friends who shared a deep passion for metal. You could call it an all-star band but it’s basically just an all-family band. Listening to THE HALO EFFECT is like going to a New Year’s dinner enjoying the best food and drinks of the year. And it’s a pleasure to be invited and share the joy with the rest of the world. Cheers!”

The initial thought behind THE HALO EFFECT was to go back to the roots and explore the classic Gothenburg Sound. The band delivers the goods in a brutally efficient display of heart pounding beats, melodic mayhem and furious growling at its best and the result is an exceptional sound to fans of melodeath, where the echoes of the Gothenburg Sound are evident. The first single, 'Shadowminds' will be unveiled soon, on November 9th.

Pre-Save 'Shadowminds', here: https://bfan.link/shadowminds

To celebrate the signing, the band also announce their first ever tour, accompanying the Swedish death metal giants AMON AMARTH and US thrashers MACHINE HEAD on 31 dates throughout Europe and the UK.

The band comments: "We could not be more excited to partner with Cobra Agency for our first tour of Europe together with metal giants AMON AMARTH and MACHINE HEAD. Working together with people who are passionate about the road, the crews, the bands and the fans means a lot to us and doing this together is something we very much look forward to. See you in Sept/Oct!"

European Tour 2022
AMON AMARTH, MACHINE HEAD /w THE HALO EFFECT
08.09. UK Nottingham - Arena
09.09. UK Cardiff - Arena
10.09. UK London - Wembley Arena
12.09. UK Manchester - Arena
13.09. IE Dublin - 3 Arena
16.09. CH Zurich - Hallenstadion
17.09. AT Vienna - Stadthalle
18.09. PL Krakow - Tauron Arena
20.09. EST Tallinn - Saku Arena
21.09. FIN Helsinki - Ice Hall
23.09. N Oslo - Spektrum
24.09. S Stockholm - Hovet
26.09. DK Copenhagen - Forum Black Box
27.09. DE Hamburg - Barclays Arena
28.09. DE Frankfurt - Festhalle
30.09. DE Oberhausen - König Pilsener Arena
01.10. DE Berlin - Velodrom
02.10. NL Amsterdam - Afas Live
04.10. IT Milano - Lorenzini District
06.10. ES Barcelona - Sant Jordi
07.10. ES Madrid - Vistalegre
08.10. ES La Coruna - Coliseum
09.10. P Lisbon - Campo Pequeno
12.10. FR Paris - Zenith
14.10. DE Munich - Olympiahalle
15.10. DE Leipzig - Arena
16.10. CZ Prague - Tipsport Arena
18.10. HU Budapest - Barba Negra
20.10. LUX Esch zur Alzette - Rockhal
21.10. BE Brussels - Forest National
22.10. DE Stuttgart - Schleyerhalle

Tickets can be pre-ordered on November 3rd, general sale starts on November 5th, here:

----
THE HALO EFFECT is:
Niclas Engelin | guitar
Jesper Strömblad | guitar
Mikael Stanne | vocals
Peter Iwers | bass
Daniel Svensson | drums

IAN ABEL BAND Releases Official Lyric Video for New Single, "Cerberus"!

November 1, 2021

Nashville, TN Based IAN ABEL BAND has released an official lyric video for their new single, "Cerberus." Originally premiered on Blues Rock Review, "Cerberus" was filmed at the Troubadour by Mitch Parks.

“This song holds a special place in my heart,” says Ian. “While tracking guitars at Splendor 2 in Los Angeles, one of the legendary producers there lent us a vintage Gibson SG to use for the leads and rhythm. I could tell when I played it that there was magic in the feel of it and the sound it was producing.

Come to find out, that guitar was personally given to him by none other than Eric Clapton.

That took me back to when we tracked the drums at United Studio B (which has been home to juggernauts like Radiohead & Green Day). Before K-Swizzo one take’d Cerberus, we were drinking Bourbon on the square that Nancy Sinatra stood and sang 'these boots were made for walking.'

This song is a haunting look at the darker side of a relationship’s end. The vibrations that once rattled that room and the ghosts of instruments past, I believe, can still be heard in this recording.” - IAN ABEL

Click to Download / Stream "Cerberus" Online

Originally from Louisville Kentucky singer, songwriter, and lead guitar player Ian Abel connected with New York drummer Kenny Schwartz and high school friend Westray Tackett in Los Angeles in early 2017. Together ,with the help of their friend and master audio engineer, Jon Graber, they began tracking an 11 song album in 2018 at United Recording.

The first song released from that recording session, titled “Shoes”, was licensed in May of 2019 to All Elite Wresting for a promotional video for the historic fight between Cody and Dustin Rhodes at the company’s inaugural pay-per-view, Double or Nothing.

Since then, Ian Abel Band added bassist Karthik Suresh, played the world famous Troubadour, relocated to Nashville, and worked again with Cody and AEW in November 2020 for Cody Rhodes vs Darby Allin at the pay-per-view, Full Gear.. Big guitars, big drums and even bigger hooks. That’s what the Ian Abel Band is all about.

Opera Diabolicus Premieres Music Video for New Song, "Bring Out Your Dead"

November 1, 2021

Swedish horror outfit OPERA DIABOLICUS are now sharing the official music video for their brand new song, "Bring Out Your Dead!" The track is taken from the band's forthcoming full-length, 'Death on a Pale Horse,' which is due on November 26! The song and accompanying video, which was created by Johan Bååth, can be found below.

OPERA DIABOLICUS comments, "Dark times demand dark songs (and dark music videos). By these words, we hereby proudly present our new visual offering to the world ‘Bring out Your Dead.’ Even though the song was written way before the pandemic swept over us it felt very prophetic when it was recorded back in spring 2020 considering the lyric theme of the song. On the lighter side, if you like heavy riffing, stellar vocals, fierce violins and Hammond organ solos, this is the song for you. "

Pre-sales are available HERE

Listen everybody, bring out OPERA DIABOLICUS! The Swedish combo have created the perfect horror musical with a little help from their friends Mats Levén (Candlemass, Therion, Skyblood), Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Notre Dame), Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) and Michael Denner (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate)! With ‘Death on a Pale Horse’, the Swedes bring you an epic tale of witchcraft, the black death and revenge!

Established by the two antagonists David Grimore and Adrian de Crow in Gothenburg in the mid-2000s, Swedish horror entity OPERA DIABOLICUSseeks to scourge the earth with their music, mischief, and schemes!

Through burning hatred and mutual dislike to one another and with one prior album released under their belt (entitled †1614, released 2012), they’ve now conjured their sophomore offspring with music that could be described as epic horror metal, and thus would greatly appeal to fans of acts like KING DIAMOND, CANDLEMASS, MERCYFUL FATE and so forth.

With a little help from their friends, whom brilliantly have assisted with their tools of their trade, plus the eminent Jens Bogren’s (OPETH, SEPULTURA, ROTTING CHRIST, DIMMU BORGIR) mixing and mastering skill, the result speaks for itself.

www.facebook.com/Opera.Diabolicus
www.operadiabolicus.com

Recording:
Recorded at various institutions/studios during the years of the plague 2019-2020.
Producer: David Grimoire.
Mix & Master: Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studios, Örebro (SE).

Recording line-up:
Mats Levén: Lead Vocals all tracks except track 6.
Snowy Shaw: Drums and vocals. Lead vocals track 6.
Angelina DelCarmen: Vocals tracks 4, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Madeleine Liljestam: Vocals tracks 3 and 5.
Andy La Rocque: Lead guitar track 3.
Michael Denner: Lead guitar track 3.
Rich Whelan: Voiceover track 1.
David Grimoire: Rhythm & lead guitars, keyboards and backing vocals.
Adrian de Crow: Bass Guitar.
Ronaldo Rodrigues: Hammond Organ, Moog Organ and Piano (2,4,6,7).
Elias Holmlid: Keyboards on track 3.
Nathaniel Wolkstein: Violin track 2.
Alexey Kochetkov: Violin track 5.
Bettina Jucksch: Violin track 7.
Erik Nickerson: Orchestral arrangements and keyboards (1, 3, 8, 9).
Hangsvart: Throat vox intro track 5.

Guest musicians:
Mats Levén: Skyblood, Prins Svart, Krux, Ex-Candlemass, Ex-Therion, Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
Snowy Shaw: Snowy Shaw, Ex-King Diamond, Ex-Mercyful Fate, Ex-Notre Dame, Ex-Dimmu Borgir, Ex-Therion
Andy La Rocque: King Diamond
Michael Denner: Ex-Mercyful Fate, Ex-King Diamond
Madeleine Liljestam: Eleine
Angelina DelCarmen: Charetta

Line-up:
David Grimoire : guitar, keys
Adrian de Crow : bass

Cover artwork artist: Gyula Havancsák, Hjules Illustration and Design
Photographer: Johan Carlén, Johan Carlén Photography.

The radio singles for "Darkest Doom on the Brightest of Days" and "Siren's Call" have been cleared for immediate airplay and can be downloaded (in mp3) HERE.

Pre-sales: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/OperaDiabolicus

BLACK TUSK Announces Nov/Dec 2021 Tour Dates!

November 1, 2021

Savannah, GA swamp rockers BLACK TUSK will be embarking on a U.S. tour later this month with RESTLESS SPIRIT! The trek will kick off in the band's hometown on November 26 and will conclude on December 6 in Raleigh, NC. The full run of dates can be found below! Ticket links and more info will soon be updated HERE.

BLACK TUSK Tour Dates w/ Restless Spirit:
11/26: Savannah, GA @ Two Tides Brewing Metal Fest* [EVENT LINK]
11/27: West Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern
11/28: Wilmington, NC @ Reggie's 42nd Street
11/29: Charlotte, NC @ Snug Harbor
11/30: Pittsburgh, PA @ Mr. Smalls Funhouse [TICKETS // EVENT LINK]
12/01: Brooklyn, NY @ The Knitting Factory [TICKETS // EVENT LINK]
12/03: New Haven, CT @ State House
12/04: Cambridge, MA @ Middle East
12/05: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie [TICKETS // EVENT LINK]
12/06: Raleigh, NC @ The Pour House
*No Restless Spirit

ABOUT BLACK TUSK:

There was blood, maybe a few tears too, but more than anything, it was sweat that marks this brand new release of BLACK TUSK, 'TCBT.'

Their previous full-length, 'Pillars of Ash,' sadly had to appear posthumously for one member as the band had tragically lost their charismatic bass-player, Jonathan Athon, through a motorcycle accident. With a heavy heart, BLACK TUSK decided to honor Athon's memory by carrying on and recruiting veteran musician and already long-time friend Corey Barhorst (EX-KYLESA) to take over his duties on the low end.

Now with the sixth studio album, 'TCBT,' BLACK TUSK show the world they lived through the kind of hardship and heartbreak that would cripple a lesser band. It’s their dedication, gumption, and pure bullheaded stubbornness that took care of business, keeps taking care of business, and Taking Care of Black Tusk.

For more on BLACK TUSK, visit their official WEBSITE, FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and TWITTER pages.

NONPOINT Releases Official Music Video for Their Cover of "When Doves Cry"

November 1, 2021

"When Doves Cry" buy/stream link:

nonpoint.com/doves

NONPOINT released the official music video for their revision of "When Doves Cry" today. The video was directed by Francesca Ludikar.

The single was originally released by Prince and the Revolution in 1984 and was one of the hit singles from the album Purple Rain.

Vocalist Elias Soriano says, “Our fans throughout the years have always had a quiet romance with the songs we like to cover. Seeing that our biggest showing in that category, our cover of Phil Collins ‘In The Air Tonight,’ was a suggestion from a friend and fan of the band, we thought it only fitting we let all our fans have a chance to throw their hats in the ring this time. So in the middle of a global pandemic, we threw up a bracket style voting tournament with a list of contenders from Metallica to DMX. As fans voted over a few weeks, it was exciting to watch it go from 16 songs to the final two, Metallica’s - Nothing Else Matters vs Prince’s - When Doves Cry. When they chose Prince, the real work began. We went through version after version. We knew we had to do it justice in the biggest way we could as tribute to Prince and still make it Nonpoint. I’m happy to report from initial response among the few who have heard it is exciting and we look forward to our fans singing it for years to come.”

Dr. Fink of Prince & The Revolution reacted to their cover by saying, "I just listened to Doves and thought it was great!"

He adds, "Nonpoint's revision of When Doves Cry by Prince and The Revolution rocks like a champion bullfighter slaying a prized bull!"

Nonpoint's fans have really loved the cover live. Watch this clip from the show the band did with Seether in Tempe AZ:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CU5zmkcla3L/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Nonpoint Tour Dates:

1/7/2022 Indianapolis, IN @ Emerson Theater
1/8/2022 Battle Creek, MI @ The Music Factory
1/9/2022 Ft. Wayne, IN @ Piere’s
1/11/2022 Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Ballroom
1/12/2022 Syracuse, NY @ Lost Horizon
1/14/2022 Hampton Beach, NH @ Wallys
1/15/2022 Easton, PA @ One Centre Square
1/16/2022 Asbury Park, NJ @ House of Independents
1/18/2022 Charleston, WV @ Rock City Bake Company
1/19/2022 Charlotte, NC @ Amos
1/20/2022 Huntsville, AL @ Sidetracks Music Hall

Nonpoint will be appearing at ShipRocked January 22-27, 2022

Tickets on sale NOW! at nonpoint.com

Commitment to forward motion ensures longevity. After 20-plus years, ten full-length releases, countless sold out shows, and over one million albums sold worldwide, Nonpoint endure through sustaining an unbreakable bond among themselves and to a diehard fan base all over the globe.

Masters of, and pioneers in the nu-metal/rap-rock world, Nonpoint has quietly been the biggest and best kept secret of the rock/metal genre. Their songs and renowned performances have had musicians from all corners of the genre and music industry members standing side stage to revel in the audiences they transform.

The band's songs "Bullet with a Name," "Alive and Kicking," "In the Air Tonight," "Circles," "Your Signs," "Everybody Down" and many others have been featured in trailers, hit movies, television, iconic video games, as well as broadcasts from NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, WWF.

Nonpoint has toured with major acts like Disturbed, Papa Roach, Mudvayne, and Sevendust to name a few. They have also been featured on the main stages and support stages of iconic festivals like Soundwave, Rock AM Park, Rock AM Ring, Ozzfest US and Donington, Rock on the Range, Welcome to Rockville and many more.

Today, Nonpoint continues to ignite streaming platforms, news feeds, social media platforms, and festival stages, and 2021 is shaping up to take them from rock's best kept secret to a household name.

The band launched their independent record label 361 Degrees Records LLC in January of this year. They filmed the process of starting the label and making new music in a Docu-Series
titled “A Path To Independence” that can be seen on the band's YouTube and official website.

NONPOINT released the title track, "Ruthless,"off of their upcoming EP to all digital outlets in May and was this year's featured track on AEW's "Blood And Guts" on TNT.

"Ruthless" exploded at radio and becomes their 5th highest charting song and biggest hit in 7 years.

"Ruthless" can be streamed/downloaded at Nonpoint.com

Nonpoint - Ruthless (Official Music Video)

https://youtu.be/dzQRGPp89hc

Nonpoint is:
Elias Soriano (Lead Vocals)
Robb Rivera (Drums)
Rasheed Thomas (Guitar /Backing Vocals)
Adam Woloszyn (Bass)
Jason Zeilstra (Lead Guitar)

For More Information Please visit:

http://nonpoint.com/

https://www.facebook.com/nonpointofficial/

https://twitter.com/nonpoint

https://www.instagram.com/nonpointband/

https://nonpointstore.com/

https://361degreesrecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/361degreesrecords/

FMMusicManagement.com

Telefís (Cathal Coughlan and Jacknife Lee) announce 'a hAon' LP, share 'Mister Imperator (Dub Mix)'

November 1, 2021

"This is actually a dancepop monster, channelling ‘Stop Making Sense’-era Talking Heads with acute contemporary social commentary" ~ Is This Music?

"The first offerings from these Irish music legends sounds as stunning as the best of Talking Heads and LCD Soundsystem, to draw just two parallels. This project may be rooted in the insular cultural experience of a small country, but just watch them take the world by storm with this big sound and vision here and now" ~ The Spill Magazine

"Garret “Jacknife” Lee – the man who left punk guitar behind for the delights of big breaks like “Bursting Off The Backbeat” before finding his métier as an in-demand producer for U2, The Killers, Modest Mouse and more. He’s on record as saying that if he doesn’t make noise, he gets very grumpy; what mischief can the two of them be cooking up?” ~ Backseat Mafia

"...full of percussive synth-driven rhythms and vocals" ~ Hot Press

London-based Dimple Discs has announced they will release the debut album from Telefís (the Irish Gaelic word for Television, pronounced Tele-feesh), a collaboration between two acclaimed Irish iconoclasts, producer/ mixer/ composer Garret "Jacknife" Lee (U2, R.E.M., Modest Mouse, The Cars, The Killers, Snow Patrol, Crystal Castles, Editors, Taylor Swift) and singer-songwriter Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney, The Fatima Mansions and many acclaimed solo works) on February 11. Ahead of that, they present 'Mister Imperator (Dub Mix)', an invigorated and deliciously twisted new take on the duo's recently-released 'Mister Imperator' single.

Titled 'a hAon' (Number One), this is a highly unique 13-track album that is part celebration, part satire, in which Telefís explores nostalgia, as experienced in the present day, by natives of what was formerly a culturally sealed-off small country on the very fringes of Europe. It also points a critical finger at today’s global hierarchies, an inspiration for the strange characters and caricatures that spring from Coughlan's fertile imagination. Stark forms of imagery, bizarre to the modern eye and ear but treated as routine in the pre-globalization world, are pushed at the listener and viewer.

The second single from the album, 'Mister Imperator' is a deliciously retro-electro affair that loosely recounts the tale of a beloved pianist, who was a light entertainment staple of early TV fare dating back to the first broadcasts in The Irish Republic in 1961.

With Jacknife now based in Los Angeles and Cathal based in London, the two spent 2020 trading ideas and musical files during lockdown, hatching plans for a satirical, mischievous examination of Irish history and the pop culture of their lifetimes, what the two have labelled "a corrosive nostalgia".

"I'd just finished mangling a Luke Haines and Peter Buck record. Luke knows Cathal and re-introduced us. On the first or second correspondence we thought we should make some music together. Music is probably the only way I can properly communicate with someone. I sent Cathal the backing track that would become 'We Need' and he sent me back the vocal and we went back and forth from there. Lockdowns and travel restrictions forced us to work remotely, and I think helped us get to where we got so quickly," says Jacknife Lee.

"Cathal is, without doubt, one of the finest lyricists of our time and writes like no one else. Some of the vocals he sent over made me burst out laughing with giddiness and delight at the novelty of them. Mischievous, dark, arcane, crispy fresh, and always unexpected. Every song with a backstory that could be a novel. This is easily the most enjoyable and rewarding music that I've been involved with".

Indeed, evidence of Coughlan’s lyrical ingenuity and artistry was on full display earlier this year when he returned after a 10-year absence with a highly acclaimed solo album 'Song Of Co-Aklan’.

On the musical side, Jacknife Lee uses his extensive sonic palette to create an irresistible mix of cinematic instrumentals and electro-funk backdrops full of melodic, squelchy synths and thunderous bass-lines, often with a cheeky nod to electro-pop history. He has also created remixes for such artists as Radiohead, U2, Blur, Run-DMC, Pink, Future Sound of London, Christina Aguilera, TLC, Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Eminem, The Raveonettes, Kraftwerk, New Order and Kasabian.

Cathal observes, "Collaborating in this way, with a dynamic and consummate artist, who has access to a wide range of skills that I don't have, but with whom I share many common interests and cultural/historical reference points, has been one of the highlights of my creative life. It's made me so glad that I've been able to remain active for long enough to see something like this happen. Easily as spontaneous and full of surprises as any in-person collaboration, it’s shaken loose many weird and hopefully wonderful things in my verbal workshop. And nobody has heard me use my voice in some of these ways before now, either".

As of November 5, 'Mister Imperator (Dub Mix)' will be available everywhere digitally, including Spotify, Apple Music and Bandcamp. On February 11, the 'a hAon' LP will be released on CD and vinyl (both with a two-sided lyric sheet insert) and can be pre-ordered at https://ffm.to/telefisahaon. It will also be released on all digital platforms, available at https://orcd.co/telefisahaon.

ALBUM CREDITS
All tracks written by Cathal Coughlan and Jacknife Lee except “Archbishop Beardmouth At The ChemOlympics” and “There Goes Waterface” co-written by Davide Rossi
Extra vocals on “Sex Bunting” by Melissa Garner Lee, on “Ballytransnational” by Esme Lee, on “Mister Imperator” by Betsey Lee
Drums on “Ballytransnational” by Matt Bishop
Strings on “Stampede” by Davide Rossi
Horns on “Picadors” by Jordan Katz
Extra production on “Archbishop Beardmouth At The ChemOlympics” and “There Goes Waterface” by Davide Rossi
Mastered by Anthony Chapman
Artwork by Jacknife Lee
Published by Besme Music / Schubert Music

Keep up with Telefís
Website | Facebook | Bandcamp | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Dimple Discs
Bandcamp | Facebook | Twitter | Discogs | Proper Music |

Black/Death Metal Veterans THULCANDRA Release New Single and Official Music Video for “Nocturnal Heresy”

October 31, 2021

Black/Death Metal Veterans THULCANDRA Release New Single and Official Music Video for “Nocturnal Heresy”

New Album, A Dying Wish, out October 29, 2021 via Napalm Records

Pre-Order NOW!

On Tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland this Autumn / Winter!

After the announcement of their new album, A Dying Wish, alongside freezing album opener and first single “Funeral Pyre”, black/death metal veterans THULCANDRA leave no time to catch your breath with the drop of one of the album’s key standouts, second single “Nocturnal Heresy”.

THULCANDRA deliver another deadly statement of true Swedish death metal alongside a hard hitting music video! “Nocturnal Heresy” combines destructive guitar riffs with stomping beats that withstand even the fiercest blizzard! Together with the grim growls of Steffen Kummerer, “Nocturnal Heresy” is a dangerous banger with several doom metal passages that create a dark, ruthless wall of sound!

Steffen Kummerer on “Nocturnal Heresy”:

“Nocturnal Heresy” marks another filthy cut of our upcoming album A Dying Wish. With the combination of our very own sound with a long lasting middle section we turn down the everlasting speed to show you a different side of THULCANDRA. “Nocturnal Heresy” will become part of our release tour in Germany, Austria and Switzerland later the year.”

Watch the new music video for "Nocturnal Heresy”

A Dying Wish will be released on October 29, 2021 via Napalm Records – once again carrying the burning torch of the glorious death metal era.

Since their foundation by Obscura mastermind Steffen Kummerer in 2003, THULCANDRA has become an indispensable protagonist in the European extreme metal-sphere that reaches way back to the magnificent origins of their genre. THULCANDRA are musically and visually shaped by bands like Entombed, Sacramentum and Unanimated, but mainly influenced by genre carving act Dissection.

A Dying Wish was produced at Unisound Studio by Dan Swanö, keeping the black flame of Jon Nödtveidt alive and worthy. A Dying Wish transports the listener right into an icy soundscape of a never ending, severe winter. With 10 blood-freezing tracks delivering clashing guitar riffs, epic slow moments driven by atmospheric acoustic guitars and rapid outbursts of dark and raspy screams, THULCANDRA creates another record that continues the great legacy of true death metal.

A Dying Wish guarantees instant frostbite just as the first glance at the thrilling icy-blue cover artwork promises. After the listener is buried under the opener’s avalanche, THULCANDRA spans a dark arc between acoustic interludes and harsh blackened death metal parts. The quiet interlude “In Bleak Misery” marches into “A Shining Abyss”, that guides its listeners like a torch through the night. Dramatic riffing and the screeching growls of Steffen Kummerer create dark and dense walls of sound as up-tempo tracks like “The Slivering Silver” and “Devouring Darkness” offer strong leads, driving riffs and engaging drums that let the storm rage on without mercy. The final, title track “A Dying Wish” provides a great finale that covers everyone and everything under a massive layer of cold, leaving the world behind in nothing but ice and snow.

THULCANDRA on the album:

“We return with an album full of eerie cold melodies, ice-cold vibes and an over the top production by Swedish legend Dan Swanö at Unisound Studios! Within the first album in 5 years we celebrate the essence of pure black & death metal, adorned with more twin guitars, blast beats and filthy arrangements than ever. We celebrate the release of A Dying Wishwith excessive shows and embark on a European tour to perform for all our loyal fans and supporters in the upcoming months.”

Pre-order your copy of A Dying Wish NOW!

A Dying Wish will be available in the following formats:

1 CD Jewelcase (RePress)

1 CD Digipak + Bonustrack

1 LP Gatefold Black

1 LP Gatefold Blue + 7 inch + Slipmat

1 CD Digipak + Bonustracks + Plecs

1 LP Gatefold Gold

Digital Full Length Album

Digital Full Length Deluxe Album

[1 LP Gatefold Blue + 7 inch + Slipmat]

THULCANDRA are on A Dying Wish:

Steffen Kummerer- guitar, vocals

Mariano Delastik – guitar

Christian Kratzer – bass

Alessandro Delastik – drums

Opera Diabolicus release second new track!

October 31, 2021

Swedish horror outfit OPERA DIABOLICUS are now releasing the second haunting track of their upcoming full length 'Death on a Pale Horse'! The new offering will be released upon the masses on November 26, 2021 and the track 'Siren's Call' can now be heard via the official Season of Mist YouTube channel .

OPERA DIABOLICUS comment on the track: "Inspired by the ancient Greek mythology creature ‘the Siren’, this Epic Doom Metal ballad really showcases the diversity of the songs on the upcoming album ‘Death on a Pale Horse’. Perhaps this tune is also the answer to the question what would happen if you’d make a witches’ brew by blending equal parts CANDLEMASS and Swedish 1800th balladeer Carl-Michael Bellman and after that top it with a little bit of QUEEN. Who knows? "

Pre-sales are available HERE

AGARTHIC ANNOUNCE DEBUT ALBUM "THE INNER SIDE" OUT DECEMBER 10th

October 31, 2021

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to welcome the new Italian symphonic metal band Agarthicto the label's roster. “The Inner Side” is the band's debut album, which was recorded under the direction of producer Aldo Lonobile (Secret Sphere, Archon Angel, Timo Tolkki’s Avalon, etc.), will be released on December 10, 2021. Today, the band has released the new single and video, 'A Journey To The End Of The World'. See the video Below.

Pre-order/save "The Inner Side" HERE: https://orcd.co/innerside

Based in Northern Italy, Agarthic was founded in 2019 by composer and bassist Mattia Gosetti and vocalist Valeriano De Zordo. The two musicians, tied by a strong friendship, had already worked together several times over the past years, but mostly just some shows and theatrical performances and never a proper band.

"As a big fan of rock and metal music, I've always followed with great enthusiasm the release of albums by labels. I remember reading album booklets when I was just a kid, dreaming to see my name printed on one of those one day... who would have ever imagined that happening with one of the most important labels of today?" says vocalist Valeriano De Zordo. "For several years, I've been really interested in knowing all the ancient legends and mysteries about the forgotten history of our planet, especially the theories about the hollow earth. I've always been fascinated by it. And when this chance to make an album was offered, the task was quite easy....all I had to do was to combine my two major passions and turn all these themes finally into music!" continues De Zordo.

Adds composer and bassist Mattia Gosetti, "My greatest passion is to write musical stories, to create soundtracks for romantic adventures and fascinating places. I am really proud to have been noticed by a successful label like Frontiers Music, in whose roster there are many of the most famous bands in the world. The enthusiasm for the signing of the contract and the collaboration with Aldo Lonobile, an artist that I have always esteemed and admired, has been fundamental for the realization of this symphonic metal concept. I am experiencing an artistic growth that I would have never hoped for and I will never be grateful enough for all this.”

Valeriano has been active in several bands in the area of Belluno, singing both covers and original music, which brought him recognition thanks to his melodic timbre and great ability as a performer.

Mattia is a symphonic rock composer, with his works mostly dedicated to the history of land located on the Alps, musical tales that he often presents in theater settings. His deep passion for symphonic rock has always been apparent, but in particular when he and his wife won the "Elan Cover Contest”, an international competition organized by Nightwish.

The band's line up is rounded out by two other talented Italian musicians, Jesai Fiabane on guitar and Denis Novello on drums.

Agarthic's music is strongly inspired by the nature that surrounds them, in particular by the Dolomites, a mountain range in Italy. Their compositions tell stories of fantasy and mysteries of humanity, a romantic and enveloping soundtrack that will take you on a thrilling journey with cinematic flavor.

LINE-UP:

Valeriano De Zordo - Vocals

Mattia Gosetti - Bass, Orchestral Synth

Jesai Fiabane - Guitars

Denis Novello - Drums

Guest vocals on “Negotiations Failed” by Fabio Lione

Guitar solo on “Negotiations Failed” by Aldo Lonobile

Rhythm Guitars by Federico Maraucci

All choirs by Valeriano De Zordo, Mattia Gosetti, Marco Pastorino and Sonia Da Col

For More Info Visit:

https://www.facebook.com/Agarthic

https://www.instagram.com/agarthic

Cravism x Maya Diegel (Singapore-France) present 'Caryatid' EP, plus two new videos for 'Hard Shoes' and 'Change Your Mind'

October 31, 2021

"Reassuring and a sweet aide-memoire of mellow jazz / trip hop and soulful R&B offerings by the likes of Morcheeba, Olive, Corinne Bailey Rae and Erykah Badu, albeit with an evident hip-hop element as well" ~ Big Takeover Magazine

"Deep, soulful, sincere and sexy, this is music for chilled wine or martinis, body groove and warm nights. This is both sensual and eloquent, also having a profound message from the prism of womanhood in the 21st century" ~ Amplify Music Magazine

"What a little slice of Paradise sounds like on a summers day... a chill-pill, a R N B trip-hop, a neo-jazz excursion to a soul sanctuary, drifting towards pop pastures" ~ The Manc Review

"Utterly beautiful... chilled and cinematic, hushed and hazy, gorgeous and gentle" ~ The Swindonian

R&B/ Lo-Fi/ Chill hop duo Cravism x Maya Diegel release their 'Caryatid EP' on October 29. At the same time, they present videos for the singles 'Change Your Mind' and 'Hard Shoes', along with a live rendition of 'Hard Shoes', further showing the depth and weight of their seriously soulful artistic trajectory.

The 'Caryatid EP' was mixed by Thomas “Mister T.” Gloor at AKA-Studios in Switzerland and mastered by Hegar (D’ Angelo, KRS-One, Cody Chestnutt) at Fisheye Music in the USA.

With hues of Amy Winehouse and Kaiit, not to mention neck-breaking beat-drops, their sophomore project 'Caryatid EP' entails a series of songs and films from the Singaporean-French duo. This whole EP will warm your heart with its soulfulness and feeling of joyous nostalgia. A key message of this release surrounds loss and moving forward towards a life filled with joy and hopefulness.

The duo have also shared a live performance of their latest single-combo 'Ladies Night / 'Caryatid'. The official video for 'Ladies' Night' and 'Caryatid' was created by Arthur Etienne and Thibaut Vega. 'Ladies Night' is a dark, chilled and sexy track, while 'Caryatid' is comfortable, relaxing and groovy. Earlier, the duo released the lead single 'It's Okay', with soulful and jazzy textures laid over lush mellow jazz hip hop beats, transporting the listener into a chilled relaxing realm.

"Hard Shoes was inspired by the UK music scene. Written and recorded in Cornwall, this was one of the last songs Maya and I wrote together in the UK before we flew back to our hometowns. This song means a lot to me as it brings back all the memories we had when we were in the UK. The song starts off with just keys and vocals, just enough for you to vibe with. at 1:36 that's where the beat comes to change the entire mood of the song. There'll be a live version dropping a week after the release date," says Cravism.

Hailing from Paris and initially trained as a jazz singer, Maya Diegel's trajectory would take a big turn upon meeting Singaporean producer Cravism several years ago in Cornwall after his performance at the local university, Maya fell in love with Cravism's set and sought to collaborate. Impressed by Maya's capacity for writing high level melodies, harmonies and lyrics, their fateful meeting ultimately brought the 2019 release of their first collaborative album 'Vibes, vol. 2', which resulted in ample playlisting and radio interviews and ultimately secured them a record deal with Komplex Recordings.

With two albums and UK/Singapore tours prior to meeting Diegel, Cravism has always been immersed in hip-hop culture. A professional b-boy, Cravism began playing the piano and trumpet early, progressing into recording and producing. His music has been used in Berlin, Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, Milan, Moscow, Paris, and Seoul for the Adidas Originals Flagship Store. It has also been featured in many documentaries, including 'The Cuppa Depresso', 'Elevate the Streets', 'Dead was the Body' and others. Cravism was also the opening act for legendary Hip-hop trio Slum Village during "Dilla Week" in Falmouth 2019.

Maya Diegel explores different altitudes with her voice, drawing influences from Hip-Hop, RnB, Neo-soul, Jazz hop and funk. After graduating with a music bachelor in the UK in 2019, she has launched her music career, in addition to pursuing a career in the cooking world, her other great love. A born singer-songwriter, Diegel's style and delivery conjures emotions and atmosphere that make for an incredible experience.

'Change Your Mind' is now available everywhere online via UK-French label Komplex Recordings, including Apple Music and Spotify. The full 'Caryatid EP' will be released on October 29.

CREDITS
Written and performed by Cravism and Maya Diegel
Lyrics by Maya Diegel
Produced and arranged by Cravism
Mixed by Thomas “Mister T.” Gloor at A.K.A Studio (Lausanne, Switzerland)
Mixing Assistant - Marco Ballerini
Mastered by Hegar at Fisheye Music (Germany/USA)
Cover Artwork Jérôme Boccia (France)
'Caryatid' and 'Ladies' Night' videos by Arthur Etienne and Thibaut Vega
'It's Okay' video by Stewart Livinec
Photos by Malcolm Soh

Keep up with Cravism & Maya Diegel
Facebook | Duo's Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Cravism Instagram | Maya Diegel Instagram | Cravism Spotify | Maya Diegel Spotify | Apple Music | Press contact

Keep up with Komplex Recordings & Management / Komplex Studio
Facebook - Label | Facebook - Studio | Twitter | Instagram - Label | Instagram - Studio | Label Email | Studio Email

Singer songwriter and rock poet Nash Albert to release "Autumn Rain" the first single from the new album release "Yet”

October 31, 2021

Singer songwriter and rock poet Nash Albert to release
"Autumn Rain" the first single from the new album release "Yet”

Nash Albert album "Yet" to be released January 28th 2022

Pre save the "Autumn Rain”single here: https://nashalbert.lnk.to/autumnrain
The Georgian singer/songwriter and rock poet Nash Albert was, among others, the frontman of the successful Soviet alternative/indie band Blast (Blast Unit Moscow), the British NME described Blast as "the godfathers of the Russian alternative scene". In 2013 Killing Joke’s Martin “Youth” Glover produced the most successful Blast album “Krisis Of Genre”. A year later Nash, who still has a flat in Moscow, worked in London with Ian McNabb of The Icicle Works and Ciaron David Bell on his solo album “Rude Beggar”.

However, Nash started his musical career with the band Salamandra in Moscow. In 1991, together with Salamandra, all good friends from the college, Nash went to America for touring and to build up a career. Atlantic Records' boss Ahmet Ertegun supported him to record his first single. Texas-based English guitarist Alan Shacklock produced the tracks. By then, Shacklock had already achieved anexcellent reputation as a member of the band Babe Ruth and most notably as a producer for the Steve Gibbons Band, Bonnie Tyler, The Alarm and Jeff Beck. In 1994 Salamandra split. While the band went back to Europe, Nash Albert stayed in the US for a few more years.

It wasn't until 2019 that Salamandra and Nash came full circle again. The old bandmates started composing and arranging song material for a new Nash Albert solo album somewhere deep in the Gregorian mountains. Nash's co-writer Ric Berie also joined the team, as did recording engineer Ilya Mazaev, who then brought British production legend Tim Palmer (who has also produced Robert Plant, Tears For Fears, Bowie's Tin Machine, Texas and Tarja Turunen, among others) on board. This is how "Yet" was born. Bob Ludwig then refined the sound of the album with his mastering. "Yet" will be released worldwide on the 28th of January,.2022.

Single "Autumn Rain":
"Autumn Rain" is the first single release from the new album "Yet" by Georgian singer & songwriter and rock poet Nash Albert.
Nash was, among others, frontman of the successful Soviet alternative/indie band Blast (Blast Unit Moscow). The British NME described Blast as “the godfathers of the Russian alternative scene”. In 2013 Killing Joke’s Martin “Youth” Glover produced the most successful Blast album “Krisis Of Genre”. A year later Nash, who still has a flat in Moscow, worked in London with Ian McNabb of The Icicle Works and Ciaron David Bell on his solo album “Rude Beggar”.

Tim Palmer produced Nash's new album "Yet". The English producer legend has worked together with U2, Robert Plant, Tears For Fears, Bowie's Tin Machine, Texas and Tarja Turunen as well.

"Yet" was mastered by Bob Ludwig, the first single release "Autumn Rain" is a slightly dreamy, melodic song that perfectly reflects the melancholy of this special season.
For additional information, please visit:

https://www.nashalbert.com

https://www.facebook.com/nashalbertcom

Brand Of Sacrifice Bringing Custom Streetwear To Metal Fans With Shibori Threads; New Drop Now Live Feat. Killswitch Engage, Aug

October 31, 2021

Brand Of Sacrifice Owned Custom Streetwear Brand

SHIBORI THREADS

Drop Huge New Collection Feat. Collaborations With

Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, Crown The Empire, Fit For A King and Erra

Available For Pre-Order Now Here

SHIBORI THREADS the metal streetwear brand co-owned by Kyle Anderson (vocals) and Leo Valeri (guitar) of manga-themed deathcore behemoth BRAND OF SACRIFICE have dropped their biggest collection to date today, featuring items from some of metal's biggest names Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, Crown The Empire, Fit For A King and Erra. Each SHIBORI THREADS item is custom cut and sewn resulting in boutique quality streetwear designed with fans of heavy music in mind. No two pieces are the same. The new drop is available for a limited time now from ShiboriThreads.com

Taking their name from a Japanese method of tie dying garments, SHIBORI THREADS is the new frontier of custom cut & sew streetwear apparel. Their designs are intricate yet bold, encouraging collaborations with notable pop culture brands and artists within the metal scene from which they came. Every single drop has sold out before the week-long availability window closed, with some selling out in less than 24 hours. The store has featured in the top 1% trafficked stores on Shopify, driving around 20,000 monthly visitors.

Speaking on the enormous success of SHIBORI THREADS, Leo Valeri shares

"Coming up in the metal scene, we noticed something missing when it came to creative and colorful band merchandise. Most rock artists just print on black shirts... which is kind of boring, considering the extremely lively and exciting music they often make.

Kyle and I have been active in the music industry and very tuned into streetwear and alternative fashion for a long time now, so we set out to create a brand that bridges the barrier between the edgy imagery you find in metal, and the robust palettes and high quality of today's streetwear trends.

When it all began, Shibori Threads was just a passion project run out of our apartments. We were literally printing labels and shipping everything on our own, by hand. We considered it a great way to work with and support some of our favorite artists during the pandemic while making apparel we would actually wear.

Less than a year later, it's completely blown up to the point where it's a household brand in the metal and rock world. We're now working on crossovers with artists and brands we wouldn't have even thought possible to collaborate with a year ago. It's the coolest thing in the world to see someone wearing one of our hoodies at a show, and the first question you hear them get asked is: `Is that a Shibori hoodie?'"

The new collection features 5 different designs

Shibori x Killswitch Engage Crystal Dye Crossover Hoodie

Shibori x August Burns Red Gradient Dye Crossover Hoodie

Shibori x Erra Gradient Dye Crossover Hoodie

Shibori x Crown The Empire Gradient Dye Crossover Hoodie

Shibori x Fit For A King Gradient Dye Crossover Hoodie

Each design is extremely limited with only 500 pieces available for a 1 week period starting today - Friday, October 29th, 2021. Fans should note that due to each item being hand-made, there is a production turn around of 6-8 weeks.

Since launching earlier this year, the brand have collaborated on previous drops with Dance Gavin Dance, The Deathcore Collection feat. Whitechapel, Chelsea Grin, Thy Art Is Murder, Veil of Maya, Carnifex and Despised icon and their originalSlaughter to Sacrifice drop, a mash up of Brand Of Sacrifice and Slaughter To Prevail. With more exciting brand and band collabs on the way, SHIBORI THREADS are only just getting started. Follow the trail of dye—or get left behind

Find Shibori Threads Online

ShiboriThreads.com

TOMBS Shares Samhain Cover Song to Celebrate Halloween

October 31, 2021

The veil is thin and Halloween is upon us. New York/New Jersey metal collective TOMBS is now sharing a cover of SAMHAIN's song "The Shift" to welcome in the holiday! Their version of the song can be heard below.

"The Shift can be streamed or downloaded from your favorite streaming service HERE.

For a double dose of Halloween spirit, check out TOMBS' previously released music video for "The Hunger," which pays homage to cinema's most infamous vampires! The song and video can be found HERE.

TOMBS' latest full-length, 'Under Sullen Skies' was released in November of 2020. The record has been named one of the best metal releases of 2020 by Metal Insider, Decibel Magazine, The Pit, Riff Magazine, Chicago Music Guide's Global Music Podcast, and others while drummer Justin Spaeth has been dubbed one of the best drummers of 2020 by Sick Drummer Magazine.

'Under Sullen Skies' can be streamed, downloaded, and ordered HERE.

There’s a line from Mike Hill’s audiobook/tour diary of ANODYNE’s 2004 European tour in which the gravel-throated frontman affirms, “I will always outwork you.” In that case, Hill was referring to an incident in Germany early on during a six-week long overseas jaunt with his previous band. In actuality, however, he could have been talking about any instance between when he first picked up a guitar as a teen and the present. Whether it’s his history dating back to previous bands OTIS, ANODYNE, KING GENERATOR or VERSOMA, his ongoing solo work in VASILEK, the more recent SCORPION THRONE project or his thirteen year reign as the driving force and nerve center of post-black metal institution TOMBS, hard work is second nature and nothing will keep the guitarist/vocalist from creative endeavor and expression. And it’s not just music in which his propulsive work ethic has gleaned results: Hill also is the CEO and roast master at Savage Gold Coffee (a labelling nod to TOMBS’ 2014 album of the same name), the host/producer/creator of the Everything Went Black podcast, host and producer of Gimme Radio’s Metal Matters flagship podcast, the creator and co-host of horror podcast Necromaniacs as well as a stalwart in the print and online journalism world covering music and MMA fighting. His is, has been and always will be a life steeped in dedication and with unassailable drive in the cross hairs. And despite the world being put on pause, Hill refuses to curtail his innate determination and ongoing tenacity with the result being TOMBS emerging with the next chapter in its impressive catalog and growing legacy: the band’s fifth full-length, 'Under Sullen Skies'.

“The week VERSOMA broke up in 2007, I started TOMBS,” he says, recalling how, characteristically, the band started before any dust was permitted to settle. “The initial rehearsals ended up being the bulk of material that showed up on the first [self-titled] EP. The intent from the beginning was to get back to playing music I wanted to hear and to not be so concerned with genre or satisfying anyone else’s desires. It was to do music on a personal level and be a reflection of the darkness I’ve felt throughout my life.”

Formed in the gritty corners of pre-gentrified Brooklyn, NY, TOMBS’ early mandate was steeped in the harshness and atonality of black metal but dosed with trace amounts of the varied influences and inspirations ingrained in Hill’s musical muscle memory by previous bands. “The canon of music TOMBS has created has spanned several different genres, but I’ve always had it my intent for there to always be a certain amount of violence and hardness lurking the background.”

Those early years delivered splits and singles, the highly revered 'Winter Hours' debut in 2009 and Decibel’s 2011 Album of the Year, 'Path of Totality'. Never one to sit still, 'Path of Totality' was followed by appreciable and impressive amounts of touring in accordance with the lauding afforded by critics and fans and the braying of foes, which only served as fuel for Hill’s perseverance. Savage Gold came three years later after which a restless Hill began nudging TOMBS’ black metal base into territories populated by gothic and death rock artists like FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM and SISTERS OF MERCY as well as avant-garde purveyors Caspar Brotzmann and Live Skull while never forgetting – or being able to – scrape the grime of NYC from under his fingernails. The addition of a second guitar and live keyboards/samples brought a fuller sound and allowed noise sequences and soundscapes to be brought to the live show. It was around the time of 2016 'All Empires Fall' EP that TOMBS punctuated its iconoclastic spirit and thought process. Despite then-being part of the Relapse Records family, the band struck out with the intent of self-releasing the EP in order to retain as much independence as contractual obligations would allow – retaining the digital and publishing rights while eventually licensing the record back to Relapse. A one album stint in 2017 under the Metal Blade banner birthed 'The Grand Annihilation' into the world where TOMBS took broader and more daring steps into buffering black metal with morose melody, sullen death rock and classic METALLICA chugging. Following a parting from Metal Blade, the band – now completed by drummer Justin Spaeth, guitarist Matt Medeiros and bassist Drew Murphy, who are also 3/4ths of New Jersey death metal crew KALOPSIA - quickly found a home on Season of Mist and issued the 'Monarchy of Shadows' EP literally a week before the world went into Coronavirus lockdown.

“The original strategy assumed we would be on the road for most of 2020,” says Hill with a lamenting laugh. “We had a sick tour with Napalm Death planned right after the EP’s release. We were going to record the new full-length before the tour and have it come out in the fall. There was all kinds of tour talk and plans and 2020 would have been a tour-de-force of TOMBSactivity in the United States and Europe. Obviously, none of that is happening, but we’re still going ahead with the record.”

Of course they are. Throw a hurdle in front of Mike Hill and he’ll never shy at rolling up his sleeves and taking on the challenge. Even with the world in shutdown mode, Hill is still brimming with enthusiasm about the input and work ethic of the current TOMBS lineup and how Spaeth, Mederios and Murphy stepped up to the plate in the creation of 'Under Sullen Skies'.

“Everyone contributes on this record and the door has always been open for others to do so. There has always been this misconception that I’m some sort of tyrant always telling people what to do and play. The fact of the matter is that most of the time I outwork people; that’s just the way I am. No one is ever going to outwork me on any level in any area of my life and I was always coming up with material. Now, I have these maniacs in the band who are equally motivated and there’s a whole new life injected into TOMBS. That’s awesome and I love it. These days we’ll try anything and we actually write stuff and throw it out because it’s not perfect. It’s more like a writing committee, which I really appreciate. It’s not just me writing everything. It’s a big difference from 'The Grand Annihilation' which was basically a solo record.”

'Under Sullen Skies' is this lineup’s second kick at twisting black metal’s DNA around dank emotional corners, psychological turmoil and the urban underbelly all of which is unavoidably coloured and touched by the present-day status of life on this here Earth.

“The album’s title came during all this and the sort of post-apocalyptic world we’re living in,” Hill explains. “It encapsulates an overall feeling of gloom and depression which is pretty much how we’ve been living for most of this year. The title was the last piece to fall into place. I remember standing on the roof of the building I was living in at the time on a grey day and it was raining – actually, it wasn’t even raining; it was a half-assed attempt at rain! – and depressing and I just thought, ‘What a sullen sky’ and it just stuck with me.”

The album starts with “Bone Collector,” a furious blast of melodic black metal that shifts gears towards an anthemic fist-pumping slog through the goth rock-thrash metal VENN DIAGRAM. “Void Constellation” takes as many cues from Peaceville Three gloom and doom as it does the death metal stomp of OBITUARY and INCANTATION. “Descensum” mines the various well-worn parts of Ride the Lightning for influence before blasting the doors open with some startlingly spacious chromatic single-note atonality. As the album progresses, further textures and moods are employed via acoustic instrumentation and keyboards as well as sampled soundscapes all butting heads with furious second wave black metal and sly to nods to death rock heroes SISTERS OF MERCY and FIELDS OF THE NEPHILIM, all of the band’s motivations and interests being dropped into the chameleonic pair of tracks closing the album, “Sombre Ruin” and the appropriately titled “Plague Years.”

“‘Barren’ stands out as the song that’s most collaborative,” notes Hill. “Justin wrote the bulk of the riffs on that one, that sort of NWOBHM/SCORPIONS ending part is something I came up with, Matt added a bunch of guitar harmonies over it and Drew’s bass is laid thick underneath. That one is one of the biggest group efforts and one of the strongest songs on the record.

“I explore a lot of the archetypes that are used in folklore on this record, like werewolves and vampires which I’ve always been interested in, and on a song like ‘Secrets of the Black Sun’ I talk about the finite nature of our time on this planet, that nothing is really permanent and being aware of that whether as an individual or as a civilization, which I guess fits in with the pandemic and the changes that are going on. There are all kinds of other people, civilizations and creatures that have come and gone long before us and if you think about it over a long enough time span, everyone’s life expectancy goes down to zero.”

The new album not only sees Hill expanding his creative and collaborative comfort zone by wholly embracing the offerings of his band mates, but he’s also let down the drawbridge to allow folks from beyond the immediate TOMBSfamily to include what he describes as “mad guest spots.”

“There’s Cat Cabral, who does the spoken word piece on ‘Angel of Darkness.’ She’s not a musician per se; she’s more from the occult and witchcraft world. I’ve been friends with her for a really long time and she’s a great resource for esoteric knowledge. She’s also an actress who has done plays and commercials and been in films, so I figured she’d be the perfect person to deliver dialogue in an emotionally deep way, and be good at taking direction. Ray Suhy from SIX FEET UNDER rips the guitar solo in ‘Barren’ and that solo is its own masterpiece, in my opinion. BLACK CROWN INITIATE and former TOMBS live guitarist Andy Thomas contributed a guitar solo in ‘Void Constellation.’ Todd Stern from PSYCROPTIC plays the solo in ‘Mortem.’ Sera Timms from IDES OF GEMINI and BLACK MATH HORSEMAN does guest vocals on ‘Secrets of the Black Sun.’ We’ve got INTEGRITY’s Dwid Hellion singing the chorus on ‘The Hunger’ and BLACK ANVIL’s Paul Delaney also doing a couple of verses on ‘Angel of Darkness.’ So, yeah, there are a bunch of people on there and it’s like a community effort which I enjoy. I like involving people I respect and having them be a part of the whole thing.”

After spending his entire adult life navigating the pitfalls and pratfalls of the industry for expressive and creative opportunity, Hill has amassed an impressive legacy, one that 'Under Sullen Skies' contributes to admirably and irreverently. Like most, the extreme music underground lifer and veteran is probably justified in approaching the future with very muted optimism, but while the world works at screwing its head back on straight, Hill is going to do what he wants to do as well as he possibly can. Uncertainty may reign at the moment, but Hill and TOMBS are still going to do their thing and will be content to please themselves in the process. If anyone else happens to be along for the ride, then welcome aboard.

“'Under Sullen Skies' is a dark and introspective album,” he asserts. “It’s not a happy record that anyone is going to use to get pumped up on a Friday night. We wanted to pull out the stops, go full-on and make a nice body of work. I could care less if anyone likes the band or not because I’ve been through so many ups and downs with this thing that I don’t give a fuck if people enjoy the music. I know I like it, I know the guys in the band like it and we’re just rocking and rolling. This record and the EP came out about as close as I could imagine to what I have in my brain about how this band should sound. The whole trajectory of the band has had each record never quite hitting, but 'Monarchy of Shadows' and 'Under Sullen Skies' have both really come out how I envisioned the songs to be.”

Line-up:
Mike Hill – guitars, vocals, electronics, synth
Matt Medeiros – guitars
Drew Murphy – bass, vocals
Justin Spaeth – drums, guitars, electronics, synth

Guest Musicians:
Cat Cabral – Spoken Word Dialog on “Angel of Darkness”
Paul Delaney (BLACK ANVIL) – additional vocals on “Angel of Darkness”
Dwid Hellion (INTEGRITY) – additional vocals on “The Hunger”
Todd Stern (PSYCROPTIC) – guitar solo on “Mordum”
Ray Suhy (SIX FEET UNDER) – guitar solo on “Barren”
Andy Thomas (BLACK CROWN INITIATE) – guitar solo on “Void Constellation”
Sera Timms (IDES OF GEMINI, BLACK MATH HORSEMAN) – additional vocals on “Secrets of the Black Sun”

Recording and Mixing: Fright Box Studios, Clifton, NJ, USA

Mastering/Producer/Sound Engineer: Bobby Torres

Cover Art: Valnoir

Bio: Kevin Stewart-Panko

Links
https://www.facebook.com/TombsBklyn/
https://www.instagram.com/tombscult/
https://twitter.com/TOMBS666
https://tombscult.bandcamp.com/
EverythingWentBlack.podbean.com

Shop: https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/tombs-skies

For more on TOMBS, visit their official FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and BANDCAMP.