End-Time Illusion Drop their Long Awaited New Album 'Anamnesis Genesis' via Combat Records/Mindsnap Music; Release Lyric Video for Single "Lure of the Abyss"

New England's enduring tech metal pioneers, End-Time Illusion, proudly unveil their highly anticipated 4th full-length album, Anamnesis Genesis, today, September 29, 2023. This monumental release is now available worldwide in both digital formats and hard copy media, thanks to the collaboration between Combat Records and Mindsnap Music.

To celebrate, the band has unveiled an enthralling lyric video for the album's opening track, "Lure of the Abyss," created by the talented team at Black Sheep Media. You can experience the mesmerizing visuals and thought-provoking lyrics below.

As a teaser for the album, a play through video for "Codex Gigas" (Designed by Melody) was previously released.

The album showcases 8 intricate compositions written by founding member guitarist Dave Sharpe (Dead by Wednesday, Ellefson US backing band) and singer Adam Sloan. To strengthen the rhythm section the band recruited NYC session drummer Alex Cohen (Malignancy, Pyrexia) with Sharpe handling bass duties and Sharpe and Sloan on keys. The tracks weave through the catchy and hook laden riffage the group is known for while also incorporating some Black Metal, Goth, and experimental elements to round out a mature Death Metal and Thrash musical evolution. Like E-TI’s predecessor Deities at War (2015), the tracking was completed at Sonic Environments studio with engineer Jeff Weed who recently remixed and remastered the album.

In support of the release the band plans to play select shows including an upcoming album release party in their home state of CT. TBA soon!

Former MEGADETH Members Unite to Honor the Legacy of Drummer GAR SAMUELSON

Bassist David Ellefson and guitarist Chris Poland have come together to record one final song posthumously with their friend and former MEGADETH drummer Gar Samuelson. The new track "The Raven" is the latest single from Fatal Opera, part of a new twelve-song collection of demo material compiled as the group’s final release, entitled FATAL OPERA 3, out now on Combat Records ®.

You can view the lyric video for "The Raven" below:

FATAL OPERA 3 can be streamed here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4jOX9voVjVxg6PNPTPda7G

FATAL OPERA: Following his departure from Megadeth in 1987, Gar Samuelson assembled his new band Fatal Opera, along with his brother Stew on guitar. Gar went on to produce the group’s debut album in 1994, which also featured Dave Inman on vocals, Travis Karcher on bass and Billy Brehme on guitar. The group’s second album Eleventh Hour was released in 1997 and introduced Andy Freeman on vocals, reaching top 10 on European charts while the group continued building a loyal fan base touring across the USA that year. Sadly, in1999 Gar became ill and passed away, at which point the group disbanded.

Then, in 2018 Andy and Stew set out to remix the Eleventh Hour LP and in the process discovered a collection of demos with Gar which were intended to become the band’s third album before his passing. Although the demo tapes were damaged after many years of neglect, Freeman labored to revive the tracks with some songs lost forever. However, he was able to complete 12 tracks, inviting Ellefson & Poland to participate on "The Raven" as a way to conclude the legacy of Gar and Fatal Opera.

Chris Poland recalls, “Back in the day, long before Megadeth, Gar and his brother Stew were the heart and soul of a heavy instrumental jazz/rock project called THE NEW YORKERS. I played guitar with them and Robbie “Pag” Pagliari played fretless bass. It was everything we could do just to keep up! Stew’s right hand was a machine. Flawless. And Gar was right there with him always pushing things to the next level. And again, these two brothers were the heart and soul of Fatal Opera. It was a privilege to be a part of this release, and playing on ‘The Raven’ with David Ellefson made it that much more special. Gar was a true artist. Be it his amazing drumming, his painting or his wood sculpture pipe (he made by hand). Gar was one of a kind. And here Gar, Stew and crew push the limits of experimental metal. These songs are complex yet accessible. Music with a dark side that draws you into their world and keeps you wondering 'what’s next!'” Chris Poland also added additional guitar work to the track "Mask of Time".

David Ellefson adds,“This is a really cool moment for Chris and me to musically reunite with our friend Gar, now almost 35 years after our last studio session together, which was the 1987 re-recording of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ for the Dudes movie soundtrack, compiled by director Penelope Spheeris. Gar was always such a free spirit with his music, no click tracks or digital reinvention for him. And, he seldom played the same thing twice, quite unusual for heavy metal! He just went for it with real gusto and that became the hallmark of his sound."

He continues, "When I was laying down the bass track for 'The Raven' it reminded me once again of Gar’s spontaneity in the studio, as if we were recording live in the same room together. I’m super happy these tracks were brought to life so we could have one last go around with Gar behind the kit. It’s a reminder that he truly was one of the greats!”

Combat Records ® is the label which was home to many iconic thrash & metal albums in the 1980s & 90s and was relaunched by Ellefson & Co. in 2017. It was also home to Gar Samuelson’sfirst full length record with Megadeth, their eponymous debut Killing is My Business…and Business is Good (1985). Ellefson states, “As a label, we are proud to release these final tracks from Gar. He was a masterful drummer who made an incredible impact on fans and musicians everywhere. I think it's appropriate that Combat would be home to his first and now final recordings.”

Fatal Opera 3 is available now across all digital outlets.

Fatal Opera 3 Line-up:
Andy Freeman – Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
Stew Samuelson – Guitar
Billy Brehme – Guitar
Travis Karcher – Bass
Gar Samuelson – Drums

The Ellefson-Soto version of the Riot classic “Swords & Tequila” released via Ellefson’s Combat Records

www.ellefsonmusic.bandcamp.com and across all digital streaming outlets.The song was originally featured on the 1981 Riot LP Fire Down Under (Elektra). The play through video can be seen here.

The track was produced by David Ellefson & Andy Martongelli, mixed by Alessio Garavello in Wembley, England and mastered by Maor Appelbaum in Los Angeles, CA. The video is directed by Elia Turra for Fisheye Studio in Verona, Italy.

The ELLEFSON-SOTO recording lineup includes: 
David Ellefson- Bass 
Jeff Scott Soto- Lead Vocals 
Andy Martongelli- Lead & Rhythm Guitars 
Paolo Caridi- Drums 
*Featuring Rick Hughes- Lead Vocals (Swords & Tequila)

Says Ellefson, “Jeff and I have been friends for so many years that it’s great to finally collaborate on some material together. He has such a distinctive voice and perfect style for some new ideas my guitarist Andy Martongelli (Ellefson) and I have been composing. We are excited about the progress of it all and thought this would be a perfect time to give a little sneak preview. “

Jeff adds, “As COVID-19 became a big negative around the globe, it actually offered many artists a chance to finally collaborate with one another that might have never happened otherwise…as I have known David for many years, I knew from our other efforts outside of our day jobs that we could come up with some badass jams…and here we are, letting you in on our cool little secret!”.

As for the choice of cover song Ellefson reminisced, “The first time I ever heard of Riot was on the Castle Donington Monters of Rock album from 1980. For me, they were the USA representatives during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal. And, “Swords & Tequila”, along with the entire Fire Down Under album for that matter, show the band delivering it’s rowdy and high energy rock n roll like no other band in the USA was doing at that time. So, it is an honor to offer them much deserved reverence, as well as a reminiscent tribute to the mighty Guy Speranza, who fronted the band like a god during that period.

Soto adds, “What can I say? This was a classic metal track from Riot that we all knew growing up, when David brought up that we should cover it I was thrilled. But when we added Rick Hughes from the band Sword onto it, it truly came to life! 40 years after its release, we hope you dig this new version we built for you!”

Vocalist Rick Hughes is the founding front man of the iconic Quebec Power Metal group SWORD. The Canadian quartet formed in 1981 and have released a string of metal classics including their eponymous 1984 Aquarias Records debut Metalized which has been esteemed by fans and musicians alike including the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Motorhead and many more. Hughes explains, “To me, music has always been the best medicine and that is why in this time of not being able to perform with live musicians in front of a live audience, I was more than happy to participate in this camaraderie of seasoned musicians.” Sword’s latest album In Kommand is now available via Combat Records.

More new tracks from Ellefson-Soto are in the works with release details to be announced.

Riot formed in New York City in 1975 and has produced a long list of classic hard rock albums for Victor Entertainment, Capitol & Elektra Records as well as re-issues by Metal Blade Records. Guy Speranza was a founding member and vocalist for the group and sang on the early albums Rock City (1977), Narita (1979) and Fire Down Under (1981). He was then succeeded by Rhett Forrester in 1982. Speranza passed away in 2003 from pancreatic cancer at the age of 47. Riot has since undergone several member and lineup changes but still remains active under the new name of RIOT V.

www.davidellefson.com

www.jeffscottsoto.com

www.swordmetalized.com

www.facebook.com/andymartongelli

www.facebook.com/paolocaridi

https://combatrecs.com/

Connecticut 's leading metal band, and Combat Records artist, DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, released their official lyric video for their latest single titled "Mars in Exile."

The band premiered the song and video (created by Melody Myers) on January 23rd after the OPUS' BLIZZARD B-DAY BASH 2021 (Live Stream Event)!

"Mars in Exile" is available at https://deadbywednesday.bandcamp.com/track/mars-in-exile

Dead By Wednesday - "Mars in Exile" Combat Records/Mindsnap MusicAvail. for DL here: https://deadbywednesday.bandcamp.com/track/mars-in-exileProduced, Master...

DEAD BY WEDNESDAY is:

Steve Alvarez - Vocals

Opus - Drums

Mike Modeste - Bass

Dave Sharpe - Guitar

For more information:

www.dbwmusic.com

www.facebook.com/deadbywednesday

www.instagram.com/deadbywednesday

www.twitter.com/deadbywednesday

www.reverbnation.com/deadbywednesday

www.youtube.com/DBWtv

Malone, along with his dad Rich Post, dropped by Ellefson’s weekly MORE NIGHTS WITH DE/TH livestream, with vocalist/partner Thom Hazaert

It's Wednesday, it's time to party with your weekly update from your friends David Ellefson and Thom Hazaert (and whoever the Hell else we decide to drag in)...

Rapper Post Malone and David Ellefson of Megadeth may seem like an odd-pairing, but not as odd as one would think. We found that out Wednesday, as Malone, along with his dad Rich Post,dropped by Ellefson’s weekly MORE NIGHTS WITH DE/TH livestream, with vocalist/partner Thom Hazaert (get it, DE.. TH), for an impromptu hour plus chat, where they discussed music, careers, and mutual admiration.

Post, a known Metal fan, and admitted Megadeth diehard (who actually sports a SO FAR, SO GOOD, SO WHAT tattoo that he showed off during the livestream) Ellefson, and Hazaert had a lot to talk about, covering topics from, of course, Megadeth, to living in Utah, Metallica, working with Ozzy, playing guitar, touring the World, Beer Pong, future collaborations, and of course Ellefson’s eponymous solo band (also featuring Hazaert, and former Guns N’ Roses guitarist, and ASIA vocalist, Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal) and their recently released cover of Post’s Beerbongs and Bentleys track “Over Now”, currently in its second week in the Billboard Rock radio charts, which Post proclaimed was “Fucking Awesome”.

Check out “OVER NOW” on YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/-y_W9eH7aQI

The chat with Malone was preceded by an over 30 minute conversation with his dad, Rich Post, also a diehard Megadeth fan (the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree), discussing his Metal fandom, the Cowboys, supporting your kids’ artistic pursuits, and the organic beginnings of Post’s career.

“I’ve always been shilling for my kid“, said Rich. “To everyone at work, I’m like, “Hey check this out, Austin did it. So, it might get 500 views. And I’m like 500 views, wow, 500 people are listening to my kid. And then “White Iverson” came out, with the help of Wiz Khalifa, and some other folks in Dallas, a guy named Greg Mason, they tweeted it out, and next thing you know it’s got 1000 views. And then I said, wouldn’t it be great if it got to 5000 views. And I woke up the next morning, and it was at 100,000. And then it’s been a sprint to keep up with it for the last 5 years. He was opening for Fetty Wap, then Bieber. I can’t keep up with it. But I’m hoping that he opens up for you guys someday, then I’ll know he really made it.”

Also announced during the livestream, an upcoming limited edition yellow vinyl LP single of “Over Now”, available for pre-order Friday from COMBAT RECORDS, set to feature a B-side remix by legendary producer Randy Burns, who produced Megadeth’s seminal LP Peace Sells.. But Who’s Buying.
ELLEFSON “Over Now” is available now on all digital outlets.