EPK – StormbounD – December (2022)
Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
For fans of Nightwish, Evanescence, Epica, Within Temptation, Delain, Amaranthe
“We believe this album can reach many people inside the metal community, but also, in parts, open-minded non-metalheads. In our humble opinion, it’s just good music. We look forward to fans following our journey that goes from gloomy and despondent to kickass to high and victorious. A melodic prophecy of wrath.
The lyrics on the album tell some interesting stories, some more personal and some global, convey some harsh messages and themes, and deliver a wide array of emotions. We did our best to bring all of that into a cohesive musical surrounding within the realm of metal” – StormbounD
Album Title: December
Release Date: August 5, 2022
Label: Self-Release
StormbounDband.com | Facebook.com/StormBoundBand | Instagram.com/stormbound.band | YouTube | Spotify
“…anyone with a soft spot for the mid-00s-era Within Temptation will find much to be excited here.” – Metal Hammer
“Vocalist Yael Horwitz has a delightful voice, moving from a sultry lower register to powerful, melodic upper range effortlessly… the band is tight and inventive, with some fine solos interspersed throughout. If any of the aforementioned bands (Delain, Evanescence, Epica) float your boat, then StormbounD should be next on your shopping list.” – Powerplay Magazine
“Move aside Nightwish. Move aside Within Temptation. There’s a new symphonic metal titan in town. In all seriousness, this was fantastic. I have a very up and down relationship with the sub-genre but this was a ridiculous high for me. Everyone is insanely skilled and very good songwriters, and created a well put together album as a result. I cannot wait to hear more and hopefully see them live soon!” – Overtone Magazine
“STORMBOUND have more than proved their worth with this debut release, with the album taking you on the most wild journey. Whilst they clearly know the sound that works in their best interests, it is certainly admirable that they are willing to explore new genres and try something a little different. It is just astonishing that this band are fairly new in the game, as you would have thought they would have been around for decades with the sheer quality of work they are producing at this stage in their musical career. This album is remarkably contrasting in comparison to music of a similar vein, showing that STORMBOUND know exactly what they are doing and they do it so well. ” – Distorted Sound Magazine
“Energetic, yet smooth. Highly technical, yet surprisingly consistent. Storytelling embedded in powerful riffs, solos, and divinely crafted melodies. All of that is powered by Horwitz‘s powerful voice that we marveled at more than once. That’s what December is all about. StormbounD created an amazing debut album.” – Rock Music Raider
“December is a great debut album, with plenty of elements to get your teeth into. I wouldn’t be surprised to see StormbounD featured in with the best newcomers of 2022 in this genre.” – Metal Epidemic
“December is probably the best debut album I’ve heard so far this year and should be a must for all symphonic metal fans.” – Velvet Thunder UK
“There are plenty of Symphonic Metal bands out there who are still churning out the same old Nightwish influenced stuff that has been done to death, but StormbounD bring something different to the party, a vibrancy and freshness that makes them very hard to ignore. An excellent debut that I would hope will lead to much more for the band.” – Ave Noctum
“Fans of symphonic metal will find themselves right at home here. However, there’s so much more to StormbounD than meets the eye. A band not only able to capture the imagination with their epic stories but a band that infuses elements from a wide array of genres into their sound to create something even more detailed.” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life
“Symphonic Metal fans who like experimentation with different subgenres will surely dig the album. ” – Metal Temple
““Shadows” is a beautiful ballad driven by the orchestral arrangements and the beautiful voice of Yael Horwitz. Here she shows her amazing talent and vocal range. “Shadows” is an easy-to-pick highlight of the album.” – Metal Temple
“December is a record in constant evolution and it shape shifts like some strange life form. With only two of the album’s tracks under five minutes in length, things tend towards the epic (which is no bad thing) and they don’t come more grandiose than the monolithic title track. A huge structure built towards the heavens, it’s a song of several suites with plenty of sonic shifts and dizzying time changes that are layered with angelic female vocals juxtaposed with gruff growls. It all conspires to transfer the listener to another, magical dimension, and if you were ever called on a quest to save the universe, ‘December’ would make the perfect soundtrack. Such is the immersive nature of this album that the hour running time passes in the blink of an eye, and its addictive quality will have you pressing repeat. ” – Devolution Magazine
“if you like symphonic metal, it is hard to imagine you not finding it enjoyable. ” – The Metal Crypt
“Fans of bands such as Epica should find a great deal to like here. Stormbound do the female-fronted symphonic metal thing rather well.” – Heavy Music HQ
[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]
Album Title: December
Release Date: August 5, 2022
Label: Self-Release
Track Listing:
1. Desert’s Roar – 5:03
2. Altar of Innocence – 5:12
3. Sacred Lies – 4:41
4. Away from Here – 6:04
5. December – 10:30
6. Shadows – 4:21
7. Flying High – 4:55
8. Fragments – 6:24
9. Child’s Play – 9:02
Album Length: 56:12
Album Recording Credits:
All songs performed by: Stormbound
All songs written by: Stormbound, Benny Kliachko, Ian Post
Musical Production: Stormbound and Ian Post
Mix and Master: Alex Zvulun at A.G Studio.
Artwork: Gogo Melone ART
Album and Live Band Line Up:
Yael Horwitz – Vocals
Ofer Friedman – Guitar & Vocals
Shani Friedman – Guitar
Rotem Sadia – Keyboard
Pavel Kleiman – Bass
Yuval Partush – Drums
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The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
A melodic prophecy of wrath.
The lyrics on the album tell some interesting stories, some more personal and some global, convey some harsh messages and themes, and deliver a wide array of emotions. We did our best to bring all of that into a cohesive musical surrounding within the realm of metal.
Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):
Desert’s Roar – A cry for freedom from an inner struggle taking place inside the mind of a person feeling controlled and overpowered.
Alter of innocence – The story of a young girl being sexually molested by a person who’s either her biological or spiritual father.
Sacred Lies – Our response to those who try to control us and others because they believe their religion is the only truth. Our most enraged song.
Away from Here – A story of betrayal, and one’s disbelief of his ability to show feelings of regret and empathy, while the betrayed woman responds with forgiveness.
December – This song depicts the destructive force of nature (Symbolized by the monstrous character called “December”) that is here to destroy the human race, especially a western society that is causing global warming, enslaving, and murdering its earthlings and needs to be stopped. The song ends with the voice of a sole survivor that sees the sunrise of a new world after the human race is gone.
Shadows – The story of a somewhat lonely and toxic relationship in which the woman tries to help the man in his battle against his demons and thus save the relationship itself, but to no avail. The woman feels as if she’s left alone in a hopeless war.
Flying High – is an optimistic love song, where the man is a protagonist that helps his loved one overcome her suffering caused by a mental illness.
Fragments – a comparison between a shattered person and the society in which he lives.
Child’s Play – The victory of creation, the libidinal energy, and one’s motivation over negativity and scorn.
L-R – Yuval Partush (Drums), Rotem Sadia (Keyboard), Ofer Friedman (Guitar & Vocals), Yael Horwitz (Vocals), Shani Friedman (Guitar), Pavel Kleiman (Bass)
Photo credit – Yair Abelson
Symphonic metal act StormbounD is an astonishing combination of well-crafted instrumentalism and the breathtaking vocals of the lead singer Yael Horwitz. The band is the musical theater that will carry you everywhere from the angelic to the diabolic, from joyous harmony to the sheer loneliness, and from the beauty to the beast.
The band was formed in 2017 in Tel Aviv, Israel by bassist Pavel Kleiman and guitarist and vocalist Ofer Friedman. Next to join were Ofer’s wife Shani Friedman on guitar, Yuval Partush on drums, Rotem Sadia on the keyboard, and Yael Horwitz as lead singer. All members of the band are well-established professional musicians.
Shortly after its formation the group began writing and performing and made a unique mark in the local heavy music scene. The band took part in all major metal events and festivals in Israel, opened for Epica at their concert in Tel Aviv, and its shows are sold out. The band has released four videos so far for the songs “Desert’s Roar”, “Altar of Innocence”, “Child’s Play” and “Flying High”.
During the summer of 2022, the band released its debut album “December”, and it has been receiving great compliments from countless metal magazines along with its songs getting a lot of airplay on different radios and playlists all over the world.
StormbounD is:
Yael Horwitz – Vocals
Ofer Friedman – Guitar & Vocals
Shani Friedman – Guitar
Rotem Sadia – Keyboard
Pavel Kleiman – Bass
Yuval Partush – Drums
Shared Stage with:
Winterhorde, Vessel, Prey for Nothing, Subterranean Masquerade, DPS, Orpheus Blade
Festivals:
Metal 4 Peace – Tel Aviv, Israel – 2022
Israeli Metal Fest – Tel Aviv, Israel – 2021
Passing the Torch I & II – Tel Aviv – 2019, 2021
Charts
Ze Rock Radio – 2nd place
Valkyries of Metal & Rock – 1st place
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