Posts By Asher

0 New Music Video! Finnish Alt-Metallers AS I MAY Unleash Their Inner “Traitor” + EU Tour Dates w/ SEMBLANT

June 30, 2022
by Asher
· As I May · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 30, 2022

New Music Video! Finnish Alt-Metallers AS I MAY Unleash Their Inner “Traitor” + EU Tour Dates w/ SEMBLANT

Finland’s As I May are revealing another killer tune with a music video on the eve of their European tour with Brazil’s Semblant (dates listed below). Hard-hitting guitar riffs and pop-hit vocal melody grace “Traitor” is a song with a hook so big that it will haunt you for days. “Traitor” is an evolutionary track for As I May. The soundscape is different than their previous songs, as it emphasizes more on vocal power and synths. The guitars have a different place than before and are paired well with bass and drums. This song carves As I May‘s new sound to come on future releases.

Directed by Kimmo Pulliainen, the music video for “Traitor” was shot at As I May‘s rehearsal place, which is an old military bomb shelter. The band’s concept was to have cyberpunk feeling to compliment the use of synth on the single. Starring in the video as the character of “Milana” is band friend Leevis along with all the light work and atmosphere planned by the band’s own light engineer Mikko Harju.

Watch “Traitor” at https://youtu.be/UOINgX5eXRE

As I May is:
Lasse Hiltunen – Vocals, Guitars
Jani Valhola – Guitars, Vocals
Tipi Nokelainen – Vocals, Bass
Leevi Räsänen – Drums

Upcoming shows:
5.7 Sieburg, Kubana
6.7 Weinheim, Cafe Central
7.7 Wetzikon, (Zürich) Hall of fame
8.7 Bochum, Palast
9.7 Rotterdam, Baroeg
10.7 Antwerpen, Zappa
11.7 London, Underworld
12.7 Paris, Petit Bain
13.7 Lyon, Rock & Eat
15.7 Lisboa, RCA Club
16.7 Porto, Hardclub
17.7 Pontevedra, Sala Rebullon
18.7 Madrid, Rockville
19.7 Barcelona, Bovedo
20.7 Montpellier, Secret Place
21.7 Milano, Slaughter Club
22.7 Munich, Backstage
23.7 Ubach Palenberg, Rockfabrik
24.7 Bratislava, Randal Club
25.7 Berlin, Badehaus
20.8 Naestved Metalfest

For more info:
https://asimay.com
https://www.facebook.com/asimay.official
https://www.instagram.com/asimay_official

About:
AS I MAY is creating fresh melodic metalcore that stands out from the scene with creativity, authenticity, and first of all emotionality. The band was formed in 2016 in Mikkeli, Finland. Their first album My Own Creations was released in 2019 (Rockshots Records, Spiritual Beast “Japan”). The album has been streamed well over a million times. European Tour and Big Festivals were booked after the album. When Covid came, the band used the time well to write their sophomore album “Karu” released on Target Music Group’. The band’s new 2022 single “Traitor” was produced, mixed, and mastered by Rami Nykänen. It’s a preview to their third album with him to be released in 2023. Last year, AS I MAY performed at one of the biggest festivals in Finland, “Kuopio-Rock”. For July 2022, As I May will join SEMBLANT’s first European tour along with festivals in Europe.

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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Tweet @AsherMedia

0 ITUS Presents Video For “Sturgeon”, A Canadian Doom Metal Horror Story

June 29, 2022
by Asher
· ITUS · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 29, 2022

ITUS Presents Video For “Sturgeon”, A Canadian Doom Metal Horror Story

ITUS is a Toronto-based death/doom/sludge band that came together in 2018. They released their debut EP “Primordial” in 2020 and after a period of incubating new material they are ready to hit the scene with force. They have been sitting on some singles since December and now is the time for them to release the first, “Sturgeon” – the heaviest music they have written to date. They set out to make this new offering very heavy, shocking, but also catchy and widely accessible to all music fans. The dramatic, horror-themed video will also catch the eye of viewers along with its guest appearance from Canadian rocker KO as the “bait dude” character. The band explains the video and song in further detail:

“We wrote Sturgeon in a few sessions using a hook Brandon previously came up with. It just flowed organically from Brandon. Eerily, almost all the lyrics and vocal phrasing flowed seemingly from Reinier during the same writing sessions. The lyrics comment on apocalyptic guilt, with satanic ritualism juxtaposed with Christianity. We named our single Sturgeon because we knew we wanted to develop and shoot a music video that involved Brandon’s cottage, which is built on an inlet out of Sturgeon Bay, Ontario. Sturgeon are also huge prehistoric bottom-feeding fish with armoured skin, which is metal.”

For ITUS, “Sturgeon” is a fun bridge between their roots in death metal and where they plan to take their new music. They hope fans will enjoy the slightly more sludgy, heavier direction that is exemplified on the single. They place a great focus on hooks and have become more focused. They intended to get back to the stage in June, and those who get to see them live will be inundated with an energetic, atmospheric abrasive heavy metal experience. They aim to mystify and shock people with their performances.

The atmosphere in “Sturgeon” is creepy and ominous, and the band also incorporates a more modern-sounding metal mix while still maintaining that quintessential doom/sludge sound that fans will recognize. They are recommended listening for fans of Crowbar, Conan, and Windhand.

The music video for “Sturgeon”, which was partially directed by Apogean guitarist Dexter Forbes who also adds a guest guitar solo on the track, can be viewed via its premiere on TheCirclePit – https://youtu.be/F0DBTMS8BfI

Video Credits:
Cinematography by Dexter Forbes and John Esposo
Editing by John Esposo
Directed and written by Reinier Vandenbosch

Single Stream – Itusofficialdoom.bandcamp.com, Spotify

Single Recording Band Line Up:
Vince Anastasi – Drums
Brandon Lucking – Guitar and Bass
Reinier Vandenbosch – Vocals
Dexter Forbes – Guest Guitar Solo

Live Band Line Up:
Vince Anastasi – Drums
Brandon Lucking – Guitar
Brandon Aitchison – Bass/backing vocals
Reinier Vandenbosch – Vocals

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/ITUSDOOM
http://www.instagram.com/ITUSDOOM

About:

ITUS was born in 2018 when Brandon Lucking (guitars) and Reinier Vandenbosch (vocals) began writing Doom Metal together. Fans of Conan, Pallbearer, Crowbar, Windhand, Electric Wizard, and Black Sabbath will find themselves tripping out on ITUS’ soundscape of horrors ‘PRIMORDIAL’, their debut EP. ITUS blends grueling sludge and epic doom with stoner rock and death metal. Crushing yet jammy heavy metal passages, infused within a psychedelic, horror atmosphere established their EP as ITUS’ first brutal yet eclectic outing.

The EP launched on Friday the 13th of March 2020. Covid seemed to strike right then with lockdowns, but given time to build, ITUS then recruited Vince Anastasi on drums, and the three boys started building in new directions both musically and professionally. ITUS has lined up gigs for 2022 and will be performing a slew of new singles alongside the music from their first EP. New music videos produced by the band are also coming this year in 2022. Keep your eyes and ears peeled and ready to catch some ITUS.

Discography:
2011 – Sturgeon (single)
2020 – Primordial – EP

– 30 –

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 MY HOLLOW Announces Great North Resurgence Canadian Tour w/ Tortured Saint; Out Now! New EP “Fighting The Monsters”

June 29, 2022
by Asher
· Music News · my hollow

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 29, 2022

MY HOLLOW Announces Great North Resurgence Canadian Tour w/ Tortured Saint

Out Now! New EP “Fighting The Monsters”

L-R Angelo Giammattolo – Drums, Sean De Faria – Bass, Graham Gaudreault – Vocals, Greg Gallagher – Guitar, Matt Williams – Keyboards,
(not pictured in photo) Danio Pirrone – Guitar
Photo Credit – Brett Teskey

Toronto’s My Hollow announces they will be hitting the road this coming July for the Great North Resurgence Tour with London, ON’s Tortured Saint. The tour will kick off in Guelph, ON on July 22nd and see both bands go West towards Alberta for performances on this year’s Loud As Hell Festival on July 31st (all dates listed below).

My Hollow is touring in support of their latest EP “Fighting The Monsters” released this past April. The EP features guest vocals from Bjorn ‘Speed’ Strid (Soilwork). The band supported its release with the very much loved puppet video “Vultures” and a cartoon for its title track. The new record boasts the heaviest music that they have written along with the addition of keyboards to add a new layer of epic melodies.

“Fighting The Monsters” was released on April 8th and available on all digital platforms including https://myhollow.bandcamp.com

Puppet Music Video – Vultures – https://youtu.be/aExduk_8XPg

Cartoon Music Video – Fighting The Monsters ft. Björn Strid (Soilwork) – https://youtu.be/nD_lQgx1zYs

My Hollow started via the internet many years ago and has had some lineup changes since then. As they have matured, so has the music and they are excited to share their latest version of themselves with the world. The band expects newer fans, as well as established ones, will be able to find tangible qualities to enjoy about the new EP. The new tunes don’t stray too far from their back catalogue, but they do possess more of a mature approach to the songwriting. The addition of keyboardist Matt Williams has also added a new dimension to the My Hollow sound. The band is suitable for fans of modern metal, especially those with a penchant for Fit For An Autopsy, Gojira, and Lamb of God.

Great North Resurgence Tour – Tortured Saint and My Hollow
July 22 – Guelph, ON – Onyx Nightclub
July 23 – Toronto, ON – The Rockpile
July 26 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
July 27 – Saskatoon, SK – Black Cat Tavern
July 28 – Edmonton, AB – Shakers Roadhouse
July 31 – Drumheller, AB – Loud As Hell Festival
Aug 5 – London, ON – Rum Runners

My Hollow is:
Graham Gaudreault – Vocals
Angelo Giammattolo – Drums
Greg Gallagher – Guitar
Danio Pirrone – Guitar
Sean De Faria – Bass
Matt Williams – Keyboards

For more info:
Myhollow.ca
Facebook.com/myhollowband
Twitter.com/my_hollow
Instagram.com/myhollow

About:
hollow: (1) a place or area that is lower than the area around it.
(2) an empty space inside of something.

The definitions of the word hollow describe My Hollow fittingly. With intense riffs and passages seamlessly giving way to lower, heavier parts in a lock-up, chunked out style with mutes leaving empty space in an otherwise chaotic sequence.

Based out of the Toronto area, My Hollow boasts a cast of independent metal journeymen, hungry to be heavier, tighter and more engaging with every song. Applying advice and drawing experience from performing alongside some of Canada’s biggest metal exports; The Agonist, Cryptopsy, Threat Signal, Beneath The Massacre among others. My Hollow as a whole can draw from a multitude of influences, not only from metal but from other genres as well, reflected in both their recorded releases as well as their live performance. Described by Danish webzine Power Of Metal as “five pissed off Canadians ready to tear my head off!” As well as “all the subtlety of a two-ton anvil slamming down on a set of pearly whites” by US based heavy metal blog, Heavy Metal Time Machine.

My Hollow has two official releases, 2012’s ‘Cold Dark Days EP’ featuring four demo versions of songs which were reworked and reimagined on 2014’s ‘On Borrowed Time’ full length release featuring My Hollow’s most refined and focused work to date.

Like any band, My Hollow has had its highs and lows. Being selected as a finalist for the annual Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2013 solidified My Hollow as one of Toronto’s, as well as Canada’s top metal acts and announced themselves to a broader spectrum of listeners. Although narrowly missing out on a spot to perform in Germany at heavy metal’s premier festival the experience proved to strengthen the bands resolve and galvanize their confidence in the process.

While the band’s recorded releases give the listener an idea of what My Hollow is about, the live performance is where My Hollow truly shine. “With a crushing wave of energy, and sound, My Hollow filled the venue with their effervescent presence. The lads never disappoint on stage,” is how Toronto based metal publication Metal Master Kingdom described their experience.

With a new EP “Fighting The Monsters”, which includes guest vocals from Bjorn Strid (Soilwork) due out in 2022 and an ever-evolving sound and live performance, My Hollow strive to become an ever-present staple in the Canadian and global metal scene and will stop at nothing to leave you hollow, and wanting more.

Discography:
2022 – Fighting The Monsters (EP)
2020 – iSolation (Single)
2018 – And Now We Fall (Single)
2015 – On Borrowed Time (LP)
2013 – Cold Dark Days (EP)

Shared Stage with:
The Agonist, Beyond Creation, Cryptopsy, Soilwork, Unearth, Battlecross, Fit For An Autopsy, Wretched, War Of Ages, SkullFist, Neck Of The Woods, Operus, Kill Devil Hill, Vital Remains, Warbringer, Beneath The Massacre. As well as (relatively) local bands: Insurrection, Centuries Of Decay, Sludgehammer, Astaroth Incarnate, BornBroken, Lutharo, Tortured Saint, Burning The Day.

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“If you’re looking for a solid orchestral, melodic death metal track to kick off your week, then look no further than our premiere of the new My Hollow single “Vultures.” – Metal Injection

“My Hollow – Vultures Returning with their first new music since 2015, Canada’s My Hollow bring a keyboard-laced feast of death metal in ‘Vultures’, the first track released from their upoming EP Fighting the Monsters. With nearly 5000 votes for this, it’s fair to say that fans are just a little excited.” – KNOTFEST.COM CHAMPION: COUNTDOWN TO OBLIVION JAN 26 – BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE WEEK

“One can only imagine the damage that these boys can do live, and tracks like the fast-paced ‘Faded Through’ and the explosive finale of ‘The Iron harvest’ will incite dangerous levels of pit action. An interesting and welcome return.” – The Razor’s Edge

“Canadian progressive/groove death metal leviathans My Hollow release an epically engrossing EP that’s about to turn heads this month, Fighting the Monsters… A brutal and captivating piece of work from start to finish that lyrically deals with a myriad of deep themes, Fighting with Monsters is a personal triumph of an EP for a band in terms of maturity, growth, and depth. If they continue to weave such titanic feats much like this for the future of their careers, the future looks quite promising for these Canadian heavy hitters.” – Into The Void

“Fighting The Monsters” is a triumphant return boasting 26 minutes of music that sits in the space between Metalcore and Melodic Death Metal with synths enriching a technical riff leaning guitar attack with thunderous drums and hints at Power Metal influences in melody, lyric and lead during opening cut “Vultures” that adds to an epic feel.” – Metal Noise

“Melodic death, with a metalcore slant… a lot of stuff going on technically, and catchy brutal-ish too!” – Mosh Pit Radio – WORT FM 89.9 FM

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Montreal’s THE OCCULT Announces Debut Self Titled Album And First Single “In This Night”

June 29, 2022
by Asher
· Music News · The Occult

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 29, 2022

Montreal’s THE OCCULT Announces Debut Self Titled Album And First Single “In This Night”

Infusing 80’s American punk with 90’s rock n’ roll and alt-metal, Montreal, Canada’s The Occult is gearing up to release their debut self-titled album this year and with the first single “In This Night”, they invite you to get lost in the music. The single and its accompanying video is gritty, energetic, and catchy, with it being presented in stark monochromatic tones. Vocalist/songwriter Eric Savanis comments on the track:

“Gianni and I did this video together. At the time, I had no band members and figured, maybe I’d find some if I released a video. I didn’t but the video came out pretty cool. It’s probably a little less on the nose than the previous song “Watch you Die” but these themes are similar. The modulations in the verses were certainly accidental but still stand out as something that’s just really cool musically.”

Amidst the dark lyrical content such as murder, politics, and disdain for religion, The Occult is ultimately a celebratory band. They like to ensure that people leave the show with a smile. Hoping that people will forget their problems and become fully immersed in the music, they look to provide a transcendental experience. Well rehearsed, they don’t get on stage and wing it, they are dedicated, passionate, and meticulous about their music.

For the most part, each of the band’s songs starts with the vocals, a chorus melody that needs music to be written around it. Once that core of the song is done the rest starts taking shape. The single “In This Night” was written back in 2011, and unexpectedly, was the advent of the band. The sole songwriter, Savanis was surprised with how simple it was to write – natural and innate. Constantly writing, he finished the other twelve tracks in a few months.

According to the band, this debut is the first step in what they hope is a long journey. They have a lot to say and think people will really dig the tunes. With a conglomeration of influences, especially stuff from the Seattle region in the early 90s, The Occult presents something that is both familiar and fresh. They are recommended for fans of Type O Negative, Life of Agony, Danzig, and Misfits.

The video and single “Into This Night” can be seen and heard at https://youtu.be/uJm7S-rGKio

The self-titled album will be available on August 19, 2022.

Digital album pre-save – https://linktr.ee/officialTheOccultband

Track Listing:
1. Watch You Die – 3:05
2. In This Night – 2:59
3. Deth Doll – 3:22
4. Strangling Republicans – 2:48
5. It’s Amateur Hour – 2:49
6. 20 Years – 2:59
7. Dots – 2:05
8. Gotta Love Those Humans – 3:47
9. Dine with Me – 1:56
10. Team Satan – 3:48
11. Planet Pisces – 2:44
12. Nicole – 2:51
13. Occupy Unite – 3:14
Album Length: 35:50

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Occult
• All songs written by: Eric Savanis
• Produced by: Eric Savanis
• Mixed by: Maxime Philippe
• Mastered by: Maxime Philippe
• Album Artwork by: Ishca Photography

Album Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm/Lead Guitar & Back Vox/Co-Lead on Dots Vox: Alex Klimatiris (Purple Meadow)
Bass & Back Vox: Gianni Berretta (House of Dusk)
Drums: Justin Piedimonte (Immortal Guardian, ex-The Chronicles of Israfel)
Guest Vocals on Planet Pisces: Lord Fez Khan (ex- Crosstitution, Double Cross)

Live Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm Guitar & Back Vox: Rafael Corzo
Bass & Back Vox: Carlos Carvalho
Drums: TBD

For more info:
https://www.facebook.com/TheOccultBand
https://www.instagram.com/theoccultband

– 30 –

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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Instagram @AsherMedia
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0 EPK – The Occult – Self-Titled (2022)

June 29, 2022
by Asher
· EPKs · The Occult

EPK – The Occult – Self-Titled (2022)

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Type O Negative, Life of Agony, Misfits, Guns N Roses & The Ramones

“We want people to forget about their problems and just get lost in the music. The Occult, despite having dark content (i.e. murder, overthrowing of governments or what have you) is a celebratory band. People come to the shows and leave with a smile. They dance, cry and let themselves go. I think that’s the essence of rock and roll really. Having a transcendental experience.” – The Occult

Album Title: Self Titled – The Occult
Release Date: Aug 19, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Facebook.com/TheOccultBand | YouTube | Instagram.com/theoccultband

Bandcamp, Apple Music, Spotify – https://linktr.ee/officialTheOccultband

Infusing 80’s American punk with 90’s rock n’ roll and alt-metal, Montreal, Canada’s The Occult is gearing up to release their debut self-titled album on August 19th, 2022.

Amidst the dark lyrical content such as murder, politics, and disdain for religion, The Occult is ultimately a celebratory band. They like to ensure that people leave the show with a smile. Hoping that people will forget their problems and become fully immersed in the music, they look to provide a transcendental experience. Well rehearsed, they don’t get on stage and wing it, they are dedicated, passionate, and meticulous about their music.

For the most part, each of the band’s songs starts with the vocals, a chorus melody that needs music to be written around it. Once that core of the song is done the rest starts taking shape. The sole songwriter, Eric Savanis was surprised with how simple it was to write – natural and innate. Constantly writing, he finished the thirteen tracks in a few months.

According to the band, this debut is the first step in what they hope is a long journey. They have a lot to say and think people will really dig the tunes. With a conglomeration of influences, especially stuff from the Seattle region in the early 90s, The Occult presents something that is both familiar and fresh. They are recommended for fans of Type O Negative, Life of Agony, Danzig, and Misfits.

Album Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm/Lead Guitar & Back Vox/Co-Lead on Dots Vox: Alex Klimatiris (Purple Meadow)
Bass & Back Vox: Gianni Berretta (House of Dusk)
Drums: Justin Piedimonte (Immortal Guardian, ex-The Chronicles of Israfel)
Guest Vocals on Planet Pisces: Lord Fez Khan (ex- Crosstitution, Double Cross)

Album Title: Self Titled – The Occult
Release Date: Aug 19, 2022
Label: Self-Release

Track Listing:
1. Watch You Die – 3:05
2. In This Night – 2:59
3. Deth Doll – 3:22
4. Strangling Republicans – 2:48
5. It’s Amateur Hour – 2:49
6. 20 Years – 2:59
7. Dots – 2:05
8. Gotta Love Those Humans – 3:47
9. Dine with Me – 1:56
10. Team Satan – 3:48
11. Planet Pisces – 2:44
12. Nicole – 2:51
13. Occupy Unite – 3:14
Album Length: 35:50

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: The Occult
• All songs written by: Eric Savanis
• Produced by: Eric Savanis
• Mixed by: Maxime Philippe
• Mastered by: Maxime Philippe
• Album Artwork by: Ishca Photography

Live Band Line Up:
Vocals: Eric Savanis
Rhythm Guitar & Back Vox: Rafael Corzo
Bass & Back Vox: Carlos Carvalho
Drums: TBD

============================================

The album as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

It’s certainly dark but there are aspects of celebration in there. If you’re watching a zombie movie where the protagonist survives by killing everyone, it certainly causes for celebration. Finding the light in the darkness if you will. The record is no different.

Track by Track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Watch you Die – Pretty self-explanatory if you ask me. Musically it’s very dynamic and certainly a favourite to play live.

2. In This Night – Probably a little less on the nose than the previous song but these themes are similar. The modulations in the verses were certainly accidental but still stand out as something that’s just really cool musically.

3. Deth Doll – A friend of mine had an old Facebook handle where she called herself Deth Doll. She was going through a time so I decided to write a song for her fictionalizing her name into a character that basically destroys whatever opposition is thrown in her direction. She loved the tune which was an added bonus for sure. Musically it’s got hints of Nirvana in the bridge with the off-the-kilt lead work that Alex threw in there. The rest is almost driving stoner rock but not in a way that’s embarrassing.

4. Strangling Republicans – The title says it all really. Musically it’s a pretty straightforward punk rock and roll tune with some metal overtones in the verses.

5. It’s Amateur Hour – Former Prime Minister and war criminal Stephen Harper sold arms to the Saudis a couple of months back and was quoted as saying “I’m really proud of this deal.” Saudi Arabia, as most people know, is known for its massive bombing campaigns in Yemen among other war crimes. The fact that Stephen Harper is proud of his hand in these war crimes is so disturbing it’s really beyond words. This song is a summation of the years he was in power and the fact that people like him can not only exist in society but thrive. It’s really a reflection of how deranged of a society we, unfortunately, live in. Musically it probably smashes the most, a great closer for our live shows.

6. 20 Years – There are 2 main themes here. The first was the experience that the people in Point Pleasant, West Virginia had when they started experiencing hauntings from a creature they ended up naming the Mothman. The other one was my friend’s inability to take care of herself at that point in time. This tune has a Joey Ramone-type chorus. Poppy in the best sense of the word.

7. Dots – My disdain for Christianity and all the poisons it pours into society. Ferocious high-velocity punk rock tune. Alex sang co-lead vocals on the verses and killed it.

8. Gotta Love Those Humans – Disdain for society’s need for conformity and its inability to welcome people that are operating out of the norm. The heaviest tune on the record, taking cues from Slayer and early Metallica among other things.

9. Dine with Me – This is about Monsanto and the crimes it committed and continues to commit in Pakistan and India where they created a suicide epidemic by putting farmers in a position of financial catastrophe. Another high bpm punk rock beating.

10. Team Satan – Highlighting, yet again, my disgust for the church and the slave religion that it imposes on the masses. Punk metal tune with a pretty cool bridge. Fun fact, there are about 60 guys screaming GO in the chorus which was a blast to record.

11. Planet Pisces – Students of Astrology know that one of the Piscean traits, that people born under this sign exhibit, is self-deception. Take that concept & blow it up by a thousand and you have Planet Pisces, a tale of insanity & contradictions. Musically there’s punk and some aspects of death metal. The Lord Fez Khan, formerly of Crosstitution, now in Double Cross, guest screams on this song.

12. Nicole – An exaggerated tale of a nightmare roommate that friends of mine had to endure. Musically it’s a blend of punk and metal with an anthemic sing-along chorus.

13. Occupy Unite – Based on the Occupy Movement from a couple of years back. Same as Nicole, high octane punk and metal. There’s a riff in there that I call a Soundgarden muscle riff. It makes me happy that their influence is in there somewhere.

==================================================

Discography:
2022 – Self-Titled LP
2021 – Planet Pisces – Single
2018 – In This Night – Single

Shared Stage with:
Guttrot, Ovniii, Doom An Blue, Murtenscythe, Pussy Stench, Califo Fray, Wykan. Ruby Slipper, Mistwalker

STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS ABOUT THE BAND

1. As noted above, this is the first step in what we hope is a long journey, I have a lot to say and think people will really dig the tunes.

2. I remember going to Alex’s, where Gianni and I tracked the guitars and were trying to record Dots. I am not a guitar player in the traditional sense of the word. I use it to write and that’s it. I don’t really practice anymore and my leads are limited. When Alex realized that it was gonna take hours to record a 2-minute song he grabbed the guitar out of my hand, plugged in his guitar, and finished it in one take. Gianni and I had a good laugh about that. At the time, Alex had no idea that it was a full record, when he asked me how many songs there were, his face turned white when I responded there were 13. The poor bastard didn’t know what he signed up for

3. While the songs might seem tongue and cheek at times, there’s magick permeating everywhere on the record. As a student of Western Hermeticism, it’s no coincidence that the band is called The Occult.

4. The band members that played on the record were all in the band at separate times for about 5 minutes. Due to scheduling, it was impossible to set up a jam. Eventually, everyone got other things started so it was time to find new guys to play the material live.

0 EPK – Oak, Ash & Thorn

June 28, 2022
by Asher
· EPKs

EPK – Oak, Ash & Thorn

Publicist – Jon Asher – jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com

For fans of Borknagar, Tyr, Immortal, Amon Amarth, Primordial

“Lyrically the album is about the old gods, the ancestors, and the struggles that come along with being human. Musically it’s very melodic with 3-part harmonies and plenty of blast beats.” – Cierra White (Drums)

“I think the things that make us sound like Oak, Ash and Thorn are Cierra’s unorthodox drumming, my dual clean & growled vocals, and the layers of interweaving strings. Lyrically, it’s about my personal lived experiences expressed through pagan terminology.” – Adam Armstrong (Vocals, Guitar)

EP Title: To Gaze on Stars of Frost
Release Date: May 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Facebook.com/ofoakashandthorn | Twitter.com/MetalOATs | YouTube | Instagram.com/ofoakashandthorn

Oakashandthorn.bandcamp.com | Apple Music | Spotify

“Oak Ash and Thorn have returned in triumphant fashion with one of the top EP’s of 2021.” – Folk-metal.nl

“[May Every Altar Linger] opener ‘Let the Hearthfires Burn’ will surely eat a hole in your ear before it’s finished, it’s too sweet.” – Kvlt of Brewtality

Oak, Ash & Thorn arose along Colorado’s Rocky Mountain front range out of a collective passion for heavy metal and old-world paganism. Their debut album, May Every Altar Linger, was released in 2018, laying the band’s foundation of melodic death/black metal shaded with traditional European folk music. The band teamed up with Fabian Jiru of Trollfest/Fleshmeadow to record the To Gaze on Stars of Frost EP, released May of 2021, and is now touring in select states throughout the western United States.

EP Band Line Up:
Adam Armstrong – Lead vocals, guitars
Casey Hill – Guitars
Nate Periat – Guitars, backing vocals
Erik Hoffman – Bass
Cierra White – Drums
Fabian Jiru – Guitar solo on “Suspended and Frozen”

Live Band Line Up:
Adam Armstrong – Lead vocals, guitars
Jason Harding – Backing vocals, guitars
Erik Hoffman – Bass
Cierra White – Drums

Discography:
2021 – To Gaze on Stars of Frost – EP
2018 – May Every Altar Linger – Full Length

Shared Stage with:
Rotting Christ, Borknagar, Abigail Williams, Ghost Bath, Vale of Pnath, Stormruler (Devastation on the Nation 2022), Cattle Decapitation, Carnifex, The Faceless, Rivers of Nihil, Nekrogoblikon, et al (Summer Slaughter 2019), Tyr, Orphaned Land, Ghost Ship Octavius, Aeternam (Tyr’s tour in support of their album “Hel”), Arkona & Metsatöll (Pagan Rebellion North America Part II 2019), Kalmah, Vreid, Empyrean Throne (Kalmah’s Heroes to Us Tour 2019), Cradle of Filth, Cancerslug, & Frayle (CoF’s most recent US headliner).

Tours and Festivals:
2022 – Existence is Futile Tour – Grand Junction, CO
2022 – Devastation on the Nation – Denver, CO
2019 – Summer Slaughter – Denver, CO
2019 – Pagan Rebellion North America Part II – Denver, CO
2018 – Snakes & Vultures over North America – Denver, CO
2015 – Beltania Festival – Colorado Springs, CO

====================================================

The EP as a whole (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

Lyrically the album is about the old gods, the ancestors, and the struggles that come along with being human. Musically it’s very melodic with 3-part harmonies and plenty of blast beats. – Cierra White

I think the things that make us sound like Oak, Ash and Thorn are Cierra’s unorthodox drumming, my dual clean & growled vocals, and the layers of interweaving strings. Lyrically, it’s about my personal lived experiences expressed through pagan terminology. – Adam Armstrong

Track by track (LYRICALLY & MUSICALLY):

1. Praise Unto the Immortals, lyrically, is about the old gods of the world: the elements. Earth, air, fire, and water, and all their many forms. Musically, this song is nostalgic and full of longing, layered with a healthy dose of blast beats. – Cierra White

2. Anthem to the Forest of Our Ancestors, lyrically is about the death of my father and the void that it left in my life. Musically, this track is probably the most somber and the most influenced by Euro folk of the four of them. – Adam Armstrong

3. Ride!, lyrically, is a battle cry to those you hold dear to take a stand for what is important. Musically, this is probably the most upbeat song we’ve ever written. It’s very much a pump your fist and shout with your chosen brethren type of song. – Cierra White and Adam Armstrong

4. Suspended and Frozen, lyrically is about the end of a long relationship and the enlightenment I gained from getting through that grieving process. Musically, this track is the most experimental we’ve ever gotten. It’s our only song with a guitar solo in it, we experimented with vocal harmonies and brought forth some unorthodox riffs. – Adam Armstrong

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BAND STORY ANGLES / FUN FACTS:

1. When brainstorming names for our first album, we thought it would be funny if the acronym for it was MEAL since the acronym for our band name is OAT. Our bassist at the time came up with “May Every Altar Linger”, so we ran with it. Only a couple of people thus far have put it all together. – Cierra White

2. Each member has some other creative venture that they do on the side. Cierra is also in Denver’s post-black metal band Harboured and has a long, storied history as a powerhouse drummer among northern Colorado metal bands. Erik is part of a regular podcast about movers and the ridiculous shit that they experience on a daily basis. Jason is an EDM enthusiast and has a solo project called Kaom. Adam is an actor and stage performer, and has a history as a burlesque/circus MC, and is also the lead villain in an upcoming indie vampire flick.

3. When OAT began, they played strictly acoustic, dark folk music, and in fact, for some time after the band’s reimagination as a metal band, the songs were still written solely on acoustic guitars to attempt to maintain a sense of folkishness.

EP Title: To Gaze on Stars of Frost
Release Date: May 26, 2021
Label: Self-Release
Distribution: CD Baby

Track Listing:
1. Praise unto the Immortals – 5:32
2. Anthem to the Forest of Our Ancestors – 5:16
3. Ride! – 5:14
4. Suspended and Frozen – 8:16

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Oak, Ash & Thorn
• All songs written by: Oak, Ash & Thorn
• Produced by: Oak, Ash & Thorn and Fabian Jiru
• Mixed by: Fabian Jiru
• Mastered by: Fabian Jiru
• Album Artwork by: Adam Armstrong
• Member of ASCAP

0 BRUTTA (Athemon, ex-Haken) Offer Free Download of Blackened Death Debut Self-Titled Album

June 28, 2022
by Asher
· Brutta · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 28, 2022

BRUTTA (Athemon, ex-Haken) Offer Free Download of Blackened Death Debut Self-Titled Album

L-R: Gledson Gonçalves (drums) | Adriano Ribeiro (guitars and vocals) | Tom MacLean (bass)
Photo credit: Gledson and Adriano: Felipe Rinke. Tom: self-taken photo

Recently unleashing their debut self-titled album on June 17th, extreme blackened death metallers Brutta are offering up this slice of fast, brutal and relentless music for FREE download via their bandcamp – https://bruttametal.bandcamp.com/album/brutta.

“The album is a definitive punch in your face… or maybe we could say a hammer in your forehead! A mixture of open evil chords with blast beats finding a defined yet tormenting growling vocal. The song themes are very precise and the lyrics bring a subjective aspect of human mental conflicts from a darker angle. It’s right there, aggression, darkness, heaviness, a critical sound mass with a huge personality, not to mention its fine production. A huge amount of energy will be released while listening to the album, guaranteed.” adds the band.

Having worked together before in past bands, the trio of drummer Gledson Gonçalves; guitarist/vocalist Adriano Ribeiro (Athemon), and bassist Tom MacLean (Athemon, ex-Haken) work collaboratively on all the songs, and loads of ideas flow between them resulting in sheer power, that is energizing, obscure and refreshing punch in the face. They cover topics such as existentialism, murderers, religion, and evil. They back up their morbid themes with a solid display of blackened death metal suitable for the harshest of mosh pits.

The self-titled album has eight tracks, each one more deadly than the last. There is something for everyone on this initial offering and it is only the tip of the iceberg for them, there are plans to launch another album by next year already, as they have a bunch of new material waiting to be unearthed.

Staying true to their DIY attitude, the album was produced, mixed, and mastered by MacLean at Twelve Tone Studio. It is recommended listening for those who enjoy Dark Funeral, Morbid Angel, and Vltimas.

Track Listing:
1. Brutta (4:34)
2. Mortem (4:08)
3. Frgmntd (3:55)
4. Bastardo (4:20)
5. Inferno (4:21)
6. Cristus (3:42)
7. Devon (3:51)
8. Limbo (4:37)
Album Length: 33:20

Album Band Line Up:
Adriano Ribeiro (guitars, vocals)
Tom MacLean (bass)
Gledson Gonçalves (drums)

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Brutta
• All songs written by: Brutta
• Produced by: Tom MacLean @ Twelve Tone Studio
• Mixed by: Tom MacLean @ Twelve Tone Studio
• Mastered by: Tom MacLean @ Twelve Tone Studio
• Album Artwork by: Luigi Quarta

For more info:
Bruttametal.com
Facebook.com/bruttametal
Instagram.com/bruttametal

About:
After working for Athemon (Adriano Ribeiro (guitars, vocals) and Tom MacLean (ex-Haken) (bass)) as their session drummer, Gledson Gonçalves had the idea of creating another project with more extreme music. Recruiting Ribeiro (guitars, vocals) and MacLean (bass), both were very eager to dive headfirst into the aggressive sound Gonçalves had in mind. A few jams later and Brutta was officially formed as a studio project over two contents. Gonçalves and Ribeiro in Brazil and MacLean in the UK.

Brutta works collaboratively through every part of the process, first Ribeiro develops and assembles the riffs, to which Gonçalves adds drum parts. The final musical touches come in as MacLean weaves the bass riffs and then vocals are layered on top with lyrical themes coming from human behaviour, especially its darker angles.

As they plan to hit the stage in the near future, fans will be met with loads of energy and power during the set as Brutta releases their demons through strong performances, so the audience can do the same.

A modern and in-your-face version of obscure and wicked music, Brutta rises like brutal “Heavy Post Metal” their debut, self-titled album will be released on June 17, 2022.

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“Brutta get firece with Brutta” – Metal Noise

“Gritty blackened death, dark, heavy, with melodic stuff, a little thrashy and evil! Good stuff.” – WORT FM 89.9 – Madison, WI

““Devon” is composed of many riveting ingredients, but perhaps the most startling (and terrorizing) of them all are Ribeiro‘s vocals. He truly seems to have become possessed by the song’s psychotic protagonist and enraptured by his slaughtering fantasies. Such is the effect of his ghastly wails, rabid growls, snarling proclamations, hideous screams, and crazed laughter. At times his voice seems to crack with the splintering of an unhinged mind. All together, it sounds like a convocation of demons.” – No Clean Singing

“I have no qualms in recommending Brutta to fans of extreme metal. It does exactly what it sets out to do, namely pummel the listener into the ground and in a way in which the musicians seem to take great delight too… All-in-all, ‘Brutta’ is a more than solid affair that’s well worth checking out.” – Man of Much Metal

“Brutta puts forth an enjoyable and unique record. ” – Metal Genesis

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0 Rockshots Records – VICTORIA K Announces Sophomore Album “Kore” October 2022

June 28, 2022
by Asher
· Music News · Victoria K

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 28, 2022

Rockshots Records – VICTORIA K Announces Sophomore Album “Kore” October 2022

Australia’s Victoria K returns in 2022 for the release of the sophomore album “Kore” this coming October via Rockshots Records to follow the 2020 debut album “Essentia”.

Offering up progressive symphonic sound, “Kore” was specifically written to provide a full orchestral experience that drives people through a sonic journey of growth and grandeur.

A concept record, “Kore” explores modern-day issues through the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (the story of Persephone). Victoria K conceptualized the idea for the album with her producer Lee Bradshaw and then spent many months researching and analyzing the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, even meeting with experts of the Homeric Hymns from Greece. The story was then broken up into its different parts where Victoria Knight wrote the lyrics and developed the melodies for each section of the tale, exploring the myth from a modern perspective.

The tracks were written specifically to encapsulate the various sections of the Homeric Hymn to Demeter and tell the story chronologically through each song and the music grows in intensity throughout the record capturing the emotional state of Persephone and other characters as the story progresses.

The various instruments were then written by Victoria around the lyrics and further enhanced and developed through the production process. Lee Bradshaw then finalized the songs by writing orchestral scores for each song, which were recorded live in Europe, before the final mixing and mastering.

Recommended for fans of Lacuna Coil, Rammstein, Within Temptation, Spirit Box, and Delain, singles, and videos from Victoria K‘s forthcoming “Kore” will be shared in the coming months in lead up to its release on October 14, 2022. The first single will be “Persephone”, which is now available for pre-save at the following link: https://bfan.link/persephone

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Victoriakmusicofficial.com

About:

Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, symphonic metal singer/songwriter Victoria Knight (under the pseudonym Victoria K) released on the 5th of May, 2019, her brand new single “Lacuna” distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Warner Music Group (Australia), which was the first offering from her debut album Essentia.

As a result of being invited to support the Swiss Folk Metal giants Eluveitie Victoria K formed the current band who have adopted the name Victoria K. On the 18th of May, 2019, Victoria K played the main support for Eluveitie at their Melbourne show, and produced a performance that had the crowd chanting for an encore.

Victoria K signed to Rockshots Records (Italy) in early 2020 and released their debut album ‘Essentia’ on the 24th of April, 2020. Essentia has received global media attention and the band has been featured in Legacy Magazine (Germany) and Heavy Magazine (Australia) amongst many others.

Essentia debuted at #17 on the Australian iTunes Rock & Metal Charts with the four Music Videos (Lacuna, Forsaken, The Haunting and Matrix) receiving over 230,000 YouTube views.

Victoria K’s ‘Essentia’ won Album of the Year in the Femmetal Awards 2020 and was a finalist in the Best Band and Best Music Video categories and Victoria Knight was a finalist in the Best Operatic Vocals category.

Victoria was also nominated as ‘Best Vocalist’ in the Metalgoddesses.com awards named amongst the best vocalists of the genre including Floor Jansen, Elize Ryde, Fabienne Erni and Charlotte Wessels. Victoria K was also nominated in the metalgoddesses.com awards for Song of the Year (Matrix) and Album of the Year (Essentia).

Anders Sandvall of Metal-rules.com identified Essentia as “one of the strongest debut albums this year” placing the album at #2 on his Best Albums of 2020 and also cited Victoria K as the ‘Best New Band.’

Due to the global pandemic Victoria K was unable to tour so in June, 2020 they played a worldwide Live Stream Show from the studio via Rockshots Twitch Channel and have since released a DVD of the event.

In November 2021, Victoria K commenced their 9 show Australian Tour with shows in Melbourne, Wollongong, Newcastle, Sydney (sold out), Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Whyalla (sold out) and Broken Hill. Due to Covid the tour was run over three legs with the second in March 2022 and the third leg in April, 2022.

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“Lovers of symphonic metal listen up… because Victoria K is about to put Australia on the map.” – Heavy Magazine

“Victoria K’s vocals are absolutely brilliant, they’re ethereal and infectious” – Buzz Music

“The sense of yearning and resolution in Lacuna is woven with sophistication and skill.” – Hysteria Magazine

“She very quickly won over the crowd and with her voice and great tracks like ‘Lacuna’ and ‘Matrix’ it is very easy to see that she will soon be matching it alongside bands like Evanescence and Nightwish.” – Heavy Magazine

“’Lacuna’ is an atmospheric track in which Victoria showcases her fantastic voice by switching between delicate verses and powerful choruses with total ease.” – Maniacs

“’Lacuna’ has so much Metal and so much Gothic in it that you’d want to hear it repeatedly if you’re a Metal fan. The music is sharp and powerful, and the song easily flows into your senses.” – FemMetal

“The latest exciting new talent to emerge from the Melbourne metal scene…” – Sentinel Daily

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0 Progressive Power Metallers IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Unleash Video For New Single ‘Echoes’

June 24, 2022
by Asher
· Immortal Guardian (M-Theory Audio) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 24, 2022

Progressive Power Metallers IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Unleash Video For New Single ‘Echoes’

Photo Credit – Brett Rivera

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN release “Echoes,” the second new song and music video this year from the progressive/power metal band. The digital single can be heard at all streaming/download platforms or watch the video here – https://youtu.be/WYTisTY_RfI

“Echoes’” message is further explained by singer Carlos Zema, “For generations, humanity has longed for a truth. The right to unite what has been divided. We long to be free from all our differences, genders, colors, nationalities, religions, beliefs and any other type of separation. This real freedom relies on our minds, in being free from all these fears, repressions, oppressions, and everything else that stops us from being united. In the name of this truth, our voice will echo endlessly – Freedom!”

The talented and hard-working quartet are feverishly putting the finishing touches on a new album since coming home from their recent 5-weeks across the US and Canada with video game-inspired shredders PowerGlove, where in the midst of dates they dropped their first new song since last year’s acclaimed ‘Psychosomatic’ album with “Ozona” – https://youtu.be/vFXXsqk__hA

‘Psychosomatic’ has been lauded by Metal Temple for its “melody and power, two things displayed in a smashing way throughout this album” and led Metal Rules to call the group “one of the most interesting bands that have emerged in recent years on the international power metal scene.” Video clips for the title track, “Candlelight,” and “Phobia,” the latter of which featured a guest appearance by Angra guitarist Marcelo Barbosa, have captured the ears of heavy metal fans worldwide, while their videos for “Clocks,” “Lockdown” and “Read Between The Lines” have earned praise from the likes of MetalSucks, Metal Injection and Gear Gods. CD and digital editions of “Psychomatic” are still available for purchase at https://www.smarturl.com/immortalguardian.

After making a splash via their 2018 full-length debut “Age of Revolution” – which featured its own fair share of creative music videos, including the “Armageddon”-meets-telenovela clip for “Stardust” – and through tours with the likes of Marty Friedman and Exmortus, IMMORTAL GUARDIAN gathered in Las Vegas at the beginning of 2020 to record their second album. As the spread of COVID-19 and the subsequent pandemic began to ensue, shutdowns around the world began being enforced, resulting in the band completely scrapping the record that they had been working on and writing and creating a new thematic record about their emotions surrounding current events. The resulting “Psychosomatic” was a truly multi-national record, with guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian – known for his uncanny ability to play the two instruments simultaneously – remaining in Las Vegas, singer Carlos Zema recording his vocals from his home in Brazil, drummer Justin Piedimonte tracking from Montreal and bassist Joshua Lopez recording from IMMORTAL GUARDIAN’s native Texas.

The newly-released music videos for “Echoes” and “Ozona” is just a small taste of the new territory that IMMORTAL GUARDIAN plans to take their sound in 2022. More information on additional new music and touring in 2022 will be revealed in the months to come by M-Theory Audio and at https://www.facebook.com/igmetal/.

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN is:
Gabriel Guardian – guitars/keyboards
Carlos Zema – vocals
Justin Piedimonte – drums
Joshua Lopez – bass

For more info:
https://www.immortalguardian.net
https://www.facebook.com/igmetal
https://immortalguardian.bandcamp.com
www.smarturl.com/immortalguardian

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0 Rockshots Records – Hilltops Are For Dreamers New Music Video “Unsoiled Soul” Off Debut Album “In Disbelief”

June 24, 2022
by Asher
· Hilltops Are For Dreamers (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – June 17, 2022

Rockshots Records – Hilltops Are For Dreamers New Music Video “Unsoiled Soul” Off Debut Album “In Disbelief”

Photo Credit – Victor Lamprinos

Releasing their debut album “In Disbelief” this past March via Rockshots Records, Hilltops Are For Dreamers are presenting their new music video for “Unsoiled Soul”. A cinematic song with some ambient vibes, acoustic guitars, effects, and drumbeats, plus a guest classical guitar solo by Victor Lamprinos.

“Unsoiled Soul” was filmed and directed by Victor Lamprinos in South-Western Greece and can be viewed at https://youtu.be/4RTqJerSyYs

Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos (Guitars / Bass / Keys / Programming) adds:

“The location of the video has been carefully selected to depict the theme of the song. A cinematic song with some ambient vibes, based on acoustic guitars, effects, and drum beats, plus a guest classical guitar solo by the video’s director himself. The end of the song is quite intense, and sentimental and represents the end of a chapter. It is influenced by the band Sentenced and the song ‘End Of The Road’. Lyrically, the main character acknowledges that even when hope is gone-like hope that abandoned this old industrial estate in the video, there’s nothing to worry about because you have lived this again and again and again in an intangible past. This is awakening and possibly a representation of our world.”

The album “In Disbelief” itself is a world of extremes and vastly different from the band’s musical past. It blends influences from post-hardcore with acoustic blues melodies, progressive structuring, heavy riffing, and a dash of black metal along with exploring electronic and cinematic paths. The record is meant to be a journey from a gloomy emotional state to a possible healing point through the process of realization. It is divided into three parts, Shadows, which is the dark unfolding of the path, Overturn, where the growing consciousness leads to the hope of a better self, and Awakening, which depicts a moment of revival and prospective remedy. For the album’s mixing and mastering, they teamed up once again with Steve Lado at SL Studios.

Hilltops Are For Dreamers are recommended for fans of Opeth, Thrice, and Soilwork.

Album order at the following links:

CD – https://bit.ly/InDisbelief_CD

Digital – https://bfan.link/in-disbelief

https://hilltopsarefordreamers.bandcamp.com/album/in-disbelief

Revival – Music Video – https://youtu.be/UckWHiF_Uig

Track Listing:
Shadows
1. Silence (5:03)
2. Severe Serenity (3:56)
3. Healing After The Fall (5:19)
Overturn
4. The Tide (3:15)
5. Turn Into Oblivion (4:09)
Awakening
6. The Sirens Woe (4:10)
7. Revival (3:53)
8. Unsoiled Soul (3:34)
Album Length: 31:99

Band Line Up:
Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos: Guitars / Bass / Keys / Programming
Michael Enger: Vocals
Dionysus Maratos: Programming

Album Credits:
– Guitars & bass recorded and played by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos
– Keys and programming by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos
– Vocals performed by Michael Enger
– Drums arranged and programmed by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos & Dionysus Maratos
– Drums refined and edited by Defkalion Dimos
– All music & lyrics by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos, except ‘Unsoiled Soul’ music by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos & Dionysus Maratos; classical guitar lead by Victor Lamprinos
– Recorded by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos at Hilltops Recordings & Michael Enger
– Produced by Steve Lado at SL Studios
– Mixed & Mastered by Steve Lado at SL Studios
– Co-Produced, edited & engineered by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos
– Artwork synthesis & design by Sophia D.
– Band Logo by Sophia D.
– Artwork photography by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos

About:

Hilltops Are For Dreamers (HAFD) is an ambitious project that took shape and form in London around 2018 by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos. However, they pride themselves in being a multinational band, specifically, UK and Greece-based. The band was born through the ashes of the five-piece Greek metalcore act ‘From Zero To Hero, (FO2H)’ that was disbanded in 2012 immediately after the release of their debut album and Dionysus Maratos (ex-FO2H, Celene) was the only one who joined HAFD in their first steps.

Since 2018, the band has managed to self-release their first ‘self-titled’ EP (January 2020) in digital format, receiving a number of positive reviews, including Metal Hammer, Greece (07/10). Mainly focused on a post-hardcore direction, the EP has successfully blended early ‘00s metalcore elements with blues licks and catchy melodies. One lyric and a unique music video have also been produced to support the achievement.

Additionally, during the first Covid-19 lockdown, they wrote and then released the split digital EP ‘A Transition’ (July 2020) with the fellow band ‘Repent For Joy’, pushing their music a step further. That release was accompanied by a music video for the song ‘The Tide’, featuring Michael Enger, who also does vocals on the debut album, ‘In Disbelief’.

What first began as a studio project by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos from the unfulfilled musical restlessness of the past has become a strong collaboration of fellow international musicians to create and record.

In the end, everyone’s goal remains the same; to create influential music following the vision of a no-boundaries-physical or not-world where people connect with sounds and emotions.

Fun Facts:

The artwork photographs were taken over the years by Vasilis in the UK, he never thought that they could be used to synthesize the album inner booklet, but now they are. They challenge fans to find out where some of the pics are from, especially the one in the ‘Awakening’ part of the booklet.

Some of the lyrics were written/conceptualized by Vasilis while he traveled to work by train before the Covid era. Also, some of them are the outcome of just singing while strolling/walking around the streets of London.

For more info:
Facebook.com/HilltopsAreForDreamers
Instagram.com/hilltopsarefordreamers
Spotify

– 30 –

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