Posts By Asher

0 EPK – Fathom Farewell – Kraken (EP) (2021)

August 28, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Fathom Farewell (Blood Blast Distribution)

EPK – Fathom Farewell – Kraken (EP) (2021)

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

Management – Greg Shaw – emg.gregshaw[@]gmail[.]com

“The Kraken EP is a series of waves from start to finish varies in intensity, grit, and feel from song to song, with the intention of leaving the listener feeling as though the kraken has taken them on a wild and terrifying ride through their emotions toward a place of inner reflection and peace. Lyrically the EP touches upon many things from our relationship to ourselves to our relationship to each other, through a metaphor of mental health being represented by an unfathomable sea creature.” – Fathom Farewell

For fans of Northlane, Killswitch Engage, August Burns Red, Coheed & Cambria

Fathomfarewell.com | Facebook.com/fathomfarewell | Twitter.com/Fathomfarewell | Youtube | Instagram.com/fathomfarewell

Spotify

EP digital pre-save – https://backl.ink/148090012

EP Title: Kraken
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Label: Blood Blast Distribution
Distribution: Blood Blast Distribution

Show Dates:
Sept 14 – Fete Music Hall – Providence, RI w/ Islander, September Mourning

“The immediate impact and versatile clean to scream ability from vocalist Alex Cohen pushes Fathom Farewell out above the hordes – the man has some serious pipes ready for the challenge, forceful and commanding while confidently holding out key notes during the verses and choruses to make “Six Feet Beneath” and “Wide Awake” instant appealers.” – Dead Rhetoric

“The Boston quartet have emerged from within the melodic metalcore scene but as the six tracks within their latest offering shows, their sound is a far more adventurous and varied blend of metal and melodic rock enterprise.” – The Ringmaster Review

“Holy vocals! Worcester based Fathom Farewell have just released “Consume the Earth”, and it’s blowing our minds… Palpably driven, passionate, and sharing messages close to their heart, “Consume the Earth” is an impressive invitation to listen to Fathom Farewell.” – Depth Magazine

“Fathom Farewell: One of the fastest rising stars” – Permafrost Today

“Featuring six tracks of high-energy and emotionally-driven modern hard rock/metal, the EP shows why Fathom Farewell are one of the fastest rising stars in the melodic metalcore scene.” – Moshville Times

“The new release titled “Consume The Earth,” begins with the quick-hitting “Six Feet Beneath” and the more melodic delivery of the title-song “Consume The Earth.” Fathom Farewell dig down for the hardcore metal attack of “Mutiny,” before closing out their new album with mainstream, hard rock appeal of “Cold Beginnings” and the progressive metal nature of “Soul Within The Shadow,” which showcases the passion and musicianship this band has to offer.” – JP’s Music Blog

“FATHOM FAREWELL brings depth to the rock/metal genre beyond the confines of its articulate instrumentation and vocal presence. Addressing topics from humanity and its relationships to the grave consequences human nature causes our world, frontman Alex Cohen demands through his delivery that each listener lend a close ear and a willingness toward self reflection.” – Flight of Pegasus

EP Title: Kraken
Release Date: October 22, 2021
Label: Blood Blast Distribution
Distribution: Blood Blast Distribution

Track Listing:
1. Kraken (3:46)
2. Eulogy (4:21)
3. In Time (2:54)
4. Nameless City (3:48)
5. Save Your Breath (3:06)
EP Length: 17:54

EP Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Fathom Farewell
• All songs written by: Steve Almon and Alex Cohen
• Produced by: Chris Piquette of No Boundaries Studios
• Mixed by: Chris Piquette of No Boundaries Studios
• Mastered by: Chris Piquette of No Boundaries Studios
• EPArtwork by: Dixon of Intuitive Design
EP Recording Band Line Up:
Alex Cohen – Vocals
Chantz Mello – Guitar
Steve Almon – Guitar
Dustin Black – Bass
Casey Albiero – Drums

Live Band Line Up:
Alex Cohen – Vocals
Chantz Mello – Guitar
James Frost – Guitar
Dustin Black – Bass
Casey Albiero – Drums

Band Line-Up – L-R: Dustin Black (Bass), James Frost (Guitar), Alex Cohen (Vocals), Chantz Mello (Guitar), Casey Albiero (Drums)

Photo Credit – Alex Cohen

Fathom Farewell brings depth to the rock/metal genre beyond the confines of its articulate instrumentation and vocal presence. Addressing topics from humanity and its relationships to the grave consequences human nature causes our world, frontman Alex Cohen demands through his delivery that each listener lend a close ear and a willingness toward self-reflection. This fiery passion results in a refined rock act with the potential to be the voice of change, but with the live thrill and precision of a modern heavy metal act. In conjunction with exceptional work ethic and persistence, it’s no wonder the band has swiftly made a name for itself throughout New England, having earned the opportunities to support Sevendust’s 20th-anniversary tour, along with area dates with Issues, The Devil Wears Prada, Volumes, I Prevail, Currents, and many more. The band has also performed four times at the Vans Warped Tour in MA since forming in 2014, three times at New England Metal and Hardcore Festival, and made appearances at Rock and Shock Festival. Following the release of the 2019 “Consume The Earth” EP, the band has accrued over 100k streams across Spotify and Apple Music. Bolstered by recent additions to the newly completed lineup and with upcoming new material produced by Chris Piquette (Trophy Wives/Riviera), with assistance from Extreme Management Group, Fathom Farewell aims to support this release with vigorous touring and marketing in hopes of carrying awareness of its message to the rest of its home country and eventually to the world, as all of “this planet is our home”.

Now with three EPs under their belt over four years “Consume The Earth” (2019), “Decomposition” (2017), Drowning Limits (2015), the band is ready to present their next EP entitled “Kraken” on October 22nd, 2021 via Blood Blast Distribution.

Discography:
2021 – Kraken (EP)
2019 – Consume The Earth EP)
2017 – Decomposition (EP)
2015 – Drowning Limits (EP)

Shared Stage with:
Sevendust, Devil Wears Prada, Issues, Ice Nine Kills, I Prevail, Tallah, Starset, Crown The Empire, Attila, Silent Planet, The Browning, Betraying the Martyrs, Born of Osiris, Chelsea Grin, Thousand Below, Vanna, iwrestledabearonce, Psychostick, Emmure, The Acacia Strain, Veil of Maya, Make Them Suffer, The Colour Morale, Memphis May Fire, Blessthefall, CKY, Slaves, Volumes, AFI, He Is Legend, Devil You Know, After The Burial, Kublai Khan, Hatebreed

Tour and Festivals:
2014-2018 – Van’s Warped TOUR – Mansfield Ma
2016-2017 – Rock N Shock – Worcester MA
2017-2019 – New England Metal and Hardcore Fest – Worcester MA
2015-2018 – Rambudifest – Providence RI

0 Rockshots Records: THY ROW Shares Music Video “Fragments of Memory” Off Upcoming Debut Album “Unchained”

August 27, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Thy Row (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 27, 2021

For fans of The Scorpions, Megadeth, Queen

Rockshots Records: THY ROW Shares Music Video “Fragments of Memory” Off Upcoming Debut Album “Unchained”

“Unchained” Due Out September 24th

Album Guests include
Ben Varon (Oceanhoarse, ex-Amoral),
Ilja Jalkanen (Raskasta Joulua, ex-Kiuas),
Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun, Smackbound)

Helsinki, Finland’s Thy Row, which is helmed by Metal De Facto and Everfrost vocalist Mikael Salo will be releasing the debut album “Unchained” on September 24th, 2021 via Rockshots Records / Rubicon Music (Japan).

Today, the band shares their new music video for their third single “The Downfall, Part 3: Fragments Of Memory”, a song inspired by vocalist Mikael Salo’s grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

“Fragments of Memory was born in a songwriting camp in Thailand with our guitar players Ville and Jussi and our producer Sami. This song was first given a working title “Tiger”, inspired by the Tiger Temple. Jussi started to play this oriental theme where Ville made the haunting chords for the background. Ville had this riff for chorus where it all started to build up. Even Though we had great parts in the song but the parts refused to work together. Everything was just too progressive. When Mikael added vocal melodies the song’s idea started to lighten up and now it is one of our favourite songs on the album.”

Being the third and final song of our trilogy “The Downfall”, it deals with a very heavy and personal topic: losing the grip on our reality through Alzheimer’s disease. Mikael wanted to explore the topic as a kind of therapy having experienced the disease in his family, trying to imagine how it must be to go through something like that through our protagonist’s eyes. The character has arrived at the final stop of the downfall. His persona and memories all start to fade away, the scariness of how that must feel is taking over as the numbed trip towards the end begins. We hold many things for granted in life, and just being healthy in both body and mind is something to truly be grateful for.” Salo adds.

Watch “The Downfall, Part 3: Fragments Of Memory” via Rockshots Records’ YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/sQqBgD4QFxI

Single digital stream and download – https://bfan.link/thyrow-fragments-of-memory

Founded in 2017, Thy Row made their first entry on the Finnish scene with their 2019 independently released self-titled EP. The record’s lead single “The Round” reached over 110K streams on Spotify and added to the EP’s overall praise that gave the group the opportunity to tour Japan in 2019 with Beast In Black and Swallow The Sun.

Ready to follow up the success of that EP, Thy Row‘s first full-length offers up a fresh mix of the finest heavy metal with modern hard rock that every metalhead can bang their heads to. With ten tracks plus a bonus cover of X Japan’s “Blue Blood” for its Japanese release, there are lots of great melodies spiced up with shakin’ riffs that are sure to encourage fans to turn up their stereo knobs all the way to eleven and enjoy.

“Our fans have waited for this album since we released our EP. We showed everyone that we are a force to be reckoned with and this record is going to prove that to everyone.” comments bassist Juho Jokimies.

“Unchained” features guest artists Ben Varon (Oceanhoarse, ex-Amoral), Ilja Jalkanen (Raskasta Joulua, Kiuas), and Teemu Mäntysaari (Wintersun, Smackbound) plus was mixed by Jussi Kraft (Starkraft Studio) and partly by Nino Laurenne (Sonic Pump Studios). Mastering was handled by Grammy-nominated Svante Forsbäck of Chartmakers Mastering (Rammstein, Volbeat).

The story behind the record is the telling of Thy Row becoming a band and the tale of their collective brotherhood as they grow and learn from one another. Many of the tracks deal with personal matters from each member.

“Creating this album was a long and a hard process, but it was also a road we wanted to walk to be able to present this music to the people. With a guitar case in hand, not knowing each other originally, we became friends and we made this album with pure innocent passion and love for the music. Every song, every story is connected to our lives and our friendship, and we hold this piece very close to our hearts! Each one of us gave our best and more, developing as musicians and people in the process. None of us wanted to compromise in any area, and that made the creation process extremely long and difficult. However, we feel that our debut album is a victory of not giving up, supporting your team members when the going gets tough, and crossing the finishing line with pride and determination. The story, the sound and the process are the epitome of our lives, thoughts and experiences from those times we were making this album, and we hope that people will enjoy this ride we have to offer!”

Recommended for fans of The Scorpions, Megadeth and Queen, Thy Row‘s “Unchained” is due out Sept 24th via Rockshots Records / Rubicon Music (Japan) and available for pre-order at the following link – http://bit.ly/UnchainedCD

Music Video – Road Goes On – https://youtu.be/9ao1aowLFRA
Music Video – Horizons – https://youtu.be/OKBo0DycfGI

Track Listing:
1. Road Goes On
2. The Round ft. Teemu Mäntysaari
3. Unchained
4. Horizons
5. Hidebound ft. Ben Varon & Ilja Jalkanen
6. Just Fine
7. Down On My Knees ft. Ben Varon
8. The Downfall, Part 1: Killing All Inside
9. The Downfall, Part 2: Beyond Reason
10. The Downfall, Part 3: Fragments Of Memory
11. Blue Blood (X Japan Cover) *Japanese Bonus Track

Album Credits (music, cover/art, production)
All songs arranged by Thy Row
Producer on tracks 1, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11: Ville Vase
Producer on tracks 2, 5, 6, 8, 9: Sami Inkiläinen
Vocal producer: Jussi Kraft
Guitar solo producer: Ben Varon
Recording engineers: Jussi Kraft, Ville Vase, Sami Inkiläinen, Mikael Salo, Jarno Hänninen
Bass and drums recorded at D-Studio
Mixing: Jussi Kraft, Nino Laurenne
Mastering: Svante Forsbäck (Chartmakers Mastering)
Synth arrangement/programming: Ville Vase, Jussi Kraft, Sauli Aalto
Additional guitars: Ben Varon, Jussi Kraft, Teemu Mäntysaari
Additional vocals: Ilja Jalkanen, Nino Laurenne
Bass on tracks 2, 5, 6: Lauri Hämäläinen
Cover artwork illustration: Tony Kaikkonen
Cover artwork graphic design: Ville Vase
Booklet layout: Jarmo Paabo, Juho Jokimies
Band photos: Sanna Kaesmae

Thy Row are:
Mikael Salo – Vocals
Jussi Laulainen – Guitar
Ville Vase – Guitar
Juho Jokimies – Bass
Teemu “Snake” Laitinen Drums

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/ThyRowBand
Instagram.com/thyrowband
Spotify

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—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

0 EPK – Infrared – From the Black Swamp (2021)

August 26, 2021
by Asher
· EPKs · Infrared

EPK – Infrared – From the Black Swamp (2021)

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

“Infrared is very excited to release their 3rd full-length. With 12 songs and an hour of brand-new music, this album is the most personal yet. It touches on aspects of all the band members’ lives and the trials and tribulations they have been through. It is a roller coaster ride of riff after riff, thundering bass, relentless drumming, and heavy lyrical content. The band hopes these personal songs resonate with fans and attracts new listeners who share a love and passion for classic metal songs delivered with a modern touch and production. If you like the 80’s Bay area sound mixed with classic metal influences such as Maiden, Priest and Sabbath, chances are, you will want to give this a listen.” – Infrared

For fans of Slayer, Metallica, Testament, Megadeth, Anthrax

Album Title: From the Black Swamp
Release Date: September 30, 2021
Label: Inframental Records

Infraredmetal.ca | Facebook.com/infraredmetal | Twitter.com/infraredmetal | YouTube | Instagram.com/theofficialinfrared

Infraredmetal.bandcamp.com/ | Spotify | Apple Music

“Saviours” #5 on Hellbound’s 2018 Top 10 Canadian Albums

“Saviours” #8 on Honest Brutality Picks “The 12 Rock and Metal Albums from 2018 That You Probably Overlooked”

“Back To The Warehouse echoes that time when the Big 4 were driving thrash, the likes of Testament, Exodus, and SOD equally making an open inspiration to the tracks within it yet it has a freshness to its particularly individual nostalgia which is not out of place with anything new being cast by current thrashers.” -The RingMaster Review

“Each instrument is well placed in the mix and is crowned by the aggressive, raw and yet melodic voice of Armin. This is old school thrash as it should be…..These guys have a very good hand for song writing…..Should not be missing in any good thrash collection.” – -Nocturnal Hall (Germany)

“This is definitely a must for fans of old school Melodic Thrash Metal. It’s loaded with thick beefy riffs to satisfy the real neck-breaking enthusiasts, yet enough melody alongside to please the more discerning listener.” – Decibel Geek

“The old school always has a new trick up its sleeve, and this well-established band knows how to bring it better than a good 80 percent of all those eight-stringed newbies.” – Absolute Underground Magazine

“These Canadian thrashers have stayed true to the sounds they knew when they were in their earlier years and have bought that sound back to the modern era.” – Overdrive Music Magazine (Review ‘Saviours’ 2018)

“killer thrash with NWOBHM melodic sensibilities, proper singing, hooks, the full nine yards!” – Hellbound (Review ‘Saviours’ 2018)

“a savage and brutal journey of eighties inspired thrash metal, laden with heaviness and menace, heads will be banging hard from start to finish.” – Metal Gods TV (Review ‘Saviours’ 2018)

“a thrash party from beginning to end.” – Rock Portaal (Review ‘Saviours’ 2018)

“These guys play a heavy/thrash hybrid that’s highly melodic and at times is so damn catchy, some of the songs just stick in your head after the first listen. ” – The Metal Crypt

“If you have dreamed of a cross between Annihilator and Vio-Lence then this might very well be the album for you. It is both melodic as well as aggressive with a just enough dose of technical tomfoolery.” – Battlehelm (Review ‘Saviours’ 2018)

“Straight up thrash metal with the heavy and fast riffs, pounding drums, and the thumping of the bass.” – Sleaze Roxx

“This band is extremely talented” – Metal At The Gates

“Saviours has an epic grandoise quality, bordering on classic heavy metal which makes this release a memorable listen. The unified choruses add even more flavour to the musical pallette and highlights the solid vocal attack of Armin Kamal……Check out Saviours and let the radioactive thrash of Infrared penetrate you!” -The Metal Channel

Album “No Peace” made the Best of 2016 album lists from:
-ASILO DE LUNÁTIKOS thrash metal radio
-Acier Doux Metal Management & Promotions Tunisia
-Off The Grid Metal

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

[Download Album Cover | Download Album Lyrics]

Album Title: From the Black Swamp
Release Date: September 30, 2021
Label: Inframental Records

Track Listing:
1. Tribal Junction – 4:49
2. No Master, No Gods – 4:39
3. Lockdown – 4:02
4. Left Lane F√₵K! – 4:19
5. Eat Your Own – 4:58
6. From the Black Swamp – 6:11
7. Evil Ascent – 5:22
8. Blood & Sweat – 5:04
9. Eternal Exile – 5:09
10. Tradimento – 4:31
11. Beautiful Death – 4:31
12. SemitaDomum – 6:32
Album Length: 1:00:13

Album Recording Credits:
• All songs performed by: Infrared
• All songs written by: Infrared
• Produced by: Armin Kamal
• Mixed by: Armin Kamal
• Mastered by: Armin Kamal
• Album Artwork by: Nate MacDonald
• Member of SOCAN
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Band Line Up:
Kirk Gidley – Guitar
Alain Groulx – Drums
Mike Forbes – Bass
Armin Kamal – Vocals, Guitar

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

Track by Track Explained by Infrared:

1. Tribal Junction – Song about bad relationships from societal down to interpersonal – opening song barn burner
2. No Master No Gods – You will not control me, I think for myself – energetic fast song
3. Lockdown – is about school shootings in the USA – fast song lots of energy
4. Left Lane F√₵k! – asshole drivers, but also a metaphor for people hindering or sabotaging your progress in life – mid paced fun song
5. Eat Your Own – music industry screwing each other over for $$, but also applies to any relationship where one side screws over the other for personal gain – mid-paced headbanger
6. From the Black Swamp – themed in betrayal and abuse by those closest to you – title track with an epic vibe
7. Evil Ascent – evildoers trying to brutalize people they feel superior to, again, both at a societal and an interpersonal level – fast-paced song with a creepy middle section, sing-along chorus
8. Blood and Sweat – a song about both band and crowd giving their all through moshing, headbanging, etc. – mid-paced and fast song (anthem type)
9. Eternal Exile – the masses gathering together to conquer a powerful evil entity and all the suffering that goes with it – doomy Black Sabbath style riffs
10. Tradimento – Strait up betrayal and psychological abuse song – buzzsaw heavy verses and catchy hook in the chorus
11. Beautiful Death – assisted dying for ill people wanting to be set free from endless pain – straight ahead riffage which builds a dark mood
12. Semita Domum – finding the path back home after being thrown off course – we describe it as an instrumental with lyrics

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

Quick Facts:

1. Infrared suffers for its art! Almost every video shoot has Infrared battling the elements. Their first video, No Peace, was shot in sub zero temperatures. They bottomed out at minus 30 Celsius on one of the shoot days at an abandoned house. If you look closely at the video or even a photo shoot they did at the same location, you will see red noses and ears. To put it succinctly, “It sucked!” The All in Favour video had them battling rain in a leaky abandoned factory and risking shock hazards all day long. And on their latest photo shoot in a swampy area of the Ottawa River, Mike an Armin both ended up getting stung by wasps after unknowingly disturbing their nest. First time being stung for Armin….ever. Was it worth it? It always is.

2. Back in December 1987, Infrared opened for the well-known band Sacrifice. The bands clicked and had a great night. They talked metal and gear and Sacrifice had commented that Infrared was the best opener they had on tour yet. Watching Sacrifice play in ’87 really inspired the band as they were about the same age as Infrared members and they were signed to a label and had two albums. Infrared was blown away by the Sacrifice performance and the week after the show, they wrote the song Meet My Standards inspired by watching Sacrifice in action. Rob Urbanati gave Kirk a Sacrifice sticker which is still on his guitar to this day. Almost 31 years later, Infrared played with Sacrifice again in September of 2018. It was like nothing changed except they were all older. They talked metal and gear and had an awesome night.

3. Infrared meet all kinds of people along the way and make some pretty cool friends like the metal grandpa, Stephen Palmer, from Australia who travelled all the way to Canada to follow Sacrifice on tour. On a mini tour with Black Mass from Boston, one night Infrared is playing in Quebec City and notice from the stage some big dude in the mosh pit cradling an Aloe Vera plant in a big pot. The band was like “WTF”? All night he is body slamming in the pit and feeding the plant beer. After the set, the band asked him what’s up with the plant and he said that he promised his buddy’s wife he would take care of it while they were out of town and that he would not let it out of his sight. The plant was dead by the end of the night.

Infrared – L-R: Mike Forbes (Bass, Backing Vocals), Armin Kamal (Guitar, Vocals), Alain Groulx (Drums, Backing Vocals), Kirk Gidley (Guitar, Backing Vocals)
Photo Credit by : Carissa Broeren

If Infrared sounds like classic thrash metal, that’s because they are! And rightfully so since they were making music as teenagers in the mid to late 80s back when the Big 4 (Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Anthrax) were just becoming famous. They literally lived and breathed that scene as it was happening and garnered national attention in Canada through their song and video for Thoughts Caught (in Between).

Then….life happened and members took different paths and the music, that was hot in the underground metal scene and loved by demo tape traders near and far, went dormant for 27 years! In 2014 Infrared reunited with 3 of the original 4 members (Kirk, Armin, and Alain), and since original bassist Shawn Thompson had moved to Miami, they recruited Mike Forbes. They worked hard to release their first full length album, No Peace, featuring songs written all those years ago. 2018 saw Infrared release their sophomore album, Saviours, featuring 8 new songs coming in at just over 50 minutes of music! That was followed up by their 2019 EP, Back to the Warehouse featuring the last of their 80’s written songs and released as a bridge to their next full length album. Now, in 2021, Infrared release their most mature album yet, From the Black Swamp. The album features 12 songs for one hour of hard hitting and emotionally charged songs steeped in the themes of betrayal and malicious sabotage in all walks of life, from societal to interpersonal.With several high profile concerts under their belts including opening for Anvil, Sacrifice, Razor, Venom Inc., Dirkschneider, Flotsam and Jetsam, DBC, E-Force, and Atrophy, Infrared raises their horns and looks forward to getting out there to meet and befriend metal lovers everywhere!

Discography:
2021 – From the Black Swamp – LP
2019 – Back to the Warehouse – EP
2018 – Saviours – LP
2016 – No Peace – LP
1986 – R.I.P. Demo

Shared Stage With:
Anvil, Flotsam and Jetsam, Udo Dirkshneider, Sacrifice, Varathron, DBC, E-Force, Vortex, Atrophy, Venom Inc.

0 Newfoundland Black Metal Duo Artach Share Track By Track Video For New Album “Sworn to Avenge”

August 26, 2021
by Asher
· Artach · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 26, 2021

For fans of Venom, Immortal, Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, Satyricon

Newfoundland Black Metal Duo Artach Share Track By Track Video For New Album “Sworn to Avenge”

New Album “Sworn to Avenge” Out Now! via Depressive Illusions Records

Canada, St. John’s, Newfoundland’s black metal duo Artach unleashed their latest album “Sworn to Avenge” this past June via Depressive Illusions Records. Heavily influenced by nature and the bleak climate they are surrounded by in cold frozen north, the band is sharing with fans their track-by-track video explanations on the inspirations for their raw and epic black metal.

The videos can be viewed at the following links:
Part 1 – Track By Track – Sworn to Avenge – https://youtu.be/MsJPj_oz54w
Part 2 – Track By Track – Sworn to Avenge – https://youtu.be/a4qLyZCQ1XY

“Sworn to Avenge” is the second album from Artach, following up 2020’s “Chronicles of a Black Winter”. Fans can expect more of the same compared to the first, but it pushes the envelope a little bit. Artach embraces evolution and aspire to play tighter, and have a more professional sound, but never sound overly polished.

Artach’s process is a collaborative one between the duo, the genesis of the songs are arranged on guitar by Sruthán and very roughly recorded at home. After getting together, they record drums and flesh out the song in an afternoon and by then the song is pretty much ready for the studio recording of guitars, then bass, and lastly vocals.

Artach is recommended listening for anyone interested in raw black metal and those with an interest in Celtic Frost, Darkthrone, and Satyricon.

“Sworn to Avenge” is available via Depressive Illusions Records at the following links: DepressiveIllusions.com, Artach.bandcamp.com, Amazon, Spotify.

Previous Videos:
Shimmer – https://youtu.be/JyJ2xW2oquM
Into the Frozen Woodlands – https://youtu.be/FtfosCUA7iw
She Gathers Leaves – https://youtu.be/g0nahpQ6O6s
Tuiteam an Duine – https://youtu.be/qt98RuT4Opg

Track Listing:
1. Tuiteam an Duine (7:08)
2. Ice Throne (5:09)
3. Shimmer (6:35)
4. Endless Tundra (21:35)
5. Into the Frozen Woodlands (4:49)
6. She Gathers Leaves (5:25)
7. Mistress of Black Thorns (6:24)
8. Winter’s End (8:14)
Album Length: 1:05:23

Album Band Line Up:
Fíochmhar: Vocals, Drums, Keyboards
Sruthán: Guitar, Bass

For more info:
Facebook.com/ArtachBlackMetal
Instagram.com/ArtachBlackMetal
EPK

About:
Artach is a two-man black metal band (Sruthán: Guitar/Bass, Fíochmhar: Battery/Vokills/Keys)based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. Being from the foggiest, snowiest, wettest, windiest, and gloomiest capital city in Canada, one should not be surprised that this fuels the creation of Black Metal. Their inspiration comes from the land, nature, the bleak weather of the Canadian North, and influential black metal bands.

Since the duo’s formation in the spring of 2019, Artach has been consistently releasing new music. The band’s debut album “Chronicles of a Black Winter” was released digitally during February 2020 and later unleashed on physical CD by Depressive Illusions Records. The full length contained 9 songs of extreme, harsh, and haunting sounds, which included a cover of Celtic Frost’s ‘Jewel Throne’.

Now in 2021, the band returns with their next offering “Sworn To Avenge”, a full-length scourge of raw and relentless bruting gloom. From the calming blasts and savagery of album opener “Tuiteam an Duine” to the ingrained black metal blast beats, and headbanging riffage on “Shimmer” to the 20-minute exploration for the epic “Endless Tundra” about the doomed Franklin expedition of 1846 to the Immortal-esque riffing and unorthodox exorcism of album closer “Winter’s End”, Artach delivers a 65-minute cold deliverance of their surroundings.

The band adds:

“The music on ‘Sworn To Avenge’ is a frigid mixture of topics about nature and how it meets and interacts with the darkness of humankind. The desolation of the world, the planet, and the repeated failure of society to evolve to a place where we are a part of nature and not brutish subjugators of everything in our path… these are all themes described throughout many songs. The music is angry, savage, unhinged, but contains melody and some twists and turns to surprise the listener. Varied song tempos mixing blasting with thrashy, punky, doomy elements keep the sounds interesting and not monotone. Song structures often vary and we never limit a song to a certain length. We indulge and have them be as long, or as short as we think feels right.”

“Sworn To Avenge” will be available digitally from Artach along with CD and cassette via Depressive Illusions Records on June 25, 2021.

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“The song (She Gathers Leaves) is a thrill-ride, but also reveals elements of gothic witchiness. The raw vocals are caught up in a paroxysm of fierce, crazed adoration, venting cold-blooded roars as well as braying, throat-stripping howls and cut-throat screams. The full-throttle drumming is tumultuous, a changing array that hammers, gallops, rocks, thunders, and blasts. Urgently rising chords provide a recurring theme, surrounded by flame-throwing riffs that dart, pulsate, and spasm, drawing on elements of thrash and classic heavy metal as well as black metal. Ecstatically swirling leads further add to the wildness of the song. A mood of mystery does surface in the track’s brief intro, and that mood surfaces again in the song’s back half, leading into a necromantic guitar solo that takes flight in scintillating fashion.” – No Clean Singing

“check out Artach for a truly epic journey into the wildernesses that populate the dark fantasy land conjured through their excellent music. This sophomore album tells me that this is a band that will be releasing much good material for years to come and will soon be headlining the epic black metal stages or charts both online and at festivals. An excellent job all round.” – Metal Rules

“”Sworn to Avenge is a mind-assaulting record… You’ll hear the influences of classic black metal bands like Venom, early-Bathory as well as elements of the second wave; Immortal, Darkthrone etc. Ugly and uninviting stuff but very satisfying if you enjoy the gloomier side of metal… It’s a mammoth listen and does take its toll, but the array of ideas that Artach showcase does keep things interesting. An hour slips by, the cold has sunk deep into the bones and you’ll be left wondering if you’ll ever be warm again.” – Games, Brrraaains And A Head-Banging Life

“Very melodic black metal, yet aggressive and heavy with undeniable influences from plain old straightforward heavy metal, so while things are definitely “black metal”, there’s a lot of discipline at play and this is definitely not your average raw, chaotic black metal. There’s order to the chaos on Sworn to Avenge, but that doesn’t prevent it from being aggressive and sometimes kind of depressing and melancholic despite not descending into the slower playing usually associated with those stylings. It’s a rollercoaster of “fuck yeah!” and “kill me now” (in sort of a good way).” – The Metal Crypt

“Now for some blackened thrash from Canada’s Artach, a band with an unusual take on the genre and a very unique sound. The good news is that if you’re a thrash fan you’re going to like this album. The even better news is that if you’re a blackened thrash fan you’re going to love this album. All of your favourite elements are present, plenty of riffs, a great blend between groove, rawness and aggression and raw, high energy vocals. There is something for everyone here which is why I can see the album having a broad appeal.” – Cavedweller Music

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0 Wacken Metal Battle USA Returns For 2022! Band Submissions Open August 26th!

August 26, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Wacken Metal Battle USA

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 25, 2021

Wacken Metal Battle USA Returns For 2022! Band Submissions Open August 26th!

Sponsors / Partners:
Bravewords.com
MetalAssault.com
MetalDevastationRadio.com
Metal-Rules.com
V13.net
Dungeon Works Productions
Asher Media Relations
Fatal Illness Management
Come And Take It Productions
Masquerade Atlanta
Syd Howell Presents
Brick By Brick
VonWolfe Entertainment
Tampa Bay Mosh Team
Rabbit Hole Entertainment
TMI Collaborations
Funhouse Seattle
SBS Live

Wacken Metal Battle Trailer – https://youtu.be/fjMugRXEc5g

Wacken Metla Battle USA Trailer – https://youtu.be/E_xjt8Qp3TE

Wacken Metal Battle USA is proud to announce its return in 2022 after two years of missed battles across America due to the Covid pandemic. For its last three years (2017-2019), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2022 will be the 31st edition of the festival and will be held from August 4th to 6th. The 2022 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Slipknot, Till Lindemann (Rammstein), Judas Priest, Limp Bizkit, As I Lay Dying, Lacuna Coil, Danko Jones, Gwar, Death Angel, Tarja, and many more. Details here.

For over a decade at Wacken Open Air, independent metal bands from around the globe have been performing in front of thousands and competing against one another for one to be crowned champion of the international battle at the festival along with winning multiple prizes. For 2022, Wacken Metal Battle USA is returning to America and will be hosting qualifying rounds in select cities across the nation.

Current cities confirmed for 2022 battles are the following:
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Orange County, CA
Sacramento, CA
Oakland, CA
San Francisco, CA
Portland, OR
Seattle, WA
Phoenix, AZ
Tucson, AZ
Tampa Bay, FL
Atlanta, GA
Las Vegas, NV
Austin, TX
Corpus Christi, TX
Dallas, TX
Houston, TX
Lubbock, TX
San Antonio, TX
El Paso, TX
Akron, OH

Battle Submissions:
Applications for 2022 will open on August 26, 2021 at 6AM PST and end on November 14, 2021 at 11:59PM PST. Bands interested in participating in 2022 battles can apply at the following link: https://metalbattleusa.com/apply/

Concert promoters interested in hosting a Wacken battle in their city can apply at this link: https://metalbattleusa.com/promoter-application-for-wacken-metal-usa-battles/

How it works:
Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2022 and compete against the winners of 29 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

Rules for participation: https://metalbattleusa.com/rules/

About:
Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance of winning their spot among 29 other countries’ champions, and representing the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air, which has been taking place in Wacken, Germany for the last 30 years. The winner of Wacken Metal Battle USA will perform at the 2022 festival taking place from August 4 – 6th

2019’s national final was hosted in Los Angeles, CA and featured Dissentience (Winners, East Coast), Monarch (Winners, West Coast), Nahaya (Winners, Texas), Toxic Ruin (Winners, Chicago), Violence System (Winners, Atlanta) whom were selected from over a hundred bands that participated in battles across the USA. The national final battle was Judged by a panel of metal industry that consisted of Alex Distefano (LA Weekly), Marco Barbieri (M-Theory Audio) and DJ Will (KNAC.COM).

2019 – WMBU Winner
Monarch (San Diego, CA)
Video – Live at Wacken 2019 here.

2018 – WMBU Winner
VOICES OF RUIN (Anaheim, CA)

2017 – WMBU Winner
CORPSE HOARDER (Philadelphia, PA)
Video – Live at Wacken 2017 here.

For more info:
Metal-Battle.com
MetalBattleUSA.com
Facebook.com/metalbattleusa
Twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA
Instagram.com/metalbattleusa

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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0 Huge Hails Horns! \m/\m/ Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs! !earshot – The National Loud Chart #1 Osyron, #3 White Cowbell Oklahoma, #9 Hexenklad – CDN Records For the Week Ending: Tuesday, August 24, 2021

August 25, 2021
by Asher
· Hexenklad - Heathenheart (CDN Records) (2021) · Osyron · White Cowbell Oklahoma

Huge Hails Horns! \m/\m/

Thank You Canadian MDs and DJs!

!earshot – The National Loud Chart

#1 Osyron, #3 White Cowbell Oklahoma, #9 Hexenklad – CDN Records

For the Week Ending: Tuesday, August 24, 2021

https://earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=106&dWeekOfID=2021-08-24

0 Knoxville’s Summoner’s Circle Are Now Streaming “Chaos Vector”, Album Stream Premiere via ThePit

August 25, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Summoner's Circle

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 25, 2021

For fans of Dimmu Borgir, Behemoth, Immortal, Opeth, Tribulation

Knoxville’s Summoner’s Circle Are Now Streaming “Chaos Vector”

Album Stream Premiere via ThePit

New Album “Chaos Vector” Out Aug 27th via Blood Blast Distribution

L-R: Invictus (Drums), Y’takt (Bass), Hex (Keys), Blind (Lead Vocals), Gog (Lead Guitar), Azra (Guitar)
Photo Credit: Rachel Craig Media/Joshua Winstead Photography

“Chaos Vector” is a Lovecraftian cosmic horror tale inspired heavily by H.P. Lovecraft’s The Case of Charles Dexter Ward. This latest installment from Summoner Circle‘s growing discography including “Become None” (LP, 2019); “Tome” (LP, 2018); “First Summoning” (EP, 2015).

The new album tells a story of a man who is interested in the occult, gets in way over his head and discovers a plot by ancient gods to pierce his world and bleed it dry. According to the band, this album is heavier than their previous works and, they feel, more musically ambitious. The songs are shorter and easier to digest while being able to convey a wider range of emotions both in the music and lyrical content. The band has been listening to fans and reworking their music to ensure a solid reception for this alum as they explain their own words:

“We’ve taken note as to what songs from our past albums and EP were the most successful; both at the live shows and in what received the most views/listens on various listening platforms. With that in mind, we worked to write a concept album in which the songs were a little shorter and the longer songs had a better flow to make them not feel as long as they are. That being said, this album is a much heavier album, with songs that can be more easily digested without sacrificing the quality of musicianship or technicality. We think the fans will be very satisfied by this offering and it will prove to be a breakout album for us.”

As this is a concept record, the band is intending to take the audience on a journey into something horrifically unknown. The album starts with a heavy punch (“The Message”) that drops to a haunting sense of dread by the next song (“Of Black Horizons”). The third song (“Vessel”) is a dark and moody blackened doom piece that conveys some of the creepiest elements on the full-length. Entering into (“The Hierophants”), the band begins with a melodic, folk vibe that builds back up the heaviness of the first song. That heaviness, that the fans love, carries into the next two songs (Apostasy and Chaos Vector) before hitting that emotional wall of dread and despair in Terminus Egress. This song is meant to complete a part of the story that has a tragic ending. The next song (“Chrysalis”) is an instrumental interlude before the final song (“The Beyond” which is a melodic epic with a crushingly heavy chorus.

This homage to cosmic horror comes with a short story where each song on the album correlates to a chapter in the story, it is capped with beautiful cover art created by French fine artist Yoann Lossel.

Recommended for fans of Immortal, Opeth and Tribulation, “Chaos Vector” is streaming now in full via its premiere on ThePit HERE.

“Chaos Vector” is officially out on August 27th via Blood Blast Distribution.

Album pre-order / save at the following link: https://backl.ink/145841454

Music Video – Chaos Vector – https://youtu.be/hTM_g0dubI8
Lyric Video – Of Black Horizons – https://youtu.be/ttPffSRrXQ4

Track Listing:
1. The Message (1:02)
2. Of Black Horizons (4:00)
3. Vessel (7:34)
4. The Hierophants (5:17)
5. Apostasy (7:45)
6. Chaos Vector (4:05)
7. Terminus Egress (9:12)
8. Chrysalis (1:35)
9. The Beyond (7:43)
Album Length: 48:17

For more info:
Summonerscircle.com
Facebook.com/summonerscircle
Twitter.com/summoners13
Instagram.com/summonerscircle
EPK

About:
“Let the Summoning Begin…”
Summoner’s Circle is a six-piece theatrical metal band that blends elements of doom, death, black and progressive metal into what they refer to as simply Epic Metal.

For the band, every song in an incantation, every live performance is a Summoning, and everything they do is tied intrinsically to the mythology, or lore, they have created. The lore tells the story of the band’s origins, battles of divine conquest and showcases their creativity and vision, which sets the stage for a very entertaining live performance where bigger is better, and Epic is always the standard.

The Summoners released their first EP, entitled First Summoning, in late 2015. This was followed in 2016 by the single, Become None, and its B-side, Minotaur, both of which are included on their debut full-length release entitled Tome, which was released in June of 2018.

In May of 2019, Tome was repackaged and released as Become None via the Pavement Entertainment label.

In the spring of 2019, Summoner’s Circle joined Children of Bodom, Swallow the Sun and Wolfheart as part of Bodom’s Hexed North American Tour, gaining many new fans and excellent reviews.

In June of 2019, the Six signed a worldwide management deal with Extreme Management Group, Inc. who also manages Suffocation, Cattle Decapitation, Misery Index and many others.

Summoner’s Circle’s second full-length album Chaos Vector is scheduled to be released in 2021 and will be accompanied by a Lovecraft-style cosmic horror short story written by the band. Each song is a chapter in the story.

– 30 –

“Summoners’ Circle have the whole package. Their songs are original and memorable, beautifully written, and hook the listener after the first listening. They have a great stage presence, and the theatricality and imagery of their live performances keep the fans talking about their experience way beyond the day of the show. I am honored to work on the production of their upcoming album.” – Yanic Bercier, Ph.D | Endorser of Yamaha Drums, Sabian, Vic Firth, Evans, AKG, RME, True-Systems, Engl, Ddrum

“Hooked the first time I saw this band play! No two shows are the same and I’m always left wanting more. It’s what music and show should be!” – Lee Abney | Pentagram/Place of Skulls

“These guys are serious about what they do and the costumes and imagery match the grandiose sound they produce.” No Clean Singing

“SUMMONER’S CIRCLE’s full-length debut gets near the 75-minute mark, and yet it succeeds in balancing complexity, heaviness, catchiness, mystery and melodrama to make sure its duration does not become overwhelming. an almost perfect record …especially its flawless production and its tight, inventive songwriting.” – Metal Temple

“Summoner’s Circle is the kind of band you go your whole life hoping to hear and when you finally do it’s even better than you expected. They are the culmination of a lifetime spent listening to music and finally finding something that fits where nothing else has. Plus, brutality aside, they’re just a fantastic group of otherworldly beings.” – Josh Martin 94.3 WNFZ

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0 Shumaun Release Progressive Rock Single “Intuition Underground” ft. Thomas Lang (Peter Gabriel, Paul Gilbert), Lyric Video Premiere via SonicPerspectives

August 25, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Shumaun

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 25, 2021

For fans of Rush, Dream Theater, Porcupine Tree

Shumaun Release Progressive Rock Single “Intuition Underground” ft. Thomas Lang (Peter Gabriel, Paul Gilbert)

Lyric Video Premiere via SonicPerspectives

New Album “Memories & Intuition” Out September 10th

Featuring An All-Star Lineup of Drummers

Ft. Thomas Lang (Peter Gabriel, Paul Gilbert),
Atma Anur (Jason Becker, Tony Macalpine),
Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord),
Leo Margarit (Pain of Salvation), and Chris DeChiara

Shumaun (L to R) Jose Mora: Bass, Farhad Hossain: Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Tyler Kim: Guitar

The third single off Shumaun’s “Memories & Intuition” is the catchy and anthemic rock song “Intuition Underground.” The ninth track on the album features drummer Thomas Lang (Peter Gabriel, Paul Gilbert), and like the rest of the full-length, adds accessible melodies to unusual time signatures resulting in progressive music that is suitable for both listeners who are new to the sub-genre and avid listeners.

Even though the album is very singles-based, it’s meant to be listened to in sequence. There is a natural flow between the songs and lyrics that almost make it feel conceptual. The album theme ties to loss, the current human condition, personal relationships, and the battle of the self. The single stands easily on its own as the band explains:

“The main guitar riff sounds like it could come off a Zeppelin album. It’s a super simplistic pentatonic riff, but it just exudes an attitude that we really liked,” says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain. “There are some tricky time signatures on the song, but luckily the whole thing comes across as a stadium rock song,” adds bassist, Jose Mora. While the song is on the heavier side for Shumaun, it still retains the catchy melodies and big hooks so iconic to the band.

“Intuition Underground” is an easy listen, but that doesn’t mean Shumaun sacrifices creative writing and complexity. With a bridge that alternates between the time signatures of 15/16 and 14/16, the band proves they can maintain a good balance between their technical abilities and their creative writing that shines through, making for an invigorating listen.

“Intuition Underground” can be heard via its premiere on Sonic Perspectives HERE.

Alongside the regular band lineup on this album, Shumaun employs the talents of other legendary drummers Atma Anur (Jason Becker, Tony Macalpine), and Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord). Drummers Leo Margarit (Pain of Salvation) and Chris DeChiara also contributed.

Shumaun is recommended for fans of Porcupine Tree, Fates Warning, and Tool.

“Memories & Intuition” is releasing on September 10, 2021.

Album teaser – https://youtu.be/3aSbnu_JPhE

Previous singles:
“Memories of Water” – https://youtu.be/kxeJGQfy1ww
“Under the Sun” – https://youtu.be/3pPkZ8U5c60

Track Listing:
1. A Subtle Invocation (3:20)
2. Prisoners (3:51)
3. Memories of Water (3:33)
4. Jabriel’s Song (5:59)
5. Invincible (7:22)
6. Under the Sun (5:06)
7. The Pursuit of Happiness (5:11)
8. Tides (4:28)
9. Intuition Underground (4:39)
10. Breathing Light (9:00)
11. A Planetary Shift (5:40)
12. The Day We Said Goodbye (5:18)
Album Length: 1:03:26

Album Band Line Up:
Farhad Hossain – Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards
Jose Mora – Bass
Tyler Kim – Guitars
Drums: Thomas Lang (Tracks 2, 5, 9, 10)
Drums: Mark Zonder (Tracks 1, 3)
Drums: Atma Anur (Tracks 4, 7)
Drums: Leo Margarit (Tracks 6, 8)
Drums: Chris DeChiara (Track 11)
Additional keyboards on “Tides” by Bill Whitney

For more info:
Shumaun.com
Facebook.com/shumaun
Instagram.com/zinkferd
Twitter.com/shumaun
EPK

About:
Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain (ex singer/guitarist/keyboardist of Iris Divine). After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. Through the course of recording their self-titled debut album, Shumaun went through a period of tribulation while securing a drummer. Original drummer Tanvir Tomal (ex Iris Divine) had to leave for professional obligations in the middle of the recording sessions and was later replaced with Waqar Khan (Entity Paradigm), who is also well known for his work with the platinum-selling Ali Azmat of the EMI recording artist Junoon (one of South Asia’s most successful rock bands). Waqar remained with the band long enough to record a few tracks on the debut record as well as appear live for some of the earlier shows. Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour, Periphery), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord) recorded the remaining drums on the debut record that was released in the fall of 2015. Tanvir has since returned to the band as the live drummer.

2019 saw the band releasing their sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday.” The album was once again mixed by Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio in France. The album was rawer and heavier, but the melodies and vocals were never compromised. It includes the bombastic prog metal single “Go.”

2021 sees Shumaun releasing their third album “Memories & Intuition,” which features the amazing drumming of legends such as Thomas Lang (Peter Gabrie l, Paul Gilbert), Atma Anur (Jason Becker, Tony Macalpine), Mark Zonder (Fates Warning, Warlord), and Leo Margarit (Pain of Salvation). Shumaun once again tapped Brett Caldas-Lima and Tower Studio for mixing and mastering. The album is their most melodic to date and consists of their single “Memories of Water.”

The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, and the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim. The band has received many accolades, and have made it onto several “album of the year” lists from sites such as Progressive Music Planet, Decibel Geek, and Metal Asylum etc. The band also won The Deli Magazine’s “Best of 2015” for Washington DC bands, and have been featured on Revolver Magazine, and Decibel Magazine.

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jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
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0 Rockshots Records: Greek Prog/Power ILLUSORY Release New Video “A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme”

August 25, 2021
by Asher
· Illusory (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 25, 2021

For fans of Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Savatage, Jag Panzer

Rockshots Records: Greek Prog/Power ILLUSORY Release New Video “A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme”

New Album “Crimson Wreath” Out Now!

Greece’s prog power Illusory are sharing their new lyric video for the heroic rhapsody “A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme” in support of their third album “Crimson Wreath” released on May 21st via Rockshots Records.

“This is a song with heavy riffing, a song where vocal lines are almost fighting against guitar and keys themes. However, the whole outcome gives you peace – finally! Based on a nightmare of a story or vice versa, this lyric video is filled with emotions and emphatical images, portraying a story which could easily be never-ending.” adds the band.

The lyric video for “A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme” can be viewed on Rockshots Records YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/9x-aRn1wmxE

Having opened for such legendary acts Blue Oyster Cult, Warrel Dane, Geoff Tate, and Gus G, Illusory‘s new album “Crimson Wreath” is the next step in their widely praised evolution to follow 2016’s Polysllabic (7hard/7us) and 2013’s “The Ivory Tower” (The Leaders Records).

Melodic, riffy, cerebral, and complex “Crimson Wreath” is a very emotional and melodic release, yet heavy and strong at the same time. Both new fans and ones who have been listening to the band for years will indulge themselves in this latest offering of classic, progressive, epic, and thrashy performances. Lyrical themes found on “Crimson Wreath” are mostly anti-war, but the full length also includes a thematic unit consisting of three songs that deal with human loss.

“The band is thrilled! When we look back, from the first minute to the last one, from the moment we pressed record on the very first drum takes to the album wrap-up, we can’t stop thinking about all the things we set and done during those long hours of arranging every little album detail. “Crimson Wreath” has become a member of our discography and our most recent brainchild. And we are totally proud of it!”

For fans of Iron Maiden, Queensryche, Savatage, Jag Panzer, Illusory‘s “Crimson Wreath” is available at the following link: http://bit.ly/CrimsonWreathCD

Track Listing:
1. Besetting Sins (5:01)
2. Acedia (2:11)
3. Crimson Wreath (6:35)
4. Immortal No (4:25)
5. All Shall Fade (1:51)
6. All Blood Red (5:48)
7. The Voice Inside Me (1:28)
8. S.T. Forsaken (8:08)
9. Ashes To Dust (5:51)
10. A Poem I Couldn’t Rhyme (4:22)
An Opus Of Loss And Sorrow:
11. Pedestal I: Past Forever Last (6:07)
12. Pedestal II: The Isle Of Shadows (9:08)
13. Pedestal III: Agony’s Last (6:53)
14. Fortress Of Sadness (10:04)
Album Length: 1:18:00

ILLUSORY is:
Dee Theodorou – Vocals
George Papantonis – Guitars
Greg Bakos – Guitars
Niki Danos – Bass
Makis Vandoros – Keyboards
Costas Koulis – Drums

For more info:
Roc kshots.eu
Illusoryband.com
Facebook.com/illusoryband
Instagram/illusory_band
Twitter.com/illusoryband

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780
jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Extreme Progressive Metal Group IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Unveils Music Video for ‘Candlelight’

August 24, 2021
by Asher
· Immortal Guardian (M-Theory Audio) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – August 24, 2021

For fans of Iron Maiden, Helloween, Symphony X, Kamelot, Marty Friedman, Dragonforce

Extreme Progressive Metal Group IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Unveils Music Video for ‘Candlelight’

Band On US Tour Now! Performing at Mad With Power Fest This Weekend

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN is (L-R):
Gabriel Guardian (Guitars/Keyboards)
Carlos Zema (Vocals)
Joshua Lopez (Bass)
Justin Piedimonte (Drums)

The extreme progressive/power metal group IMMORTAL GUARDIAN have unveiled a music video for “Candlelight”, the latest single from their critically acclaimed concept album “Psychosomatic”. The clip which was produced by Brett Rivera and features former Cirque Du Soleil performer Olga Pikhienko and world-renown dancer Danny Davalos filmed at the location at the Valley of Fire outside Las Vegas – is being released in the wake of the band’s return to the road, which began last week with a concert in their newly adopted hometown and was followed by a show in guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian’s original hometown of Harlingen, Texas.

Watch “Candlelight” at https://youtu.be/8_27GDBEP6Q

Says Gabriel, “’Candlelight’ is a beautiful song written by (vocalist) Carlos Zema as a tribute to all of our loved ones that passed away during these hard times. 2020 was a very difficult year for all of us, with lockdowns, deaths in the family and having to cancel all of our plans as a band. Making our album ‘Psychosomatic’ helped us cope with the tough times and be able to channel our thoughts and emotions into lyrics and melodies. ‘Candlelight’ was a very tough song for Carlos and I to do with all of the emotional weight it brought, but in the end, we were very happy with how it came out and finalized on the album. This song goes out to all our friends, family and heroes who are no longer with us today.”

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN‘s cross-country journey – which includes a series of shows alongside Atlanta power-thrashers Paladin, as well as a headlining appearance at the Mad With Power Fest in Madison, Wisc. on August 28 – marks the band’s first live performances in support of “Psychosomatic”. The group will be performing every night backed by a visually entrancing laser/light show designed by Guardian himself. A list of the remaining tour dates is below.

“Psychosomatic” has been lauded by Metal Temple for its “melody and power, two things displayed in a smashing way throughout this album,” and it 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 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.

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, Exmortus and Powerglove, 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.

“Psychosomatic” is a product of the extraordinary turmoil of 2020 that affected millions of people around the world, as well as the next step in IMMORTAL GUARDIAN’s exhilarating melding of melodic power metal with progressive/shred tendencies. The group is looking forward to bringing their scintillating sounds and dazzling visuals to the road for fans to experience live.

A small amount of limited-edition transparent purple haze vinyl copies of “Psychosomatic” remain available, along with CD and digital versions of the album, at www.smarturl.com/immortalguardian.

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN Tour Dates:
8/24 Red Flag – St Louis, MO*
8/25 Reverb Lounge – Omaha, NE*
8/26 Bigs Bar – Sioux Falls, SD*
8/27 Lefty’s Live Music – Des Moines, IA*
8/28 High Noon Saloon (Mad With Power Fest) – Madison, WI*
8/29 Social Club – Chicago, IL*
8/31 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI*
9/01 Westside Bowl (Downstairs) – Youngstown, OH*
9/02 Buzzbin Shop – Canton, OH*
9/03 JB LoveDraft’s – Harrisburg, PA*
9/04 Jewel – Manchester, NH*
9/05 Alchemy – Providence, RI*
9/06 Middle East (Upstairs) – Cambridge, MA*
9/07 Trans Pecos – Brooklyn, NY*
9/08 Milkboy – Philadelphia, PA*
9/09 KC’s Music Alley – Fredericksburg, VA
9/10 Odditorium – Asheville, NC*
9/11 Ground Zero – Spartanburg, SC
9/14 89th Street – Oklahoma City, OK
9/15 Vibes Underground – San Antonio, TX
9/17 Rockhouse – El Paso, TX
9/18 Pubrock Live – Scottsdale, AZ
9/19 Dive Bar – Las Vegas, NV
*with Paladin

IMMORTAL GUARDIAN is:
Gabriel Guardian – Guitars/Keyboards
Carlos Zema – Vocals
Justin Piedimonte – Drums
Joshua Lopez – Bass

For more info:
M-theoryaudio.com
ImmortalGuardian.net
Facebook.com/igmetal
Instagram.com/immortal_guardian
Twitter.com/igmetal
EPK

– 30 –

“The musicianship is top-tier and the group’s compositional ability is unheard of for a band this young. [Guitarist} Gabriel Guardian is a new American hero.” – Decibel

“Melody and Power, two things displayed in a smashing way throughout this album. If Immortal Guardian isn’t already on your playlist, I think they should be. 10/10 – Metal-Temple.com

“A mega-catchy prog-power anthem (Read Between The Lines) mixed with a blend of crushing performances that’ll leave you salivating for more.” – Metal Injection

“Psychosomatic, an album that will likely be viewed as one of 2021’s best releases, and a landmark record forImmortal Guardian. ” – Metal Nation

““Psychosomatic” is a super catchy (Prog) Power Metal album” – Metalheads Forever Magazine

“With this album (Psychosomatic) Immortal Guardian should no longer be seen as a promising band. Not only have they shown that they have an enormous compositional quality and an elite technical level, they have also shown that they are a band that faces difficulties and that they have all the will to continue. Making a high-quality second album two years after their dazzling debut tells us about the enormous inner power these musicians have.” – Metal Rules

““QUARAN-TAAAAAYN!” No matter what you think about Immortal Guardian, it’s refreshing to hear a band that plays their style while confronting modern life. Though there’s a lot of big, epic, technical stuff going on on Psychosomatic, it never devolves into a lot of bullshit about chivalry and orcs. As such, they feel poised to be the inheritors of Nevermore’s throne, a gritty power metal band who feel relevant even as they soar. Get this in your brain.” – The Pit

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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