Category: Music News

0 Rockshots Records: New Album Out Now! “War of The Jewels” + New Music Video “Apocalypse” – Tolkien Inspired Progressive Rock Orchestra AINUR

March 19, 2021
by Asher
· Ainur (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 19, 2021

For fans of Ayreon, Dream Theater, Nightwish, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lords of The Rings, The Hobbit

Rockshots Records: Tolkien Inspired Progressive Rock Orchestra AINUR New Music Video “Apocalypse”

New Album “War of The Jewels” Out Now!

Inspired by Tolkienian mythology, prog-rock orchestra Ainur has been composing J.R.R. Tolkien masterpieces into galloping escapades across the audio landscape for nearly two decades.

Their next anticipated record “War of The Jewels” is now out via Rockshots Records as of Friday, March 19th, 2021 (CD+Digital) with the vinyl release on June 12th. For its release day, the band is sharing their new music video for the full-length’s closing track “Apocalypse”.

“This song concludes the album and we wanted to end an epic album like this with an epic song. Apocalypse is the musical representation of the sinking of Beleriand when ‘the valleys were upheaved and the hills trod down, and Sirion was no more’. The rhythm of the beginning of the song leaves space to a moment of darkness and immobility broken by the string section movement and it grows up until the ending explosion. It is also a song of hope: the war against the Dark Lord has finally ended and the Middle-Earth can now focus on a new beginning ‘hoping from now on the sun will shine’.”

The music video for “Apocalypse”can be viewed via Rockshots Records YouTube channel – https://youtu.be/ca59N60FvnI

For “War of The Jewels”, Ainur take an interesting evolution in sound from previous releases, completely immersing fans in J.R.R.Tolkien’s war atmospheres. They have imagined every story and every battle and recreate them through unique and deep music. The compositional process of “War of The Jewels” was very long. It started in 2009 (or maybe before) and it ended more or less last year. Ainur sees it as their “rebirth” album. They have been working hard composing and arranging their music to create the best tribute to Tolkien’s histories that they can.

The band comments:

“‘War of the Jewels’ is the eleventh volume of “The History of Middle-Earth”. In Tolkien’s mythology is the tale of the big wars that came out after the creation of the Silmarils by Fëanor. The main theme is the big battles of Beleriand, except for Nirnaeth Arnoediad that will have big space in our next album. The main implied character is Fëanor, the mightiest of the Elves. Musically, it’s a thematic album as all our previous and future ones and you will recognize musical themes that we already used in “From Ancient Times”, “Children of Hùrin” and “Lay of Leithian”; however, the atmospheres are more aggressive and mighty than in the past because the topics we have put in Music this time needed a more powerful musical support.”

Fans of Tolkien’s work along with fans of Ayreon, Queen, and John Williams will be surprised by the majesty and the energy of this work.

“War of The Jewels” album order:
Digital https://smarturl.it/WarOfTheJewels
CD Digipak – http://bit.ly/Ainur_Digipak
Vinyl – http://bit.ly/Ainur_Vinyl (available on June 12, 2021 – Record Store Day)

Videos:
“Spirit Of Fire” ft. Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth) & Ted Nasmith – https://youtu.be/7i3XlsPVJsI
Kinslaying (The First)” ft. Ted Nasmith – https://youtu.be/LdWz7xWtMIY

Track Listing:
1. Fate Disclosed ft. Ted Nasmith (2:08)
2. Wars Of Beleriand (6:58)
3. Hell of Iron (5:46)
4. Wars Begin (7:01)
5. Kinslaying (The First) ft. Ted Nasmith (7:43)
6. Grinding Ice (8:27)
7. Battle Under The Stars ft. Derek Sherinian (4:39)
8. Spirit Of Fire ft. Roberto Tiranti (Labyrinth) & Ted Nasmith (7:17)
9. The Broidress (3:43)
10. The Great Battle (Or The War Of Wrath) ft. Ted Nasmith (11:58)
11. Apocalypse (4:24)
12. Apocalypse (Acoustic Bonus Track-digital only) (3:46)
Album Length: 1:13:55

Artwork by Felipe Machado (Blind Guardian, Axel Rudi Pell, etc)

Ainur is:
Luca Catalano – Composer, Guitars, Vocals
Marco Catalano – Composer, Drums, Vocals
Alex Armuschio – Composer, Keys, Lead Vocals
Max Clara – Lead Vocals
Roberta Malerba – Lead Vocals
Elena Richetta – Lead Vocals
Giuseppe Ferrante – Bass, Contrabass
Luca Marangoni – Violin
Carlo Perillo – Viola
Daniela Lorusso – Cello
Cristiano Blasi – Flutes
Chiara Marangoni – Horns
Wilma Collo – Lyrics

Discography:
2006 – From Ancient Times
2007 – Children of Hurin
2009 – Lay of Leithian
2012 – Progressive Rock Night (DVD)
2013 – The Lost Tales
2014 – There and Back Again (single)
2019 – Fall of Gondolin (single)
2020 – Shadow from the East (single)
2021 – War of The Jewels

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Ainur.it
Facebook.com/ainurprogrockorchestra
Instagram.com/ainurprogrockorchestra

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0 Streaming Now! Manuel Barbará’s Debut Progressive Metal Album “Moonrise”, Album Stream via Metal-Rules

March 18, 2021
by Asher
· Manuel Barbara · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 18, 2021

For fans of Dream Theater, Keith Merrow, Periphery, Tesseract, Jeff Loomis

Streaming Now! Manuel Barbará’s Debut Progressive Metal Album “Moonrise”

Album Stream via Metal-Rules

Album Out March 19th, 2021

New Jersey’s Manuel Barbará has a debut album “Moonrise” out and it will be streaming on all music platforms for the listening pleasure of prog fans worldwide as of Friday, March 19th. Barbará is the sole songwriter of this project and it marks the beginning of his foray into the musical world.

And before the album officially drops, its full stream is being premiered via Metal-Rules HERE.

Barbará took up the guitar at the age of 16 and managed to successfully audition for Berklee at age 18. The debut album “Moonrise” is an unique piece of music, much of the writing was done during the very early days of his training in classical composition. For Barbará, this work is a journey through a series of sonic worlds and colors that he has carefully crafted. He comments on the album:

“This music has been part of my own little universe for so long, and I am beyond excited to share it with the world. The process of making the album has been an epic journey, a learning experience, and a trial by fire all wrapped into one and I am looking forward to bringing that journey to an audience, and into the future with the music that is to come.

The purpose of music for me, after all the craft and technique and study are done, is to draw the listeners in and allow them to experience totally new worlds. The details of those worlds will be up to each individual person, but I hope the audience will join me on this small adventure I’ve prepared.”

According to Barbará, these songs, so far, were only ever performed live once and are not likely to be performed again for some time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he makes an effort during his live performances to avoid the “musical statues” syndrome that plagues so many prog bands.

A fluid and extravagant progressive masterpiece await fans of Periphery, Tesseract, and Jeff Loomis.

The full album is out on March 19, 2021.
Album pre-order is available on 8stringalchemy.bandcamp.com.
Apple Music pre-save here.
Spotify pre-save here.

Title Track “Moonrise” – Guitar / Bass Playthrough – https://youtu.be/HIpLs6TXQU0
“The Nightmare Weaver” – Guitar Playthrough – https://youtu.be/4QtXcqyAMjs

Track Listing

Moonrise (5:08)
The God Complex (6:08)
Children of Prometheus (4:54)
Mirrors I – Image (5:10)
Mirrors II – Silver (3:48)
Mirrors III – Reflection (4:20)
The Nightmare Weaver (6:15)

Album Length: 35:45

More Info:
Facebook.com/8stringalchemy
Instagram.com/8stringalchemy
YouTube
EPK

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“With its rhythmic elements and heavy riffs, Manuel Barbará’s debut album is in the purity of modern instrumental progressive metal. But his influences from classical composers add an interesting extra touch.”- Music Waves

“a spectacular showcase of the progressive qualities of Manuel Barbará.” – Games, Brains and A Headbanging Life

“without a doubt that we have a talented musician and composer in front of us. The approach is in large parts of the material progressive metal with the corresponding hardness and complexity… You can’t deny the band’s instrumental quality…” – Metal-Heads.de

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0 Rockshots Records Signs KARPENTER For New Album “Sleepless” Out May 28th

March 18, 2021
by Asher
· KARPENTER (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 18, 2021

For fans of In Flames, Machine Head, Amorphis, Mercenary

Rockshots Records Signs KARPENTER For New Album “Sleepless” Out May 28th

Rockshots Records is proud to announce their signing of KARPENTER for the release of their album “Sleepless” this coming May 2021.

Named in tribute to horror movie master John Carpenter, the alternative-metal band was formed in 2019 by former Fightcast members Filippo Tellerini, Francesco Vicini, and Marco Biondi, along with Federico Conti (Creep), Manuel Nucci and Michele Mingozzi (Figure of Six). By connecting old-school influences with modern-sounding songs, the band aims at keeping the core of the style that characterized the past while projecting itself toward new and original experimentations of sounds and metal sub-genres.

“Sleepless” will be KARPENTER‘s debut full length to follow their 2019 singles “Dark Mountain Side” and “The Hardest Party”. The album was recorded and mixed by Gabriele Ravaglia (Extrema) and Gianmarco Bambini at Fear Studio in Italy, and mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Fleshgod Apocalypse).

The album’s tracks are inspired by horror movie themes and characters such as “Shark” influenced by Jaws, “The Manor” for Army of Darkness, “Perfection Valley” for Tremors, and “No Vacancy” for Alfred Hitchock’s Psycho. The band explains in further detail:

“Sleepless is a gateway to a hostile and tormented world, where space and time are perceived in a distorted way. Each track hides a story, a tale steeped in fear. You will be dragged into a spooky world devoid of any logic. Tight riffs and cinematic melodies will hit you from the beginning, alternating with darker and more introspective atmospheres.”

KARPENTER‘s members have shared the stage with established bands such as The Dillinger Escape Plan, The Ghost Inside, Poison The Well.

For fans of In Flames, Amorphis, Machine Head, and Mercenary, KARPENTER will release “Sleepless” via Rockshots Records on May 28th.

KARPENTER are:
Filippo Tellerini – Vocals
Federico Conti – Lead Guitar
Manuel Nucci – Rhythm guitar
Michele Mingozzi – Keyboards, Programming
Francesco Vicini – Bass
Marco Biondi – Drums

Track Listing:
1. Sleepless (1:23)
2. Mechanical Sense (3:14)
3. Perfection Valley (3:25)
4. Falconer (3:06)
5. Shark (3:37)
6. The Manor (4:19)
7. The Hardest Party (4:30)
8. The Swamp Thing (3:48)
9. No Vacancy (3:40)
10. Dark Mountain Side (3:42)
Album Length: 34:48

Album Credits:
– All music and lyrics by KARPENTER
– Recorded and mixed by Gabriele Ravaglia and Gianmarco Bambini at Fear Studio, Italy
– Mastered by Jacob Hansen at Hansen Studios, Denmark
– Artwork by Nomad by Fate

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Karpenter-band.it
Facebook.com/karpenterband
Instagram.com/karpenter_band

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0 Rockshots Records: Finland’s Mysterizer New Music Video “Burn Witch Burn” Off Upcoming 2021 Album

March 18, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Mysterizer (Rockshots Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 18, 2021

For fans of Helloween, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Stratovarius, Accept

Rockshots Records: Finland’s Mysterizer New Music Video “Burn Witch Burn” Off Upcoming 2021 Album

From cover band to full-on heavy metal originals, that’s the story of Finland’s Mysterizer who made their debut with their 2018 EP “Tales From The Mystery Days”, followed right after by their 2019 full-length “Invisible Enemy” (Inverse Records).

Now signed to Rockshots Records, they will be unleashing their sophomore album “The Holy War 1095” later in 2021.

“There will be something for every heavy/power metal fan on this album; catching choruses, riffs, traditional heavy music, and some interesting lyrical topics.” says vocalist Tomi Kurtti.

To give fans a sneak peek of what’s to come, Mysterizer is sharing their music video for the album’s lead single and title track.

The band comments:

“‘Burn Witch Burn’ is a song about the witch-hunts in Europe during the 15th century, when the book ‘Malleus Maleficarum” also known in English translation as the Hammer of Witches was published. It was written to give instructions on interrogating suspected witches. The brutal interrogation tactics were successful and consequently, many unfortunate people were burned alive.”

Music Video – https://youtu.be/rsIhkebaJ_k

Spotify – https://spoti.fi/2Q4oBaz

Apple Music – https://apple.co/3rRDgUF

Mysterizer is:
Vocals – Tomi Kurtti
Guitar – Mike Hammer
Guitar – Henri Hänninen
Bass – Ian Guidestone
Drums – Joni Kylätie
Keyboards – J. Palmroos

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Mysterizer.com
Facebook.com/MysterizerFinnishmetalband
Instagram.com/mysterizerband

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 France’s PATHFINDERS Streaming Single “Damned Earth”, New Album “Ares Vallis” Out April 16th via Music-Records

March 17, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Pathfinders (Music-Records)

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 17, 2021

For fans of Lamb of God, Periphery, Parkway Drive, In Flames

France’s PATHFINDERS To Release Album “Ares Vallis”; Streaming Single “Damned Earth”

Debut Album Out via Music-Records on April 16th

L-R – Jérémy Barthélémy – Drums, Jérémy Gaucher – Bass, Clément Levy – Vocals, Romain Gaucher – Guitar, Benjamin Daguet – Guitar

France’s Pathfinders are ready to make first contact with the landing of their debut album “Ares Vallis” via label Music-Records on April 16, 2021.

Just like the NASA space probe “Mars Pathfinder” that their name is originated from, Pathfinders are embarking on an encounter of the metal kind. Entering the “Ares Vallis”, the band is rooted in a primary sound of groove metal, but introduces fans into an astronomical discovery of twelve tracks assembled with progressive, thrashy, djenty, and melodic tones.

The band adds:

“We are fascinated with space exploration, especially following recent odysseys to the red planet. We believe it may be the next step in humanity’s evolution of uncovering what this universe holds. This is an album of us telling stories on adventures to and from Mars.”

The band’s lead single “Damned Earth” was released earlier this year, and it immediately crushes everything in its path, leading an assault with speed and breakdowns, along with a tinge of hardcore tendencies mixed with accelerating quantum force.

Fans of bands such as Lamb of God, Periphery, Parkway Drive, and In Flames will be intrigued to enter the undiscovered metal terrain that Pathfinders are offering up.

Pathfinders was formed in 2018 and consist of the Gaucher brothers Jérémy (Bass) and Romain (Guitar) with Jérémy Barthélémy (Drums), Benjamin Daguet (Guitar), and Clément Levy (Vocals).

“Damned Earth” can be heard on the following links:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ujmLEJ4tFu0
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2OP2Ivv

“Ares Vallis” will be available on all digital platforms via Music-Records on April 16, 2021.
CD pre-order here.

Digital download of single “Damned Earth” on Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal here.

Fun Fact: The album title “Ares Vallis” is named after an outflow channel on Mars, which appears to have been carved by fluids, perhaps water.

Track Listing:
1. Landing (1:20)
2. Impostors (4:59)
3. Damned Earth (4:03)
4. Evolution (3:32)
5. Precious Star (4:07)
6. Explode Inside (5:12)
7. Annihilate Them All (4:41)
8. The Light (4:14)
9. Pressure (4:334)
10. Ghosts of Mars (4:18)
11. Bad Guardians (4:56)
12. Peste Noire (8:14)
Album Length: 54:22

For more info:
Label: Music-Records.fr
Pathfinderstheband.wixsite.com
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
EPK

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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0 XAEL (ft. members of Nile, The Reticent, Rapheumets Well) New Music Video “Bloodtide Rising”, New Album Out Now!

March 16, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Xael

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 16, 2021

For fans of Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Wardruna, Nile, Cattle Decapitation, Dimmu Borgir

XAEL Clamours In Crimson With Music Video For Title Track Off “Bloodtide Rising”

Title-Track ft. guests Mathieu Marcotte (Augury, Humanoid) and Nate Miller (Chinese Violin)

New Album “Bloodtide Rising” Out Now!
XAEL (ft. members of Nile, The Reticent, Rapheumets Well)

Hailing from the Carolinas in the USA, comes XAEL (ft. members of Nile, The Reticent, Rapheumets Well), bringing with them epic symphonic death metal like no other. They have recently released an album entitled “Bloodtide Rising” (February 12, 2021) and now have a music video for the title track, which features guests Mathieu Marcotte (Guitarist from Augury and Humanoid) and Nate Miller (Chinese Violin).

The title track was the first song written for the new album, and thus sets the tone of the entire full length. It is primal and epic, showcasing the brutal nature of the main antagonist of the record’s story. XAEL explains the track and album in their own words:

“It’s an auditory odyssey, it’s brutal and emotional all at once. The story of the album really focuses on the members of the band who are called the “watchers of Xan” in which we navigate the different worlds. This album focuses on our arrival to Vuul Athmar as our characters are sold off from the prison of Dreadrift. We craft our own multiverse and create our own lore. The entire band is crafted from the dark and complex set of dimensions.”

The video for the album title track can be watched on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gciPXZb8dvc

“Bloodtide Rising” is a concept album rooted in a science fiction universe that XAEL revolves all their music around. The extreme symphonic release chronicles the journey of a character named Darmak, an immortal who is trying to find purpose in a chaotic and complex multiverse.

XAEL was initially meant to be a personal project by drummer Joshua “Nassaru” Ward, however, when other musicians showed interest it evolved into a full-fledged project with each member contributing equally towards this current full length and the band’s first album “The Last Arbiter” (2018).

Fans of progressive and brutal metal along with sci-fi enthusiasts will take interest in what XAEL is doing. It’s different, and listeners can get lost in the complex multiverse that they have conceived. Epic and extreme, it is recommended for fans of Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, and Nile.

The album “Bloodtide Rising” is out now on the following platforms:
Apple Music, Amazon, Deezer, Tidal HERE.
Spotify

Track Listing:
1. Suun Rai Aru (Passion Begets Ruin) (3:04)
2. As Decreed: The Law of Vuul Athmar (4:25)
3. The Waste of Dreadrift (5:19)
4. Srai – The Demon of Erring (6:24)
5. Dark World Mirrors (4:42)
6. Bloodtide Rising (ft. Mathieu Marcotte of Augury) (3:48)
7. The Red Odyssey (2:07)
8. The Red Odyssey Part 2: The Temple of the Sky Eater (4:57)
9. The Odium and the Contrition (4:12)
Album Length: 39:02

Album Band Line Up:
Joshua Niemeyer – Vocals
Daniel Presnell – Guitar
Chris Hathcock – Guitar, Clean vocals
Brad Parris – Bass vocals
Joshua “Nassaru” Ward – Drums, Keys, Vocals

For more info:
Eldersverse.com/xael
Facebook.com/xael.metal
Instagram.com/xael_official
EPK

About:
Xael, based out of the American Carolinas was formed in 2018. The band’s current line-up consists of Joshua Niemeyer, Daniel Presnell, Chris Hathcock (The Reticent), Brad Parris (Nile), and Joshua “Nassaru” Ward (Rapheumets Well). Xael combines elements of extreme metal with orchestrations and folk music to create soundscapes of the imagination.

Xael’s music focuses on the endeavors of its members in a science fantasy epic. From the wastelands of war-torn planets to the pits where the fallen gods dwell, Xael paints an odd and fantastic sci-fi world both musically and visually.

Discography:
2021 – Bloodtide Rising (Pavement Entertainment)
2018- The Last Arbiter (Test Your Metal Records)

Bloodtide Rising Concept:
Imprisoned by the counsel of Tymeer, led by the insidious entity Sen, Darmak “ cursed with a degrading immortality” and the Watchers of Xan were presented as an offering to the Sovereign Ruler and rare species collector, Atara Avuniir in exchange for military and economic support. Finding Favor with the Queen, the Watchers were integrated into her elite guard where they became renowned for their success.

Unforeseen, the Queen fell in love with Darkmak and she would bear to him a son. Vuul Athmar along with the outer planets of the Eiasian-Rim prospered yet the queen harbors a dark secret, an anomaly that threatens the outer-worlds.

Touring history:
Though Xael is a new project, the members are no stranger to touring. Brad Parris, being the frontman and bass player for Nile embarks on yearly international tours. Along with Joshua Ward (who is the drum tech for George Kollias of Nile), they have toured most of Europe, Australia, India, South America, Russia, and Japan. Other members being from bands such as Rapheumets Well and The Reticent are all versed in national and international touring.

Sounds Like: Septicflesh, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Wardruna, Nile, Cattle Decapitation, Heilung, Dimmu Borgir, Devin Townsend, Emperor, Augury

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0 Rockshots Records: Finland Prog Power Ultimatium Shares New Music Video “Ghost of Yesterday”, New Album “Virtuality” Out Now!

March 15, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · Ultimatium

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 15, 2021

For fans of Symphony X, Dream Theater, Stratovarius, Queensryche, Nightwish

Rockshots Records: Finland Prog Power Ultimatium Shares New Music Video “Ghost of Yesterday”

New Album “Virtuality” Out Now!

Finland power proggers Ultimatium are sharing their new music video “Ghost of Yesterday” in support of their epic theme album “Virtuality” released this past November via Rockshots Records.

Music Video – https://youtu.be/Cr6UWTO5-uQ

Ultimatium was birthed out the deep forests of Suomussalmi, Finland. Their 4th studio full-length “Virtuality” follows their independently released “Vis Vires Infinitus” (2015), “New Dawn” (2004, Mastervox Records), and “Hwainoo” (2008, Mastervox Records).

The premise behind “Virtuality” is an introduction of a storyline of four gamers getting stuck in a virtual reality game in a near-future setting. Packed with five amazing lead vocalists, Peter James Goodman (Conquest, ex-Virtuocity), Jukka Nummi (ex-Myon), Emily Leone, Tomi Viiltola (ex-Dreamtale, Perpetual Rage, Viilto) and Matti Auerkallio (Katra, Manzana, SoulFallen), “Virtuality” is a unique storyline about the virtual world, and the dangers of sharing everything in social media, along with up-tempo power metal songs combined with darker elements.

The story album is backed up with lots of background vocals, sound effects and a “narrator”/system voice synthesized with Amazon’s Alexa.

The album introduces the best parts of power and progressive metal combined, including easier up-tempo songs, but also long, progressive mid-tempo tracks. The songs take influence from such bands as Stratovarius, Dream Theater, Symphony X and Rainbow. Especially on tracks “Digital Tower” and “Ghost of Yesterday” where influences from Ronnie James Dio and Ritchie Blackmore are easily heard.

“Virtuality” is available on the following platforms:
CD – http://bit.ly/VirtualityCD
Digital – https://smarturl.it/UltimatiumVirtuality

Previous Music Videos:
“Vengeance” – YouTube
“The Seer” – YouTube
“Rune Like The Wind” – YouTube

Track Listing:
1. Vengeance (4:11)
2. Run Like The Wind (3:43)
3. Hall of Heroes (3:07) (instrumental)
4. Mindcaptives (11:49)
5. The Seer (4:51)
6. Dark Cold Day (5:37)
7. Remorse (4:53)
8. (Don’t) Fear The Silence (4:50)
9. Digital Tower (8:21)
10. Ghost of Yesterday (5:07)
11. Scream (4:55)
12. Together (9:19

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Ultimatium.com
Facebook.com/UltimatiumMetal
Youtube.com/ultimatiummetal

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ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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0 Canada’s No Hope for The Lost Announce Final Fantasy X Themed EP “The Pilgrimage” With Single “Yu Yevon”, Lyric Video Premiere via IDIOTEQ, EP Out April 9th, 2021

March 12, 2021
by Asher
· Music News · No Hope For The Lost

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 12, 2021

For fans of Periphery, Meshuggah, Deftones, Devin Townsend, Gojira

Canada’s No Hope for The Lost Announce Final Fantasy X Themed EP “The Pilgrimage” With Single “Yu Yevon”

Lyric Video Premiere via IDIOTEQ

EP “The Pilgrimage” Out April 9th, 2021

Following the Covid related demise of their band Deadlights, Re Mayer (guitar/backing vocals/synth) and Nathanael Bohnet (bass/lead vocals) took the opportunity to reimagine their sound and image to create No Hope For The Lost. They created their forthcoming introductory EP entitled “The Pilgrimage” to give fans a taste of their entirely new sound, but left it just short enough to keep hype levels high.

Their first single “Yu Yevon” immediately explodes into a rhythmic groove driven by heavy guitars and bass. It is quickly followed by screamed vocals and synth-driven interludes. The chorus of the track is a key change towards an upbeat and soaring movement that descends back into the heavy rhythmic territory that glues the song together. The band explains the track in more detail:

“It is the combination of an old demo from a band both Re and Nate had their separate times in, with the new direction that they had both been imagining. It ended up becoming a heavy yet upbeat back and forth between pummeling rhythms and soaring choruses. A very verse/chorus/verse/bridge/chorus song at heart, “Yu Yevon” was designed to be the set opener/EP kickstarter that reintroduces us as No Hope For The Lost.”

The EP as a whole is a structured listening experience that combines an atmosphere of melody and groove with a foundation of heavy rhythms and ferocious vocal patterns, all wrapped up in a Final Fantasy X theme that will surely please members of that fandom.

Groovy metalcore blended with hints of prog awaits with “The Pilgrimage”, which is highly recommended for fans of Periphery, Meshuggah, and Deftones.

The lyric video for the lead single “Yu Yevon” can be heard via its premiere on IDIOTEQ HERE.

Single digital pre-save here.

“The Pilgrimage” will be released on April 9, 2021.

EP pre-order on Bandcamp.
EP digital pre-save here.

Track Listing:
1. Braska (1:36)
2. Yu Yevon (4:26)
3. Yunalesca (1:30)
4. Jecht (4:55)
EP Length: 12:28

For more info:
Facebook.com/NHFTL
Instagram.com/n0h0pef0rthel0st
EPK

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Jon Asher – Music Publicist
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0 Rockshots Records: Greek Prog Power Illusory Shares Title Track Off Upcoming Album “Crimson Wreath” Out May 21st

March 12, 2021
by Asher
· Illusory (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 12, 2021

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

Rockshots Records: Greek Prog Power Illusory Shares Title Track Off Upcoming Album “Crimson Wreath”

New Album “Crimson Wreath” Out May 21, 2021

Set to release their third full-length “Crimson Wreath” on May 21, 2021 via Rockshots Records, Greece’s prog power Illusory are sharing the record’s next single and title track.

“The eponymous title of the album is a very complex song. It starts with some clean guitars and a beautiful piano theme and by the end of it, everything changes! There is a strong bridge in the middle, with some really big-sounding guitars and a tribal drumming part, which leads into a twin-guitar melody followed by keyboards and a great vocal bridge! “Crimson Wreath” is about a land invasion nowadays and it describes the emotions of the people who woke up under attack.“ adds the band.

“Crimson Wreath” can be heard at the following links:

YouTube: https://youtu.be/vjESuD9tNfc

Spotify: http://spoti.fi/3l5wMz0

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 comments:

“Crimson Wreath” has a very warm and solid sound and we feel very proud of the production we have done for it. It is an album that we recorded during one of the toughest times of our lives. We self-produced it with Yiannis and Dee doing an exceptional job mixing and mastering the tracks. It just sounds humongous! We feel we truly captured what we wanted to achieve in C.W.”

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

Album Trailer – https://youtu.be/knYlJKpqXgI

First single – Besetting Sins:
Lyric Video – https://youtu.be/9L179x_ygPE

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
asher[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations
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0 Rockshots Records: “Let The Wind Blow” Into The Enchanting World of AVALAND, Metal Opera Album “Theater Of Sorcery” Out April 2, 2021, Album Guests w/ Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel), Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare)

March 12, 2021
by Asher
· Avaland (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – March 12, 2021

For fans of Avantasia, Ayreon, Beast In Black, Nightmare, Sonata Arctica

Rockshots Records: “Let The Wind Blow” Into The Enchanting World of AVALAND

Metal Opera Album “Theater Of Sorcery” Out April 2, 2021

Album Guests w/ Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO),
Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel),
Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare)

Avaland is L-R:
Camille Souffron: Bass, Double-Bass
Christophe Feutrier: Guitars
Adrien G. Gzagg: Composer, Writer, Lead Singer, Keyboards and Orchestrations
Lucas Martinez: Guitars
Léo Mouchonay: Drums

Grenoble, France’s AVALAND will welcome fans to their symphonic and operatic metal world when they release their debut album “Theater of Sorcery” on April 2, 2021, via Rockshots Records.

Today, the band presents their third single “Let The Wind Blow” featuring guests Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Madie (Nightmare/Faith In Agony), Heli Andrea (Mobius/OLANE), and Jeff Kanji.

Band founder and mastermind Adrien G. Gzagg comments about the track:

“I was inspired a lot by the 80’s AOR rock for this song. The chorus is one that continuously loops the most in my mind. As part of the album’s storyline, the song introduces Adam’s Beloved, Solveig performed by Heli Andrea, and Adam’s Best Friend Jacob voiced by Jeff Kanji.

Ride into the world of AVALAND by listening to “Let The Wind Blow” at the following links:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/-vheEkzK7GE
Spotify: http://spoti.fi/30C2CtD
Apple Music: http://apple.co/30BR21H

Inspired by heroic fantasy, history, mythologies, and esoterism, Adrien G. Gzagg decided to create an epic story album with 8 characters. Entitled “Theater Of Sorcery”, the debut will be a theatrical metal adventure that tells the story of a young sorcerer Adam Wilstorm who could be the salvation of bringing back the light to the kingdom of Avaland and during his journey, he must learn to control his powers linked to the Storm.

For AVALAND, Gzagg reunited with four musician friends Camille Souffron (Bass), Christophe Feutrier (Guitars), Lucas Martinez (Guitars), and Léo Mouchonay (Drums) that he has performed with in the past to help him to record the metal opera’s debut full-length. The record also includes talented guests for vocals and guitars with Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Zak Stevens (Savatage/TSO), Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel), Stéphan Forté (Adagio), Madie (Nightmare) among many other great musicians.

Gzagg adds:

“I started my heavy metal life as a great fan of Avantasia and Ayreon. I was impressed by those big teams Tobias Sammet and Arjen Lucassen could create. I quickly knew I would make something like this in my life! It wasn’t easy to find musicians who were crazy enough to follow me in this adventure, and I thank them so much for their trust in this project, especially guitarist Christophe Feutrier (guitars) my partner in crime for Avaland for 5 years now.

I like to also add that Avaland is not a “classic” band, it’s a Metal-Opera and when Covid is over, I plan to take it the stage with many vocalists to perform this theatrical tale of an epic and magical story. To sum it up, Avaland is a modern-age opera to not just fans of metal, but beyond!”

The debut album “Theater of Sorcery” will be released on April 2, 2021.

Digital Album Pre Save: https://backl.ink/143916904

Physical Album Pre Order: http://bit.ly/TheaterOfSorcery_CD

Music Video “Theater of Sorcery” – https://youtu.be/WwfLyfldODI
Lyric Video – “Rise From The Ashes” – https://youtu.be/Jdi7XqfH7OU

Track Listing:
1. Theater Of Sorcery – feat. Emmanuelson
2. Gypsum Flower – feat. Scheepers/Emmanuelson/Zorgati
3. Let The Wind Blow – feat. Zorgati/Heli/Kanji
4. Storyteller – feat. Zak Stevens
5. Escape To Paradise – feat. Zorgati/Kanji
6. Holy Kingdom Of Fools – feat. Jeff Kanji
7. Never Let Me Walk Alone – feat. Madie
8. Deja-Vu – feat. Emmanuelson
9. I’ll Be Ready For Your Love – feat. Heli Andrea
10. War Of Minds – feat. Zorgati/Madie
11. Rise From The Ashes – feat. Zorgati/Madie/Stevens/Heli/Kanji/Emmanuelson/Scheepers

AVALAND is :
Adrien G. Gzagg: Composer, Writer, Lead Singer, Keyboards and Orchestrations
Christophe Feutrier: Guitars
Lucas Martinez: Guitars
Camille Souffron: Bass, Double-Bass
Léo Mouchonay: Drums

Guests / Characters:
Adrien G. Gzagg is Adam Wilstorm
Zaher Zorgati (Myrath) is Adam’s Inner Voice
Jeff Kanji is Jacob Reiser, Adam’s Best Friend
Heli Andrea (Mobius/OLANE) is Solveig Elweiss, Adam’s Beloved
Emmanuelson (Rising Steel/Ellipsis) is The Master Of Sorcery
Zak Stevens (Ex-Savatage/TSO/Archon Angel) is The Storyteller, appearing from the past
Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear/ex-Gamma Ray) is Aloïsius Jestens, King Of Avaland
Madie (Nightmare/Faith In Agony) is The Guardian Angel

Guests Guitars:
Ricky Marx (Ex-Pretty Maids/Now Or Never) on 1. Theater Of Sorcery
Stephan Forté (Adagio) on 2. Gypsum Flower
Ayman Mokdad (Venus Syndrome/Alien Encounters) on 7. Never Let Me Walk Alone
Virgile (ex-Rising Steel/Schräpnel) on 11. Deja-Vu

Choirs and Back Vocals:
Adrien G. Gzagg
Chris Feutrier
Leo Mouchonay
Emmanuelson
Jeff Kanji
Heli Andrea
Yves Campion (Nightmare)
Cara (Eltharia)

For more info:
Roc kshots.eu
Avaland-themetalopera.com
Facebook.com/avaland.metal.opera
Instagram.com/avaland_metal_opera
Twitter.com/AvalandMetal

– 30 –

—

ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS

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

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