Tag: album

0 High Fells Offer Release Through Angry Riffs and Blackened Howls In “Catharsis”

November 25, 2022
by Asher
· High Fells · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

November 25, 2022

High Fells Offer Release Through Angry Riffs and Blackened Howls In “Catharsis”

L-R – Chris Szymankiewicz – Guitar, Nick Smith – Vocals / Guitar, Jeremiah Maynard – Drums, Erik McEwen – Bass
Photo Credit – Vance Valenzuela

Texas’ High Fells goes against the grain in regards to live blackened metal performance, they are longtime listeners of all different walks of music, and together they are proudly releasing their debut album “Catharsis” with they claim to be a journey between pure agony and anger, with a dash of hopelessness. It’s an emotional journey with sick riffs in which the lyrical content and the overall feeling of this album hit on a ton of mental and emotional wellness topics and the lack thereof. The band continues to explain:

“We are incredibly excited to debut our album “Catharsis” – the first of many to come. We’re excited to share it for many reasons, but primarily because it’s been such fun to write and perform, experimenting with styles and genres we’ve never fully committed to in other bands. The journey you’ll be taking over the course of 40 minutes will be a thought-provoking, visceral experience that will shed some light on mental illness and depressive episodes, something still a stigma in our current society.”

High Fells hopes that listeners can find something to relate to, something that will inspire them or helps convey emotions into words. They aim to shroud their lyrics with punishing riffs and blast beats that will ideally charm the listener.

Initially, High Fells set out to be a melodic black metal band, but as time has passed on and as they have played with more bands they love, the direction steered back towards death metal with that blackened flavor. Across the nine tracks, they bring ass-beating riffs with high-quality recordings.

Melodic, depressing, and angry, “Catharsis” is recommended for fans of Hath, Decapitated, and Sorrow Plagues.

Listen to “Catharsis” in full via TheCirclePit at https://youtu.be/JJ83eInk6fU

Digital streaming and downloads are available on Highfells.bandcamp.com, Spotify.

Music Video – Where They Call My Name – https://youtu.be/iWoznIVS4aY

Track Listing:
1. Lingering – 3:56
2. Strangled – 4:04
3. Apparition of Fear – 3:38
4. Hypoxian – 4:08
5. A Summon – 3:22
6. Hiraeth – 6:52
7. Fall With the Sun – 3:01
8. Reaping Discontent – 4:31
9. Where They Call My Name – 5:45
Album Length: 39:14

Album Credits:
• All songs performed by: High Fells
• All songs written by: High Fells
• Produced by: Nathan Wackett / Clay Schroeder / Nick Smith / Michael Briggs
• Mixed and Mastered by: Nathan Wackett
• Album Artwork by: Dawid Figielek

Album and Live Band Lineup:
Nick Smith – Guitar / Vocals
Chris Szymankiewicz – Guitar
Jeremiah Maynard – Drums
Erik McEwen – Bass / Backing Vocals

For more info: Highfells.com | Facebook.com/highfellstx | Twitter.com/highfellstx | Instagram.com/highfells

About:

Birthed during a particularly cold winter, High Fells grew to something more than a jam session over the first year of our COVID nightmare. The uncertainty and tumultuous nature of these times allowed fears and pains to fester. Expressing and letting go of our greatest sufferings through music is all we seek – a catharsis in audible form.

Having shared the stage with multiple international acts, High Fells goes against the grain in regards to live blackened metal performance – whether it be colorful guitars or an emphasis on having FUN, expect to have a good time among the shrieks, riffs, and blast beats.

– 30 –

“There’s warmth and beauty to be found beyond the expected genre conventions if you know where to look.” – Eric Grubbs, CentralTrack magazine

“The song… “Where They Call My Name” proves that High Fells are worth taking very seriously indeed (even if the band clearly don’t take themselves too seriously)… The passion that floods through the searing screams and ravaging roars adds to the song’s wrenching severity.” – NOCLEANSINGING

“I have seen their name pop up a lot recently due to them being on a good number of local shows as well as being opening acts for national tours. These dudes play some killer blackened death that got the crowd into right from the first note… “Even for a newer band, these guys were tight and on point.” – VOX AND HOPS

—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations | Instagram @AsherMedia | Tweet @AsherMedia
(Rockshots Records, Extreme Metal Music, Armstrong MF, Loud As Hell, Metalocalypstick, Decimate MF, Electric Highway Fest, Wacken Metal Battle Canada/USA, Hyperspace MF, Le FestEvil)

0 Canada’s Alienatör Are Now Streaming Politically Charged Album “Regrets”

November 24, 2022
by Asher
· Alienator · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 24, 2022

Canada’s Alienatör Are Now Streaming Politically Charged Album “Regrets”

New Album “Regrets” Out Nov 25th

(L to R) Sean Skillen – Bass/Back-up Vocals, Brad King – Guitar/Vocals, Simon Paquette – Drums
Photo Credit – Peter David Wragg

Alienatör is a sludge metal band from Thunder Bay, Canada that combine punk, hardcore, and noise rock elements into a stripped-down package, full of razor-sharp riffs and memorable hooks. They are now streaming their second album “Regrets”, which promises to be darker, more focused, and more intense than their first.

Composed during the claustrophobia of the 2020 election and the global pandemic, “Regrets” channels rage while the lyrics express alienation, grief, pain, and disgust at the state of the modern world. The band comments on the album:

“Regrets is a grim postcard from the depths of the human psyche. Our darkest release yet, it is a reaction to years of deep political turmoil, the erosion of truth, as well as personal politics of grief, loss, and struggle. It’s an album that touches on personal and social themes. Flourishes of melody drenched in a caustic sludge, painted in shades of black. We still have some blistering fast punk-influenced tunes but we’re branching out and showing our songwriting depth.”

Within “Regrets” are eleven heavy-hitting songs with enough variety to keep even the most discerning metalheads interested. From the odd time signatures in the off-kilter “Revisionist History” that speaks of the erosion of truth in our public discourse and the dangerous narcissists who create their own reality to the bleak history being told in “Irreconcilable” that is equal in both horrific subject matter and dynamic riffs, there is something for everyone on this record.

The record was produced and mixed by bassist/vocalist Sean Skillen, mastered by Brad Boatright and the album artwork was done by Peter David Wragg. Aggressive and emotional, it is recommended for fans of Neurosis, Botch, and Jesus Lizard.

“Regrets” drops officially on Friday, November 25th, and can be heard in full via its album stream premiere on Doomed & Stoned HERE.

Album pre-order – https://alienator.bandcamp.com

Music Video – The Priest – https://youtu.be/TJxF6Qs3Bws

Track Listing:
1. Revisionist History – 2:10
2. Loss Leader – 4:03
3. Blood Red Blood – 3:08
4. Regrets – 3:44
5. The Priest – 5:30
6. The Less Dead – 1:56
7. Flat Earth Society – 2:51
8. Irreconcilable – 2:59
9. Your Funeral – 3:20
10. Wounded Birds – 4:10
11. Dark Matters – 4:09
Album Length: 38:04

Album Recording Credits:
– All songs performed by: Alienator
– Music by Alienator
– Lyrics by Brad King
– Produced by: Sean Skillen
– Mixed by: Sean Skillen
– Mastered by: Brad Boatright
– Album Artwork by: Peter David Wragg
– Member of SOCAN
– Canadian Content (MAPL)

Album and Live Line Up:
Brad King – Vocals, Guitar
Sean Skillen – Bass, Vocals
Simon Paquette – Drums

For more info:
Exitmusicstudio.ca/alienator
Facebook.com/alienatorband
Instagram.com/alienatorband

About: Hailing from Thunder Bay, ON, Canada, Alienatör is a sludge metal band that combines punk, hardcore, and noise rock elements into a stripped-down package, full of razor-sharp riffs and memorable hooks.

Their debut album, “Pariahs,” released in 2109 moves from fast and aggressive to slow and swampy with touches of experimental weirdness. Many of the lyrics are about how we numb ourselves to the pain and disappointment of everyday life.

Fast forward to 2022, and the band is ready to unleash their follow-up, entitled “Regrets,” which introduces new drummer Simon Paquette to the fold. The album is bleak and abrasive, with moments of calm, melody, and beauty to juxtapose against the ugliness. Raw, uncompromising, and dark, it is emotionally heavy music that reflects a chaotic time in history.

– 30 –

“Noisy post-hardcore sludge, full of energy and rage… a genuine ass-kicker of a record.” – Decibel

“This band is burly, grimy, and the sonic manifestation of discontent. If it’s motivational music you seek, back away slowly. Alienatör ply their trade in the margins of metal, with elements of sludge, noise rock, hardcore, heavy metal, and crust punk. Listeners of Pariahs, the band’s debut full-length, will hear shades of Unsane, Red Fang, Cursed, Kvelertak, Acid Bath, and Cancer Bats, among other guitar-heavy acts by whom sophistication and polish are eschewed.” – Lambgoat

“Pariahs shows Alienatör firing all of their creative cylinders and marks a multifaceted, all-consuming sludge opera delivered with convincing force and accents.” – Idioteq

“Gritty, high-octane sludge…” – Metal Trenches

“From beginning to end Alienatör offers up a truly murky, chunky yet noise filled sound that tears at your ear drums, but in the best possible way. Each track is a madhouse of artery stopping, head banging sludge and noise rock that you cannot simply turn away from.” – Cadaver Garden

“Alienator are miserable and they’d like you to join them.” – Lambgoat

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

0 Rockshots Records – HIGHWAY QUEEN Shares Music Video “Get On Your Knees” Off New Album “Bitter Soul” Out Dec 2022

November 15, 2022
by Asher
· Highway Queen (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 15, 2022

Rockshots Records – HIGHWAY QUEEN Shares Music Video “Get On Your Knees” Off New Album “Bitter Soul” Out Dec 2022

New Album “Bitter Soul” Out December 16th

Rockshots Records will be releasing Finnish rockers Highway Queen‘s debut full-length “Bitter Soul” this coming December. The album is a collection of rock and metal songs with beautiful melodies, and strong riffs with heavy drums and bass. Each song shows the listener the stylistic versatility of the band.

Today, the band presents their second single “Getting On Your Knees” accompanied by a music video. The track is classic heavy metal to tell a story about revenge against someone who has betrayed you badly.

Watch the video at https://youtu.be/kgUQfj493n4

Digital – https://bfan.link/get-on-your-knees

Songs on Highway Queen‘s new album “Bitter Soul” are all about scenarios in one’s life. The lyrics tell stories about gnawing the burden of shame, anger, and bitterness. They also talk about the burden that carries through generations. They are about people’s weaknesses too. The stories are also about overcoming these challenges.

“From our first self-releases and singles with Inverse Records to this album, our sound is definitely going from a lighter to heavier direction. Every song has its own mood so feeling vary throughout the album. There are parts in the album with bluesy vibes to parts that have strong doom or even thrash vibes. It all blends together with a touch of 80’s style. Every song on the record has its own mood.” adds the band.

Highway Queen is a band that plays melodic hard rock with some metal influences. The band was founded at the end of 2019 by vocalist Virpi Kääriäinen, guitarist Teemu, Kääriäinen and drummer Henri Backman. All members have played in cover band projects in the past and decided it was time to start making their own creations.

In 2020, the band self-released four singles on digital platforms. Also in 2020, the band acquired bassist Petri Orava and they recorded more songs to be released. In 2021, the band signed with Finnish record label Inverse Records for releasing three singles and a music video. The songs had a great reception, and the band continued moving forward to start working on their first album. All Highway Queen songs are recorded with Aleksanteri Kuosa, so he was a natural choice to be the producer for the full-length. He has also worked with bands like Waltari and Before The Dawn.

Highway Queen is recommended for fans of melodic hard rock, heavy rock, and NWOTHM.

“Bitter Soul” is due out on December 16th and available for pre-order at https://bit.ly/BitterSoulCD

Music Video – Bitter Soul – https://youtu.be/g1Xe-jmiMSQ

Track Listing:
1. Hey!
2. Get On Your Knees
3. I Lean On You
4. Here I Am
5. I Dim The Lights
6. Bitter Soul
7. In Vain
8. Own Will

Album Credits:
All songs written by
– Virpi Kääriänen, Teemu Kääriäinen & Henri Backman
– Vocals: Virpi Kääriäinen
– Guitars: Teemu Kääriäinen
– Drums: Henri Backman
– Bass tracks played for the album by Jykke Tikka
– Produced, engineered & mixed by Aleksanteri Kuosa
– Cover and photos: Henri Backman
– Mastered by Jukka Yliaho/Masterlab
– Recorded at Inka Studio

For more info:
www.rockshots.eu
www.highwayqueenband.com
www facebook.com/highwayqueenband
www.instagram.com/highwayqueenband

– 30 –

0 Norway’s Féleth Now Streaming Their Technical Melodic Death Metal Album “Divine Blight” (Mixed and Mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy))

November 10, 2022
by Asher
· Feleth · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 10, 2022

Norway’s Féleth Now Streaming Their Technical Melodic Death Metal Album “Divine Blight”

Mixed and Mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy)

Féleth, from northern Norway, is now streaming their second album “Divine Blight”, which they see as a solid step up from 2020’s “Depravity”. They take on real-life events and put them to provocative music best described as melodic death metal with a healthy dose of technical death metal added in. The lyrical themes are often inspired by things that vocalist Espen Dagenborg finds massively wrong such as politicians waging war, being greedy, and also how humans can be extremely hateful against others. Then again there are also songs that are somewhat purely fictional, mostly showcasing his lyrical style.

As Féleth was the continuation of a former thrash metal band, IronBound, it’s natural to say that they started out as a thrash death band. As the then-young boys started to discover the joys of death metal the sound evolved more toward that. Along with the newfound joy came the struggle, for death metal wasn’t easy to play. After finally mastering the ways of death metal and having released “Depravity” disaster struck. The now not-so-young boys had developed a taste for technical death metal and big hooks. When the time came to work on “Divine Blight” they already had a handful of finished songs to choose from, each one a work of art – melodic, technical, brutal art. The band comments:

“After getting signed with our new label “Rob Mules Records” and playing some pretty sick gigs at both Buktafestivalen and Tons of Rock, we’re super stoked to release our new album “Divine Blight”. It was a long and tedious process of selecting, practicing, and recording, but the result will speak for itself. Our best album thus far. It’s a collection of stories based on the dystopian path humanity is set on. We felt that throughout this new journey of an album we’ve refined our songwriting and successfully achieved a style that’s not only ass-whoppingly brutal, but also more complex emotionally and lyrically. It is clear that we’ve got multiple influences and styles throughout the album which all contribute to a massive sonic package. It’s definitely a death metal album with some subtle takes on some of its many subgenres. Two and half years after our debut “Depravity” we’re ready to present ‘DIVINE BLIGHT’.”

The album was mixed and mastered by Christian Donaldson (Cryptopsy) and the album artwork was done by Kahinienn Graphix. The Northern Norwegian technical death rock is recommended for fans of Fit For An Autopsy, Inferi, and Soreption.

The album “Divine Blight” comes out on November 11, 2022, and can be heard in full before its official release on Metal-Rules HERE.

Music Video – Majesty – https://youtu.be/yce26-EGFMI

Visualizer – Avarice – https://youtu.be/E2J3NnHAmsk

Lyric Video – USA ft. Petter Carlsen – https://youtu.be/7jURKrmgt0M

Track Listing:
1. Majesty – 03:46
2. Caretaker – 03:58
3. Riven – 03:51
4. En Elskovsdans – 03:10
5. The Serpent – 03:32
6. Casanova – 03:35
7. Deadlands – 04:26
8. Absence – 04:09
9. USA – 05:32 ft. gust vocals Petter Carlsen
10. Avarice – 05:33
Album Length: 41:37

Album Credits:
All songs performed by Féleth
Guest vocalist Petter Carlsen on USA
All songs written by Féleth
Produced by Féleth
Mixed and Mastered by Christian Donaldson
Assistant Engineer Jonathan Mazzeo
Album Artwork by Kahinienn Graphix

Live and Album Lineup:
Espen Dagenborg – Vocals
Thomas Nyvoll – Guitar
Alexander Stamnes – Guitar
Brage Ingebrigtsen Westgaard – Bass
Aleksander Alsen – Drums

For more info:
Facebook.com/FelethBand
Instagram.com/felethband

– 30 –

““Majesty” is an exciting introduction to the differing styles and techniques that Féleth intertwine in their songwriting, drawing together ingredients from technical and melodic death metal in a white-hot rush that nevertheless is home to some bone-smashing grooves. “Avarice” puts those genre ingredients on display again, but expands the musical palette and makes the song an even ore multi-faceted and atmospheric experience. With no room to gasp a breath, the song explodes in a flurry of fleet-fingered, fret-leaping guitar work, neck-cracking drumming, and flame-throwing vocal intensity. But groaning chords and shrill, eerie melodic overtones also create dark and deleterious moods, building tension and fear. While the vocals are utterly unhinged in their madness (and doubled in the chorus for extra intensity), squirming guitar arpeggios create a different dimension of insanity, coupled with agony, and martial drum patterns and a misery-steeped closing solo add to the song’s relentless dynamism. On top of all that, the song also punches like a heavyweight fighter.” – No Clean Singing (Divine Blight 2022)

“Feleth is gaining a name for itself despite only being around for a couple of years. They are developing their sound and their technical ability rapidly and this release shows that development, especially in songwriting where they bring different elements in to add color. An excellent example of melodic/technical death metal and worth anyone’s hard-earned cash.” – My Global Mind (Divine Blight 2022)

“Depravity the newest album from Feleth is one brutal album full of riffs and hooks to keep even the most particular entertained. Feleth mix the roots of the Norwegian metal scene, with the death metal tone they strive for to create some well crafted blackened death metal, similar to that of Shadow of Intent.” – Metal Injection (Depravity 2020)

“With a melting pot of ideas, yet rooted in delivering a head-smashing and neck-destroying style of metal, Féleth are aggressive newcomers to a scene that constantly looks to surprise… Féleth deliver heavy and extreme noise so very well.” 9/10 – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life (Depravity 2020)

“straight up heaviness and brutality, tech offerings and melodic atmopsheres, and enjoyable groove.” – Dead Rhetoric (Depravity 2020)

“Féleth: Transcends the traditional limits of the genre…” – Permafrost.today (Depravity 2020)

“9/10 “Féleth offer an edge-of-your-seat experience that is both fresh and captivating.” – Metal Inferno (Depravity 2020)

“Féleth does death metal fast and aggressive, reigning in their impressive technical chops for maximum impact, keeping their riffs (and songs, for that matter) relatively short and to the point. They strike a pretty even balance between chunky chords and caustic melodies, most of which are designed to coax headbanging than to impress with virtuosity. The album is front-loaded with catchy bangers, saving the more technical and weird bits for the latter half.” – Tolet Ov Hell (Depravity 2020)
—
ASHER MEDIA RELATIONS
Jon Asher – Music Publicist
#.514.581.5780 | jon[@]ashermediarelations[.]com
Facebook @AsherMediaRelations | Instagram @AsherMedia | Tweet @AsherMedia
(Rockshots Records, Extreme Metal Music, Armstrong MF, Loud As Hell, Metalocalypstick, Decimate MF, Electric Highway Fest, Wacken Metal Battle Canada/USA, Hyperspace MF, Le FestEvil)

0 Rockshots Records – Tolkien-Inspired Power Metallers RuinThrone Unveil Their Dark Lord Single “The Past Is Yet To Come”; New Album “The Unconscious Mind Of Arda” Out Jan 2023

November 3, 2022
by Asher
· Music News · RuinThrone

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – November 3, 2022

Rockshots Records – Tolkien-Inspired Power Metallers RuinThrone Unveil Their Dark Lord Single “The Past Is Yet To Come”

New Album “The Unconscious Mind Of Arda” Out Jan 2023

Italian fantasy power metallers RuinThrone will be releasing their new J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired album “The Unconscious Mind Of Arda” due out January 13th, 2023 via Rockshots Records to follow their debut album “Urban Ubris” and EP “Leaden Field”.

The album itself has been composed of stories inspired by Tolkien’s poems, his “Legendarium”. The band hopes the concepts they wrote can be “messengers” of reflection for their listeners, turning in a better awareness of their daily life.

“With this album, we think we reached our own identity. Back in the early years, we started with a classic German power metal style, but year by year we changed and matured musically. This is why we use 7-string guitars with 1/2 step-down tuning, extreme vocals, etc. For this new record, we also focused on an alternative point of view of some stories written by Tolkien. We thought it would have been interesting to explore not only some interesting characters and heroes but also the mind of the main villains.” adds guitarist Nicolò de Maria.

Today, Ruinthrone reveal the second single “The Past Is Yet To Come” accompanied by a lyric video.

“If I think about that time when I wrote these lyrics suddenly the enthusiasm and the writing ease come to my mind. Long story short the song tells about the fear of death. I imagined that even a king at some point has to confront himself with this thought: “my life will come to an end, my consciousness will fade away, and nothing will mean anything cause I won’t be anymore.”. The power of writing can change this feeling. All of a sudden fate is tamed if you sign a contract with the Dark Lord. In exchange for immortality, the king agrees to turn into a Nazgûl and make a Mephistophelian agreement. My vision of the circle of life and death is similar to Nietzsche’s one of the Eternal Recurrence. The weight of immortality turns into ages and events happening over and over in the same way. The main character begins to understand why death is a gift of Iluvatar, not a curse.” says vocalist Haedus.

Watch and listen to “The Past Is Yet To Come” – https://youtu.be/rjemjwlMLZ8

Digital – https://bfan.link/the-past-is-yet-to-come

“The Unconscious Mind Of Arda” is mixed and mastered by Giuseppe Orlando (sound tech for Rhapsody of Fire) at the Outer Sound Studios.

The album is due out on January 13th, 2023, and is available for pre-order at the following link – https://bit.ly/RuinThrone_CD

First single:

Music Video – “Earendil” – https://youtu.be/Wr9PXgAgm64

Digital – https://bfan.link/earendil

Track Listing:
1 – Prologue – 2:19
2 – The Dreamweaver – 5:14
3 – I Am The Night – 4:50
4 – Earendil – 4:49
5 – The Past Is Yet To Come – 8:00
6 – Where Wise Men Stop – 1:17
7 – In Penumbra – 6:38
8 – The Eldest – 5:24
9 – Blessed By Loneliness – 4:23
10 – For Those Who Remain 9:54
11 – Where You Belong – 2:34
Alum Length: 55:26

RuinThrone are:
Vocals: Haedus
Drums: Francesco Comerci
Guitar: Nicolò de Maria
Guitar: Luca Grossi
Bass: Alessandro Finocchiaro
Keyboard: Giorgio Mannucci

For more info:
https://www.rockhots.eu
http://ruinthrone.altervista.org
https://www.facebook.com/RuinThrone
https://www.instagram.com/ruinthrone.official

About:

RuinThrone was founded in 2009 in Rome, Italy by Adriano Strinati, Haedus and Alessandri Finocchiaro. Soon after, Giorgio Mannucci (keyboards), Nicolò De Maria (guitars), and Francesco Comerci (drums) joined the band. The sound of RuinThrone is inspired by German and American metal bands like Blind Guardian, Helloween, Iced Earth, and Nevermore, but they have their own distinguishable dark and modern character.

– 30 –

0 Streaming Now! Violin Prog Metal Montreal’s CYDEMIND Explore Instrumental Creativity With The “The Descent”

November 2, 2022
by Asher
· Cydemind · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 11, 2022

Streaming Now! Violin Prog Metal Montreal’s CYDEMIND Explore Instrumental Creativity With The “The Descent”

Sophomore Album “The Descent” Out Nov 4th

L-R – Camille Delage (piano and keyboards), Kevin Paquet (guitars), Olivier Allard (Violin), Nico Damoulianos (Bass), Alexandre Dagenais (Drummer)

Montreal, Canada’s Cydemind is a progressive metal band backed with a violin instead of vocals and they are now ready to offer up their sophomore album “The Descent” due out on Friday, November 4th, 2022 to follow their highly praised 2017 debut album “Erosion”, which was produced by Christian Donaldson (Cryptospy).

“With Erosion, we were young and were still trying to define our own sound, which is why we previously chose producer Chris Donaldson (Cryptopsy, The Agonist, Beyond Creation), who had considerable experience under his belt. This time around, the band has made a decision to lean toward self-production. Although we’ve encountered obstacles along the way, as well as significant delays, we couldn’t be prouder of the final product.” says drummer Alexander Dagenais.

Today, before “The Descent” officially releases, the band has teamed up with MetalInsider for the album’s full stream premiere, which can be heard at the following link HERE.

“The Descent” is seven new songs created for a listening experience that’s just under 60 minutes and meant to be heard from beginning to end. Cydemind presents the album to be heard on multiple listens to capture the recurrent themes, sometimes hidden, sometimes obvious, but in the end, the band really wants to reward prog fans to dive into the concept of the record ranging from obsessions and the abysses into which the human mind can plunge itself into.

Kevin Paquet explains further:

“Structurally, the album really represents a descent into hell. The first track, Obsessions, acts as an opening. There are rhythmic and melodic motifs from each track on the album. The opening melody acts a bit like the leitmotif of the obsession (whichever it is) and comes up several times throughout the album. Subsequently, the album continues with Hoax, which incorporates several elements of funk. As the name suggests, you should not expect the album to respect that tone; on the contrary, the music gradually turns into something much darker and complex.”

Commented by such outlets as TheProgSpace “Cydemind “Breach” The Walls of Normality With Next Violin Prog Metal Single” and Everything IS Noise “There Isn’t Any “Hoax” in the Quality of the Latest Cydemind Single”, Cydemind‘s new album definitely brings the band to another level in terms of writing and playing, and they’re pretty confident their fans, new and old will think the same. Compared to their first full-length “Erosion”, which was mainly focused around metal. The Descent explores new colors within the metal genre as well as integrates new styles and sounds.

The main songwriters for “The Descent” were Kevin Paquet (guitars) and Olivier Allard (Violin), but as a unit, all members still discussed with each other, making sure everyone’s input was satisfied. When the songs were done, drummer Dage (Alexandre Dagenais) creates his parts on top of everything.

Recommended for fans of prog bands and artists like Dream Theater, Symphony X, Haken, Tigran Hamasyan, and Avishai Cohen, Cydemind’s new album “The Descent” will be out on November 4th, 2022.

The album was mixed by Simon L’Espérance (Karcius) and mastered by Tony Lindgren (Fascination Street Studios). The cover art for the album was created by Alexander Dagenais.

Album Order – https://cydemind.bandcamp.com

Singles:

Hoax – Music Video – https://youtu.be/WVZO2-gig6w
Breach – Music Video – https://youtu.be/M72GMAKHoF8

Show Dates:

November 18 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Plaza – Info (Album Launch Show w/ Karcius)

Track Listing:
1. Obsessions – 8:56
2. Hoax – 6:11
3. Breach – 5:00
4. Call Of The Void – 8:25
5. Hemlock -13:44
6. Slumber – 4:30
7. The Last Stone – 12:17
Album Length: 59:06

Cydemind is:
Olivier Allard (Violins)
Alexandre Dagenais (Drums)
Camille Delage (Keyboards/Piano)
Nico Damoulianos (Bass)
Kevin Paquet (Guitars)

For more info:
http://www.cydemind.com
http://www.facebook.com/cydemind
http://www.instagram.com/cydemind

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“Violin metal shredders, Cydemind, has just released a beautiful new video for their “Winter” single, using the gorgeous backdrop of Quebec, Canada. The neo-classical prog track showcases the amazing abilities of this young band on the rise, with captivating hooks that’ll leave you awestruck and hitting up their Bandcamp page for more!” – Metal Injection

“The instrumental band puts the violin front and center, which is strange (if not unheard of) in and of itself. They’ve also released a sweet cover of Vivaldi’s “L’inverno” (“Winter”), from The Four Seasons, which is definitely the first time in the 12+ years of MetalSucks that we’ve had to type that sentence… and they’ve done so when we’re just about a week away from the first day of spring, which was a ballsy decision. And on top of all of that, they made a really, really beautiful video for the track out on the frozen tundras of Québec. Do they have tundras in Québec? Whatever. The video looks really cool. Also, cold. I got mild frostbite just watching it.” – Metal Sucks

“presented what will easily be among the top prog metal albums of the year…” – Metal Underground

“An epic album in every sense of the word” – Games, Brrraaains & A Head-Banging Life

“Cydemind have shown me two things on this debut album: they’re damn good musicians, and they have the ability to write compelling music that sticks with you. ” – Angry Metal Guy

0 Scattered Storm Embark On A Journey With Title Track Off Upcoming “In this Dying Sun”

October 27, 2022
by Asher
· Music News · Scattered Storm

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 27, 2022

Scattered Storm Embark On A Journey With Title Track Off Upcoming “In this Dying Sun”

New EP “In this Dying Sun” Out Nov 11th via Bloodblast Distribution (powered by Nuclear Blast and Believe Digital)

L- R – Jay Arriaga – Drums, Keyboards, Samples, Andre Accosta – Vocals, Kevin Armstrong – Guitar, Brian Fausnaugh – Bass

The progressively dark quartet Scattered Storm hailing from El Paso, Texas, is releasing their second EP “In this Dying Sun” set for November 11th. The EP pivots from its overall sound carving out a much darker, and more progressive tone. Drummer Jay Arriaga and guitarist Kevin Armstrong have been much of the driving force for the songwriting drawing inspiration from bands like Psycroptic and Cephalic Carnage, whom they have also performed live with. The band explains the premise of the single:

“This pretty much talks about our dying planet. Or even a dying galaxy. Which resonates deeply with what we have been doing to our planet for so long and the consequences of that. Death, decay, nothing good coming out of it really. In the absence of light, there is only darkness. The song is fast and precise almost Fear Factoryish-like, but it simulates a fast and imploding galaxy.”

According to the band, they have never lost track of the bigness, especially with Tue Madsen mixing this record. In their talks with him, it was really emphasized that even though songs are faster, they still want them to sound huge. In turn, Madsen delivered a monster of an album, a melodic wall of sound with plenty of intriguing layers to keep listeners on their toes. Madsen also featured “In This Dying Sun” for his drum sample pack through Drum Forge because he really dug the song.

“In This Dying Sun” takes off from where last year’s “Oblivion” left off, bringing in darker melodies and proggy riffs. It still has the hooks but the vocals have evolved more and the synths took a back step for more guitar work. Some of the songs are faster-paced as well giving it a more driving force.

Scattered Storm takes a good blend of the sludge from Meshuggah, the ambiance of Tesseract, and the epicness of Devin Townsend, but is also influenced by bands like Fear Factory and Mnemic.

The music video for the single “In This Dying Sun” can be seen and heard below.

The EP “In This Dying Sun” comes out on November 11, 2022, via Bloodblast Distribution (powered by Nuclear Blast and Believe Digital).

Digital – https://bfan.link/bloody-love

Track Listing:
1. Bloody Love – 4:44
2. The Process – 3:49
3. Hollow – 4:16
4. In this Dying Sun – 3:42
5. Seen – 4:49
EP Length: 21:12

Recording and Live Band Lineup:
Jay Arriaga – Drums, Keyboards, Samples
Kevin Armstrong – Guitar
Brian Fausnaugh – Bass
Andre Accosta – Vocals

For more info:
https://linktr.ee/scatteredstorm
https://www.facebook.com/scatteredstormband
https://www.instagram.com/scatt_storm

About:
Scattered Storm is an El Paso, Texas-based metal band which formed three years ago with the collaboration between Jay Arriaga (drums) from No Life on Earth, Years of Cold, and Kevin Armstrong (guitar) from Mondoshawan, Section 6. From there Andre Acosta from Pissing Razors, Hereafter the Wave and current No Life on Earth frontman joined the ranks on vocals. Having recorded a couple of songs on Bass for both Oblivion and In This Dying Sun, Brian Fausnaugh (Random Allusion, Limerance) finally joined the ranks full time replacing Eddie Garcia on bass. Scattered Storm recorded In This Dying Sun in 2021 at Javier’s Studio Empty Paradise Studios for its release on November 11th, 2022 via Blood Blast Distribution to follow their 2021 debut EP “Oblivion”.

– 30 –

0 Rockshots Records – Out Now! VICTORIA K’s New Album “Kore” + Music Video “Pomegranate”

October 14, 2022
by Asher
· Music News · Victoria K

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 14, 2022

Rockshots Records – Out Now! VICTORIA K’s New Album “Kore” + Music Video “Pomegranate”

Australia’s Victoria K‘s new sophomore album “Kore” is now available via Rockshots Records and to celebrate its release day today, the band is sharing their new music video for the track “Pomegranate”, which was the first song that was developed for the album

The band explains the track:

“Being the first song we wrote for the record, the whole album’s sound ended up being based on this one song. Certain parts of this song take reference again from old ethnic folk sounds and scales. We wanted to incorporate ethnic instruments such as the hammered dulcimer and touberleki, (the Greek hand drum), both of these sounds directly come from Victoria Knight’s upbringing, and we are really proud to incorporate this old and ethnic culture into our music in order to create a new sonic experience. The section of the tale that this song derives from the part of the story where Persephone eats the six pomegranate seeds, ultimately keeping her trapped in Hades for 6 months each year. We wanted to capture the feeling and emotions that come from this part of the story through the sound and lyrics. The feeling of being utterly trapped, lost, and in a state of desperation. One thing that we believe makes this song a point of difference from the rest of the album is the monologue in the song, which is taken directly from the original ancient Greek text (Homeric Hymn to Demeter) that tells this part of the story. We wanted to add a piece of authentic history to the record!”

Watch and listen to “Pomegranate” – https://youtu.be/LPRf59SBIfM

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

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

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

“We wanted to take a new approach with this record and to grow our sound and bring something new to Victoria K. Incorporating sounds from our vocalist’s ethnic culture and heritage is something we are so extremely proud of! A concept album is something we really wanted to explore, and we are so excited to bring you this ancient story and create a sonic experience and journey for all our listeners. We cannot wait to share this new stage of Victoria K!” adds Knight.

Recommended for fans of Lacuna Coil, Rammstein, Within Temptation, Spirit Box, and Delain, Victoria K‘s new album “Kore” is due out October 14, 2022 from Rockshots Records.

Digital – https://bfan.link/kore-2

CD Album order – https://bit.ly/VictoriaK_Kore

Music Video – Persephone – https://youtu.be/TJ6ZodSSYgU

Music Video – Tower – https://youtu.be/Ea4fKzJf2Vo

Track Listing:
1 – Prologue – 1:09
2 – Raptum – 5:12
3 – Mothers’ Garden – 4:34
4 – The Child – 4:01
5 – Persephone – 5:19
6 – A Divine Revelation – 7:09
7 – Tower – 7:29
8 – Blasphemia – 5:43
9 – Pomegranate – 5:52
10 – The Afterlife – 3:58
11 – Epilogue – 0:54
Album Length: 51:25

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Victoriakmusicofficial.com

About:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

– 30 –

“I have always loved a good concept album being a Prog head at heart and there are lots of progressive metal records floating around the constant stream of modern metal. But for me, none so well produced, performed and as inspired as this one. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the waters of concept albums this is most defiantly the one to try. It’s not dry or heavy going like some and you don’t need to have a degree in Astrophysics to enjoy it. Long gone the image of thick-rimmed glassed music professors in flares noodling around in impossible time signatures. Now there is new blood, new energy and WHAT a voice, it truly has left me with goosebumps. This young talent from Melbourne Australia is really going places. And I for one will be really keen to see quite how far she can go.” (Kore) – Metal Roos

“a really enjoyable record (Kore)” – Sentinel Daily

“Victoria K. are refreshingly different and very profound on “Kore”. Symphonic Metal gets a breath of fresh air here, both lyrically and musically.” (Kore) – Dark Divas

““A Divine Revelation”, is one of my favorites off this album. Victoria’s depth of character and love for this story can be felt with every note she sings. She is “alive” in this story as if it were real. You can feel it in her vocal delivery. So much time and effort was put into delivering the lyrics and story in just the right way. I take my hat off to her and the band for trying to bring such a powerful story to life with music. She sings in Greek to add to the authenticity of this masterpiece.” (Kore) – Progressive Rock Central

“How nice it is that the power in her voice does not decrease, but increases. No high warbling but pure power. Just listen to ‘A Divine Revelation’ for example. Do you like bands with their own sound and who know how to bring something new? Then put this on.” (Kore) – Arrow Lords of Metal

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

—

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0 Rockshots Records – Finnish Rockers Leaflet Are “Gonna Do It” w/ First Single Off New Album “Something Beyond” Out Jan 2023

October 11, 2022
by Asher
· Leaflet (Rockshots Records) · Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 11, 2022

Rockshots Records – Finnish Rockers Leaflet Are “Gonna Do It” w/ First Single Off New Album “Something Beyond” Out Jan 2023

Finnish rockers LEAFLET will be releasing their sophomore album “Something Beyond” this coming January 2023 via Rockshots Records. The album follows their debut album “Outta Door” released through VR Label Finland in 2017.

Today, the band is “Gonna Do It” and pull the trigger by giving fans the first single off their second full-length. The track is a hard riffing fist-pumping track to get you off your feet and rocking out!

“‘Gonna Do It’ is about the feeling of getting stuck in your life. You realize it is time for a change, and that it is your own duty to change the course of your life. Of course, there is a risk involved and it feels scary as hell, but you need to hear yourself saying: “Gonna do it”. ‘Gonna’ is the heaviest track we have written so far. We had several versions of it and ended up pretty much re-writing the whole song during the pre-production process. We are glad we did because the end result sounds absolutely stunning with its monster opening riff, crushing chorus, and epic guitar solo!” says the band about the track.

Take the risk and listen to “Gonna Do It” at the following links:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/J6RFeUKWttI
Digital: https://bfan.link/gonna-do-it

The band comments on “Something Beyond”:

“With this album, we are definitely showing that rock music is alive and pumping! The album is full of catchy metal-influenced rock tunes that would fit perfectly in the heavy rotation of every rock radio station. The album has a lot of variety within the songs and we got a diverse selection of singles as well. Three very different singles trying to represent the entire album as well as possible. As singles, we got one heavy and hard-hitting tune, one straightforward and super catchy tune, and one fast-paced in-your-face type of tune. You should check out them all to see what you think! “

Formed in 2013, LEAFLET is a four-piece hard rock band from Turku, Finland. Their music can be described as metal-infused American-style hard rock and while you might hear echoes of bands like Alter Bridge or Shinedown they have their own unique Nordic flavour. “Our musical cocktail is a blend of many things. Although we love the 80s, we are trying to keep our hard rock fresh and not follow the retro route”, the band says.

The band has performed on Finnish festivals such as Kuopiorock and Saaristo Open Air along with touring across their home country to support their debut album. They also spent time on the road in the Baltics with Willie & the Goodsouls in 2018 again playing clubs and festivals.

In 2019, LEAFLET released “Johnny Two-Face” as a single through VR Label Finland followed by an ambitious music video shot in both Turku, Finland, and Tokyo, Japan. After a couple of years of silence due to the pandemic, the band is now back with their second album “Something Beyond” to be released by Rockshots Records in January 20, 2023, sounding stronger than ever.

Album pre-order – https://bit.ly/LEAFLET_CD

Track Listing:
1. Gonna Do It – 4:12
2. Resonate – 3:40
3. Alone Alive – 3:50
4. Earth – 3:54
5. Johnny Two-Face – 4:01
6. Tattoos of Life – 3:43
7. Shades of Black – 2:55
8. Someone Somewhere – 3:51
9. Something Beyond – 4:48
Album Length: 34:59

LEAFLET is:

Jaakko Leaflet – lead vocals & guitar

Antti Kallio – guitar & backing vocals

Fabian Korsström – bass & backing vocals

Pekka Jokela – drums

For more info:
https://www.rockshots.eu
http://www.leafletband.com
http://www.facebook.com/leafletband
Spotify – https://spoti.fi/3qpA2su

– 30 –

0 Rockshots Records Signs Power Metallers HIGHLORD For New Album “Freakin’ Out of Hell” Out December 2022

October 10, 2022
by Asher
· Music News

NEWS RELEASE

Montreal, QC – October 10, 2022

Rockshots Records Signs Power Metallers HIGHLORD For New Album “Freakin’ Out of Hell” Out December 2022

Rockshots Records is proud to announce their latest signing of power metallers Highlord for the release of their new album “Freakin’ Out of Hell” due out on December 9th.

Infusing heavy-power metal with progressive and symphonic influences was formed in Turin Italy in 1997, over the span of their career they have released eight albums, contributed to two tribute albums for Manowar and Helloween, have toured all over Europe and performed with Zak Steven’s Circle II Circle, Dark Moor, Freedom Call, Pino Scotto, Vision Divine, Elvenking, Sacred Steel, Seventh Wonder and more along with music featured on movie soundtracks for ‘The Werewolf Chronicles’ and ‘Blood Of The Werewolf’.

For their ninth album “Freakin’ Out Of Hell”, the band began recording it between May 2020 and December 2021. The album includes 11 tracks of pure power-metal in perfect Highlord style, but with a much more aggressive sound and a touch of prog-metal. Again the album has been recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced in-house by bass player Massimiliano Flak at Evolution Recording Studio (Italy). The album’s artwork was created by Harley Velasquez on a concept by Highlord.

The band adds about the ninth offering:

“Freakin’ out of Hell is a solid work from every point of view. Not only the songs are all potential singles, but they have more or less the same average length of 4/5 minutes; we avoided recording the classic long suite just as much as the hit-and-run happier song because in this album we have found the perfect balance between all the elements of our sound. We have also set the average level of heaviness and aggression a bit higher; this is not a happy metal record, it’s a heavy metal piece that fully deserves this definition.”

Singles and track listing are to be revealed in the coming weeks.

Album pre-order- https://bit.ly/Highlord_CD

For more info:
https://www.rockshots.eu
https://www.facebook.com/highlordmetalband

– 30 –

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