Finnish heavy metallers, BATTLE BEAST, released their fourth studio record titled “Bringer Of Pain”, last Friday through Nuclear Blast. For all of you, who haven’t got their pain yet, the band has released another musical taster in the form of a music video for the album’s title track today. Watch the clip, produced by Dark Noise Productions, over on YouTube:
Bassist Eero Sipilä commented on the video: “Short story: We wanted to do a video which was simply about thrashing around. ‘Bringer Of Pain’ is the fastest and probably the least “commercial”-sounding song on the album, displaying a completely different side as opposed to the previous singles so it seemed like a perfect choice. Empty industrial hall, tons of smoke, tight jeans and lot’s of headbanging – the classic metal video!”
September Mourning is more than just a band, they are a transmedia dark creative project originally created by front-woman Emily Lazar and Top Cow founder/artists Marc Silvestri. Lazar takes on the persona of September Mourning on stage, a unique character who is a half-human, half-reaper hybrid who helps souls complete tasks they left unfinished before they died, taking place in multiple worlds. The story unfolds on different media platforms, the albums, comics and live shows. September Mourning are back to unveil more of their story with Volume II which is tied in with Volume I, featuring old and new tracks alongside each other. Buckle up to discover something completely different and intriguing…
‘The Collection’ is atmospheric, creepy and ambient, acting as the perfect introduction to set the stage and prepare you for what is to come… ‘Angels To Dust’ has a massive dysfunctional unhinged sound. Lazar’s vocals instantly draw you in, paired with electronic outbursts which are very effective before the heavy riffage and backdrop kicks in at the chorus. This is organised musical chaos at its best, with so much texture and depth all delivered in an intelligible and thrilling form.
First single ‘Eye Of The Storm’ which has racked up an impressive 100,000 views with the video to accompany it, (all within a month!) with their visual animations, something the band pride themselves on in art and storytelling. The song itself possesses a strong presence and forceful chorus, making it a must hear. ‘Before The Fall’ hooks you immediately with catchy riffs and ethereal vocals and effects which are well placed, as seen throughout. ‘Children Of Fate’ may well be the most meaningful and prominent song featured, as this is named after September Mourning’s fan base of the same name. Their dedicated fans helped them launch their graphic novel via a Kickstart campaign, helping take the band to a new dimension and level. This album is especially for the ‘Children Of Fate’ and the message within it portrays this. The song is bizarre and deliciously dark with a defiant sound that truly encompasses the fantasy story from their comic.
‘Skin & Bones’ has strong rhythms that is bound to get you moving, especially along with its anthemic singalong chorus. Keeping up the momentum and following on perfectly is latest single ’20 Below’, which is infectiously catchy, layered with melodic guitar riffs and has the components of a solid rock favourite, especially live. ‘Superhuman’ is an action packed exceptionally memorable song, with irresistible beats and rhythms, they certainly triumph yet again with this track which deserves to be in the spotlight. You won’t be able to get this song out of your head! The ending sounds like a subliminal message, but actually offers a motivational message in keeping with their vision.
Closing song, ‘Til You See Heaven’ has a brilliant dark ambience, which is beautiful and haunting, managing to bring all the best elements of their all-consuming sound as a perfect reflective ending. The album is very thought provoking so you need some time to digest this stunning journey, so this is a wise song to end on.
One of the most powerful things about music is escapism and to forget everything else and just be overcome by the music, September Mourning take this to the highest degree with their clever and intriguing fantasy story, and even though it is based on fictional characters and events, the messages are relatable in the real world also, giving them even more depth and creativity. The fact that they intertwine Volume 1 with the new offerings in the second chapter is well constructed and aids the storytelling further, with the new and old complimenting each other to get the full picture. This is truly an epic and inspiring masterpiece which I am very glad to have discovered, for those that aren’t familiar with this band, I strongly urge you to listen and be enthralled by their music and dark ventures…
Meditative dark trance/ambient/shamanic act SHIBALBA, has launched a video trailer for the upcoming album “Psychostasis – Death Of Khat”, set to be released on April 30th via Agonia Records. The trailer, directed by Sebastian Dorner and Anna Apostata, can be watched at this link:
The band has also revealed the album formats:
– Gatefold black 12″ LP.
– Limited to 125 copies transparent orange splatter 12″ gatefold LP (with A2 poster).
– 6 panel digipack CD with booklet.
– Dark brown zipper-hoodie.
– Black t-shirt (colour front and silver on the black back and sleeve).
– Digital.
SHIBALBA is Acherontas V.Priest (Acherontas), Karl NE/Nachzehrer (Nåstrond) and Aldra-Al-Melekh. Their music is saturated with the mysticism of the East. It’s richly detailed and multidimensional, while layered with chanting and broadly defined elements of traditional ritual and shamanic music. Apart from contemporary synths and guitar drones, the band makes use of bones and skulls as percussion instruments, Tibetan horns, Tibetan singing bowls, bone & horne trumpets, darbuka’s (goblet drums) as well as ceremonial bells and gongs. The band’s intention, in their own words, is to “guide the subconsious of the individual to dream beyond the skin of matter & to dream in ecstasy and exult”.
*Acherontas V.Priest photo by Elena Vasilaki.
SHIBALBA commented: “Τhe secret society of Shibalba inaugurate the transparent alignment beyond death and the transcendence of the Higher Self. The conscious pneuma transposes the bridge among worlds to unite Now with Forever. Our physical vessel, our Khat, is only the conduit for the attainment of spiritual and intellectual enlightenment. Soul and intelligence do not reside in the estates of the everlasting. Divided we are at the death of Khat, before Psychostasis”.
“Ten meditative worlds experienced and manifested in Sweden and Greece by the ancient teachings of eastern visions and of personal empirism using physical ritual recordings and instruments. Unlocking the portals of the individual to new dimensions of experience to dream beyond-above & below!”.
The cover artwork was made by Karl NE.
“Psychostasis – Death Of Khat”was recorded by the band themselves in Greece and Sweden, in a manner in which sound vibrations have been registered in a form analogous to the way in which the human ear perceives sound. High standards were provided especially for the vinyl edition of the album. Tracklist: 1. Phychostasis-Death of Khat
2. Ihag Mthong
3. Kaoshikii Mahayana
4. Aether Ananda Aiwass
5. Naljorpa
6. Reanimation of Akh
7. Five Points of Desire
8. Orgasmic Inebriation
9. Opening the shadow box
10. Svarna Khecari Mudra
Line-up:
Acherontas V.Priest
Aldra-Al-Melekh
Karl NE/Nachzehrer
The Danish heavy rock phenomenon FOREVER STILL just finished their big European tour with LACUNA COIL, but the road is also awaiting them in 2017 and now the band announced their first festival shows for this spring/summer – including the big Sabaton Open Air in Sweden that once again takes places in August!
In addition, FOREVER STILL now reveal their music video ‘Break The Glass’, that the band worked out in collaboration with their fans – singer Maja Shining comments: “When we started thinking about making a new music video, we decided, it would be fun to have our fans involved in it. We’ve always had a really close relationship with our fans and see them more like friends than fans, so we decided to have them choose the song and write the story with us and this is the result. Hope you enjoy it!”
29. – 30.04. F Le Russey, Coming Of Rock
23. – 25.06. UK Wiston, Wildfire Festival
16. – 19.08. S Falun, Sabaton Open Air
Band reveal Spring headlining tour dates & pre-order details for March 3rd LP, “Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light”
Mesmerizing post-metal outfit JUNIUS will release the final chapter of their conceptual trilogy series of LPs with their upcoming full-length effort, “Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light”, scheduled for release on March 3, 2017 via PROSTHETIC RECORDS.
Recorded, mixed and mastered with longtime friend and producer Will Benoit (Caspian, Rosetta, Ellie Goulding), “Eternal Rituals for the Accretion of Light” takes inspiration from Elisabeth Haich’s autobiography “Initiation”.
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