Finnish melodic metal giants, SONATA ARCTICA, kicked off the 2nd leg of their “The Ninth Hour” European tour with two great shows at Hirsch in Nuremberg, Germany and Masters Of Rock Café in Zlin, Czech Republic earlier this week. Support on this trek comes from Norwegian metallers TRIOSPHERE (February 20th – March 20th), also Finland-based heavy metallers THUNDERSTONE (March 22nd – April 9th) and Canadian heavy metallers STRIKER. See below for all dates!
Icelandic wizards SÓLSTAFIR have been released details about their new album, which will be released via Season of Mist on May, 26. New opus is entitled ‘Berdreyminn’, which means “dreamer of forthcoming events”.
The band has furthermore released the cover art by Adam Burke and track-list of
Sweden’s doom darlings AVATARIUM are back with their third studio album and once again, singer Jennie-Ann Smith and her gentlemen cast a spell over you with a truly magical sound experience – »Hurricanes And Halos« will take the world by storm on May 26th and contains eight majestic new tracks.
Once again, AVATARIUM rely on beauty and darkness, heavy guitars and fragile sounds, unique female vocals and the mystic vintage blues sound from the 60s, while still staying on modern ground and trusting into the haunting soul of doom rock. Six out of the eight new tracks were forged by CANDLEMASS wizard Leif Edling, but guitar master Marcus Jidell and singer Jennie-Ann Smith also contributed to the songwriting and formed a worthy successor to »The Girl With The Raven Mask« – an album that topped multiple soundchecks in 2015 and brought them the ‘Up And Coming’-award from German Metal Hammer.
The new album was produced by Marcus Jidell himself, while David Castillo (KATATONIA, BLOODBATH, OPETH) recorded and mixed it in the famous Ghost Ward Studios and the mastering was done by Jens Bogren (SOILWORK, SEPULTURA). Together they created an organic and warm sound that sets »Hurricanes And Halos« apart from the overbred, electronically optimized mass.
“Recording »Hurricanes And Halos« has truly been an emotional roller coaster for me and I do think that has contributed to a pure and vibrating energy on the album. I am deeply proud of what we have achieved together,” states lead singer Jennie-Ann Smith and guitar wizard Marcus Jidell adds: “It feels like the two previous albums and the EPs lead us to this one, it’s been a natural flow to where we are today, musical and emotional wise”
Polish death/black metal tyrants AZARATH premiere a brand new song from their highly anticipated album “In Extremis”, set to be released on April 7th via Agonia Records. Available in a form of a lyric video, “At The Gates Of Understanding” is the first single to be released from the album. It arrives six long years after the band’s last installment, “Blasphemers’ Maledictions”, from 2011. The lyric video was created by Tomasz Strzałkowski and can be watched here:
Touted as a “demonic mutation of Krisiun and Behemoth with shades of Immolation”, AZARATH stand up to their wicked name. The band’s death metal is crisp, black, and while it possesses the charm of their American counterparts, it remains open-minded and organic. This should not come as a surprise, considering the AZARATH‘s impressive line-up and cemented position as one the the best Polish acts of the genre. The band was formed in 1998 by drummer Inferno (of Behemoth fame). He’s accompanied by Bart (Armagedon, Damnation) on guitars, Necrosodom (Anima Damnata, Deus Mortem, ex-Infernal War) on vocals and guitars, as well as Peter (ex-Lost Soul) on bass.
Meaning “at the point of death” or “under extreme circumstances” in Latin, “In Extremis” is yet another apex reached by AZARATH. Offering a vehement ride through the netherworlds, the effort places the band back at the fore of the genre, with strong ties to the group’s early cult albums. The eerie painting that adorns the album’s cover was made by Marta Promińska (Hypnagogic Painting).
Recorded in various locations between March and November 2016, “In Extremis” was mixed and mastered by Haldor Grunberg at Satanic Audio. Graphic design and layout were done by Mentalporn (Behemoth, Origin, Decapitated) with calligraphy provided by Ihasan Art and additional work by Holy Poison Design.
Tracklisting:
1. The Triumph of Ascending Majesty
2. Let My Blood Become His Flesh
3. Annihilation (Smite All the Illusions)
4. The Slain God
5. At the Gates of Understanding
6. Parasu Blade
7. Sign of Apophis
8. Into the Nameless Night
9. Venomous Tears (Mourn of the Unholy Mother)
10. Death
Sweden’s sludge/doom metallers with post-rock tendencies & an electronic touch, THE MOTH GATHERER, are streaming a brand new song, “This Providence Of Bones”. The track comes from the band’s forthcoming EP “The Comfortable Low”, due out on March 31st via Agonia Records, and includes a gest appearance from Dennis Lyxzén (Refused/INVSN). Listen to the new song below:
Sound-wise, the EP is a nod towards the band’s debut album, “A Bright Celestial Light” (2013), and a wink towards their hardcore and electronic side. Apart from the above-mentioned Dennis Lyxzén, “The Comfortable Low” will feature a guest appearance fromFred Burman (Satan Takes A Holiday).
THE MOTH GATHERER commented: “After ‘The Earth Is The Sky’ (2015) we felt like we needed to push our limits while not forgetting our roots.Our roots in hardcore and our current interest in electronica made their mark on these two songs, a constant travel through harsh and beautiful soundscapes. The music and lyrics are supposed to feel like painful beauty and to provoke reflection. The themes revolve around an inner search, a way to rise while being pushed down by depression”.
The new material was once again recorded with Karl Daniel Lidén behind the console and clothed with artwork prepared by SCG. “They both feel like an integral part of the The Moth Gatherer” – concluded the band.
Tracklist: 1. This Providence of Bones (feat. Dennis Lyxzén) 2. Still Life Slumbers Here (feat. Fred Burman)
Davey Suicide Release Official Music Video for “Too Many Freaks (Feat. Twiztid)” Off of Upcoming ‘Made From Fire‘ LP
‘Made From Fire’ Out 3/24/2017
UnHolywood, Killafornia – Rock band Davey Suicide has released the Official Video for the debut single, “Too Many Freaks (Feat. Twiztid),” off of their upcoming LP Made From Fire. Due out March 24, Made From Fire was Co-Produced by keyboardist Needlz and Charles Kallaghan Massabo, and was premiered on Kerrang!
There is a primordial force running though this band, a momentum that will not be held back by anything. In today’s uncertain climate, the world needs an escape, more freaks, and a reason to be excited again. There are 14 massive tracks on “Made from Fire” that fit that bill and this album breathes a new direction into a rock/industrial/nu metal genre. “We’re erecting a new kingdom of torching wrath, industrial destruction, passionate melodies, tons of charisma and a tough attitude culminating one conclusion: If there’s one Rock band out there the world really needs right now, it’s Davey Suicide.”
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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