RIVER BLACK are revealing the second heavy track taken from their self-titled debut album. ‘River Black’ has been scheduled for release on July 7th.
The American modern metal pioneers in the wake of BURNED BY THE SUN are now premering the song “#Victim”
Drummer Dave Witte comments on behalf of RIVER BLACK: “This one came together very quickly at the end of the writing sessions for our debut album. Actually, the whole beginning has been sitting around since 2008. We never had anything that made sense to go along with it and it just happened this time. Lyrically, it’s a kick in the pants to the unmotivated and a rallying cry for the malcontent.”
Vocalist Mike Olender adds: “This song was inspired by some individuals, who latch on to the misfortune of others and try to claim it as their own; vicarious victims, who are so addicted to drama and self-loathing that they gravitate towards any tragedy and make it a part of their identity, hence the hashtag. This first-world problem is the height of privilege and it speaks to a larger problem of intentional victimhood in American society, where too often we pre-empt problems that are not ours with solutions we don’t need; solutions which are rooted in a corrupt health care system more committed to profitable treatments than good health or personal growth.”
RIVER BLACK have previously revealed artwork and track-list of their debut full-length, which can both be viewed below.
1. Jaws
2. Honor
3. Low
4. Shipwreck
5. River Black
6. South by South
7. Boat
8. Move
9. #Victim
10. Haunt
11. Sink
12. Everywhere
Detroit based Rock Band Kaleido – comprised of Christina Chriss (vocals), Joey Fava (drums), Ronnie Rosolino (rhythm guitar), Cody Morales (bass) and Zach Bolling (lead guitar) – is a fresh, modern day Detroit incarnation of rock n’ roll. Their upcoming debut full-length album “EXPERIENCE” will be released on May 19th, 2017 and is straight, unadulterated, feel it in your soul rock with flourishes of pop, R&B, punk & funk undertones – and hooks for days.
The new single “Die Tryin’” is a rock anthem to stepping up to the plate, taking your swings – and never backing down from a challenge. Kaleido is on tour with Seether in May and June, Rob Zombie in July.
“Life resembles a kaleidoscope. Ever changing, intricate, and beautiful.”
Norwegian black metallers RAGNAROK have announced a second leg of their European tour, that will be taking place this May and focusing on the Eastern part of the continent.
The band will be touring in support of their last year’s album “Psychopathology”, released on Agonia Records, together with fellow black metallers Cvinger (Slovenia), Infinityum (France) and Aeternum Vale (Ireland). The 9-date routing will go though five countries.
RAGNAROK
+ support “Psychopathology tour pt. 2”
19.05: Skullcrusher, Dresden (DE)
20.05: Red & Black, Chorzow (PL)
21.05: Hydrozagadka , Warsaw (PL)
23.05: Blue Hell, Budapest (HU)
24.05: Majestic Music Club, Bratislava (SK)
25.05: Nova Chmelnice, Prague (CZ)
26.05: From Hell, Erfurt (DE)
27.05: Backstage, Munich (DE)
28.05: Blackland, Berlin (DE)
—
05.08 – Oak Metal Festival (NO)
30.09: Sarpsborg Jern & Metal Festival (NO)
Formed in 1994 RAGNAROK‘s history spans well over two decades. As with any band that has lasted this long, there have been changes in the lineup along the way, not least of which was the decision by Jontho, one of the most recognisable and respected drummers on the Norwegian Black Metal scene, to expand his performing repertoire by laying down his drumsticks and taking over as vocalist. Aside from Jontho on vocals, the band’s lineup includes long-standing guitarist Bolverk (Images At Twilight), session bassist Viti (Images At Twilight, Hinsidig) and drummer Daniel Minge (Dauden).
Since 2003 DAWN OF DISEASE have rumbled their way to the top as heavy weights of Germany’s Death Metal scene. Hailing from Osnabrück, DAWN OF DISEASE indulge some old school Swedish groove and raspy riffs: Bloodbath and At The Gates provide modern inspiration for aural inclinations of the band. However, their newest production won’t enjoy the well-tried manginess of long forgotten Death Metal days: The brand new album titled ‘Ascension Gate‘ goes a different way with enthralling guitar work, enchanting management of melodies and brilliant tone. A hurricane of blastbeat drumming and the gigantic voice of Tomasz Wisniewski spark a fire that forges their spirit.
Now DAWN OF DISEASE unveil first and hotly anticipated details about their upcoming and fourth studio album ‘Ascension Gate’, which is set to be released on August 11st 2017 with Napalm Records!
[ artwork by Mark Cooper ]
Says the band:„’Ascension Gate’ was created and given birth within a comparatively short lapse of time. Thus it embodies pure energy and raw intensity. In comparison to our former releases our fourth full-length album is different in many ways as it modifies and expanses the musical elements we used to employ before. Besides the typical Dawn of Disease trademarks you will find more elaborate melodies that carry the listener through an atmospheric journey. Inspired by gloomy autumn days and the sheer endless darkness of winter ‘Ascension Gate’ adds more depth and catchiness to our sound than ever before without neglecting a huge portion of blastbeating brutality. Regardless of this dark and melancholic leitmotif we can promise you one thing: ‘Ascension Gate’ will bring you a very hot summer!“
The tracklist of ‘Ascension Gate‘ will read as follows:
After monstrous records such as ‘Legends Of Brutality‘ , ‘Crypts Of The Unrotten‘ and most recently their epic ‘Worship The Grave’ released just last year, DAWN OF DISEASE set a new standard for the expanding Swedish Death Metal scene with ‘Ascension Gate’ – their fourth hail of bombs full of volatile riff power. This is the new era of modern Death Metal!
REVIEW: Karkaos – Children Of The Void by Carina Lawrence / Dark Art Conspiracy
Melodic extreme metal act Karkaos from Canada formed in 2003 and quickly built a formidable presence in their home country following their successful 2011 EP ‘In Burning Skies’ and then in 2014 they unleashed their full-length debut ‘Empire’ to help solidify this further. Now they return with their new, to be self-released album ‘Children Of The Void’ which features a new and unstoppable line-up with vocalist Viky Boyer and drummer Justine Ethier at the helm. To add more power to this anticipated release they enlist some guest musicians in the form of Lindsay Schoolcraft from Cradle of Filth and Morgan Lander from Kittie.
Opening intro track ‘Babel’ is very atmospheric and dramatic, building suspense with a determination and glimmer of hope that increases as it draws to an end, making it the perfect way to gear you up for what is to unfold…
‘Skymaster’ explodes to life with a massive symphonic sound, blitzing guitars and fast drums, with Viky Boyer’s compelling and impressive vocals fitting the relentless instrumentation and the contrasting fierce vocals from guitarist, Vincent Harnois wonderfully. This is overwhelming but in a brilliant, huge and all-consuming way.
First single ‘Kolossòs’ is crushing from the off, with a haunting intensity aided especially by the vocal delivery and keys. This is indeed colossal in every way, and it helps that it features immense guest vocals from Morgan Lander of Canadian metallers Kittie. This is an unstoppable and divine offering that encapsulates the album and the band’s sound.
Title track ‘Children Of The Void’ is immediately ambient and features many tempo changes, but never loses its fluency. The charging verses are intense and the whole song shifts between beautiful twists and turns, and enthrals with slick and impressive guitar as seen throughout the album, the nature and the vibe of the song feels very unified.
‘Tyrants’ blasts into action with alarming symphonic sounds and growled vocals. Again the band play to their strengths hitting you from every direction and overloading you, with clean, brutal, sinister hushed tones and gang vocals adding, even more depth which the album is simply brimming with.
The final offering ‘Bound By Stars’ is beautiful and eerie with passionate heartfelt lyrics from Viky. It is the longest song in length, giving it an epic feel through strength and duration, as well as the ever melodic resonant tones and soaring solo guitar work from Samael Pelletier that he exhibits throughout.
This is a fantastic attack on the senses, which is captivating, exhilarating, suspenseful, yet brutal. It is excellently structured and features impressive musicianship from the whole band. There is such depth and intelligence, through intricate fine details, that it most certainly need to be stuck on repeat to help process and appreciate every moment. This is massively majestic and leaves a lasting impression and asserts that Karkaos are a band to watch out for.
SCORE: 5/5
‘Children Of The Void’ is self-released on 26th May 2017.
Track Listing:
1. Babel
2. Skymaster
3. Kolossòs
4. Let the Curtain fall
5. Pale
6. Children of The Void
7. Rêverie
8. Tyrants
9. Where Mushrooms Grow
10. Lightbearer
11. The Beast
12. Bound By Stars
Dark Art Conspiracy 
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