Lotan Debuts New Single "Ashera"

The seven-headed dragon Lotan rises again, this time to unleash a new digital single, titled "Ashera," from the upcoming self-titled album.

"'Ashera' is a doomed but yet aggressively inspired melodic black metal song. Originally the mother, then wife of God, Ashera was banished entirely in 630 bc when her statues and sacrament were banished from the temples," vocalist Rubin offers, about the song. "In this song, her names represent the hope for a rise against the oppression of the female voices in religion. Burn the text that binds you and freedom you shall find!”

Check out the "Ashera" digital single or the lyric video of the song in UPRISING! Records Youtube page below. The video premiered early this week on the well-known site Metal Temple, together with a band feature.

"Lotan" will be released on digital and LP (black vinyl, limited to 300 units) via UPRISING! Records on March 31st, 2023. More...

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Netherlands To Release New Album In March

As humanity hurtles chaotically, blindly, and seemingly willingly towards what may well be its last act, Netherlands -- NYC’s hulking, intoxicatingly heavy progressive-sludge band -- has returned with an LP which attempts to filter the fury, the glimmers of hope, and untenable intensity of life in the anthropocene into a 10 song narrative whirlwind which sounds unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

Released on 31st March (Svart Records), "Severance" is the 9th release from multi-instrumentalist, compulsive creator, and unrepentant volume addict Timo Ellis (Cibo Matto, Spacehog, Yoko Ono) under the Netherlands moniker.

"Severance" features all the hallmarks of Ellis’ work, including blistering post-shred guitar heroics, primal drumming, and soulful, yet searing caterwauls. But as with every Netherlands release, Ellis has inexplicably found a way to ratchet up the intensity, render the dynamic shifts more extreme, and hone his menacing melange of melody and rhythm into a uniquely weaponised form of rock ‘n’ roll that reaches towards high art. On first single "Omisha" Timo comments:

"When I was writing this song I'd just re-watched The Seventh Seal (Bergman), and sort of broadly channeled my impressions of the film into the lyrics, which are sung as a kind of matter-of-fact warning from an angel of death. And although not specifically related to the vocal narrative, the name Omisha generally means 'Goddess of birth and death' and is of Indian origin. Musically it's basically just a funky sludge rock killer!" More...

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Skáld Releases New Lyric Video

French Nordic-themed cultural collective Skáld have released their brand new album "Huldufólk," out now via U Music. To celebrate, the outfit have also shared the focus track "Elverhøy." You can check it out below.

To cross the lands and forests of the hidden people is to risk losing one's life, or to be trapped in a bewitching elven circle. In this elven circle, humans find themselves bewitched, in a trance, caught in a hellish loop of dance until exhaustion, oblivion or death. The music video illustrates this dance of tow powerful spirits of light and darkness, which symbolises, in a poetic way, the beliefs of the Icelandic folklore of the Huldufólk. Te possessed human is condemned to get lost eternally in the legendary bewitched path that protects the access to the other world.

The album artwork is a tribute to the Swedish painter John Bauer and his illustration titled "Princess Tuvstarr," gazing down into the dark waters of the forest tarn. His work mainly focused on landscapes and mythology, but also portraits. His best known illustrations are of Bland tomtar och troll, (Among Gnomes and Trolls), an anthology of Swedish folklore and fairy tales. More...

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The Privateer Posts New Lyric Video Online

With sails fully set, the 6-member crew of "The Privateer" has been going on a privateer voyage since 2007.

Inspired by classic heavy metal, modern death and folk metal, the privateers from Freiburg create their characteristic sound. With their songs they tell stories about hidden treasures, distant worlds, old sailors' yarns and the myths of the sea.

Today the crew releases their brand new studio album "Kingdom Of Exiles" via Reaper Entertainment. The album is available on CD & Vinyl and on every major streaming platform.

To celebrate the day, the band just released a lyric video for the title track "Kingdom Of Exiles". You can check it out below.

The band comments:
"The time is now! Get ready for a trip to explore the "Kingdom of Exiles!" We are more than happy to present our new full-length album and we are getting prepared for the trip ahead, where we‘ll be pouring our new songs in the floods of the crowd!" More...

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Unearthing the Metal Underground: Telomyras

Seattle has been home to countless notable bands who have left an indelible mark upon rock and metal fans. Heavy metal newcomers Telomyras seem to have been making noise for a couple of years. The Seattle-based heavy metal quintet is set to self release its self-titled debut EP on February 18. Steeped in classic heavy metal, Telomyras leverages a timeless energy and feel with the occasional atypical punctuation, as with the death growl spouted on “First Blood.” More...

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As Everything Unfolds To Release New Album

UK breakthrough act As Everything Unfolds have announced their second album "Ultraviolet," due for release on 21st April via Long Branch Records. Ultraviolet follows the band's highly successful debut full-length, "Within Each Lies The Other," which has garnered over 20 million streams to date.

The quintet have also released a video for their new single, the album's title track "Ultraviolet." You can check it out below.

Vocalist Charlie Rolfe explains:

"This song is about taking back control, and that internal power you feel in taking back the control. Using the overarching concept of ultraviolet light, it’s a great metaphor for how there’s now a new perspective on life in this new version of ourselves."

Rolfe comments on the new album:

"The new album Ultraviolet is an open work on the thoughts and feelings surrounding us at the time. The anger, the frustration, the progress, everything on show, nothing to hide. Darkroom practice is something that has been a large part of my creative path, finding links between the emotion in music, putting everything on display for all to listen and exposing a colour photograph, putting it on display for all to see. Only when you are exposed to ultraviolet light can you see life in full colour." More...

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Atena Debuts "Subway Anthem" Music Video

Norwegian metalcore act Atena have returned with their melancholic new single and music video for "Subway Anthem." You can check it out below.

Although unusual, the city subway ended up being the inspiration for the single, and Atena states:
"When 2020 came around and we only had our day job to go to while waiting to play actual shows again, the daily commute to and from work became the place/time we all listened to music and dreamed about getting back at it. In a way the city subway really helped us through the day and ended up helping us crafting one of the songs we couldn’t be more proud of making."

Atena have pushed through to become one of the most noteworthy and experimental metalcore acts from Norway, proving that there’s more than black metal that roams in the country. Merging elements from classic metalcore with more urban soundscape, they address issues new generations face today. The new track is mixed and mastered by Swedish producer Henrik Udd (Bring Me TheHorizon, Architects, Imminence). More...

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Angus McSix Reveals Debut Album Details

After the heroic death of Prince Angus, hope seemed to be fading for Scotland and the whole galaxy. But our mighty hero has fought his way back into the world of the living and presents, as Angus McSix, the debut album, Angus McSix and the Sword of Power, set for release on Good Friday, April 7, 2023, via Napalm Records. The new band, featuring Angus McSix (Thomas Winkler), archdemon Seebulon (Sebastian "Seeb" Levermann), Nordic muscle berserker Skaw! (Manu Lotter) and the beautiful queen of the Lazer-Amazons, Thalestris (Thalia Bellazecca), contains adventures of unprecedented proportions within it. Risen from the realm of the dead, Angus McSix is the last hope to free Scotland and mankind from all evil.

With the first single, "Master Of The Universe," the legendary, renowned vocals of the prince mix with euphoric and energetic power metal melodies - ready to continue the epic adventure and loudly proclaim his return. In the high-quality music video, our hero's new appearance is presented in its full glory for the first time, more than ready to face great battles with his golden armor and new allies.

Angus McSix on "Master Of The Universe":
"Like warriors before a decisive battle, we have waited. Finally, the day has come to join you in forming a new, invincible army of thousands of loud voices. We are incredibly excited to celebrate the beginning of this epic together with you. Sharpen your swords and rise to the next level to become Masters of the Universe." More...

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Dark Tranquillity Confirmed For 70000 Tons 2023

The organisers of the 70000 Tons Of Metal cruise have announced that Swedish melodic death metal pioneers Dark Tranquillity are the latest band to be confirmed for this year's edition of the festival. The cruise is scheduled to leave Miami on January 30th and head to Bimini, Bahamas before returning on February 3rd.

The lineup is now as follows:

Abysmal Dawn
Amberian Dawn
Amorphis
Atrocity
Batushka
Belphegor
Cancer
Cryptosis
Cynic
Dark Tranquillity
Dear Mother
Deathless Legacy
Decrepit Birth
Destruction
Edge Of Paradise
Eleine
Elvenking
Empress
Eshtadur
Evergrey
Fallujah
Feuerschwanz
Fractal Universe
Freedom Call
God Dethroned
Hei'An
Hideous Divinity
Insomnium
Iron Savior
Isole
Jungle Rot
Kamelot
Keep Of Kalessin
Korpiklaani
Kreator
Mänegarm
Melechesh
Nightmare
Nightwish
Nothgard
Novembre
Obscura
Oceans Of Slumber
Osyron
Rotting Christ
Sirenia
The Crown
Uli Jon Roth
Visions Of Atlantis
Vreid
Warbringer
Wolfchant

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Metallica Shares "Screaming Suicide" Music Video

American metal icons Metallica has shared a second song from their upcoming album, "72 Seasons," named, "Screaming Suicide." You can check out the music video for the track below.

Metallica frontman James Hetfield says: "‘Screaming Suicide’ addresses the taboo word of suicide. The intention is to communicate about the darkness we feel inside. It's ridiculous to think we should deny that we have these thoughts. At one point or another I believe most people have thought about it. To face it is to speak the unspoken. If it's a human experience, we should be able to talk about it. You are not alone."

"72 Seasons," the twelfth album from Metallica, is scheduled to be released on April 14th through the band's own label, Blackened. More...

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