Report

Mystic Festival 2022 Day One

After some sightseeing around Gdansk during the early part of the day, I headed over to the Gdansk Shipyard for first “official” day of Mystic Festival. As I got closer to the festival grounds, I noticed there were definitely more people going to the festival today. It now felt like a traditional European metal festival to me. The Main Stage had also now opened up for the headliners. Additionally, there were more food and drink vendors near said stage which was really convenient.

The first band I caught was Norway’s Kvelertak. This was my first time seeing them and I was really surprised by the energy they exude live. Frontman Ivar Nikolaisen was multitasking singing while balancing a full microphone stand in one hand and smoking and holding a bottle of wine in the other. The amazing thing was that nothing was ever dropped or spilled while he plowed through the first two songs of their set like it was nothing. Unfortunately, after I photographed the first three songs, I had to head over to the Main Stage to catch Mastodon. I'll definitely check out Kvelertak live in the future.

The crowd had already started filling in the open area in front of the Main Stage for Mastodon by the time I arrived. If I remember correctly, Mastodon was the replacement band for Gojira when they dropped off the pre-pandemic line-up. Mastodon was a worthy replacement and played some of their older material in the beginning of their set. That was great because honestly, I can’t stand the band they’ve become over the last few albums. They’ve also never been the most exciting band to watch live and today was no exception.

Next up was one of the bands I was most looking forward to throughout the whole festival, Heilung. If you’ve never seen this band live before, how can I describe it to you other than it’s a religious experience. Between the stage setup, the ceremonious rituals and last but not least, their music; there is nothing else like it in regards to live shows right now. They started off their set with some material that I wasn’t familiar with (probably new material), but ended their set with songs off their much acclaimed “Futha” album. I’m excited for the new album which will be released later this year.

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Threshold Reveals New Album Details

Threshold return with their 12th full length album "Dividing Lines," which is set to be released on 18th November via Nuclear Blast Records.

"Dividing Lines" marks the second album since the return of former vocalist Glynn Morgan, who reunited with the band on their previous effort "Legends Of The Shires" (2017). A darker album than "Legends Of The Shires," the band have described it as “Legends’ darker, moodier older brother”.

Get your first taste of the album with the single "Silenced," which comes with a stunning new video, below.

Richard West comments on the song: "'Silenced 'is about how we seem to be heading towards less voices, less artists, less venues, less platforms where everyone can be heard. People seem so scared to speak out or debate anything anymore. I know I sound old but I miss the good old days! When freedom of speech goes then society is lost."

The video was filmed by Sitcom Soldiers in the UK who also filmed the band's last video "Small Dark Lines." The video portrays a boy coming up against a threatening foe, only defeating them by summoning a mighty scream (unsilenced).

You can pre-order the album here. More...

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Mantar Shares "Grim Reaping" Music Video

"Pain Is Forever And This Is The End," the anticipated new full-length from German metal duo Mantar, is out TODAY on Metal Blade Records.

Earning critical accolades both stateside and abroad, Decibel Magazine hails a, “burning Molotov cocktail of black metal, sludgy hardcore, and classic metal hooks,” adding, “their latest studio album may be their best yet.” Rock Hard writes, “'Pain Is Forever…' skillfully keeps the balance between brute destructive fury and dense atmosphere in widescreen format with real underground hit potential,” while Metal Injection champions the band’s, “thicker grooves, anthemic refrains, head nodding rhythms and a greater exploitation of the fist-in-the-air-ology school of songwriting.”

In celebration of the release of "Pain Is Forever And This Is The End," today Mantar unleashes a new video for "Grim Reaping." Offers guitarist/vocalist Hanno Klänhardt of the track, "‘Grim Reaping’ is about the simple insight that you cannot win life. No matter what you do, what you try... death remains the great unifier. And in death we will be genuine and pure." More...

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Sun Eater Premiere New Single "Cosmic Hegemony"

French brutal death metal unit Sun Eater premiere a new single entitled “Cosmic Hegemony”, taken from their upcoming new album "Vermin". The record will be out in stores August 18, 2022 via Miasma Records and Vomit Your Shirt.

Check out now "Cosmic Hegemony" streaming via YouTube for you below.

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Chris Barnes Weighs In On Pantera Reunion

Current Six Feet Under, and former Cannibal Corpse frontman Chris Barnes has concisely reacted on the forthcoming Pantera reunion tour.

In case you missed it: Billboard - citing a source close to the reunited outfit - have reported that Zakk Wylde (Black Label Society, Ozzy Osbourne) and Charlie Benante (Anthrax) have been confirmed to be the live take over the roles of Pantera’s late guitarist “Dimebag” Darrell Abbott and drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott.

Barnes posted the below animated gif concerning that matter via his Twitter: More...

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Demon Hunter Premiere New Single

Demon Hunter‘s have once again joined forces with a special guest: On their latest advance track named “Defense Mechanism“, Max Cavalera (Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy) has his guest spot. The new single is streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you now below.

The band‘s twelfth full-length release “Exile“ will be out on September 09th via Weapons MFG.

Demon Hunter will be out on the road again in support of that effort, with the below dates being booked: More...

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KEN mode Premiere New Music Video

A new KEN mode track and music video titled “But They Respect My Tactics” has premiered online streaming via YouTube for you below. It is taken from the group’s upcoming studio full-length “Null“, which will be released on September 23rd.

Tells guitarist/vocalist Jesse Matthewson: More...

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Vended Premiere New Single “Ded To Me”

Vended premiere their new single “Ded To Me” ahead of their impending European/UK summer run. The band features the sons of Slipknot‘s Corey Taylor and M. Shawn “Clown” Crahan. Guitarists Cole Espeland and Connor Grodzicki and bassist Jeramiah Pugh complete the band's lineup. You can check out the new track streaming via YouTube and Spotify for you below.

Tell the band: More...

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