Thulcandra To Tour With Sacramentum

Following the release of their much-acclaimed fifth studio album, "Hail The Abyss" (released in May 2023 via Napalm Records,) Munich, Germany-based black-death metal act Thulcandra has announced a series of tour dates for early 2025 with Swedish powerhouse Sacramentum! Find all dates listed below; tickets are now on sale.

"We are thrilled to announce a European co-headlining run with legendary Swedish black & death metal band Sacramentum, to embark in January 2025." Guitarist / singer Steffen Kummerer comments. "The lineup will be round out by Dutch melodic death metal band Nephylim and covers five countries in thirteen days. Support the underground and don‘t miss out on this one of a kind lineup!"

Ahead of their European shows, Thulcandra will be playing a couple of UK concerts, kicking off by the end of this month. Make sure to catch them live at the following dates:

Thulcandra UK Tour 2024:

26/09/2024 UK London, 229
28/09/2024 UK Dundee, Hordes X Festival
29/09/2024 UK Manchester, Star & Garter More...

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Ensiferum Releases New Lyric Video

"Long Cold Winter Of Sorrow And Strife" is the latest single from Finnish folk metal giants, Ensiferum. The heroic new track comes by way of the band‘s stunning new studio album, Winter Storm, set for release on October 18th through Metal Blade Records.

Ensiferum has maintained a prolific release schedule since their first demo in 1997, gradually increasing in stature until eighth album "Thalassic" crowned their ascent in 2020. The nautical opus went on to top Finland's album chart, reaching #3 in Germany, and top ten in Switzerland, Canada, and the United States. The global COVID pandemic however ensured that the four-year wait for Winter Storm would be the longest in the band's near-thirty-year history.

Much of the new material emerged during lockdown, when Ensiferum's founding guitarist Markus Toivonen set himself the challenge of finding new ways to make music -- eventually composing every song except the rousing, anthemic “Fatherland,” written by bassist Sami Hinkka. The addition of singer/organist Pekka Montin's crystal-clear melodic high notes provided a tremendous boost on "Thalassic." But on Winter Storm -- a fantasy concept narrative penned by Hinkka -- Montin's super-strong voice finds its optimal place in Ensiferum's sound. Bringing to life such grandiose, heroic material, the singer emerges as one of the greatest vocal discoveries of the decade.

"The lyrics of Winter Storm are based on part of my unpublished fantasy book. This album is more like a 'musical' than a traditional album," says Hinkka. He further elaborates on "Long Cold Winter Of Sorrow And Strife;" "From hearing the first demo of this song, I instantly visualized it as a song about harsh and dark winter. The lyrics tell about a member of the Winter Storm Vigilantes who was exiled and he is barely alive as he wanders at snowy wastelands. He is saved and taken into a remote tavern where he regains his strength and has a vision of his destiny. The song takes the listener on a journey into another world by building up slowly towards a freezing cold winter storm." More...

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Powerflo To Release First Album In Seven Years

Powerflo - vocalist Senen "Sen Dog" Reyes (Cypress Hill), vocalist/guitarist Billy Graziadei (Biohazard), bassist Christian Olde Wolbers (ex-Fear Factory), and drummer Fred Aching - are back. The hard rock supergroup will release their new album "Gorilla Warfare" on November 1 via New Damage Records. Pre-order it here.

Alongside the album announcement, the band is also sharing the video for the title track. Watch it below. The song and video feature Ernie C of Body Count.

"We bring it to a new level with Gorilla Warfare," says Graziadei about the album. "The second record always defines a band, I'm proud as hell of this release. Metal, punk, and hardcore all held together by the power flow of SenDog spitting mad verses all over it! The album is the best of Cypress Hill, Biohazard, and Fear Factory, all combined into one massive beating! We even have a bit of BillyBio mixed into the fray."

As for the title track and first single, he continues, "I finished working on the song but felt it needed something else. After working on some ideas, I wasn't feeling it so I called up buddy Ernie C from Body Count to see if he was down for helping me out. He came into the studio, loved the vibe and laid down some pure fire! That became the title track and the first single!" More...

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Depravation Fest 2024: Day 3

As most reports on the final day of a festival say, all good things must come to an end. Depravation Festival, held in the south west England town Swindon opened very well on Friday, was a massive success the following day and the Sunday promised to be every bit as special. Today would see a healthy mix of rock and metal sub-genres coming together to cap off the weekend, which began with Birmingham outfit, Second Cities. While their home may be the birthplace of heavy metal, Second Cities were something a little different, feeling more like an emo revival act. I can remember seeing 2000s emo bands in the same venue back when the music was relevant, and I didn't like it then, but I'm always willing to give a group a chance. Unfortunately, my personal tastes haven't changed quite enough since those days to enjoy the music and while I encourage them to continue and develop a sound of their own, this didn't do much to get the early crowd interested, with the Adele cover feeling particularly off.

Second up, Bournemouth based progressive metal band Drallion. It may be asking a lot from an audience still reeling from a Saturday night to take in progressive metal but Drallion really knew how to hook them in. Their music is intelligent and fascinating, but also catchy and heavy, making them appealing to all kinds of metal fans. It helps that they have a solid stage presence too, so really, Drallion has everything going for them. Checking them out again after the show, "Bloodshot" and especially "New Machine," which was also a highlight of their set at Levels, are particularly highlights. A very good band with a hell of a lot to offer. Don't miss out!

Unfortunately, there were a few late cancellations today which caused some changes in the times and positions, and since Thrasherwolf couldn't make it due to a member having a Thrasherpup, Webb, who were scheduled to be the penultimate band in The Rolleston, took their place on the main stage. Like several, if not most bands on the bill over the weekend, I went into their set completely blind, or deaf as the case may be and sometimes that's the best way to go about it, because you'll be even more impressed if a band turns out to be good, which is exactly what happened here. Webb are unashamedly heavy metal, taking influence from the genre's 80s heyday, though leaning on the meaner side in the vein of say Exciter or Sacrifice than Iron Maiden or Saxon. The trio is a well oiled, good time, metal machine and I loved every second of them! Songs like "You're Going Down" and "Spread Your Wings" went down a storm and really kicked the crowd into a higher gear. Frontman Ryan Webb is cool as can be, donning the sunglasses and outfit that helps set them apart from other bands on the bill and he's got a hell of a voice to boot. There's a lot more going on than just the old school influence but if you want a band that still carries that attitude from the old days, Webb is the band for you. Superb! More...

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Whitechapel Releases New Standalone Single

Whitechapel is pleased to unleash their brand-new standalone single, "A Visceral Retch." Relentlessly slamming, ominous, and punishing, the track delivers a dark, twisted theme about gluttonous overlords who test the lengths to which humans will go to survive and join their cult. At once brutal and disturbing, it‘s a prime song for any extreme metal playlist.

Comments Whitechapel vocalist Phil Bozeman, "’A Visceral Retch‘ is a song that fans of The Somatic Defilement will latch onto immediately. It was one of the first songs we had in the chamber to work with. This song came to light thanks mostly to [guitarist] Zach Householder. He showed us and we all immediately said, ’yup, that‘s it.‘ Zach is notorious for very dark and horror-like vibes so this album is right in his wheelhouse. The song is disturbing. Imagine being put in a situation of survival by gluttonous, mammoth demons that give you a choice. Eat the demons‘ waste, eat each other, or starve to death. The twist, you‘re against the people you love the most. It‘s a way to find the ones that are truly evil people to build and strengthen their cult. It also represents how horrible people can really be, when push comes to shove."

Watch Whitechapel's "A Visceral Retch" video, directed by My Good Eye Visuals, below. More...

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As I Lay Dying To Release New Album In November

With 25 years of reign and seven acclaimed albums under their belts, Grammy-nominated metalcore pioneers As I Lay Dying are back with an unmissable new album that will define their legacy for years to come. Poised to be one of the most highly-anticipated metal comebacks in years, the band’s eighth full-length studio album, "Through Storms Ahead," will drop on November 15, 2024 via Napalm Records. The album is available for pre-order now.

Featuring explosive new tracks "Burden" and "The Cave We Fear To Enter" - which arrived earlier this summer as the band's first new musical offerings in five years - "Through Storms Ahead" is an evolution of newly explored elements that further bolster the proven line-up of vocalist Tim Lambesis and guitarist Phil Sgrosso alongside recent newcomers Ryan Neff (bass, clean vocals), Nick Pierce (drums) and Ken Susi (guitar).

In celebration, As I Lay Dying just dropped the eviscerating new metalcore anthem of the year, "We Are The Dead." Featuring the gut-punching vocal talents of famed guest vocalists Alex Terrible (Slaughter To Prevail) and Tom Barber (Chelsea Grin, Darko), the latest album single arrives with an equally gripping new music video - proving equal parts mesmerizing, eerie and brutal. The video features appearances from both special guest vocalists.

Guitarist Phil Sgrosso offers about the track and video:
"'We Are The Dead' represents the more brutal territory from our new album, spotlighting our thrashier tendencies that we still enjoy mixing in amongst our more melodic sound. I think this is the meanest we've ever gone in terms of aggression, and who better to join us than two of deathcore's finest, Alex Terrible of Slaughter To Prevail and Tom Barber from Chelsea Grin. Shout out to our third-time video collaborator Tom Flynn for jumping in with us and pulling off another visually creative undertaking for the track." More...

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Grand Magus Shares "The Wheel Of Pain" Lyric Video

Today, battle-hardened heavy metal warriors Grand Magus released "The Wheel Of Pain," the second single from their upcoming tenth studio album, "Sunraven."

"Sunraven" will be released on October 18th through Nuclear Blast Records, and conceptually deals with the legendary poem Beowulf, an ancient tale of epic proportions about heroes and monsters, honour and bravery, victory and defeat. In short, themes that have always played an important role in the lyrical concept of Grand Magus.

JB (vocals & guitar) comments:
"The album is about Beowulf and Grendel. In essence, Sunraven is Beowulf, and that’s my own invention. But some of the songs are written about and from the perspective of Beowulf, and some of the songs are written about and from the perspective of Grendel, the monster he faces in Denmark. That kind of steered me and carried me through the lyrical process this time. I’ve never done anything like this before. I’ve always been fascinated by that tale. These myths and legends are about all the basic things that we sing about – life, death, glory, dishonour, love, hate, overcoming difficulties, facing impossible opposition and so on." More...

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Oceans Of Slumber Streaming New Album

Despite the many accolades that they've received over the past decade, Oceans of Slumber have never rested on their laurels. The Houston heavies have come to redefine the Southern Gothic by casting their tales of hope and despair against an ever-shifting backdrop of progressive metal. While it was produced by their long-time collaborator and GRAMMY nominee Joel Hamilton, the band's sixth album and first for Season of Mist expands their vision to dark, cinematic new heights.

"Where Gods Fear To Speak" comes out tomorrow, Friday, September 13, but you can hear all ten monumental songs today by listening to the full album stream on the Season of Mist YouTube channel. More...

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Frozen Crown Debuts "War Hearts" Music Video

Rising Italian power metal outfit Frozen Crown has unveiled the guitar-driven title track "War Hearts" alongside a powerful official music video. Taken from their new studio album and Napalm Records debut, "War Hearts," out on October 18, 2024, the uplifting track combines the strong message of fighting for your dreams with incredible vocal expertise and ultimate high-speed riffs. Determined to make it through the rough storm as war angels, relentless drums merged with a thrilling guitar solo by newest member Alessia Lanzone reflect the confident atmosphere.

With their youthful, raw and passionate approach to metal, Frozen Crown have garnered significant media exposure with their previous four albums and their massive hit, "Neverending," which has gathered over 11 million views on YouTube to date. The band has further cemented their reputation with their dynamic live performance with legendary acts like U.D.O. in 2023.

Place your pre-order and listen to "War Hearts" below for another taste of what’s to come!

Frozen Crown on the new single "War Hearts":
"We're overly excited and proud to introduce our new album's title track ‘War Hearts’ and to unveil its official videoclip! ‘War Hearts’ was the first song we wrote for the new album and it's meant to be a statement about how fast and uncompromising the rest of the album is going to be. It's also the first song to mark the appearance of our young new guitar player Alessia and her blazing solos.

"The video is once again settled in Italy, between the windy ruins of the Avigliana Castle, and once again portrays the band in the rawest manner possible, without any kind of post-production or artifice involved." More...

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