News

• OPETH's Critically-Acclaimed New Album Charts Worldwide

  Dec 9, 2024 Al Feliciano 0 Comments

  OPETH’s highly anticipated and critically acclaimed 14th studio album 'The Last Will & Testament,' was officially released on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget and is now charting internationally.OPETH’s highly anticipated and critically acclaimed 14th studio album 'The Last Will & Testament,' was officially released on November 22 via Reigning Phoenix Music / Moderbolaget and is now charting internationally.

   

  Order ‘The Last Will & Testament’: HERE

   

  Opeth's fourteenth album was written by Åkerfeldt, with lyrics conferred with Klara Rönnqvist Fors (The Heard, ex-Crucified Barbara). ‘The Last Will & Testament’ was co-produced by Åkerfeldt and Stefan Boman (Ghost, The Hellacopters), engineered by Boman, Joe Jones (Killing Joke, Robert Plant), and Opeth, with Boman, Åkerfeldt, and the rest of Opeth mixing at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe Studios in Stockholm. The strings on ‘The Last Will & Testament’ were arranged by Åkerfeldt and returning prog friend Dave Stewart (Egg, Khan) and conducted by Stewart at Angel Studios in London. Not one to miss a beat, visual artist Travis Smith returns to the fold, crafting his 11th cover, a haunting "photograph" reminiscent of Stanley Kubrick's infamous "Overlook Hotel" photograph. Miles Showell (ABBA, Queen) also revisits mastering and vinyl lacquer cutting at Abbey Road Studios in London.

   

  Åkerfeldt rolls out the red carpet for storied flautist and Jethro Tull main man Ian Anderson. Not only do Anderson's signature notes fly on "§4" and "§7", he narrates on "§1", "§2", "§4", and "§7". Joining Anderson, Europe's Joey Tempest lends a backing vocal hand on "§2”, while Åkerfeldt's youngest daughter, Mirjam Åkerfeldt, is the disembodied voice in "§1".

   

  ‘The Last Will & Testament ‘is gripping from start to finish, jaw-dropping inside and out, representing some of Opeth's finest material to date. Just as Opeth welcomed many into its distressed arms over the years, the Swedes again deliver on the promise that great music always tells a compelling story—this time with growls.

   

  Moreover, OPETH has landed the the cover story for Decibel Magazine's current December 2024issue! The in-depth interview with the band was conducted by journalist Chris Dick while the photos were shot by Ester Segarra. The issue can be found HERE.

  Lineup: Mikael Åkerfeldt – Vocals, guitars Fredrik Åkesson – Guitars, backing vocals Martin Mendez – Bass guitar Waltteri Väyrynen – Drums and percussion Joakim Svalberg – Keyboards, backing vocals   Special Guests: Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) - spoken word (tracks 1, 2, 4, 7) // flute (tracks 4, 7) Joey Tempest (Europe) - backing vocals (track 2) Mirjam Åkerfeldt - spoken word (track 1)   All Music and Lyrics written by Mikael Åkerfeldt Lyrical concept by Mikael Åkerfeldt, dramatic consultation by Klara Rönnqvist Fors   Produced by Mikael Åkerfeldt Co-produced by Opeth and Stefan Boman Engineered by Stefan Boman, Joe Jones and Opeth Mixing by Stefan Boman and Mikael Åkerfeldt and Opeth at Atlantis and Hammerthorpe, Stockholm, Sweden Mastering and vinyl lacquer cut by Miles Showell at Abbey Road studios, London, UK   Strings conducted by Dave Stewart at Angel Studios, London, UK Strings arrangement by Mikael Åkerfeldt and Dave Stewart Drum technicalities by Kit Cunningham   Artwork by Travis Smith with directions from Mikael Åkerfeldt   Biography by Dom Lawson

  About Reigning Phoenix Music   Founded in 2023, Reigning Phoenix Music is truly the 100% independently owned vision of music industry professional Gerardo Martinez and avionics and tech entrepreneur, Sven Bogner. The blueprint is to continue to help heavy metal, extreme, hard, and heavy music thrive by partnering with an array of well-established acts, new talent, and iconic artists, by offering best services and practices in the industry. But most important is to help the artists amplify their art and talent to a winning formula for success!   More on RPM: reigningphoenixmusic.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube

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• NECKBREAKKER - Release Debut Album 'Within The Viscera' + New Single 'Absorption'

  Dec 9, 2024 Al Feliciano 0 Comments

  This past Friday saw vicious death metal unit NECKBREAKKER release their debut album, Within The Viscera, via Nuclear Blast Records. To celebrate the release, the band have revealed a lyric video for latest single 'Absorption', a cut-throat assault of razor wire riffs and thunderous, explosive drums. On the release of their debut album, the band comment:  "We are extremely proud to finally release our debut album Within The Viscera. A lot of time and hard work has been put in to this record, both by us and our team, and to say we’re proud is an understatement. Alongside the album we’re stoked to share the lyric video for the track Absorption." Pre-order and pre-save Within The Viscera now at: https://neckbreakker.bfan.link/witv

  NECKBREAKKER - 'Absorption' (Official Lyric Video)

  NECKBREAKKER is
  Christoffer Kofoed - Vocals
  Joakim Kaspersen - Guitar
  Johan Lundvig - Guitar
  Sebastian Knoblauch - Bass
  Anton 'Hajn' Bregendorf - Drums

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• Mallorca Doom HELEVORN Announces "25 Years - Rooted Into Loss Tour"

  Dec 9, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Mallorca Doom HELEVORN Announces "25 Years - Rooted Into Loss Tour"

  Fifth Studio Album "Espectres" Out Now!

  L-R - JM Rubio - Bass, Sandro Vizcaino - Guitars, Pedro S Bonnin - Keys, Josep Brunet - Vocals, Alex Correa - Guitars

  Photo Credit - Tuco Martin

  Mallorca, Spain's renowned doom metal band Helevorn announces the "25 Years - Rooted Into Loss Tour" to celebrate their quarter of a century performing and recording doom metal since their conception in 1999. This landmark tour beginning in January 2025 will witness Helevorn sharing many fan-favorite songs from their gloomy, gothic doom catalog and supporting their fifth studio album, “Espectres” released this past September (Tour dates are listed below; more will be announced).

  Helevorn - 25 Years - Rooted Into Loss Tour​
  Jan 25 - Kanya a Santa Climent Fest - Casal de Cultura de Sant Climent - Barcelona, Spain
  Jan 31 - Utopia - Zaragoza, Spain
  Feb 1 - Itaca - Torrelavega, Spain
  Feb 28 - Sala X - Sevilla, Spain
  March 1 - Roka Rock Voodo - Malaga, Spain

  Following significant line-up changes over the past three years, Helevorn has emerged stronger and more creative than ever with their new album "Espectres". The band enlisted the talents of Sebastià Barceló (Trallery) for drum recordings, adding a new dynamic to their sound. This album represents a slight departure from Helevorn's previous work, with new guitarist Alex composing 60% of the material. Fans can expect the familiar atmospheric and emotional depth Helevorn is known for, but with a rawer, more technical edge. The band shares the details behind the album:

  “This album is based on Hauntology, described first by Jaques Derrida and after by the philosopher Mark Fisher. He wrote “The Ghosts of My Life”, an amazing book where he describes the ‘slow cancellation of future’, and a lot of great concepts about the specters and the absences. How they make us what we really are. Is a fantastic concept to write a Doom Metal album isn't it?”

  While still rooted in their self-coined “Mediterranean Doom” style, this album leans more heavily into pure doom and metal elements. The band promises a less epic, less folk-influenced sound, focusing instead on the core essence of doom metal. Helevorn thinks it can be an intense experience for those who want to connect something very emotional and very philosophic with dark and gloomy music.

  Those with an interest in Paradise Lost, My Dying Bride, and Draconian, will appreciate the art that Helevorn is creating.

  “Espectres” was released on September 13, 2024, from Meuse Music Records and is available for album order (Vinyl/CD) at http://www.helevorn.com/shop | Helevornofficial.bandcamp.com​

  Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3B4grGV​​

  Track Listing:​
  1. Inherit the Stars (6:36)
  2. The Defiant God (5:07)
  3. Signals (4:47)
  4. When Nothing Shudders (5:49)
  5. Unbreakable Silence (7:15)
  6. L'Endemà (5:37)
  7. The Lost Futures (5:46)
  8. Children of the Sunrise (4:40)

  More info: https://www.helevorn.com | https://www.facebook.com/helevornband | https://www.instagram.com/helevornband

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• Blackened Death Metal Masters THULCANDRA Presents New Video Clip From Very First Live Album 'Live Demise,' Out This Friday On Napalm Records!

  Dec 6, 2024 Al Feliciano 0 Comments

  Blackened death metal masters THULCANDRA will release their first-ever live album, 'Live Demise,' that celebrates the first chapter and early days of the band!

   

  'Live Demise' was recorded live in 2011 at a hometown show in Munich, Germany, and features true gems that the band hasn't performed in more than a decade, all with the original line-up consisting of Sebastian Ludwig, Tobias Ludwig, Matthias Landes (Dark Fortress, Noneuclid), and Steffen Kummerer (Obscura, Death, Cynic).

   

  Following a video clip for the previously-released live version of "Fallen Angel's Dominion", today, THULCANDRA is premiering "Night Eternal (Live)"!

   

  Band mastermind, Steffen Kummerer, comments:

   

  "With 'Night Eternal' we present you the opening track of our debut album 'Fallen Angel’s Dominion' (2010), taken off our first ever live release 'Live Demise.' Tracked at a hometown show in Munich, Germany a decade ago, we celebrate the early days of the band in a raw and energetic setting, showcasing each member on fire. See you all on our upcoming European run with Sacramentum at a venue near you!"

   

   

  The video clip for "Night Eternal (Live)" is now streaming HERE

  THULCANDRA’s rise to power ignited when the four-piece unleashed their debut album, 'Fallen Angel’s Dominion', upon metaldom in 2010. Followed by their 2011 masterpiece, 'Under a Frozen Sun', 'Live Demise' contains brutal-as-hell classics from both records, like "Black Flags Of Hate", "In Blood And Fire" and "The Spirit Of The Night", aptly capturing the spirit and high-voltage energy of both the crowd and band. Ragers such as "Night Eternal" and "Fallen Angel's Dominion" perfectly showcase the band's raw and intense performances in their early days, and prove how THULCANDRA has quickly stepped up as one of the leading bands of their genre!   Due to the pandemic, which was subsequently followed by their latest studio album 'Hail The Abyss', 'Live Demise' could not be released alongside THULCANDRA's 20th anniversary as originally planned. Now, with mixing and mastering by Dan Swanö (Katatonia, Edge Of Sanity, Dissection) and cover artwork designed by Herbert Lochner, this very special release will become available in only strictly limited editions exclusively via Napalm Records and atTHULCANDRA's upcoming live shows - including their European co-headlining run with legendary Swedish black and death metal band Sacramentum with support from Nephylim. The tour begins January 2025; find all upcoming dates listed below!

  Pre-Order 'Live Demise' HERE!

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• BEYOND THE GATES 2025 Unveils Day + Night Shift Lineup

  Dec 6, 2024 Al Feliciano 0 Comments

  BEYOND THE GATES 2025 FESTIVAL PASSES + TICKETS

  Beyond the Gates Festival 2025 is now unveiling the lineups for the day and night shift performances for next year's edition! Absu (featuring Zemila) will be performing a special 30th anniversary set of 1995's seminal album, 'The Sun Of Tiphareth!' In addition, the newly added bands include Darkened Nocturne Slaughtercult, Koldbrann, Furia, Eternal Evil, Askeregn, Morax, and Nihilvm.   The four-day extravaganza will once again take place in Bergen (NO) from July 30 - August 2, across several venues, including USF and the iconic Grieghallen, where many of Norway's seminal black metal artists recorded their legacy records.   The current lineup is now as follows, with more TBA:   Beyond the Gates 2025 Lineup: King Diamond (First Norwegian show in 19 years!) Abbath Doom Occulta (Immortal set) Triptykon (performing Celtic Frost) I Am Morbid Destruction ('Infernal Overkil'l 40 years) Hellbutcher Hellripper Dark Sonority  + more TBA!   Day + Night Shift: Absu (ft. Zemial, 30th anniversary of 'The Sun Of Tiphareth' Darkened Nocturne Slaughtercult Koldbrann Furia Eternal Evil Askeregn Morax Nihilvm   Tickets are now available HERE.

  In addition, Beyond the Gates has launched a December campaign in which fans can enter to win a chance at a free hotel packages and other prizes! To enter the draw, buy your festival pass before December 31, 2024!

  “As a festival, Beyond the Gates is immediately lovable. Bergen is intrinsically part of that embrace… Sure, Norway’s expensive, but seeing the best bands out there, taking in a Tolkienesque fjord or two, pilgrimaging to Fantoft church, hitting up Gaahl’s art gallery (Galleri Fjalar) nestled in the quaint houses at Bryggen while Freyr gleefully and continually pisses rain on you from the heavens? All worth its weight in hordes of kroner.” - Decibel Magazine, December 2022 issue

  Since the inception of the Beyond the Gates festival, fans have been coming to Bergen to see performances of their favorite Norwegian artists in their home environment. As most visitors know, nature and local culture has always been a poignant source of inspiration for the bands emerging from the Bergen scene. Yet again, Beyond the Gates will give all of the traveling fans the opportunity to get an unique insight into all aspects of the Norwegian Metal scene and the local culture in general. In that regard, we’re putting together a series of events before and during the festival so that all of you can discover what inspired – and still does - the Norwegian metal scene.   More special events will be announced, including exclusive listening parties, music and culture panels, in-depth live interviews, and a wealth of of events and activities that will give you a Beyond the Gates Experience that will last for a lifetime. Stay tuned for more...

  Links: Official Beyond the Gates Website Facebook Instagram Tickets

   

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