Search Results: sacramento

• California Power Metal NIVIANE Release New Album “Queen of Phantoms”

  Mar 7, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  The wait is over — Sacramento, California's Niviane unleash their powerful new album, "Queen of Phantoms", out today March 7th, 2025! With a refined lineup, sharpened songwriting and a thunderous production, this release solidifies the band’s place at the forefront of modern power metal.

  Crafted with precision over the past years, "Queen of Phantoms" represents Niviane’s strongest and most dynamic work to date. The album was written during the pandemic lockdowns and carefully shaped to highlight the band’s evolution, featuring a new rhythm section with drummer Isaiah AR and bassist Tyler Satterlee who inject fresh power into the music. Each of the 11 tracks offers a different shade of power metal, from blistering speed and aggression to uplifting melodies and dark atmospheres pushing beyond the genre’s conventions.

  Featuring the commanding title track "Queen of Phantoms", the emotionally charged "Tomorrow’s a New Day" and the thunderous "Under Black Flags" just to name a few, the album strikes a perfect balance between heaviness and melody. "Queen of Phantoms" showcases Niviane’s signature blend of intricate guitar work, anthemic choruses and cinematic storytelling, appealing to fans of Judas Priest, Queensrÿche, Primal Fear and Nevermore.

  The album’s official lyric videos for "Queen of Phantoms" and "12 BC Legions" further bring its powerful themes to life, visually enhancing its dark, immersive storytelling. The latest official music video for "Tomorrow’s a New Day" explores deep and personal themes of mental health, setting it apart as one of the band’s most moving compositions.

  With "Queen of Phantoms", Niviane delivers a bold and unapologetic statement—this is power metal at its finest, evolved and redefined. Experience the full force of Niviane’s latest masterpiece now!

  CD order - https://rockshots.eu/products/niviane-queen-of-phantoms-cd​

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

  Tracklist:
  1. Queen of Phantoms
  2. 12 BC: Legions
  3. 12 BC: Germania
  4. Beacon In The Darkness
  5. Some Wounds… Never Heal
  6. All Debts Repaid
  7. Tomorrow’s A New Day
  8. Event Horizon
  9. Our Maze
  10. Gunslingers & Graves
  11. Under Black Flags
  ​
  Band line up
  Aaron Robitsch: Keys & Orchestration
  Gary Tarplee: Guitars
  Isaiah AR: Drums
  Mark Miner: Guitars
  Norman Skinner: Vocals
  Tyler Satterlee: Bass

  More info: ​
  ​​https://www.rockshots.eu​

  ​https://www.niviane.com/​

  ​https://www.facebook.com/nivianemetal/​

  ​https://www.instagram.com/nivianemetalofficial/​

  ​https://x.com/nivianeofficial

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• Streaming Now! Prog Collective LUNAR Unveils Groundbreaking Concept Album “Tempora Mutantur”

  Jan 30, 2025 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

   

  Sacramento, USA’s progressive metal pioneers LUNAR are set to release their most ambitious project to date, “Tempora Mutantur” on January 31, 2025. A meticulously crafted concept album that explores the intricate passages of time, personal transformation, and emotional landscapes, the record represents a milestone in the band's continuing musical evolution. They comment on the release:

  “We’re very excited to present our new album “Tempora Mutantur” to the world! This album is more thematic rather than conceptual like the last album. This album deals with something everyone can relate to and no one can escape: the passing of time. As we get older, our perspective changes, we gain some things, and lose others… sometimes the things and ones we love. And we struggle and fight along the way.”

  Lunar hopes that fans will be able to resonate with the album and find some solace in it as it is highly relatable to the theme of time passing. Continued and driven by drummer and primary songwriter Alex Bosson (Helion Prime, Planeswalker) after the passing of co-band founder Ryan Erwin in 2018, the album is the result of a deeply personal and introspective creative process.

  The album's eight tracks weave a complex narrative that explores themes of seasonal change as metaphors for personal growth, mental health, and the passage of time. From the opening track to the three-part title suite that closes the album, Lunar demonstrates its unique ability to transform personal struggles into universal musical statements that resonate with listeners on multiple levels. The album is recommended for fans of Haken, Tool, and Porcupine Tree.

  Listen to the album stream premiere of “Tempora Mutantur” via Decibel Magazine HERE.

  ​

  Lunar's fresh lineup features guitarists Carlos Alvarez and Connor McCray (Vis Mystica) along with keyboardist Anthony Stahl plus album guests Wayne Ingram (Wildrun), Joe Gullace (Thank You Scientist), and Sam Vallen (Caligula's Horse).

  A studio project since first conceived in 2014, LUNAR will make its live debut next year at the 2025 Hyperspace Metal Festival in Vancouver, BC, Canada on April 11th. Info here.

  LUNAR's "Tempora Mutantur" will be available from Saibot Reigns Records as of January 31st, 2025.

  Album pre-order - http://lunarbandofficial.bandcamp.com/​

  ​

  (Album Artwork by Ed Bosson)

  Track Listing:​
  1. A Summer To Forget – 6:37
  2. Fall Back Into Old Habits – 11:16 ft. guest guitar solo by Wayne Ingram (Wilderun)
  3. Seasonal Interlude – 4:47
  4. Weakening Winter Touch – 8:46
  5. Spring In My Step – 7:26
  6. Tempora Mutantur: Part I – Passage of Time – 3:12 ft. guest guitar solo by Sam Vallen (Caligula's Horse)
  7. Tempora Mutantur: Part II – Broken Pendulum – 3:47
  8. Tempora Mutantur: Part III – Watch The Weather Change – 4:51
  Album Length: 50:45

  Album Credits:​
  Performance and Writing credits - full info HERE.
  Produced by: Alex Bosson
  Mixed by: Carlos Alvarez
  Mastered by: Tony Lindgren

  Album Main Lineup:​
  Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
  Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
  Carlos Alvarez – Rhythm Guitar
  Connor McCray – Lead Guitar
  Ryan Price – Bass
  Alex Bosson – Drums
  Anthony Stahl – Keyboards

  Live Lineup:​
  Chandler Mogel – Clean Vocals
  Brian Lewis – Growl Vocals
  Jordan Price – Guitars
  Ryan Price – Bass
  Alex Bosson - Drums

  For more info: Facebook.com/lunarbandofficial | Instagram.com/lunarbandofficial | X.com/LunarBandOffcl | Spotify

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• Reminder - Deadline Dec 15th - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Band Submissions For 2025 Battles - One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  Dec 5, 2024 Fistoffreedom 0 Comments

  Reminder - Deadline Dec 15th - WACKEN METAL BATTLE USA Band Submissions For 2025 Battles

  One Band To Conquer Them All & Play Wacken Open Air

  

  Spotify - 2024 WMBU National Finalists Playlist - https://spoti.fi/4cbAEb8​

  One Band To Conquer Them All! The December 15th deadline is nearing for independent American bands to apply to the 2025 battles for Wacken Metal Battle USA.

  Unsigned bands ONLY can apply. Please fill out your information at the following link (please select USA and then the City that your band would like to perform in) - https://www.metal-battle.com​

  (Band Submissions End December 15th, 2024 - 11:59 PM PST)

  The 2025 battles are held nationwide across the USA for one independent band to be crowned champion and perform at one of the world's most prestigious and largest already sold-out metal festivals Wacken Open Air (July 30th – August 2nd) (Attendance of over 80,000 people in Wacken, Germany for over 30 years).

  ​

  The 2025 WMBU champion will receive the following:
  - A slot at the 2025 Wacken Open Air Festival.
  - Full professional backline provided.
  - $1,000 USD towards flights to Germany.
  - VIP camping at the festival.

  2025 battles will be taking place in the following cities:

  (National Final on June 21st in Clifton, NJ at Dingbatz)

  New York, NY
  Clifton, NJ
  Baltimore, MD
  Tampa, FL
  Portland, OR
  Seattle, WA
  Bay Area, CA
  Los Angeles, CA
  Orange County, CA
  Sacramento, CA
  San Diego, CA
  Austin, TX
  Dallas, TX
  Corpus Christi, TX
  Houston, TX
  San Antonio, TX

  The 2024 WMBU national final was held in San Diego at Brick By Brick with regional winners Cascade Effect (San Diego), WarTroll (NorCal), Versipul (PNW), Prime Prophecy (East Coast), and Father Wolf (Texas).

  Judged by an industry panel that included Rod Kukla (Silver Lining Music), Craig Goldy (Dio), Derek Engemann (Scour, Phil Anselmo and the Illegals, ex-Cattle Decapitation), and Patrick Stone (Adler's Appetite, Budderside), the band that reigned the stage and proved themselves worthy of gracing the holy land of metal at Wacken Open Air in Germany was crowned 2024 champion, San Diego's Cascade Effect.

  As the 2024 crowned USA champion, Cascade Effect went on to perform as the only independent American band at the International Battle at Wacken Open Air 2024 (July 31st – August 3rd).​

  List of previous WMBU national winners, Cascade Effect (2024 - San Diego), Fadrait (2023 - San Diego) Mythraeum (2022 - San Diego), Monarch (2019 - San Diego), Voices of Ruin (2018 - Anaheim) and Corpse Hoarder (2017 - Philadelphia).

  2024 battles were hosted in the following cities: New York, NY, Clifton, NJ, Philadelphia, PA, Portland, OR, Seattle, WA, Bay Area, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Orange County, CA, Sacramento, CA, San Diego, CA, Austin, TX, Dallas, TX, El Paso, TX, Houston, TX, San Antonio, TX.

  For the last 6 years of battles (2017-2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), Wacken Metal Battle USA has hosted battles across the country to send one independent metal band to perform at the world’s largest metal festival Wacken Open Air in Wacken, Germany. 2019 saw the festival celebrate its 30th anniversary, but due to Covid, the 2020 and 2021 editions were both canceled. As the metal community regains its strength, Wacken Open Air 2025 will be the 34th edition of the festival and will be held from July 30th – August 2nd. The 2025 event is already sold out with a line-up that includes Machine Head, Saltatio Mortis, Papa Roach, Gojira, Apocalyptica, Saxon, Within Temptation, Dimmu Borgir, Ministry, and many more. Details here.

  Wacken Metal Battle USA is part of an international competition that sees bands from across the country battle each other for the chance to win their spot among 30 other countries’ champions, and represent the USA in an international battle of the bands at the world’s largest outdoor metal festival: Wacken Open Air. The battles have been hosted at the festival for over a decade and give independent bands the opportunity to showcase their talents to an international audience along with the chance to win multiple prizes.

  How it works:​
  ​Participating cities will host qualifying rounds plus a city final organized by a local city concert promoter where one band will move forward to the American national final (date and city to be determined). The winner of the national final will move on to perform at the Wacken Open Air 2024 and compete against the winners of 30 other countries in a final global battle. All bands will be judged during battle rounds by respected local music industry representatives.

  Links:​
  ​Metal-Battle.com​
  ​MetalBattleUSA.com​
  ​Facebook.com/metalbattleusa​.official​
  ​Twitter.com/MetalBattleUSA​
  ​Instagram.com/metalbattleusa.official

  ​

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  Sponsors / Partners:​
  Bravewords.com
  MetalDevastationRadio.com
  Metal-Rules.com
  V13.net
  GhostCultMag.com
  Dungeon Works Productions
  Asher Media Relations
  Fatal Illness Management
  Come And Take It Productions
  Brick By Brick
  VonWolfe Entertainment
  TMI Collaborations
  Dingbatz
  Dean Guitars

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