L-R - Jason Ashcraft - Guitar, Sozos Michael - Vocals
Magic the Gathering-inspired Power Metal band Planeswalker (ft. members of Helion Prime, Gloryhammer) have returned with their newest single “Compleated”. This single tells the story of the Father of Machines - Yawgmoth and about his departure from the Thran empire and becoming the ruler of Phyrexia, as well as his experiments with flesh and machine.
Musically we see a darker turn to naturally fit the theme of the song. Complex riffs and soaring vocals are nothing new with Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) and Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer). The pair is joined by Carlos Alvarez (ex-Power Theory, Behölder, Shadowdance) on bass and Stefanos Meletiou (The Zilla Project, Private Garden) on drums this time around and the two helped bring the big bombastic sound to this song.
Jason Ashcraft comments:
"I’m stoked to get some new Planeswalker material out into the world. This stand-alone single serves as a slight hint of what’s to come. We are working on a second album but have no immediate details on it just yet, but we hope this little slice can hold people over. I was also excited to contribute to writing this time around and I think this is a could example of what can be expected to come when Sozos and I riff together!"
Sozos Michael adds:
"Planeswalker is back! We took our time with this one but I'm excited to share our new song with everyone. This one is about one of MTG's big baddies, and I feel that both Jason and I had a strong and unified vision of what this song should sound like given the subject matter. It is a stepping stone to our next album and connected to its story in a way that will be revealed in time. Please enjoy this release while we are hard at work on PW2!"
Planeswalker is: Sozos Michael (Gloryhammer) - Vocals Jason Ashcraft (Helion Prime) Guitars Guest Musicians: Carlos Alvarez (Shadowdance) - Bass Daniel Carpenter (Celestiv) - Keys & Orchestra Arrangements Stefanos Meletiou - Drums Single Credits: Mixed & Mastered by Ronnie Bjornstrom Additional Engineering by Carlos Alvarez Single cover art by Bo Bradshaw Jason’s promo photo by Allgood Media Productions
The time has come! ???????????????????????????? ????.????.‘s sophomore album “Book II: The Valley of Vâgené” is set to be released on September 27th, 2024 from Rockshots Records.
Over two years in the making, this entry into the WarlocK A.D. saga is bigger, thicker, and more powerful than anything they have brought you before! The album is 12 tracks of interwoven musical storytelling implementing the use of motifs, themes, and callbacks. From the sweeping orchestral movements of “The Golden Showers of Prestønia” to the frantic folk metal flavorings of “Rothgar Warsong”, the album combines the sound and styles of various iterations of orchestra-led melodic metal - culminating in what feels like a fully-fledged D&D style epic told through the medium of a Heavy Metal Musical. Recommended for fans of Nanowar of Steel, Angus McSix, and Beast in Black, the quest to The Valley of Vâgené continues with the single “The Golden Showers of Prestønia”.
"The title is a clear double entendre, the single is a cautionary tale detailing the events that follow Whiteacre's failure to heed the advice of the wise wizard Horatus - do not touch the water! One of the more traditional power metal style tracks on the album, the intensity of the track ebbs and flows as the danger of the forbidden waters becomes more and more apparent - leading to a frantic race against time for Ahriman Cullblade to save the endangered Nomad. This track was actually heavily inspired by the track “Burn” by Deep Purple - which also details the story of a dangerous female presence - something which can be heard especially in the song’s post-solo section. The track also evokes a traditional symphonic metal feel through the use of the duet vocals between Whiteacre and Uriña the Siren (as performed by Dani Bentham of Wailing Banshee)." adds the band.
Coming from the frozen North is Canada’s Dream Heavy, a melodic and enchanting world folk metal group that weaves together ethereal vocals, rich harmonies, intricate guitar and violin melodies, and a diverse rhythm section that keeps audiences enraptured from start to finish. As the band is hitting the road for music festivals across British Columbia this summer (listed below), they are announcing their latest single “Song In The Dark”, which comes off their yet-to-be-titled upcoming EP. “Song in the Dark” is a melodic/progressive metal journey with a primitive tribal feel. The song is the story of our species’ evolution from our earliest awareness of the self and our awe at the universe around us to the brilliant, violent, destructive, and arrogant beings we have become. The band comments on the track:
“Song in the Dark is the newest tune on the EP. This song was truly a band effort with both David and Liam contributing ideas to the arrangement of riffs and melodies. Our Producer/Engineer Jane Aurora at Arrival Sounds was also hugely instrumental in influencing the overall “tone” and feel of the song. With the addition of Mary Ancheta’s phenomenal synthesized strings soundscapes and wicked licks, the song truly came to life!”
Dream Heavy comes from the ashes of beloved bands like Mamaguroove and Samson's Delilah and credits their unique sound to a plethora of influences from metal, Latin, Celtic, and other world music traditions. Their music, characterized by its intensity and thought-provoking lyrics, has captivated audiences across Canada and beyond, earning them a place on campus radio Top 10 lists.
Reflecting on the band's long journey, they share that Dream Heavy's sound has evolved from each member’s collective passion for sound, movement, and justice. With this new EP, they aim to create a sonic and lyrical soundscape that demands to be heard in its entirety—a journey of self-discovery and contemplation. “Song In The Dark” is recommended for fans of boundary-pushing music in the veins of Porcupine Tree, Kalandra, and Rodrigo y Gabriela.
Listen to “Song In The Dark” at the following links:
Show Dates: July 5-6 - Midsummers Music Festival - Smithers, BC July 12-13 - Arts on the Fly Festival - Horsefly, BC July 18 - Billy Barker Days - Quesnel, BC July 19-20 - Discovery Coast Music Festival - Bella Coola, BC July 26 -28 - Kispiox Valley Music Festival - Kispiox Valley, BC August 16-18 - Robson Valley Music Festival - Dunster, BC November 1-2 - Woodstove Music Festival - Cumberland, BC
Kicking off their 2024 Summer tour dates on May 31st that are in honor of guitarist Dallas Toler Wade's 50th birthday and the 10th anniversary of Narcotic Wasteland's self-titled debut album, the trio is unshackling their latest single "Barbarian" for the masses. The song will be featured on the band's forthcoming third full-length "Digital Cordyceps" out on Megaforce Records in 2024 (release date TBD).
Dallas Toler-Wade comments on the new track:
"Barbarian is one of my favorite songs I have written so far. The guitar work is thrashy but also has a neo-classical element to it. I love the mid-tempo churning bass drums that is no secret at this point. Lyrically the song is about my personal feelings on how I want to live my life, but also an observation of what is going on in the world right now. I am sure I am not the only one who sees we are living in an oligarchic society. Meaning we are in a society where only a chosen few have most of the political power. This has always disgusted me. I never needed a political leader or organized religion to tell me how to act, what to read or listen to, and who to vote for. I think it is all complete self-serving bullshit and I refuse to have any part in it. I am barbaric. I follow no rules but my own. I refuse to participate in a society that is untrustworthy, narcissistic, and completely selfish. So I choose a more nomadic life as far away as possible from all of the madness. I am here to entertain. It is my calling. I hope you enjoy the song!!!!! Thanks to all of the fans for your continued support and inspiration!!! Let's rise above and take our freedom back!!!!!"
And don't forget to brace yourself for a face-melting experience as Narcotic Wasteland announces a metal extravaganza like no other this summer! Their unholy crusade of show dates commences on May 31, 2024, in Crockett, CA, and continues its apocalyptic conquest through cities like Portland, Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, Tampa, and more, culminating in a final siege on July 7, 2024, in Saginaw, MI.
They are joined by special guests Whore of Bethlehem, Ignominious, Filth, and Malignancy (Headlining), who will conjure up nightmares with their savage performances.
From blistering guitar wails to heart-pounding drum onslaughts, every show promises to be an infernal ritual that will leave metalheads possessed by the spirit of pure chaos.
Prepare for a night of headbanging, mosh pits, and the unleashing of sonic hellfire.
Tour Dates: 5/31/2024: Crockett, CA - Toot's Tavern 6/1/2024: Lakeport, CA - Drinx Bar 6/2/2024: Yreka, CA - The Empire 6/3/2024: Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom 6/4/2024: Seattle, WA - El Corazon 6/6/2024: Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt 6/8/2024: Millet, Alberta, Canada - Decimate Metal Fest / Millet Agriplex 6/9/2024: Great Falls, MT - The Newberry 6/11/2024: Denver, CO - Herman's Hideaway 6/12/2024: Lubbock, TX - Jake’s Backroom 6/13/2024: Dallas, TX - Haltom Theater - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/14/2024: Austin, TX - Come & Take It Live - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/15/2024: Laredo, TX - The Cold Brew Rock Bar - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/16/2024: Corpus Christi, TX - Boozerz Rock Bar - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/17/2024: Houston, TX - Black Magic - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/18/2024: New Orleans, LA - The Goat - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/19/2024: Long Beach, MS - Trax Bar - With Special Guest Whore of Bethlehem 6/20/2024: Pensacola, FL - Subculture 6/21/2024: Tampa, FL - Brass Mug 6/22/2024: Daytona Beach, FL - Tir na nOg Irish Pub 6/23/2024: Pompano, FL - Pipers 6/24/2024: Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits 6/25/2024: Ridgeville, SC - The Ridgeville Roadhouse 6/26/2024: Raleigh, NC - Chapel of Bones - With Special Guest Ignominious 6/27/2024: York, PA - Skid Row Garage - With Special Guest Ignominious 6/28/2024: Wallingford, CT - Cherry St. Station - With Special Guest Ignominious 6/29/2024: Charleez Hill - Lebanon, ME - The New England Death Metal Fun Time Bonanza - With Malignancy (Headlining) and Ignominious (Special Guest) 6/30/2024: Oakdale, NY - Shakers Pub with Malignancy - With Malignancy (Headlining) 7/2/2024: Albany, NY - Empire Underground - With Filth (Headlining) 7/3/2024: White Hall, PA - Planet Trog - With Filth (Headlining) 7/4/2024: Rochester, NY - Montage Music Hall - With Filth (Headlining) 7/5/2024: Lakewood, OH - Foundry Concert Club - With Filth (Headlining) 7/6/2024: Chicago, IL - WC Social Club - With Filth (Headlining) 7/7/2024: Saginaw, MI - The Vault - With Filth (Headlining) Note: All dates and venues are subject to change. Please visit https://narcoticwasteland.com/tour for the latest updates.
Mutant Blast, the force behind a unique metal thrashing death ‘n’ roll sound, is gearing up for their new album planned to be released September 2024 on Rockshots Records. The upcoming album promises a fresh blend of death’n’roll, thrash metal, and heavy metal, showcasing Mutant Blast’s evolution since its formation in August 2020. With influences ranging from classic metal to ‘90s extreme crunching, the band has crafted a distinctive and powerful sound that sets them apart in the metal scene. The second single, “Acid Rain” taken from the upcoming album called “Soulsteeler”, is a very catchy and forward-rolling song with great melodic riffs delivering a high-energy experience with nods to action, movie references, and current world events. Here resonates a strong image reminiscent of Annihilator’s old production. Digital - https://lnk.to/marbt
Mutant Blast anticipates a positive reception from fans, expressing confidence in the album’s strong songwriting and memorable tracks. The band’s unique blend of genres, described as both fresh and unique, aims to captivate audiences with a powerful and steel-driven musical journey. Stay tuned for the new single called “Acid Rain” and the highly anticipated full-length album set to unleash in 2024. Be prepared for tones of death’n’roll, thrash metal, heavy metal, and a little bit of hard rock & death metal. Old-school metal is the thing!
