Dutch powerhouse Within Temptation are continuing to break through barriers and have announced a spectacular immersive event, The Aftermath – A Show In A Virtual Reality, which will combine music with bleeding-edge technology to create an out of this world event like no other.
 
     Frontwoman Sharon Den Adel comments:-


     “During the whole pandemic we weren’t keen on doing a livestream. The magic of seeing and hearing a band perform live – combined with the energy of the crowd – is something you cannot simply recreate with a livestream. So, for a long time we were clueless. One thing we knew for sure: we would not compromise on a livestream if we could offer something out of the ordinary, something jaw dropping, intriguing, spectacular and mythical!
 
     Then we found it: a world that we could shape into our wildest fantasies and in which we, as a band, could perform while still maintaining the dynamics and magic of our traditional live-show. We are absolutely thrilled to invite you to Within Temptation: The Aftermath – A Show In A Virtual Reality. A show that takes place in different scenes of a post-apocalyptic world, in which we are witness of the aftermath of destruction of mankind. A world in which it is unknown if anyone or anything of the human race survived. It is a search for answers - about both its becoming as well as its legacy.
 
     The Aftermath is a show fuelled by bleeding-edge technology that enables the band to do a performance that’s out of this world – literally! In this one-hour show Within Temptation will play a variety of newer and older songs in four different worlds, that interact with both the band and the music. Expect guest singers from all over the world to join the band on stage for striking duets in even more striking settings.
 
     With this show, Within Temptation builds a bridge between the now and the next time the band will be able to play again. “We are absolutely gutted that the Worlds Collide Tour has been pushed back again and we cannot perform live in the same venue as our fans. With this digital show we hope that the fans can still feel our energy, our love for - and above all: our passion for music. Take care and we hope to see you on July 8 or July 9”.
 

THE AFTERMATH – A SHOW IN A VIRTUAL REALITY

• July 8, 2021, Europe (8PM CEST / 7PM BST).
• July 9, 2021, Northern and Southern America (8pm ET (UTC-4) / 5pm PT (UTC -7) / 9pm BRT (UTC3) / 7pm CST (UTC -5).
  

 

Tickets are available for €24,99 (1 person) or €29,99 (2 or more people watching in the same room) at within-temptation.com
 
     Along with the immersive event, Within Temptation have announced the release of a brand-new single ‘Shed My Skin’, which will be out two weeks before the show. For this song Within Temptation have teamed up with German metalcore band Annisokay. This collaboration has resulted in a bombastic, heartfelt metal anthem.
 
     ‘Shed My Skin’ is the third single of the series of Within Temptation’s independent releases and will be out via all streaming services on June 25th, 2021. The official music video of this song will premiere during Within Temptation: The Aftermath – A Show In A Virtual Reality on July 8th and July 9th, 2021.

     Fans who missed symphonic extreme metal masters Chthonic’s triumphant return to the stage to headline Taiwan’s massive Megaport Festival in March will have the opportunity to experience the show with the release of the Chthonic Megaport 2021 live album and video on May 19.

     Chthonic Megaport 2021 will be available digitally and as a special limited “anti-epidemic bundle” including a physical CD, Chthonic medical-quality mask, a Chthonic mask lanyard, large and small Chthonic mask containers and a small Chthonic spray can for sanitizer will be available. Pre-orders are available at https://ciongzo.com/en/product_detail.php?id=602.

     After making history by successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan was able to move forward with the Megaport Festival, the first large-scale rock festival since the unprecedented global lockdown. Taking place March 27-28 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the festival featured more than 100 artists on 10 stages. Founded in 2006 by Chthonic’s Freddy Lim, who left the organizing team after being elected as a member of Taiwanese Parliament in 2016, Megaport Festival attracts tens of thousands of people every year, with this year’s festival selling out its 20,000 tickets within five minutes. For their performance, Chthonic was joined by Audrey Tang, a long-time Chthonic fan who currently holds the seat of Digital Minister in Taiwan's cabinet.


Lim shared his thoughts on the occasion:-


     “I felt very excited and grateful when I stood on the stage. I cherished the connection between the crowd and me, and I also wanted to cheer up the people around the world who watched the show through the live broadcast so much.”


Lim also used the Megaport appearance as an excuse to reclaim his once-fit body, which he shows off on the album’s cover and in the “Set Fire to the Island” video:-

     “I have always been fit in the past. But after entering politics and having a baby, I didn't have enough time to exercise, so I was a little out of shape. Last year I promised the fans that if the Megaport Festival was held as scheduled, I will get my fit body back and take off my shirt in this show. So, I take off my shirt later in the song! Good to have my fit body back!”

     Jinjer have announced a short album release tour in 14 select cities around Europe, together with Swedish special guests and deathcore brutalists Humanity's Last Breath and French cinematic metallers Hypno5e. This package is not only a buffet of some of the most cutting edge bands in metal today but will also be the first chance to hear brand new Jinjer music live. While their Macro World Tour was suddenly cut short in March 2020 – Jinjer did manage to pull off the impossible in September 2020 by doing a short tour of Germany and Switzerland, making them the first Non-European band to cross International borders and successfully tour during the pandemic.

Grab tickets for the EU Tour HERE

Catch Jinjer on their EU tour w/ Humanity's Last Breath & Hypno5e
 
18.09.21 - SK - BRATISLAVA / Majestic
19.09.21 - CZ - JABLONEC NAD NISOU /  Eurocentrum
20.09.21 - PL - KRAKOW / Hype Park
22.09.21 - DE - LEIPZIG / Hellraiser
23.09.21 - DE- ROSTOCK / Mau Club

24.09.21 - DE - POTSDAM / Lindenpark
25.09.21 - DE - AARHUS / Train
26.09.21 - NL - NIJMEGEN / Doornroosje
28.09.21 - FR - REIMS / Cartonnerie
29.09.21 - CH - PRATTELN / Z7

30.09.21 - DE - MANNHEIM / Alte Feuerwache
01.10.21 - DE - SAARBRUECKEN / Garage
02.10.21 - DE - COLOGNE / Euroblast Festival
03.10.21 - FR - STRASBOURG / La Laiterie


JINJER is:

• Tatiana Shmayluk - Vocals
• Roman Ibramkhalilov - Guitars
• Eugene Abdukhanov - Bass
• Vlad Ulasevich - Drums

 

JINJER online:

• FACEBOOK
• TWITTER
• INSTAGRAM
  
• HOMEPAGE
  
• NAPALM RECORDS
  

South Korean symphonic metal group Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy have announced the new dates supporting the excellent Italian band Fleshgod Apocalypse on the first leg of their huge European tour in 2021. The band will be appearing on all the dates from 30.09.21 to 11.10.21 which takes in Germany, France, England, Spain and Portugal. There are not many chances to catch Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy live in Europe so although these dates are a way off, be sure to note it in your dark and gothic calendars. Also appearing on these shows will be Canadian death metal group Ex Deo. This is a line-up not to be missed!

The Lord Ov Shadows, the most recent album from Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy, won “Best Metal Album of The Year” at the 2019 Korean Music Awards.

The Lord Ov Shadows comprises of over 46 minutes of outstanding relentlessness and doom, an absolute must for lovers of the genre. Classical gothic music is the primary essence of Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy, with anguished vocals and brooding instruments performing chapters and poems which evoke nothingness and wholeness, darkness and daylight, beauty and ugliness! Read more about The Lord Ov Shadows …here

Available now from: Shop Sliptrick | Spotify | Apple Music | & other major stores

The Lord Ov Shadows | Released on January 22nd, 2019 via Sliptrick Records

Dark Mirror Ov Tragedy are:

Material Pneuma – Vocals
Gash – Guitars
Senyt – Guitars
Reverof – Bass
Confyverse – Drums
Genie – Keyboards

Band links: Official Website | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | On Sliptrick

With BLOODSTOCK joining forces with twelve of the best independent European metal festivals to create a unique online event, there’s lots of planning underway.  Today, the full & final line up has been revealed for ‘festival weekend’ of 7th, 8th & 9th August and tickets are now on sale (priced at just €6.66) over at www.MetalFestivalAlliance.com. 

Across the weekend, you’ll be able to watch ‘never broadcast before’ sets of SABATON (their 2019 BLOODSTOCK headline show) and AVATAR (their 2019 headline Alcatraz Festival show), as well as shows from TESSERACT (at BLOODSTOCK 2019), THY ART IS MURDER, NAPALM DEATH, GRAND MAGUS, and BATTLE BEAST (all from Summer Breeze 2019) plus HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY (from Party.San 2015). DEE SNIDER also makes an appearance via two previously unreleased live tracks (from BLOODSTOCK 2019) and neo-folk heroes HEILUNG have recorded an exclusive video especially for the event.

There’s also a wide array of brand new live sets recorded in lockdown, exclusively for the EMFA weekend.  Participating bands are ROTTING CHRIST, BUTCHER BABIES, ORANGE GOBLIN, PRIMORDIAL, KING 810, AMENRA, PARASITE INC., ALIEN WEAPONRY, VENOM PRISON, HEIDEVOLK, MASS HYSTERIA, ANGELUS APATRIDA, EVERGREY, KAMPFAR, VENOM INC., UNLEASH THE ARCHERS, LEGION OF THE DAMNED, DIRTY SHIRT, GUTALAX, KISSIN’ DYNAMITE, EVIL INVADERS, iPENDEJO!, DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT, CULT OF FIRE, LÈPOKA, SPOIL ENGINE, SVART CROWN, DESERTED FEAR, DEAD LORD, ROADKILLSODA, NYTT LAND, WHITE WALLS, and SKYEYE.  

If you’re unable to watch a band at their “stage time”, don’t worry, as you’ll be able to replay all sets for up to 48 hours afterwards.

Besides live performances, there will be a string of brand new video interviews with our festival regulars past and present, recorded especially for the event.  Find out what your favourites have been doing to occupy themselves while they’ve been home and learn if there’s brand new music on the horizon. How do DEE SNIDER, BIFF BYFORD, JAMEY JASTA, DEVIN TOWNSEND, WINSTON MCCALL, CRISTINA SCABBIA, WEDNESDAY 13, PHIL RIND and various others feel about this summer without festivals and how did they keep themselves busy during the lockdown? All the answers and more will be revealed over the EMFA weekend.

The EMFA event is a fundraiser for the beleaguered independent metal festival sector, who don’t have the backing of big corporate money for their ongoing survival, so €6.66 (just under 6 quid) buys you a ‘full weekend festival pass.’ In return, you can enjoy three days of exclusive entertainment from 35+ metal bands from various locations around the world, plus other special content, from the comfort of your own sofa.  The full day splits and running times for the event will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are available now at www.metalfestivalalliance.com and you can watch a trailer here.

No festival is without its festival merch either, so grab your exclusive 'Rebooting for 2021' event t-shirt at the EMFA merch store.  Items are available from today (Monday 13th July) so grab yours while you still can at www.metalfestivalalliance.com. 

The European Metal Festival Alliance is a joint venture between BLOODSTOCK and Alcatraz (Belgium), Art Mania (Romania), Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Dynamo (Netherlands), Into The Grave (Netherlands), Leyendas De Rock (Spain), Metal Days (Slovenia), Midgardsblot (Norway), Motorcultor (France), Party.San (Germany), Resurrection (Spain), and Summer Breeze (Germany). 

To get warmed up, throughout the summer, the newly launched destination website at www.metalfestivalalliance.com will feature a wide range of previous footage from the festival co-operative, including many sets not previously broadcast. 

The European Metal Festival Alliance event takes place over 7th-9th August. Show your support for the European independent metal festivals and be a part of this historic occasion!

Summer 2020 is a very different landscape from the usual event-packed few months, so to maintain a sense of community, Bloodstock has joined forces with twelve of the best independent metal festivals in Europe to create a unique online event for both bands and fans! 

The European Metal Festival Alliance is a joint venture between Bloodstock (UK) and Alcatraz (Belgium), Art Mania (Romania), Brutal Assault (Czech Republic), Dynamo (Netherlands), Into The Grave (Netherlands), Leyendas De Rock (Spain), Metal Days (Slovenia), Midgardsblot (Norway), Motorcultor (France), Party.San (Germany), Resurrection (Spain), and Summer Breeze (Germany). 

A special streaming event will take place across the weekend of 7th-9th August offering exclusive live performances from a selection of yet-to-be-revealed artists chosen by each festival, as well as exclusive new interviews, and more. As a fundraiser for the beleaguered independent festival sector, who don’t have the backing of big corporate money for their survival, viewers will be asked for €6.66 (that’s just under 6 quid) for a ‘full festival pass.’ In return, they will enjoy three days of live performances by 35+ metal bands at various locations around the world and other exclusive content, from the comfort of their own home. Virtual ticket purchasers will also get a discount on a European Metal Festival Alliance ‘Rebooting for 2021’ T-shirt. 

Meanwhile, to get warmed up, the newly launched destination website at www.MetalFestivalAlliance.com will host a wide range of previous footage from this festival co-operative, including many sets not previously broadcast, throughout the summer. 

The line-up & schedule for the streaming event will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets will be available Friday 10th July from www.MetalFestivalAlliance.com.

Stay tuned for more information soon!

The undisputed queen of metal Doro hosted the first metal drive-in show last week! Hundreds of her fans celebrated her famous hits including 'Für Immer', 'Love Me In Black' and 'All For Metal'. During the 'All We Are' encore, she climbed down from the stage and sang for fans at their cars whilst they flashed their lights and honked their horns.

Doro comments:-

     "Over the last few weeks I've really missed my fans and also my band. The drive-in show has been a real unique experience and career highlight for me. It feels great to rock out together again. Hopefully, we can soon enjoy normal shows again as well."

Watch the show here: youtu.be/_PpHjFzx8-I

One and a half years after the release of her extremely successful double album Forever Warriors, Forever United, Doro has already started working on material for a new album. 

     "Since February, I've been back in the studio in the USA. There are some pretty awesome things happening in these writing sessions", Doro reveals.

But fans will be pleased to hear that they don't have to wait for the album release to hear some of the new music Doro has been working on as she plans to release her new single, 'Brickwall' digitally on June 26th 2020 and on vinyl on July 31st 2020.

Doro explains:-

     "Brickwall is a harbinger for the upcoming album that will be released in 2021. I want to give my fans a taste of what it's going to be like - and the song also fits quite well with these dark times. The lyrics are about unbreakable, unconditional love for a person in deep trouble. Even though it isn't always easy to deal with that person, you still do everything to support them and get through the dark times side by side - even if you literally have to tear down walls."
 
'Brickwall' was recorded in Hamburg with Andreas Bruhn (Ex-The Sisters Of Mercy) and will also be available on gold and silver 7" vinyl, limited to 300 copies each.

Doro promises:-
 
     "The b-side will feature a great live version of 'Soldier Of Metal'. The song was recorded during our recent Forever Warriors tour in winter, where the song was celebrated by the fans every single evening. It's supposed to help fans remember the feeling of a live show and raise anticipation for the next tour, that can hopefully start this autumn."

Pre-add / pre-save the single digitally: nblast.de/DoroBrickwallPreSave
Pre-order the vinyl here: nblast.de/Doro-Brickwall

doromusic.com
facebook.com/doropeschofficial
nuclearblast.de/doro

Following the continuing government recommendations on mass gatherings and social distancing this summer, BLOODSTOCK OPEN AIR FESTIVAL has issued the following statement:
 
     "Dear Bloodstockers,
 
     Following the ongoing government guidance on mass gatherings and social distancing, we are extremely disappointed to announce that this year’s BLOODSTOCK will no longer be going ahead. We respect the government’s mandate and recognise it is made with the best intentions, in order to protect the health & safety of not only our audience, but our staff, crew, musicians, and other contractors who work on site at BLOODSTOCK. Safety remains of paramount importance to us.
 
     We know you have been concerned about what the developing Covid-19 situation would mean for BLOODSTOCK and will be as disappointed as we are at this tough decision, but we hope you can appreciate it is the right choice to make at this time. We had been working tirelessly to ensure we could still offer the top quality BLOODSTOCK experience you trust us to provide, year on year - and this year more than ever, when we invited you to celebrate 20 Years of BLOODSTOCK with us. We do not - and never will - take this trust in us for granted. 
 
     We have been reading your comments on our social media, and many of you have said that in this circumstance, you would like the option to roll your 2020 ticket over to 2021’s event - and we can confirm that you are able do that. Rest assured that BLOODSTOCK will return with an almighty vengeance, better and stronger than ever, so to that end and to help assuage your disappointment, next year BLOODSTOCK will be adding an extra day! 

     The festival will be 5 days and start from Wednesday, as opposed to Thursday; the dates for 2021’s event will be 11th - 15th August. This will be at no extra cost to those who have already purchased weekend tickets for 2020 and wish to roll them over. We will also freeze prices at the ticket store until later this year, when prices will then increase by just £10 and a new, longer 6-month instalment plan will launch to make that option even easier to manage. The on-sale date for day tickets and any returns on previously sold out ticket categories, such as camper vans, will be announced in due course. We are happy to report that many artists on this year’s line-up have already reconfirmed for 2021 and we look forward to sharing further plans with you soon. Meanwhile, you can watch an updated trailer for the festival here and a special message from metal overlord Rob Halford, from headliner Judas Priest, here.
 
     Should you prefer a refund, we also wish to state that full, face value refunds will be available to everyone who has already purchased a BLOODSTOCK 2020 ticket from official sellers and assure you of our best efforts to process those refunds within 28 days, where possible. We have a lot to sort out, so please bear with us - everyone who has purchased a ticket already from Seetickets will be emailed in the next 7-14 days. 

     We are also updating our website and have launched a new page to answer your questions about refunds & the roll-over process here.
 
     While we understand the current financial climate is difficult for many, we sincerely hope you will decide to join us to celebrate BLOODSTOCK next year. As an independent, family run festival, we wish to extend our deepest appreciation for your continued and loyal support. 
 
     We know we are privileged to have such a strong BLOODSTOCK community, and as a united family of heavy metal fans, we WILL prevail. "
 
Vicky, Adam, Rachael, Paul, and all at Team BLOODSTOCK.

Imperial Age are happy to announce their first 120-minute online show streaming from the heart of Russia - Moscow! Tune in for full two hour set plus exclusive extras at 6:00pm UK on Saturday April 25, 2020

Tune in here: http://www.imperial-age.com/stream/

Due to the current events connected with COVID-19 and postponed UK tour dates till September, the band have made a decision to play a big online gig for those who are spending their time in self-isolation, but still want to take part in worldwide metal events and keep rocking.

Explosive guitar riffs, powerful voices and beautiful ladies will capture your attention on Saturday April, 25 at 19.00 CET (6 pm GMT).

Each of you has a unique opportunity to join the stream and become a part of an exclusive metal event while enjoying a spectacular show of Russian Symphonic Metal.

Imperial Age will introduce their new songs from the upcoming album for the first time and all the hits from the previous ones. Between the songs the members of the band will answer the most intriguing questions from the online chat, share their reflections on the current situation in the world and tell you about their future plans. 

Don‘t miss a chance to see your favourite band and to spend an unforgettable night with Russian divas and metalists!

The admission is absolutely free of charge! You can make your donations before, during and after the show and support the band.

https://www.imperial-age.com
https://www.facebook.com/imperialageofficial
https://www.instagram.com/imperialage/

This year's Wacken Open Air has been cancelled

According to yesterday's decision by the federal German government all major events in Germany are banned until 31 August 2020 to prevent further spreading of the corona pandemic. This means that this year's edition of the Wacken Open Air, which has been scheduled to the period from July 30th to the 1st of August 2020, will not take place.

Wacken co-founder Holger Hübner explains:-

     "We are facing an unprecedented situation and for the first time in 30 years we have to announce with a heavy heart that unfortunately there cannot be a Wacken Open Air this year. Our whole team has been working intensively on the festival these last last months and the more all of us are bitterly disappointed that we are not allowed to celebrate a Wacken Open Air together with our visitors and the bands this year."


His fellow co-founder Thomas Jensen adds:-

     "This administrative order affects us heavily and we will need some time to process the bad news. Nevertheless, we support the decision of the German government in this difficult situation for the whole world. The health and safety of all visitors, artists, employees, tradesmen, security and rescue services, public authorities and all other participants has always been our highest priority. We as promoters are therefore bound to take an even greater responsibility and have to follow the instructions of the experts."

With regard to all other open questions such as W:O:A 2021 and the options concerning the already purchased tickets, we will return with another statement as soon as possible and kindly ask for a little patience.

The promoters of the Wacken Open Air would like to give their heartfelt thanks for the trust received in this unprecedented situation for everyone involved.

More information about the Wacken Open Air can be found at wacken.com.