Go Loud Agency, in collaboration with Darkside Records, is proud to announce that all-star band MaYaN (NL) – featuring members of Epica, Nightwish and Firewind, among others – will play four exclusive shows in the Baltic States, with very special guests Carthagods (TN). The Baltic tour will hit Tallinn (EE), Riga (LV), Liepaja (LV) and Vilnius (LT), marking the band’s first appearance in the Baltic States.

TOUR DATES

06.12.2018 | Tallinn (EE) | Rockclub Tapper
07.12.2018 | Riga (LV) | Melna Piektdiena
08.12.2018 | Liepaja (LV) | Fontaine Palace
09.12.2018 | Vilnius (LT) | Narauti

MaYaN was conceived in early 2010 by versatile musician and Epica mastermind Mark Jansenand old friend, ex-After Forever keyboardist Jack Driessen. Their goal was to write an album in the style they’ve always been longing to play. Mark asked guitarist Frank Schiphorst (Symmetry, Christmas Metal Symphony) to join in: the chemistry was undeniable and the project soon evolved into a real band. The initial lineup was thus completed by Epica drummer Ariën van Weesenbeek and guitarist Isaac Delahaye.

Boasting vocalists like Henning Basse (currently Firewind), Laura Macrì, Simone Simons (Epica) and Floor Jansen (currently Nightwish), MaYaN‘s debut album Quarterpast – released via Nuclear Blast in 2011 – quickly grabbed the media’s attention, with excellent reviews, in-depth interviews and raving reactions of fans worldwide to boot.

After the release of their sophomore album Antagonise in 2014 – the first MaYaN album to enter the official Dutch and Belgian album charts, as well as album of the month in leading Dutch metal magazine Aardschok and album of the week in Revolver Magazine – followed by very successful tours and prestigious festivals through parts of Europe, Central and South America, the band is now ready to promote their current album Dhyana. Aside from a handful of excellent guests, the record also features orchestral arrangements provided by The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (the very same orchestra of Dimmu Borgir’s album Death Cult Armageddon).

MaYaN live lineup:

– Grunts: Mark Jansen – George Oosthoek
– Clean male vocals: Adam Denlinger / Henning Basse (special guest)
– Clean female vocals: Laura Macrì – Marcela Bovio
– Keyboards: Jack Driessen
– Guitars: Frank Schiphorst – Merel Bechtold / Arjan Rijnen (backup) / Jord Otto (backup)
– Bass: Roel Käller
– Drums: Ariën van Weesenbeek

Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

Carthagods was one of the first metal bands to emerge from Tunisia in the late 90’s. Undoubtedly, they are the pioneers of heavy metal, not to mention the oldest existing Metal band in the country. Their powerful sound, influence, and longevity make them one of the most important bands in the history of the Tunisian Metal scene.

Carthagods is expected to release their upcoming EP in the beginning of 2019. The record will feature guitar virtuoso Timo Somers (Delain, Arrow Haze, Vengeance, to name a few), whom has also served the band as live guitarist since 2015.

Carthagods has brought their authentic blend of metal worldwide (France, Romania, Malta, Turkey, Belgium, Holland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) and played a handful of prestigious shows in the band’s homeland Tunisia: the fivepiece has shared the stage with industry giants such as Dark Tranquility, Epica, Judas Priest and Blind Guardian.

In early 2018, Carthagods signed a record deal with Darkside Records, followed by the release of their single “The Devil’s Dolls” (watch it here).

Carthagods are:

M.Khema (Vocals)
Timo SOMERS (live Lead Guitars)
Tarak (Guitars)
Zack (Drums & backing vocals)
Timon (Bass)

Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube

It's always a special occasion when a band decides to do an album launch concert, gig, party, however you wish to term it. The truth of the matter is that not only are album launch parties great for showcasing a wide variety of bands, in this case metal bands, but also the nationalities drawn it from it. With Epica's EpicMetalFest II, people from far and wide came to the 013 Poppodium in Tilburg to witness bands from Europe and as far away as Tunisia and Canada.

(This was my first time at a concert abroad and first time flying alone having come from the UK)

Sadly despite best efforts, due to some rather annoying maintenance works going on the Dutch railway and highway between Arnhem and Tilburg, I missed Off The Cross (BE), For I Am King (NL) and Myrath (FR / TN) and so cannot really report on either band. However, by chatting to some punters who said all three bands were on the ball, I'll take their word for it and give all three bands a 7.50/10.

Dutch Modern Metal outfit Textures certainly had their A-game in check as they carried off where Tunisian Oriental Metallers Myrath had finished. By unleashing a charismatic on-stage presence with some rather tight and malicious sounding music, there was no reason why the crowd couldn't have matched the intensity radiating from Textures performance. Underrated at times, Textures have shown during this evening why they're worthy of a Bloodstock slot next year. Ballistic at all angels, Textures were simply raising the bar for the evening, was there anyone capable of stealing the show (besides Epica)?

[8/10]

Having only made their Napalm Records debut last year, Belgian Speed Metallers Evil Invaders showed exactly why the Austrian label snapped up the quartet without question. Blisteringly fast riffs crashed against all four walls of the Universe Stage, all whilst Textures were doing their own shindig next year on the Storm Stage. Evil Invaders have been knocking around for nearly 10 years and yet despite the age of the band as a unit, the members started off as teenagers, yet they're capable of proving that they've shed their teenage skins and morphed into a formidable, respectable force. By belting out songs as if they went out of fashion, Evil Invaders only had one thing in mind... total carnage and boy did they deliver.

[8/10]

One of a handful of Dutch Metal bands performing at this year's EpicMetalFest, Stream Of Passion are really no newcomers to the erotic world of female-fronted Symphonic Metal, in fact all but one band member have been in previous bands thus being no strangers to the scene. Moreover here is a band who despite their best efforts at delivering sweet music that is so sumptuously good to the ears, hasn't yet managed to reach the heights of their fellow contemporaries in Within Temptation and Epica. However their set demonstrated that they're on the path to achieve that goal and despite it still being late afternoon, had no reservations about keeping the crowd on their toes. Drinking was in full flow during their set, Stream of Passion? A Stream of alcohol more like.

[7.5/10]

Since the departure of Alissa White-Gluz (The Agonist kicked Alissa out of the band, thus enabling her to join Arch Enemy after Angela Gossow became band manager; thereabouts), The Agonist have been finding their way with their new vocalist Vicky Psarakis. Now, Vicky showed she is up to the task-in-hand by delivering a performance worthy of continuous applause if not for some of the other band members who seemed rather lost and at times not fully convincing; it's as if they haven't stepped out of the shadows of their former vocalist, resulting in a rather disappointing set. Not entirely sure what their plans were for the evening but it seemed to not involve band practise, despite this the whole set was of reasonable standard yet without a doubt, probably the most disinteresting performance of the night.

[6/10]

Herewith is an example of grandiose perversion of the extremely meticulous kind, and now you're probably thinking what the actual f*ck am I on about? It's certainly a technical sentence no? Perfect for Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse who once again don the theatrics and emit such musical ferocity that earth tremors could be felt. Seriously enough they did not put a foot wrong, in fact they are so rehearsed in their dramatis personae that they would do well at Eurovision next year (are you reading this RAI?). Strobe lights abound and an air of operatic grandeur circumventing the venue was certainly the case, plenty more where those came from as walls of death came to and fro by the commands of Tommaso Riccardi; it was as if he was playing the king and the punters as the fools, either way Fleshgod Apocalypse demonstrated once again why they are still underrated.

[8.5/10]

Where Fleshgod Apocalypse managed to succeed in shitting the audience, Katatonia did not, instead they commenced the slitting. A once great and brutal institution has now turned for the dank and dismal worse; it was as if they weren't meant to be here because to be quite frank, the music did not fit in with the rest of the evenings line-up. That said, at least Katatonia trump Justin Bieber hands down and have the decency to sing, not lip sync live. But Katatonia just could not get the audience going, some just standing and watching bare-face, expressionless, it was as if they have been subjected to a public culling of animals, it was horrific. Despite all their might, Katatonia just did not deliver tonight... well they delivered, but the music was stale and too depressive.

[5/10]

Now whilst I interviewed Anis Jouini from Myrath, The Ocean were doing their thing (and we could hear it, so let's give them a decent 7/10). Now the time had come for the star performance of the evening, well it is Epica's show of course... joking aside, Epica are another band who know how to deliver a mesmerizing yet epic live show and they did not disappoint. Using props designed to mimic their new album's artwork (The Holographic Principle), Epica used laser deflecting pyramids to divert light beams across the stage, creating a psychedelic feeling as a result. Additionally in tow was Coen Janssen and his 'keyscooter' (let's call it that because it's a keyboard on wheels) and of course the expected pyrotechnics (which culminated in the end to a firework explosion). Epica simply were sensational, by delivering a set, performance and indeed day-concert worthy of being unleashed on DVD, all in the namesake of their new album, calling it magical is simply not enough and does not describe the overarching package that is EpicMetalFest... may the 2017 edition be as breathtaking.

[9/10]

RHYS STEVENSON

With the addition of Germany's The Ocean and The Netherland's For I Am King, the program for the second edition of Epica's own festival 'Epic Metal Fest' on Saturday, October 1st in Poppodium 013 Tilburg is now complete.

Altogether there are twelve bands performing on two stages, the other ten bands have been announced over the months before. The two aforementioned bands will be joined by Sweden's Katatonia, Italy's Fleshgod Apocalypse, Dutch metallers Stream Of Passion, Mayan and Textures. Canada's, Tunisia's Myrath, Belgium's Evil Invaders and Off The Cross, and of course the centrepiece of the event, Epica (NL).

Epica's destined concert will be momentous as it coincides with their new album 'The Holographic Principle' being released, but also it will be Epica's only Benelux show this year. Tickets (single tickets or ticket bundles + signed copies of the new CD) are available here:- http://www.ticketmaster.nl/event/163671?CAMEFROM=013&brand=nl_013web

The day for Epic Metalfest - 30th September brings Dutch symphonic metallers Epica new seventh studio album 'The Holographic Principle' to life, it can be pre-ordered via http://www.epicawebshop.com/

Not only is the album itself different, but also the creation of it (which lasted more than one year). The band decided not to use samples but to purely utilize instruments, guest singers and choirs. Only the preparations were a massive undertaking because all of the (classical) instrumental and vocal parts were first written on sheet music. Then the band recorded the music with numerous musicians and singers all at once: strings, brass, woodwinds, percussion, choir, soloists and ethnic instruments. The result was a record number of recorded audio tracks - sometimes up to 1,000 per song.

There’s just 48 days until your wait is over for Bloodstock - the biggest heavy metal party weekender of the year! Bloodstock HQ is a hive of activity; the sunshine is on pre-order and there are still more bands being confirmed!

Added for an early afternoon main stage slot on Sunday are rising, home-grown Century Media metalheads, Heart Of A Coward (https://www.facebook.com/heartofacoward). Check out the video for ‘Hollow’ from last album ‘Deliverance’ at: https://youtu.be/C-h3c2VnA7A.

Joining Friday’s Sophie Stage bill are German symphonic metal outfit Beyond The Black (https://www.facebook.com/beyondtheblackofficial), Wigan’s own progressive sludgelords Boss Keloid (https://www.facebook.com/bosskeloidband), and self-described ‘epic fantasycore’ group Fury from Worcester (https://www.facebook.com/furyofficial).   

Meanwhile, snagging a Sophie Stage slot on Saturday are heavy psych merchants Vodun (https://www.facebook.com/VODUNBAND) fresh from Stone Free festival last weekend and fast-rising London melodic metallers, The Raven Age (https://www.facebook.com/TheRavenAge).

Bloodstock is very pleased to welcome back Teenage Cancer Trust as their official charity partner once again.  After shattering all previous fundraising records in 2015 with a colossal total in excess of £13.5K, Bloodstock hopes you’ll join them to raise even more cash in 2016 to help Teenage Cancer Trust support young people with cancer all over the UK.

Meantime, the ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ finals continue around the UK through to 10th July (remaining dates below). Bloodstock’s ‘Metal 2 The Masses’ judging squad have been searching hard for hot new talent and these lucky bands have won slots on the Hobgoblin New Blood stage!

Friday welcomes Mansfield stoner / groove rock trio Witchtripper (https://www.facebook.com/witchtripperuk) and Leicester’s melodic doomsters Garganjua (https://www.facebook.com/Garganjua). On Saturday, Leicester M2TM winners Conjurer (https://www.facebook.com/conjureruk) bring their blend of progressive post-metal sludge / groove, plus Norwich M2TM finalists Vendetta (https://www.facebook.com/VendettaUKHC) offer up a slice of pure British hardcore aggression.  Joining Sunday’s New Blood mayhem are Luton’s Far From History (https://www.facebook.com/farfromhistoryuk), mixing chugging groove and hardcore riffs to round out your weekend.

There’s also a chance for punters at each M2TM event to win weekend tickets to Bloodstock, a case of Hobgoblin Ale to take home, or various other Bloodstock related prizes. You can even shake hands with Bloodstock’s ‘M2TM’ mainman, Simon Hall.  Remaining finals run as follows so get out, support, and win those festival tickets for yourself!

24th Jun - SWINDON – The Victoria
24th Jun - DEWSBURY – The Old Turk
25th Jun - MERSEYSIDE / LIVERPOOL – Bumper
1st Jul - LINCOLNSHIRE / LINCOLN – The Lincoln Imp
2nd Jul - READING – Facebar
9th Jul - BURNLEY – Sanctuary
9th Jul - BOURNEMOUTH – The Anvil
9th Jul - POLAND / BIELSKO-BIALA - The Rude Boy Club
10th Jul - BIRMINGHAM – The Roadhouse

Maybe you waded through D(r)ownload? Or you’re paddling off to Glastonbury? First timers and old timers, everyone’s welcome at Bloodstock. If you’ve a little ‘un under 4 yrs old, they can even join you for free. No mates to go with or a bit unsure on your first visit?  Make new friends with the “Bloodstock Loners & Newbies” camp, a Facebook group set up by some regulars (https://www.facebook.com/groups/171715506329753/).

www.facebook.com/bloodstock
www.bloodstock.uk.com
Twitter on @BLOODSTOCKFEST.