 Everyone agrees, Arcana XXII was not just another metal band. They were musicians writing highly original material and performing in a country where the odds were firmly against this style of music. This collection of songs stems from a time when almost no one in Africa gave a damn about heavy metal. They were the first songs of this genre ever to be released in a country like Namibia. They were, in fact, one of the very first metallic rumblings on the entire African continent. For the band there were no local musical footsteps to follow, no high end musical equipment to be had and certainly no industry to support the endeavour. This is unfiltered home-grown stuff, love it or hate it. The songs on this compilation were recorded between 1997 and 2002 - the vast majority of them live and on analogue equipment. The story may be largely untold, but the music not entirely unheard. The fans in Namibia and South Africa eventually took notice, some European media took interest and the band had fun recording and performing these songs over a time of almost seven years. Today, metal bands in Africa are no longer novelties - the style has come to stay. But it had to start somewhere and Arcana XXII from the Namibian capital Windhoek were right there at the very beginning. In collaborative effort over three continents, “Return to the Darkland“ was compiled by the band members themselves to showcase the legacy of a band that was truly one of the pioneers of heavy metal music on the African continent.
Namibia, on the southwestern coast of Africa, is one of the most sparsely populated places on earth. The desert state, which only gained independence from South Africa in 1990, can look back on an eventful history and was a German colony from 1884 to 1915 before it became a vassal state of its southern neighbour . All band members are born and bred Namibians and South Africans with a diverse European heritage. Arcana XXII – “A Return to the Darkland / Untold” Digi-CD+DVD expected to released 25.02.2021. Digital Single “Sweet Immortal” over all channels out 23.10.2020. Biography: https://www.einheit-produktionen.de/einheit-artist-arcana-xxii
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 Venezuela's death metal legends Sentencia are back, after 25 years and announce the signing with Wormholedeath and their new album "Solve et Coagula". "In this new album Sentencia's lyrics speak about the Death, Anti-Christianity, Society, Chaos and Misanthropy. Showing the life-vision of the band's members" "Solve et Coagula" will be released on 31/07/2020 via Wormholedeath/The Orchard.
Sentencia is a death metal band formed in Caracas Venezuela in 1988. After several presentations at the local scene, the band records their first demo tape at 1991. In 1993 they released the second demo called "Silence" with songs recorded the year before. This demo includes a song well known by the local specialized media named "Racism" within the band made a fusion with afro and Caribbean sounds. In 1994, Sentencia released their third demo, recorded in a live concert at RajaTabla café, Caracas, which eventually turns into a split demo with Extremaunción Band at the end of 1994. In 1995 Sentencia released their fourth demo named "tape 95", which made a preview of the songs that were recorded for their first production named Roots (that later was named as Inner Agression), Sons from the South and a new version of Racism from 1993. In the middle of 1995 the band released the first CD production simply called Sentencia. After some concerts and presentations around the country, the band disbanded definitely in 1996. Sentencia remains as a cult band in the Venezuelan metal culture 25 years after they come back with their second professional studio work called "Solve et Coagula". Line-Up: Ricardo Toscano: Guitar, Piano & keyboards, Tenor Saxophone. Enzo Querci: Guitar, Bass and lead vocals. Guest: Aldo T. : Drums https://www.facebook.com/sentencia.ultimogrito  [photo credit: Marko Simonen] The wait is almost over! Cinematic metal icons Dark Sarah will release their new epos Grim in about two weeks on July 17, 2020 via Napalm Records. To lift some of the suspense, they have just released a third stunning single, “Illuminate”, along with a perfectly fitting music video, drawing the listener even deeper into their fairytale-like storyline of magical orbs and otherworldly magic. Bursting with the tremendous energy of their music, Dark Sarah's cinematic metal hymn, “Illuminate”, quickly expands into a mighty summoning, enfolding its pure power in the spellbinding chorus that will send shivers down the listener's spine. Heidi Parviainen states: ””Illuminate” is the name of the second ’orb’ that the protagonist Luna finds. It is a magical purple orb to summon the powers of wind and the moon. Luna asks the moon to illuminate her and to revive her magic powers to fight against the darkness upon the city of Grim.” Watch the video for “Illuminate!” HERE: Cinematic metal icons Dark Sarah start an astonishing new fairytale-like storyline with their fourth studio album, Grim. The beguiling new dimension, coalescing between crystal-clear vocals and propulsive hardness, draws you into the tempestuous maelstrom of their horror fantasy theme. Introducing the new protagonist, Luna, the band invites you to their mythical world of orbs, ravens, rabbit-headed people and Mörk, that’ll wrap you up in a surreal dreamscape. Pre-Order New Album, Grim, HERE! Find Dark Sarah online: WEBSITE NAPALM RECORDS  Recently, Greek thrashers Typhus signed with Punishment 18 Records, consequently they will release their new full-length album "Mass Produced Perfection". Production and mixing was done at D Studio by Michael Karpathiou (Exarsis, Dødsferd). The new chapter will see the light later this year. www.facebook.com/typhusmetal www.punishment18records.com www.facebook.com/pmailiunishment18records  Russian Brutal Death Metallers Ossuary Anex, have just revealed details of what will be their 3rd album to be entitled "Obscurantism Apogee", which will be released in September 22nd, 2020 through Xtreem Music on CD format. Ossuary Anex were formed in 2008 and released two albums: "Awakening" (2012) and "Mutilation Through Prayer" (2016) before joining Xtreem Music and releasing their mini CD "Holy Blasphemition" in 2018. Already with their 3rd album "Obscurantism Apogee", where Dave Rotten (AVULSED) and Frank Rini (INTERNAL BLEEDING) collaborate, the band has achieved a much more mature and personal sound where its roots based on bands like SUFFOCATION, PYREXIA or SKINLESS, merge with different elements that makes them differ from the mass of meaningless bands that infest Brutal Death today. Cover artwork, once again, has been made by the genius Vladimir 'Smerdulak' Chebakov.
Release date for "Obscurantism Apogee" will be September 22nd, 2020 through Xtreem Music on CD format. You can visit OSSUARY ANEX's official site here: www.facebook.com/OssuaryAnex  Finnish dark metal band Kaamos Warriors released a new single Kuilu. The track is taken from the upcoming third album "Kirous" which is set to be released later on 2020. Watch music video here: https://youtu.be/ipPMApS5jEA Guitarist Jani Moilanen comments: "The fast paced song Kuilu is the second single from the upcoming album capturing the essence of Kaamos Warrior's brutal yet beautiful atmospheric dark music." Listen to Kuilu:
 Lamb Of God has released “Routes,” the fourth single from their June 19 self-titled Epic Records release, featuring a guest appearance from Testament vocalist Chuck Billy. A visualizer for the track is available now at http://lamb-of-god.com. Fans can pre-order Lamb of God, including a new alternate CD cover version signed by all five band members, now at the band’s official web store: http://shop.lamb-of-god.com. “Routes” was lyrically inspired by vocalist D. Randall Blythe’s time alongside native peoples at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota during the No DAPL movement. This protest, which began with just a few Native women and children camping at the site in protest of the pipeline being built so near to their water supply on unseeded treaty land, quickly grew to an encampment of thousands and received global attention. Blythe says:- “I went to Standing Rock because I had heard reports of violence committed on the peaceful protestors there by both state law enforcement and private security contractors, and this violence was not reported in mainstream media for the most part. I went to bring supplies and support these people, who were trying to protect their water, and thereby protect everyone, as everything in the natural world is protected. I was there a week, made some great friends, and learned a lot. It was a very profound experience in my life, and I knew one day I would write a song about it.” Although Blythe conveys his story through the song’s vivid lyrics, he called in his friend Chuck Billy, who is of Pomo Native American heritage, to lend a deeper authenticity to his narrative. He adds:- “My experience, although my own, was tempered and shaped by the hundreds of years of brutal oppression of Native peoples in our country. So, it was imperative for me to have a Native voice represented on the song, and Chuck Billy was happy to be that voice. At the end, there is a call and response section - Chuck calls and I respond. This is intentional. Musically, it is symbolic of my experience there. A native voice leads, bringing forth positive energy and calling to the people to unite, and I reply, providing support. That was my physical experience, and it is reflected in the song.” Chuck Billy adds:- “It was a great honour as a proud Pomo Native American to be asked by Lamb Of God to do some guest vocals on this song. The No DAPL movement by the indigenous people of this country was a historic event. Being able to lend my voice to represent the Native American people, complementing Randy's storytelling and lyrics, is something really special to me. I’m glad this movement was put in a musical message, and I am extremely happy to have been a part of it.” Audiences got a taste of the first new Lamb Of God music in nearly five years with “Checkmate” back in February, followed by “Memento Mori” and the most recent single, “New Colossal Hate.” All four songs will appear on Lamb Of God, the follow-up to VII: Sturm und Drang (2015). The album was once again produced by collaborator Josh Wilbur (Gojira, Korn, Megadeth, Trivium), fuelled by a mountain of riffs and looming rhythmic shadows. It is also the band’s first record with Cruz, who sat behind the kit with Lamb Of God in 2018 and became an official member the following year. In addition to Chuck Billy, the new album features a guest appearance from Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed). Blythe sounds more driven and insightful than ever on Lamb Of God, offering up the angriest and most comprehensive diatribes, addressing modern life in the current landscape, of his storied career thus far. Lamb Of God propelled heavy metal into the new millennium two decades ago with the prophetically titled New American Gospel. They followed with 2003’s As the Palaces Burn, which made the Rolling Stone list of the Top 100 Greatest Metal Albums of All Time. Ashes of the Wake (2004) was the first Lamb Of God album to be certified gold by the RIAA, followed by Sacrament (2006), which debuted in Billboard’s Top 10. Wrath (2009) earned the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hard Rock, Rock, and Tastemaker charts and was No. 2 on the Billboard 200. Those No. 1 positions were repeated with Resolution (2012). VII: Sturm und Drang (2015) debuted at No. 3 in North America and in the Top 5 in several countries. The single “512” from VII: Sturm und Drang received a Grammy nod for the “Best Metal Performance,” making it Lamb Of God’s fifth Grammy nomination. www.lamb-of-god.com www.facebook.com/lambofgod https://twitter.com/lambofgod http://instagram.com/lambofgod  [ photo credit: Jan Season ] Dark metal sensation Lord Of The Lost returns with their newest offer in their classic ensemble album series: Swan Songs III, the long-awaited successor to Swan Songs II, will be released via Napalm Records on August 7, 2020. Deeply emotional storytelling melding with beautiful harmonies and Chris Harms’ palpitation-inducing deep vocals make Swan Songs III absolutely exceptional. The first single, “A One Ton Heart”, presents itself as a powerful ballad that makes the listener dive away with heavenly piano parts, underlined by delicate acoustic guitars and soft drum rhythms that take the listener onto a musical journey. Watch the absolutely outstanding and surprisingly historical video – featuring hand saws, classical string instruments and the beauty of violence – below! Lord Of The Lost on the new single and video: “Since the founding of Lord Of The Lost, we have been wanting to shoot a video like this one. Unfortunately, none of our songs have ever fit to such a video. That hasn’t really changed with “A One Ton Heart”, but we didn’t want to wait any longer. So the video - in its non-existent statement - and our absurd looks have absolutely nothing to do with the song. Fortunately, the song didn’t care about that at all. And we have fulfilled another dream.” Watch the new official video for “A One Ton Heart” HERE!  † DECLARATION † No living instruments were harmed during the filming of this music video clip. All instruments have already been dead and unplayable before. After the shoot their mortal remains were cremated in an adequate satanic ritual. The standard version of Swan Songs III consists of new songs, all recorded with The Lord Of The Lost-Ensemble, and brand new versions of a hand-picked selection of Lord Of The Lost classics, including the standout 18-minute-long song “Letters To Home”. For all Dark metal connoisseurs, Swan Songs III comes with a high quality deluxe box, including the instrumental Swan Symphonies III-versions of all songs and previously unreleased demo versions of eight new songs. As a special bonus, there is a full live set, recorded at their 10th anniversary show in 2019 in their home town of Hamburg. More than five hours of Lord Of The Lost in all facets on seven CDs! Swan Songs III will be available in multiple formats, including a high-class Earbook, a box set and a 2LP Gatefold Vinyl. The album is a gift to all music fans and marks the next highlight in Lord Of The Lost's musical career. LORD OF THE LOST on the album: "The Swan Songs project started as a musical infidelity, continued in a beloved carry-on and became like a second musical DNA. Meanwhile, we feel at home in our second musical facet, as well as in our classifying LORD OF THE LOST sound / shell. Swan Songs III has a musical depth that even surprises ourselves with a certain distance to its finishing. It is by no means the last part of a trilogy, but so far our personal highlight of LORD OF THE LOST’s classical-career.” Swan Songs III will be available in the following formats:
Line-up:
The LORD OF THE LOST Ensemble 2020: Chris Harms: Vocals, Violoncello, Semi Acoustic Guitar π: Acoustic Guitar Bengt Jaeschke: Acoustic Guitar Class Grenayde: Acoustic Bass Gared Dirge: Grand Piano Corvin Bahn: Organ, Harpsichord, Celeste Maline Zickow: 1st Violin Felicitas Fischbein: 2nd Violin Ida Luzie Phlipp: Viola Miriam Göbel: Violoncello Julia C. Pfänder: Contrabass Niklas Kahl: Percussions Daniel Möhrke: Percussions Henrik Petschull: Percussions LORD OF THE LOST: HOMEPAGE NAPALM RECORDS  Band Photo: Simo Kuosmanen Finnish Melodic death unit Re-Armed unleashed the lyric video for “Ode to Life” which features guitar solo contribution from Euge Valovirta (CyHra). The track serves as the second single from their upcoming album, Ignis Aeternum, slated for worldwide release on 05th June via Black Lion Records. Re-Armed informs:- “We consistently choose to challenge both ourselves and the world around us. Breaking all boundaries is part of our writing process these days. This song is a good example of it. Metal music is generally full of cliches when it comes to song and album themes but we wanted to avoid most of these obvious cliches. Ode to Life dives musically and lyrically into the realms of existence. It is literally an ode to life itself, to our biodiversity, to our home planet Earth. So instead of all death, misery, and negativity, we do have positive messages within this song and in the whole album.” Hear the track AT THIS LOCATION  Cover Art: Romulo Dias Hailing from Kerava, Finland, Re-Armed has been around since 2001. Over the course of their nearly two decades of prolific journey, they underwent several line-up changes and unearthed three critically acclaimed full-lengths, an EP, and numerous demo releases. Their tight and fierce on-stage showmanship let them tour/share stage with many influential names of the metal world and appear at numerous European and Asian venues/fests, including Bloodstock Open Air, Suomi Feast, and Neurotic Death Fest. Incorporating death metal, thrash metal, and symphonic influences to put an exciting modern feel to their crafts, Re-Armed made “Gothenburg metal” a scarcely appropriate tag to define their sound. And their forthcoming album, Ignis Aeternum, dives musically and lyrically into the realms of existence. It is an ode to life itself, to biodiversity, and to the planet Earth. Every song on the album contains beautiful melodies, elegant symphonic elements, and cleaner vocals than that of their previously released materials. Pre-order:
For More Info: http://www.rearmed.net http://www.facebook.com/rearmed http://twitter.com/ReArmedOfficial http://www.youtube.com/user/ReArmedOfficial https://www.facebook.com/blacklionrecordsswe https://twitter.com/Blacklionrecswe https://www.instagram.com/blacklionrecordsswe https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdKzG_KjmK7A-PnunzLvzdQ  Photo: Jeremy Saffer Metal trailblazers Tetrarch have wrapped up work on their second album, Unstable, produced by Dave Otero (Cattle Decaptitation, Allegeon, Khemmis) and Tetrarch, scheduled for release this fall. The first single from the album, “I’m Not Right,” is set to premiere on Sirius/XM’s Liquid Metal on Thursday, May 14. The song, which will be released the following day, is available to pre-save at https://tetrarch.ffm.to/imnotright. Guitarist Diamond Rowe says:- “We are very unapologetic about who we are as a band now, and you can really hear that with this new record. It embodies everything that we want the world to hear in heavy music and I believe many people are going to love and relate to it. We are all very excited to put this out and continue riding this wave.” Adds guitarist/vocalist Josh Fore:- “With this record, we pushed ourselves to do whatever was best for the songs. I am so proud of what we have created. This record is heavy, it’s catchy, but most of all it is unequivocally Tetrarch and we are ready to bring it to the world.” Tetrarch burst onto the scene in 2017 with the release of their full-length album, Freak, produced by Dave Otero. The album immediately reached strong positions on several iTunes charts – debuting within the Top 200 chart, at #3 on the metal charts and #17 on the rock charts. Their lead single, “Freak,” also garnered huge response from Sirius XM Octane, and hit Top 50 on the Active Rock charts. The band toured incessantly following the release of the album, including headlining gigs, slots on major tours and appearances at some of North America’s largest music festivals. After a year of writing, the band reflected on their previous recording experience and made the decision to return to Denver to once again work with Otero as co-producer of Unstable. Rowe says:- “It’s been quite a journey, but we are an extremely hands-on band when it comes to every aspect of what we do. Dave made it very comfortable for us to create together.” As with their debut, Tetrarch’s Unstable amplifies the band’s tried-and-true blend of intense heavy riffage and driving drums with the dark vibes and haunting choruses of hooky modern hard rock. Tetrarch’s influences are evident but never replicated, as they stay true to their own unique sound that will appeal to any heavy music fan. Says Rowe:- “Everything that we have done as a band has led to where we are today. We are very humbled by all the support we are constantly given by our fans and we cannot wait for everyone around the world to hear this record. We are going to be touring relentlessly all over the world and playing in front of as many faces as we can. We could not be more excited.” TETRARCH is: Josh Fore – vocals/guitar Diamond Rowe – lead guitar Ryan Lerner – bass Ruben Limas – drums www.tetrarchmusic.com www.facebook.com/tetrarchmusic www.twitter.com/tetrarch www.instagram.com/tetrarchmusic |
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