Metal Music News

Japanese metalcore veterans Sailing Before The Wind release new single Neo Chronicle

21/5/2022

After riling up the public with their energetic live shows and active social media presence, Japanese metalcore veterans Sailing Before the Wind are back this month with the release of their new single ‘Neo Chronicle’, featuring Jei Doublerice of Despite Exile.

Bass player, composer and longest member of Sailing Before the Wind Bitoku Sakamoto has teased fans with a statement about what fans can expect from the new single:-

“My roots are in melodic hard rock, it’s a style we have touched on past releases. This time I tried to present that more clearly because it's natural for me. When it came to picking a feature, I did not want to lose the heaviness of metalcore, which is how Jei Doublerice came to mind. We’ve performed together in Japan back in 2019 and I’m glad we could collaborate this time.”

‘Neo Chronicle’, which was mixed and mastered by Innersound Audio (known for work with InVisions and Glamour of the Kill) is now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and most other online streaming platforms. It is also accompanied by a lyric video created by GHD, check it out on the band’s YouTube.

The Tokyo based metalcore band Sailing Before The Wind formed in 2011. The band had numerous line-up changes over the years, currently the band consists of four members, bassist Bitoku with three recruited members. The band made their presence known continuously with seven EP’s and various singles, which includes guest appearances from The Unguided, A Scent Like Wolves, Sienna Skies and more.

Sailing Before The Wind songs frequently feature highly melodic twin guitar leads, metal riffs, and breakdowns, with a variety of influences from many metal sub genres. The band is also noted for their aggressive live performance and synchronized stage presence.

Neo Chronicle will be available on Spotify, Apple Music, and most other online streaming platforms.

Line-up:

Ryoichi – Vocal
Kosuke – Guitar
Bitoku – Bass
Hiroki – Drums

Japanese powercore group Bridear announce brand new album 'Aegis Of Athena' out May 13th

10/4/2022

Japanese metal band Bridear have returned with news of their brand new album, Aegis Of Athena, coming next month, alongside an earth-shaking single. ‘Ray Of Chaos’ soars in on feedback and a crushing riff, before unfolding into a melodic epic with the kind of guitar punch that metal fans will love… all topped off with Kimi’s sweetly sensual vocals.

Listen to ‘Ray Of Chaos’ here.

Aegis of Athena is a blistering 11-track opus perfectly blending traditional heavy metal, progressive arrangements, and addictive J-rock hooks. Kimi describes the new album as “an ambitious balance of what inspires us – the new wave of British heavy metal and traditional hard rock bands with strong melodies,” while bassist Haru claims “The arrangements and song writing are really powerful. It will be amazing to play these new songs live!”

And ‘Ray Of Chaos’ is a brilliant example of what makes this new album such a huge leap on for the band. “It’s definitely one of our best songs,” says rhythm guitarist Ayumi. “It's a powerful declaration of carving our path and getting the last laugh on those who never believed in us. Bluesy and heavy guitar riffs with a strength conveyed in the lead vocals unlike anything we have done.”

Aegis Of Athena is the band’s fifth album, and the second to be available internationally via their deal with Setsuzoku Records. Having become the first Japanese band to tour internationally since the pandemic struck, they won huge amounts of British and European fans last autumn whilst touring their critically acclaimed Bloody Bride album.

That record showcased to international fans Bridear’s metallic sonic assault and stunning technical prowess, marrying sincere lyrics with blazing guitars and insatiable pop hooks. Brimming with big riffs and even bigger hooks all tastefully laced with modern metal characteristics, both Aegis Of Athena and Bloody Bride feature furious thrash passages, blistering lead lines and irresistible melodic sensibilities, showcasing J-metal like you’ve never heard it before.

AEGIS OF ATHENA - new album out 13th May.

Fans can pre-order physical copies of Aegis Of Athena, including a special bundle with CD and t-shirt here: www.setsushop.com

Check out full details here: www.bridear.world

Japanese symphonic metal wizards Heterogeneous Andead drop new lyric video "Fragments Of Memories"

24/3/2022

"Fragments Of Memories" is a track taken from Heterogeneous Andead's upcoming album "Chaotic Fragments", which is due for release April 8th via Wormholedeath worldwide.

Heterogeneous Andead is a melodic & symphonic electro death / thrash metal band from Tokyo, Japan. The sound is based on thrash metal with progressive metal, added electronic & symphonic sounds, and all of them is sung by a mezzo-soprano & who also uses growling vocals.

"We've released one EP & album so far, so this album will be our third release. We don't change the concept and aimed to further improve the level while making it understandable as Heterogeneous Andead music immediately after listening. There are songs with more progressive elements in this album, and we also take on new challenges such as triple time.

It also features more guitar harmonies and the synthesizer's sound is more emphasized than before. The performance of each part is also more energetic. This album has only 8 songs, but I think that all the songs are good quality to be the lead track of the album. In this album Yusuke Kiyama worked on mixing / mastering, so all the sounds are our ideals."

Heterogeneous Andead are:-

Haruka: Vocals (Mezzo-soprano & growling vocals)
Yusuke Kiyama: Guitar, Synthesizer, Programming
Tomoyuki Nakano: Drums

heterogeneousandead.com

Japanese thrashers Survive announce release date for first live album "Live at Death Valley"

4/3/2022

Survive, the “Samurais From Hell”, Japanese Thrash Metal veterans active for more than 20 years, with 7 studio albums released so far, announce the release date of their first live album “Live At Death Valley” for May 4th 2022 in conspiracy with Pest Records. The CD version will feature 8 tracks plus a bonus EP made of 4 tracks, one having Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan (Venom Inc) as special guest!

“Live At Death Valley” is now available for pre-orders here: https://pestrecords.bandcamp.com/album/survive-live-at-death-valley

1. Degenerate
2. Wrath
3. Fuck Against Authority
4. Obey Your Own Army Corps
5. Rules Of Lies
6. Immortal Warriors
7. Human Misery
8. The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will

+ bonus tracks from EP ‘The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will‘:

1. The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will (ft. Tony “Demolition Man” Dolan/Venom Inc)

2. Rules Of Lies (Orchestra Ver)
3. Seize The Victory
4. The Road To Hell Is Paved By Good Will (Live@Club Citta Metallization Festival 2020)

Here's what the legendary Mantas from Venom Inc. had to say about Survive's live potential:

"I had the pleasure and honour of touring Europe with Survive and they proved themselves to be a valuable asset to the touring package. I can say without hesitation or reservations that they were most definitely my favourite band on the tour. Incredibly nice and gracious guys who obviously loved their music and delivered every single night.

I gave them the nickname ‘The Japanese Machine Head’ a song that they played at every sound check became the tour anthem because of its wonderful chorus structure. Melody, hook lines and brutally heavy guitar riffs define this amazing band who deserve global recognition. Maximum Respect from Jeff (Mantas)"

Survive are:-

NEMO vocals/guitar
GAKU guitar
SINJILOW bass
GORO drums

Produced by SURVIVE
Executive Producer by NEMO
Recorded & Mixed by GAKU

http://www.rebel-survive.com
https://www.facebook.com/survive333

https://pestrecords.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pestrecords/

Japanese modern metallers Crossfaith share "Gimme Danger" music video

14/2/2022

Japanese genre-blenders Crossfaith channel rock, metal, rap, and grime with their new single "Gimme Danger" (ft. ralph), out now via UNFD.

Watch the video here.

Frontman Kenta Koie comments on the video / single -

"We decided to write new music to heal people and boost their minds. We still can't play live, but we can deliver new music to our fans and I'm pretty sure that is our role under these circumstances"; adding that the vocal feature of grime-inspired local rapper ralph brought both an energy, intensity, and chemistry to the song.

"On 'Gimme Danger,' we welcome ralph, an upcoming rapper who has the essence of grime. We feel a real chemistry, and our fans can catch new feelings with it. Those moments where people have a new experience are more important than just making music — we want to achieve something which we haven't figured out already, so our exploring will keep going."

"Gimme Danger" also features an audio sample of the audience clapping during Crossfaith's last headline tour in Japan.

Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) Awards 2021 - Metal Release Of The Year (by country / territory)

8/1/2022

So we now know who the winners of the GMA Awards 2021 were, but to wrap up the event in it's entirety and bid farewell to 2021 and usher in 2022, we must turn to the last bunch of awards - 'Metal Release By Country / Area'.

Usually these would include the flag of the band's nation, but given the events in Afghanistan this year among other political turmoil, I felt it would be prudent to forgo any flags and just list the winners.... so without further ado here are the....

'METAL RELEASE OF THE YEAR'
BY COUNTRY / AREA

AFGHANISTAN

Almach
"Dream Elegy"

ALBANIA

Bloody Skies
"2021 Demo"

ALGERIA

Jugulator
"Under The Verdict"

ANDORRA

Dilaghran
"The Search For
The Dark Star"

ANGOLA

Dor Fantasma
"Ovimbundu"

ARGENTINA

Cernunnos
"Capricornvs"

ARMENIA

Ildaruni
"Beyond Unseen Gateways"

AUSTRALIA

ENDVS
"Cessation"

AUSTRIA

Nemoreus
"Arnea"

AZERBAIJAN

Hoar Demigod
"Drѐma"

BANGLADESH

Kaal Akuma
"In The Mouth Of Madness"

BELARUS

Massen
"Contraesthetic"

BELGIUM

Kerbeross
"Servants"

BELIZE

Black Serpent Ritual
"Bestial Incantations"

BOLIVIA

Indignacion
"Amuyta Lakharu"

BOSNIA - HERZEGOVINA

Necrophilisma
"Underground Celebration"

BRAZIL

Cerberus Attack
"Abyss Of Lost Souls"

BULGARIA

Metalwings
"A Whole New Land"

CHINA

Twilight Blooming
"暮色绽放 Twilight Blooming"

CROATIA

Act Of Denial
"Negative"

CZECHIA

Cycles Of Revocation
"Predestination"

ECUADOR

Genoxida
"Capítulo 1: Repugnante Negocio Del Terror"

ENGLAND

Ghosts Of Atlantis
"3/6/2/4"

FALKLAND ISLANDS

Bloodrust
"A Legacy Of Vengeance"

GEORGIA

Warsarius
"Lullabies Of Mountain Beasts"

GREECE

Silent Winter
"Empire Of Sins"

HONDURAS

Abaddon
"Regnum"

ICELAND

Mannveira
"Vítahringur"

IRAN

Thy Dispraise
"Lost Era"

ISLE OF MAN

Aeons
"Consequences"

JAPAN

Serenity In Murder
"Reborn"

KYRGYZSTAN

Icewind
"Midnight Bloody Dances"

LIECHTENSTEIN

Flashtrack
"Deluson"

MADAGASCAR

Ortho'doxs
"Te Ho Ngeza"

MALDIVES

Fini
"Cold In Our Hearts"

MOLDOVA

Cerebral Attack
"Sub Cultura Urii"

MOROCCO

All
"Mørk Voix"

NEW ZEALAND

Scorn Of Creation
"Annihilation Cult"

NORTH MACEDONIA

Drioma
"Plethora"

PAKISTAN

Blackhour
"Woh Jahan"

PERU

Indoraza
"Todas Las Sangres"

PORTUGAL

Inhuman Architects
"Paradoxus"

RUSSIA

In Vision
"In Vision"

SERBIA

Claymorean
"Eulogy For The Gods"

SLOVENIA

Dethrone The Corrupted
"The Amygdaloid Decay"

SPAIN

Violblast
"Lazarus Abandoned"

SWEDEN

Orecus
"The Obliterationist"

TAIWAN

Dharma
"Bhaisajyaguru"

TUNISIA

Nawather
"Kenz Illusion"

UGANDA

Mehul Kanani
"Legacy"

UNITED STATES

Seraph In Travail
"A Black Death Incense"

CANADA

Concrete Funeral
"Covered in Concrete"

COLOMBIA

Snowblind
"Breakin' Out"

CUBA

From The Abyss
"Chaos Supremacy"

DENMARK

Nothing Noble
"Modern Dismay"

EGYPT

Crescent
"Carving The Fires Of Akhet"

ESTONIA

Kõdu
"Unusta Kõik"

FINLAND

Korpiklaani
"Jylhä"

GERMANY

Daily Insanity
"Chronicles Of War"

GUATEMALA

Deipnosophist
"The Utopian"

HONG KONG

CharmCharmChu (慘慘豬)
"Last Breath"

INDIA

Bloodkill
"Throne Of Control"

IRAQ

Rabeen
"Ereshkigal"

ISRAEL

Her Last Sight
"Mirrors"

JORDAN

Bouq
"Monument Of Reclamation"

LATVIA

Varang Nord
"Pārķiuņa Uomurs"

LITHUANIA

Magyla
"Tebūnie Tamsa"

MALAWI

Blessings Chisama
"Universe"

MALTA

Carnivorous Horde
"Slaughtered Uprising"

MONGOLIA

Karmantic
"Lethality"

NETHERLANDS

Epica
"Omega"

NICARAGUA

Vomitosis
"Necrosadismo"

NORWAY

Nordjevel
"Fenriir"

PANAMA

Myria
"Mankind / Obsolete"

PHILIPPINES

Cerebral Depravity
"Decades Of Suffering"

PUERTO RICO

Kranio
"Revolutionary Sacrifices"

SAN MARINO

Hybrid Practice
"Realignment"

SINGAPORE

Krusnix
"The Constitutional Sacrifice"

SOUTH AFRICA

The Iridium Experiment
"Hero.Villain.Victim"

SRI LANKA

Luciferianometh
"The Order Of Satan's Rage"

SWITZERLAND

Excoriated
"Violent Reality"

TAJIKISTAN

Deep Inside Us
"Untitled 2021 Demo"

TURKEY

Sabhankra
"Death To Traitors"

UKRAINE

Brilliant Coldness
"The Ultimate Dream. Plan B: Disposal Of Humanity"

URUGUAY

Kreeper
"Belong To Hell"

CHILE

In Asymmetry
"Ashes Of Dead Worlds"

COSTA RICA

Coveted
"Annihilation Of Mankind"

CYPRUS

Dragonbreath
"The Awakening"

DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC

Batu
"Vol. 4: Toxicolandia"

EL SALVADOR

Apes Of God
"En El Recinto De La Tempestad"

ETHIOPIA

Nishaiar
"Nahaxar"

FRANCE

Sol Draconi Septem
"Hyperion"

GIBRALTAR

Angelwings
"Primordium"

GUERNSEY

From Darkness
"From Darkness"

HUNGARY

Beneath The Void
"...into Oblivion"

INDONESIA

Orbital Element
"Celestials Damage"

IRELAND

Hashmaker
"Attack Of The 50ft Lobsters"

ITALY

Winterage
"The Inheritance Of Beauty"

KAZAKHSTAN

Nuclear Angels
"Gurus Of Destruction"

LEBANON

Turbulence
"Frontal"

LUXEMBOURG

Scarred
"Scarred"

MALAYSIA

Thrashit
"Chaos Of Fear"

MEXICO

Becoming The Entity
"Beyond Cygnus"

MONTENEGRO

Violent Drunks
"Alkobot"

NEW CALEDONIA

Pascal Allaigre
"On Fire"

NORTHERN IRELAND

Ravenlight
"Intermission"

ORKNEY ISLANDS

Electric Mother
"II"

PARAGUAY

Lucifer's Children
"Signs Of Saturn"

POLAND

Moanaa
"Embers"

ROMANIA

Flaming Skies
"Empire Of Glass"

SCOTLAND

Robot Death Monkey
"Druid Odyssey"

SLOVAKIA

Machina Baphometa
"Shame Of The Proud Angel"

SOUTH KOREA

Epicsode
"A Common Theories"

SURINAME

Brutal Black
"Prelude To The Apocalypse"

SYRIA

Maysaloon
"A Lip To Earth, A Lip To Heaven & A Tongue To The Stars"

THAILAND

Black 'Ciety
"Punishment In The World To Come"

TURKMENISTAN

Duvel
"..."

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Tabernacle
"Terror in Thrace"

UZBEKISTAN

The Only Survivor
"The Birth Of Anger"

VENEZUELA

Living Decomposition
"Internal Defragmentation"

WALES

Kong Lives
"Thy Kingdom Kong"

VIETNAM

God Father
"Lột Xác"

ZIMBABWE

Nuclear Winter
"Greystone"

Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) Awards 2021 - The Results

8/1/2022

The votes are in, have been counted, vetted and verified.
So without further ado, we present the winners of the
2021 Global Metal Apocalypse (GMA) awards.

All categories except "Release Of The Year"
came with an 'other' option.

See you in December 2022

Release Of The Year

IRON MAIDEN - SENJUTSU

Global Metal Release Of The Year

SOULMASTER (NICARAGUA)
WARRIOR OF LIGHT

Breakthrough African Band

CATHARSIS (EGYPT)

Breakthrough Asian Band

OVERLORD (BANGLADESH)

Breakthrough European Band

GHOSTS OF ATLANTIS (ENGLAND)

Breakthrough North & Central American Band

FLESHTORTURE (NICARAGUA)

Breakthrough Oceanian Band

ABYSMIA (HAWAII)

Breakthrough South American Band

ALTARS OF REBELLION (COLOMBIA)

Breakthrough UK Band

BEYOND EXTINCTION (ESSEX)
&
GHOSTS OF ATLANTIS (ESSEX / SUFFOLK)

Breakthrough International Band

BLIND CHANNEL (FINLAND)

Music Video Of The Year

Cradle Of Filth - Necromantic Fantasies

Japanese post-grunge / gothic metallers Gods Of Decay join Sliptrick Records

15/7/2021

     Japanese post-grunge / gothic metallers Gods Of Decay have signed with Sliptrick Records.

     Gods Of Decay was formed in Tokyo in 2018 by Japanese guitarist Frost and Georgian vocalist Anna. Their music lies at an intersection of genres and styles such as post-grunge, alternative and gothic metal, the fusion of which gave birth to a dark, “meaty” and yet beautiful sound.

     The band pride themselves with a strong adherence to melody, intricately interwoven with heavy and angry guitar riffs – a feature that makes them stand out. Anna’s fascination with modern literature has a strong impact on the lyrics she writes. The major themes in her lyrics are introspective, dreams, vanishing boundaries between the real and the imaginary, madness and social criticism. Her musical influences range from the mellow (The Cure) to the brutal (Necrophagist). She enjoys experimenting with styles and aims for “theatricality” in her singing manner. She has received opera vocal training in the past, but enjoys experimenting with extreme vocals.

     The mastermind behind Gods Of Decay‘s compositions, Frost, names among his favourite artists and major influences such bands as Creed, Pearl Jam and Nirvana. By implementing beautiful melodies into heavy distortion “shell”, his compositions are powerful, yet at the same melodious. “Beauty in strength” can nicely describe the sound that he aims for.

     Yorke, on bass and programming, has joined the group recently but has immediately brought new colors to the band’s musical palette and yet more layers into compositions by balancing out the aggression of Frost’s guitar with his mellifluous and sensual basslines. His influences include such bands as Nine Inch Nails, Apex Twin and Portis Head.

     Gods Of Decay are currently preparing to release their first full-length album Collective Psychosis, which is planned to be preceded by the release of a single and a music video titled Suffocate You.

Gods Of Decay are:

Anna – Vocals
Frost – Guitar
Yorke – Bass

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

Japanese metalcore outfit Sailing Before The Wind unveil new single "Break The Silence"

28/5/2021

     Tokyo based metalcore outfit Sailing Before The Wind have released their new single “Break the Silence (Rerecorded)”. This single is a re-recording of the original track that was on their EP “A Ray of Light'” (2012).

     The band has been centred around bassist and composer Bitoku Sakamoto who is the only constant member of the line-up, he is also known as a former touring bassist of Crystal Lake. This self-released single features vocalist Kneeya and guitarist Takaya; both are founding members of the band to celebrate the band’s 10th anniversary. The track was produced, mixed and mastered by Bitoku.

     The lyrics have been rewritten around the theme of the band's 10 years struggle to get out of Japan's small metalcore scene. Some of the riffs and lead guitars have also been rearranged to make it more guitar oriented metalcore.

     “Break the Silence (Rerecorded)” now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and most other online streaming platforms. You can check out the video for “Break the Silence (Rerecorded)” below. https://youtu.be/KYkI7VKEYX0

BUY/STREAM “Break the Silence (Rerecorded)”: https://linkco.re/ENp82G8d

     The Tokyo based metalcore band Sailing Before The Wind formed in 2011. The band had numerous line-up changes over the years, currently the band consists of five members, bassist Bitoku with four recruited members.

     Sailing Before The Wind made their presence known continuously, releasing their first EP “Judgement” (2012), and following up with their second EP “Sanctuary” (2016). Their EP “Revised Standards” (2019) which features guest appearances from A Scent Like Wolves and Sienna Skies, charted No.1 on Japanese iTunes metal chart.

     Sailing Before The Wind songs frequently feature highly melodic twin guitar leads, metal riffs, and breakdowns, with a variety of influences including As I Lay Dying, Trivium, August Burns Red and In Flames. Sailing Before The Wind is also noted for their aggressive live performance and synchronized stage presence.

Sailing Before The Wind Socials:

Japanese power metalcore outfit Bridear release debut international album 'Bloody Bride'

8/5/2021

     Japanese metal band Bridear have today (May 7th) released their debut international album Bloody Bride, out now via Setsuzoku Records. The album features recent singles ‘Daybreak’ and the haunting title track, two insatiable samples of what to expect from the record. Listen to Bloody Bride here.

     Brimming with big riffs and even bigger hooks all tastefully laced with both classic and modern metal characteristics, Bloody Bride is the perfect introduction to the quintet and what they are capable of. From furious thrash passages, blistering lead lines and irresistible pop sensibilities, the 45 minutes of music encased within displays their talent, their creative vision and their individuality among their peers, showcasing J-metal like you’ve never heard it before.

     Formed in Fukuoka, Japan in 2012, Bridear are one of Japan’s premier heavy metal bands and are setting their sights on the global stage. With diverse influences from German metal legends Helloween to British prog-pop pioneers Muse, the all-female quintet combine elements of power metal, progressive rock, and the melodic hooks of J-Pop to create a sound unlike any of their rivals from the Land of the Rising Sun.

1. Deep Blue
2. Daybreak
3. Bloody Bride
4. Dimensions
5. Keshin
6. Ashes
7. The Moment
8. Glitter
9. Boy
10. Dream Eater
11. A Glorious World
12. Starlight

     Bridear released their first EP Overturn the Doom in 2012, and followed up with their hit single ‘Light in the Dark’. They have been performing across Japan ever since where they have developed a dedicated following. International audiences soon discovered the video online creating a massive buzz and ever-expanding global hard rock/metal audience.

     Following the 2016 release of their first full-length Japanese album Baryte, the group continued to perform across their home country gaining a reputation for excellent musicianship and engaging live performances. In 2017, Bridear performed in Europe for the first time and appeared at major conventions such as Mondocon in Budapest, Hungry and Made in Asia in Brussels, Belgium supporting their EP HELIX.

     Having now performed in 11 countries, Bridear have built a passionate fan base in the West while becoming a major label act in Japan for their 2019 album Expose Your Emotions.

     In October 2019, Bridear performed in London at METAL MATSURI, the first all J-Metal festival outside of Japan, with a stunning set winning more international fans and praise for their memorable performance. With their ‘Into The Darkness’ UK and European tour scheduled for later this year, the band aim to pick up exactly where they left off as they continue on their ascension.

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