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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 
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 Rockshots Records is proud to announce their signing of cosmic metallers Vanderlust (ft. members of S91, Dreal) for the release of their self-titled debut. Birthed to travel the cosmos, Italy's Vanderlust is a power-heavy metal band with prog-thrash influences that tells tales of space travels, astronomy, space engineering, and sci-fi adventures. The band comments:- "We tried to mix a prog-thrashy riffing in the roots of Megadeth, Vektor and Tool with epic vocal parts like Iron Maiden, Helloween, Angra, and Lione’s Rhapsody. We also put sci-fi elements in our songs, so you can hear also something from Voivod." This debut recording is like a stellar system with 12 different planets. The star at the centre of the system represents the heavy-power metal around all the songs revolving. Despite all the tracks being irradiated by the same light, they are all different from each other. Vanderlust has fast thrash, slow and doom, shiny and brilliant to grunge, and darker songs. Like planets, which appear like simple small bright spots, but in reality, are all big worlds, Vanderlust's songs are more complex than they sound at first listen. In fact, you can easily sing along to some of the choruses even if there are complex riffs in the background. Vanderlust is particularly proud of the participation of opera singer Letizia Cappellini who does vocals on select tracks and helps the band further expand the vocal register of their compositions. The band also adds the presence of synths and electronic elements to the compositions to set the sci-fi mood of the lyrics. The band says that... "The main goal was to start a metal band that could be an inspiration for young people, a band that could tell them stories from the future when mankind will have overcome its limits and the solar system will be an entire human colony. This idea came to mind to founding members Francesco and Santo when they began their search for other members that could fit. Drummer Giacomo Mezzetti joined the space odyssey right before the covid-19 outbreak. Vocalist Riccardo Morello joined the band during the first lockdown in Italy, so the first song was entirely composed online, using videocalls and file sharing." Now, the band unveils their first single "Scavengers of Kuiper Belt", which they explain its story in further detail: "In the Vanderlust Universe, The Scavengers are the employees of a large corporation that operates on many planets and colonies throughout the solar system. Their story begins in the 21st century when their main task was to capture all the space debris in Earth's orbit. Due to the particular business organization and the bizarre recruiting rules, the company turned into a sort of tribe during the centuries. The importance of the Scavengers got bigger and bigger and, at the time of our story, they perform several important tasks, including fathoming the Kuiper belt in search of Ices (large orbiting frozen objects from which extract energy and precious materials). The main characters of our story are two scavengers during a typical working day. To alleviate the boredom of the day they decide to start a competition to find the most profitable Ice in the shortest time. But suddenly, here's something they've never seen... A really strange object, a very precious object... very precious... can I see it? Today it's my birthday... maybe you should give it to me... Do you feel like you've heard this story before? Yup! It's the story of Smeagol and Deagol ... transposed into space!" "Scavengers Of Kuiper Belt" is a speed-power metal song in the vein of Blind Guardian style, fast and powerful. It has some technical sections (especially in the midsection). The singing is heavier and mighty, along with some thrashy riffs, a soft-fusion bridge, and a prog-thrash ending. Listen to "Scavengers of Kuiper Belt" at the following links:
For their live aspect, Vanderlust is currently working hard to create a thrilling spectacle, giving all their energy to the fans and letting them join them on the space journey. Vanderlust is recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Angra, Tool, Helloween, and Vektor.  6 years after the extremely well-received debut album "The Fall Of Olympus", Dutch purveyors of mythological power death metal Spartan announce their new opus titled "Of Kings and Gods", the essence of a few years' worth of studio work that promises to be nothing short than a masterpiece of the genre! "Of Kings and Gods" is set to be released via Pest Records on January 14th, 2022 in jewel-case CD and limited edition digipak CD versions.  Here's what the band had to say about this: "It's been a very long and wild ride but we are so extremely excited to be able to announce the release our new album: "Of Kings and Gods". Loads of exciting stuff is coming up in the next few weeks to get you warmed up for the release on January 14th 2022... We've been through a lot to get this album to what it is and we couldn't be more proud, grateful and honoured to have worked with some of the best in the industry!" Originating from The Netherlands Spartan are the perfect example of a band that combines Power Metal and Death Metal. Their lyrics are inspired by tales of ancient Greek mythology and are themed around heroic battles, gods and demi-gods in a glorious ode to the past. Spartan: https://www.spartan-metal.com https://www.instagram.com/spartan_nl Pest Records: https://pestrecords.bandcamp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pestrecords/  Spanish Symphonic Power Metal band Phoenix Rising have signed a licensing deal with Wormholedeath for the album "Acta Est Fabula", due for digital release on 23 07 2021. More info about the physical CD coming soon! “Acta Est Fabula” is the 4th release from Phoenix Rising and it features songs that are a balanced combination of aggressive drums, shredding guitars, epic orchestrations, powerful vocals and catchy chorus. Phoenix Rising have stepped up their game even more on this new album and the level of detail in the production, mixing and composition. “Acta Est Fabula” is a concept album and the band have even written a short novel around the CD for a more complete and immersive experience. Influences for the Album: Rhapsody of Fire, Orden Ogan, Kamelot, Helloween, Brothers of Metal, Two Steps from Hell, Opera Magna, Amaranthe, Arion.
Phoenix Rising was formed in 2007 under the name “Quinta Enmienda” but it was not until 2010 that the band released its debut album “Ne Bis In Idem”. The band toured intensively during the next couple of years and gained good reputation both from public and media. Their convincing performance in front of 5000 metalheads at Sonisphere festival finally got them signed to German label “Sonic Attack” and the band decided to change its name to “Phoenix Rising”. The second album, “MMXII”, was recorded both in English and Spanish language and it finally dropped in March, 2012. The album was distributed worldwide by “SPV” as a double CD and marvelous critics comparing them with world-class bands such as “Rhapsody” or “Sonata Arctica” don’t last to show up. As a result, later that year the band signed another deal with Japanese label Hydrant Music to release an exclusive version of the album containing several bonus tracks in Japan. In late 2013 Phoenix Rising entered the studio to record its third album, “Versus”, which was finally self-published in 2014.While musically speaking, the band kept the same formula acclaimed by the fans and media, lyrically speaking, the band focused more on life-struggle and life-death duality. The tour that followed “Versus” took the band to many new places, not only within Spain but to different cities in France and Belgium during the summer of 2016. After that, the band decided to take a long break from touring to focus in the writings for the upcoming album, “Acta Est Fabula” which aims to become the most ambitious of its career, combining epic orchestrations and choral sections with Phoenix Rising’s trademark of epic vocals and shredding guitars. The album was recorded at New Life Studios between 2018 and 2020 and was funded through a Verkami campaign. “Acta Est Fabula” was officially launched on March 26th, 2021. Band Line-up:
 Power metal masters Wings of Destiny are proud to release their 2nd single "Playing With Fire", taken from their 6th album "Memento Mori" due for release via Wormholedeath. "Playing With Fire" is available on all digital platforms HERE Watch the video here:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSG-9eKanXs Wings of Destiny is a Power Metal band originally from Costa Rica, founded at the end of the year 2013, influenced by such bands as Helloween, Rhapsody of Fire, Angra and Symphony X; nevertheless through the time the band managed to develop a very particular and recognizable sound creating a cult following among fans all around the world. Wings of Destiny was originally called only "Destiny", but due to the existence of another band of the same name [band from Sweden], decided to change its name to Wings of Destiny [known, also, as WOD] in the year 2014.  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.
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. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE  Japanese metal band Bridear have unveiled a brand new video for their recent single ‘Bloody Bride’, the title track from their debut international album release out May 7th via Setsuzoku Records. Watch the video here and pre order the album here. Brimming with big riffs and even bigger hooks all tastefully laced with both classic and J-metal characteristics, ‘Bloody Bride’ showcases everything that the band are capable of in one five-minute-long package. It serves as a whistle-stop tour of their vast musical ability complete with mesmerising licks, a relentless thrash-like pace and a surprising, unexpected dark turn that the new music video makes even darker. Haru, bassist and composer of the track states that:- “‘Bloody Bride’ is an intense tribute to our love of heavy metal history. Before we performed in London in 2019, we went to the site of the old Marquee Club where the New Wave of British Heavy Metal began. I was so inspired by the history of that music and of the mystery and lore of great cities so fantastic to us. I really wanted to express a fantasy world: a castle dungeon, demons, a trapped bride. We can't wait to perform it live for everyone!" Speaking on the video, Haru explains, “The video reflects the imagery and mood of the song. Heavy and haunting!” Accompanying the video, the band have also announced ‘Global Metal Connection’, a very special on-demand livestream event filmed from a limited capacity club in Tokyo. Featuring a support performance from fellow Setsuzoku Records artist IBUKI, the stream will see the band tearing through new material from the album for the first time as well as journeying into their back catalogue to perform fan favourites. The stream will be available for on-demand viewing from May 28th and details about how to secure a ticket are coming soon.
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. 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. The new track and video follows the release of their recent single ‘Daybreak’, an insatiably catchy introduction to their upcoming international debut album Bloody Bride. You can watch the band effortlessly perform ‘Daybreak’ in the official music video here. And all pre-orders of the album come with instant downloads of both tracks – ‘Daybreak’ and ‘Bloody Bride’. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE Ukrainian power metallers Sunrise present the second single from their upcoming album "Equilibrium"20/4/2021  Prominent Ukrainian power metal act Sunrise present the second single “Equilibrium” from the upcoming 4th full-length album, which will be released on May, 18th. Check it out below:- The song sets the main sound conception of the upcoming album: powerful, assertive, aggressive, and melodic at the same time; it opens the new music approach of SUNRISE and shows a catchy combination of modern metal, power metal, electronic elements, and progressive structures built on drum'n'bass foundation. Here you can notice the influence of such bands like Amaranthe and System Of A Down. Moreover, with “Equilibrium” Sunrise continues to provide the conception of two vocals - male and female, unusual for the band's previous works, but started with “The Bridge Across Infinity” - the first single from the new album - a year ago. The band says that the lyrics of the song disclose the main idea of the album’s name: it is about the balance of different elements of life: good and evil, light and darkness, joy and pain, black and white, sweet and bitter; the main conception of the album introduces “Equilibria” as some kind of knowledge given from some higher space mind. Along with the release of the new album, a music video for the “Equilibrium” will be released, a kind of announcement of which is represented by the cover of the new single. The 4th full-length album of the Ukrainian power metal band will be released on May 18th under the title ‘Equilibria’ and will include 13 songs. On their new release Sunrise, mostly known for the sound highly valued by the fans of Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius, promises far more than its classical musical approach, mixing on it classic power metal, symphonic, epic, modern, and progressive metal with some experimental touches, such as traditional Ukrainian instrument bandura. The first single from the album, “The Bridge Across Infinity”, was released in 2020. It is based on Richard Bach’s novel and is one of the songs, which is experimental for the band and represents the progressive part of the album. To release a new album Sunrise has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the band’s website, where the fans can support the release by pre-ordering it or buying merch. https://sunrisekiev.wixsite.com/sunrise https://www.facebook.com/sunrisekiev https://www.instagram.com/sunrisekiev https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigWYqJev0s3ejNWW7ux4ew  Prominent Ukrainian power metal act Sunrise has recently revealed details of the 4th full-length album, coming on May 18th under the name of 'Equilibria'. This time band, mostly known for the sound highly valued by the fans of Sonata Arctica and Stratovarius, promises far more than its classical musical approach. Thus, 13 songs of 'Equilibria' will be a mix of classic power metal, symphonic, epic, modern and progressive metal with some experimental touches, such as traditional Ukrainian instrument bandura. After three full-length releases, valued among the genre’s fans (‘Liberty’ 2007, ‘Trust Your Soul' 2009, ‘Absolute Clarity’ 2016) 'Equilibria' shows the new level in approach to make arrangements and the sound. The first single from the album, “The Bridge Across Infinity”, was released in 2020. It is based on Richard Bach’s novel and is one of the songs, which is experimental for the band and represents the progressive part of the album. At the same time, Sunrise promises that it was “just a first spark from the flame of the future release”, and for the ‘Equilibria’ they have prepared a lot of surprises and interesting music points.
One of the changes in comparison with the previous Sunrise albums is that the ‘Equilibria’ will have more place for female vocals: the voice of the keyboardist and backing vocalist Daria Naumenko this time will receive more space and will come to the fore in a number of songs as lead vocals next to the as always mighty vocals of Konstantin ‘Laars’ Naumenko. The work of four lead guitarists on ‘Equilibria’, each of whom brought their own ideas and even songs into it, makes the album even more diverse. ‘Equilibria’ is a kind of international work: Slovak vocalist Mayo Petranin, a member of Symphonity and Castaway bands, became a guest on one of the songs, and Polish friends of Sunrise joined the band to write the lyrics for the new album. To release a new album Sunrise has launched a crowdfunding campaign on the band’s website, where the fans can support the release by pre-ordering it or buying merch. Previously the band has already had two successful crowdfunding stories - with the release of the ‘Absolute Clarity’ album in 2016 and the re-release of the ‘Trust Your Soul’ album in 2019. https://sunrisekiev.wixsite.com/sunrise https://www.facebook.com/sunrisekiev https://www.instagram.com/sunrisekiev https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCigWYqJev0s3ejNWW7ux4ew  [photo credit: VDPICTURES] With the undeniable impact of their internationally successful releases, Powerwolf have truly proven that heavy metal is alive and well, and that they occupy the throne of the genre unchallenged! In 2021, the high priests of heavy metal will continue their inimitable success story: Following last year's Best Of album (Best Of The Blessed - GER #2), the Gold and Platinum band now announce their upcoming studio album, Call Of The Wild, which will be released on July 9, 2021 via Napalm Records. More details on the new album will follow soon. Purchase your copy HERE.  POWERWOLF are:
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January 2022
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