Search:metal master

2023er LP Nachpressung auf schwarzem Vinyl! Nach eigenen Angaben verbrachten Gitarrist Mike Sullivan und Drummer Daniel Turncrantz eine gewisse Zeit in amerikanischen Nationalparks und fuhren durch Berglandschaften, als sie "Station" aufnahmen. Ihr Album klingt auch entsprechend episch, monumental und besitzt eine unglaubliche Tiefe. Sullivan und Turncrantz bekamen prominente Unterstützung vom THESE ARMS ARE SNAKES/BOTCH Bassisten Brian Cook, während sich Morgan Henderson von den BLOOD BROTHERS (R.I.P.) auf "Xavii" dem Kontrabass annimmt. Aufgenommen in Seattle von Mastermind Matt Bayles (ISIS, MASTODON, MINUS THE BEAR), verpasste er der Band diesen intensiven und beeindruckenden Klang und achtete gleichzeitig darauf, dass "Station" den Namen Album auch wirklich verdiente: ein kohärentes Werk, vom ersten Lied Campaign bis zum letzten Lied mit Double Bass Xavii. Insgesamt sechs Stücke befinden sich auf "Station" und es ist ohne Untertreibung instrumentaler Postrock at its best! Ein echtes Kunstwerk. Gegründet 2004 haben RUSSIAN CIRCLES von Anfang an mit Versatzstücken des Metal, Elementen des Minimal Jazz und kryptischen Riffs, die so klangen, als sei ein Komet in einer Großstadt eingeschlagen, verwirrt, polarisiert und unendlich verzückt. Ihre Musik verwebt einen Teppich aus intensivsten cinematischen Eindrücken, der einem auf der einen Seite mit seiner Härte den Boden unter den Füßen wegzieht, es auf der anderen Seite aber auch versteht, den Aufprall zu bremsen und für Kopfkino ohne Gleichen sorgt. "Enter", ihr Debüt von 2006, bescherte RUSSIAN CIRCLES Shows mit Größen wie TOOL, DALEK, DAUGHTERS und PELICAN. RUSSIAN CIRCLES setzen mit "Station" genau dort an, wo sie mit "Enter" aufhörten, erschließen sich aber gleichzeitig einen neuen Weg in die musikalische Tundra, um Kopf und Körper mitzuziehen und nicht nur dem Jahre 2008, sondern der ganzen Musikgeschichte ihren Stempel aufzudrücken.

With absolute electricity at every turn as well as the rough 'n' ready charisma of frontwoman Stacey Savage, Savage Master strutted and surged with a power and poise redolent of early '80s US metal. Uniquely, the hooded Louisville quintet put a concertedly occult spin on everything, making them stand out amongst all those trying to reignite a 'Metal Massacre'. Swift and succinct were the eight songs
across the half- hour 'Mask of the Devil'; for however much "star power" was already here early on, Savage Master knew that heavy metal ultimately lived or died on the strength of songs - and they were just beginning to realize their massive potential.

Nothing compares to Lewis Taylor and nobody crafts a "B-Side" quite like him. Indeed, his long deleted B-Sides are the stuff of legend. So, gathered together for the first time on one slice of wax, we present The Damn Rest: an album's worth of B-Sides from the era of the 1996 Lewis Taylor ("Damn") album. More off-the-wall and abstract than the album proper, these rare, underheard tracks burst with Lewis's uncompromising genius. A lot more experimental, the music is still drop dead beautiful. The Damn Rest is the essential bridge between Lewis Taylor and Lewis II.

Lewis Taylor's self-titled masterpiece from 1996 was to be originally called Damn. You can see the word right there on the from cover. However, concerns over distribution in the US scuppered this desired title. When thinking about what to call this collection of essential B-Sides from the era of that first album, we thought The Damn Rest would be appropriate. But these tracks aren't simply throwaways or outtakes, as Lewis himself states: "each little group were recorded specifically for the release of each 'single'." These B-Sides were simply the next thing to happen after self-titled, and before Lewis II. In other words, you need this!

The collection opens with "Asleep When You Come", the A2 on the original "Lucky" 12". It's a slow-mo string-drenched soul offering, cast in cinematic soft-focus with a vocal performance from the heavens set against wonky, shuffling drums and delicate instrumental flourishes. Beautiful. Also from the "Lucky" single, "You Got Me Thinking" may actually be Lewis' funkiest moment and is definitely one of our favourites, a great, gently psychedelic funky club track, that's for sure. Next, the gorgeous, meandering "I Dream The Better Dream" is just sheer, metronomic bliss, with shades of Stevie Wonder. Just ask D’Angelo, who included the track on his Feverish Phantasmagoria show for Sonos. Not only a celebrity-fan-favourite, it's Lewis's, too: "My favourite has always been this track. In my fantasy it’s what early Soft Machine would’ve sounded like if Marvin Gaye was their lead singer."

As we move to the B-sides from the "Whoever" single, the first to feature is "Pie In The Electric Sky / If I Lay Down". It's a brilliantly sprawling classic. A head-nod funk workout in two parts; part psychedelic heavy soul jam, part breezy Marvin-esque near-instrumental of the deeply lush variety. It needs to be heard to be believed. Astonishing! Flip over for "Waves", a shimmering, dramatic, sweeping string-led fan favourite. The climax of the song is just too stunning for words. It's followed by the deep wyrd-soul of "Trip So Heavy" the final, dizzying track from the "Whoever" single and another celestial funk delight featuring strings, organ, twisted bass and heavy drums. From the "Bittersweet" 12", "A Little Bit Tasty" is a building, schizophrenic soul-jazz epic that starts out with Lewis performing a call and (distant) response with himself over a gentle mid-90s drum loop before snatches of heavy, crunching metal guitars blast apart the otherwise neat song structure. Ultimately, it's unarguable that The Damn Rest is worth it for the inclusion of the jaw-dropping "Lewis III" alone. A dazzlingly lush and stunningly sophisticated prog/soul hybrid that owes as much to "Pet Sounds" as "What's Going On" with arrangements that grow and unfold in layers. Just sparkling.

A compilation like this feels like one of those promo-only rarities they used to give out to a select few back in the good old days, so when it came to the artwork it only made sense to follow what Cally Callomon (head of Island’s art department) had done for the singles and promos back in the 90s. He even did us some fresh scribbles of “The Damn Rest” to match his handwriting that’s all over the first album and its singles. We hope you like it as much as the music contained within. Simon Francis’s vinyl mastering ensures these classic recordings sound as great as they deserve to. The record has been cut by Cicely Balston at Air Studios and pressed at Record Industry. We've lost Prince. We still have Lewis.

FÜR FANS VON: Manowar, Queensryche, Kamelot, Savatage, Running Wild, Vicious Rumors.

In einer Zeit, in der kulturelle Innovationen so stark wie nie zuvor in den Hintergrund gedrängt werden und viele außergewöhnliche Musikformen der Versuchung des kommerziell lukrativeren Mainstreams erliegen, sind Virgin Steele der hell scheinende Silberstreif am Himmel. Seit mehr als 40 Jahren hält Mastermind David DeFeis mit seinem exzellenten Songwriting und seiner charismatischen Stimme eine der ideenreichsten Bands des
Power Metal-Genres auf Kurs. Gleichzeitig hat DeFeis nie aufgehört, sich als Komponist, Musiker und Produzent weiterzuentwickeln und seinen symphonisch gefärbten Sound mit spannenden neuen Einflüssen zu aktualisieren. Dies ist ihm mit Klassikern wie ‚Invictus‘ (1998), ‚The House Of Atreus I & II‘ (1999/2000) oder ‚Visions Of Eden‘ (2006) bereits mehrfach gelungen. Auf dem aktuellen Album ‚The Passion Of Dionysus‘ setzt DeFeis seiner unbändigen Kreativität nun die Krone auf. Mit brillanter Handschrift manövriert er das Werk durch ein packendes Gleichnis über Kontrolle und Freiheit und sorgt acht Jahre nach dem umjubelten Studio-Opus ‚Nocturnes Of Hellfire & Damnation‘ (2015) für einen weiteren Höhepunkt der Virgin
Steele-Karriere. Veröffentlicht wird ‚The Passion Of Dionysus‘ am 30. Juni 2023 über Steamhammer/SPV als Digi-CD (inklusive Poster), als
Gatefold-Doppel-LP und in digitaler Form. Bereits vorab werden Virgin Steele drei Singles auskoppeln.

„Blind Rage“ erinnert an die erste Blütezeit von Accept. Die Riffs und Refrains erinnern an legendären Titel wie „Restless and Wild“ und „Metal Heart“.

First time on vinyl! Formed from the ashes of the psych/sludge band Cruevo, and preceding guitar player Paul Kott’s work in Matt Pike-fronted Bay Area metal "supergroup" Kalas, High Tone Son Of A Bitch is an innovative, psychedellic stoner/doom band that pulls together a number of influential musicians from bands like Noothgrush, Kalas, Hammers of Misfortune, Men of Porn, Melvins, Hawkwind, Neurosis, High on Fire, Sleep, Witch Mountain, Saviours, Necrot, The Skull, Worshipper and more. This limited release is a vinyl version of the compilation that collects the group’s four EPs from 2003-2020 together.

Classic madness and violence! Death Metal history, the ultimate edition! Death Strike need little introduction to anyone who would consider themselves seasoned in the realm of Death Metal, the legendary Paul Speckmann’s debut foray into the genre has garnered pretty much cult status now as a genre classic and not without good reason. This reissue of 1991 album compiles the debut demo from ‘85 together with four other tracks for the rather aptly titled “Fuckin’ Death”, and being brutally honest, could you possibly have a more suitable description for the sensory annihilation present on these recordings? It’s that fact that half this material was recorded back in the mid-eighties that really makes it stand out, Death Metal was still in its infantile stages back then with extreme metal making a transition between the Crust influenced filth of Hellhammer and the ilk to a more brutal strain with bands like Possessed and Slaughter emerging out of the underground with a significantly more potent and brutal form of metal unlike anything heard before, and when you realize it came out at the same time as two monumental releases by the aforementioned bands you wonder why the fuck it never got quite as much attention as it was just as influential if not more so than those classics. If you’re one of the unenlightened still wondering who the fuck Death Strike are, “Fuckin’ Death” was essentially just the first Master album under a different moniker, and along with Master’s debut and “On the Seventh Day...” are Death Metal classics. The first four tracks as previously mentioned are from 1985 and astonishingly ahead of their time. It’s basically ‘Hellhammer on crack’, fast brutal and utterly primal Death Metal with that huge hardcore influence shining through. Paul’s vocals are a maniacal and wretched reverbed howl that just add to the chaos conjured with Kirk’s unbridled leads, the d-beat styled drumming and thundering, bowel shaking bass. Songs like “Pay to Die” and “Re-Entry and Destruction” are impossible not to like, it’s extreme metal heaven (or hell, whichever you prefer), straight-forward, catchy and downright punishing.

Born from the fractal innerworld of Vymethoxy Redspiders,
better known as Urocerus Gigas from Leeds-based xenofeminist
crisis energy rock duo Guttersnipe, The Ephemeron Loop's
debut is a synaesthetic acid bath that cracks open the doors of
perception to reveal a sonic landscape of ineffable beauty,
divine femininity and continual transformation.

"PsychonauticEscapism" sublimes Guttersnipe's teeth-gnashing spacegrindaesthetic leaving washes of dream pop ambience, dilated
speedcore fusillades and shapeshifting psychedelic dub effects.

It's an album that lodges itself creatively between Cocteau
Twins, Arca, Basic Channel and Napalm Death, lysergically
fluxing imperceptibly between seemingly contradictory sonics
and philosophies. Miss VR took 14 long, difficult years to write
the album, which developed cautiously as she broke through
the misery of her pre-transition life with shoegaze music, rave
and psychedelic drugs in Leeds' queer underground. An
existence languishing in negativity, soundtracked by extreme
music was replaced with the opportunity to experience
euphoria, elation and ecstatic freedom, emotions that coalesce
sensually on "Psychonautic Escapism".

These formativeexperiences are the album's initial building blocks, assembled between 2007 and 2018 as Miss VR came to grips with her
reality as an autistic/ADHD trans woman and the multidimensional psychotropic experiences that assisted that realization. And as V's worldview expanded and shifted as she lived a fresh life, the music itself developed spiritually. In 2018,after being impressed with producer Ross Halden's work with Guttersnipe, Miss VR asked him to assist her with developing The Ephemeron Loop's fragmented songs and visions. "I learned a lot about why people don't usually combine various kinds of sounds or styles in music," she admits. "It is very difficult to get it to all work together!" But after two-and-a-half years of the duo navigating a "labyrinth of fragmented Reason 5 and Logic
projects," re-recording and processing, and working tirelessly on
complex arrangements and compositions, they eventually found
a light at the end of the tunnel. The finished album is towering
and ambitious, Escher-like in its illusory reconstruction of
familiar elements into brain-altering forms. The album begins
with 'Psychonautic Escapism (Cold Alienation)', decorating Miss
VR's disembodied moans with throbbing dub techno synths,
insectoid digital percussion and disorientating high-BPM
electronics.

Her vocals hover weightlessly between My Bloody Valentine's Bilinda Butcher and Cocteau Twins' Elizabeth Fraser, and on 'Lattice Dysmorphism of Lysothymic Oneiroid Cytoterrain' drift against grinding industrial hardcore kicks, serrated bass and Lorenzo Senni-esque trance pointillism. On 'Trench Through Pink Death', Miss VR's voice mutates into a shrill scream as she directs the music from splattered freeflowing doom into harsh hyper-speed death metal and
breakcore. Woven together with both precision and delicacy, "Psychonautic Escapism" turns a rough patchwork of ideas,
experiences, feelings and vivid emotions into a glorious neon
tapestry. In living and exploring the realities of autism, ADHD
and trans identity, Vymethoxy Redspiders has masterminded a
sonic language that feels fresh, urgent and shockingly honest.
Psychedelic is a term that gets thrown around far too loosely at
the moment - in this case there's just no better way of
describing the album's scope.

Part 1 of a retrospective of sorts, compiled from dozens of unreleased tracks from literally two decades of producing, these gems were collecting dust in the vaults of Ekman. Evocative and eerie electro from the Dutch master. We think we can let the music speak for itself in this case, as it's unique and instantly recognizable.

High Roller Records, black vinyl, ltd 500, insert, bonus 7", Mastering and audio restoration by Patrick W. Engel in February 2022.

Jaguar was formed in December 1979 in Bristol. After intensive touring they released their debut album Power Games, in 1983. An album with a no-nonsense high-speed approach. Jaguar played faster and more aggressively than any other band during the early days of the NWOBHM movement and according to the band’s history, they are considered among the inventors of the speed metal and thrash metal subgenres. They were influential for many other bands in later years including bands such as Metallica.

Power Games is available as a limited edition of 1000 individually numbered copies on red and silver mixed vinyl.

THY CATAFALQUE ist ein metamorphes Gebilde, das sich ständig weiterentwickelt und einen musikalischen Einfallsreichtum zeigt, der ebenso grenzenlos wie gewagt ist.
Alföld" bedeutet so viel wie "Die Erde" und ist in den schweren Anfängen des Avantgarde-Projekts begründet.
Obwohl das Album an die frühen Tage von THY CATAFALQUE angelehnt ist, scheinen die modernen, progressiven Instinkte von Mastermind Tamás Kátai durch, die das Album über den Bereich des Metal as-you-know-it hinausheben und einmal mehr einen bahnbrechenden Sound schaffen, der seiner Zeit weit voraus ist.

Für Fans von SOLEFALD, ARCTURUS, BLUT AUS NORD, ULVER

THY CATAFALQUE ist ein metamorphes Gebilde, das sich ständig weiterentwickelt und einen musikalischen Einfallsreichtum zeigt, der ebenso grenzenlos wie gewagt ist.
Alföld" bedeutet so viel wie "Die Erde" und ist in den schweren Anfängen des Avantgarde-Projekts begründet.
Obwohl das Album an die frühen Tage von THY CATAFALQUE angelehnt ist, scheinen die modernen, progressiven Instinkte von Mastermind Tamás Kátai durch, die das Album über den Bereich des Metal as-you-know-it hinausheben und einmal mehr einen bahnbrechenden Sound schaffen, der seiner Zeit weit voraus ist.

Für Fans von SOLEFALD, ARCTURUS, BLUT AUS NORD, ULVER

Blackened thrash veterans LEGION OF THE DAMNED slay on new studio album The Poison Chalice The LEGION slays again! Dutch thrash veterans LEGION OF THE DAMNED have once again entered into an alliance with the devouring depths of black and death metal and unleash another angry beast, The Poison Chalice, on May 26, 2023 via Napalm Records. The shredding monster delivers the most delicious pitch-black brew and tortures dark souls into demonic underworlds. Founded in 1990 as Occult, the thrash machine around founding members Maurice Swinkels and Erik Fleuren was reborn as LEGION OF THE DAMNED in 2005. On The Poison Chalice, the band unites with Fabian Verweij as second guitarist besides Twan van Geel and hails together with bassist Harold Gielen performing as a five piece for the first time ever on a studio album. Conquering the European charts for decades, the LEGION crowned itself at #17 in the Official German Album Charts with predecessor Slaves Of The Shadow Realms (2019). For almost 35 years, they have formed their aggressive signature sound from the most horrific ingredients of thrash and death metal, combined with brutal blackened influences, resulting in one of the most defined and unique sounds in the scene. The Poison Chalice comes to life by spreading its eerily beautiful wings within the first few seconds, then dives headfirst into a hellishly furious storm before the second song ""Contamination"" absolutely kills. In classic LEGION OF THE DAMNED manner, there is no escape as the track relentlessly drives into the abyss. The album spreads brutal and ice cold thrash soundscapes through relentless attacking drums and incredible guitar harmonies from both lead guitarists, underlined by angry bass lines. Infectious thrash treasures such as “Progressive Destructor”, and the almost seven-minute berserk “Behold The Beyond” break necks with hammering guitar riffs and bloody double bass infernos. “Beheading of The Godhead” delivers what the song title promises, before the past 48 minutes of hate closes with a final deep gulp from “The Poison Chalice” - leaving no one behind. Together with producer Erwin Hermsen, the band has closed the gates of the underworld in Toneshed Studio and demonstrates that they remain the unchallenged masters of brute and unrelenting death-thrash metal in 2023

Ruhig verlief die Karriere von Sieges Even nicht. Nach den ersten beiden Alben verzeichneten sie den ersten Besetzungswechsel auf der Sängerposition, auf den Album „Sophisticated“ (1995) und „Uneven“ (1997) betrieben die Holzwarth Brüder (Bass und Drums) die Band weiter.
Doch man fand sich wieder mit Gitarrist Markus Steffen zusammen
und rekrutierte den Ausnahmesänger Arno Menses, der zuvor als Schlagzeuger aktiv war. Mit diesem Line Up eroberte man die Herzen der Progfans, aber auch die von anspruchsvollen Metalheads. Erneut waren Sieges Even zum richtigen Zeitpunkt am richtigen Ort.

„The Art Of Navigating By The Stars“ wurde in dem Black Solaris Studio von Uwe Lulis (heute auch bekannt als Gitarrist von Accept) aufgenommen und erschien bei InsideOut Music, damals im SPV Vertrieb. Es folgten traumhafte Kritiken, auch für die im Anschluss stattfindende Tournee.

Natürlich war 2005 nicht an Vinyl zu denken, so dass diese Wiederveröffentlichung bereits von vielen Fans erwartet wird.
Aber auch die CD ist seit einigen Jahren „out of print“, so dass auch hier Handlungsbedarf bestand. Die Grafiken der Doppel-LP im Gatefold wurde vom Originalkünstler Thomas Ewerhard erstellt und das Audiomaterial getrennt für Vinyl und CD remastert.

Das Konzept rund um „The Art Of Navigating By The Stars“ begeistert heute noch ebenso wie die sowohl vertrackte und harte, aber eben auch gefühlvolle Musik. Hier waren Sieges Even einfach die deutschen Großmeister.

Sieges Even‘s career has not been quiet. After the first two albums, the band had its first change of singer. On the albums „Sophisticated“ (1995) and „Uneven“ (1997), the Holzwarth brothers (bass and drums) kept the band going. But they ended up with the guitarist Markus Steffen and recruited the outstanding singer Arno Menses, who was previously active as a drummer. With this line up, the band has won the hearts of prog fans, but also of demanding metalheads. Once again, Sieges Even was in the right place at the right time.

„The Art Of Navigating By The Stars“ was recorded in the Black Solaris studio by Uwe Lulis (also known today as Accept‘s guitarist) and released by InsideOut Music, then distributed by SPV. This was followed by dream reviews, also for the tour that followed.

Of course, there was no question of releasing a vinyl in 2005, so this reissue is already expected by many fans. But the CD has also been „out of print“ for a few years, so it was also necessary to act in this context. The graphics of the double LP in gatefold were made by the original artist Thomas Ewerhard and the audio material was remastered separately for the vinyl and the CD.

The concept of „The Art Of Navigating By The Stars“ is still exciting today, as is the music, which is both complicated and hard, but also full of emotion. In this sense, Sieges Even were simply the great German masters.

Jetzt, da die Welt weitgehend aus ihrem Covid-induzierten Stupor erwacht ist, freut sich Per Nilsson darauf, SCAR SYMMETRY vollständig zu reaktivieren und die dramatischen, pulverisierenden Ereignisse von Phase II unter die Leute zu bringen. Getreu ihrem ursprünglichen Masterplan sind diese Könige der himmlischen Metal-Grenze dem Spiel immer noch weit voraus.
Eine Sache, die sofort klar wird, wenn Phase II in Gang kommt, ist, dass dies die brutalste Platte ist, die Scar Symmetry je gemacht haben.

Jetzt, da die Welt weitgehend aus ihrem Covid-induzierten Stupor erwacht ist, freut sich Per Nilsson darauf, SCAR SYMMETRY vollständig zu reaktivieren und die dramatischen, pulverisierenden Ereignisse von Phase II unter die Leute zu bringen. Getreu ihrem ursprünglichen Masterplan sind diese Könige der himmlischen Metal-Grenze dem Spiel immer noch weit voraus.
Eine Sache, die sofort klar wird, wenn Phase II in Gang kommt, ist, dass dies die brutalste Platte ist, die Scar Symmetry je gemacht haben.

You heard them first on Brown Acid “The Thirteenth Trip”. We are very excited to present to you the full unreleased recordings from this amazing band from Detroit. Master Danse was formed in late 1973 in Detroit, Michigan when drummer Tom Riss and bassist Cary Fletcher, formerly of the Detroit band Licking Stick, went looking for a new guitarist/lead vocalist and jammed with John Giaier, who had most recently played in the band Crawdad. The three musicians hit it off immediately, and a new power hard rock trio was born. In 1973, Detroit was clearly “Rock City”, featuring such local icons as Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Grand Funk Railroad, Ted Nugent, and Mitch Ryder, and the high energy punch of Master Danse reflected this proud heritage. Unfortunately, this union would only last one year, and by the end of 1974 the power rock trio known as Master Danse had disbanded. What was left for posterity were only two live reel to reel recordings and one promo 45 single. Some forty-seven years later, the 45 found its way onto the internet and a small cult following of audiophiles was born, people who appreciate the raw power and high energy of early ‘70s rock. Bands like Master Danse and others from this era were riding the wave of transition from the pop rock sound of the ‘60s to an edgier sound that would eventually lead to metal and punk music. With the help of modern-day tape restoration techniques, the two live recordings were restored, and together with the 45, the best versions of the eight songs that have survived the decades are featured on this album. Although recorded live forty-eight years ago on a two-track stereo tape recorder, you can still feel the power of Giaier’s Marshall stack, Fletcher’s twin Acoustic 360 amps, and the relentless attack of Riss’ Ludwig drums. So, sit back and enjoy. Rock on!

FÜR FANS VON: HEAT, Eclipse, Nestor, Hardline, Brother Firetribe
Mit ihrem neuen Album „Code Red“ schlägt die deutsche Hard Rock Band DEVICIOUS aus Karlsruhe ein neues Kapitel auf. 2017 gegründet, veröffentlichen sie nun ihr 5. Album in fünf Jahren. Nach einigen Klangexperimenten auf dem Vorgängeralbum „Black Heart“ kehren sie nun zurück zu ihren Wurzeln, zu dem, was sie am besten können. Große Arena-Melodien kombiniert mit bombastischen Chorarrangements und einer großen Produktion.
Das Album wurde von Bandleader und Songwriter Alex Frey selbst produziert und in den Mastersound Entertainment Studios in
Steinheim, Deutschland von Alexander Krull gemischt und gemastert. Er ist der Hauptakteur hinter den Bands ATROCITY und LEAVE’S EYES sondern steht auch auf der Producer- und Mastering-Liste von Bands wie ATROCITY, LEAVE’S EYES, DORO, CREMATORY, VELVET VIPER oder ZAR. Das neue Kapitel von DEVICIOUS beinhaltet auch einen neuen Sänger. Antonio Calanna verließ die Band nach dem letzten Album auf freundschaftlicher Basis, um sich auf andere Projekte zu konzentrieren. Sein Nachfolger ist niemand geringerer als der ehemalige TNT-Sänger Baol Bardot Bulsara, der bereits
auf dem „Black Heart“-Album einige Backing-Vocals gesungen hat und bei einigen Black Heart-Headliner-Shows an Bord war. Mit Baol ist die Band flexibler, da er eine breitere Bandbreite hat und alles von melodischen Balladen bis hin zu Power Metal-Melodien singen kann.

Mit „Code Red“ liefern DEVICIOUS ihr bisher kraftvollstes und ausgereiftestes Werk ab. Ein melodisches Meisterwerk mit allen DEVICIOUS-Markenzeichen.

"prog stalwarts deliver the goods" KKKK Kerrang!
"an album of Muse-like, slow burning guitar anthems" Rock Sound
"TPT take the baton of Pink Floyd & run with it, with the same dream- like atmosphere on the cusp of a nightmare." TERRORIZER
"the sound of a band reaching the height of their powers" Classic Rock "a high- class, mature, up to date & consistently melancholic album in between Porcupine Tree & Muse...warm, popular, contrived" Metal Hammer (DE).

The Pineapple Thief are one of the leading lights of Europe's experimental rock domain, led by post-progressive mastermind Bruce Soord, the band have built an incredibly loyal fanbase over the past 23- years through extensive touring & consistently lauded recordings. Founder Bruce Soord started The Pineapple Thief as an outlet for his music back in 1999 & has since released over 15 studio albums.

'All The Wars' saw frontman Bruce Soord mature as a songwriter & grow in confidence, allowing him the use of a 22- piece string section & a choir. Soord explains, "no expense has been spared regarding the production of this record but at its heart it's still a rock record. It's very heavy in parts & very delicate & beautiful in others." Following Storm Thorgerson's cover for 'Someone Here Is Missing', the
artwork for this album features images created by the award- winning
photographer Mark Mawson as part of his 'Aqueous' series, which was projected onto Buckingham Palace as the background to Paul McCartney's performance of 'Magical Mystery Tour' during the diamond jubilee celebrations.

Kscope are now proud to present a newly remastered LP edition of 'All The Wars'

Fünf Jahre nach "Footprints In The Rock" melden sich die unbesungenen NWOBHM-Helden TRESPASS mit einem großartigen neuen Album namens "Wolf At The Door" zurück. Das Album umfasst Themen, die ihnen am Herzen liegen - insbesondere Umweltthemen - und wurde von Gründungsmitglied, Gitarrist und Sänger Mark Sutcliffe in seinem Heimstudio geschrieben und später in den Crooks Hall Studios in der Wildnis von Suffolk aufgenommen. Nigel Palmer (Raging Speedhorn, Satan's Empire) gab dem Ganzen dann in Lowland Masters den letzten Schliff. Diese typisch britische Umgebung half Trespass dabei, ihren charakteristischen NWOBHM-Zwillingsgitarren-Sound beizubehalten, während die Rhythmusgruppe
einen Drive und eine Energie an den Tag legt, die sie direkt in die 20er Jahre zurückversetzt. Das Artwork von Mark Wilkinson (Iron Maiden, Judas Priest) gibt dem Album den letzten Schliff und wird sowohl die Fans der alten Schule als auch die neuen nicht enttäuschen. Trespass wurde 1979 in Sudbury, Suffolk, von Mark Sutcliffe (Gitarre, Gesang) und seinem Bruder Paul am Schlagzeug gegründet. Die Band hatte Anfang der 80er Jahre als Teil der New Wave of British Heavy Metal Erfolg und wurde von der Kritik gelobt, obwohl sie nur ein paar Singles und eine EP - die kultige Bright Lights" von 1981 - veröffentlicht hat. Songs wie "One Of These Days", "Stormchild" und "Bright Lights" haben sich einen Namen gemacht.

After an explosive performance at Wacken Festival, the mighty heavy metal newcomers ROADWOLF are back with pure power to unleash their highly anticipated sophomore record! The first single, “On The Run”, starts off the record with a bang, featuring electrifying guitar riffs, a pulsating bassline, and driving drums that set the tone for the entire album. The band wears their influences proudly on their sleeves as you can hear their inspiration from legends like Judas Priest, Saxon, and Dio. Single Blurb: Single 2 ROADWOLF is tearing up the heavy metal scene with their latest epic release! As one of the leading acts in the new wave of traditional heavy metal, they've shared the stage with some of the genre's most iconic names like Enforcer, Skull Fist, and Bullet. With "Supernatural," the band showcases their versatility, delivering a touching ballad-like verse before unleashing a full-blown metal extravaganza during the chorus. Get ready to rock out with ROADWOLF, the masters of heavy metal power! Single Blurb: Single 3 With the success of “On The Run”, ROADWOLF launch through your speakers once again with the release of their next single “Midnight Lightning”! The title track brings out ROADWOLF’s heavy metal prowess with soaring vocals and scorching guitar solos, reminiscent of Judas Priest. Join the band on this electrifying ride, bolting along lightning crashes as the clock strikes midnight. ROADWOLF is guaranteed to get the crowd head banging and moshing in frenzy with this new powerful single! Album Blurb: Brace yourself for an ear-shattering, face-melting experience as Austrian heavy metal sensations ROADWOLF unleash their highly-anticipated sophomore album, Midnight Lightning, out on May 5, 2023 via Napalm Records! With their debut album, Unchain the Wolf (2020), the band firmly established themselves as purveyors of classic heavy metal, drawing inspiration from legendary acts such as Judas Priest, Saxon, UFO, Dio and Ozzy Osbourne. Since its release, the band has turned heads on stage, performing at renowned metal festivals such as Wacken and sharing the stage with notable acts such as Enforcer, Skull Fist, Bullet, Lizzy Borden, Vicious Rumors, and Night Demon. Now, they bring the madness directly to you with their all killers no fillers album Midnight Lightning!

Svart Records unveils “Sutra”, the new album from grand master avant-garde overlords Yakuza. An genre crushing album of forward thinking metal for the modern age, “Sutra” is a powerhouse of unlimited expression and molten riffs. Formed in 1999, Chicago based heavy hybridizers Yakuza, are in a genre all of their own, which Pitchfork describe as a “a specialized and strange alloy”. So eclectic and hard to pigeon-hole, their music has been described over the years as everything from avant-garde metal, progressive metal, alternative metal to experimental rock, jazz metal, art metal and post-metal. Incorporating psychedelic rock jams that sprawl into heavy, sludging Doom with jazz influences, while also incorporating breakneck grind riffs and grooves, makes Yakuza’s new album “Sutra” a long awaited and insanely enjoyable feast of frequencies. From their break-out debut album “Amount to Nothing” in 2000, which was met with critical acclaim, Yakuza have been a phenomenon in the world of heavy music, hot on the tongues of those who know. Their second album “Way of the Dead” in 2002 landed Yakuza a deal with Century Media and worldwide notoriety, securing them live slots with like-minded progressive heavyweights like Candira, Opeth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Lacuna Coil and Mastodon.

Svart Records unveils “Sutra”, the new album from grand master avant-garde overlords Yakuza. An genre crushing album of forward thinking metal for the modern age, “Sutra” is a powerhouse of unlimited expression and molten riffs. Formed in 1999, Chicago based heavy hybridizers Yakuza, are in a genre all of their own, which Pitchfork describe as a “a specialized and strange alloy”. So eclectic and hard to pigeon-hole, their music has been described over the years as everything from avant-garde metal, progressive metal, alternative metal to experimental rock, jazz metal, art metal and post-metal. Incorporating psychedelic rock jams that sprawl into heavy, sludging Doom with jazz influences, while also incorporating breakneck grind riffs and grooves, makes Yakuza’s new album “Sutra” a long awaited and insanely enjoyable feast of frequencies. From their break-out debut album “Amount to Nothing” in 2000, which was met with critical acclaim, Yakuza have been a phenomenon in the world of heavy music, hot on the tongues of those who know. Their second album “Way of the Dead” in 2002 landed Yakuza a deal with Century Media and worldwide notoriety, securing them live slots with like-minded progressive heavyweights like Candira, Opeth, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Lacuna Coil and Mastodon.

THULCANDRA’s rise to power ignited when the Germany-based outfit unleashed their debut album, Fallen Angel’s Dominion, upon metaldom in 2010. The group, fronted by founding member and visionary Steffen Kummerer (also of Obscura fame), have tightened their hibernal grip on blackened death metal since. The desolate melodic emanations in follow-up studio records Under a Frozen Sun (2011), Ascension Lost (2015), and the chart-topping, 2021-album A Dying Wish, dedicated to the late drummer Chris Kratzer, solidified THULCANDRA as a superior force, expertly thrusting the magic and mystery of mid-’90s melodic black-death metal into the modern era. Their fifth attack, entitled Hail the Abyss, sees THULCANDRA prove yet again why they’re atop death metal’s malefic vedette! Fierce tracks such as "As I Walk Through The Gateway", or the uber-brutal "Blood Of Slaves", showcase the band‘s affinity for dark, aggressive, and mellifluous metal while the album title track and the epic, mid-tempo rager "On The Wings Of Cosmic Fire" rip and terrorize with the intensity of hell. As always, THULCANDRA's about a vibe - there's a distinct "feel" to the band's latest album that's distinctly old-school but without the tired trappings of it. The hotly-anticipated Hail the Abyss is slated for release on May 19, 2023 via Napalm Records. Cooperation with renowned producer Dan Swanö (Dissection, Opeth, Katatonia), who handled the crushing album mix, was compulsory, as was the re-invitation to cover-master Lochner. Don’t fear the reaper—fear the majestic might of THULCANDRA, as Hail the Abyss will see them ultimately rise to full power!

Manchester's Avant-Jazzy-Funk outfit Swamp Children were enviably eclectic and Taste What's Rhythm is their mini masterpiece. Flitting gracefully through a feast of genres with consummate ease, the band were almost indefinable and, accordingly, nigh-on impossible to market. So whilst this cult EP, originally out in 1982 on Factory Benelux, remains in demand for those in the know, it has also glided under the radar of many otherwise clued-up heads for over 40 years. If you don't know, get to know...

The Taste Whats Rhythm EP was originally released in 1982 on Factory Benelux (an informal partnership between the legendary Manchester-based Factory Records and Belgium-based Les Disques du Crépuscule). With it's kaleidoscopic brightness, silky panache and superb execution, it remains one of the most startling documents of a remarkable time and place.

The EP opens with the oh-so-Balearic title track. "Taste Whats Rhythm" gently unfolds with a Spanish guitar, hazy, drifting vocals and sun-bleached Latin percussion. After this most sumptuous of intros, the tempo is raised, the rhythms grow in complexity as horns jostle amidst the restrained chaos quite wonderfully. And then it winds down again. Proper fluctuating rhythms and tempos throughout. I guess that was the point - taste the variety!

“You’ve Got Me Beat” is a *perfect* piece of post-punk pop-jazz. A mysterious, after dark jazz-dancer, the aching vocals serve as a touching, tender resignation to love. A guitar hook which seems to elegantly reference The Blackbyrds' "Rock Creek Park" and a flowing pulse from New York's No Wave scene. It still sounds so fresh all the years later.

Closing out this most perfect of EPs, the twisted synths and nimble rhythms of bass-heavy roller "Softly Saying Goodbye" combine to create a super-slinky gem; Brit-Funk of the highest order.

Swamp Children formed in Manchester in 1980, around core members Ann Quigley (vocals), Tony Quigley (bass, metalaphone, percussion), John Kirkham (electric & acoustic guitars, metalaphone, percussion), Ceri Evans (keyboards, bass, percussion, background vocals), Cliff Saffer (saxaphone, clarine) and Martin Moscrop (drums, percussion, trumpet). They initially practised at a rehearsal space shared with fellow post-punk funkers A Certain Ratio and Joy Division/New Order. Young and relatively inexperienced upon getting together, the ages of Swamp Children's members ranged from just 16 to 19. Talk about the brilliance of youth.

From the outset, Swamp Children shared DNA with A Certain Ratio. Martin Moscrop was a founder member of Ratio, while Ann provided artwork for them. Although the close association with ACR led some to assume that Swamp Children were simply a splinter group, the new band pursued a more overt latin and jazz tinged direction, at the same time adopting a post-punk attitude towards making music, influenced by the records they were listening to at the time: Miles Davis, Brazilian jazz fusion and heavy funk dancefloor sides.

The band made their live debut at Manchester's infamous Beach Club in May 1980. Thanks to a double-booking blunder another support band turned up and were turned away, having travelled all the way from Dublin for a string of British dates. The name of the unlucky band was U2...

With arrangements that emphasised Tony Quigley’s darkly-coloured basslines (and Ann Quigley’s impressionistic vocals as another instrument in the mix) Swamp Children possessed an easygoing grace and a bubbling energy which indicated that the band's true strength was as an ensemble. The band’s musical sophistication (a fusion of funk, jazz, and bossa nova) would prove to be a strong influence on later UK acts like Sade. Indeed, Swamp Children themselves later mutated into the more known and acclaimed latin jazz outfit Kalima.

Working directly with James Nice, custodian of Factory Benelux, means that the audio for this re-issue of the classic EP comes from the original tapes. Cut at 45 RPM and released in the house Be With disco sleeve, we’ve made sure this record is well up to the job of having a permanent place in every DJ’s bag. As far as we’re concerned, this is essential stuff.

Death/Thrash Metal classic reMastered! A strong Master album re-issued.
Since the dawn of human intellectualism, self-aware individuals have sought solitude. Paul Speckmann of Master finds his own solidarity in
expressing apathy towards society. Lets acknowledge the introspective impact of Master’s 1998 release “Faith is in Season.”
Crusty bass lines and tom-centric drumming push “Faith is in Season” forward with a reliable tempo, coupled with intermittent guitar leads and Speckmann’s defiant screeches define Master’s new production - consistent and comprehendible Death Metal. This is further polished with thoughtful song intros that highlight each individual member’s musicianship. This foundation supports the guitar melodies and lyrical concepts.

Compositionally, each instrument in Master is worth its own weight in gold while also not overshadowing each other. This is a self-evident
testament to Speckmann’s exemplary leadership because the band line-up on “Faith is in Season” was relatively brief.

Similar to 1990’s contemporaries like Vader or Obituary, Master solidified their craft with “Faith is in Season” and has since strayed minimally.

Die isländischen Post-Metal-Legenden Sólstafir veröffentlichen ihr lange vergriffenes zweites Album "Masterpiece of Bitterness" jetzt auf Vinyl neu! Das 2009 erschienene Album markiert einen Wendepunkt für die isländischen Ikonen. Die Veröffentlichung von 2009 markiert den Moment, in dem Sólstafir begannen, progressive und Post-Metal-Elemente zu integrieren und damit den Grundstein für ihren definitiven Sound zu legen, wie ihn die Fans heute kennen. Wiederveröffentlichung nur auf Vinyl erhältlich! Keine CD/Digital!

Nehmt euch vor der Bestie, die beißt, in Acht - GODSNAKE melden sich lautstark mit ihrem neuen Album "Eye For An Eye" zurück, das vor Metal - der direkt, heftig, riff-orientiert, aber auch eingängig ist und epische Hooklines parat hält - nur so strotzt!

Das Reptil treibt seit 2015 sein Unwesen und hat sich erfolgreich im metallischen Dschungel etabliert. Torger (Gesang), Stevo (Gitarre), The Walt (Bass) und Sidney (Schlagzeug), die bereits am Album "Poison Thorn" beteiligt waren, wurden 2022 durch Gitarrenzauberer Pepe (Ancient Curse, Sons Of Seasons) verstärkt und somit erneut komplettiert. Der vielseitig erfahrene "Newcomer" hat sowohl live als auch bei den Aufnahmen bereits einige Duftmarken setzen können.

Mit dem zweiten Album wollen die 5 Musiker die sehr positive Resonanz auf das Debüt erneut unter Beweis stellen und damit ihren Platz im Ranking behaupten.
Wie schon "Poison Thorn" wurde auch dieser mächtige Brocken Musik in den Lübecker LSD-Studios von Mastermind Lasse Lammert (u.a. Alestorm, Gloryhammer, Wind Rose etc.) aufgenommen und produziert.

Beim Song "Story Of A Ghost" ist Wayne Dorman (Onslaught) mit einem Gitarrensolo zu hören.

"Köld", das als eines der bahnbrechenden Alben von Sólstafir gilt, ist das tief emotionale dritte Album der isländischen Post-Metal-Legenden. Das Album aus dem Jahr 2008 knüpfte an "Masterpiece of Bitterness" an und ließ die Band ihren Sound und ihre Identität voll ausleben. Auch heute noch ist das Album von trauriger Schönheit. Das Album ist jetzt wieder auf Vinyl erhältlich! Wiederveröffentlichung nur auf Vinyl erhältlich! Keine CD/Digital!

"Recorded at Ardent Studios and released in 1972, the album has gone on to become one of the most influential and iconic debut albums of all time. This 50th-anniversary indie exclusive edition is pressed on 180-gram metallic gold with purple smoke vinyl and features all-analogue mastering by Jeff Powell at Take Out Vinyl. The album has been included in Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, with the song “Thirteen” featured in its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Realeased on 180g Tip-on Jacket , Gold/Purple vinyl "

Das Livealbum wurde im April 2015 auf dem legendären "Keep It True" Festival (Deutschland) aufgenommen, hier bekommt der Fan unverfälschten und wahren schwedischen Heavy Metal aus den "Glory Days" zu hören. 100% live, roh und ohne technische Tricksereien, gepaart mit einem großartigen Publikum. Die 5 Metal-Brüder Christer Göransson (Vocals), Magnus Danneblad (Lead Guitar), Jerker Edman (Lead Guitars), Christer Carlson (Bass) und Tommy Viktorsson (Drums) hatten eine unglaublich tolle Zeit auf der Bühne und performten die zeitlosen und einzigartigen Songs von Mindless Sinner mit Power und Leidenschaft.

Sophomore album from Tenerife based trio, LAGOSS (Gonçalo F. Cardoso, Mladen Kurajica and Daniel García).

Moving away from their megamix vignette based first volume, the trio now experiments with a more song based approach whilst still keeping their trademark jam infused tropicalia and electronic freak outs with an offering to their 1970’s sci-fi masters – enter the lift to the stars.

First proposed by Russian rocket scientist Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and taken to mystical literary heights by Arthur C. Clark in his 1979 book Fountains of Paradise, the concept of a space lift takes a spiritual turn here, with LAGOSS chronicling its construction, right here and there on a near future version of their Island of Tenerife, in the Canary Archipelago.

The album moves freely through ideas and moods akin to the world imagined by Arthur C. Clarke. It conveys a new story by sonically imagining future civilizations in a faux ethnographical exercise whilst exploring current ideas of technology, religion and alternative history by creating its own particular insular sound world.

The album counts with the participation of dear friends such as a synth solo by Spencer Clark (Monopoly Child Star Searchers et all.) and a punchy, full blown remix by Muqata’a. Altogether creating a unique collection of eerie musical moments made of sub tropical moods and cyber exotica jams from a band that keeps growing and evolving into their very own personal sound.

Enter Tenerife in the late 21st Century, meet the Aquachachos and Guayechi, and ascend!

In the Detmold area (Westphalia, Germany), there wasn‘t much going on for metal fans in the first half of the eighties. Fortunately, the members of two bands met in 1982 in a chip shop and recognized their common preference for hard music by their long hair, leather jackets and moustaches, which were good manners at that time. In this moment SACRAFICE were born, who subsequently became local heroes - of course influenced by the NWOBHM that was just spilling over into Germany, but also by the usual suspects like Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Rainbow or Kiss, as well as Judas Priest and the early Accept.

Two unusual choices were made at once: In the spirit of Def Leppard or Led Zeppelin, the band name was deliberately changed - i.e. NOT Sacrifice, but Sacrafice. And they decided not to make the typical demo tape, but a 12“ EP on their own. This one is called „The First Experience WIth The Unknown“ and can be bought here and now on Discogs for 120 Euro and more used.... But already the book „Heavy Metal Made In Germany“, which was published in the nineties via Iron Pages, lists the record as „Top German Metal Rarity“.
No wonder, because the quite aggressive heavy rock and metal knows how to please even today - or maybe especially today - and reminds us of the upbeat mood of the German metal scene in the first
half of the eighties. This is also true for the three live tracks, which have been elaborately restored in days of work.

Another house number are the tracks of the follow-up band TranQuilL
(that‘s right, that‘s the correct spelling). The mostly overlong songs can be classified as heavy prog. Due to various circumstances these pearls remained (as good as) unreleased. Again, a lot of time and work was invested in restoring and mastering these private studio recordings (there are six long TranQuill songs on the CD version, while there was only room for two tracks on the LP, without losing sound quality).
As always, the printed inlay contains liner notes (actual interview with a former band member). Photos and other illustrations.
The CD version of the Golden Core re-release has already received very good reviews in Rock Hard and Good Times, among others!

Fans der amerikanischen Heavy Metal Ikone Iced Earth haben sich lange ein neues Lebenszeichen ihrer Helden erhofft. Das Warten hat ein Ende: Gitarrist und Gründungsmitglied Jon Schaffer hat die Veröffentlichung von zwei neuen EPs angekündigt. Unter den Titeln "Hellrider" und "I Walk Among You" enthalten diese Veröffentlichungen seltene Aufnahmen aus der Übergangsphase zwischen Sänger Tim 'Ripper' Owens' und Vorgänger/Nachfolger Matt Barlow in den Jahren 2007 und 2008, einer besonders spannenden und ereignisreichen Zeit in der Bandgeschichte von Iced Earth. Die 'Hellrider' EP besteht aus den Songs 'Prophecy', 'Birth Of The Wicked' und 'The Coming Curse', ursprünglich vom Album 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' (1998), das von Metal Hammer zu einem der besten Power Metal Platten aller Zeiten gewählt wurde. Im Spätsommer 2007 wurden alle drei Tracks mit Tim 'Ripper' Owens neu aufgenommen. Die zweite EP "I Walk Among You" enthält die Studiotracks "Setian Massacre", "A Charge To Keep" und "The Clouding" vom 2007er Album "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)", die 2008 remixt und remastert wurden und den kürzlich zurückgekehrten Matt Barlow enthalten. Hinzu kommen die Live-Tracks 'Dark Saga', 'Pure Evil' und 'Iced Earth', die beim Graspop Metal Meeting 2008 aufgenommen wurden und ebenfalls Matt Barlow als Sänger haben. Die Songs wurden remastered, mit neuem Artwork, neuem Mastering und erscheinen das erste Mal auf Vinyl und
Picture Disc.

Fans der amerikanischen Heavy Metal Ikone Iced Earth haben sich lange ein neues Lebenszeichen ihrer Helden erhofft. Das Warten hat ein Ende: Gitarrist und Gründungsmitglied Jon Schaffer hat die Veröffentlichung von zwei neuen EPs angekündigt. Unter den Titeln "Hellrider" und "I Walk Among You" enthalten diese Veröffentlichungen seltene Aufnahmen aus der Übergangsphase zwischen Sänger Tim 'Ripper' Owens' und Vorgänger/Nachfolger Matt Barlow in den Jahren 2007 und 2008, einer besonders spannenden und ereignisreichen Zeit in der Bandgeschichte von Iced Earth. Die 'Hellrider' EP besteht aus den Songs 'Prophecy', 'Birth Of The Wicked' und 'The Coming Curse', ursprünglich vom Album 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' (1998), das von Metal Hammer zu einem der besten Power Metal Platten aller Zeiten gewählt wurde. Im Spätsommer 2007 wurden alle drei Tracks mit Tim 'Ripper' Owens neu aufgenommen. Die zweite EP "I Walk Among You" enthält die Studiotracks "Setian Massacre", "A Charge To Keep" und "The Clouding" vom 2007er Album "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)", die 2008 remixt und remastert wurden und den kürzlich zurückgekehrten Matt Barlow enthalten. Hinzu kommen die Live-Tracks 'Dark Saga', 'Pure Evil' und 'Iced Earth', die beim Graspop Metal Meeting 2008 aufgenommen wurden und ebenfalls Matt Barlow als Sänger haben. Die Songs wurden remastered, mit neuem Artwork, neuem Mastering und erscheinen das erste Mal auf Vinyl und Picture Disc.

Fans der amerikanischen Heavy Metal Ikone Iced Earth haben sich lange ein neues Lebenszeichen ihrer Helden erhofft. Das Warten hat ein Ende: Gitarrist und Gründungsmitglied Jon Schaffer hat die Veröffentlichung von zwei neuen EPs angekündigt. Unter den Titeln "Hellrider" und "I Walk Among You" enthalten diese Veröffentlichungen seltene Aufnahmen aus der Übergangsphase zwischen Sänger Tim 'Ripper' Owens' und Vorgänger/Nachfolger Matt Barlow in den Jahren 2007 und 2008, einer besonders spannenden und ereignisreichen Zeit in der Bandgeschichte von Iced Earth. Die 'Hellrider' EP besteht aus den Songs 'Prophecy', 'Birth Of The Wicked' und 'The Coming Curse', ursprünglich vom Album 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' (1998), das von Metal Hammer zu einem der besten Power Metal Platten aller Zeiten gewählt wurde. Im Spätsommer 2007 wurden alle drei Tracks mit Tim 'Ripper' Owens neu aufgenommen. Die zweite EP "I Walk Among You" enthält die Studiotracks "Setian Massacre", "A Charge To Keep" und "The Clouding" vom 2007er Album "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)", die 2008 remixt und remastert wurden und den kürzlich zurückgekehrten Matt Barlow enthalten. Hinzu kommen die Live-Tracks 'Dark Saga', 'Pure Evil' und 'Iced Earth', die beim Graspop Metal Meeting 2008 aufgenommen wurden und ebenfalls Matt Barlow als Sänger haben. Die Songs wurden remastered, mit neuem Artwork, neuem Mastering und erscheinen das erste Mal auf Vinyl und
Picture Disc.

Fans der amerikanischen Heavy Metal Ikone Iced Earth haben sich lange ein neues Lebenszeichen ihrer Helden erhofft. Das Warten hat ein Ende: Gitarrist und Gründungsmitglied Jon Schaffer hat die Veröffentlichung von zwei neuen EPs angekündigt. Unter den Titeln "Hellrider" und "I Walk Among You" enthalten diese Veröffentlichungen seltene Aufnahmen aus der Übergangsphase zwischen Sänger Tim 'Ripper' Owens' und Vorgänger/Nachfolger Matt Barlow in den Jahren 2007 und 2008, einer besonders spannenden und ereignisreichen Zeit in der Bandgeschichte von Iced Earth. Die 'Hellrider' EP besteht aus den Songs 'Prophecy', 'Birth Of The Wicked' und 'The Coming Curse', ursprünglich vom Album 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' (1998), das von Metal Hammer zu einem der besten Power Metal Platten aller Zeiten gewählt wurde. Im Spätsommer 2007 wurden alle drei Tracks mit Tim 'Ripper' Owens neu aufgenommen. Die zweite EP "I Walk Among You" enthält die Studiotracks "Setian Massacre", "A Charge To Keep" und "The Clouding" vom 2007er Album "Framing Armageddon (Something Wicked Part I)", die 2008 remixt und remastert wurden und den kürzlich zurückgekehrten Matt Barlow enthalten. Hinzu kommen die Live-Tracks 'Dark Saga', 'Pure Evil' und 'Iced Earth', die beim Graspop Metal Meeting 2008 aufgenommen wurden und ebenfalls Matt Barlow als Sänger haben. Die Songs wurden remastered, mit neuem Artwork, neuem Mastering und erscheinen das erste Mal auf Vinyl und
Picture Disc.

Arch Enemy sind das Nonplusultra des schwedischen Retro-Thrash/Death. Die Nordländer knüppeln sich Old-School-Banger-Riffs von Slayer- und Destruction-Format mit einer Leichtigkeit und Spielfreude von der Seele, dass die Nackenmuskulatur fast von selbst zu rotieren beginnt und schaffen es erstaunlicherweise, zwischen den Kettensägen-Akkordfolgen immer wieder zweistimmige melodische Licks einzufügen, die mehr als einmal an frühe Iron Maiden-Platten und sphärische Death-Songs erinnern. Aufgewertet wird Stigmata durch die großartigen Songideen und den wunderbar aggressiven, aber nie überzogenen Gesang. Und das Beste ist: Die Jungs können spielen wie die Hölle. Mastermind Michael Amott (Spiritual Beggars/ex-Carcass) und sein Bruder Christopher sind eines der besten Gitarrenduos in der Metalszene und verstehen es, ihre technischen Fähigkeiten eindrucksvoll, aber immer songdienlich einzusetzen. Ein absolutes Muss für Thrash/Death-Fans!'Stigmata (Re-Issue 2023)' ist in 2 Formaten erhältlich.- Schweres 180g Vinyl schwarz und farbig, inklusive 2-seitigem Einleger- Special Edition CD, die in einem "PocketPac" (umweltfreundliche Verpackung) und einem 16-seitigen Booklet kommt

Arch Enemy sind das Nonplusultra des schwedischen Retro-Thrash/Death. Die Nordländer knüppeln sich Old-School-Banger-Riffs von Slayer- und Destruction-Format mit einer Leichtigkeit und Spielfreude von der Seele, dass die Nackenmuskulatur fast von selbst zu rotieren beginnt und schaffen es erstaunlicherweise, zwischen den Kettensägen-Akkordfolgen immer wieder zweistimmige melodische Licks einzufügen, die mehr als einmal an frühe Iron Maiden-Platten und sphärische Death-Songs erinnern. Aufgewertet wird Stigmata durch die großartigen Songideen und den wunderbar aggressiven, aber nie überzogenen Gesang. Und das Beste ist: Die Jungs können spielen wie die Hölle. Mastermind Michael Amott (Spiritual Beggars/ex-Carcass) und sein Bruder Christopher sind eines der besten Gitarrenduos in der Metalszene und verstehen es, ihre technischen Fähigkeiten eindrucksvoll, aber immer songdienlich einzusetzen. Ein absolutes Muss für Thrash/Death-Fans!'Stigmata (Re-Issue 2023)' ist in 2 Formaten erhältlich.- Schweres 180g Vinyl schwarz und farbig, inklusive 2-seitigem Einleger- Special Edition CD, die in einem "PocketPac" (umweltfreundliche Verpackung) und einem 16-seitigen Booklet kommt