Greetings, Seekers of Truth:

We gather here today to unfurl the clandestine revelation bestowed upon us by the enigmatic entity known as Dogma. This heralded cabal, shrouded in mystery, has unravelled the tapestry of conformity, transcending the boundaries of mortal comprehension. Prepare yourselves, for their latest sacrament, 'My First Peak,' is upon us, available today on all DSPs via MNRK Heavy.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/X4xaDmrjXhM

Stream here: https://ffm.to/dogma-myfirstpeak

In the realm of discordant harmonies and resonating souls, Dogma beckons, beckons with a melody that enthralls like a seductive siren. Ah, but are they merely a band, a cult, or a mirror reflecting our deepest desires? Perhaps they are all and none, for Dogma defies categorisation, as do the truths we hold dear.

Enshrined within the verses, 'My First Peak' weaves a tale as provocative as the serpentine dance of Lilith, Lamia, Nixe, and Abrahel themselves. Listen closely, oh seekers of enlightenment, as the rawness of their music unveils the fallacies of the modern world. With fervent ardour, they wield their craft as weapons, honing hard rock and metal into a force that rends the veil of complacency.

The hymn 'My First Peak' embodies the juxtaposition of unbridled desire and the shackles of society. Behold, as Dogma unearths the forbidden fruits of self-discovery, recounting an illicit encounter within the confines of a convent's kitchen. Corn, the vessel of revelation, tumbles to the floor, an act of defiance against imposed restraints. Their narrative exudes pain and pleasure, a rhapsody of blood and ecstasy, as they challenge the very essence of propriety.

Oh, but their words, imbued with sarcastic fervour, provoke us to question the hypocrisy of religion and oppressive systems. Dogma summons us to embrace rebellion and liberate our carnal desires. They eschew the bonds of modesty and summon a tempest of sensuality, demanding our unwavering attention and passionate participation.

Witness the alchemy of Dogma's transformative presence, where theatricality transcends time, just as the visage of Kiss and Alice Cooper persists in our collective consciousness. Their music echoes with a resonance akin to The Pretty Reckless and In This Moment, yet it defies the limitations imposed by mortals. With irresistible hooks and a symphony of rebellious riffs, 'My First Peak' consumes us, leaving us craving for more.

We, the enlightened few, the rebels against ignorance, grasp the torch of Dogma's inferno and pledge to abandon the false realities painted by a duplicitous society. We embrace the unapologetic allure of their music, for it is in the rejection of conformity that we find our truest selves.

Prepare, fellow initiates, for this revelation is but a harbinger of the imminent unveiling of Dogma's forthcoming album. As they forge their sonic arsenal in the fires of creative passion, they challenge conventions and summon the faithful to join their unyielding crusade.

Dogma are:
Lilith – vocals
Lamia – guitar
Nixe – bass
Abrahel – drums

Dogma online:  
http://www.officialdogma.com
http://www.facebook.com/theofficialdogma
http://www.instagram.com/officialdogma
http://www.twitter.com/dogmatheband

UK grime-metal quintet Hacktivist have announced their new co-vocalist JJ Olifent, who will make his live debut with the band tonight (30th June) at UK Tech-Fest. The ex-Borders frontman replaces Jot Maxi, who recently announced his departure from the band. 

JJ Olifent comments: 

"I'm absolutely stoked to announce today that I have joined as 1/2 of the pipes in Hacktivist! I wasn't ready to drop the mic when my old band Borders ended, so when I caught on that H needed a new frontman I got on Insta and hit up Jay straight away. He had seen me do his feature part on a tour with Dropout Kings and felt I matched the band's energy. We met up for a couple beers and started to plan our world takeover.

"I knew this was the perfect fit. The boys have been so welcoming and quite frankly I'm honoured to be a part of the H team. 

"I'm gonna bring my chaotic yet positive energy to the live shows and hope to add more heavy elements to the music with my screams and aggressive rap style.

"We've been working together behind the scenes for a few months now on some new material and I'm gassed to show the world more of the new sound! Thank you to all the fans for the support, the response so far has been insane."

Read Jot Maxi's statement regarding his departure from Hacktivist here: ​https://www.instagram.com/p/CuAFPHdsCiT/?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Hacktivist released their latest album, Hyperdialect, in June 2021 via UNFD, described as their "most tightly wound and venomously intoxicating work to date" by Kerrang!, whilst Rock Sound named it "vicious and vital" and Metal Hammer declared the title track "bursts with urgency and flexes the band's genre-fluid muscle." Hacktivist's singles were also championed by BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders and Daniel P. Carter, Kerrang! Radio and more. 

Stream/purchase Hyperdialect here: https://unfd.lnk.to/hyperdialect 

Stay tuned for more from Hacktivist soon. 

For more information: 
https://www.hacktivist.uk.com
https://www.facebook.com/Hacktivistband/
https://twitter.com/hacktivistuk
https://www.instagram.com/hacktivistuk

Photo Credit: Mind Art Visual

On the blazing heels of their highly-lauded 2021 debut album, Sermons Of The Sinner - which debuted within the Top 20 on charts in the United States, the UK, Germany, Sweden, Finland and more - KK’S PRIEST return to sin again with their savage new album, The Sinner Rides Again, to be released 29th September via their new label home of Napalm Records. 

Today, fans can experience an early taste of the album via the blistering first single 'One More Shot At Glory'. The track evokes a high-stakes battle with heroic chants and double bass, setting the stage for a spine-tingling guitar solo, and is accompanied by an intense, high quality music video.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/Sypj3SPBKKU

Pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/KKsPriest-TheSinnerRidesAgain/napalmrecords

With The Sinner Rides Again, the powerhouse heavy metal amalgamation of iconic Judas Priest alum and GRAMMY Award winning/nominated musicians K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim “Ripper” Owens (vocals), along with A.J. Mills (guitar), Tony Newton (bass) and Sean Elg (drums), double down on the ripping melodic force of their debut - which Metal Hammer UK dubbed “hugely enjoyable” and Metal Injection cited as boasting “catchy hooks and plenty of guitar wizardry”. The Sinner Rides Again wields nine tracks of pure hellfire, produced and written by Downing and mixed/mastered by Jacob Hansen.

K.K. Downing says about The Sinner Rides Again:
"To continue the legacy of the traditional rock and metal that I have been so fortunate to be a part of for over 50 years, this latest album, The Sinner Rides Again, has been created to take the listener on a journey that is both real and fictional with its characters, although sometimes ambiguous. These songs allow the imaginations of all fans of this wonderful genre of music to escape reality and join with us to continue our heavy metal experience into the future."

Downing adds regarding the band's signing with Napalm Records:
"With a brand new record that needed placement with a great record label, we discussed the labels we liked, and Napalm Records was one of those companies. It's fair to say that Napalm is a leader in the heavy metal genre and has been for a long time now. They have a fantastic roster of both established and new bands and artists that are a force to be reckoned with. So it's a roster of some of the top and leading metal bands in the world today, and for the foreseeable future. I am pleased to say that we are excited about partnering with Napalm Records and we look forward to working together."
 
Sebastian Muench, Senior A&R, Napalm Records adds:
"K.K. Downing has created, with the sophomore album The Sinner Rides Again, an absolutely brilliant heavy metal masterpiece - one, I believe, that will stand the test of time and will be listened to by metal fans around the world for many, many years. K.K. Downing is a genius and Tim "Ripper" Owens' vocals are simply mesmerizing! Napalm Records is absolutely proud to help continue to build this legacy."

After stepping out of the Judas Priest spotlight, the return of K.K. Downing was uncertain. Nearly ten years after its onset, the genre-defining guitar icon returned from his hiatus with proof that he was nowhere ready to cease writing classic metal songs or to put away his famous Flying V guitars - taking part in acclaimed international comeback performances (including with his former Judas Priest bandmates when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in November 2022) that would act as harbingers of the formation of KK’S PRIEST.
 
Downing was recently quoted saying, “We've lost a lot of great people – Dio, Lemmy, for example – but this amazing and unique style of music must be preserved for as long as possible and I feel it within me to continue to play my role, as I always have, and to defend this metal genre, which we all know and love.” The Sinner Rides Again is a testament to this call for the classics while speeding full force into the future, delivered by some of heavy metal’s most essential performers.
 
The immense and intricate art for The Sinner Rides Again was created by talented artist Andy Pilkington.

A haunting introduction of dual guitars carries the listener into the thundering 'Sons Of The Sentinel', winding across a wasteland of burning riffs and a deftly dynamic guitar solo to kick off the record with relentless energy! The undeniably catchy anthem 'Strike Of The Viper' proves itself as one of the album’s most unforgettable tracks, before 'Reap The Whirlwind' crashes in with a classic heavy metal power thrust of soaring leads, hair-raising harmonics and earworm vocal hooks. First single 'One More Shot At Glory' raises its sword high, instantaneously calling for battle with its opening riff and beckoning verses. Heroic chants and unrelenting double bass set the stage for a galloping midsection as a spine-tingling guitar solo commands the song. Striding 'Hymn 66' commands with sultry, slow and low metallic punches and a bluesy gait, while massive title track 'The Sinner Rides Again' straddles balladic passages and sinister, head-bobbing choruses. Beginning with ominous bells, 'Keeper Of The Graves' rounds the final bend of the album with roaring cascades and a dynamic performance from Owens, before charging 'Pledge Your Souls' and rollercoaster closer epic 'Wash Away Your Sins' rise as the final embers of a certified burner - proving itself as a must-hear metal album of the year by the greatest to ever perform the genre!
 
KK’S PRIEST live one-offs:
July 6, 2023 – Wolverhampton, UK @ KK's Steel Mill
July 9, 2023 – Knislinge, SE @ Time to Rock Festival
August 9, 2023 – Villena, SP @ Leyendas Del Rock Festival
August 12, 2023 – Kortrijk, BE @ Alcatraz Festival
December 2, 2023 – Mexico City, MX @ Life After Death Horror Fest
March 2-7, 2024 – Monsters of Rock Cruise
 
KK’S PRIEST w/ Paul Di’Anno & Burning Witches across the UK in October:
October 7, 2023 – Birmingham @ O2 Institute
October 8, 2023 – Glasgow @ SWG3
October 10, 2023 – Nottingham @ Rock City
October 11, 2023 – Manchester @ O2 Ritz
October 12, 2023 – London @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
 
KK'S PRIEST is:
Tim "Ripper" Owens - Vocals
K.K. Downing - Guitar
A.J. Mills - Guitar
Tony Newton - Bass
Sean Elg - Drums
 
KK'S PRIEST online:
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
NAPALM RECORDS

The Sinner Rides Again track listing:

1. Sons Of The Sentinel
2. Strike Of The Viper
3. Reap The Whirlwind
4. One More Shot At Glory
5. Hymn 66
6. The Sinner Rides Again
7. Keeper Of The Graves
8. Pledge Your Souls
9. Wash Away Your Sins

The Sinner Rides Again will be available in the following formats:
-Digital Album
-1CD Digipak Edition          
-1LP Gatefold in Black
-Wooden Box Edition (incl. Digipak, Flag, Logo Wristband, Artprint, Patch) - Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 500
-1LP Gatefold in Marbled Orange and Black - Napalm International (excl. North America) Mail Order only, limited to 300
-1LP Gatefold in Transparent Orange - Napalm North American Mail Order only, limited to 300
-1LP Gatefold in Orange, Blue and Black Inkspot - Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 500
-Cassette Tape Edition in Red with White Print - Napalm Mail Order only, limited to 200

Italian melodic hardcore stalwarts Forecast have released their breathtaking new single 'Dniwer', along with a stunning music video directed by Lewis Cater (Architects, All Time Low, Sum 41). Following recent comeback single 'Pollador', the track will feature on Forecast's upcoming concept EP Utopia, due to release this autumn.

Watch 'Dniwer': https://youtu.be/5nBe5cmoy5g

Stream Dniwer: https://go.forecastofficial.com/dniwer-links

Having faced numerous setbacks since moving to the UK from Italy in 2017, the band are finally in a position to build upon the promising underground success that saw them share the stage with the likes of Malevolence and Oceans Ate Alaska, as well as gathering hundreds of thousands of streams and views across streaming platforms with their single 'Vacant', all as a fully independent band.

On 'Dniwer', the band comment: "The song is a call from the past that says “You were doing fine, don’t give up now". The narrator finds himself talking to ghosts and looking back at the journey the band has been on, to realise that he had everything right then.

"The song swings us back and forth through times when possibilities were infinite and pain wasn’t a burden at all, leaving the listener with a feeling of nostalgia that’s always been carried out from the very beginning of the band."

Speaking of their hiatus, guitarist Romeo explains: "We played many shows in Italy finding great success in the underground scene. Yet, we felt that our audience was more international, and thought that moving to the UK would help us reach this audience. The band moved to London by the autumn of 2017, which proved difficult at the start. Working every day of the week just to pay rent, with little to no time for the band. Jimmy (vocals) opened a tattoo shop in which he found himself working tirelessly every day, and Luca (guitars) was forced to move away from London as he couldn't afford to live here.

"Arising Empire got in touch around that time, but in our reduced state, we didn't have the confidence to continue the conversation with them and close a deal. It was not official, but it was during that period that the hiatus started. We all had to find a way to survive and music wasn't a priority anymore."

On the band's new lease on life, he adds: "After the COVID lockdown, we started finding some stability in our lives. We were constantly receiving messages asking if we would ever come back with some new music. We all felt some degree of responsibility, that we needed to not make this project just disappear and be forgotten. So despite multiple roadblocks, including a motorbike accident involving Jimmy and I, and almost getting evicted from our London apartment due to noise complaints as we were recording the album's vocals from our bedroom studio, we have never been so excited to be in a band and feel truly grateful to be able to release new music."

 Forecast are a melodic hardcore band, blending hardcore sounds akin to Counterparts and It Prevails with melodic rock arrangements. Formed in Rome in 2013 and now based in London, the band released an EP in 2015 called Good Times Until They Become Good Memories, and later released the single 'Vacant' (2016) - the latter reaching over 400,000 views on YouTube. The band now have more than 500,000 streams on Spotify, and are coming back with a new concept EP titled Utopia, scheduled for Autumn 2023. Forecast have shared stages with the likes of Hawthorne Heights, Malevolence, Kublai Khan, Kingdom Of Giants, In Her Own Words, and Oceans Ate Alaska. 

UK and Italian tour dates to be announced soon. Follow Forecast online to stay up to date:

Instagram | Facebook

Forecast are:

Jimmy Flower - Vocals
Romeo Ciarla - Guitar
Luca Rosa - Guitar
Fabrizio Piana - Bass
Giacomo Giorgi - Drums

Photo Credit: Jodi Cunningham

Hyper-melodic, epic rock trio LostAlone are back with their brand new single 'The Final Call For Forever'. A prequel to previous single 'The Last Drop Of Forever', the new track marks the band's first new material since their fourth album The Warring Twenties (2022, Dharma Records). 

Check out the lyric video here: https://youtu.be/D3z0R4fIlsg

Listen to 'The Final Call For Forever' here: https://ffm.to/thefinalcall

Frontman Steven Battelle explains: 

"I was thinking about how George Lucas wrote the Star Wars prequels years after the original, with the baggage of decades of opinion and fan mythology feeding into his own narrative. 

"I decided I’d like to write a prequel to one of my own songs, 'The Last Drop Of Forever', but in the immediate aftermath of releasing it, so my source feelings were still raw and recent enough that I could flesh out the world a little more. 

"Musically the feel is a little different to the song I was prequel-ing. It's much heavier, which I put down to being land-based while I was writing it, compared to the previous song where I was sailing across the Atlantic. 

"I'm really excited to be able to give it its live debut at 2000trees Festival within a week of release."

Outside of LostAlone, Battelle has become a prolific songwriter for other artists, recently co-writing seven of the songs on McFly's new album Power To Play (#2 in Official Albums Chart Top 40). Following the successful collaboration, McFly have invited LostAlone to tour with them this winter.  

"After working so closely with the guys on Power To Play it feels fantastic to have both these worlds collide out on the road this winter," Battelle adds. 

LostAlone will also appear at 2000trees Festival next week, where they will perform on the main stage.

Dates are as follows:

Jul 07: Cheltenham 2000trees Festival 

(supporting McFly)

Oct 23: Bristol Academy [SOLD OUT]
Oct 24: Bristol Academy [SOLD OUT]
Oct 25: Norwich UEA [SOLD OUT]
Oct 27: London Alexandra Palace 
Oct 28: Bournemouth BIC 
Oct 29: Southampton Guildhall [SOLD OUT]
Oct 31: Birmingham Academy
Nov 01: Birmingham Academy 
Nov 02: Norwich UEA [SOLD OUT]
Nov 04: Edinburgh Usher Hall [SOLD OUT]
Nov 05: Newcastle City Hall 
Nov 06: Newcastle City Hall 
Nov 08: Glasgow Barrowland [SOLD OUT]
Nov 09: Aberdeen Music Hall [NEW DATE ADDED]
Nov 10:Bridlington The Spa [NEW DATE ADDED]
Nov 12: Cambridge Corn Exchange [NEW DATE ADDED]
Nov 13: Leeds Academy 
Nov 15: Manchester Victoria Warehouse 
Nov 16: Manchester Victoria Warehouse 
Nov 18: Dublin 3 Arena [NEW DATE ADDED]
Nov 21: Nottingham Rock City [SOLD OUT]
Nov 22: Nottingham Rock City [SOLD OUT]

LostAlone surprised fans with their return last year, eight years since they originally split, swiftly followed by shows with My Chemical Romance and a sold-out hometown headline show. The trio concluded 2022 with a full UK headline tour, following the release of their long-awaited album The Warring Twenties.

The Warring Twenties was LostAlone's first full-length since 2014's Shapes of Screams. The album was written and produced by frontman Steven Battelle, with a variety of friends called upon to mix the songs: Greg Wells (The Greatest Showman, Deftones, Twenty One Pilots), Rou Reynolds (Enter Shikari), Adam Noble (Biffy Clyro, Placebo, Liam Gallagher) and Rich Collins.

Stream/purchase The Warring Twenties here: https://ffm.to/thewarringtwenties

For more information:
https://lostalone.com/
https://www.facebook.com/lostaloneofficial/
https://twitter.com/lostalone/
https://www.instagram.com/lostaloneofficial/

Italian extreme metal newcomers Aasar have shared their new single 'Wasteland', taken from their From Nothing To Nowhere EP out today via Seek & Strike. 

Watch 'Wasteland' here: https://youtu.be/ZA1rDfxDwMo

Stream / purchase here: https://linktr.ee/Aasar.band

Aasar breathe new life into the extreme metal genre with their unique songwriting approach and cinematic music videos, making a truly immersive experience. 

Aasar states: "To conclude the video trilogy, we chose the new track, ‘Wasteland'. Unlike the previous songs, the choice wasn’t based on the fact that the lyrics are connected, but because the video is about afterlife and we wanted to portray it as a desolate land. All the uncertainty we have inside not truly knowing what is our main purpose and all the existential questions can be answered by the protagonist only if he completes his mission. It definitely has a more black/extreme metal attitude and just fits perfectly with the rest of the EP."

On the EP, they continue: "From Nothing To Nowhere gravitates around themes such as spirituality, symbolism, pagan mythology and nature hidden behind apocalyptic and sci-fi metaphors. The lyrics form a narrative cycle that, spacing on these themes, puts the human being as the main character. He has to go through the act of being before, during and after life; re-live his internal pain and personal mistakes, which will drag him into eternal damnation. Some of our concepts and symbolisms come from the Egyptian and Norse mythology, because of their bond with spirituality and the cosmos.”

Watch the video to previous single 'Court of the Unknown' here: https://youtu.be/S6Zs8oJGN84

Aasar online:
www.facebook.com/AASAR.officialband

Photo Credit: Jonathan Vahid

Acclaimed metallic hardcore/grindcore group Escuela Grind have announced their debut UK/EU headline run this September.

UK dates are as follows:

Sep 09: London 229 The Venue
Sep 10: Manchester Fall In The Brawl Fest
Sep 11: Newcastle The Head of Steam
Sep 12: Birmingham The Devil's Dog

Escuela Grind comment: "To be able to return to Europe for a headliner tour, and to tour Europe twice in one year is an amazing achievement for us. We had such a blast opening for Napalm Death in February, and we met many new fans, so we’re extra excited to return and play a more extensive and personal set."

The tour follows the release of Escuela Grind's barnstorming new album Memory Theater, released September 2022 via the band's new label home of MNRK Heavy, and then Escuela Grind's subsequent EU/UK tour supporting grind legends Napalm Death.

Watch the video for latest single 'Forced Collective Introspection' here: https://youtu.be/9bNU938oYtw

Order Memory Theater now here: https://mnrkheavy.uk/collections/escuela-grind

Produced by Converge guitarist/ God City producer Kurt Ballou, Escuela Grind's Memory Theater features nine tracks of sharp, scorching underground music that rage and rip in equal measure. Escuela Grind excel at stitching together a new metallic hardcore monster, borne from the rotten corpses of grind and power violence and littered with gleefully unhinged blasts of percussive bombast and chaos.

The music might be terrifying, but the overwhelming spirit behind Escuela Grind is a message of empowerment. As it destroys musical boundaries, the quartet attack the idea of “gatekeeping” with equal ferocity. Any time Katerina Economou (vocals), Jesse Fuentes (drums), Kris Morash (guitar), and Tom Sifuentes (bass, touring) convene, an aural apocalypse will ensue. 

Memory Theater, Escuela Grind's sophomore album, is seven minutes shorter than Slayer’s Reign in Blood, but with a few songs running past the three-minute mark, it’s downright epic by grindcore norms. Delivering on the promise of several split records, a handful of EPs (including GGRRIINNDDCCOORREE and PPOOWWEERRVVIIOOLLEENNCCEE, both released in 2020), and the full-length, Indoctrination, the nine songs on Memory Theater offer a near-psychedelic trip to the genre’s soul. The album title references a specific historical concept, constructing a “space” from one’s internal ideas, knowledge, and perception. An architect by trade, Economou explores philosophy, politics, and experiential experimentation, building a kind of structure amidst the band's musical cacophony.

For more information on Escuela Grind:
Facebook || Website || Twitter || Instagram || MNRK Heavy

Photo Credit: Oliver Lloyd Design

Napalm Records are proud to welcome DragonForce frontman Marc Hudson to its growing roster, who has just signed a worldwide contract with the premier rock and metal empire. Along with the signing and after 12 years with DragonForce, Marc Hudson presents his first solo album, entitled Starbound Stories, set for release on 25th August 2023. Starbound Stories is a sparkling, anime-inspired power metal ride, heavily influenced by both Japanese music and video game soundtracks, and featuring a horde of notable guests.

Today, Marc Hudson’s brand new single, 'Astralive' marks the start of an exciting new chapter and serves as a first taste of his upcoming solo debut, accompanied by an official music video. 'Astralive' lures with an undeniably catchy chorus whilst also featuring fast drum patterns, spellbinding guitarwork and keys, and skillful power metal vocals that reach for the skies.

Watch the video to 'Astralive' here: https://youtu.be/gWdwm2V6Lkw

Pre-order Starbound Stories here: https://napalmrecords.com/marc-hudson

Marc Hudson comments: “It is with great pride that I can finally announce my signing to Napalm Records. I'm very grateful for the label's belief in me as a solo artist and can't wait to have Napalm on my side to show Starbound Stories to the world!”

On the first single, Marc Hudson continues: “’Astralive’ is the first single from the album and takes the listener on a power metal journey through space and time. This song explores the cosmic mysteries of the universe and mankind's eternal search for wisdom beyond the stars.”

“Starbound Stories is a soaring rocket ride of sparkling anime-inspired power metal and I can't wait for everyone to hear it!” - Marc Hudson

Instrumental album opener 'As The Twilight Met The Sea' acts as an introduction to the soundscapes of the album and features samurai metal master Ryoji Shinomoto (Ryujin, previously known as Gyze) on traditional Japanese instruments. Shinomoto also lends his vocals on the following track, “'Freedom Heart', which also features a solo by guitar virtuoso Syu (Galneryus). Explosive power metal anthem 'Dracula X' features a guitar solo by Jacky Vincent (ex-Falling in Reverse, ex-Cry Venom) and guest vocals by Adrienne Cowan (Seven Spires). Beautifully emotional successor 'Stars' features classically trained violinist Mia Asano on electric violin. Energetic 'The Siren' is led by a tingling melody and ballad-like vocals. 'Swansong' starts off with a beautiful keyboard intro that could be pulled from a movie soundtrack. Sentimental vocals approach before the song progresses into a full-blown power metal ballad, with high screams and plenty of effects that further enhance the magical atmosphere while backing up the guitars and drums. Steve Terreberry, known on YouTube as Stevie T. (3.32M subscribers), performs a guitar solo on 'Call Of The Martyrs' and is joined by prog guitarist Galen Stapley (Azure). Stapley also provides a solo on the following title track, 'Starbound Stories'. 'One More Sight Of The Sun With You' is sung in Japanese, staying true to the main themes of the album and closing the entire offering on an uplifting note.

Marc Hudson’s debut solo album is an outstanding musical adventure balanced between power metal, video game soundtracks, Japanese music and even pop influences, showcasing virtuosity throughout all of its grand instrumentation.

Line-up:
Marc Hudson - Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals
Shaz D - Keyboards
Frédéric Leclercq - Guitars, Bass
Rich Smith - Drums

Marc Hudson online:
INSTAGRAM FACEBOOK TWITTER

Starbound Stories tracklisting

1.    As the Twilight met the Sea
2.    Freedom Heart
3.    Dracula X!
4.    Stars
5.    The Siren
6.    Astralive
7.    Swansong
8.    Call of the Martyrs
9.    Starbound Stories
10.    One More Sight of the Sun with You

Photo Credit: Estevam Romera

Brazilian death metal outfit Crypta have revealed another furious new single, the second glimpse of their new beast of an album Shades of Sorrow, released 4th August 2023 via Napalm Records.

Stream 'Trial of Traitors' here: https://youtu.be/MUYKDdwDidY

After smashing in with the relentless 'Lord of Ruins', the first single from Shades of Sorrow, 'Trial of Traitors' serves as another harbinger of the new record - breaking in with merciless, impressive guitar work and inciting an uncontrollable storm of pure rage that screams for more.

Crypta on 'Trial of Traitors': "We decided to have 'Trial of Traitors' as one of the singles because, although it's the fastest, most aggressive song on album, it still has a lot of our already characteristic melodic work here and there, so we thought this blend of these two extremes would be a good sneak-peek into what people can expect overall from the album!"

Pre-order Shades of Sorrow here: https://lnk.to/CRYPTA-ShadesOfSorrow/napalmrecords

Formed in 2019 by former Nervosa members Luana Dametto (drums) and Fernanda Lira (vocals), and now featuring guitarists Tainá Bergamaschi and Jessica di Falchi, Crypta broke the charts with their highly praised debut album, Echoes of the Soul, in 2021. The album received massive critical and fanbase acclaim for a debut release - including landing at #55 on the Official German Album Charts and debuting at #15 on both the US Hard Music Albums and Top New Artist Albums charts.

On Shades of Sorrow, the band stays true to their unique sound that was introduced on their first full-length, blending classic and modern death metal with significant extreme and black metal elements. 

Fernanda Lira (bass, vocals) on Shades of Sorrow: "Shades of Sorrow is a semi-concept album which describes a journey through the depths of our psyche when facing tough battles. It's a trip to the many shades of pain we sometimes have to face while enduring our lives’ challenges. The songs are the perfect gloomy, dark, emotional soundtrack for this journey."

As a raging monster on its own, Shades of Sorrow begins with the instrumental piano intro track 'The Aftermath', creating an ominous atmosphere before 'Dark Clouds' kicks straight off with feral growls to drop jaws, showcasing the full extent of the band’s striking interplay from the very first second. 'Poisonous Apathy' features electrifying guitar sounds and prominent hard-hitting bass, creeping into the listener’s brain. Ruthless 'The Outsider' unleashes a massive drum attack and another ferocity of coals, before it fades into a softer outro that melts seamlessly into the intro of 'Stronghold', one of the slower and more melodic tracks on the album. Outstanding death metal drumming on 'The Other Side of Anger' sets the scene for threatening vocals, evoking an uncontrollable storm. Dark and deep instrumental piano interlude 'The Limbo' acts as an intro to the impressive guitar work on 'Trial of Traitors'. Following the eerie, haunting 'Lullaby for the Forsaken' comes 'Agents of Chaos', showcasing the undeniable talent of the band with its many changes. Relentless death metal tracks 'Lift the Blindfold' and 'Lord of Ruins' offer the last dose of true Crypta sound, leaving the listener breathless before the beautiful instrumental outro 'The Closure' wraps the album up.

It is clear that the talented women of Crypta have created another impressive masterpiece with Shades of Sorrow, presenting the very best of their technical ability and songwriting skills on this 13-track onslaught. Shades of Sorrow was recorded at Family Mob Studio, mixed by Daniel Bergstrand at 33 Stockholm, Sweden and mastered by Jens Bogren at Fascination Street Studio.

Crypta are:

Fernanda Lira - Bass, Vocals
Jéssica di Falchi - Guitar
Tainá Bergamaschi - Guitar
Luana Dametto - Drums

Crypta online:
Website
Facebook
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Napalm Records

Tracklisting:

1    The Aftermath
2    Dark Clouds
3    Poisonous Apathy
4    The Outsider
5    Stronghold
6    The Other Side of Anger
7    The Limbo
8    Trial of Traitors
9    Lullaby for the Forsaken
10   Agents of Chaos
11   Lift the Blindfold
12   Lord of Ruins
13   The Closure