Thrash metal frontrunners Nervosa have announced their fierce fifth full-length, Jailbreak, out 29th September 29, 2023 via Napalm Records. The band have also unveiled their powerful new single 'Seed Of Death', along with a captivaing music video.

Watch the video to 'Seed Of Death' here: https://youtu.be/oP9nI9cNREU

Pre-order Jailbreak here: https://lnk.to/NERVOSA-Jailbreak/napalmrecords

This will be the first Nervosa album with guitarist and founding member Prika Amaral on vocal duties, and showcases the band’s mighty new lineup completed by the immensely talented and experienced Michaela Naydenova on drums, Hel Pyre on bass and Helena Kotina on guitar. 

Following the blistering standalone single 'Endless Ambition', new single 'Seed Of Death' serves up a second taste of what’s to come with the full-length. Starting off with a beautiful, epic intro, 'Seed Of Death' features philosophical lyrics that explore questions about the never-ending cycle of life, grabbing an omnipresent issue relevant to all of us. 

Prika Amaral comments on the new single and album: “I'm very happy with the result of this song and our new album.  I always wanted to have a song like this but it never happened for different reasons and now we can finally make it happen.  Also, we were able to take even more risks and do new things. With two guitars the doors open to a whole new world of possibilities, in fact Nervosa had two guitars in the beginning, but then we decided to go with one guitar for logistical reasons, since it would be easier to move with one less person for tours.  Now Nervosa has a much bigger structure that allowed this addition, and we are really enjoying this moment of the band. The process of writing this record was the most fun and brought the most musicality, enriching the band."

Guitarist Helena Kotina adds: “I think Jailbreak is Nervosa's most revolutionary record, both musically and lyrically.  It was a very challenging process but at the same time very constructive. We were able to take care of every detail until we obtained the best result”

Breaking through barriers like an unstoppable steamroller, full-speed thrash outfit Nervosa present their new studio album, entitled Jailbreak. With their previous record, Perpetual Chaos (2.8M plays on Spotify), Nervosa not only secured their first chart positions (#18 GER Official Album Charts, #6 US Hard Music Albums, #9 US Top New Artist Albums charts), but also performed at some of Europe’s biggest festivals, such as Copenhell, Resurrection, MetalDays, Summer Breeze, Wacken Open Air, and many more.

Nervosa spice up the intense track 'When The Truth Is A Lie' with none other than an impressive guest contribution from legendary Exodus guitarist Gary Holt, whilst Infected Rain vocalist Lena Scissorhands provides another strong guest feature by lending her voice on 'Superstition Failed'. 'Elements of Sin' features some of the album’s most insane guitar work and thundering vocals, before uncontrollable closing track 'Nail The Coffin' seals the 13-track album with a forceful thrash banger. 

In true Nervosa style, the album’s lyrical themes comment on our society in a direct, critical manner, with messages delivered through intensely fast-twitching, raw soundscapes. On Jailbreak, the band continue their powerful collaboration with Martin Furia, who produced the four-piece’s successful previous records. With this album, Nervosa graces fans with yet another thrash metal masterpiece.

Jailbreak will be available in the following formats:

1LP Vinyl PURPLE    
1LP Vinyl RED/WHITE MARBLED incl. slipmat (in gatefold) bundled with wristband & printed cotton bag
1MC TRANS RED, WHITE print        
CD Digipak + "Jailbreak" Shirt Bundle    
CD Digipak + "Seed Of Death" Shirt Bundle    
Digital Album

Nervosa are:
Prika Amaral – Vocals and guitars
Helena Kotina – Guitars
Hel Pyre – Bass
Michaela Naydenova – Drums

For more information:
Website || Facebook || Instagram || Twitter || Youtube || TikTok || Napalm Records 

Jailbreak Tracklist:

1          Endless Ambition      
2          Suffocare       
3          Ungrateful     
4          Seed Of Death
5          Jailbreak        
6          Sacrifice         
7          Behind The Wall        
8          Kill Or Die       
9          When The Truth Is A Lie (feat. Gary Holt)
10        Superstition Failed (feat. Lena Scissorhands)
11        Gates To The Fall       
12        Elements Of Sin         
13        Nail The Coffin

After a stellar run of shows earlier this year in the UK and Europe alongside Ne Obliviscaris, plus Australia seeing a sold-out tour with instrumental superstars Polyphia; the world’s most prominent bass-driven instrumental rock act The Omnific are coming back to Europe and the UK for the Phat Mackerel Tour.

The dates will see the Australians perform at legendary German festivals Reeperbahn and Euroblast, plus headline dates, in support of their new single 'Phat Mackerel' - out on August 17, 2023 via Wild Thing Records. 

Dates (with special guests Walkways, Future Static, Shell Beach):

Sep 17: HU, Budapest, A38*
Sep 18: AT, Vienna, B72*
Sep 19: CZ, Prague, Klubovna*
Sep 21: DE, Hamburg, Reeperbahn Festival, Bahnhof Pauli
Sep 22: DE, Hamburg, Reeperbahn Festival, Molotow +
Sep 25: DE, Munich, Backstage Club
Sep 27: DE, Frankfurt, Nachtleben
Oct 01: DE, Cologne, Euroblast Festival +
Oct 03: UK, Manchester, Canvas 2 +
Oct 04: UK, London, Camden Assembly +

* No Shell Beach
+ No Walkways / Shell Beach

Tickets from theomnific.com

The breathtaking progressive instrumental Melbourne trio, featuring two other-worldly intertwining bassists, Matt Fack and Toby Peterson-Stewart, backed by flamboyant drummer Jerome Lematua, create an extraordinary mosaic that dances between progressive rock, djent, funk, and synth-driven soundscapes. Overflowing with charisma, swagger, and an unrivalled showmanship, The Omnific have captivated audiences around the world, with their awe-inspiring technical prowess and an incredibly unique live show. The band have been hand-picked as special guests for internationally renowned acts such as Polyphia, Between The Buried And Me, Intervals, Ne Obliviscaris, Twelve Foot Ninja, Cog, and Galactic Empire.

The group’s 2021 monumental debut album Escapades (Wild Thing Records) achieved significant international acclaim with Metal Hammer proclaiming “a bright future for the instrumental outfit”, impressively landing #3 on the Australian AIR Independent Album Charts. Escapades also features Clay Gober of Polyphia as guest bassist on the single 'Antecedent', which received a colossal reception internationally - exceeding a combined one million plays on YouTube and Spotify. With the young virtuosic band clocking in over 12 million Spotify streams and four million YouTube views to date, The Omnific elevated their career to new heights with the release of Escapades.

Joining The Omnific are one of Australia’s most talked about breakthrough heavy acts, Future Static. The Melbourne quintet create an exhilarating synthesis of alternative, melodic, and progressive to shape a unique brand of emotional heavy music which is unlike any other. Led by electrifying Melbourne born, Barcelona raised frontwoman Amariah Cook, and backed by the band’s swagger and blazing rock fury, experiencing Future Static is an aural and visual explosion of seismic proportions. 

Following acclaimed singles 'Waves' (2021) and 'Venenosa' (2022), Alex Baker of Kerrang! Radio proclaimed “Big things are on the horizon for this band”. On the live front, the group have taken Australia by storm including festival performances at Knight & Day and Unify Forever, plus being hand-picked as special guests for Eurovision alumnus Voyager, Jinjer, and Alpha Wolf, just to name a few. Between debut international tour dates, and the release of their highly anticipated debut LP incoming, 2023 is shaping up to be nothing short of explosive for Future Static. 

Follow The Omnific:
Facebook | Instagram | Bandcamp | YouTube | Twitter | Spotify
 
Follow Wild Thing Records:
Web | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Spotify | YouTube

Photo Credit: Estevam Romera

Brazilian death metal outfit Crypta will release their mighty second album Shades of Sorrow this Friday, 4th August 2023, via Napalm Records.

Ahead of the landmark event, the band have revealed their beast of a new single, 'The Other Side of Anger'.

Stream 'The Other Side of Anger' here: https://youtu.be/WESOssx4e-k

After smashing in with the relentless 'Lord of Ruins', and then 'Trial of Traitors', the third single from the album showcases Crypta as a force to be reckoned with. Outstanding death metal drumming on 'The Other Side of Anger' sets the scene for threatening vocals, evoking an uncontrollable storm. With millions of video views and performances at the famous Wacken Open Air, among other premium festivals, the band will add another highlight when supporting Ghost at two shows later this year.

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
Instagram
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

Photo Credit: Stefan Heilemann

Heavy metal pirates Visions Of Atlantis next week embark Pirates Over The UK - their first UK headline tour - which includes a performance at Bloodstock Open Air festival. Following on from the Pirates Over Europe and Pirates Over North America headline runs, the band are touring in support of new album Pirates, out now via Napalm Records.

The band commented “UK always welcomed Visions of Atlantis with a warm embrace, but we never really had a chance to tour the country properly. Finally, after years, we’ll have the chance to set sails for a short England run and we are more than excited to be back. This journey will also mark our first appearance at Bloodstock Open Air - our first festival show in the UK. Get ready to board our ship as - this is a promise - you won’t be disappointed by the marvelous pirate adventures you’ll live with us!”

Hitting the German Top 20, Visions Of Atlantis returned strongly with their most recent acclaimed studio release, Pirates. The single 'Clocks' is a must listen for symphonic metal enthusiasts, with its catchy melodies and bouncy metal beats. 

Watch the video to 'Clocks' here: https://youtu.be/vgDBg6aiRNk

Vocalist Clémentine Delauney commented: "We love this song and we noticed that it quickly became one of our fans’ favourites as well. We could tell from the crowd’s response every time we started to play this song live last year! So here is a fun portrait of what enjoying life as a pirate can be about, remembering the clock is ticking… Let’s all make a golden play out of 2023!"

Tour dates:

Aug 08: Southampton, The 1865
Aug 09: Bristol, The Fleece
Aug 10: Bloodstock Open Air
Aug 11: Mexborough, Imperial Music Venue
Aug 12: London, The Underworld
Aug 13: Brighton, The Arch

Seraina Telli will open the headline dates.

Visions Of Atlantis are:
Clémentine Delauney - Vocals
Michele Guaitoli - Vocals
Dushi Duscha - Guitars
Herbert Glos - Bass
Thomas Caser - Drums

Visions Of Atlantis online:
NAPALM RECORDS
HOMEPAGE
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM
TWITTER

Taiwanese black metal band Laang 冷 have revealed their new album Riluo, to be released 24th November via Talheim Records.

Pre-order Riluo here: https://laang.bandcamp.com/album/riluo

The band comment: "Riluo is our most vulnerable and emotional album yet. Whether it be a soundtrack of understanding to those who have suffered or a message of raw truth to others, we hope Riluo will touch hearts and souls."

Laang 冷 ("cold") are born from an unearthly near-death experience, and the post-traumatic stress suffered by vocalist-guitarist Haitao Yang. The band's music exquisitely explores the pain, misery, and struggle of trauma and recovery - a unique and highly cathartic project.

Laang 冷's musical style combines aggressive and non-canonical black metal riffing with melancholic melodies, tortured vocals performed in Mandarin Chinese, dark orchestras, and traditional erhu & guzheng instrumentation. Haunting and captivating, Laang 冷 provide a highly-charged tormented soundscape - heard throughout the meditative Riluo ("sunset"), with eight new tracks ruminating on death and beyond. 

Although still a relatively new project, Laang 冷's list of achievements so far is impressive. Their debut album Haiyang 海洋 ("ocean") was released in 2019 on Talheim Records, and received the Kaohsiung City National Culture Award, followed by headlining tours through Taiwan and Hong Kong. In 2021 the band released their second album Xinteng 心疼 ("misery"), again on Talheim Records, followed by a headlining North American tour May 2022.

Laang 冷's music has also been featured in several movies and video games, including the Hollywood horror film Antidote (2021), directed by Peter Daskaloff, and the video game Dyslite and Silver Squad.

Laang 冷 are:
Haitao Yang – Vocals, guitar, erhu, synthesizers
Willy “Krieg” Tai – Bass

For more:

https://laang.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/LaangOfficial
https://www.instagram.com/laangblackmetal

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. 

Following on from their blistering first single 'One More Shot At Glory', today, KK’s Priest have unleashed another new track, 'Reap The Whirlwind', with a stunning music video. The electric opus is a classic heavy metal power thrust of soaring leads, hair-raising harmonics and earworm vocal hooks.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/v7Ir9BFZKqU

K.K. Downing commented on 'Reap The Whirlwind': “'If you sow the wind, you will reap the whirlwind’ - this is a common phrase that has been familiar with me from a very young age. Obviously it’s very meaningful - it’s a warning that if you mistreat people, or really whatever you do in life, you need to be very careful, because whatever sufferance you inflict on anyone, it could come back to haunt you, and your suffering could be even more severe. Everyone knowingly or unknowingly has made the mistake of thinking they can get away with small misdemeanors to suit their selfish pursuits, but if justice is to be served, you will reap exactly what you sow. That is the message of this song." 

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."

Pre-order the album here: https://lnk.to/KKsPriest-TheSinnerRidesAgain/napalmrecords
 
Watch the video to previous single 'One More Shot At Glory' here: https://youtu.be/Sypj3SPBKKU

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.
 
KK’S PRIEST live one-offs:
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

Press comments on 'One More Shot At Glory':

"The riffs fly at you at breakneck speed, the harmonized guitar solos are as sweet as they come, and those shreds will most certainly singe an eyebrow or two along the way." - Guitar World

“K.K. Downing at his very best!” - Götz Kühnemund, Deaf Forever

"...tapping into the fist-pumping energy of classic heavy metal like it’s 1983 all over again." - Metal Hammer UK

"...a hard-charging metal anthem..." - Heavy Consequence 

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!

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

Photo Credit: Tim Kramer

British heavyweights Heart Of A Coward have released their new single 'Devour me'. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album This place only brings death, due for release on 22nd September via Arising Empire.

Check out 'Devour me' here: https://youtu.be/qw4LAoVPsms

Pre-save / pre-order This place only brings death here: https://arisingempire.com/hoac

Vocalist Kaan Tasan comments: 

"'Devour me' is written about tearing into open wounds to try and find answers, but only ending up exactly where you were before. The familiar feeling of being torn apart, getting nowhere and then being discarded."

Heart Of A Coward recently announced an extensive UK/EU headline tour with support from TheCityIsOurs and Ghost Iris (EU only).

UK dates are as follows:

Oct 16: UK Southampton The Joiners
Oct 17: UK Bristol The Fleece
Oct 18: UK Birmingham The Devils Dog
Oct 19: UK Manchester Rebellion
Oct 20: UK London The Underworld

Tickets are on sale here: http://www.avocadobooking.com/avocms/artists/item/heart-of-a-coward

Catch the band at the following festivals:

Jul 29: UK Manchester, Radar Festival
Sep 8: UK Torquay, Burn It Down Festival
Sep 29 - Oct 1: DE, Cologne, Euroblast Festival

Heart Of A Coward released their debut album, Hope and Hindrance in 2012, which received critical acclaim and helped establish the band's sound and style. They have since released several other albums, including Severance (2013), Deliverance (2015), and The Disconnect (2019).

Heart Of A Coward's newest album takes a bold, accessible turn, drawing heavily from metalcore influences as opposed to their previous leanings towards the progressive. This switch creates an inviting atmosphere for listeners, bridging the gap between band and audience. The album ranges from mellifluous, soft tunes to visceral, hard-hitting tracks, each polished with striking details that add layers of depth and complexity.

At its core, This Place Only Brings Death contemplates the inevitable theme of all comes to an end, a sobering reality explored through their masterful music. This unique blend of accessibility and thematic intensity presents a fresh take on the band's signature style, marking a crucial milestone in their evolving musical journey.
 
Throughout their career, Heart Of A Coward have toured extensively, performing at various festivals and sharing stages with many popular metal bands. Their music has gained a significant following, particularly in the UK metal scene, and they continue to be a prominent force in the genre.

Watch the videos to recent singles taken from the upcoming album:
'Decay': https://youtu.be/NDGkYI2N9KE
 'This place only brings death': https://youtu.be/xCRCAwt8b8U

Heart Of A Coward are:
Kaan Tasan | vocals
Carl Ayers | guitar & vocals
Dan Thornton | guitar
Vishal "V" Khetia | bass
Christopher "Noddy" Mansbridge | drums

For more information:
www.facebook.com/heartofacowardofficial
www.twitter.com/hoac_official
www.instagram.com/heartofacowardofficial
www.heartofacoward.bigcartel.com/

Track list:

01. This place only brings death
02. Captor
03. Surrender to failure
04. Devour me
05. Decay
06. Ghost
07. Hex
08. Passenger
09. Dehumanise
10. All life is finite

Photo Credit: Oliver Lloyd Design

Marc Hudson (DragonForce) reveals his second solo single, 'The Siren', together with an official music video. Napalm Records will release his innovative first solo full-length, Starbound Stories, on 25th August 2023. Starbound Stories is an uplifting journey through Marc Hudson’s universe of power metal, anime, Japanese music and video game soundtrack influences, and features many great guest appearances.

Watch the video to 'The Siren' here: https://youtu.be/vzopKmkUBN8

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

Energetic 'The Siren' is led by a tingling, uplifting melody and ballad-like vocals. The anime influences that have heavily inspired Starbound Stories are clearly present in the soundscapes of this track, and the story-like lyrics enchant the listener. The accompanying official music video takes the magical atmosphere of the song to the next level.

Marc Hudson comments: “With soaring melodies, an electronic pulse and a chorus bursting to life with J-pop sensibilities, ‘The Siren’ serves as a love letter to the nightlife of Japan, lighting up the sky with endless colours and possibilities.”

“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.

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

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

Credit: Lance Williams and Weston Allen

Dorian Electra (they/them) - the ultimate pop futurist - has announced their hotly-anticipated new album Fanfare, due for release on 6th October. In light of the announcement, Dorian Electra has released a video for their new single 'anon', which was originally premiered on BBC 6 Music's New Music Fix Daily. 

Check out the video for 'anon' here: https://youtu.be/y0NI1SkQI5A

Stream/purchase 'anon' here: https://ffm.to/dorianelectraanon

Pre-order/pre-save Fanfare here: https://dorianelectra.komi.io/

Working alongside Clarence Clarity and Klaxon’s Jamie Reynolds, 'anon' is led by a fusion of guitar riffs and Dorian’s signature distorted vocals. The single sees Dorian Electra take on the absurdities of social media: the obsessive gossip, the rumour mill and anonymous message boards. 

Directed by Dorian Electra and their creative partner, Weston Allen, the music video showcases the extent to which stan culture, on any given day, can lead to anonymous profiles propping you up or dragging you down. The track follows on from recently released 'Sodom & Gomorrah' and 'Freak Mode', which saw Dorian Electra tease this new era as they began exploring the world of Fanfare.

The recently announced Fanfare is the pop provocateur’s third album and sees them explore parasocial relationships, from the claims we stake on figureheads' lives to taking in obsession, idolatry and pop culture as modern mythology. Throughout the record, Dorian blurs the lines between love and hate, fandom and control whilst also seeing them flip and rewrite narratives imposed by a heteronormative society. Working with a cast of creatives, including long-time collaborators Clarence Clarity and Weston Allen, alongside Casey MQ, Count Baldor and Klaxons’ Jamie Reynolds, Fanfare asks what we expect - or demand - from our public figures. Fanfare sees Dorian Electra once again display their unique abilities as a shapeshifting musician, visual artist, fashionista, joker, internet philosopher and more with eyes focused forward.

Those yet enlightened must revisit Electra’s first two albums - the world building 2019 album Flamboyant and 2020’s edgy, provocative My Agenda. Dorian’s music masterfully blends together an assortment of genres, including pop, metal, jazz, medieval, epic baroque, classical, EDM, and more. It’s why they’ve been able to collaborate with such a wide range of artists including Lady Gaga, Charli XCX, 100 gecs, The Village People, Pussy Riot, Rebecca Black, and more.

Electra spent most of 2022 busy at work on their forthcoming project, which sees them examining the socio-political effects of internet culture and the rise of the parasocial relationship. DAZED visited them in the studio early last year, read about that wild experience HERE. 

For more information: 
https://www.facebook.com/DORIANELECTRA
https://twitter.com/DORIANELECTRA
https://www.instagram.com/dorianelectra
https://www.tiktok.com/@dorianelectraofficial

Fanfare Artwork by Charlotte Rutherford

Tracklist: 

1. Symphony
2. Idolize
3. Freak Mode
4. Sodom & Gomorrah
5. Puppet
6. Manmade Horrors
7. Yes Man
8. anon
9. Phonies
10. Touch Grass
11. Lifetime
12. Warning Signs
13. Wanna Be a Star