A roundup of the latest news from Nuclear Blast including updates on Forever Still, Kataklysm and Beast In Black.
The day has finally arrived: »Berserker« has been unleashed! International heavy metal group BEAST IN BLACK have released their highly anticipated debut album today through Nuclear Blast Records. To mark the occasion, the band with ex-BATTLE BEAST guitarist Anton Kabanen has launched another taster in the form of a brand new lyric video for ‘Born Again’. The video also includes a studio performance by vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos and was shot and edited by Stergios Kourou.
Helsinki-based five-piece BEAST IN BLACK was founded by Anton Kabanen soon after he had parted ways with BATTLE BEAST in 2015. By the end of 2015 the band had played their first gig, where they opened for NIGHTWISH.
»Berserker« was produced by Anton in his Sound Quest Studio. Its cover artwork marks the return of the collaboration between Anton and Roman Ismailov who was the original illustrator and graphic artist for BATTLE BEAST.
»Berserker« maintains the style of Anton’s previously composed works, which include the first three BATTLE BEAST albums. Influenced by 80’s metal bands such as JUDAS PRIEST, MANOWAR, W.A.S.P., BLACK SABBATH and ACCEPT, the record contains all the elements of a great heavy metal album. “It’s very straightforward, catchy, powerful and occasionally mixed with some symphonic influences,” Anton adds. Lyrically, Kabanen also continues his previous style: “Many songs such as the title track, ‘Beast In Black’, and ‘Zodd The Immortal’, are strongly influenced by the Japanese manga and anime »Berserk«.”
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Denmark’s female-fronted hard rockers FOREVER STILL are busy working on their second full-length release scheduled for 2018. However, to shorten the waiting time for the successor to »Tied Down« (which was recently nominated as ‘Best Debut’ at the Metal Hammer Awards), the young highfliers now launch the music video for the haunting acoustic version of ‘Scars’. The clip showcases lead singer Maja Shining alone on her piano and even includes some breathtaking a-capella-moments. Watch it here:
The song is available on the digipak version of »Tied Down«, which includes three additional tracks and one bonus DVD. Get your copy here:
http://nblast.de/FSTiedDown
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Montreal based extremists KATAKLYSM have spent the last 25 years cementing their legacy in the extreme metal genre. 2016 marked a whirlwind of excitement as the band added a Juno Award to their collection as well as landing their highest Billboard charting. Today, the band celebrates their partnership with Nuclear Blast with a new worldwide deal. They are one of a handful of bands that have the title of “Longest Standing Artist” on the Nuclear Blast roster.
Born in 1992 from the cold winds of Montreal, Québec, Canada comes one of the country’s top extreme musical exports to date: KATAKLYSM. With a career spanning 25 years, KATAKLYSM is a leading force in the most brutal & powerful genre in heavy metal and has conquered territories such as Europe, North & South America, Australia, and Asia while recently becoming the first Canadian metal band to ever play South Africa.
“It’s hard to believe so many years have passed”, comments KATAKLYSM frontman Maurizio Iacono. “It all feels like yesterday we released our first album, »Sorcery«. Today, we stand here as a humbled band with lots to be thankful for, one of those deserving of our gratitude is our label Nuclear Blast and the people who work there. They have always stood behind KATAKLYSM from the day they discovered us as teenagers, fast forward 25 years to their current staff who are just discovering us. We now re-sign with our home label for the 5th time and stand on top of our game together. There is no better way to celebrate this moment but by releasing a new album. We have secretly been preparing and working throughout the entire year – similar to the way we wrote our classics »In The Arms Of Devastation«, »Shadows & Dust« and »Serenity In Fire« – using the best technology available: a rehearsal room, garages and our basements. Just like we did when we first started, four guys with a passion for metal, instruments and no outside world to influence us – only now with way more experience. We believe we created one of our strongest and most honest album to date. You will be the judge in 2018 like it should be. Our words don’t matter but know this, we are coming out guns blazing in 2018!”
Nuclear Blast owner Markus Staiger adds: “Honored that my Canadian hyper-blasters have re-signed with us after 25 years and for the fifth time! It is overwhelming to have such a long and healthy relationship with a band that has remained in top form and is in its best shape ever! So let’s go for the next 25 years, thanks my friends!”
Nuclear Blast America‘s General Manager Gerardo Martinez comments, “I first met Maurizio and the boys back in 1995 when they were on their first North American tour with INCANTATION. I had heard the band on the »5 years of Nuclear Blast« compilation 25 years ago… little did I know that they were going to be one of the longest standing bands at the label. Here we are, it’s been 15 years working with them and proud to have the band still flying the death metal flag, here’s to at least 15 years more!”
Today, the band released an exclusive trailer announcing the upcoming album. Watch the trailer for »Meditations«
