EX DEO releases new single “The Philosopher King”, WOLFHEART release “Hail Of Steel” video, ETHER REALM release video for “Goodbye”, CRIMSON SHADOWS release “Betrayed By Thy King” track, HÄLLAS release lyric video for “Conundrum”, DIE KREATUR to release debut album “Panoptikum”.
Emerging from dusky woods, the untamed and forlorn nature of Finnish quartet WOLFHEART leads them to one of the most picturesque regions of their home country, Karelia.
Just as wildlife itself maintains harmony through a violent clash of the beautiful and unpredictable, Wolves of Karelia explores the previously coined genre of winter metal – smoothly connecting a traditional approach towards extreme genres (‘Reaper’) with atmospheric or acoustic details (‘the Hammer’, ‘Horizon on Fire’), crowned by the instrumental interlude, ‘Eye of the Storm’.
With the noted complexity of their fifth album, WOLFHEART master the art of sonic storytelling through eight multi-faceted stylistic eposes with a virtuosity of riffs, guitar solos, and abrupt tempo-changes. Above all, however, Wolves of Karelia attack with complex arrangements and melodically-grasped melancholy, creating a release as bewitching and intense as it is atmospherically resonant.
Three years after the release of their latest acclaimed full-length, The Immortal Wars, Roman Empire-inspired epic death metal band EX DEO are about to make their grand return – with a little extra boost from special guest Francesco Ferrini of Italian symphonic metallers FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE!
The collective have just released a brand new single, entitled “The Philosopher King”. Watch the lyric video HERE.
Francesco Ferrini provided the stunning orchestral score for the colossal track, which will tell the tale of one of Rome’s greatest emperors, Marcus Aurelius – an important historical figure that EX DEO mastermind Maurizio Iacono feels a deep connection with.
Iacono offers, “It’s been three years since the release of The Immortal Wars – an album that propelled EX DEO to a new level. This time, we didn’t want to wait another five years to release new material, so we decided to release a standalone new single called, “The Philosopher King” while we wait for the follow up album to The Immortal Wars. For this track, we asked our brother, the talented Francesco Ferrini, for his contribution on the orchestral score.
The song is based on the Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It’s a song that strikes a chord with me personally, exploring my life experiences and tribulations. I find myself very close to this man’s philosophical ideals – some I have struggled to understand, some I have adopted. He is the author of the famous book “Meditations” (now you know the influence behind the recent KATAKLYSM album). Stoicism is something I have been applying more and more to my life in recent years – self-control, discipline. Marcus Aurelius, while commanding the world’s largest army and the most advanced society in ancient times, was perceived as one of the most regarded and prosperous emperors not only economically, but also in military and social triumphs. This is an homage to one of Rome’s greatest, The Philosopher King!”
Francesco Ferrini adds, “When Maurizio suggested to join forces on a brand new EX DEO release, he had me bought in straight away! This song was incredibly inspiring to work on, being such a powerful combination of drama and epicness. I’m sure everyone will love it as much as we do.”
AETHER REALM have reached melodic death metal maestro status with Redneck Vikings From Hell!
North Carolina’s AETHER REALM have reached melodic death metal maestro status with their latest full-length offering and Napalm Records debut, Redneck Vikings From Hell!
Watch the video for Goodbye here
With this album, the band improves upon their already distinctive sound that, since day one, has had fans wondering if they’re hearing a band from the States or the mountains of Finland! Each of the 11 tracks on Redneck Vikings From Hell are entirely distinct, setting the stage by playing upon their southern roots with the banjo-laden epic folk metal-inspired title track “Redneck Vikings From Hell”.
Meanwhile, the arena-ready first single “Goodbye”and center-cuts like the thrashy, unwavering “Lean Into The Wind”, the powerful anthem “Hunger” and symphonic brutality banger “Slave to the Riff” provide a weightier sample of the unconventional stylings of AETHER REALM 3.0. Otherworldly closing track “Craft And The Creator” drives it all home, showcasing each individual band member’s infallible technical skills and featuring hair-raising leads that would make any guitar god blush. Furthermore, the album is strung together by colossal orchestral elements that lift the album to new heights previously unreached by the band.
Redneck Vikings From Hell not only cements AETHER REALM as a band to watch but will also have listeners questioning just what exactly they can’t do. Don’t be swayed by the title — Redneck Vikings From Hell is no joke.
Canadian melodic power/death metal quintet CRIMSON SHADOWS honor their influences while looking to the future on the powerful new EP, The Resurrection!
Watch the video for Betrayed By The King
Canadian melodic power/death metal quintet CRIMSON SHADOWS have returned with their powerful new EP, The Resurrection!
EP introductory track “Betrayed By Thy King”begins softly with intricate guitars emphasized by metallic accents before skyrocketing into a racing power metal-influenced extravaganza! Pleasing harmonic melodies surround a chorus that will have listeners singing along in no time. The band’s skill is evident as they attack their cover of “Blackfire” and pay homage to power metal greats DRAGONFORCE, leading up to prominent EP closer “Against The Wind”, originally performed by STRATOVARIUS.
The Resurrection marks the new age of CRIMSON SHADOWS!
Two years after the release of their highly esteemed album, Excerpts From A Future Past, Swedish Adventure Rock quintet HÄLLAS sprinkle some magic dust with Conundrum, the final installment of their mysterious trilogy.
Dark retro rock with a dash of mystery successfully invites its listeners for a cosmic ride through a parallel world. Somewhere between the open spaces of hidden soundscapes and straight-up 70’s rock riffs, the sonic maze of Conundrum draws you out of the everyday life. HÄLLAS evokes a bizarre world that reveals a magnificent reincarnation of progressive art rock, psychedelic and folk in its most authentic way.
The opening track “Ascension” beguiles with rising atmospheric synth spheres and leads its listener directly to the clutches of “Beyond Night And Day”. Strong 70’s rock vibes merging with psychedelic sounds simultaneously reflects the soundscape of the track and Conundrum itself. Heavy rock riffs enhanced with synthesizer melodies and carefully refined progressive licks define “Tear Of A Traitor”. Followed by the hymn “Carry On”, these overwhelming songs truly highlight the album.
Once you start listening, Conundrum floods your senses, ingests your mind and draws you deep into a psychedelic sonic adventure rock labyrinth which you cannot escape.
Carry On: A sonorous wave takes you on an electrifying ride with HÄLLAS’ second single, “Carry On”. The track is more than just a tiny puzzle piece of the upcoming album, Conundrum: The mystic story of the moon knight draws you into HÄLLAS’ adventure far away from reality and is accompanied by a guitar driven up-tempo melody, designed to stay in your head – forever. The straightforward 70’s rock attitude provides the perfect hypnotizing atmosphere and contains just the right dynamics for you to follow Tommy Alexandersson’s entrancing spells: “carry on, carry on”!
Tear Of A Traitor: The intoxicating music video of their first single “Tear of a Traitor” coalesce with sonic soundscapes that immediately enchants the listener into various levels of dreaming far off any imagination. Tommy Alexanderssons outrageous, slightly rough sounding voice directly draws you into the mystic atmosphere beyond the real world while the flowing Instrumental sound covers every inch of your outer and inner body with its mind-bending retro fantasy.
Pre order Conundrum here
The wait is finally over – DIE KREATUR, the beloved child of scene greats Dero Goi (OOMPH!) and Chris Harms (LORD OF THE LOST), has just released its first single, “Die Kreatur“ (English: “The Creature”), from the upcoming debut album Panoptikum, which will be released on May 22, 2020 via Napalm Records.
Panoptikum is another milestone in the musical career of both artists, as well as in the Neue Deutsche Härte / Gothic Rock scene. The multi-layered album wraps itself in a dark ominous atmosphere and will surprise and move the listener, as well as make them contemplate their life and the world itself. The breathtaking symbiosis of the musical identities of Dero Goi and Chris Harms is revealed in an explosion of dark, bewitching songs.
The Deluxe Box contains the exclusive Panoptikum 1920 CD, featuring recordings of all songs on the album in the style of the swinging Twenties, recorded only on an authentic piano, as well as two vocal microphones.
DIE KREATUR about Panoptikum: “Panoptikum comes up with a dark arc of suspense that takes the listener into the gloomy, winding alleys of the 1920s, where they meet freaks and creatures of all kinds. However, true evil awaits them not in the hideous creatures on display at Panoptikum, but behind the stuffy façade of the normal, respectable citizen that delights in their gruesome appearance. Panoptikum is the ruthless reflection of a decadent, self-indulgent and sated society. Will we be able to bear our own cruel face?” – Dero Goi & Chris Harms
Watch the video for “Die Kreatur”
