CRYPTIC CROWN - Weapons

Weapons is a very interesting death metal album, recently released by German band Cryptic Crown. A cruel and brutal work with influences from classic Death Metal bands like Bolt Thrower, Benediction, Morbid Angel but also Thrash Metal bands like Sodom, Kreator and Overkill and even Black Metal bands like Bathory, Emperor and Dissection.

The Album focuses on the evil and bad things the human soul is able to create. Title track "Weapons" describes the love of a man for his guns and how he is feeling mighty because he can kill anyone with his weapon that opposes him in any way. The track "Crystal Meth" is about someone who is basically rotting from the inside because of meth abuse but ignores that because the drug makes everything nice. In the Track "Nuclear Apocalypse" human kind is destroyed because of a nuclear war. 

Cryptic Crown is an independent death metal band from Velbert, Germany. Founded in 2012 by members of the disbanded Insidious and Unhold. Often compared to early Bolt Thrower, Cryptic Crown plays death metal with influences from thrash metal that show society it's ugly face in the mirror. Playing live since 2013, Cryptic Crown started to record their first Album "Weapons" in 2017. Due to being an independent band the process of recording and mixing took it's time until it was finally finished in 2019. On 18th October 2019 "Weapons" was finally released digitally world wide and Cryptic Crown is already in the process of writing new songs for a new album.

Cryptic Crown organizes the live concert event "Cryptic Nightmare" that takes place irregularly in the Underground club in Wuppertal, Germany. What first started as a simple birthday party for Cryptic Crowns guitar player Joschko, developed into a full live concert event for lesser and better known bands like "Backfired.Hate", "Pripjat" and "Phobiatic" around north western Germany. Traditionally Cryptic Crown plays as opener there so the band members can enjoy the other bands and party with the fans. 

Band Members:
Zimbo (Guitar)
Joschko (Guitar)
Joce (Drums)
Dennis (Vocals & Bass)


 
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/CrypticCrown/
https://soundcloud.com/crypticcrown
https://crypticcrown.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/crypticcrownofficial/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI3PXFKlWIOe1yN4n2wSdfA
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1TWpuGWeZwuo2F3fiHkm7c?si=AcOGFuqaTymkBXWHO2suNQ

THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS - BAR

French hard rockers THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS just released the new album Bar. A pure rock 'n' roll work, full of energy with songs that make you bang your head until the last second. Powerful and melodic, it constitutes a dose of invigorating energy and is easy to listen even for the ears not familiar with the powerful tones and the universe of hard rock.

Based in France, THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS delved into the rock 'n' roll scene quite a while ago, branded with red hot steel and electrified by guitar riffs.

It was only long after their teenage years that their leader decided to make his own album, with a few associates and whatever means available.

Seriously though, THE BEAUTIFUL LOSERS aren’t here to tell you the story of their lives, they are here to pay tribute to the virtues of rock n roll and for all the rock n roll warriors out on the roads, equipments crammed into their vehicles, to go out and play in all the most far back bars, where the last free places of social melting pots still exist, where sharing and contacts between people of different social backgrounds are still possible, far from all the cold soulless misery of social interactions in which our world has fallen into.

Rock n roll has this power of transmitting energy, to make us all stronger, irreverent, untamable, powerful, foul mouthed, foolish, in one word “FREE” !!

Band Members:

JACKY – Guitar
ARNAUD – Vocals
JACK – Bass 
BRUNO – Drums

Listen this awesome album here:


Links:
https://www.thebeautifullosers.org/
https://www.facebook.com/thebeautifullosersofficial/
https://twitter.com/LosersBeautiful
https://www.instagram.com/thebeautifullosers_off/
https://open.spotify.com/album/6MBH0KFYFat78jtelSin5y
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuujuS9pHwD_56BWwzW9Y_w?view_as=subscriber

THE JACK LINGER PROJECT - Covenant

Covenant is the new album from the british songwriter and producer Jack Linger. A great hard rock/heavy metal work influenced by Avenged Sevenfold, Shinedown and Marty Friedman.

The album features a variety of collaborations, heavy riffs, adrenaline pumping melodies and energetic tunes. With a mixture of instrumentals and tracks with vocals, calm and aggressive tracks, there is something for a wide range of listeners in this release.

The album was designed to have a prominent future like feel. The promo before the albums release featured subtle hints about the album (including release date and time) featured in an episodic video series.

Project Members:

Jack Linger - Writes/Produces everything.

Jason Rampling - Guest vocals on 'Light the Way'
Andy Guy - Guest vocals on'Censored'
Patty Kolasa - Guest vocals on 'Liar'
Samuel Grundelmann - Guest guitar/synth on 'Escape'
Oli Bell and JoshJenkins - Remix and Guest vocals on 'Remember Me Remix' 



Links:
https://www.instagram.com/thejacklingerproject/?hl=en
https://www.facebook.com/thejacklingerproject/?ref=page_internal
https://open.spotify.com/artist/07n7z1SEZzDEWWbOyHt9aO?si=q9iV3PjLTIqc03Q99h976g
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEPunKseMiNj9w88s9Ak9Dg?view_as=subscriber

She Bites - Joyride

SHE BITES came into being in 2019. A great blend of hook-driven AOR with lots of roaring and rocking guitars.

Berlin-based singer and actress Melanie Stahlkopf, who has already performed all over Europe with several projects, and Lars König (g, LIONCAGE, ex SKYLINE) who also took over all the studio work, decided to start something new to explore new grounds.
 
Joining König and Stahlkopf in SHE BITES are Carsten Kohl (d, THREE WISHES) and Arvid Lucas (b, LIONCAGE).

Within only nine month, the album “Joyride“ was completed. A video for their first single  - also called “Joyride“ - has been shot and released on May 29^th, 2020.
The blistering song “Rock This Night“ features Olaf Senkbeil (v, DREAMTIDE, he worked with BLIND GUARDIAN and many others) as guest. Melanie and Olaf are a perfect match.

SHE BITES is a perfect combination: Amazing harmony vocals, big drums and strong guitars with huge hook lines all over the place accompanied by a contemporary production.
„Joyride“ offers the best of the 80’s in an exciting way, a fairy wheel ride on a summer’s day. For fans of ROXETTE, ROBIN BECK, FIONA and STARSHIP.

Link:
www.facebook.com/officialSHEBITES

HATCHMA - Andy's Game

‘Andy’s Game’ is a solo effort by guitarist Andreas Chatzimanolis (aka Hatchma). Featuring Thomas Andreou on drums and Dimitris Bellos behind the mixing desk. Showcasing a variety of styles from Rock/Metal to Pop and Jazz. The project began around 2012 in the context of the cover band FAN’S who were gigging at local clubs around Athens Greece. One of the tracks is a cover ‘Ditch Queen’ by Frank Marino and another ‘E.C.P. Ye’ is in Greek meaning ‘you are the source’.

‘Andy’s Game’ is the culmination of a lifelong musical quest. Experimentation and attention to detail have been intensive, to create an all-inclusive sound. 

Here is what Hatchma has to say about each song on the album: 

“The Battle of Navarino” was the last naval battle to be fought with sailing ships. It was like a bar-room brawl with ships. It saved the greek revolution. The chorus was stolen from the book “Life on Board a Man-of-war”.
“Never Say Die” is an original, nothing to do with 007. It is a song about determination.
“Silver Lights” is a homage to the great city of London.
“Digital Wormhole” is about being ignorant and thinking you are knowledgable and the explosion of social media.
“Hard Night” is about loosing oneself in adverse circumstances.
“E.C.P. Ye” sounds all greek to you. It means “you are the source of power”. It is about people we depend on. Our rocks, few and far between.
“Ditch Queen” is a cover of the great Frank Marino song.
“Buried Lovers” is an epic about lost love. A “potpourri” of rebetiko, blues, classical, jazz sounds and more!
“Wolfchild” is a song about feeling like you don’t belong. Musically, like the rest of the album, there is a lot of experimentation in production and arrangement.

“The best thing about ‘Andy’ Game’ may be that this guitar teacher isn’t just hitting every note on the instrument … he’s happy to showcase just what a guitar can do. He builds these songs from the ground up … I admire his restraint as much as his talent.” -Apocalypse Later

You can listen to the amazing new album of Hatchma here:



Links: 
https://hatchma.com/ 
https://www.facebook.com/Hatchma-110578722344128/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ7gdf5cJGbHRtShkvgER7Q?view_as=subscriber https://open.spotify.com/artist/54eQ7VQBYilXVv9smYMRDD?si=aWiIHJZLROKMIc0-SDS0UA

BOB VARO - Your Last Breath

Bob Varo is an independent music producer, record mixer and musician.
 
He trained at the Abbey Road Institute of Amsterdam where he got advanced training in music production and sound engineering. He gained experience at DAFT Studios and many other recording studios around the world with artists across all genres.
 
Bob has worked with artists such as Hellyeah, Sigala, Jason Hook (Five Finger Death Punch) and Madeline Rosene.

​He's been playing the acoustic and electric guitar for 15 years.

Genres such as rock, pop, hip hop and metal has been his main inspiration.

BOAF is his current progressive rock/metal project and he also has his 'Bob Varo' solo project.

​Bob is currently making records with and for artists every single day at his VARO Productions studio in Belgium. In addition, he's also focussing on writing his own music for which he collaborates with artists from all over the world. These tracks are being released under his 'Bob Varo' solo project.

Bob Varo and Violetta Collaco are pushing their musical boundaries in their new heavy rock song 'Your Last Breath.’ Inspired by society and current events, they brought together powerful music and vocals to inspire people to keep pushing forward and never give up in life.  

"‘Your Last Breath’  is about revenge, getting your strengths and confidence back after something or someone sucked all the life out of you" Violetta says. And she continues " I like writing songs that people can relate to, that they can listen to when they’re not feeling their best. I like writing songs that give people the boost they need to face whatever life is throwing at them. Slaying your demons can be very therapeutic, so I hope this song will help some people get rid of what’s been holding them back.”

'Your Last Breath ' is one of the best songs I've heard lately and you can listen it here:


Links:
https://www.bobvaro.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bobvaro/
https://twitter.com/varoproductions
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0AKfdTE4ETTcuJjQtKYr8V
https://soundcloud.com/bobvaro
https://bobvaro.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/bobvaro/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGs88B8mXAlb_EyiYf2F4-A

HIGH HEAVENS - Springtime Don’t Call (Album)

HIGH HEAVENS started in 2017 as a collaboration between veteran Austin, TX musicians formerly of I Love You But I’ve Chosen Darkness, Glorium, Ignorance Park, Edsel and New Wet Kojak. They released their debut single “Vermouth on Ice” b/w “Don’t You Feel the Dying” in Sept. 2019 and continued to record with esteemed producer Stuart Sikes (Modest Mouse, Loretta Lynn/Jack White, Cat Power, A Giant Dog, etc.) on their debut album. 

“Springtime Don’t Call” is a full-spectrum collection of airy and layered songs, each with their own personality by singer and lyricist John Matthew Walker. A moody, uplifting, and melodic collection of songs that vary from psychedelic to pop to southern gothic to post-punk. Highlights include “Streets”, a wistful pastoral pop song; the moody “Bugle Serenade 1975”, with its krautrock middle; the broken relationship funk of “The Frightener”; and the downbeat, ghostly atmosphere of “Into the Daylight.” It's an album that does not lose its value over time and becomes more and more interesting every time you listen to it. Main influences from 60s girl groups, krautrock to The Stranglers, The Stone Roses and Screaming Jay Hawkins. 

High Heavens are an album band with lots of variety in the songs with some classic production, textured guitars, synths and background vocals. It's really a great listen! 

TRACK LIST
01 BCN
02 Vermouth on Ice
03 Into the Daylight
04 Springtime Don’t Call (Pts. I & II)
05 Skeleton Lips
06 Don’t You Feel the Dying
07 Bugle Serenade 1975
08 The Frightener
09 Streets

Band Members:
Jeremy Erwin (keyboards)
Nick Pellicciotto (drums, percussion)
Ernest Salaz (guitars, backing vocals)
Jonathan Skaggs (bass guitar, backing vocals
John Matthew Walker (lead and backing vocals)


Links:
https://www.facebook.com/highheavensband
https://soundcloud.com/highheavensband
https://highheavens.bandcamp.com/
https://www.instagram.com/_high_heavens_/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDoSVIUxQ8RmHDKxff8pFkw
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2fZ8SVt3r8ZAIjJYn4txv0?si=HahxWoEsQBiBWZ5IsyP1yQ 

SIDE PROJECT - Worst Of Me

When looking for new music to check out, look no further than Leicester, UK, the home of Pop Rock/Pop Punk band Side Project.

Side Project, a band that know exactly what they want and one that will commit to making that dream a reality.

After recently releasing the epic 'Worst of Me' they have re-entered the studio to continue work on their debut album 'Bittersweet'.

Formed in 2017, Side Project started as a bit of fun between a couple of best friends, who decided to start writing music together. Αs time went on, the desire to push this band to limits became more obvious and the idea of 'making it' became the main focus.

The band have a busy year ahead of them as they continue to plug away behind the scenes finishing up the album and incorporating the new songs into their already solid live show.

Recorded at Innersound Audio, 'Worst of Me' was the first song recorded for Side Project's upcoming debut album. 'Worst of Me' was written about the ups and downs of a failing relationship, a longing desire to move on but not having the strength to break the relationship off. This is something that a lot of people can relate to and is written from a personal place in vocalist Ben's past. The song has helped shaped the rest of the debut album and has already become a fan favourite at live shows.

Band Members:
Ben - Vocal
Phil - Guitar
Josh - Guitar
Matt - Bass
Tom - Drums 

'Worst of Me' is one of this year's best rock songs.
You can watch the official lyric video here: 

Links:
https://www.facebook.com/sideprojectLEI/
www.imstagram.com/sideprojectuk
https://sideprojectlei.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0wVr4v6GSKhePsCsn3Uyuj?si=LlejAchaS66rruxRdamlIg
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCiFXlApyMbBttbm77htQf_A