Narnia - From Darkness To Light (2019)

Narnia’s new album; From Darkness To Light is the band’s eight studio album, and a natural sequel to the previous, self-titled album, from the band’s return and 20th anniversary in 2016.
The spark that Narnia lit on last year’s live album We Still Believe - Made in Brazil, has followed the band into the studio, where this energy has been channeled and structured into a long parade of nine songs.
With the musical roots remaining deep in melodic metal, the band has both stretched on to a modern sound where the guitars still dominate, but also allows analogue 70/80’s analogue synthesizers to take place in the soundscape.
The lyrics are noticeably important to the band and in true Narnia spirit this heritage has been well managed and further refined.
Christian Liljegren sings with such passion that it is hard not to be touched by the vocals. This album is also produced by Narnia’s guitar virtuoso CJ Grimmark, who also has written most of both lyrics and music. It is mixed by the band’s sound engineer Viktor Stenquist, and mastered by Jens Bogren, Fascination Street Studios.

The band’s first tour in South America in 2017, made noticeable marks and you can hear this new reignition has come to stay. It is clearly hearable in Andreas ”Habo” Johansson’s energetic drumming, which is performed with both power and precision.
With a keyboardist as Martin Härenstam, the Narnia has the caliber of another solo virtuoso in the band. The synthesizers are there all the time and commute between complementing the sound image and making exciting excursions, a bit like a perfectly balanced dance in harmony with the guitar. The band’s latest addition, bassist Jonatan Samuelsson, has merged well into the band and has also contributed with background vocals, playing Taurus bass pedal, songwriting and graphic design of cover.
It is a united and wholehearted band that now is releasing a new studio album! From Darkness To Light will be released in connection with the coming tour in South America, together with Stryper and Tourniquet

 

Dreams in Fragments - Reflections Of A Nightmare (2019)

Featuring musicians from Majesty Of Silence, Rainforce, Proxima, the foursome known as DREAMS IN FRAGMENTS consists Seraina Schoepfer (lead vocals), Chris Geissmann (guitar, vocals), Jan Thomas (bass) and Franc Fritschi (drums) hailing from the small Swiss town of Wangen bei Olten somewhere between Basel, Berne and Zurich. The band’s musical stylings have been compared to popular acts such as Nightwish and Delain. However, DREAMS IN FRAGMENTS have no reason to present themselves as a cover band of any of the greats; Seraina’s voice, operatic yet light as a feather, combined with Chris’ growls sets the band apart in the same way the union of hard guitar riffs and dreamy orchestrations does. It is only fitting that their set list is built around the band’s own compositions such as ‘The Maze’ and ‘Nightchild’.

Lyric Video – ‘Nightchild’ – https://youtu.be/r-Gd-Juk_Tc

In June 2019, the band will hit the road for an Eastern European tour as a support act with fellow Swiss friends symphonic dark metal group FORGE for their “Heimdall Tour 2019” in Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

“Reflections of A Nightmare” is available for pre-order via Rockshots Records at http://bit.ly/DreamsInFragments_CD

Track Listing:
1. Everytime
2. Nightchild
3. The Maze
4. Incomplete
5. Prologue
6. Defy every Storm
7. Falling with a Crown
8. Little Red
9. In Flames
10. Unireverse

DREAMS IN FRAGMENTS is:
Seraina Schöpfer: Vocals
Christian Geissmann (Majesty of Silence, Proxima): Guitars, Growls, Orchestral Arrangements
Jan Thomas (Rainforce, ex-Pÿlon): Bass
Frank Fritschi: Drums

For more info:
Label website: www.rockshots.eu
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DreamsinFragments

LYKEN21 - Cyclical Insight (2019)

With the help of Dillinger Escape Plan’s Guitarist and Backroom Studios producer Kevin Antreassian (Mike Portnoy, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Russell Allen, The Number 12 Looks Like You), the material presented on Cyclical Insight by Lyken21 defines the term crossover, sending its listeners on a journey between the daylight and their dreams.

The aggressive tracks presented are as invigorating as they are forceful. There are songs such as Shadows with its punk vibe, to hard-edged, riff-filled songs like Sanctified and Doomsday Deception. Melodic thrash & NWOBM influenced songs include Assassin and American Zombiewhich makes the album comparable to some of the sensational virtuoso’s of former generations. More mainstream songs such as Ebb of Humanity, Lost In My Head and Good Can Be Goodsmash in the gaps with incredible rhythms and lyrical smarts, humor and depth. Lastly, Lyken21show their serious side in the song Revelation Reality, 9 minutes of thought provoking music with a contribution from bassist Mike LePond of Symphony X.

In this modern age, having a dynamic ‘heavy’ ethos does not limit a band’s movement into mainstream possibilities. In an industry where there is no guarantee of anything for the musicians, there is a full guarantee that Lyken21 will deliver. These are 10 songs of solid, hook-filled, memorable material spanning a spectrum of music that all people will have listened to and most will enjoy.

So buy it, turn it up and rock it out! Whether you’re 12 or 45, on Cyclical Insight you’ll find songs that will get your adrenaline pumping!

Cyclical Insight | Released June 18th, 2019 on Sliptrick Records

Track Listing:
01.Assassin | 02.Shadows | 03. Sanctified | 04. Good Can Be Good | 05. Revelation Reality | 06. Hell’s 4 Children | 07. Starlight | 08. Doomsday Deception (German) | 09. Lost In My Head | 10. American Zombie | 11. Ebb Of Humanity

Behind the instrumental constructions were contributions from members of Symphony X, Dillinger Escape Plan and White Zombie helping out their friends. Guitarist Oleg Lipovchenko, bassist Andres Nuiver, drummer Joe Billy III and vocalist/keyboardist Marton Miklos.

Recorded mixed and Mastered at Backroom Studios, Rockaway, NJ
Produced mixed and Mastered by Kevin Antreassian and MartonMiklos
Revelation Reality, Apocalypse Box & Hell Is For Children: Jonathon Maist & Marton Miklos

Lyken21 are:
Marton Miklos – Vocals/Keyboards | Oleg Lipovchenko – Guitars | Andres Nuiver – Bass | Joe Billy III – Drums

Glasya - Heaven's Demise (2019)

Glasya was founded by Hugo Esteves in 2016 with one main purpose, to create a musical project that would combine full orchestral arrangements with metal. He was already familiar with symphonic metal, but he wanted to do it in a more dramatic and cinematographic way. So later that year, Hugo invited Bruno Ramos, former drummer of My Deception, and they started writing together.
They needed to integrate the symphonic elements, so Hugo contacted Davon Van Dave, a Dutch-Portuguese keyboard player, who had been member of two well-known Portuguese bands, Urban Tales and Shadowsphere, that toured with bands like To/Die/For, Beseech, Rotting Christ and, with their albums being at the top of the metal charts in Portugal, and was the ideal person to reach out for.
With Davon Van Dave on board, the next step was to find the right voice. They heard about a Portuguese Nightwish tribute band, Nightdream, and after listening to their singer’s voice and seeing her performance they immediately invited her: Eduarda Soeiro, being a classical performer and trained singer, right away became the face and voice of Glasya.
The band line-up was finally complete when Bruno Prates (b) and Manuel Pinto (g), former members of Enchantya, both being talented musicians and experienced performers, came on board.
With all the members having different influences, from classic to progressive, they were creating a very stylish and distinctive sound which offers symphonic, ethnic, slow emotional songs and powerful metal riffs, of course.

In 2018 the band released the song "Heaven's Demise" to the world in advance and it made quite a buzz among the press, creating great expectations on their upcoming debut album.
Later that year, at The Pentagon Audio Manufacturers Studios, Glasya started to record the album with Fernando Matias, who is a member of Sinistro, and has worked with bands like Moonspell, Bizarra Locomotiva, Gwydion. The upcoming album “Heaven’s Demise” features four guests, the voices of Paulo Gonçalves (Rasgo), Flávio Lino (Deadlyforce and “The Voice” Portugal show contestant), Nélson Raposo (a film and series voice-over professional), and the beautiful violin of Inna Calori.
This year, Glasya releases their debut album through Pride & Joy Music and are scheduling their tour to play the main metal festivals.

Diviner - Realms of Time (2019)

DIVINER is a heavy/power metal band from Greece founded by long-time friends and music partners Yiannis Papanikolaou (vocals) and Thimios Krikos (guitar) in the summer of 2011. The two of them also formed the well known Greek heavy/power metallers InnerWish back in 1995 playing in their debut album “Waiting for the Dawn” (1998) but after this release they had a long break of different musical quests.

Their new vision was to proudly express themselves by creating and playing something powerful, intense, deep, heavy, dark, melodic and inspired that at the same time would sound up to date. All this without losing the elements that reflect the essence of pure and timeless magic of metal music.

They were joined in the band by George Maroulees (guitar), Herc Booze (bass) and Fragiskos Samoilis (drums) and a deal was inked with the Swedish label Ulterium Records.

The debut album “Fallen Empires” was released in November 2015 and received very good reviews and feedback from around the world. After the release of the album the band played many shows and big festivals in Greece and also in Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland, and became known for being a great and energetic live band gaining a strong following.

Thimios Krikos left the band in 2017 due to a heavy and conflicting schedule and was replaced by Kostas Fitos.

Diviner entered Devasoundz Studios in Athens with producer Fotis Benardo in summer 2018 to record their second album “Realms of Time”. This time they decided to expand their music horizons, exploring more territories, adding new elements in terms of lyrics, melodies, riffs and atmosphere, making their songwriting more interesting and better. The band worked really hard on coming up with the best compositions, arrangements and production as possible for the ten songs they set out to record.

The final result show improvements on every level since the band’s debut album and “Realms of Time” won’t leave fans of heavy and power metal disappointed. The album is heavy, melodic and epic and it’s full of energy, power and emotion. Follow Diviner into the Realms of Time!

Diviner line-up:
Yiannis Papanikolaou - Vocals
George Maroulees - Guitar
Kostas Fitos - Guitar
Herc Booze - Bass
Fragiskos Samoilis – Drums

Diviner discography:
2019: Realms of Time (Ulterium Records)
2015: Fallen Empires (Ulterium Records)

Engineered and mixed by Fotis Benardo (ex. Septic Flesh)
Produced by Fotis Benardo and Diviner
Mastered by Henrik Udd (Powerwolf, Hammerfall, Myrath)
Artwork by Jan Yrlund (Battle Beast, Apocalyptica,  Korpiklaani)

Label info
Ulterium Records

Ulterium Records contact
Web: www.ulterium-records.com
Email: info@ulterium-records.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ulteriumrecords

Distribution: Alive (Germany, Austria), Sound Pollution (Scandinavia), Amped (United States), ILS/Universal (Canada), Plastic Head (UK), Sonic Rendezvous (Netherlands), Socadisc (France), Audioglobe (Italy), Non Stop Music (Switzerland)

Diviner online
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/divinermetalband
Website: http://www.divinerband.com

DARK INTRANCE - Emerged From The Dark (2019)

With this first EP called Emerged From The Dark, Dark Intrance tries to synthesize Dark Rock and Gothic Metal. Most of the songs are powerful but also give way to melodies and pure musical technique. Particular vocals were chosen to reinforce the dark side of the soundscape and the brutality that transpires in the lyrics. Also, the production of the sound was made order to have guitars that sounds heavy, and powerful at the same time, and also a clear sound on the bass and drums without bringing too much distortion effect to keep the sound power of guitars.

The concept of the album summarizes the intolerance of religions in the world and the wars that ensue, but also the maleness of our society on a daily basis (love, corruption, etc). The song Emerged From The Dark deals with the problems we all face and how to get out, and “see the light” in a way. Rejected Sense is a love triangle song that ends tragically. Bleeds For Love talks about the impossible love between a mortal and a demon while the track Jeanne is a metaphor on the subject of the famous French Icon, Jeanne d’Arc, a poor girl manipulated and betrayed by both her religion and by politicians. Finally, My Ways is the most important track of the album. It is a hymn to peace in the world. The idea that transpires in this song is that it is important to stay calm, cool and not get excited in this fast-paced world in order to avoid generating wars and all sorts of conflicts, including political ones. To remain Zen in a certain way.

Dark Intrance are not a group that think like others and this first EP clearly demonstrates it.

Emerged From The Dark | Released May 28th, 2019 on Sliptrick Records

Track Listing:
01. Emerged From The Dark | 02. Rejected Sense | 03. Bleed For Love | 04. Jeanne | 05. My Ways

Note: The online MP3 version contains the bonus track of My Ways (radio edit).

Dark Intrance is:
Didier Strentz – Vocals/Guitar/Bass/Drums/Keyboard

SANDNESS - Untamed (2019)

Italian classic 80’s hair metal inspired band SANDNESS have released their new music video “Tyger Bite” in support of their third studio album “Untamed” due out on June 14, 2019 via Rockshots Records.
“Tyger Bite” can be viewed at the following link: https://youtu.be/DcEHhWDyA0w

The album features a completely renewed and modern sound of eleven new catchy and sleazy songs to add to the band’s catalog from their two previous releases on Sleazy Rider Records 2016’s “Higher & Higher” and 2013’s “Like An Addiction”.

Vocalist/guitarist Robby Luckets comments:
“‘Untamed’ is a very melodic hard and heavy album. The people who are acquainted with our sound and that are waiting for our comeback won’t be disappointed. At the same time, this album can also be appreciated by people who have never heard our music or specific genre. We tried to keep a sound with more variety and add catchier, more modern songs mixed with heavier and sleazier ones. We also think that this album shows how much we have grown as musicians and as a band, even though we are sure there’s plenty more to learn and to explore.”

And bassist Mark Denkley adds:
“If you compare this album to the previous one, one of the first things you notice is that Untamed is more straightforward, shorter and more lighthearted: the main thing we want is for people to have fun when they listen to it. Most of the lyrics are about partying and enjoying life in general. However, you will still find some songs with a deeper meaning. We have one against bullying, one about finding the strength to fight back when life gives you lemons, and one about keeping the good rock’n’roll spirit alive through the younger generations.” 

SANDNESS has also taken their twist on 80’s inspired hard and heavy metal across Europe with multiple tours and festivals in Latvia, France, Slovakia, Austria, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Belgium and the Netherlands along with sharing the stage with acts such as Tygers Of Pan Tang, Reckless Love, Hell In The Club, L.A. Guns, Adam Bomb and more.

Album pre-order via Rockshots Records at http://bit.ly/Untamed_CD.

Track Listing:
1. Life’s a Thrill
2. Tyger Bite
3. London
4. Never Givin’ Up
5. Easy
6. Pyro
7. Radio Show
8. Tell Me Tell Me
9. Only The Youth
10. The Deepest Side Of Me
11. Until It’s OverAlbum Length: 37:27

Band Line Up:
Mark Denkley – Bass guitar, lead and backing vocals
Metyou ToMeatyou – Drums and backing vocals
Robby Luckets – Guitars, lead and backing vocals 

 For more info:
Label Website: http://www.rockshots.eu
Website: http://www.sandnessofficial.com/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Sandnessband/
Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/user/SandnessSleaze
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/sandness_official/

CIRCLE OF WITCHES - Natural Born Sinners (2019)

Natural Born Sinners is the third full-length album in the Circle Of Witches’ career. This new chapter is focused upon the concept of riot, with figures of some rebels taken from religion, history, anthropology and literature like Lucifer, Spartacus, Anton Lavey, Giordano Bruno, the persecuted witches. This eleven track album marks a path of heavy metal and doom influences with a sound between Judas Priest, Grand Magus and Candlemass. The concept is also linked to the “Fire” element, the essence of changing matter, brilliant intellect, passion and energy.

The band chose Alpha Omega Studios, on Como Lake in Italy, to record the album with producion credits going to Alex Azzali (Ancient) and Nicholas Barker (Cradle Of Filth, Dimmu Borgir, Testament, etc).

The artwork was realized by the Greek graphic designer Nikos Markogiannakis (Rotting Christ, Anubis Gate, Die Sector, etc), the author of the bands previous artwork for the album Rock The Evil. He built a majestic figure, strong, tormented and dynamic although held down in the flames of Hell by barbed wire.

Track by track guide:
The opener Tongue Of Misery is a track that blows hard against religions and their words full of hypocrisy, against which human’s intellect and disbelief are the only weapons to react. The narrator prefers to be burnt rather than buried in a “sacred” soil.

The second track, The Black House, is dedicated to Anton LaVey’s Church of Satan and it develops it’s Nine Statements.

The following song is an homage to the Italian philosopher, free thinker and mage, Giordano Bruno, who was burnt alive by the Catholic Church in 1600. It’s a chapter full of doomish atmosphere.

The Oracle is the fourth track and deals with the figure of Lucifer under his Promethean significance. He awakened the intellect and the power of creation in mankind, against the will of god.

The following track First Born Sinner is a kind of summary for the album’s themes. It quotes all the other lyrics suggesting that behind all rebelliousness (Spartacus, witches, philosopher, the poor victim of Inquisition…) is a beginner being defined as Sinner …so again Lucifer.

The sixth track tells the story of Spartacus (Prophecy Of Riot), a slave who claimed freedom for himself and his companions against the Roman Empire.

Your Predator is a wicked man who struggles for freedom from his sexual mistress. She turned him into a beast, prone at her blood and violence thirst, until he is able to react and challenge the woman.

Deus Vult is a vocal Latin death sentence inspired by the Inquisition and Malleus Malleficarum documents. It introduces the next track Death To The Inquisitor, which is the story of someone persecuted and tortured under the suspicion of witchery. The protagonist is able to strike down the torturer, led by an unknown inner voice.

You Belong To Witches is a pagan hymn to witches culture, the wisdom coming from rituals of an ancient past and the fear of the common man of this knowledge.

The final song is Cult Of Baphomet, a mystic invocation to the great spirit of knowledge.

Natural Born Sinners | Released May 21st, 2019 on Sliptrick Records

Track Listing:
01. Tongue Of Misery | 02. The Black House | 03. Giordano Bruno | 04. The Oracle | 05. First Born Sinner | 06. Spartacus (Prophecy Of Riot) | 07. Your Predator | 08. Deus Vult | 09. Death To The Inquisitor | 10. You Belong To Witches | 11. Cult Of Baphomet

Circle Of Witches are:
Mario Bove – Vocals/Guitar | Joe Dardano – Guitar | Tony Farabella – Bass/Back Vocals | Joey Coppola – Drums

Blackwater Commotion - Strike One (2019)

Blackwater Commotion, the Finnish hard rock group formed in 2012, publishes its debut CD “Strike one” via Concorde Music Company on May 10th 2019. The album includes nine original songs from the group that draws inspiration from the 80’s metal and the rock’n roll grooves of the 70’s.


Tracks of the album range from metal (Make It Throught the Night) to hard rock (Sled of coming), all the way to moody ballads (I wish you know), thus offering the listener a roller coast ride of emotions. The lyrical themes revolve around the love, relationships as well as the trials and tribulations of rock’n roll lifestyle, while maintaining the twinkle in the eye.


The album was recorded by Atte Oja (Space Snail studios) and mixed and mastered by Hannu Hattunen (Sonic Factory studio).

https://www.facebook.com/BlackwaterCommotion/

Rob Moratti - Renaissance (2019)

Rob Moratti, the Solo Artist, the Voice of Final Frontier and the former Voice of Saga.
Rob Moratti is a genuine and true original. With an astonishing range, he's carved such a unique style blending the finest elements of melodic and progressive rock.

He started his career professionally in the early 90's as lead vocalist and songwriter of the band Moratti; entering the new millennium with Final Frontier. They immediately were well received making an impact on the airwaves of Japan and in Europe. Rob's future went forward with Final Frontier, soaring out four incredible melodic pieces.
Over the years in spite of all the changes in the music scene, Rob's perseverance and passion stood strong. His fate is so undeniable it captured the attention of multi-platinum selling and legendary progressive rock band SAGA. In 2008 the official announcement was made that Rob Moratti would become the new voice of Saga and at the age of 42 Rob's destiny would evolve.

Today his solo career has taken off quite well. Now in 2019, the singer is about to deliver his strongest solo record ever titled "Renaissance" which marks his first release with AOR Heaven. When it comes to songs, melodies, harmonies and range - as many know - Rob Moratti is in a league of his own.
The songs on "Renaissance" are astonishing as ever. Filled with his trademark harmonies and memorable chorus's that will capture the listener and engrave your soul. Working alongside with some the best songwriters and performers in the genre such as Torben Enevoldsen on guitars, Fredrik Bergh on keyboards, Stu Reid on drums and Tony Franklin on the Monster Bass.

Rob also has worked with many power house musicians that have been part of his solo career like Reb Beach of (Whitesnake/ Winger), Tony Franklin of (Blue Murder / Firm), Brian Doerner of (Saga) and Ian Crichton of (Saga).

Produced by Rob Moratti, Mixed by Rob Moratti and Torben Enevoldsen and Mastered by Rob Moratti.

robmoratti.net

Coronary - Demo (2019)

Formed in Tampere in 2017, Coronary was created when a pair of Finnish metal veterans, guitarist Aku "Herr Lederwurst" Kytölä and drummer Pate "Batvik" Vuorio, reconnected after bumping into each other at a local flea market. Upon realizing they both shared a similar vision of wanting to create a metal band that took its influences from the ’70s and ’80s, the two men set about to complete the CORONARY lineup, eventually securing lead singer Olli "The True Herman" Kärki, second guitarist Jukka "Doktor" Holm and bassist Jarkko "C-90" Aaltonen.

CORONARY emerged from a January 2018 studio session with three songs of classic metal glory, highlighting the gritty vocals of Kärki and guitar tandem of Kytölä and Holm, the latter capable of dropping in ACCEPT-like riff tactics to match their firebrand lead guitar work. The demo is already catching fire in the metal underground, with Metal Crypt stating CORONARY “refuse to reinvent the smoothly rollin' heavy metal wheel. No, on the contrary, they want it to be untouched, letting it roll freely, the way it's been rolling in the best way since the golden era of ’80s heavy fuckin' metal.”

99 CRIMES - 99 CRIMES (2019)

99 CRIMES is an original power rock trio band based out of Austin Texas featuring Paul Lidel of Dangerous Toys, Dirty Looks and Broken Teeth fame on lead vocals & guitars. Chris Jordan (M!SS CRAZY) is behind the drum kit and Jeff Lynn is on bass guitar and backup vocals. Jeff Lynn is also featured on lead vocals for the song "Avenue". Drawing from their varied experiences, they have forged a unique blend of audio styles and textures reminiscent of the early days of heavy rock. No glossy glam here, just adrenalized vocals, face melting guitar, and a rhythm section that registers on the richter scale!
 

LINE-UP:

Paul Lidel (Lead Vocals & Guitars) , Chris Jordan (Drums),

Jeff Lynn (Bass Guitar, Vocals)



TRACKLIST:

1 Devil In Your Dreams

2 Rumor

3 Comin' Down Like Rain

4 Fool

5 Move Like That

6 Crystal Ball

7 Avenue

8 Blood From A Stone

9 Do It Over

10 Nine Pound Hammer 11 Never Say Forever

www.facebook.com/99crimes
https://twitter.com/99_crimes