‘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:
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:
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)
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:
Estranger is an up and coming experimental Post-Hardcore / Math Rock band from UK, influenced by horror, mythology and other strangeness. They released their new EP 'An Ode To Fallen Heroes' on 17th May 2020. Their music is a blend of melody, harmonies and harsh sections, brought together with unusual and interesting song structures and delivered with storytelling style dual vocals. They are currently competing in the Metal To The Masses London competition and have reached the Q-Final stage (now postponed until 2021), and have received airplay on a number of internet and local radio stations, including Amazing Radio, Black On Track and Totalrock.com. Steven Theobald (Theo) started the band by writing and recording the first EP and used it to find other members via internet adverts. Pete Radcliffe and Emmanuel Buemi joined soon after they began practising regularly in London at various rehearsal rooms around the Camden area, and developing the songs further. Rick Hunter-Burns completed the lineup in 2019, bringing a new dimension of bass tones.
They all
share a passion for the bizarre, and regularly write and research
stories / articles / artwork / wordplay for inspiration for Estranger
songs. This is also reflected in the EP artwork which depicts a bizarre
Chimera.The band members are also enthusiastic amateur game designers,
and Pete has developed his own pub board game 'Surge' which they play prior to shows.
This EP was recorded at home in the band member's various living rooms due to C-19. All band members recorded their own parts and it was collated centrally, then Pete Radcliffe did the mixing and mastering at home to produce the final version. The EP title 'An Ode To Fallen Heroes' reflects the stories of the three songs on the E.P. They all feature central characters who unfortunately meet their demise at the end of their stories.Moleman - This song tells the story of William Lyttle a.k.a. 'The Moleman Of Hackney', who dug a series of tunnels under his house over 40 years. The lyrics are a reimagining of this bizarre tale, and bafflement of the neighbours, and features quotes attributed to those involved. Chin Pean - This song is based on a fictional sci-fi story written by band member Pete Radcliffe, and is about central character Chin Pean trying to escape a hostile alien invasion. Dwigt Rortugal - This song is based on a fictional story about an American baseball player making it big in Japan but eventually succumbing to the trappings of fame and fortune. This story was imagined by the band members after reading a humorous article about comical sounding western names generated in a Japanese baseball video game.
Band Members: Steven Theobald - Vocals / Guitar Pete Radcliffe - Vocals / Guitar Rick Hunter-Burns - Bass Emmanuel Buemi - Drums
You can listen to this fantastic EP, an excellent work of post-hardcore and math rock from Estranger here:
Captain Black Beard made their live debut in Stockholm, Sweden on the 31st October 2009 and released their self-titled album in May 2011. Hailed by the press all over the world, so much it was called one of the "albums of the year” by legendary journalist Geoff Barton of Classic Rock Magazine. After shows in America and the UK, most of 2013 was spent working on the second album "Before Plastic" which was released in May 2014. The band also made a return to the UK playing the Hard Rock Hell Festival and opening for Graham Bonnet (Rainbow, MSG). This album also got great reviews and featured a guest appearance by Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad). In February 2015, Captain Black Beard entered the studio with producer Chips Kiesbye (Hellacopters, Bonafide). They also toured Scandinavia as support act to Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Yngwie Malmsteen), Robin Beck and House Of Lords. “It's A Mouthful" was released in March 2016 and the tour started with a comeback to the Hard Rock Hell Festival as well as - again - supporting Joe Lynn Turner. By the end of the year the group amicably parted ways with singer Sakaria Björklund.
In 2017 a "new" Captain Black Beard entered the studio to record with producer Jona Tee (keyboardist in H.e.a.t) and in April 2018, "Struck By Lightning" was released to rave reviews. This line-up would however be short-lived and tour dates following the release featured the amazing Linnea Vikström (Therion) as temporary lead vocalist. In early 2019 the band brought in singer Martin Holsner for a co-headlining tour with Osukaru throughout Germany and started to work on a new album with producer Dave Dalone (guitarist in H.e.a.t) which led to the band completely reinventing themselves in time for their 10th anniversary. Following a bombastic start of 2020 supporting Geoff Tate on tour, Captain Black Beard are proud to bring out their “Sonic Forces” this coming April. The album was recorded at Yardstreet Studios in Stockholm, Sweden.
Band Members: Christian Ek – guitar, Martin Holsner – vocals, Robert Majd – bass, Vinnie Stromberg - drums
Oliver Hartmann, known as singer/ guitarist/ sideman of metal mega seller Avantasia, projects as Rock Meets Classic, ex-At Vance singer and as front man of the successful German Pink Floyd tribute Echoes, is considered with his band HARTMANN since their debut ’Out in the cold’ (2005) as one of the best modern German Rock-/ Hard Rock acts. Since then the band has released eight successful albums, has toured with well known acts as Toto, Uriah Heep, The Hooters, House of Lords and will celebrate their 15th anniversary this year! Due to their anniversary, HARTMANN will release a brand new album named ’15 Pearls And Gems’ in April 2020, again co-produced by Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Beyond The Black, Kamelot).This special release includes five new songs, five well chosen cover tracks and five live versions of HARTMANN songs that have been recorded on their concerts during the last years. ’15 Pearls & Gems’ contains the singles ’Walking on a thin line’ and the duet ’When the rain begins to fall’, a special cover version of the 80’s pop classic featuring Ina Morgan, member of Avantasia and one of Germany’s greatest female rock vocalists. The live recordings also include the outstanding duet ‘Brothers’ feat. Avantasia’s mastermind Tobias Sammet on vocals - originally recorded as studio version for the album ‘3’ (2009).
After touring in Europe with the latest release ’Hands on the wheel’ in 2018/2019 and Oliver’s just finished world tour with AVANTASIA his band HARTMANN will be on the road again this autumn to celebrate their 15th anniversary with this new special digi-pak release ’15 Pearls And Gems’!
Band Members: Oliver Hartmann (vocals, guitar), Mario Reck (guitar), Armin Donderer (bass), Markus Kullmann (drums)
HORRIBLE YOUTH was started in Norway by Agust Bent in 2018 when he had a bunch of songs and nowhere to put them. It was simple, just round up old buddies from the Icelandic rockscene right? Nah with the Atlantic between them things were difficult. The boys still managed to play some shows and secured a record deal. Agust moved back to Iceland in the summer of 2019 and their debut album was released in September the same year. They have done the rounds in all radiostations in Iceland that play rock as well as a few underground podcasts abroad. The band has played Icelandic Airwaves Festaval and was booked on a few festavils in the summer before everything got cancelled. Wounds Bleed album was recorded between Iceland and Norway in various studios where the internet was the only constant. Recorded by Magnus Leifur who runs Aldingardurinn Studios in Iceland. It's about the contrast of living the family life and doing the rock thing. Life gets in the way of the lifestyle but at the same time saves us from being absorbed by it. Also small things like war, suffering and conspiracy theories. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But the name does paint a picture. A picture they want us to keep in mind when we listen to the songs and hear those lyrics.
Band Members: Agust Bent: Vocals/Guitar Helgi Runar: Guitar Halfdan Arna: Bass Frosti Gringo: Drums The song "Blissful Tropes" is about getting older but still being tormented by teenage angst. Listen here:
Hailing from Tulsa Oklahoma, 3Mind Blight has carved out a stylistic niche that prevents him from being boxed into any of rap’s cliques. He sounds grizzled and moody when he raps, yet wildly rambunctious in the same breath. His ever-shifting aesthetic makes him one of the most invigorating prospects to come out of the genre in some time. Not that he really belongs to any one genre, as he blends rap, rock, metal and anything else that will generate powerful emotion in people. Everything from the energized vocal arrangements on his tracks to the bone-crushing instrumentals feel crafted with meticulous detail. Take one listen to his latest single release, “Breaking Down” and you’ll see.
To call it impacting is an understatement. The track is a multi-part, constantly-moving, collection of harsh emotions with a dark twist that works. 3Mind Blight wastes no time with subtleties, as he breaks the song up into a progressively darkening mood journey. He raps, he sings, he growls, as the fragility of boundaries becomes a prominent feature of “Breaking Down”.
A lot of artists will dabble in the conventions of other genres very sheepishly, and when they do, their lack of mastery at all of them, becomes easily apparent. But 3Mind Blight’s main strength is that he’s able to come off as amorphous as he builds his identity through the song – all at once, he’s a rapper, a rocker and a head-banger.
3Mind Blight’s sound drips with venomous energy. He raps and sings with a dexterous touch that breathes vibrant fire into even the quietest angles, packaging it within the mosh pit aesthetic. His wild brand of music will throw you for a loop on “Breaking Down”, as it relentlessly chugs from section to section.
Nothing sounds repeated or rehearsed — it sounds like he flows on the fly. The clandestine energy that grows from 3Mind Blight’s voice as the track moves ahead, seems to make it grow fiercer. It’s brash, unforgiving nature, making it kick-ass.
Out of the flock of new artists that have come out over the last couple of years, 3Mind Blight is the most unpredictable, and easily one of the most creative. He’s got a focused pen which is as raw and intense as he can be.
While the concept of confronting demons in music is not uncommon, 3Mind Blight’s performances alone makes his music compelling from start to finish. He uses his mesmerizing flows to poignantly articulate his frustrations. The beat transitions and dynamic instrumentation throughout the song make the instrumental as equally compelling as the verses.
“Breaking Down” is the perfect crescendo of aggression and energy, as 3Mind Blight’s growl immediately punches through the beat and evolves cohesively throughout the song. This is 3Mind Blight fully realizing the potential he showed on previously releases. It is an extremely satisfying culmination of artistic growth. I’m intrigued to see where 3Mind Blight goes from here.* *Review by Jamsphere Music Magazine
3Mind Blight is also the front man for the Alt Rock band DeadEyeChokeHold under the 3MIND BLIGHT MUSIC LABEL.
Listen to the amazing rap metal song "Breaking Down" by 3Mind Blight here:
