The Mighty One carry the torch for classic rock, Black Orchid Empire take a slow ride, Endseeker rise above the pack, Misfire get totally reflective, Siniestro endure a heavy downpour — and we’re all being deluged in your latest Weekend Roundup. Hoist your heavy metal umbrella for these cuts:
43 | The Mighty One | Torch Of Rock And Roll
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Canadian hard rock force The Mighty One just released their album Torch Of Rock And Roll, an unparalleled, uncompromisingly heavy disc about the victories and defeats, the gains and losses, the ups and downs in the life of a true rockin’ roller. Reflecting upon a life dedicated to heavy music, filled with awe-inspiring moments, with power trips and the heartfelt losses that such a commitment brings, it already hauls the load for a dramatic rock and metal opera. And since we all know that no such piece would get away without a relatable protagonist, Tim Steinruck reached out into his own past in order to put a youngster and his coming-of-age journey right where the protagonist of the album’s title track belongs: front and centre. The fan and dreamer that built upon his dreams — and boy, do dreams burn!”
44 | Black Orchid Empire | Motorcade
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “British band Black Orchid Empire have shared a live session video for their song Motorcade. It’s the third single from their new Live In The Studio EP, which is out today. The ferocious performances showcase the band’s huge sound and machine-like tightness as the three-piece thrive in their natural environment: The recording and rehearsal space that gave birth to so many of their monstrous riffs. Singer-guitarist Paul Visser says: “Playing live in front of an audience is always an incredible experience, but much of our music was created in a more personal and isolated place. Filming three of our favorite songs in the room in which so many of them were written, thrashed out, and recorded was an amazing experience which we can’t wait to share!”
45 | Endseeker | Mount Carcass
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Endseeker just released their new album Mount Carcass, along with a video for the the title track (directed by Michael Jari Davidson). Endseeker say: “We took all the frustration and despair over the cancelled shows and the whole misery Covid has brought upon us all and forged it into a bunch of straight forward, powerful songs that accompanied us through 2020 and will now be shared with the rest of the world. Mount Carcass is definitely our most focused — in a way, even the angriest — record so far.”
46 | Misfire | Skin Of Mirrors
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Members of Diamond Plate and Vitrial have teamed up to form Misfire — and announced their upcoming debut album Sympathy For The Ignorant. In 2004, at the age of 13 and 14, drummer James Nicademus and singer-guitarist Jay Johnson formed what ended up becoming the thrash band Diamond Plate. In 2007, Jay left and has since released multiple solo projects. Fast forward to 2018, when Nicademus, Tommy Denniger of End of Sanity and Sean Coogan of Vitrial formed Misfire. Shortly after Tommy decided to follow a different path, so James called the only man for the job: His old friend Jay. Sample their song Skin Of Mirrors now.”
https://youtu.be/FN3m2ikkMbY
47 | Siniestro | Black Acid Rain
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Siniestro have unveiled the single and video Black Acid Rain, off the band’s upcoming record Vortexx. The video was filmed in Gran Canaria, Spain, by Owe Lingvall. The Swedish-Chilean blackened thrashers are set to release Vortexx on May 14.”
48 | Trash Boat | Silence Is Golden
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Trash Boat have unveiled the bracing single Silence Is Golden. The ferocious track comes hot on heels of He’s So Good — but while the quintet’s previous offering tackled the specifics of some of the challenges of the LGBTQ+ experience, then Silence Is Golden takes aim at the cultural ills of corporate greed, classism and monopoly media.”
49 | Jupiter Hollow | Sawbreaker
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The prog duo known as Jupiter Hollow are here to create an artistic experience unlike anything else. Inspired by the art of storytelling and adventure, they intend on taking you through an in-depth journey through their discography and encourage listeners to join them for every step along the way. The band is currently hosting virtual concerts, and for those who have yet to tune in, they are sharing video for their track Sawbreaker from a recent live session.”
50 | Trucker Diablo | Slow Dance
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Trucker Diablo have released their single Slow Dance, from their forthcoming album Tail End of a Hurricane. It’s a song about undeniable attraction and the magnetic force of love and lust! The sun’s out, turn it up, share with friends, drink many beers, destroy. This album takes a few diversions on the main road Trucker Diablo normally drives on. But the one thing you do expect from Trucker is big riffs, big choruses and big performances, and this album doesn’t disappoint. Check out the short sharp punch of Slow Dance.”
51 | Angel Nation | Fly Away
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The female-fronted melodic metal band Angel Nation just released a video for their single Fly Away. Some time ago a long-term supporter approached singer Elina to ask if she would write a song to his son’s memory. She read the story behind it which turned out to be very moving and sad. However, when hearing more and looking more closely, it was the positivity and joy that shone through. Fly Away is dedicated to the memory of Leif Ole, someone who touched so many hearts, kept laughing, showing others how to enjoy the small things. Someone whose smile will never die in the hearts of those who got to know him.”
52 | Lacuna Coil | Bad Things
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Italian metal giants Lacuna Coil have just announced the release of their album Live From The Apocalypse, set for release on June 25. Unlike previous live efforts the Italians, under the yoke of the pandemic, devised a way for their devoted fan base to hear and see them on stage by organizing a special livestream event performing their latest album Black Anima in its entirety. To celebrate the impending release, Lacuna Coil shared the single Bad Things, previously available only in its original studio version as an online exclusive.”
53 | Illusions Of Grandeur | The Wolf
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Illusions of Grandeur are a theatrical hard rock and fantasy metal band in Lancaster, PA. The Siren Saga is a story of the journeys, perils, and triumphs of the Siren and her warriors. The story mixes facts and fiction, combining Greek and Norse mythology, Viking warriors, archangels and Kharon The Ferryman. Emerging from the edge of the river of Styx, the Siren and her men prepare to fight for this epic battle that surely awaits. In between two dimensions, alive but among the dead, they have crossed over. In The Dark Forest, the Wolf awaits … ”
54 | S.A.M. | Remedy
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Memphis quintet S.A.M. (Savage After Midnight) had a breakout year in 2019 as their debut EP 11:59 announced their presence to the world. Covid 19 had the band hitting “pause” in 2020, but they are back and continuing their former momentum with a new track Remedy, featuring Asking Alexandria’s Danny Warsnop on guest vocals. The band’s Shi Eubank says: “On Remedy, not only did we get to create with producer Andrew Baylis and Jayden Panesso of Sylar, but we were able to co-write with my buddy Jack Fowler of Sleeping with Sirens … What you’re hearing is that melting pot.”
55 | Bushido Code | The Ronin
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Emerging from the hard-hitting Pennsylvania underground metal and hardcore scene, Bushido Code have spawned into a premiere metal band, fusing old-school hardcore work ethics with their love and admiration for pioneering thrash metals acts such as Death, Obituary and Testament. Since their inception in 2017, Bushido Code have set their sights to dominate the metal scene at large. This quintet of scene veterans have adopted the ethics of The Code — loyalty, honesty and honor — and have weaved in their commitment in their upcoming release The Ronin. This third studio release for Bushido Code is nothing short than a year-long dedication to precisely capture the essence of their vision and artistic representation. These nine tracks tell story of a ronin, a lone samurai as he seeks the ultimate sacrifice, death, in honor and in loyalty to his master.”
56 | Darkfall | Tides Of War
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Darkfall and Mortal Strike will release a split EP on May 7. On Thrashing Death Squad, both bands offer two new songs each, flanked by a cover version of the other band and another cover of a metal classic. Darkfall just released a new lyric video for the opening track Tides Of War.”
57 | Pentral | Aiming For The Sun
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Pentral are back with the single Aiming For the Sun, from their forthcoming album, adding even more ferocity to their sound but retaining the groove and rhythms thathave made them ones to watch. Aiming For The Sun follows the story of a couple ousted from their rainforest home and battling against a tyrannical regime. Aiming For The Sun is a heavier song without leaving groove behind. It’s the second chapter of the couple’s saga, when the Amazon land-grabbers show their real face and what they are up to. Through its dark vibe and pulsating lines, this song tries to express a feeling of urgency, a claim for help, showcasing the agony of the people in the woods.”
58 | Skreackoedlan | Arise The Sun
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Skreackoedlan have released their new single Arise The Sun. It showcases the decade-old band’s unique take on massive riffing, use of dual vocals, and dynamic songwriting. With Arise The Sun, one of the most promising bands in the stoner-rock scene bring it back to their roots.”
59 | Bizarrekult | Ut I Skogen
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Oslo’s Bizarrekult are bridging the two identities — the philosophical depth of frozen Siberian steppe and the majestic beauty of Norwegian soil — on their debut album Vi Overlevde (We Survived). Bizarrekult formed back in 2006 as a response to the chaos of the surroundings and got attention with their first demo and a split CD release. Vi Overlevde speaks to the heart of every post-black metal fan looking for something different. The tracks are filled with great riffing and beautiful melodies, tightly connected to the lyrical themes of frustration, despair, sorrow, forgiveness and finally hope.”
60 | Dead Romantic | Yesterday
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Freshly formed U.K. band Dead Romantic have announced their debut album Voices, out June 25, and offered a taste with the single Yesterday. A hook-heavy blend of alt-rock and pop metal, Yesterday, says vocalist Dan Taylor, is “a song about refusing to be consumed by negativity or darkness from a toxic relationship. It’s a message to anyone who feels down or stuck in a dark place to break free from it and move forward, it says ‘I’m not going to allow you to make me feel like this, you’re not going to drag me down.’ ”
61 | Ghastly | Out Of The Psychic Blue
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Ghastly return anew from the limitless wellspring of incomprehensible obscurity and dark inspiration that is Finland — and they are armed with Mercurial Passages, their third album of mind-altering nightmare visions. As the album nears late May release, the ghoulish Out Of The Psychic Blue is now playing. All the elements that made Ghastly’s Death Velour a rarified jewel return in full splendor on Mercurial Passages: The memorably eerie slow burn buildups, the frantically vivid outbursts of speed, and dramatic trance inducing doom fragments that create a hypnotic psychedelia akin to being lost in infinite labyrinthine corridors perpetually folding in on themselves. An album to be consumed as a contemplative whole, Mercurial Passages burrows into the deep recesses of the psyche exposing the dark subconscious to the edges of madness.”
62 | She Said Destroy | Succession
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Norway’s She Said Destroy have always stretched stylistic boundaries, going through a few in their original incarnation from 2000-2012. On the band’s new single Succession, they try their hands at atmospheric black metal. This recreates some of the moods from the band’s 2012 EP Bleeding Fiction, but smashes the complex rhythms, time changes, and death-metal heft into roaring waves of drums, riffs and screams. According to vocalist Anders: “The upcoming album is composed of several song cycles written between 2007 and 2019, and Succession is a song that lyrically encapsulates the theme of the whole album: To question what will become of the world and what our successors will be left to struggle with after we are gone. To refrain from being to ourselves the world entire. To confront our own shortcomings and strive for betterness through love and humility. To find hope even when there seemingly is nothing left to believe in.”
63 | While She Sleeps | Systematic
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “While She Sleeps have released their fifth album Sleeps Society. The album includes the band’s new single Systematic, a crucial splicing of electronics, metal and melody. The track is a cutting observation of modern-day life, which simultaneously reacts to everything that’s wrong with the system, whilst also resolving not to let the negatives take control. Guitarist Sean Long states: “This song is a massive f**k you to anyone who ever doubted us and a wakeup call to never give up or let the negative energies win.”
64 | The Day Of The Beast | Disturbing Roars At Twilight
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “U.S. blackened death metal band The Day Of The Beast features members of Foretoken. They are set to release their fourth album Indisputably Carnviorous on June 18. Accompanying the album announcement, the band shared the new single Disturbing Roars At Twilight, alongside a visual.”
65 | The Ember, The Ash | Celestial Fracture (The Tempest)
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “The Ember, The Ash have unveiled Celestial Fracture (The Tempest), the fifth single from their upcoming album Fixation, out on May 14. Straddling the gulf between highly stylized modern metalcore and atmospheric black metal, The Ember, The Ash are the solo endeavour from a musical polymath known only as 鬼, whose other projects include Unreqvited. Alongside the single release, the band have shared a harrowing lyric video to complement the album’s ongoing visual aesthetic.”
66 | An Autumn for Crippled Children | Melancholia
THE EDITED PRESS RELEASE: “Dutch black metal-meets-shoegaze band An Autumn for Crippled Children have released Melancholia, the second single to be taken from from their upcoming album, As The Morning Dawns We Close Our Eyes, due out on May 21.”
