Analyzing the evolutive process of an artist of a band tends to be a journey full of debacles and details that are indeed interesting. Taking into consideration the personal issues that every artist deals with while writing an album is a very impactful and important aspect of how the final product comes out and one thing is for certain, COVID-19 and all that we lived through 2020 will be a heavy influence in all the albums that we listen to this year. Soen’s Imperial (Silver Lining Music) is no exception. An album as captivating as their last effort Lotus (Silver Lining Music), the Swedish band is expanding what could already be considered their signature sound: strong, beautiful, and catchy ballads that mix heavy sections here and there. Maybe, as mentioned, it is because of all the different situations that everyone went through last year that made the band go through a route that is perceived as sentimental but, more than anything, it feels real.
Tag Archives: Opeth
Opeth Frontman Mikaël Åkerfeldt Pays Tribute to Lee Kerslake
Opeth frontman Mikaël Åkerfeldt, paid tribute to legendary Heavy Metal drummer Lee Kerslake, who died this past weekend at age 73. In a post on social media, Akerfelt talked lovingly about Lee, less so for his work in Ozzy Osbourne’s Blizzard of Ozz band, but specifically for his work in Uriah Heap’s classic 1970s era, from which the Opeth leader draws considerable influence. The Opeth leader worships the band, as told to Ghost Cult in our 2019 interview. Read Mikael’s thoughts on Lee below.
Watch a Trailer for Opeth’s 30th Anniversary “By Request” Tour
As we previously reported metal legends Opeth will celebrate 30 years as a band in 2021. The band continues to evolve their sound as evidenced by 2019’s AOTY In Cauda Veneum (Nuclear Blast/Motobolaget Records). To commemorate the anniversary, the band has announced their very special Evolution XXX ‘By Request’ tour for October 2021 in Europe. For these 8 very exclusive shows, fans can vote for the songs they would like to hear live, from the band’s storied career. Polling begins on Monday, September 7th at Opeth.com. Watch the trailer for the tour, and buy tickets at the link below. You can read our review of In Cauda Venenum and hear our interview with Mikael Åkerfeldt about the album and the bands upcoming anniversary here.
Opeth Announces “By Request” Tour for 30th Anniversary in 2021
Progressive metal legends Opeth will celebrate 30 years as a band in 2021. The band continues to evolve their sound as evidenced by 2019’s AOTY In Cauda Veneum (Nuclear Blast/Motobolaget Records). To commemorate the anniversary, the band has announced their very special Evolution XXX ‘By Request’ tour for October 2021 in Europe. For these 8 very exclusive shows, fans can vote for the songs they would like to hear live, from the band’s storied career. Polling begins on Monday, September 7th at Opeth.com. You can read our review of In Cauda Venenum and hear our interview with Mikael Åkerfeldt about the album and the bands upcoming anniversary here.
Emperor, Mayhem And Enslaved Team Up for Exclusive Beyond The Gates Festival 2021 Appearance
Three of the most legendary names in Black Metal will unite for an unforgettable event at next summer’s Beyond The Gates Festival in Norway! Emperor, Mayhem and Enslaved will perform at Grieghallen MCMXCIV as part of the fest with full-album performances of their classic works; Mayhem’s De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas, Emperor’s In the Nightside Eclipse, and Enslaved’s Vikingligr Veldi. All three monumental albums were recorded in the legendary Grieghallen Studios in Bergen. Tickets can be purchased at the link below and the full festival lineup, headlined by a reunited Mercyful Fate is here as well! Continue reading
Alice In Chains Will Release a Deluxe “Facelift” 30th Anniversary Edition Deluxe Box Set
Alice In Chains saw their stellar 1990 debut album Facelift turned 30 today, August 21st. The band themselves will be honoring the outing with a thirty-day look back at the album which will eventually culminate in a deluxe 30th-anniversary edition deluxe box set for the record. The band commented:Continue reading
ALBUM REVIEW: Black Crown Initiate – Violent Portraits Of Doomed Escape – Century Media
After a four year absence (a handful of single releases aside), Pennsylvania-based Black Crown Initiate return with their third full-length release, Violent Portraits of Doomed Escape (Century Media). From black metal to progressive rock via blasts of technical death metal, BCI effortlessly combine a whole range of differing styles resulting in their most captivating and assured record to date.
Deftones, Faith No More, System of A Down, Judas Priest, Puscifer, Korn and More to Headline Hellfest 2021
Hellfest Open Air recently completed its first-ever online streaming festival. Hopefully, the real thing is coming back next summer! The venerable metal and rock fest announced their lineup for 2021, with most of the bands slated to have played in 2020, but canceled due to COVID-19. Deftones, Faith No More, System of A Down, Judas Priest, Puscifer, Korn, Volbeat, Opeth, Dropkick Murphys, Northlane, Deep Purple, Wardruna, Rival Sons, Devin Townsend, Suicidal Tendencies, and many more will perform. Ten more bands will be added soon. Thirteen bands slated to play in 2020, but cannot attend 2021 include Incubus, Mastodon, Infectious Groove, Thy Art Is Murder, Alter Bridge, Baby Metal, Joyous Wolf, Unleashed, Meshuggah, The Black Dahlia Murder, Periphery, Body Count and August Burns Red.Continue reading
NEW MUSIC FRIDAY: April 17th New Music Releases
Hellfest 2020 is Officially Canceled, 2021 Fest Announced
Crushing news for the summer festival season in Europe, as France’s legendary Hellfest, has been canceled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The festival announced today it was unable to host the festival, which takes place in Clisson, France, outside of Paris. Hellfest 2021 is already announced for next summer. The 2020 edition was to have had Faith No More, and Down will be joined by Deftones, System Of A Down, Incubus, Korn, Mastodon, Opeth, Deep Purple, Judas Priest, The Offspring, Infectious Grooves, The Darkness, Obituary, Death DTA (the Death tribute featuring members of Death), At The Gates, Entombed AD, Sacred Reich, Devin Townsend, Meshuggah, The Black Dahlia Murder, Dying Fetus, Misery Index, Mayhem, Abbath, Rotting Christ, Primordial, The Great Old Ones, Wardruna, The Hu, Taake, Watain, Alcest, Borknagar, Gaahl’s Wyrd, Electric Wizard, Baroness, Om, Witchcraft, Black Mountain, Elder, ASG, Envy, Mono, John Garcia & the Band of Gold, High On Fire, Pelican, Killing Joke, Perturbator, Life of Agony, 3TEETH, Inter Arma, Body Count, Suicidal Tendencies, Youth of Today, Slapshot, Jesus Piece, Higher Power, Social Distortion, Anti-Flag, Agnostic Front, Reverend Horton Heat, Grade 2, Code Orange, and more. Dumb and Dumbest Podcast had an episode dedicated to the fest last summer. Continue reading