While entertainment of any description is clearly the very least important thing to be mentioned with regards to the Middle East at the moment, Israeli progressive folk metal act Orphaned Land couldn’t have landed on a more suitable time to deliver a further message of hope and unity.
JD McGibney who plays guitar in the epic instrumental metal band Angels on the Battlefield, and formerly a live member of Chinese folk metal band Voodoo Kungfu, and Nekrogoblikon has launched a new project JD McGibney and Friends. Focused on a message of positivity and spreading awareness for mental health charities, the band has launched their debut single “Voices In The Dark” featuring Chen Balbus (Orphaned Land, The Secret Saints). The goal of the track and project is to raise money the mental health organizations the You Rock Foundation and NAMI. The single is streaming and you can also watch a playthrough video of JD jamming along to the track.
It should come as a surprise to no-one that Omega (Nuclear Blast), the eighth full-length studio release from Dutch symphonic metal act Epica, is another concept-driven album. Formed in 2002, the band are widely known for their ambitious ideas and themes, covering everything from the Mayan civilization to religion, nature, quantum physics and the possibility that the universe is actually digitally created hologram. You know, simple stuff.
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.
House of Blues, Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV 8/18/19
The 70000 Tons Of Metal is right around the corner, kicking off next week, and have confirmed some late additions to the cruise. Setting sail with the current bands on the bill and the fans are Vio-Lence, Ross The Boss, Seven Witches, Toxik, Aeternam and Brujeria. Round X (10) of 70000 Tons Of Metal will sail January 7 to January 11, 2020.Continue reading
The heshers and hesherettes are already in line at Bloodstock Open Air for the start of this years’ festival. Get set for the fest with the top bands to watch with our preview. Continue reading
Bloodstock Open Air, the UK’s biggest independent metal festival, is just six weeks away. The fest will release a limited number of day tickets at 9 am (BMT) this Friday, 29th June! Adult day tickets are priced at £65 (+ booking fee) and child day tickets at £20 (+ booking fee) and will be available at http://bloodstock.seetickets.com. You can still also pick up four-day ‘weekend tickets with camping’, priced £145 (+ booking fee), and children’s weekend tickets at just £35 (+ booking fee). Children under 4 years old go free! Weekend tickets are selling faster than ever and may sell out in advance.Continue reading
Bloodstock Open Air 2018 continues to grow in stature with a little over two months to go until the fest kicks off at Catton Park, Derbyshire on 9th-12th August. New blood added to the bill includes Metal 2 The Masses contest winners Vulgore, Severn Hells, Turbyne, Ashborn, 13, Valafar, Crawlblind, Autocracy, Drudge, as well as Jagermeister Stage bands Kamikaze Test Pilots, Luke Appleton (Iced Earth), Alpha Omega, Dawn of Anubis and more. Continue reading
Bloodstock Open Air, Europe’s most staunchly independent, best quality heavy music festival has set their pre-opening night lineup for 2018. Taking the stage on Thursday night in Catton Park to entertain the early arrivers includes Arkona, Bloodshot Dawn, Skiltron, Fire Red Empress, and Hundred Year Old Man. If for some reason you plan to go but haven’t booked tickets yet, fear not. We’ve got you covered for all the details. Continue reading
Formed in Helsinki in 2007 by Amorphis bassist Olli-Pekka Laine and Moonsorrow drummer Marko Tarvonen, Finnish act Barren Earth‘s current line-up is completed by guitarist Janne Perttilä, new keyboard player Antti Myllynen, Faroese vocalist Jón Aldará, and the band’s most notable member, Kreator guitarist Sami Yli-Sirniö.Continue reading