Ravage to return with fresh EP and touring Europe July 2018

Sometimes things take a long time to come along but when they do they can be good and massive.

Such a thought came to my mind listening to a brand new track from Ravage. It's the first new music the band put's out in 9 years and it's a full blast of Speed Metal. Never thought that many band's would care about this genre too much these days so it hit me up even more massively.

The additional nice surprise is that the band will come to Europe in a few days. They will have their brand new EP "The Derelict City" in their pockets, a limited edition will be available as hardcopy silver disc so there's one more reason to go out and see them live. Here are the exact dates with LICH KING and SEAX.

July 3 - Rostock, Germany - Peter-Weiss-Haus
July 5 - Deinze, Belgium - Elpee
July 6 - London, England - The Dev
July 7 - Manchester, England - Aatma
July 8 - Tilburg, Netherlands - Little Devil
July 9 - Hasselt, Belgium - De Witte Non
July 11 - Paris, France - Le Klub
July 12 - Nantes, France - La Ferrailleur
July 13 - St. Etienne, France - Thunderbird Lodge
July 14 - Olten, Switzerland - Coq D'or
July 15 - Milan, Italy - The One
July 16 - Vienna, Austria - Arena Beisl
July 18 - Budapest, Hungary - Blue Hell
July 20 - Berlin, Germany - Tommyhaus
July 21 - Krakaw, Poland - Warzstat
July 22 - Warsaw, Poland - Poglos
July 23 - Wroclaw, Poland - Liverpool
July 25 - Zielona Gora, Poland- Wyspa
July 26 - Brande- Hornerkirchen, Germany - Headbangers Open Air

The new five song offering "The Derelict City" features four never-before-heard original tracks as well as a cover of a song from the band My Pet Demon.

Speaking of how the rest of the EP will sound like Singer Al Ravage has revealed the following:

"There are more or less traditional NWOBHM-type songs like "The Derelict City", Overkill and Kreator influenced thrashier material like "New Age Survivor" and this first single "Till Heaven Cries" which is a typical speed metal romp with a lot of guitar work I really like."

Ravage The Derelict City EP cover, (c) by Ravage, used with kind permission

"The Derelict City" will be released independently through the band's own label SWWR Recordings and will be distributed by CD Baby.

It will be limited to just 300 collectible eco-digipak CD copies worldwide and will be available for streaming and digital download. Make sure to have a look on their homepage on how to get your copy if you cannot make it to one of their shows.

Single Review: LeatherJacks - Spells and zombies through the night (2018)

If you need music that grab's you directly at heart take this fresh single from brasilian rockers LeatherJacks to bring in a dose of energy that lift's you up.

The cover of LeatherJacks single release "Spells and zombies through the night", (c) by LeatherJacks, used with kind permission

Summary
This band is lead by Mauro Cordeiro. His outstanding and always changing vocal performance along with a good potion of riffs creates this special atmosphere being present in the music of LeatherJacks. Having put together a full album and one more single this new piece of music was expected eagerly by me. How would the music evolve further?

It remained the same as it goes for the main attempt at it's core being full blown rock music. But it comes infused with modern techniques in songwriting at least when it comes to the first number "Spells and zombies through the night". This time around the vocals go all on it throughout the whole track duration. The refrain is integrated into the overall sound structures. You can think of this as a feeling being created out of one piece.

The voice shouts it out more agressively in the verses but keeps it softer when it's time for the refrain. Guitarwise this one nails it down with heavier riffs compared to the slightly older material available so far. The drums follow this idea with's it attacking double-bass pattern. The refrain parts are kept longer and more extensive something not be found too often in rock and metal music.

Next to go is the track "Persona non grata". This nearly five minute long song fires way around with a easier mix of riff and drumming. It's way more melodic and catchy. The refrain stands out with it's extra punch it provides towards the end. It's for sure a track you'll remember once heard and will want to enjoy times again. Happily it's part of this single package release already.

Purchase-Link and Preview-Track
Currently the single is up for purchase at iTunes and Amazon.

Paying a little for this helps the band to record more music for you in the near future. So in the end spending some bucks is a investment into your own music world - it rewards you like a plant. Once you care for it it may pay you back with lot's of joy with more flowers that it spreads. Check out the title track below to get a quick taste of the band's sound.

Connect with LeatherJacks
Keep a eye on LeatherJacks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Arte Concert streams With Full Force 2018

Just got the info that this weekend's With Full Force Festival will be livestreamed through the internet by Arte Concert. Here's is the schedule for the stream of  the festival featuring mostly bands from the heavier side of metal:

Friday 14th June 2018 (all times CEST)

  Stray From The Path 18:00 h
  Kataklysm 18:40 h
  Stick To Your Guns 19:30 h
  Lionheart 20:15h
  Body Count feat. Ice-T 21:00 h
  Caliban 21:50 h
  Tbc 22:45 h
  Belphegor 00:00 h

Best of all you can watch it straight here, thanks to the kind embed option on the Arte Concert livestream page.

A full schedule of all the bands performing at the festival can be found on the official festival homepage.
Check the Arte Concert streaming page for updates on the livestream schedule as well as for info which bands they will show in the coming two days.

Comedy/Horror Mockumentary reveals a murderous grapefruit

In these all too serious times we're living in I think it's great to have a laugh. It helps so much to lift the mood up and to make things easier to bare and take.

So I was happy when this short horror/comedy movie found it's way into my inbox.

While filming Sister Mercy in Los Angeles, California last week, production assistant Noah "Shark" Robertson created a short film entitled 'Murderous Grapefruit'. The idea sprouted from the on-set, inside jokes between the crew and cast. A large grapefruit tree inhabited the house where shooting was taking place, and grapefruits were soon wreaking havoc on various members of the Sister Mercy team.



Sister Mercy is the new upcoming thriller from director, William Boodell, which is currently in post-production. Boodell is known for his work on Born of Sin (2017), 40 Days and Nights (2012) and Rise of the Zombies (2012); he also edited Sharknado!

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8509824/

Robertson, previously known for his work as a drummer in bands such as The Browning and Motograter, has stepped into the comedy arena in 2018. This year he directed the short film 'Shower Sharks' and embarked on a Comedy Tour. Robertson made his Comedy Store debut in Hollywood, California on June 4th.

Follow both Robertson and the Sister Mercy movie project further using the links given below:

www.noahsharkrobertson.com
www.facebook.com/noahsharkrobertson

www.facebook.com/SisterMercyMovie

CD Review: Animae Silentes - Suffocated (Gothic Rock, 2017)

Fine gothic rock tracks that are playing with the heavyness of the music on the one side and laying it down softer on the vocal side.

The cover of Animae Silentes debut record "Suffocated", (c) by Animae Silentes, used with kind permission

Summary
The start is dark and strange with a classic intro. The first full song "Burning in silence" kicks in straight and I love the way it does. It lifts the mood and gives room to for the ears to find into the band's sound. The next track "Purgatorium" pushed me straight in. It's such a riff hacker it gave me no chance to stop listening to this silver disc anymore.

It's a album full of straight rocking gothic numbers. It's this mixture of the silk voice dancing on the rough riffs and the more melodic parts giving it a slightly mysterious touch. The band gives the listener a explosive experience with the dry heavvness of the album's sound. Happily it never feels cold or mechanical because of the warmth of the voice and it's melodic variations in them.

"Eville" track number four manages to show a uptempo number that fit's to the band's sound but you won't expect on such a album. "Nothing else to remind" stands out of the pack having a creeping slowness in it. It stays in my mind. A sign that the band has the power to make a lasting impression to the listener.

The only negative point to me was the end of the album. The last two track feel a bit lengthy to me at times but maybe it's only my attention being limited at this point.

CD-Packing and Booklet
The packing is great. It's kept all in black with the bird being the point of attention. He's boldly sitting there at the front cover, missing in the insert of the jewel case and flying majestically a the backside of the record. A cool optical gimmick in my eyes. The booklet features the lyrics and fine band member pictures at various locations. You'll get a feeling of the people behind the music this way.

Purchase-Link, Conatct and Preview-Stream
Pick up the record of the webshop of Sliptrick Records. The band has a webpresence
at Instagram and Facebook so you can contact them easily for show offers etc.

Elswhere put a spotlight on mental health topic

Whilst the subject of mental health is a difficult one to approach, Elswhere are devoted to this issue. They provide a positive message about helping each other, which is conveyed in their material. 

Drawing from personal experiences and tragic losses, their songs portray painful emotions accompanied with a hopeful attitude. Frontman Ethan uses the bands Facebook page in efforts to support fans who may be struggling with mental illnesses “If you are in need of advice, guidance, or you have negative thoughts in your head that overpower your everyday life, call 116 123 - or even email us at elswhereofficial(at)gmail.com where I will personally reply to try my best to
help.”

Musically the band has recently signed to Marshall Records and given out a snippet of the material they are currently working on.

It impressed me with it's slowness and the fat sound it features. So far it comes around riffy and powerful. It breathes a lot of atmosphere in it's core. It's hard to say how the track may go on. It could easily explode at some point or maybe move on further in this calm but constant moving sound and change into something else.

The band has raised the attention of Marshall Records at a Battle of the Bands in Milton Keynes. They recently entered the studio with award-winning producer Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Bullet For My Valentine) and will unleash new music in the coming weeks.

Live Dates
Wilkestock Festival -  August 31st

Elswhere online
Facebook.com/elsewhereband
Twitter + Instagram: @Elswhereband