Corners Of Sanctuary close the year with free new EP

We're close to go into a new year and decade. What do we leave behind on this way? That was one of my thoughts when I heard that traditional metallers Cornerns Of Sanctuary are about to put out their newest EP entitled "What we leave behind" between the years.

The newest output comes around as a free download. The Metalheads Forever Magazine is offering the files for a limited time only.All tracks were mastered by icon Bill Metoyer who add's his special extra to the music.

The coverartwork somehow fits to my thoughts of 2019 and the stars in the sky carrying hope for 2020.

If you'd like to support the band you can purchase a copy of the mini album on a physical CD. It's available at shows of the band at the merch table. The silver round holds three extra live tracks not available with the download version. Metal Machine, On The Hunt and Wrecking Ball are the live songs that have been recorded on the recent West Coast Tour of the band.

For all the latest show dates make sure to see Corners Of Sanctuary's Facebook page.

Album Review: Held Hostage (feat. Ripper Owens) - Epic (Classic Metal, 2019)

You can't keep a good man down! This goes especially for Tim "Ripper" Owens who thankfully refuses to give up. Instead he contributed guest vocals to a album for all the straight rockers out there that goes into the ears at the first listen already.

Held Hostage have shown themselves with a varity of guest musicians in the past. They also shared parts of the income they were able to earn this way with veterans in need. Both things combined sounded like a album well worth checking out to me.

The hammer comes down on us with Held Hostage's new record "Epic".

I wasn't disappointed giving my time to check "Epic" out. This record that is yet to be released (December 15th 2019. digitally, CD January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors) gives the good feeling of listening to classic metal from the first seconds of duration all the way to it's end.

To be precise it opens with "Lightning" going straight, short and to the point. "Tonights The Night" calls for sing-along and makes sure that every day is the right one to do what you ever wanted. I love the repeat of the refrain at the end. I'm still having it in rotation on my mind.

The album turns it's tides on the upcoming two tunes. Both a bit rougher, louder. The guitars make me nervous and shaking while the vocals show the darker, more subtile parts Ripper Owens voice is able to perform. This makes such a voice stand out in my ears.

"Turn The Light" brings the listener down back again with a little more relaxed atmosphere. This doesn't last long as already "It's all over you" turns out to be a riff-ladden song that shares a strong 80s AC/DC vibe but with more agressive vocals inside.

Number seven "Hot Night" is a solid one. Nothing too special here but you'll go along with a solid rock track. All the other tracks go a much riff-based way with excellent vocals on top. They all feature hooklines that invite you to sing along.

This album is a perfect fit for all those looking for straight Rock 'n' Roll that goes quickly into your minds and hearts. Ripper Owens performance gives the songs the extra something. I think the people out there will love this silver disc once they heard it. Please don't miss this one out.

As a preview here's the track "Lightning". Please check Held Hostage's Facebook page for more details on where exactly to order "Epic" on CD or how to get it digitally starting December 15th 2019. The CD will be released January 17, 2020 via Metal Mania Records / MVD (Music Video Distributors).

Serenity redefine sound on upcoming album The Last Knight (Europe dates inside)

I remember that I first saw Serenity live the time they opened up for Morgana Lefay in 2007. They played a sort of progressive metal with lots of heartfelt melodies and lyrics that spoke from my heart.

After the show I had the chance of speaking to Georg Neuhauser and get some autographs of nearly the whole band. That experience lead me to follow Serenity through more symphonic times and now they are about to send a new album out to the world called "The Last Knight".

The album talks about the life of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I..

The first appetizer sounds like a much heavier form of the band's sound yet some of the above mentioned heartfeltness is still to be found in there. All in all it's more based on riffs and the refrain hangs on my mind. The newfound power in the music is a kicker and teases me a lot towards the new material. "The Last Knight" will be out on January 31, 2020. Pre-Order is available here.

Also make sure to show up to the coming tour.         

SERENITY on Tour:
w/ Rage
05.02.20 DE - Mannheim / MS Connexion Complex
06.02.20 DE - Hamburg / TBA
07.02.20 DE - Siegburg / Kubana
14.02.20 IT - Milan / Legend's Club
15.02.20 DE - Memmingen / Kaminwerk
16.02.20 DE - Nuremberg / Hirsch
18.02.20 CH - Pratteln / Konzertfabrik Z7
19.02.20 AT - Vienna / Szene
20.02.20 SK - Kosice / Collosseum
21.02.20 SK - Zvolen / Dom Kultury Zsr
22.02.20 CZ - Prague / Nova Chmelnice
23.02.20 DE - Bochum / Zeche

w/ Ad Infinitum, Dynazty, Victorius
01.04.20 DE - Munich /Backstage
02.04.20 DE - Berlin / Nuke CLub
03.04.20 DE - Weinheim / Cafe Central
04.04.20 DE - Essen / Turock
05.04.20 NL - Haarlem    / Patronaat
07.04.20 NL - Enschede / Metropool
08.04.20 BE - Aarschot / De Klinker
09.04.20 DE - Rüsselheim am Main / Das Rind
10.04.20 CH - Luzern / Schüür
11.04.20 AT - Wörgl / Komma

Check the band's Facebook for updates on these shows.