Cassidy Paris encourages to pick up a guitar instead of a phone

In these times we all see so many people running around and caring hardly about anything else than the smartphone. Australian rocker Cassidy Paris uses her time to write and release music that comes with a message.

The cover of the upcoming new Cassidy Paris album "Bittersweet".

The newest one listens to "Getting Better" and comes partly with sections that only let's Cassidy's voice stand for herself. Afterwards harder parts come into play that let the track run up and down like a roller coaster. Guitars wind through the music like a snake while the drums follow in these pattern.The same goes for her voice that moves and changes as the music moves further. Sometimes spoken passages come in while other times she just blows it out.  

The message she points out is clear:"‘Getting Better’ is the missing puzzle piece to ‘Stronger’. Together they tell an important story about overcoming difficult situations and not tolerating degrading and hurtful behaviour. You are strong and you are powerful. You are deserving of where you are, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. It is vital to me that people know my story and the truth. Through these songs, I am able to deliver that”.  

Besides a new full album called "Bittersweet" that is about to come out on November 21, 2025 Cassidy Paris is also very active at Metalheads Against Bullying. She regularly performs in schools around Melbourne, using her platform to inspire resilience and authenticity in young fans. If you'd like to support her music you can pre-order the new record at https://ffm.to/cassidyparis_bittersweet Make also sure to follow the next steps her website or a service like Instagram.    

Single Review: Wicked Smile - Daze Of Delirium (Heavy Rock, 2022)

When it comes to playing Metal music that could be used on a party many bands often use cliché lyrics. It surely fits to the mood and is surely easier to write but it misses out a chance of talking about something important.

The cover art of Wicked Smiles single comes as a unique photography.

Heavy Rockers Wicked Smile from Australia don't go this route. The topics featured on the debut "Wait for the night" have a range from civil unrest, bullying up to mental health. 

The newest single is set as a bold stomping track. After a short guitar introducer the music begins it's heart beating work. It quickly becomes evident that the song calls to have a good time. 

Anyway it's not that easy to come by. The vocals go a direct line in the verses but start to splitter up in the refrain. The guitars follow this path like as if they crack up from time to time. It offers a more abrasive side but makes the listener having more and more rounds to get through it. It plays around with the riff which hangs in my mind afterwards. 

This hardly comes as a surprise once you know that lead vocalist Danny Cecati (ex Pegazus & Eyefear) stands behind the microphone while Stevie Janevski and Dave Graham are to be heard on guitars. It has a good duration - not too long but also not too short so it's good to enjoy.  

What's coming up next ?  The boys have announced an upcoming headline tour of the United Kingdom in November, where they will also perform at renowned festivals such as Hard Rock Hell and Winter Storm. 

Wicked Smile were also recently added to the Silverback Touring roster where the boys have an upcoming Australia wide December tour with rock legends Skid Row.

Make sure to connect with them through Facebook to hold the line. 

Cassidy Paris kicks you out of sorrow with Wannabe single

Music has the power to get me through difficult times. This single is a fine example on how this works.

The coverart for the new Cassidy Paris output "Wannabe".

It's foundation is based on a pumping solid rock 'n' roll riff that's ready to explode like octane. It's mixed along with a smooth rhythm section that gives me a positive push. But all of this comes to a boil when the vocals come touching in.

In the beginning it's going all easy with verses going step by step. But wait until the refrain starts. I bet you won't get this out of your mind once heard. 

Finally it's also material to shake your legs to it so that's prove it's pure Rock 'n' Roll. Make sure to follow Cassidy Paris as she and the band move further to the next steps. A EP called "FLIRT" is said to come out September 1st 2021.

www.cassidyparis.com 

www.facebook.com/cassidyparisofficial           

Besides all the fun the music spreads the lyric content inside speaks out a serious message as vocalist Cassidy Paris explains: "It focuses on the obsession today’s youth has on popularity and how they are willing to sacrifice their friendships and integrity. The youth of today are not able to be original. They all want to be Tik Tok or You Tube Stars.  I have never really understood how people can fake friendships. Talentless people are trying to become famous for doing nothing at all”.  Yet it was a pattern that was becoming all too familiar, Cassidy explains about the inspiration behind the song. “This song is how people fall into the pattern of becoming followers and focussed on materialistic possessions and fame”.                         

JamArt shares mystic metal with Wanted Dead single

This is music the way I would like to write it myselves. 

The cover by WormRot adds to the mystical atmosphere of the music.

The single takes you from rough, dirty riffing stages over to midtempo and crawling material. Finally it sends you to a soft and dreaming place just before it erupts like a vulcano into a passage of raw thrashing. 

The end comes like the start but with more details worked into the sound. The whole single comes in a compact sound shell that gives a thick sound feeling. All the sounds have been kept close to each other to give a strong atmosphere. Fine headbanger stuff in here. 

Well, let's see what the album holds that's slated for a August 2021 release and is already up for pre-order through Rockpit Records. The tracklist reads as follows 

Wanted dead
Cuxt
War King Cross
Public Killing
Disgrace
Djinn
Canvass Black
BanCkull

 

Make sure to hold on to the project through a follow click on Facebook or Instagram.  

Victoria K offer live DVD for pre-order

One more idea to enjoy some live music these days is grabbing your trusty DVD player, put in a disc and there you go.

These option for sure goes more for the bigger bands since they often have live recordings on hold that they can put out now. But I was surprised to read that the symphonic metal newcomers Victoria K are about to put out a Digital Versatile Disc as well.

Victoria K surprise us with a live DVD release in January 2021.

 

The release is called "Live Isolation Concert". It was recorded during the pandemic crisis and includes all the songs from the debut album "Essentia" unleashed during April 2020.

The music of the band is for dedicated fans of symphonic metal with intensive female vocals inside of it. It's emotional and sensible all the way. 

The DVD is available for pre-order here: https://bit.ly/VictoriaK_DVD

The live show will be also released as a digital album on the major online stores.

Track Listing:
1. The Haunting
2. Mist Filled Sky
3. Forsaken
4. Humanity
5. Surreal
6. Freaks
7. Shroud of Solitude
8. Lacuna
9. Freedom Uncharted
10. Matrix 

Update 22.01.2021: 

Finally one full track called "Freaks" has been put out for preview. I think it underlines that the DVD priced at 12,99 Euro plus shipping and handling could be well worth it. 

 

"Freaks" is also available for stream and immediate download
Spotify - http://spoti.fi/3q3ezmX
Apple Music - https://apple.co/35pSYgo 

David Ellefson and Chris Poland reunite for Japan/Australia Tour in May

This sounds like a tour that won't happen ever again!David Ellefson and Chris Poland will hit the road in May 2020 for a double headliner tour featuring full sets from Ellefson and Poland,  with an epic finale any thrash fan will not want to miss.

If it wouldn't happen in Australia and Japan I would like to attend these shows myselves.

The tourposter for the Australia leg of the Ellefson / Poland tour package.

Here are the exact dates of the Ellefson / Poland tour.

JAPAN
Sunday 17 May - Trad, Osaka
Monday 18 May - Liquid Room, Tokyo

AUSTRALIA
Friday 22 May – Max Watts, Melbourne
Saturday 23 May – Manning Bar, Sydney
Sunday 24 May – Crowbar, Brisbane
Monday 25 May – The Basement, Canberra
Tuesday 26 May – Enigma Bar, Adelaide

Tickets & VIP upgrades on sale
www.destroyalllines.com

In addition to these great news it has been announced that the first Chris Poland record "Return to Metalopolis", celebrating its 30 year anniversary in 2020 will see a reissue from Ellefson’s Combat Records, in stores in the US, and digitally worldwide on Friday 2/21.

To skip the waiting time listen to the single "Hammer comes down" of the David Ellefson record "Sleeping Giants" that features Chris Poland on guitars.

Hellz reveals the Sinner in us all

Some tracks are just cool. This particular one rocked me step by step. In the beginnins things sound a bit thin and simple but beware. The music evolves heavily.

Hellz surprised me with a massive first single called "Sinner".

While the first seconds may make you want to turn it down again, make sure to hold on. It grabs you a bit more with each passing moment deep inside your heart.The refrain will give you a pusher. It kicked me straight and this single is once more something that proves, that music is motivation. So much energy that she sends this way. It keeps your head in the here and now and wants you to push on forward.


The song is up for purchase on iTunes as well as Amazon.

More music of Hellz is already on the horizont. The debut EP has been announced to hit the shelves early 2020 via R.I.N.D Records. Once the EP is completed touring will be on the horizon both in her native Australia, as well as internationally.

Make sure to keep a eye on the homepage of Hellz and to check Facebook so you won't miss the further story out.

Voyager gives live-preview to coming album "Colours In The Sun"

Open mindeness combined with their own dream-like style sound. This band has found a place in the world of sounds that expresses everything they've ever dreamed of I suppose. So far the cover of the coming full length has been revealed along with the first single and tourdates.

All of Voyager's covers are different. This one is no exception of that.

As for me I can only say that the mixture of rough and sharp riff packed power parts along with clear sections and silk vocals are what I've always searched for. Enjoy every single second of this new single taken of the coming album.

Also make sure to see them live in Europe these days. They'll give a preview to the upcoming record "Colours In The Sun" (available to pre-order from https://smarturl.it/Voyagerinthesun ) at these liveshows so that's one more massive reason to go.

TOUR DATES
21st September - Space Rocks - Indigo 2 - London (featuring Anathema)
22nd September - 229 - London  (Intimate headline show)
23rd September - The Lanes - Bristol
24th September - The Flapper - BirminghamI
25th September - Satan’s Hollow - Manchester
29th September - Euroblast Festival - Cologne, Germany*
4th October - Progpower Europe, Baarlo, Netherlands (Headline set)
6th December - Good Things Festival, Melbourne, Australia**
7th December - Good Things Festival, Sydney, Australia**
8th December - Good Things Festival, Brisbane, Australia**

*(w/ Car Bomb, Between The Buried and Me, Dead Letter Circus)
**(featuring Parkway Drive, Karnivool, Coheed and Cambria)

Updates and more info on these shows can be found at the band's Facebook page.

Voyager set a Brightstar at Australia

Some bands are giving me exactly what I need. Voyager, a progressive band mixing up metal with pop-like elements has brought a brand new (video) single to life.

The cover already gives a idea that something special is about to come your way...

It demonstrates once more the band's ability to express softer, melodic elements that touch the soul and give room for dreams and atmosphere. On the contrary there are always rougher corners showing up making clear how much of the agression, raw power and heavyness also lives in the soul of the band. Along with bright pictures of nature and technique it's a overwhelming feeling that floats through me listening to "Brightstar".

If you're living in Australia don't miss out the chance to see Voyager live these days. They hit the road with the excellent Twelve Foot Ninja, a crossover act that also didn't leave my mind once I heard them.

Here are the dates:

Friday 8th March - ANU, Canberra

Saturday 9th March - Download Festival Sydney

Monday 11th March - Download Festival Melbourne

Friday 15th March - Miami Tavern, Gold Coast

Saturday 16th March - The Valley Drive in, Brisbane

Saturday 23rd March - The Gov, Adelaide

TICKETS - http://twelvefootninja.com/shows

The single is up for purchase from Bandcamp, iTunes, Amazon Music and more.

Check the band's Facebook for updates and more info.

Jarface found new love after show

Happy new year! Maybe one of your aims for 2018 may be finding your significant other. But how to find a new love? Well, musicians for instance may sometimes have some obstacles to overcome first.

This nice story we got of Australia's post-grunge band Jarface let's you know how things can turn out if you try to find someone you can team up with. :-)

A bandshot of Jarface, (c) by Jarface, used with kind permission

The new single Absolution is a notably positive track tracing the beginning and first meeting of a future couple.

"Absolution was written after meeting my partner on a late night out at a Smith Street bar.
I was there after we'd played a show at another venue and I remember spending most of the night trying to convince her I was actually in a band".

So the meeting not only resulted in finding a new partner but was also cast in stone in form of a new song. "Absolution has this groove that was inspired by the blues tunes that were being played that night."

Find out more about the band and their brand new record "Not They See" with a look and follow-like on Facebook.

Christmas Gift: Are you ready to rock Vol. 3 sampler

Merry Christmas to each and everybody out there!

There are many bands I was able to write about in 2017. But as always time is short so it's not possible to have a post about all the great bands out there. 

Happily ONLINE METAL PROMO (United States), BREATH FRESHER webzine (Japan) and MARIC MEDIA (Australia) have joined forces to offer a free online digital download promotional music compilation titled "Hello Tokyo...OMP, Are You Ready To Rock?" featuring 53 songs from some of the hottest established and rising rock / metal bands from the United States and Australia.

The front cover for the free online download compilation "Are you ready to rock Vol. 3"

This package is a good and easy way to discover some of the new band's for yourselves. Here is a list of the band's that are featured:

ARTERIES - Australia
AZRAEL'S BANE - United States
BLASTED TO STATIC - Australia / United States
BURN RIVER BURN - United States
CAGE - United States
CANEDY - United States
COBRA - Australia
CORNERS OF SANCTUARY - United States
CROSSON - Australia
CROWN OF EARTH - United States
DEADSPACE - Australia
DEATH DEALER - United States / Australia
DEVIL ELECTRIC - Australia
DIAMOND LANE - United States
DREADNAUGHT - Australia
ENVENOMED - Australia
ETERNAL VOYAGER - United States
FRANKENBOT - Australia
GODS OF EDEN - Australia
HELD HOSTAGE - United States
HELLEVATE - United States
HELLSCREAM - United States
HEMINA - Australia
IN DEATH - Australia
LOVE N WAR - United States
LUNAR - United States
MALICE - United States
MASQUED - United States
MATREKIS - United States
MEGA COLOSSUS - United States
NIGHT LEGION - Australia
NIVIANE - United States
NUCLEUST - Australia
OUR LAST ENEMY - Australia
PETER GRAIGS - United States
RAVAGE - United States
RIFF RAIDERS - Australia
SALEMS LOTT - United States
SCARS OF GRACE - United States
SCREAMKING - United States
SEVENTH CALLING - United States
SHALLOW GROUND - United States
SILENT KNIGHT - Australia
SPACE VACATION - United States
ST. JAMES - United States
SYNAESCOPE - Australia
THE RODS - United States
THEM - United States / Germany
TO AN END - Australia
TOWER OF BABEL - United States / Europe
TUBEFREEKS - United States
VANLADE - United States
YUGEN - Australia

Download the free songs, compilation artwork and track listing directly at this Dropbox link.

Voyager give us a ascension to the stars

Voyager amaze me. Not only have I been pointed to their music out of the nothingness but in addition they have been growing stronger with every song I've heard from them. The last new track the band shared all along with tourdates was "Misery is only company" and this time around the Australian progmetalheads have returned to blow my mind once again.

This time they serve a mixture of haunting and slightly freezing fragileness in the softer sections all along with eruptive and abrasive yet still enjoyable heavy potions all put in one track. It's outstanding how the band links these elements together while always taking care of the fact that everythings sound organic and real. A good production without going too far and making it sound impossible to replay.



Voyager are currently offering their next album "Ghost Mile" on pledgemusic as a preorder. Any pledges will contribute to the completion of the production and manufacturing of the album. You may decide to pick the record or choose one of the other cool items or events to support the band. The album is set for a release on 12th May 2017.

A cool coloured overview of the bandmembers of Voyager, (c) by Voyager, used with kind permission

If that's not so much of your taste you can see the band live touring Australia with the support band "The Algorith" in May 2017. Here are the dates.

Adelaide Fowler's Live - May 11
Melbourne Evelyn Hotel - 12
Brisbane The Zoo - 13
Perth Amplifier Bar - 19
Canberra The Basement - 20
Sydney Oxford Art Factory - 21

Tickets have gone on sale this Friday, 10 March.

Stay in touch with the band through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Night Legion introduce new vocalist Vo Simpson (free download inside)

It's often a pleasure to be able to see how bands evolve over time. Some posts ago we shared the word about the upcoming exciting power metal project Night Legion and were able to give you people out there a first listen plus download of one track of the project.

This time around things have changed in the band so I thought it would be fine to post a update. As for me it's cool to hear the band has a new vocalist. It adds a new way of interpretation to the music and adds a different element to the sound. It's amazing to hear how different it is possible to make something of one and the same track. So without further ado check out the latest developments in the Night Legion camp all along with a new chance to listen and grab one track for free.

NIGHT LEGION, the new high energy Australian power metal band led by guitarist / producer Stu "The Hammer" Marshall (Dungeon / Empires of Eden / Death Dealer / Blasted to Static) has announced the addition of Vo Simpson as their new lead vocalist.

A band picture of the new Night Legion line-up, (c) by Night Legion, used with kind permission

 Stu Marshall has checked in with the following comment:

"During the writing of our upcoming debut album, the band went through some sudden personnel changes. Moving forward, I am very pleased to announce my amazing friend Vo Simpson, as the new lead vocalist for the band. Just think Halford meets old school Tate and you have an idea of where Vo's vocal abilities can be filed under. We have been long time friends and to have vocals that scream like Vo's is a dream to write heavy riffs for. The band is psyched for the new upcoming debut album and we are currently working toward securing a worldwide release via an as yet determined label during 2017."

Check out how Vo Simpson sound like in the short clip below or even better head on to this location to pick up the full track at no cost as a legal download.

Check the band's website or Facebook page to stay up to date about the further recording process.

Metal Up Your Axe Vol. 2 with unreleased songs up for free download

Since ONLINE METAL PROMO and THE AUTOPSY REPORT radio show (UK) have partnered to offer "Metal Up Your Axe, Vol. 2" and shared the link with me I'm glad to be able to give you guys out there a brand new free download compilation.

This big package features not less but 41 tracks of really kicking bands which will give you a great time if you dare to pick up all of the tracks.

The cover of the Metal Up Your Axe Vol.2 sampler, (c) by Online Metal Promo/The Autopsy Report radio show, used with kind permission

If that wouldn't be already reason enough to be more than happy this sampler includes three tracks which weren't released anywhere else before. I won't spoiler your enjoyment. Just have a look at the tracklisting PDF file which you can find in the Dropbox folder. It features extensive information on all the tracks and gives you quick access to all the things you might want to know about the songs. 

So without any further talking pick up your free package of metal happiness from this location.

If you ask yourselves now if it's worth the download - here's one of the tracks. It's the official video for the song "No mercy" of the band Flames Of Fury which is included on the sampler. I hope this will convince you to pick up the song pack.

Here's some more background info for you to check out:

 "Metal Up Your Axe, Vol. 2" is a free digital download music compilation featuring a mix of 41 past, current and unreleased original songs from established and up and coming rock & metal bands from the United States, Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria.

Bands featured on the compilation include:
1. Alsatia
2. Angerhead
3. Azrael’s Bane
4. Blasted To Static
5. Broken Teeth
6. Canedy
7. Chris Violence
8. Corners of Sanctuary
9. Diamond Lane
10. Dire Peril
11. Dreadnaught
12. Empires of Eden
13. Enceladus
14. Eternal Voyager
15. Flames of Fury
16. HailMary
17. Helion Prime
18. Ignitor
19. Jessikill
20. Knightmare
21. Lords of the Trident
22. Love & War
23. Malice
24. Maxxxwell Carlisle
25. Outlaws & Moonshine
26. Phallax
27. Rabid Assassin
28. RebelHot
29. Seventh Calling
30. Shallow Ground
31. Sorizon
32. St. James
33. Stop Stop
34. Strikeforce
35. The Rods
36. TwentyDarkSeven
37. Unbound
38. Vanlade
39. Viron
40. Zar
41. Zephaniah

Check out The Autopsy Report radio show official website for more details about their show and also have a look at the Online Metal Promo webpage to get more information about this promotion agency.

Progdeathmetal band Infernal Outcry release foreboding filmclip

I always wonder how far even female voices are prepared to go. This one here is from the more brutal end of the metal spectrum. It's the progressive death metal band Infernal Outcry who gifts us with a special filmclip. And one word in advance: the music is just great! A perfect balance between progressive elements and straight death metal passages while the vocals are for sure set in the deep region but nevertheless they are understandable and express the message with agressive and fitting vocal lines.

The video itself comes around as an epic Five and a Half minute short film. The clip shows a man's struggle with time and humanity's reckless destruction of the Earth via it's nonchalance and ignorance. A man literally out of time. A foreboding message about the over-population of the Earth and the reluctance to care for the Planet which sustains us... but for how long?

Infernal Outcry’s debut "Mass Extinction Requiem I" was produced by legend of the Australian Metal scene, Joe Haley (Psycroptic) and released on 18th March 2016, thanks to a grant from Tasmanian Regional Arts Fund. You can purchase the song of the video as well as the full EP both digitally and as a physical copy in the shop of the band's website or on Bandcamp.

The band Infernal Outcry from Tasmania, (c) by Infernal Outcry, used with kind permission

Also make sure to stay in connection with Infernal Outcry using the social outlets on Facebook or Twitter. 

Voyager release surprisingly different styled new video single

It's great to see bands evolve. As we all grow older and our lives and views change so does music. I can remember a time when I thought that this is boring but these days I think it's far more the normal way. Just look around you - everything changes. It's seems to be the only constanty in life.

The band Voyager, (c) by Voyager, used with kind permission

The Prog metal band Voyager have taken the opportunity to record a brand new track for the fans ahead of the upcoming tourdates in Australia and Europe. The cool thing is that the track surprised me when I heard it. It's going on the first listen on a bit different style and tonality then their previous material on the "V" album. That's cool because I expected something much different when I got the info. Let's see what you think about it.

Scott Kay-Guitarist, says
"We're opening 2016 with a bang! We're stoked to be releasing a new song, Misery is Only Company, with a video showcasing the writing process of the song! You'll be able to catch us playing the new tune on our forthcoming European run in April with Leprous and Earthside! We're loving the new track; it's a little different, but still has that distinct Voyager sound. We hope you enjoy it!"

The band are heading out on the following tour dates with the likes of Leprous, Epica and Earthside in the coming months.

TOUR DATES W/ LEPROUS and EPICA and EARTHSIDE
Wednesday 16 Mar - The Studio, Auckland – Voyager + Epica
Friday 18 Mar – Max Watts – Brisbane - Voyager + Epica
Saturday 19 Mar – Max Watts – Sydney - Voyager + Epica
Sunday 20 Mar – 170 Russell – Melbourne - Voyager + Epica
Thursday 31 Mar – Musikundfrieden- Berlin – Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Friday 1 Apr – W2 - S’Hertogenbosch – Netherlands - Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Saturday 2 Apr – Cacaofabriken – Helmond – Netherlands - Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Sun 3 Apr – Poppodium Duyker – Hoofddorp – Netherlands - Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Tue 5 Apr – Logo- Hamburg - Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Wed 6 Apr – Turock – Essen- Germany - Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Fri 7 Apr – Z7 – Pratteln – CH - Voyager + Leprous + Earthside
Sat 8 Apr – La Laiterie – Strasbourg - Voyager + Leprous
Sun 9 Apr – Durbuy Rock Festival – Belgium - Voyager + Leprous

Make sure to check the band's Facebook page for all further updates.

Voyager to tour Australia & Europe spring 2016 alongside Epica/Leprous

Progmetal has been on my mind for a long time in recent days. But as always things change so these days I'm back with the thrash metal direction but sometimes a prog band crosses my path that let's me think back to those prog days.

Such a thing happened when I heard about Voyager and saw their clip of "Hypenventilating". It's this mixture of power with emotions and melody that turns my attention towards them.

I call these elements of the sound "dreaming elements". They're often missing in today's prog metal sound where the focus is more set on heavyness. It's these dream elements I would like to see coming back in and Voyager happily still has them.


As ever so often when I discover such bands there's the wish to witness a live performance of them. Well, this could become a reality since Voyager has been confirmed to open up for Epica and Leprous in spring 2016 in Australia as well as in Europe.

Here is a round up of the dates, make sure to reserve your tickets early. I'm pretty sure those Epica shows will go quickly as the band was able to gain a lot of new fans in the last months. Maybe also a nice idea for a christmas gift. ;-)

The European 2016 dates with Leprous are as follows:

31/03: TBA
01/04: 's Hertogenbosch, (NL), W2 www.w2.nl
02/04: Helmond, (NL), Cacaofabriek www.cacaofabriek.nl
03/04: Hoofddorp, (NL), Podium Duycker www.duycker.nl
05/04: TBA
06/04: Essen, (DE), Turock www.turock.de
07/04: Pratteln, (CH), Z7 www.z-7.ch
08/04: Strasbourg, (FR), La Laiterie www.artefact.org
09/04: Durbuy, (BE), Durbuy Rock Festival www.durbuyrock.be

Here's a overview on the shows with Epica in Australia:

(c) by Epica, used with kind permission

Also make sure to see the Voyager Facebook webpage for all the latest updates about the band.

The Birthday Party gift: "Metal of Oz" download music compilation

Yeah, today it's my birthday. Time goes fast. I'm a year older and maybe a bit wiser. ;-)

And how could we celebrate this better than with music? Here's the soundtrack to the party: a free download sampler featuring fourty tracks mostly held in the style of good old 80's metal.. I think this should keep us going for a good amount of time. :-)

Enjoy and have a good time and thanks for checking in and showing interest in the stuff I post here.

(c) by Online Metal Promo, used with kind permission

Online Metal Promo, Focus on Metal podcast (USA) and Maric Media (Australia) have partnered to offer "Metal of Oz", a free digital download music compilation featuring a mix of 40 past, current and unreleased original songs from established and up and coming bands from the United States, Canada and Australia.

Legendary Australia rock / metal industry publicist Chris Maric has checked in with the following statement:

"Australia’s impact on the global scene is at an all time high and in the last few years the quality of musicianship coming out of our country has been world class. The bands represented on this compilation cover so many of metals intricate genres that Im sure there is something there for everyone. Enjoy!!"

Bands featured on the compilation include:
1. Arcane Saints
2. Azrael’s Bane
3. Blackened Angel
4. Blasted to Static
5. Broken Teeth
6. Canedy
7. Corners of Sanctuary
8. Daemon Pyre
9. Diamond Lane
10. Envenomed
11. Eternal Voyager
12. Flames of Fury
13. Gods of Eden
14. Gundriver
15. Hasta La Muerte
16. Hazmat
17. Heaven The Axe
18. Jimmy Lardner Brown
19. Kara and the Dam Band
20. Killen
21. Killrazer
22. Lillye
23. Lord
24. Lords of the Trident
25. Love N War
26. Maxxxwell Carlisle
27. Melody Black
28. One Kingdom
29. Orpheus Omega
30. Our Last Enemy
31. Outlaws & Moonshine
32. Platinum Brunette
33. Rabid Assassin
34. Segression
35. Shallow Ground
36. Silent Knight
37. The Arbitrary Method
38. Vanlade
39. Whoretopsy
40. Witchcross

Download the free songs, compilation artwork and track listing at this location.

Surroundings speak about Elizabeths lost love in new video

Do you think it is possible to regain a love that is lost? Or are things between two hearts forever gone once they break up? Well, maybe these thoughts were running through the minds of the melodic hardcore band Surroundings when they wrote the song "Elizabeth".

The even more cool feature of this track besides the topic is that it is the first of a suite of two related singles, the other one called 'Jane', coming soon. I think many people out there will be able to relate to what can be seen in the video. I think everyone has loved at least once in his life and knows how it is if you want that person back because you miss that beloved person so much...

Leigh Kendell from the band says
"In a special place, Elizabeth is looking for a love long lost. She performs the ritual, a sign of what they once had. Creativity and artistry once brought them together; now it is their only hope to find each other again."


Musically I was very surprised that besides the brutality of the music the band found a place for melodic elements in the band's sound and that the vocalist also shows different sides of his voice in the track. Just give the song a chance don't judge too fast. I nearly was about to give up when I realized that this has some special elements lying inside the band's sound which make them quite different from other hardcore band's with a similar tonality. The song changes quite a lot through it's different stages also the overall feeling is very heavy.

It comes out the most intense, melodic and with a surprise towards the end of the track. This first song makes me curious on how the other single could sound like. And how may the story go on? Will it go on or will "Jane" come with a completly different idea that just is related to the same topic? I am keeping an eye on this for sure!

Elizabeth is looking for her lost love... (c) by Surroundings, used with kind permission

Following the success of their debut album 'Of Bane Burden and Change'- Australia's Surroundings have come back with new members and a new single, to showcase their unique take on modern heavy music.

You can purchase the single from https://surroundingsau.bandcamp.com/ or on Itunes shortly.

Upcoming shows:

20th & 22nd of November with Saviour (reunion shows)

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/SaviourAustralia

Follow the band through their social accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/surroundingsau
Instagram: https://instagram.com/surroundingsau/

Pegazus

Most people thinking about metal bands from Australia will surely recognize AC/DC or Airbourne when being asked for bands from this country. But there are surely a lot of other bands out there as well. One of them is Pegazus, a band that already been around since the 90's came to my attention with "Wings Of Steel", a track taken from the second CD "Wings of Destiny" that came on a sampler CD of the german Rock Hard magazine back in 1998.

I remember that I liked the song very much for the easy going riff and straight drumming as well as for the high vocals. Sometime later I got the full album and as a little surprise beneath the songs of the album weren't only straight forward songs but also some more complex tunes that needed closer listening to get the full joy of the song. So the band got a place on my "watchlist". I wanted to see how the band would develop further. The next time I should hear new songs from them was a while later when their third CD "Breaking the chains" was available as a bargain. It features a similar structure like the previous album. I would describe them as a straight rocking band with riff-driven songs that have a lot of fine melodies with them as well as great hooklines that one easily can sing-along.

Several more passed that saw the band doing a longer break while they continued their way with some live and best of releases. It shouldn't be 'till 2011 that I got aware of them again through a new videoclip for "Haunting Me" of the actual album "In Metal we trust". I found it while browsing through the Metal Hammer new videoclip section and was surprised that the band was still active yet they had changed thier linup on some positions. Anyway, it's a great song and video but check out for yourselfs:



I hope I'll be able to see them sometime live. They've been added to my "wanting to see them live" list as well. ;-)

For more info on the band check their nicely redesigned website.