Darkwell bridge time with intensive performance video

Symphonic metallers Darkwell released their album "Moloch" to positive reactions some time ago. As the band told me they're currently back in songwriting mode having taken a break before.

The cover of Darkwell's "Moloch" already shows that something different from all the other is going on with the sound of this band.

To help skip the waiting time until something new surfaces the band has taken the chance to put out a live video of the "Moloch" track "Clandestine". That one picked my attention. It captures the joy but also the full concentration the musicians put into their performance really well. It also shows the reactions of the audience starting positive but let's say in a waiting way. They move over to realise the quality of the material and finally giving back with positive feedback.

Make sure to keep track of what's going on further with a like click on Darkwell's Facebook page or see the band's website for updates.

Darkwell take us deeper into Metropolis cosmos

Some time ago we had a announcement saying that the female fronted Austrian Gothic band Darkwell will be back with a new record that will see a return of former female vocalist Alexandra Pittracher. Some time has passed and the album is available since some time via Massacre Records.

The cover of the new Darkwell album "Moloch", (c) by Jasmin Elisabeth Wanner, used with kind permission

These days the band is back with a brand new video for the title track "Moloch". The content sticks to the Metropolis topic (Fritz Langs's fantastic 1927 movie "Metropolis") and can be seen as the prequel to first video single the band put out entittled "Yoshiwara".

As for me the female voice comes out brilliantly on this one, it's very dominating, multi-layered yet it doesn't ruin the track or overloads it. The drums are pushing the track forward and always seem to give it new drive when things seem to come to a end. It's all accompanied with the raw and cutting guitars which are held in a sharp and hard toned way.

Make sure to look up more details like show dates of the band via their web-presences on Facebook and check out the other band videos on their Youtube channel. 

Goth metallers Darkwell return with new album in September

It's great to see so many bands decide to come back again these days. Many of them had to take a break from things for various reasons but I think doing so is still much better than leaving it all behind. It leaves hope behind and hope is always something we all need at all stations in life I think.

So to come back to the topic austrian Gothic metallers of the legendary band called Darkwell will come back with a fresh album in September 2016. This time around former female vocalist Alexandra Pittracher will be back as well and take over vocal duties on the new album entitled "Moloch".

The new longplayer is set for release on 23rd of September via Massacre Records. The cover has already been released and can be seen below.

The cover of the new Darkwell album "Moloch", (c) by Jasmin Elisabeth Wanner, used with kind permission

In the meantime here's a clip from the past days as a reminder to all those who know the band already or as a introduction to everyone who's interested to get to know Darkwell.

As for me I like their dark mysterious and powerfull songwriting which is combined with the fragileness of the female vocals something which can create so much touching, haunting and chilling moments when listening to such music. It really leaves you behind with some emotions. The keyboards add also a good potion to this - I think it throws in a lot of atmosphere and widens the musical expression of the band.

Make sure to stay in touch with Darkwell through Facebook or subscribe to their Youtube channel so you won't miss out on further updates.

Crystal Ball let you sneak into the new album "LifeRider"

Finally a brand new album from swiss melodic metal band Crystal Ball is coming into sight. Entitled "LifeRider" is has been produced, mixed and mastered by Stefan Kaufmann (ex-Accept, ex-U.D.O.). The album will feature a duet with Battle Beast's Noora Louhimo as well as guest musician Stefan Kaufmann on acoustic guitar.

Crystal Ball's "LifeRider" will be released on May 22, 2015 via Massacre Records and will also be available as limited edition digipak with exclusive bonus tracks. The video below let's you listen to the song "Paradise" in it's entirely.

If I compare the new song to the older material of the band it sounds much more grown-up in my ears. The dream-like parts of the sound have been removed to give place for a more riff-oriented sound. The vocals surprised me with the high pitches at many parts of the song. That sounds a bit like in the old metal tradition where high notes belonged to the sound of nearly every metal vocalist.

The band will be on tour in the next months, here are the exact dates:

• 04.04.2015 DE Cuxhaven - Hapag-Hallen
• 22.05.2015 DE Mannheim - 7er Club
• 23.05.2015 CZ Sokolov - Koupaliště Michal
• 28.05.2015 CH Luzern - Konzerthaus Schüür
• 29.05.2015 CH Wetzikon - Hall Of Fame
• 30.05.2015 CH Aarburg - Musigburg
• 19.07.2015 FR Saint-Julien-en-Genevois - Stade des Burgondes (Guitare En Scène Festival)
• 25.07.2015 CH Röthenbach - Waldrock Open Air
• 07.08.2015 CH Brienz - Brienzersee Rockfestival
• 08.08.2015 CH Gossau SG - Rock On! Music Festival
• 15.08.2015 CH Wettingen - Tägerhard
• 11.09.2015 CH Boswil - Chillout

Also make sure to follow the band via their Homepage, Facebook or Twitter.

Scanner release brandnew video and album The Judgement

Sometimes things take a long way but finally arrive. I think that's what mostly happened with the brand new album of Scanner. Ten years ago the band first talked about a new record that's in the pipe but it shouldn't be until 23th of January 2015 that "The Judgement" finally hit the shelves via Massacre Records.

In between there were lots of line up changes and also a virus attack that destroyed a lot of the recordings the band had already finished so the release had to be delayed. But the band always played shows in their home area and posted updates from time to time so you kept the feeling that things were always moving yet there were lots of obstacles to overcome.

Anyway, it seems that the band has put together a massive album. Having heard the first preview track "Fuck the bastards" I posted earlier and now the title track I'm very impressed about what the band has recorded. It reminds me a lot of the old albums like "Hypertrace" or "Terminal Earth" but without missing out the steps and developments the band made in the meantime.

The band will do some shows in Greece and Spain soon. Check out the band's homepage and Facebook account to stay up to date.
The homepage also has a own shop where you can get the album. There's even a very, very limited stock of physical copies on CDs out there...

The band has released a great video for the title-track. So don't wait any longer and give it a look and listen, because today is what counts. You can never know about tomorrow...

Scanner keep promise with preview track of the new album

A sneak peak into the upcoming Scanner album has been released on Scanner's Facebook page as promised earlier to the fans.

Sounds very old-school in my ears, remembered me a lot of the Hypertrace and the Terminal Earth album. It comes with a lot of raw power and a refrain that remains in your ears for quite some time.

Finally the album "The Judgement" will see the light of day on 25th January 2015 via Massacre Records. Looking forward to it!