Engineered Society Project comes to Europe soon (Autumn 2023)

In all of today's troubles it's always a wonder when a band hit's the road to bring some positive feelings to the people. I think there's more than ever a need to stay with positive thoughts and vibes these days. How else should me make it through?

So it's more than fine to see that Engineered Society Project with Kris Keyes at the vocal helm was able to secure a European tour. It will start at the end of this month along with Lord Bishop, something that makes this package even more attractive. Check the poster if they will do a stop near you.

More dates may be added. Check out Facebook for up to date information.

It addition Engineered Society Project have put out a proper hymn for this string of shows. It's a fine track showing the ability of the band to combined the traditional with few newer elements packed in a song that's good to follow, building slowly step by step and putting out a fine message: Peace is something this earth needs.

Demo CD Review: Zubzero - Lost Sun (Thrash, 2022)

The flame has started to burn. As the cover already tells you this trash-filled silver disc spreads a lot of raw heat and melting metal.

The CD comes housed in a cardboard sleeve. The appeareance spreads warmth but also danger from all the splitter and flames spreading all around.

I love cardboard CDs like this one by zubzero.

I've carefully put the disc into my player and the display told me two tracks waited for me. What came out of the speakers? Track one "Lost" starts straight away wasting no time. The vocals and music present itself on midtempo pattern and with classic riffing.

The fine thing is that also it's a DIY demo the sound is professionell polished and great to enjoy. Vocals are rough and speaking of a traditional tone with song structures kept clear. But at times the riff is changed for variations yet this happens not too often. But when it does the ride becomes hefty and wild so the song shows a different face. 

"Liquid Sun" is different straight from the start. It comes with more push and drive. The sound changes into a faster tone and keeps morphing the longer the song lasts. Few elements of progressive thrash shine through on this track. A solo fast and hard ends the music as quickly as it came.

Order a physical copy through the webshop of Big Bad Wolf Records and support the further development of a brand new band. I think it's a good pick for tradtional likers of the thrash genre.

You can follow "Zub Zero" on Facebook to see the next steps - for instance the upcoming gig with stoners Pander and Grinner (Alternative Hard R&R) on 3rd of December 2022 in Leeuwarden (Netherlands). 

EP Review: Shulaak - Rubedo (Heavy Metal, 2020)

Music has the possibility to share truth and great stories in my ears. Shulaak put these thoughts into good practice with the release of the "Rubedo" EP shortly before 2020 came to it's close.

The music on this mini album reminds me back on the classic days of metal. This sort of music shared a mystical truth for me. So besides the great melodies there was a chance of having truth revealed. Sometimes in a direct and clear way, other times you had to dig deep into it to find out for yourselves.

Shulaak are more of the last sort. Their songs tell of mans hunger to do great and glorious things only to see them end in death and depravity. This is packed in songs that are classic metal like those of Judas Priest and Omen to me. The riffs are set on softer tonality yet they fit well to the metal style.
 
The groove follows the compositions on the guitar. The high-toned voice set's the crown to the four songs plus one spoken intermission. Those vocal elements take the most part of the sound. They come out in a wide range. Sometimes they are high pitched, other times they transcend into the raw regions and finally end in dark style. "The Azoth" which is presented in two parts stands out for me.
 
While "Ancient Sins" and "Scourge of Aeons" take the direct path with straight riffs and the more high notes it's the last two tracks that need the closest listening to fully spread out their atmosphere. Be sure to be prepared because they will take you on a ride of emotions with it's complexity of melodies and multi-layered vocal work.   
 
The music is well worked out with much eye on details. It may not be the longest playing time this EP provides but the intensity is great so 5 Euro is okay to hand for a download of the Rubedo EP on Bandcamp.

More info on the band can be found on Shulaak's homepage.

Follow them on Facebook for all the latest updates.

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.

David Ellefson to tell his Basstory on upcoming clinics

Do you remember the bass riff that opens the song "Peace sells but who's buying"? I've heard it many times and sure as that it is one of the many great one's that can beard in the music of Megadeth. Just think of "Architecture of Agression" of the Countdown to Extinction album.

So how are these riffs played and how did they came to life? David Ellefson himself is going to give some insight into his playing techniques as well as he will tell background stories that have not been shared before in the string of upcoming clinics.

The flyer for the Basstory clinic sessions, many more dates can be found below

Be sure to visit his bass clinics entitled "Basstory" already starting this week in the US and continuing over the next couple of weeks further to Europe.

There will be opening acts on many nights so be sure to show up early - you will not want to miss the opportunity to warm up with some music. Those special guests vary from date to date. So far Bumblefoot (ex-Guns N’ Roses, Sons of Apollo), Dead By Wednesday as well as Green Death and Wrath have been confirmed. Please check the list for all the details.

BASSTORY will also include special VIP meet and greets, exclusive merchandise, and more.

Tickets and limited VIPS are available for purchase at davidellefsonbasstory.com

BASSTORY US:
9/20 Portland, OR - Dante's
9/21 Spokane Valley, WA - The Roadhouse
9/22 Fife, WA - Louie G's
9/28 San Antonio, TX - Fitzgerald's
9/29 Houston, TX - BFE Rock Club
10/3 Bradley, IL – The Looney Bin (w/ Green Death)
10/4 Lombard, IL - Brauer House (w/ Green Death, WRATH)
10/5 Sturtevant, WI - Route 20 Outhouse(w/ Green Death, WRATH)
10/6 Ringle, WI - Q and Z Expo Center (w/ Green Death, WRATH)
10/7 Mankato, MN – What’s Up Lounge (w/ Green Death, WRATH, Kublai Khan)

NEWLY ADDED
11/16 Manchester, NH - Jewel Nightclub (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/18 Holyoke, MA - Waterfront Tavern (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/20 NYC - The Iridium (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/21 Albany, NY – Chrome (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/23 Niagara Falls, NY – Evening Star Concert Hall (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)
11/25 Waterbury, CT - Shamrock Pub (w/ BUMBLEFOOT, Dead By Wednesday)

BASSTORY EUROPE:
(Presented by Metal Casino)
15 October: BIMM-Bristol/UK+
16 October: ACM-Guildford/UK+
17 October: Rockhal-Esch Sur Alzette/Luxemburg (https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/5750754/david-ellefson-basstory-eschalzette-rockhal-luxembourg)
18 October: 013-Tilburg/Netherlands (https://www.ticketmaster.nl/event/225801?CAMEFROM=013&brand=nl_013web)
21 October: Le Relais des artistes-Les Bioux/Switzerland (Reservations via email only valprod.management@gmail.com
22 October: Riff Megastore-Warsaw/Poland
23October: Private Club-Berlin/Germany+

+Private events. No public ticketing available.

For more information:

Davidellefson.com

Davidellefsonbasstory.com

Facebook.com/davidellefson

Facebook.com/ellefsontouringagency

Oldschool thrash package with Onslaught, Artillery & Exarsis in Europe Fall 2017

This package promises to bring in thrash like in the old days with a massive billing featuring bands that will make the club burn! Plus you can pick up the brand new Exarsis record up to four weeks ahead of the official street date. Check all the details below.

The Greek Thrashers of Exarsis will release their new album, "New War Order", on October 20th. On the occasion of the release, the band will accompany Onslaught and Artillery on their Thrash 'Till Death European Tour 2017 from 23.09 to 13.10, on which the album is already available in advance!

"New War Order" was recorded again at the D Studios in Athens and mixed and mastered by Mike Karpathiou. The album contains 10 songs with a playing time of almost 40 minutes. A "must have" for every thrash metal maniac!

Thrash 'Till Death tourdates Fall 2017 for Europe

// tourdates //
23.09 Helvete Club – Oberhausen, Germany
24.09 Hedon Club – Zwolle, Netherlands
25.09 De Verlichte Geest – Roeselare, Belgium
26.09 Roxy Concerts – Flensburg, Germany
27.09 Garage Deluxe – Munich, Germany
28.09 Moonlight Music Hall – Diest, Belgium
30.09 Kiehool Burgum – Burgum, Netherlands
02.10 Schwarzer Adler – Tannheim-Egelsee, Germany
03.10 Escape Metalcorner – Vienna, Austria
04.10 7er Club – Mannheim, Germany
05.10 Musigburg – Aarburg, Switzerland
06.10 Dagda Live Club – Pavia, Italy
07.10 Revolver Music Hall – Venice, Italy
08.10 Borderline – Pisa, Italy
09.10 Utopia Sala – Zaragoza, Spain
11.10 SMAC de La Gespe – Tarbes, France
12.10 Sala Upload – Barcelona , Spain
13.10 Urban Concept – Vitoria, Spain

CD Review: Unothera - Broken EP (Doom/Death Metal, 2016)

A EP rooted in both genres - Doom and Death Metal with extraordinaty vocal performances packed in classic songwriting format.

The cover of Unothera's "Broken" EP, (c) by Unothera, used with kind permission

Summary

This silver disc reminds me of classic gothic metal releases of the traditional acts such as Paradise Lost in their beginnings. It lives of the contrasts in the sound. On the one hand many clear and lighter sound-textured parts are part of the songs while other sections are held much heavier, darker with growls and lot's of distorted guitars rounded out with midtempo grooving drums.

On above all of this mixture melodic splitters are put inside that give a softer tonality or dominate with their high notes some heavier sections as if they were put there to light those parts a bit up. 

The high vocals deserve a special mention. They vary a lot through the whole EP and spice the whole release up. "Winter" is a good example for this. Everything is held in classic songwriting format but the slight additions mentioned above make this one to point to later on again. It sounds different from other releases of the same genre. If you're into this sort of metal I recommend you to check this EP. It may be a fine surprise to you.


Purchase-Link & Preview Track

This five track disc can be purchased directly through the Facebook page of Unothera for 5 Euro plus shipping and handling. You'll receive a burned silver media in a small slipcase but with a professional, sharp layouted small booklet that holds the lyrics of the release. That's not very common for such offerings. The disc itself comes labeled with the motive of the cover but in a different incarnation. Nice gimmick that is not to be found too often.

One track of the EP found it's way online so I've added it here as a preview track.

Contact Data

You can get in touch with Unothera via there online presence on Facebook.

CD Review: Pander - Fierce Self (2015)

A stonerrock album for all those of you who like their music raw, hard, dirty and direct. A excellent package of heavy riffs, great rhythm and diverse songwriting. Come inside for some live sounding pounding music.

Band Introduction

Pander is a stonermetal band from the norther region of the Netherlands. In 2012 they released their first record "Go". In Oktocber 2014 the band started the work on "Fierce Self" and signed with Stichting Metalization who have taken over duties for the album release and distribution.
In July 2015 the band had to face the death of guitarist and founder Andre Boumer who passed away at the age of 40 as the result of cancer. The band happily didn't gave up and completed the new album which saw the light of day on 24th december 2015. It is dedicated to the memory of their bandmate who can be heard on some of the nine tracks of "Fierce Self".

The frontcover of Panders "Fierce Self", (c) by Pander, used with kind permission

Summary

The album is like a answer to one of my wishes. I always wanted to hear a record that really comes close to the feeling of being in a rehearsal room with that feeling of the pressure the sound creates only at those places. "Fierce Self" is one of the few records I found that has this feeling to it. The tracks are also connected to each other so you have the impression that the band is doing the final rehearsal just before the tour or the next show is coming up and is playing all the tracks in a row.

Musically it's a heavy riffing album with softer vocals and a good potion of groove with it. It has a fat sounding rhythm section with it that you'll remember having listened to the music. The songs all come along differently so it'll take some replays to get all the details that can be heard on the album. As well as sounding live it's also a CD that comes with a quality at the recording technique so it's well worth giving some money away for it.

You'll receive a fine digipack CD package with a dark and gloomy artwork but if you keep the circumstances in mind that happened during the album creation it's only understandable that the artwork couldn't show up in a happier way. Even if you look at the backside of the Compact Disc itself you'll see a mention the band left for Andre Bouma. Far too many great musicians leave us these days but we can only hope that this band will push on forward no matter what comes next.

Player

The whole album can be heard from the Soundcloud widget below.


Purchase-Link

You can purchase the download directly at the Bandcamp page of Pander for 4,50 Euro or order a fine CD copy from Stichting Metalization for 5 Euro plus shipping and handling. If you prefer iTunes you might be happy to see that the album is up for purchase their as well.

Also make sure to connect to Pander using Facebook.

Omen to tour Europe and new song from Hammer Damage online

The legend Omen will show up in Europe! Yeah, I was also very surprised when I got to know from their Facebook site that the band is going to do a round of headliner shows already in March 2015!
Here is the list of tourdates, supportact will be Masters of Disguise:

07.03.2015 Athen (GRE)
08.03.2015 Athen (GRE)
12.03.2015 Jam, Koblenz (D)
13.03.2015 Little Devil, Tilburg (NL)
14.03.2015 German SwordBrothers Festival, Lünen (GER)
15.03.2015 UJZ, Uelsen (GER)
16.03.2015 7er Club, Mannheim (GER)
20.03.2015 Schlachthaus, Dornbirn (A)
22.03.2015 Rockfesthall, Hamme (B)

And there's one more good message: the band has uploaded a new song from the long awaited new album "Hammer Damage". Countless obstacles kept the band from releasing the album including a change of the singer plus a water damage at the studio the band was recording resulting in a loss of stuff which had to be re-done by the band.

Anyway, enjoy the new track "Hellas" which is a pure pleasure for me to listen to. Just thing of the good old times, I think this one will perfectly fitt into the long list of classics the band has put out so far.

Morphelia release 3 cam mix video of Northern Prog Festival

Sometimes, yes only sometimes there's a song and band out there that gives you this freezin' chills that make you feel so good. They help you escape from the daily gray, the dark and cloudy winter weather we are currently rolled in.

This little moment has just happened. I saw a live video from the band "Morphelia", a superb and excellent Progrock and progressive Metal band from Lower Saxony, Germany. Maybe this little post can help to reach out and touch some of you out there to make more people aware of them.

The cover of the current album "Waken the nightmare", (c) by Morphelia . Used with kind permission.

They are sort of a band which offers music to let you drift and dream away but never misses this groovy touch so it never feels boring or standing still. One of the bands you could compare them best to is the band Saga. But better than any words could ever do music speaks out for itselfs so please click the play button and enjoy some fine music and video (it's a fine three cam mix done from the guys at the Background Megazine).

I like the detailed work on this one, all of the elements are arranged in such a harmonic way that fits together perfectly. Most of all the atmosphere is supported by the fine keyboards and the whole excitement lasts for the full ten minutes duration of this track. That's something quite few band can come up with.





I've seen Morphelia myselves back in 2011 and they were awesome. A friend of mine made me aware of them and we spontanously drove over to the show. Never forgot that evening. Most of all the bass guitar solo. I've had the honour to see quite a lot of good bass guitar players so far but Renko Rickers is absolute excellent on his instrument.

Don't miss out to see Morphelias website to learn more about this excellent band. They also have a account on youtube as well as a page on myspace if you prefer to connect to them through these pages.

The band is working on a new album at the moment and sends out a newsletter through E-Mail from time to time. It includes information on the the recording process as well as about past and upcoming shows of the band. It comes in both, german and english language. Just enter your E-Mail adress into the proper field on the right row directly at the homepage underneath the Vossphor-Records Logo (please scroll down a little bit to see it).

The band recently played at the Northern Prog Festival in Siegerwoude in the Netherlands on November 1st 2014. If you want to read a detailed live review about the festival as well as some photos of all the bands playing then head over to the Background megazine. They've put together a fine detailed check up of the full festival.

How are vinyls manufactured?

Did you ever ask how it looks like when vinyl albums are manufactured? This little movie filmed at the Record Industry,Haarlem (NL) from the EMP Rockinvasion magazine in german language gives some insight.

Glad to see vinyl albums ain't outdated yet. It's still something very special for me when I do listen to a album from a turntable. Love this crackling and rustling, it belongs to it IMHO. You can see more movies from this magazine on their youtube channel.