Voyager-X take a critical look on media overload

In this brand new song the re-formed progressive metal band Voyager-X cuts the topic slowly step by step yet in a very precise way.

 © Artwork Album Tobias Roetsch | Artwork Singles Richard Touzimsky

The song "Hypnotize You" is going down in a way that is very cool. With every verse the music feels like fading the audience in into the show. I can imagine this going down in a great way in a live situation yet the message of bread and games is vital and important. 

While the progressive metallish music walks down a straightforward and catchy way with direct drums and play-around sharply tuned guitars it's the vocals that put in a raw and dazing touch that makes sure a feeling rises up in me that not everything is as easy as it seems.

I think the pictures chosen to suit the lyric video speak on point that media can make us forget all the things around us that are truly of importance - the destruction of our nature, wars and much more. 

Make sure to pre-order the new album "Magic" that also holds "Hypnotize You" on it (out: March 2024). It's available at these places.

VOYAGER-X „Magic“ Digifile CD:

► www.dr-music-promotion.de/?p=23071/#shops

🎧 VOYAGER-X „Magic“ Streaming & Download:

► Amazon: https://li-nk.net/voyager-x-magic-amazon

► Apple Music & iTunes: https://li-nk.net/voyager-x-magic-applemusic

Neocracy open the road to the new album with heavy catchy single

I remember the time the first Neocracy album hit my inbox. It was a special album full of sensible and broken feelings beautifully packed in riffing songs. The raw sound made it sure all the feelings came through in a direct way without changes.

The new Neocracy is a bit different from what the band released this far.

The newest single called "Torment" goes a different way. It's sound is still soaked with riffs but the drums are way heavier this time and a word on precise timing. The contrast comes in with the vocals that are fine and full of emotion. It's refrain is a earworm that once it's inside your mind won't leave you again. 

But the track has even more to offer. The last third comes with a surprise showing dark toned vocals that the bassist throws into the sound. It all get's a heavier touch before a extended guitar solo and the female vocals close the single. You can intensively feel the dedication the musicians put into the making of "Torment". It's a well worked out track with fine mixing - you need to listen closely to hear all the details that are inside.

Make sure to follow Neocracy further on Facebook and the popular Instagram network. After this teaser I'm sure many of you out there can't wait to see and hear how the band moves on in the upcoming time.

Share new Blameshift video for a chance to win a PRS Guitar

If you share this video of the US powerhouse Blameshift on YouTube you're in for a special treat. The band is raffling a handpainted PRS guitar among all those who participate. Be quick this only lasts 'til end of this month (March 2021).

This is how the guitar looks like.

As for the music: the song is a fine tuned track that combines straight rock patterns and riffing with female vocals that emphasize on the proper timings when the music reaches it's highs and softer points. I like the catchy style without losing it's power or the needed pressure.

The band recorded more tunes in the meantime with Erik Ron (Godsmack, New Years Day, Panic! At The Disco) on the helm. Make sure to keep a eye on Facebook so you won't miss out on what's to come.

Let's talk with Reternity about A Test Of Shadows (2020)

Sometimes there are these albums out there that go deep into your mind. You can feel that they touch something inside of you. It has been like this for me with Reternity's "A Test Of Shadows" that comes out on September 25th 2020 via MDD/Black Sunset.

While the sound is heavy but also uplifting it has also been the lyrics talking about demons and our battles against them that found my interest. Check out the interview with Stefan Zörner, vocalist of the band. He gave us a little look behind the scenes of the upcoming album.

Get into the mood with the title track of the album first.

Heavy Metal Underdogs: Were you influenced more from classic thrash sounds this time?

Hey, nice to meet ya! Uhhh, hard to say… I think, „A Test of Shadows“ is the consistent successor to „Demon“. Maybe a litte bit more uniform and with more catchy moments. More Thrash, more Rock and more hooks to remind, haha!

You and Carsten Sauter recorded the music in the studio on the new album. Do you think that you know best how things should sound like or how came it all together?

Indeed it´s our baby. Carsten and my humble self started RETERNITY and we are the core of this band. No dictators but… musical directors. On the other hand we know about the importance of new blood, critical thoughts and we love to create new music together with our bandmates!

Sometimes the sound is a bit demo-like. Do you want to pay tribute to the days of demo cassette tapes this way?

I wouldn´t say „demo-like“. I prefer the description „typical Reternity“. We are looking for a unique sound and the new album is a big step into that direction. We are very happy with the result. I think too many albums sound similar these days. We are trying to be different.

The cover of "A Test Of Shadows" reminds of a scene in a boxing ring. How would you describe one round in the fight that takes place?

The covergirl is the same lady as on „Facing the Demon“. You can say it is a journey. You have to fight the inner demons and this is the final battle. Stand your ground, don´t fear to fall! Do your best – it will be enough! 

As for fighting against demons: do you think women have to deal more often with them?

No. I think every human being has to deal with inner demons, regrets, nightmares and doubt! We fear to loose the ones we love or never to find love. We fear so much and forget to live. What a pitty!

The lyrics left a gloomy impression on me also sometimes hope shines through. Do you write them up in specific situations or do they evolve over time?

As mentioned, there is a conception. It is called „Diaries of the Mind“ and divided into three acts. So there will be another album, haha! Ok, most of the lyrics are very personal and thoughtful. But there is hope, there is peace and there is a life in light after the darkness! So never stop to think positive, boy!

Do you think people may listen to your songs and find help in them?
Puh. I really don´t know. I just want to write meaningful lyrics. I won´t preach and I don´t know, what is „wrong“ or „good“. But it is a very nice thought… I just want to give some hope and maybe a smile. And don´t forget to bang your heads out there! It´s about METAL music, that´s all!

Make sure to pre-order the album via MDD Records or at Amazon. You may also follow Reternity on Facebook.

Reternity bandshot done by Oliver Laube Photography.

Rev Jones films new video on iPhone

How much can be done with having a iPhone at hand when it comes to filming a new music video? Rev Jones has done this experiment and the result is impressive in my eyes. Never thought that such kick-ass music clip can be realized with such a limited ressource.

The cover of the album "Bakwash" by bass guitar player/vocalist Rev Jones, (c) by Rev Jones

The music is going straight and gave me a good push of power I needed. The refrain is catchy and once heard it's not going to leave your mind so quickly. Sometimes the song reminds a bit of Motörhead but this only adds to the fun of listening. The bass playing techniques shown in this video are great and should be a inspiration to all the four string heads out there. Same goes for the drums and guitars which show some nice tricks every here and there (Jim Dofka on guitar, Jeff Martin on the drums).

Rev Jones is known in the rock world for his amazing bass techniques & his crazy energetic stage presence, as seen onstage all over the world with several major acts, Steelheart, Leslie West, Michael Schenker Group (MSG), Mountain, Fuel, George Lynch, Paul Gilbert, Kottak, Black Symphony, Blasted To Static, Gundriver, Texas Hippie Coalition, and Forte, just to name a few.

It's the title track of album with the same name "Bakwash" that Rev Jones put out earlier this year. Be sure to pick a copy while having a look on his homepage that also holds more listening samples of the album.

Imonolith give a catchy first impression of their music

Some bands come out of nowhere just to slam you down to the ground with their sound. Imonolith did just that with the first single "Hollow".

The cover of Imonolith - Hollow (single release 2019)

The music combines two sides that normally are a contrast to each other. It's a mixture of heavyness in the hooks on the one side and melody and compact riffs in the verses on the other. "Hollow" can be called groovy, infectious. It offers the art of putting together music that is hard in it's core but sounds melodic and is highly enjoyable 'caus of it's overall softer sound package.

Many well known musicians can be heard on this one. Vocalist Jon Howard (Threat Signal, Arkaea), drummer Ryan ‘RVP’ Van Poederooyen (Devin Townsend Project), guitarist Brian Waddell (Devin Townsend Project), bassist Byron Stroud (Strapping Young Lad, Fear Factory), and second guitarist Kai Huppunen (Methods of Mayhem, Noise Therapy).

They have some shows coming up in Canada.

February 23 - Vancouver, BC @ The Red Room
March 1 - Calgary, AB @ Dickens
March 2 - Edmonton, AB @ Starlite Room (Temple)

More music is in the works. Drummer Ryan ‘RVP’ Van Poederooyen already gives a little glimpse about what to expect of further material: “As for 'Hollow', musically it represents the catchier side of IMONOLITH’s music. We have varying influences spread throughout the band and we don’t like to play just one style of music.

We have a more metal crushing side, a catchier radio side and then music that fits in-between our heavy and catchier vibes. We always aim to make IMONOLITH’s overall sound diverse and interesting. Most of all, we’re always focused on trying to write a great song, no matter if it’s heavy or catchy."

You can purchase and or stream the song "Hollow" over here.
The band's Facebook page will keep you up to date about the further progress.

CD Review: Drop Oblivion - Narcissistic Counselor (Death 'n' Thrash, 2019)

The previous singles were a blast. Now a dual EP release. Something new to me. So how has the first one turned out?

The cover of Drop Oblivion's upcoming EP "Narcissistic Counselor", (c) by Drop Oblivion

The introduction "Into The Dark" opens the curtain like opening up to a classic concert. It's darker toned for sure but helps to get into the mood. Happily not too long in duration to stress the listener.

"Damaged Goods" sounds good providing a boost of heavy hitting grunts and dirty riffs.
Enjoy the full details the track has to offer with it's many highs and lows on the guitar and drumming kicking it out to the door. It's a full duration endless runner talking how riffing should be in Thrash Metal. It's explodes into a blast of energy towards the end. The devil's mask, the mascot of Drop Oblivion comes to life this way.

"Detached" brought in the riff-fun with going up and down making the ride nearly endlessley. It's showing how to work a compact song keeping the energy inside without using the fast double bass formula. The biggest strength is it's constant changing all the while. It never becomes boring also having heard it numerous times. The end came as a surprise offering more relaxed notes. 

The title track is the center of this release. "Narcissistic Counselor" mixes the strengths of the previous tracks but takes it down even heavier. It has this finetuned mixture of catchy riffs and rhythm mixed up with rawness and abrasive vocals. A unusual use of high notes comes in as a surprise. Those high pitched moments knock into your head from the first listen. They dominate the last third of the track. A wicked tune from start to finish speaks out a darker language but I think the slower part leaves room for hope...

"Dreams are made broken" is the most dirty track of the pack throwing you in without further ado. It's a fast thrasher changing to midtempo parts on and on. Yet there's always this slice of melody and moreover fun on playing with the riffs that set the music apart from other bands. Don't turn off the player too fast at the end. Maybe a hint to the second EP coming in 1st February 2019 ? 

Pre-Order Link
This EP is a good christmas present. Just make sure to pre-order it right now on Bandcamp. It'll be up for download on the very first day of 2019. You can use the "Send as a gif" option on the linked Bandcamp website to do so. All you need is the Email of the lucky one.

Mark the Facebook page of Drop Oblivion with a like for more info on the upcoming second EP "The War Within" that is about to come up February 2019.

Preview-Track
Have a listen to "Detached" for a good insight into this release.