Striker offers new album Ultrapower with cool rewards

Canadian shredders Striker have already a while ago decided to take their fate into their own hands and to oversee and finance all band activities on their own.

Of course that's only possible due to the constant support the fans of the band have given them over the years. The time has come now for the band to set sails for the upcoming album "Ultrapower". 

The ULTRAPOWER album cover IRL (53.549618, -113.482956) Artwork by @hasr_oner

This time with Josh Schroeder on the helm the guys decided that it was time for a change and expand things a bit. That's why they opened up a Kickstarter campaign to bring in the cash needed to get the new record to life.

By the time I'm typing these lines the goal has already been reached. But besides the reasonable prices it's still a good idea to join the campaign because a lot of cool stretch goals are still waiting to be unlocked, e.g. to have a physical copy with a bonus tracks packed in a special foil cover. So make sure to spread the word around.

Besides that the main question is: how is the music going to evolve? Well, a first teaser has already been given out with a new video single shot and edited by the band themselves.

It's a raunchy styled new track called "Best of the best of the best" that rocks with a mixture of slightly trashing riffs, cool drums, pumping bass guitars and vocals reminding me of classic days where hall effects were much more common in band performances. I think a lot of you will be very happy to hear this again.   

Anfitrite offer EP for very fair price to backers

Some bands can deliver a broken sensible sound with their music. I've found out that the symphonic gothic metal band Anfitrite set's a breathtaking feeling when it comes to calming your mind down. 

The beautiful artwork accompanies to the music of Anfitrite.

 

Recently they've released a teaser of the track "Helena de Troya" and it gave me a moment of well-feeling in all the rushing times we're living in. A fine moment of being balanced. 

Besides this the project needs your support to finish their upcoming EP. This is due to the serious political, economic and social crisis that Venezuela is suffering at the moment, making it very difficult to complete the EP by their own means. 

Starting with a small price of just 3 dollar the band offers a digital copy of the songs with artwork along with the booklet to be send directly to your E-Mail inbox. But of course you're invited to give a higher amount if you can spare more with them. The EP will also be available later as a limited edition CD and USB stick. 

You can directly access the campaign page on Ko-Fi. 

Make sure to see the band's homepage and Facebook site for additional information.

Bloody Times offer pre-production demos to backers

In these times many bands need to ask the fans for the money they need to produce a new album. One of the hardest parts surely is to offer something special that people will want to get their hands on.

New Bloody Times tunes are in the makings.

Bloody Times have chosen to give out even the pre-production demos as well as backing tracks to those who give more than the average amount. Any amount helps and the basic level already secures a download of the new song package. Here's a overlook:

Basic reward:
No matter what amount you support us with, you'll always get a free download of the new music as early access before the official release.
 
Full reward (25+ euros):
We’ll send you the official CD to your location plus you’ll get a special version of the album (“Story Edition”, exclusive only) as download. We also include your name as a supporter in the CD booklet.
 
Greater Reward (50+ euros):
We will share the pre-production demos with you, which are only meant for internal use. Plus, you’ll get exclusive backing tracks of the songs which is super interesting if you’re a musician or singer yourself.
 
Insane reward (75+ euros):
You’ll receive an artefact such as an used guitar string from us. This comes with a certificate that displays for what song the artefact was used. Artefacts are only available "while stock lasts" (first come, first serve; but we're using a lot of strings so we should have enough for all supporters).
 
Also you've the chance to be a part of our record! We’d like to include you into a radio message effect scene in one of our songs. If you want this, you’ll need to meet the requirements. You don’t need special equipment but only follow certain instructions. This special task will be granted and is limited to the three backers with the highest amount donated and thus gave us the highest support to finance this production."
 
Link to GoFundMe campaign: https://www.gofundme.com/f/new-bloody-times-album-heavy-metal

You can listen to some music of the band in the short campaign video.

As for the vocal duties the band comments: "While the line-up regarding guitar and bass is still the same, the vocal slot will probably again be filled with some shining guests. After the break of John Greely, it’s planned that he’ll support us again on some songs, together with presumably some European singers, named Oddleif Stensland (Communic) and David Marcelis (Thorium, Black Knight). Nothing cast in stone yet, but you can expect something."

100 remastered vinyl copies of Corners Of Sanctuary's Galloping Hordes available

Some opportunity's only come once your way in life... This experience from real life may also count for the vinyl album offer of Old School metal revivalists Corners Of Sanctuary.

This is how the originally intended cover artwork looks like

Currently 100 copies are up for pre-order as a crowdfunding campaign the band set up on Qrates.com. If you decide to pick up a copy for 17.98 Dollar plus shipping and handling you'll be rewarded with remastered sound, optimised for vinyl by Bill Metoyer. A bonus track plus a alternative cover round out the package.

It is available until 30th June 2019. You can stream the whole record on the Qrates page if you're not sure about the album yet. Or stream the title track right here.

In other news the band is working on a new album plus further singles and will continue to play shows in the upcoming months. This band is for sure all about taking chances.

April 26 - Threatpoint Benefit - Wilkes-Barres, PA
April 29 - McStew’s - Levittown, PA
(supporting Blaze Bayley formerly of Iron Maiden)
May 4 - TBA
May 17-18 - Finger Lakes Metal Fest 2019 - Clyde, NY
June 6 – Cherry Street Station - Wallingford, CT
June 7 – Trish Stock – Oswego, NY
June 8 – 33 Golden Street – New London, CT
June 28 - TBA
June 29 - Basement Transmissions - Erie, PA
July 27 - Vinyl Closet Records Metal Fest - Norristown, PA
August 30 - Border Bar - Wilkes-barres, PA
September 11 - Skinny’s – North Hollywood, CA
September 12 - TBA
September 13 - Whiskey – West Hollywood, CA (supporting The Iron Maidens)
September 14 - Malone’s House of Metal – Santa Ana, CA

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.

Corners Of Sanctuary hand out their "Declaration Of Metal"

New Wave of Traditional American Heavy Metal band CORNERS OF SANCTUARY (COS) announces the release of "Declaration of Metal", a comprehensive, retrospective compilation of the band’s music, comprised of tracks from their past five albums: “Breakout”, “Harlequin”, “Axe to Grind”, “Metal Machine” and “Driven Snow”.
Additionally, cuts from their first EP, "Forgotten Hero", and a brand new song, “Hyde No More”, with new drummer Mad T and featuring Of Ancient Descent guitarist John Coonan (former Seeker, Corporate Mass), round out the compilation.

The "Declaration Of Metal" logo, (c) by Corners Of Sanctuary, used with kind permission

"Declaration of Metal" track listing:
1. Only One
2. Juggernaut
3. Bleed With Me
4. Now We Must Live
5. Hellequin
6. On the Hunt
7. A Fist Full of Vengeance
8. Victoria
9. Left Scarred
10. Wrecking Ball
11. Driven Snow
12. Hyde No More

Here are the details of this new release:

“Corners of Sanctuary continues to charge forward. Declaration of Metal is surely a declaration alright; a declaration to keep moving forward and I’m very excited to be a part it,” stated Mad T. who has taken over the drums after a recent departure with Sean Nelligan Mad T also appears on “Victoria” and “Only One”, a song which he co-wrote with COS guitarist Mick Michaels.

“Declaration of Metal” is being made available in two formats: digitally and as a limited print US only cd through March Baby Media. (just click on the link to go to the Corners Of Sanctuary site where you can buy the compilation in mp3 or wave format).

A special mp3 download, which includes two bonus tracks, is also being offered exclusively on Boston Rock Radio’s official website.

As part of the promotional campaign for the compilation's release, a music video for "Victoria" is also being launched. The video, filmed earlier this summer, was produced and directed by AMA Films in the band’s hometown of Philadelphia.


A follow-up video for “Hyde No More” is planned to release later this summer.
COS continues to power on through 2016 with the second leg of their tour appropriately coined The Declaration of Metal Tour in support of their compilation release. The band embarks on a short New England string of shows which includes supporting Marc Rizzo from Soulfy on July 28th and another performance in August at this summer’s Metal Eternal Fest Tour’s Delaware show.

Corners of Sanctuary will begin work on their next full-length album in August which the band plans to release sometime in 2017. COS is also looking to schedule some West Coast dates in the Fall as well as working on a Winter 2017 excursion to Europe.

A COS crowdfunding page has been created to support the band’s touring efforts and is now live at their official website.  Please consider giving some money to keep the band on the road. Fans’ financial support is being gifted with several Official COS Nation Merchandise Packages including autographed photos and CDs, concert shirts, patches and supporters having their names listed on the COS website.

Upcoming shows

July 28 - Firehouse 13 - Providence, RI (with Marc Rizzo of Soulfly)
July 29 - The Cove - Worcester, MA
July 30 - The Bar - New Bedford, MA
August 6 - Oddity Bar - Metal Eternal Fest Tour - Wilmington, DE
August 20 - The New Penny Lounge - Scranton, PA (with Beyond Fallen)
September 9 - Cherry Street Station - Wallingford, CT (with Shallow Ground)
October 14 - Wrecking Ball Fest 2016 - Philadelphia, PA

For the latest band news and show dates, visit their official website and Facebook page.

Interview with Mistheria about Vivaldi Metal Project.com (2016)

(c) by Vivaldi Metal Project, used with kind permission

Short Introduction
 
The all-metal-stars VIVALDI METAL PROJECT involves 70+ world-famous musicians from all around the globe such as

Rick Wakeman (YES), Michael Lepond (SymphonyX), Fabio Lione (Rhapsody of Fire / Angra), Rob Rock (Impellitteri), Dani Loeble (Helloween), Marco Sfogli (J. LaBrie), Andreas Passmark (Royal Hunt), Chris Caffery (Trans Siberian Orchestra / Savatage), Steve Di Giorgio (Testament), Atma Anur (T. MacAlpine, G. Howe), Tommy Denander (Radioactive / Toto)

The Project will make a Metal version of Antonio Vivaldi's legendary masterpiece “THE FOUR SEASONS”. Moreover, the project features the "Sinfonietta Consonus Symphonic Orchestra" conducted by Szymon Morus and the "Academic Choir Manolov" conducted by Darena Popova. Here you can hear a short trailer:


The international Vivaldi Metal Project was launched at the end of 2013 by keyboardist, composer and producer Mistheria (solo artist who also worked with such top artists as Bruce Dickinson, Rob Rock, RoyZ among others) together with his co-producer, bassist/composer Alberto Rigoni (solo artist,TwinSpirits).
The album release is set on 2016. More names will be unveiled soon!

In the meantime, The Vivaldi Metal Project launched a crowdfunding campaign on PledgeMusic with the album pre-sales (will be available as mp3 for digital download or USB key and on CD) and various additional exclusive options such as autographed CDs, CD boxes, Skype interviews, online lessons and shows. A part of donations will be used for charity purposes. More information is available at this location: http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/vivaldi-metal
The campaign is up and running so there's still a chance of picking up one of the exclusive offers.

Heavy Metal Underdogs was very curious when we first heard about the project. Happily we had the chance to talk to one of the masterminds behind the project (Mistheria). Find out how it's like to be when the production of such a massive project lies in your hands, the current status of the ongoing recording process and get to know about the further future plans in this interview. 

Heavy Metal Underdogs: Who had the initial idea to the project?

Mistheria: Hi Joern! I've started thinking to a symphonic-metal remake of the Vivaldi's "The Four Season" several years ago, then on 2013 I made a demo to check how it would have sounded, I liked the idea and moved ahead...

Why did you pick the four seasons suite?

M: I've been listening to this masterwork thousand of times during my life, simply I love it! Then I found a Piano reduction score (quite rare music sheet) and played it time by time for my personal enjoyment, but then the vigorous rhythmic, the wonderful melodies and metal-oriented harmonies convinced me to arrange them mixing my two favorite genres, Classical and Metal.

Is Vivaldi amongst your favorites / influences that made you start with music?

M: Definitely yes! I was a kid, and I found a Classical collection in the newsstand and asked to my parents to buy the first issue, it was dedicated to Bach, Handel and Vivaldi ...

Why did you decide to split up all the several parts to various musicians instead of sticking to only a few?

M: Because I think to Classical music and Vivaldi are an "universal world of music" that artists must live and enjoy together and give, each one, his/her own contribution, like in the real world each of us make possible the other people living through his/her own job and activity, in the same way each artist should contribute creating this metal-opera adding personal talent, musicality, feel and love.

Mistheria in the studio, (c) by Mistheria, used with kind permission

Can you please give a little overview on the steps that were necessary to build up such a massive project? I know at least that it needed around two years of preparation before the project could start into the recording phase.

M: The basic idea was that I'd have arranged the full opera and give the parts to the various artists, something I do for my solo albums. So I made couple arrangements but then I felt that it would have been a new album of mine instead to be a real “project”. So, one day I submitted my idea to involve other arrangers to my co-producer Alberto Rigoni, he loved the idea as well. So, I've started calling some friends that, I knew, they would have loved work on it as arranger and afterward we launched some contests to engage new arrangers. This took some months since I had to collect demos, listen and analyze them, give directions, suggesting changes, etc. Meanwhile, artists were invited as performers and we've started receiving lot of requests from any artists to participate (still arriving in our inbox as we talk...). A lot of material for me to check and sort out... We started recordings after year and half since the project has been launched.

Can you already give a little insight on who will exactly play which part of the suite or should it be kept as a surprise until the release of the record?

M: Well, time by time we post on our social networks about recordings progress and the most of time we also mention the songs that they have worked on... the exact lineup of each song is not complete yet so we cannot give it out, several artists are still recording, some parts can be switched among artists for production needs, etc. However, following us on www.facebook.com/vivaldimetalproject anyone can try to collect the info and for some songs maybe already get the final picture.. ;-)

Is the list of musicians contributing to the project already complete or can people who would be interested in joining the project still get in touch with you?

M: Let's say that the 90% of lineup is complete. We have a “waiting list” quite long of musicians (many of time very excellent artists) which already sent their request time ago, but, you know, it's pretty impossible to give a spot to everybody at the moment, because we're looking now to fill some very specific parts which require very specific requirements. Sometime I give a look back to the guest-list and pick some artist which I think can complete some parts still unassigned, etc. Some artists have been recalled after one year … sometime it is not a nice job to do for me and especially I hate to say no to someone which would have loved to participate, I thank always for understanding.

Mistheria and Alberto Rigoni, (c) by Mistheria and Alberto Rigoni, used with kind permission

  
How did you find the best fitting musician for each part of the suite?

M: As said, I needed and still need hours per day to analyze artists' skills, a proper study on their works and musical attitudes (of course except the well known artists which I've already worked with or that I simply know from their past albums). Then I write down some memos and immediately assign them to a song, although not as a definitive choice. Then, days after I'm back to that assignment, checking if I was right or maybe need to change it, etc. A long process, sometime choices are hard to make and at risk, but that's my job here...

Will the finished product also include parts of modern metal music (use of harsh effects, brutal production, low tuned guitars etc.) or do you prefer a more classic attempt on the songwriting?

M: I love some intersection of genres although keeping always tightly the final goal. I've required some harsh parts, low tuned guitars, etc. during the recordings, and during the mix we'll tune and add them even more.

Do you think their will be live-performances of the album with at  least some of the musicians that contributed to the project in the future?

M: There is already an idea about it and we've already got some interesting and nice proposals for live shows. I cannot focus on it right now, since my main job at the moment is to complete the recordings and mix the album. Several artists which recorded on the album have already given their availability for live performances. There are already some collaborators and agencies working on it, we'd really love the Vivaldi Metal Project live on stage!

Do you see the chance of putting together a DVD one day that shows the making of the recordings in detail?

M: This could be a very nice idea although it's the first time someone asks me about. Well, sure it'd be interesting as a “bonus” material and we've definitely to consider it, I'll pass your idea to my staff... thanks for such a great suggestion! ;-)


All the best and have a great rockin' weekend :)

M: Thanks to you Joern and to all Heavy Metal Underdogs readers! Please, keep following the Vivaldi Metal Project on www.vivaldimetalproject.com

COS releases face-expressive video for Left Scarred

Happy new year everyone! Heavy Metal Underdogs wishes all of you a happy and healthy 2016. Let's start into the new circle with a great video of Corners Of Santuary. I think you'll see why I picked their video for posting here on the site - like the idea and way it was outworked. 

How much expression can be transported through the human face and body? A lot if you ask me. The traditional Heavy Metal Band Corners of Sanctuary has released a video for the track "Left Scarred" which gives a excellent expression of the lyrics through vocalist Frankie Cross. The black-and-white styled video completly centers around his performance of the lyrics/vocals through his body and face and I think he has done a great job on that.


But how does it feel to stand in front of a camera during the video shot? I often asked that myselves and here's some insight given from the frontman of Corners of Sanctuary Frankie Cross: "When action is called you must immediately immerse yourself not only in the music and words but in the reality of the song core itself and stay in that mental combat zone until cut is called. “Left Scarred” is not only the title but a tapestry of horror and hope.”

Corners of Sanctuary takes to the road in 2016 in support of the Metal Machine album with the “Wrecking Ball Tour”. A new crowdfunding page has been created to assist in supporting the band’s efforts and is now live at their official website.

Fans’ financial support is being gifted with several Official COS Metal Machine Merchandise Packages which include autographed photos and CDs, concert shirts, patches and supporters having their names listed on the COS website.

(c) by Corners Of Sanctuary, used with kind permission

Upcoming 2016 Corners of Sanctuary shows:

Jan 2nd - The Met - Pawtucket, Rhode Island
Jan 16th - Music Rocks Autism Showcase - Live at the Nail - Ardmore, Pennsylvania
Jan 22nd - The Grog & Tankard – Stanford, Virginia
Jan 23rd - The Riff House - Chesapeake, Virginia
Jan 30th - Reverb - Reading, Pennsylvania
Mar 4th - The Maywood - Raleigh, North Carolina
Mar 5th - Memories - Waldorf, Maryland
May 13th-14th - NEPA Metal Meltdown Fest - Pittson, Pennsylvania

For the latest band news and show dates, visit their official website and Facebook page.

September Mourning releases lyric video and expands Kickstarter campaign

The first time I heard about a collaboration between a metal band with the world of comic characters was way back in 1996. Iced Earth released their "The Dark Saga" album, a concept record about the world of Spawn which also was used as a front cover of the album. I liked the record also it was much softer than the very heavy previous effort "Burnt Offerings". The addition of emotions and more variantions in the songs made it interesting for me.

September Mourning makes a different approach. It is not "only" a character in a comic universe but also a woman who performs under the same name and appeareance a combination of dark alternative Hard Rock. The music part of the project has just released their "Children Of Fate" lyric video from their upcoming EP due out this fall.

The character of September Mourning is a human-reaper hybrid, who feels the need to give some human souls a second chance, and thus toys with Fate. The real human artist carries positive passions into her music constantly encouraging their fans to have “the courage to embrace their passion… to allow yourself to follow your heart and not be a slave to your fears. To know that the only boundaries that exist in our lives are the ones we allow.”


Currently a Kickstarter campaign is up and running to help bring September Mourning's story from the stage to the pages of a comic book. An amazing all female team has been assembled to bring the story to life. The first issue has already been written by Mariah McCourt, illustrated by Summeye Kesgin, and conceptualized by Emily Lazar (September Mourning) & Marc Silvestri.

At the time I'm typing these lines the project was able to reach their initial Kickstarter funding goal for the first issue of the September Mourning comic book in under 72 hours! The first stretch goal of $20,000 has been announced.

When the stretch goal is reached, every person receiving a print or digital copy of September Mourning #1 will now also receive a corresponding digital and/or print copy of September Mourning #2 with a new Summeye Kesgin cover. This is a completely separate comic and continues the story of September Mourning. This exclusive cover edition will only be available through Kickstarter.

The #2 issue is not a separate pledge level, it's a stretch goal added to all who receive #1. So you can pledge other levels or spread the word about the campaign to your friends to help push over the $20,000 pledge level. You can make a pledge on September Mourning's Kickstarter page HERE. 
 
A pdf version of the comic is available for 5 Dollar including a free download of the song "Children of Fate". The prices for a  physical copy start at 15 Dollar. Just check the link for more details.

If you'd like to connect with September Mourning make sure to see the Facebook page or have a eye on Twitter or check in at Instagram.

A band of brothers: Odd Crew asking for your support on the next album

Many people playing in bands say that being someone that is part of it brings you in sort of a special relation to others. Some compare it to being married, but instead married to one person being married to let's say four other people.

The modern thrash band Odd Crew from Bulgaria describes themselves as a family who started out back in 1998. The four young men were kids in those days but they always stayed together throughout all the years. Now the time for the band has come to set a new focus in their lifes and they decided to go in a even more professionell direction with the fourth album under the banner of Odd Crew being in pre-production at the moment.

(c) by Odd Crew. used with kind permission

But the band needs a proper sound to be able to reach out to more fans with the new record. You know these days a lot of good bands and albums are around but going into a fully professionell production requires you to work with a proper producer and recording location. Odd Crew decided that they would like to work with Jason Seucof from Audiohammer Studios, Florida. He already worked with well known bands like Trivium, Devildriver, Firewind and the like.

Being not signed to a major label or having a big budget on their hands the band asks their fans and all other people who are interested in their music out there to help them out with the money needed to do this step. The goal has been set to 35.000 Dollars on their IndieGoGo campaign that's up and running 'till the end of January 2015. If you like to support them further on their way you can choose between several goodie packs ranging from a digital album download at 10 Euro up to a physical CD for 20 Euro or several other options. Just check out the campaign page to find out more about that.

Most of all you may ask how the new album is going to sound like? Check out the clip below to find about that:

Toshes raise money for first album and show acoustic version of Smoker Man

Do you remember the band Toshes? Some time ago I wrote a little review about their brand new song and video for "Smoker Man". In the meantime the band has played several shows and kicked off a crowdfunding campaign to get the money needed to record the first full album.

The cool thing is the band has done a little acoustic version of the song "Smoker Man" to support the ongoing funding and to remind the people that they still can support the band.

I never saw someone drumming on a guitar, a very unusual but cool way to do a acoustic version of a song. Check it out below and don't forget to give some bucks if you want the band to do the record as well as to play more free shows in the future. If you want stay up to date on the progress of the campaign make sure to join the Event page the band has set up on Facebook.

Beitrag von Louis-Pierre Baudry.

The campaign itself can be found on Kiss Kiss Bank Bank but it's only running for 18 days left (time this article was written). The band has given a detailed description on the campaign page how much money they need exactly to perform the steps needed to do the record.

A digital copy can be reserved for 10 Euro, a physical copy can be chosen for 20 Euro. It comes as a digipack plus 6 page booklet.

If the funding reaches the 50 Percent mark up to the next Monday the band has promised to put out maybe something new since they already entered the studio. (Source: Campaign page on Facebook).