CD Review: Factory Of Art - Back To Life (Progressive Power Metal, 2024)

 The new Factory Of Art album is a surprise to me in any way it could be.

Finally a brand new Factory Of Art album has been released.

Brand new songs by a band that has been inactive for a long time? I was a bit unsure what to expect.

But it's already the first track called "Abysses" that calms my mind down. A decent fast track with a lot of progressive splitters that ignites a light in my mind.  It feels a bit long towards the end.

The midtempo of "Burning Wings" continues the heavy trademarks of the band and enriches them with keyboard elements that run through the whole song. It's a solid track.

"Blessing in Disguise" sets a dark mood and majestic sound. Not my favorite. It's not a bad song but feels a bit long and I think other tunes of the album are far better.

The band sounds better when they keep it more on a heavy and direct note. That's why I prefer songs like "Silent Room" or "Face Behind The Mask". They simply keep me closer to the stereo system and give me a  bigger positive push.  Most of all the least one with it's many various vocal variations stand out of the ten tracks. 

Happily the band never stresses the listener with too long songs or too stretched instrumental sections. That why I like them so much - it all remains compact and well listenable.

The longer tracks deserve to be longer and towards the end of the record the duration is cut shorter. It's good to hear that the band has the ability to come to a end at the proper moments. When it's over - it's over. 

"Decadence" for example is a bright and fast track but at the same remains so good because everything's arranged to the proper moments so it remains exciting to listen. Hold on 'till the songs end - it's well worth it.

Listening to the sound it's for sure a modern production. I've chosen to listen on less high volume because more details came through for me this way.  

I would encourage listener of heavier progressive metal music to purchase this album. It's not available for streaming with the exception of the video of "Blessing In Disguise".

Beside the songs it's the fine artwork and the colored vinyl in gatefold packaging that deserve the record to be added to your collection. 

With prices ranging from 15 Euro for the CD up to 30 bucks for the double vinyl I think it's still not too expensive. It's available directly by the band's own webshop.

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

Tomorrows Outlook free you of fears with Silver Ghost single

I think we all have to fight with fears in one or another way at times. It's not a nice feeling that can be felt rising up in your mind and sometimes taking control. Happily music has proven to be a effective way of treatment.

It helps a lot to have music by your side. It can take the bad effects away and let you move further. These thoughts came once more to my mind as I listened to the newest output by Tomorrow's Outlook. The combination of the solid riffs all along with the punching groove section set's a good basic at the start of the song.

The new album tells stories based at the surrounding of the Gressholman peninsula.

The story starts as the singer unfolds the story step by step through each verse and the refrain. It let's you follow the message as if it was a book. With every line and every minute the whole thing unfolds and through it's way the fear is revealed but also dissolved.

"Silver Ghost" comes with lyrics that have a deeper meaning in them as the band explains:

In the year 1905, Hanna was a hard-working northern Norwegian woman whose husband had tragically just passed away. She took on his duties as lightkeeper at Steglholmen near Gressholman, the old trade centre in Vågsfjorden south of Harstad. For more than 20 years she dutifully kept the light shining, guiding the ships safely past her post and on their way. The light was often exposed to the harshest of weather, but the job was an important one for more than one reason – the homestead they had bought when her beloved husband was still alive must be paid for, so the money was needed. 

The work was challenging, both physically and mentally. Crossing the dark, stormy sea in a small rowboat, that’s one thing. Another was the ever-present knowledge that once upon a time, this was the place of execution for three murderers whose remains were mounted on stakes and left there until time and nature had done away with them. As the black waves beat her boat and the wind howled at her light, she often glimpsed their horrific spectres beneath the foamy sea. But Hanna remained a brave and dutiful human, and she stood ever firm in the face of these trials.  

It's a first teaser to the upcoming album "Black Waves" that will be released early in 2024 on the band's own record label Sörvik Rock Music. Black Waves is a concept album based on real events from the coastal region surrounding the Gressholman peninsula, stretching from 1748 to the early 1900s. We hear the deeply shocking story of a brutal double murder which shook a small community, and also about a once vital and important trading post which met its ultimate end in a fire centuries later. The stories are mostly told through the eyes of the people involved, whose stories are guided by the superstitions, fears, and beliefs native to the northern part of Norway.

Keep a eye on the band's website as the release day comes closer and closer.

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.   

SCUD announces return with preview of new song

It's great to see that many bands show endurance throughout the many years of existence.

The brasilian band SCUD has already been around since 1990. They started the classic way with releasing a demo on cassette tape one year after the foundation. The following years see the band putting out 7 inch vinyl releases as well as a full album along with touring activities.

Sadly they often have to suffer of setbacks with people leaving the band not always at proper moments. By the time I'm writing this the band has taken a major step forwards.

SCUD have a preview of a new song online.

At the beginning of 2023 SCUD manage to set up their own home studio, SCUD MUSIC, Praia do Coqueiro, shore from Piauí, Brazil, a mini studio actually, but capable to start producing, recording, mixing and mastering next works. 

It enables the band to continue work on the next album called "Tremembés". The new release is currently being mixed at SCUD's home studio. After mixing, the songs go for mastering, completion and production for release. 

The band send us a full song as a preview of what is currently in the makings. The single is called "Caveman". It rocks out so much that it changed my mood for the better. It's already sounding great - a straight rocking number going directly for positive vibes. 

The fine thing is that it mixes the typical rock sound palette up with few elements adding distorted vocals for instance at the beginning. It remains in this structure for a second verse. This working method let's the power release afterwards at a even higher level and adds a extra push. The guitar sounds change often - it all never becomes one dimensional this way.  

It is all set on a high energy level pushing the drums to the max. I'm looking forward to hear how the fully produced song may sound like it the end.

Make sure to take a listen for yourselves or jump on over to Spotify to listen to the preview track and add the band on Facebook to keep in touch.

Fatal Opera sends some light with new single and album towards us

In all of the uncertainties of times we're living in music always shone a light for me. It contains my hope and keeps me pushing on forwards.

This goes even more in these days for me. So it was a massive highlight as I got the info that a brand new track by experimental progressive metallers Fatal Opera surfaced. 

Almost 20 years after the initial recordings, a brand new Fatal Opera record see's the light of day.

It's not "just" a song. It lives and breathes the typical soul of a song by this particular band. The many timing changes, the dark tonality, the unique lyrics but most of all a glimpse of uplifting positivity is what keeps me sticking to this particular band. There are also few slower parts that add to the great atmosphere - these lay the foundation for a even heavier next part of the single.

"The Raven" holds all of this. Plus it is some sort of reunion. David Ellefson contributes the bass guitars while Chris Poland can be heard on the six strings. Don't wait any longer and go straight to the music.

But we're even graced with more good news as as full new album by Fatal Opera also shines now on Spotify. Read all of the story below, I think a lot of the history guys out there will love to know how the story around Gar Samuelson (R.I.P.) moved on after he left Megadeth back in the day.

FATAL OPERA 3 can be streamed here:

https://open.spotify.com/album/4jOX9voVjVxg6PNPTPda7G

Following his departure from Megadeth in 1987, Gar Samuelson assembled his new band Fatal Opera, along with his brother Stew on guitar. Gar went on to produce the group’s debut album in 1994, which also featured Dave Inman on vocals, Travis Karcher on bass and Billy Brehme on guitar. The group’s second album Eleventh Hour was released in 1997 and introduced Andy Freeman on vocals, reaching top 10 on European charts while the group continued building a loyal fan base touring across the USA that year. Sadly, in 1999 Gar became ill and passed away, at which point the group disbanded.

Then, in 2018 Andy and Stew set out to remix the Eleventh Hour LP and in the process discovered a collection of demos with Gar which were intended to become the band’s third album before his passing. Although the demo tapes were damaged after many years of neglect, Freeman labored to revive the tracks with some songs lost forever. However, he was able to complete 12 tracks, inviting Ellefson & Poland to participate on "The Raven" as a way to conclude the legacy of Gar and Fatal Opera.

Chris Poland recalls, “Back in the day, long before Megadeth, Gar and his brother Stew were the heart and soul of a heavy instrumental jazz/rock project called THE NEW YORKERS. I played guitar with them and Robbie “Pag” Pagliari played fretless bass. It was everything we could do just to keep up! Stew’s right hand was a machine. Flawless. And Gar was right there with him always pushing things to the next level. 

And again, these two brothers were the heart and soul of Fatal Opera. It was a privilege to be a part of this release, and playing on ‘The Raven’ with David Ellefson made it that much more special. Gar was a true artist. Be it his amazing drumming, his painting or his wood sculpture pipe (he made by hand). Gar was one of a kind. And here Gar, Stew and crew push the limits of experimental metal. These songs are complex yet accessible. Music with a dark side that draws you into their world and keeps you wondering 'what’s next!'” Chris Poland also added additional guitar work to the track "Mask of Time".

David Ellefson adds,“This is a really cool moment for Chris and me to musically reunite with our friend Gar, now almost 35 years after our last studio session together, which was the 1987 re-recording of 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ for the Dudes movie soundtrack, compiled by director Penelope Spheeris. Gar was always such a free spirit with his music, no click tracks or digital reinvention for him. And, he seldom played the same thing twice, quite unusual for heavy metal! He just went for it with real gusto and that became the hallmark of his sound."

He continues, "When I was laying down the bass track for 'The Raven' it reminded me once again of Gar’s spontaneity in the studio, as if we were recording live in the same room together. I’m super happy these tracks were brought to life so we could have one last go around with Gar behind the kit. It’s a reminder that he truly was one of the greats!”

Track Listing for Fatal Opera 3 :

1. The Raven (Feat. David Ellefson & Chris Poland)

2. Live Again

3. Mask of Time (Feat. Chris Poland)

4. Killers in the Night

5. Swept Away

6. Burning of the Midnight Lamp

7. 10 Years Gone

8. Little Sister

9. Salt

10. Rise

11. Wings of Pain

12. Jumped in the Pot

Fatal Opera 3 Line-up:

Andy Freeman – Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar

Stew Samuelson – Guitar

Billy Brehme – Guitar

Travis Karcher – Bass

Gar Samuelson – Drums

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."

Fatal Opera to release final album after 20 years

Some bands are a bit legendary for me since they were using a sound formula not to be heard too often. It's like this with Fatal Opera, a band from the US that featured ex Megadeth drummer Gar Samuelson and his brother Stew Samuelson.

They had a jazz influenced way to set up the songs and the first album "Fatal Opera" to me personally also feels a bit as if Jimi Hendrix's feeling for exploring heavy guitar sounds mixed with various rhythm was continued by the band.

A old band picture of Fatal Opera, Photo Credit unknown after 20 years.

These days I'm surprised to learn that the band had a third album "Fatal Opera III" in the makings before Gar Samuelson died. Now 20 years later the results of these writing sessions are about to be released but in a special way with many upgrades and specials.

The street date for the LP has been announced to be Summer 2020 via Combat Records.

The album will include guest appearances from Megadeth’s Chris Poland and David Ellefson, who will appear on the track “The Raven”, which will mark the first time Poland, Ellefson and Samuelson have appeared on a track together since Megadeth’s seminal Peace Sells.. But Who’s Buying, as well as additional guest appearances from Poland, and New Yorkers bassist Robbie “Pags” Pagliari, marking the first time the original lineup of The New Yorkers (Poland and Samuelson’s pre-Megadeth Jazz/fusion project, also featuring guitarist Stew Samuelson) has appeared together on a commercial recording.

Also making a guest appearance on “The Raven” is Ellefson vocalist, and COMBAT Records A&R, Thom Hazaert.

Fatal Opera III, is the final chapter in the band’s legacy, featuring the final recordings of Samuelson, who passed away in 1999. Fatal Opera began work on a new album prior to Gar’s passing, and the tracks sat for almost 20 years, until they were finally revisited. Enough tracks were found to create Fatal Opera III, produced and mixed by Andy Freeman. The remaining members joined forces to finish the album that was started so many years ago, released in a fitting tribute and celebration to the legacy of Gar Samuelson, and Fatal Opera.

Vocalist Andy Freeman says, “It was a long time in the making, but it truly was a labor of love, putting together this final release. It was an honor and a privilege to work with David and Thom, who helped make this album possible, and getting Chris and David together with Gar once again brought the whole project full circle. We are very pleased that it will finally see the light of day, and hope that it will be an offering to our fans, and a fitting final musical tribute to Gar."

Megadeth bassist, and Combat Records owner, David Ellefson says, “Gar was one of the more unorthodox, unpredictable, and musically compelling drummers I've ever played with. His legacy continues to grow with the passage of time. So, it's an honor for me to have this posthumous performance with Gar, in honor of his incredible musicianship and legacy he left for us all to enjoy.”

Make sure to keep a eye on Combat Records Facebook page for further announcements of this release.

Chris Poland to release new solo album in 2020

The music that Chris Poland put out while he was playing the guitar for thrashers Megadeth has become iconic. A little lesser known is that he released a solo album in the time after the departure.This text tells the story of that time. It is a long read but all worth it - it's sort of mini-biography and holds many details unknown to me so far.

The very end of the text reveals that a brand new solo record will see the light of day in 2020. Let's have our fingers crossed that everything will turn out well until then.

Says Poland, “I was out of Megadeth, and went through rehab and had gotten clean. I had no gear, and I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to ever play guitar again. Friends started bringing me gear; guitars, amps, pedals, telling me, “you have to play again.” So, I started playing. Andy Sommers, Megadeth’s agent, heard I was clean and doing well, and the Circle Jerks needed a bassist, so I toured with them for over a year, playing bass. And while I was doing that, I was in the back of a 16-passenger van, writing the songs that would become Return to Metalopolis.”

“I didn’t have a drummer, so I asked my brother Mark to play on it. I said, “We’re gonna make a record, and I need you to play drums.” He agreed, and we started doing demos. Janie Hoffman shopped it and we got a really good deal with Capitol Records, but shortly after we did the deal, for whatever reason, we get a call from the A&R guy who says they can’t do the deal on Capitol, but they offered me a deal on Enigma. So that’s where it came out.”

Poland continues, “I just feel like it’s timeless. I don’t listen to it and think that it’s some dated 80’s bullshit. It’s not like that for me. Of course, I’m super close to it, and I love it, but I really feel like it has held up well.”

The cover of Chris Poland's "Return To Metalopolis".

The Return to Metalopolis reissue will be released on November 22nd on double CD, and digital, and in December on limited edition double LP, and Cassette, remastered with bonus material, including live tracks that originally appeared on the out of print 2007 release Return to Metalopolis Live, plus 3 brand new tracks recorded in 2019, featuring the rhythm section of Carlos Cruz and Chase Bryant of Warbringer.

Pre-order now at the following location: http://empmerch.com/?submit=&s=chris+poland&post_type=product

Note of the author of the blog: The link seems to be down at the moment. Not sure what's happening there but no other link is available right now. As soon as I have more info I'll add it here.
Update 10/30/19: The page is back online again.

After over a decade with Metal on the backburner, despite guest appearances with Lamb of God, Tourniquet, Redemption, and more, with Poland focusing his energy on playing and recording with his Jazz fusion trio OHM, which also featured late former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza, and the Chris Poland Resistance, another fusion project being released by the eclectic Modern Jazz-centric Ropeadope Records, Poland has also announced work on the long-awaited follow up to METALOPOLIS, to be released in 2020 on COMBAT.

“I never really got away from Metal, I’ve always been a Rock guy. And even the stuff we do with Ohm is really heavy and dynamic. But when I started playing with Nick (Menza) he really put a fire under my ass to write new, heavy music. I was over at his house every night after work, my wife told me I was having a “bro-mance”, but I couldn’t stop writing songs. Nick and I had hooked up with James Lomenzo (ex-Megadeth, White Lion), and we were actually going to start a band together, which didn’t work out, but I had literally hours and hours of ideas for songs that me and Nick were going to do together when he passed away. Now I’m working on putting them all together for a new solo release that will also come out on Combat.”

SpiteFuel return with a Flame To The Night in November

After the release of the outstanding concept album "Dreamworld Collapse" last year, moving months lie behind SpiteFuel, which caused a lot of unrest among their fans with the departure of their frontman and the introduction of the new singer Philipp Stahl.

Without a long creative break the songwriting machine of the guitarists Eurich and Pflüger continued to run at full speed and created 11 tracks which have opened a new chapter in the history of the band.

"Flame To The Night" is the name of the new longplayer which was produced in summer, again at the Gernhart Studio Troisdorf under the direction of Martin Buchwalter and will be released on November 8th via Black Sunset/MDD.

So how is the new album going to sound like? The record company states: "The guys combine on their new album well-known trademarks of the band like the technically sophisticated guitar riffing and a lot of feel for melody with a new, more "snotty" attitude to a wild, rocking, metallic mixture, which shows that there is only one direction for the band: Full speed ahead! Be prepared!"

I'm looking forward to what SpiteFuel has made of a precious situation like this. Many big stories in Metal history have proven that it can be a chance for a change. I'll keep a eye on them on Facebook to see how the story goes on.

In Sanity promote album with free entry acoustic shows

This is something unusual that crossed my way. In Sanity are a melodic death metal band. They have a new album coming on 18th October 2019 called "Welcome To The Show" via MDD Records. So normally you would think that a promotional tour would consist of a full blast metal show.

Instead of that the band decided to head out on the road for a string of acoustic shows here in Germany! The entry is free on all dates. Starting time is 20h, so make sure to be there on time. Here is the list of dates:

13.09. Kump - Brilon
14.09. Stud - Offenburg
20.09. Kulte Paderborn
21.09. Heartbreaker - Erfurt
27.09. Zigeunerkeller - Bad Hersfeld
28.09. Nordpol - Schwelm

The flyer for the acoustic promo tour of In Sanity.

Talking of further details on the fresh record it can be said that it was recorded and produced by Seeb Levermann at Greenman Studios (Orden Ogan, Brainstorm, Almanac, a.o.). The album features 12 tracks which will undoubtedly be the highlight of the sextet's musical work so far.

Listen to a very short snippet of the new album below and connect with the given links at the end of this blog post.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insanitymodernmetal
Website: https://insanitymetal.com/

New David Ellefson track feat. legendary hip-hop MC Darryl “DMC” McDaniels

News coming in from the David Ellefson camp. The title track of the new album has been uploaded to YouTube. It's a great pushing track that helped me to move on with my life on a day when things seemed to be down all the way. You know these situations when things don't turn out the way you want them to and you just sit there thinking of how to change for the better.

David Ellefson at the set of the "Sleeping Giants" video

At this moment the song came in. Music is like fuel for me. Nothings goes without. It centers me when I don't know where to go. Make sure to stay on the screen once the song finishes. It's well worth and a fine smiler.



Besides all of these good news even more showed up. They say that the album will also come out in Europe in November 2019 and shows over here in Europe are in a planning stage for that time frame!

Next week will see the Ellefson troop moving around in America showcasing more live music and looks behind the scenes of David Ellefson's career with Megadeth and his other projects.

BASSTORY MORE LIFE WITH DETH 2019 DATES

Thursday 9/5 – Fullerton, CA – The Slidebar (w/ SYMBOLIC)
Friday 9/6 – Ramona, CA – Ramona Mainstage (w/ SYMBOLIC)
Saturday 9/7 - Phoenix, AZ - Joe's Grotto (w/Fatal Malady)
Tuesday 9/10 – Phoenix, AZ – Changing Hands (Book signing/Q&A)

Attention! Chris Poland will perform live with David Ellefson Thursday, September 5th in Fullerton, CA at The Slidebar, as part of David Ellefson’s BASSTORY tour.

See David Ellefson's Basstory Facebook page for further info and updates.

Reason Define sort sound with deviding sections

Some bands have this something in their sound. It feels to me as if a song is sorted into sections through a devider that works as a bridge. That's something fine in my ears. It's like you can clearly spot that one part already finished and which part is going to be played as next  Looks like this all-female Charlotte/North Carolina based 5 piece had something similar in mind when they put together a new video single.

Reason Define have a package of great riffs for you. The band photo was taken by Obscvre Photography.

Reason Define did this in a special way for me. The track "Pointing Fingers" has many sections in that are build up the way I described in the column before. Besides that the music is power filled and breathes the fire of blazing riffs in them. The drums are straight and pushing but always clear to follow. In addition a nice story has been build into the music video but just see for yourselves...

Make sure to check the website and socials since this is only one song of the new package "In Memory" that has been released in March 2019 already.
https://www.reasondefine.com/

https://www.facebook.com/reasondefine/

https://twitter.com/reasondefine

Marc Vanderberg's You and I goes straight to the heart

Is there time for love in these days? I think we take to few time to listen to what our heart tries to tell us. There's simply too much noise all around us all the time.

German guitar wizard Marc Vanderberg released a great half ballad with his latest record "Phoenix from the Ashes".

The cover of Marc Vanderberg's "Phoenix from the Ashes" looks breathetaking in my eyes.

I've not heard such a wonderful piece of music in a long time. It touches my heart with it's softer guitar notes. The refrain is big but fits into the other song structures so it doesn't ruin the atmosphere. It has made me curious what the rest of the album might sound like so I'll take a listen for sure.

Listen to the fine tune right here or head over to Marc Vanderberg's Spotify channel and listen to it along with more tracks of him.

The album is up for purchase for only 5 Euro from Bandcamp in any digital format you may desire. You can follow his further activities on Facebook.

Rough Silk back with new video and tourdates

Rough Silk ran across my way many times. First of all way back in 1994 when the band opened up for Helloween. I didn't knew the band before at all but was positively surprised of their sound. Most of all the song "Walls Of Never" left behind something in me.

I kept a eye on them the following years, bought the double best of CD "Wheels Of Time". The german progressive rockers kept changing line up and also the sound changed from lenghty and epic tunes to compact riff rockers.

These days the band sounds more tight and straight fowards than ever before. In addition to putting out a new album "Progressive Oi! Pop" they've put out a decent video showing the new formed band in action in the studio. Besides the work it also captures a lot of the fun moments of those days.

Rough Silk will hit the road on a good many of shows throughout 2019, most of them are located in Germany. Here's the exact list of dates starting already the coming weekend:

19.01.2019 Schänke / Haltern am See
01.02.2019 Café Prinzregent / Ansbach
02.02.2019 Raldy´s Wirtshaus / Pülfringen
09.02.2019 Dublin Road / Rheda Wiedenbrück
16.02.2019 BarRock / Hamburg
08.03.2019 Altberliner Destille / Kassel
09.03.2019 Subkultur / Hannover
15.03.2019 Klimperkasten / Stelle
29.03.2019 Matze's Rock Bar / Bad Wildungen
30.03.2019 Weißes Ross / Immelsdorf
26.04.2019 Teufels / Bargteheide
27.04.2019 B6 / Goslar
18.05.2019 Kapovaz / Bremerhaven
30.05.-01.06.2019 Metal Meeting Festival / Werder
01.06.2019 Kaiserkeller / Hamburg "Punk op de Deel-Festival"
22.06.2019 BarRock / Langenholzhausen / Open Air
07.09.2019 Janja's / Cuxhaven
14.09.2019 Crazy / Hameln
21.09.2019 Mikrofon / Obernkirchen
26.10.2019 ASB Bahnhof / Barsinghausen
01.11.2019 Tonelli´s / Leipzig
02.11.2019 Ranch / Plauen
09.11.2019 Schabreu / Braunschweig
16.11.2019 Gnasteiners / Lauenburg
23.11.2019 Fabrik / Braunsbedra
30.11.2019 Frosch / Limmer
07.12.2019 Muziekcafe / Helmond (NL)

Make sure to check the homepage for further updates.

Graveshadow open the doorway to heaven

It goes up and down many times in life. I think this is maybe one of the biggest ressources for musicians to create their sounds and texts of. This particular one song talks soundwise for me a lot about that.

It also has it's highs and lows changing all the while. It's cool to hear that it has a controlled and finetuned dose of power with it something not to be found everywhere. Most of all the vocals stand out with it's many faces (good and dark/bad parts all shine in many variations on this track). This must have taken lot's of effort to get it on tape but the result for sure sounds impressive and it invites to listen once more just to make sure to have not missed out a vocal layer through the tracks duration.


"Doorway to heaven" is part of Graveshadow's new album "Ambition's Price" that has been put out on M-Theory Audio in April 2018. This band features Heather Michelle performing the vocals.

The cover for Graveshadow's album "Ambitions Price", painted by Dusan Markovic. (c) by Graveshadow, used with kind permission

Tune in to the band's channel on Facebook for more info like tourdates and so on.

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.

XII Boar return as Twelve Boar with new album

These days the news reached my inbox that a new album of UK Rock 'n' Rollers Twelve Boar is on the way. The band decided to re-brand from XII Boar to Twelve Boar and announced the release of their third effort "No Forgiveness" (this means that the band made one album each year - going strong in my eyes).

In the words of the band we can expect "brash, Motörhead-esque riffage, huge sing-along choruses and an overwhelming sense of fun injected into every song." So far they shared the artwork and new logo which reminds me of old C64 and Amiga Computer games - I loved that thing on first sight.

The cover of the new Twelve Boar record made by Rahadil Hermana, (c) by Twelve Boar, used with kind permission

‘No Forgiveness’ was produced once again by Chris Fielding and is set for release on Friday 8th September 2017.  Pre-orders are now available from the band at http://xiiboar.bigcartel.com.

Track Listing:
1.       Steppin' Up
2.       Golden Goose
3.       The Curtain Call
4.       No Forgiveness
5.       Elders From The Deep
6.       Snake On A Lead
7.       All the Heavy Griftin'
8.       Panama
9.       Hellspeed Truckin'

XII Boar show different side of their musical talent

XII Boar came along as a typical Rock 'n' Roll band to me. Their album "Pitworthy" is a record dedicated to the die hard metal fans and is serving a hefty brew of Heavy Metal mixed up with elements of Blues music. The sound reminds me of a combination of acts like Motörhead and ZZ Top that has been fueled up with a lot of intensive heavyness. A fine mixture if you like that stuff.

These days the band has come around with a brand new track "Black and Blues" of the follow-up album "Beyond The Valley of The Triclops". As the title already reveals it includes a good potion of Blues music with it but as for me it is far more.

A shot of XII Boar's video "The black and blues", (c) by XII Boar, used with kind permission

It shows how diverse XII Boar are able to perform on their instruments. They present a good potion of technical abilities aside from the all too present distortion heavy music is mostly anticipated with through the use of harmonica and acoustic fingerpicking.

The song is taken of XII Boars current album "Beyond The Valley of The Triclops". Make sure to have a look at the band's homepage or use social networks such as Facebook or Twitter to pick up more detailed info on the record.

The Kreoles preview new abum with a outstanding vocal performance

The Kreoles preview the upcoming new abum with the release of a song that is a combination of a straight forward rock / metal track that incorporates a outstanding complex vocal performance

The Kreoles mix up powerful riffs with much rhythm drive and tempo all along with unusual vocal performance structures and much variations. I've seldomely heard something going in so directly while also being so complex in the musical depths. It takes some moments to come to he full picture but it pay's off in the end. Give it a chance and you'll know what I mean.

I'm glad to be given the chance to share one track of the new record in advance here on my blog.



One year after the release of their debut ‘Touch The Sun’ (Valery Records, 2014), The Kreoles recently went back into the recording studio to give shape to what will be their second effort called "Psycho". It will be released via Sliptrick Records on September 20th 2016.

The idea behind The Kreoles took form throughout 2011: the purpose is giving life to a new musical path, in order to cause an almost-new style. The word Kreoles means new creation indeed.

The Kreoles is a musical project created and founded by Ivan McSimon who has already had some experience in the field of music in his previous works. McSimon’s olden collaboration included high-famed artists as Timo Kotipelto (Stratovarius), Andre Matos (Viper, Angra, Shamaan), Doro Pesch and Blaze Bayley (Wolfsbane, Iron Maiden).

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

The outstanding voice that can be heard in this combo is named Valentina Merlo. Futhermore McSimon is backed up by Marco Francesco D’Elia on bass and Davide Piccolo on drums: these two guys bring the perfect rhythm section to all McSimon’s pieces.

Make sure to keep in touch with them via Facebook or check their homepage from time to time.