New Nightstalker comic book and music album see the light of day

We already had a word here on The Nightstalker story universe. It's a plot about a mysterious hunter whose actions aren't always clear.

He seems to be involved into events like a murder but his role remains unclear. The whole story can be experienced through multiple media releases in form of music, movie and now two new options have become available. 

A overlook on some of the media available in The Nightstalker line.

The cool thing is that you can play a part of the story as a tabletop roleplaying game. I don't think I've come along a underground production that offers such a thing. If you're into experiencing unknown mysteries with your friends on a evening or two make sure to have a look into the free role book at Edition Stellarmaris to find out if it's for you (it's available in French language only).  

But the even cooler thing is that a short chapter of the story also lives in form of a comic book. Since the whole package is a complex thing this one part is surely easier to understand if you're new to the The Nightstalker universe. You can purchase it through Amazon but have a look inside first at the blog of Stellamaris editions.

In other news fresh music also has become available in this fascinating story universe. This time the project under the sign of "NIAC" put out a dark synth metal album that examines another part of the story and also discovers a new character. 

Single Review: Swirl - The Lift (Heavy Rock, 2018)

Feeling bad? This one track will help you get back in a good mood.

Introduction
Swirl came to me as a band playing the classic heavy rock note but having spread own ideas and fine undertones all over their sound. This track called "The Lift" comes around as a first sign of new music from the US band.

The cover of Swirl's new single "The Lift", (c) by Swirl, used with kind permission

Summary
The sound is much shaper, clearer and compact than on the previous release - the Swirl disc that contained songs that also were used in the "Ditch Day Massacre" movie. I think that's a big plus. You can access the music much faster this way I think. Overall the song does what the track name promises -  it lift's my feelings up. It has a easier feeling with it compared to the older tunes.

What else has changed? The vocals are outworked more and point the listener's attention to various corners of the song. It shows evolvement no question. The last third is a bit rougher with repeating the chorus over and over again and much heavier guitars in the sound. That goes a bit deeper under the skin. That's why I would say they do heavy and not just hard rock.

Puchase Link & Stream
You can pick the song up as download single as part of the running GoFundMe campaign. If you purchase the track over there you will not only get the electric but also the accoustic version of "The Lift" as a bonus.

If you spend some more money you can get your hand on some more cool stuff in return. For instance the band is open to play a house party for people living in certain regions of the US - wouldn't that rock your next birthday party? Just imagine you can say you have the band onstage tonight that has songs that were used in the "Ditch Day Massacre" movie. People could rock out to this all the way! Overall the more you give the more new music the band can produce.

If that doesn't fit your needs you can still get the onetracker as regular download on the portals such as iTunes but this only secures you the electric version.

Song Stream
Listen and relax.

 
Contact-Data
Keep a eye on Swirl with Facebook or check the good old homepage of 'em.

Senate Of Prevail explore the Hollow Ground

Sometimes it's cool to see how the songwriting in metal bands has evolved over the years.

Looking back to the classic days you could nearly always be sure that there was this verse - refrain way the lyrics were build upon. After that there was another verse and refrain followed by the guitar solo just to lead into the final repeat of the refrain again. The song finished some or other way and that was the way we knew and it and I think most of us loved it.

These days bands attempt it differently. Some tracks start for example straight away with the vocals coming straight in directly at the beginning. Sometimes the vocals are present all the time never giving a break for the solo that is missed out completly.

But most of all the refrains cannot be spotted immediately as such. In the old days it was always the peak of the music. These times the refrains are often build inside not leaving the overall song structure but keeping the structure intact. Nevertheless they can be something that burns down deep in your mind. Try this song below to hear what I'm talking about.


These were my thoughts when Sweden's Senate Of Prevail came around with a brandnew track called "Hollow Ground". Not only that the song kicks from start to finish but most of all it has this dominate vocals with it that rush through the full track duration making it a hell of a ride but with this refrain worked in that won't leave my mind now anymore. 

Check it out for yourselves and pick up the track as free download while it's still up. While you're waiting for the data transmission to finish see the band's social site on Facebook, Instagram and on Soundcloud. Be sure to mark those with a like or follow. We need to make this band coming back in my eyes. Maybe if we call loud enough for them they will come back? I hope for that and would like to ask you kindly to support me in this mission.

INDIAN INVASION 2015: free online compilation of metal bands from India

The metal scene in India is very active and alive! If you're following this blog regulary you know that the bands from that region like Bevar Sea, Grey Shack or Inner Sanctum have released great material in the recent time or are at the moment working on new releases that sound already very promising from the previews available.

But what about all the other bands from there? How do the bands from that part of the world sound like, what is their (fresh) attempt on Heavy Metal music? You can easily check that out for yourselves with the brand new free sampler "Indian Invasion 2015" which has been set up for free download as well as for streaming on the pages of the excellent Headbangers India blog. 

The package is completed by fine artwork from Headbangers India author Ishaan Kumar.

(c) by Ishaan Kumar / Headbangers India

These bands and tracks are featured on the Indian Invasion 2015 compilation:

01. Albatross – Jugglehead the Clown

02. Heathen Beast – Drowning Of The Elephant God

03. Dormant Inferno – Deliverance

04. Sycorax – Designing Eradicaton

05. Bevar Sea – Where There's Smoke (There's A Pyre)

06. Primitiv – Lords Of Primitiv

07. Zygnema – The Phoenix Effect

08. Against Evil – War Hero

09. Shepherd – Spite Pit

10. Chaos – Violent Redemption

11. Demonic Resurrection – Trail Of Devastation

12. Before The Holocaust – Clockwork Orange

13. The Minerva Conduct – End Creation

14. Biopsys – Surgical Symmetry

15. Trinergic – Rise Of Xyrith

Inside the zip file weighting around 161 MB in size you'll also find a pdf file with detailed information for each band. It contains links to websites letting you quickly gather more information about the artists (mostly their sites on social networks) so you will quickly have a good overlook on the featured styles. Further links for streaming more songs and contact data as well as URL's for purchasing the full releases are provided in the document.

One thing I can promise to you: it will be a journey letting you discover bands you don't want to miss out anymore. The bands have created exciting songs which combine the best from the past and present days of Heavy Metal history. And while you're waiting for the download to finish why not log in to your favorite social network and let your friends know about this free sampler? They'll for sure like to know about this cool summer goodie!

It's also a good choice if you know a friend out there celebrates it's birthday and you're on the lookout for a proper gift. Just link him to the compilation and I think that will be one thing he'll remember being a something special even years later.

By the way: this is already the second compilation released by the crew of Headbangers India. If you would like to get to know some more bands from India just see my post about the first sampler which is still up for streaming and free download.