Over Nemesis take a catseye look across the stars

Album covers can be something that catches your attention. Some of them may call a emotion or a memory in your heart or your mind.

This time around the cover of Sludge metallers "Over Nemesis" packed me with it's mysterious and big eyes on it looking into a misty surrounding, maybe into a sky or something. It reminded me of the eyes of a cat. I love cats and their eyes share a beauty and look into a different world.

A look at the cover of "Wink". It has been integrated into a nice full background picture that could be a cotinuation of the initial print. (c) by Over Nemesis, used with kind permission

That's maybe something that connects to the music of the band that also leads into another place. Fans of the Black Label Society should feel home very quickly. So don't hesitate and have your own look "Across the stars". The use of "yeah" at the vocals reminded me of older days and was a warmly welcomed cheer up on this very Monday. Thanks for that!

This one is a teaser for the full album "Wink" coming August 31st 2018. The album is available for presale on the webstore of Music-Records.
Alternatively you can also pick it up once it's out from

► the stand of the band as a digipack CD

► On 150 digital platforms for download

► Distribued in Europe, USA, Asia & Oceania as physical edition

Tracklist :
1 - Saint Bâle
2 - Vault of Blindness
3 - Mario and Sergio
4 - Across The Stars
5 - She Become Calypso
6 - Inside
7 - This Man
8 - Tears
9 - Light Of Hopes
10 - Until The End

Keep a eye on the band through Facebook.

Sonic Prophecy give a high pitch vocal performance on new video

As for me it's a pleasure to see bands continue what began in the early days of Heavy Metal. Having grown up myselves with the classics of bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and the like it feels just great to know younger bands take up the torch and preserve and evolve fruther what has been seeded by the legends.

Such a thought came across my mind when I checked the newest video of Sonic Prophecy, While the band lays a continuous basic with it's relentless guitar energy and pushing and powerfull drums it's the vocals that raised my attention with it's high pitch. They are presented in various high forms in short distance following one after each other. That's something not easy to perform at all. It gives this track something to be remembered - hard to get out of your mind once heard. But have a ear for yourselves and enjoy the moment.

This single comes around as a first sign for the new album "Savage Gods" that will see the light of day via Rockshots Records on January 19, 2018 as one of the first releases of the upcoming year. Here I've got the artwork and tracklist for you to check out. Pre-Order is already up on Amazon. In the meantime you can also buy the single "Night Terror" on iTunes and Amazon.

The cover of "Savage Gods", (c) by Sonic Prophecy, used with kind permission

1. Savage Gods (6:44)
2. Night Terror (5:38)
3. Unholy Blood (5:13)
4. Dreaming Of The Storm (4:55)
5. Man The Guns (5:04)
6. Walk Through The Fire (7:09)
7. A Prayer Before Battle (5:46)
8. Iron Clad Heart (5:24)
9. Man and Machine (6:44)
10. Chasing The Horizon (6:14)

The band has plans for a tour after the release in North America, Europe and beyond.
Make sure to keep a eye on them using social plattforms such as Facebook and Twitter.or give the good old homepage a shot.

Final Coil reveal bombastic lyric video along detailed album info

This particular day I've been gifted with the great news that Leicester based alt-prog formation Final Coil give us the first insight into what is going to be their debut record. Being a band that's been on my radar for a long time now they pushed me a bit further into their sound with every release. It's amazing to feel how much music can move in your mind and this band has brought a lot of topics to the table that I think need to be discussed. 

But enough of my intoduction let's have it. It's a long read but one worth it. The band reveals a lot of snippets and details that I hope you people out there will find as exciting as I am about it. If you prefer listening to music over reading just scroll down to the very end of this article - there's a massive lyric video worth every second of your time there for you.

The bandmembers of Final Coil, (c) by Final Coil, used with kind permission

Signing to Label, Cover, Release Date and Tracklist
 
Final Coil have signed a deal with WormHoleDeath records for the release of their debut album "Persistence of Memory".

Final Coil Persistence of Memory album cover, (c) by Final Coil, used with kind permission

Release dates
Digital release date : 23rd June 2017 (Wormholedeath/The Orchard)
U.S.A : 14th July 2017 (Wormholedeath U.S.A.)
CD release date : 22nd September 2017 (Aural Music Group)
Japan : TBA (Wormholedeath Japan/DiskUnion)

Tracklist
1. Corruption
2. Dying
3. Alone
4. You Waste My Time
5. Myopic
6. Failed Light
7. Spider Feet
8. Lost Hope
9. Moths To The Flame
10. In Silent Reproach
11. Alienation

About "Persistence of Memory" - Lyric Concept about the impact of modern technology

Produced by Italian producer Wahoomi Corvi (CreTura, The Way Of Purity) at Real Sound Studios and mastered by Magnus Lindberg (Cult of Luna, Heads, Closet Disco Queen) at Redmount Studios in Stockholm, Persistence of Memory is the debut album from UK alternative rock / prog band Final Coil set for release via Worm Hole Death Records.

An eleven-track album loosely based around the theme of lost communication and dehumanisation in the face of an ever-increasing wave of technological innovation, Persistence of memory is a dark, hallucinatory journey into a world of broken familial ties, savage regret and seething rage against the dying of the light.

Song description
 
Moving deftly from the sonic firestorm of opening number Corruption (a song juxtaposing physical and moral corruption set against crushing, juggernaut riffs) to the Floydian disquiet of Alienation, Persistence of memory is an album of contrasts which finds its centrepiece in the progressive epic Failed light, a song that focuses on finding hope amidst the desolation.  A deeply personal piece of music, frontman Phil Stiles states simply that “failed light is the best thing I have ever written – of all the songs on the album, this was the one we had to get right.”  At ten minutes, it is a lengthy work that ebbs and flows beautifully and it sees Phil and lead guitarist Richard Awdry trading solos and vocal harmonies in a manner that will have fans of Anathema and Pink Floyd in raptures.

Other highlights on the album include the synth-infused you waste my time with its stinging lyric focusing on self-absorption, the brooding Spider Feet (one of two songs written by guitarist Richard Awdry) and the desolate finale of alienation, a track that shifts from Phil’s heart-broken and vulnerable lyric to a truly gargantuan tsunami of arcing riffs that close the album with dizzying power.

Album tracked through analogue equipment
 
Another aspect of “getting it right” was the band’s insistence on keeping the use of computers to a minimum. The band tracked the album through a beautifully restored analogue mixing desk at Real Sound Studios in Langhirano (Northern Italy) under the guidance of Wahoomi Corvi. “Wao was totally understanding from the start” says Phil of his relationship with the producer. “He was more used to producing metal bands, but when we played him the demos he realised straight away that we needed a warmer, more analogue sound and he worked hard with us to get good takes rather than edit us into perfection.”

Mastering done with a different intention
 
Similarly, the choice of mastering engineer was crucial. For Phil, there was only one choice: “I’ve been a huge fan of Cult of Luna for a long time, and last year I discovered albums by the bands Heads and Closet Disco Queen pretty much because they had worked with Magnus. Magnus understands the importance of a dynamic master and that was essential to me. So many records now are mastered to be as loud as hell, whereas I wanted people to be able to enjoy the space in the music and, if they want it loud, all they have to do is turn it up!”

Music as a journey
 
An emotionally-charged debut album, Persistence of Memory is the work of a passionate, sonically ambitious band who draw upon elements of progressive, post-rock, metal and alternative rock to create something truly innovative. For Phil the album “was the chance of a life-time. We worked incredibly hard to make the album flow from start to finish because we want the music to take the listener on a journey. Since I was very young, I would get goose bumps listening to records and just letting the music take me away from the real world for a short time, and I hope that our listeners can find the same escape in our music.”

Video single in a most expressive combination of words, music and pictures
 
Can't wait to hear something for yourselves? Have a listen right here right now with the opening track "Corruption" packed in a beautiful picture and expression-ladden lyric video. Make sure to follow Final Coil on Facebook.

New Jeff Healey song surfaced and lost album announced

Jeff Healey came to my attention several years ago when I started exploring more and more bands. I was surprised to see him playing the guitar laying on his knees while I knew that he was in fact blind. He nevertheless managed to get some outstanding effects out of the guitar and developed a diverse and impressive playing technique. I also liked his songwriting which ranged from agressive tunes up to slow songs. At some times he reminded me a bit of Jimi Hendrix.

It's sad to know he died much too early on March 2, 2008 at age 41 after a three-year battle with sarcoma cancer. He would have turned 50 this year and it's a gift we can still enjoy his tunes.

Moreover as of now we can also listen to some new songs from him, thanks to the efforts of the Jeff Healey Estate. The long lost album "Heal My Soul" will be released soon. But first of all enjoy the new song "Daze of the Night" right here:


In a joint statement, Jeff Healey Estate Co-Administrators Cristie Healey and Roger Costa said, “Heal My Soul is a project that we have wanted to tackle for years. A 'lost' album, it contains material recorded during one of the most creative periods in Jeff's rock career. Until now, it has never seen the light of day. Jeff was very proud of this work and it features some of the most powerful and impassioned performances he ever committed to record. With complete creative control we've laboured hard, tracking down recordings, identifying the right performances, restoring them to their proper stature and mixing and mastering them from the ground up. This has been a true labour of love for us from beginning to end and we're absolutely thrilled to be able to finally share this significant release with the world.”

Pack shot of the new album "Heal My Soul" (C) by Jeff Healey Estate, used with kind permission

Healey is remembered as one of the most outstanding guitarists and performers of the past 30 years. He lost his sight during early childhood due to retinoblastoma, a rare form of eye cancer. Playing guitar since the age of three, he developed the distinctive lap-style guitar technique that helped bring him international attention by his late teens. A Grammy nominee and JUNO Award winner, his five releases with The Jeff Healey Band totaled millions of sales worldwide. Over the course of his career, he also shared stages and earned the admiration of countless other musicians including B.B. King, Eric Clapton, the Rolling Stones, George Harrison, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the Allman Brothers Band.

You can see the Album trailer here:

The tracklist of "Heal My Soul":

01.Daze Of The Night
02.Moodswing
03.Baby Blue
04.I Misunderstoo
05.Please
06.Love In Her Eyes
07.Temptation
08.Kiss The Ground You Walk On
09.All The Saints
10.Put The Shoe On The Other Foot
11.Under A Stone
12.It's The Last Time

Release Date
March 25, 2016

Available formats
2LP+Mp3, CD and Digital.

Jeff Healey Online

www.jeffhealey.com

www.facebook.com/jeffhealeyofficial

www.twitter.com/jhealeyofficial

www.youtube.com/jeffhealeyofficial

Vanden Plas to release Netherworld II album soon

Vanden Plas is such a dedicated progmetal band, I love the song structures and vocals so much. It feels to me as if their music goes somehow deeper, it has more depth to offer and most of all the tracks are played with a lot of power, always giving it a good balance between progressive elements and the needed agressive and direct parts that keeps the music moving forward and enjoyable for fans of the heavy music style.

They've for years now put out one strong record after another yet it seems not many recognize them. I remember having hear them first on a sampler CD of the german Rock Hard megazine back in 1999 which featured the track "I can see" and was overwhelmed by the way the vocals came out on that one. Over the years I've always had a eye on them, every here and there. Now the time is getting closer for the release of a a new record - the follow up to last years "Netherworld" album. This first trailer gives me chills offering a wide overview on the new CD.



The new release will be called "Chronicles Of The Immortals: Netherworld II" and will see the light of day on 6th November 2015 through Frontiers Records. Here is the tracklist:

VISION 11even * In My Universe
VISION 12elve * Godmaker´S Temptation
VISION 13teen * Stone Roses Edge
VISION 14teen * Blood Of Eden (* All love must die) (* The rite)(* This is the night)
VISION 15teen * Monster
VISION 16teen * Diabolica Comedia
VISION 17teen * Where Have The Children Gone
VISION 18teen * The Last Fight
VISION 19teen * Circle Of The Devil

A first full song "Stone Roses Edge" along with a fine band-performance has been installed on Youtube as well. Make sure to connect with the band through Facebook or see their website from time to time to keep for more news, tourdates and so on.

Tad Morose release first videoclip for the new album St. Demonius

Yes, this time it happily didn't took that long. ;-) After a 10 year's break from releasing a new album Tad Morose returned in 2013 with a powerfull, hard and riff-filled album called "Revenant".

Having played some shows in the meantime the band didn't hesitate to write new songs and has now announced that the next .album "St. Demonius" is ready for release on August 28th 2015. The tracklist goes like this:

1. Bow to the Reaper's Blade
2. Forlorn
3. Where Ignorance Reigns
4. Remain
5. Black Fire Rising
6. Day of Reckoning
7. The Shadows Play
8. Darkness Prevail
9. Fear Subside
10. Dream of Memories
11. The World Is Growing Old
12. Your Own Demise

The album can be pre-ordered through the webshop of Depotz Records in two configurations, one of them is a bundle of the Digipack CD with a poster handsigned by the band along with a proper band T-Shirt with the new album cover on it.

And how is the record going to sound like? Well this question can easily be answered with the brand new video the band has released for the song "Forlorn".

If you want to see the band live you may be happy enough to see them on a European tour that has been announced for September 2015 on Facebook. Check back for the exact dates on that page or keep an eye on this article.

A Light Within reveal cover and tracklist for upcoming EP 'Body Matter'

After being in the makings for some time A Light Within have finally announced the title and tracklist for the follow-up EP to the 2013 release "Preface".

The new record is entitled "Body Matter" and will see the digital release on July 7th, 2015 through Static Tension Recordings. It will feature six brand-new tracks from the Shoegaze/Post-Metal formation. Check out the full tracklist below:

1. Torn Page #21
2. Page #22 _No Charge
3. Page #51 _Between Shores
4. Page #29 _World Through the Window
5. Page #13 _To Have; To Hold
6. Page #47-48 _Glaso

The label along with the band gave a little insight on the new output with the following describtion on the labels website:

"(...) Step into the gloom, feel its warm embrace. Close your eyes and let the ambience wash over you, the music unfolding into a wave of shoegazing post-metal. Distant, pained clean vocals appear in the haze, drawing the words from pages in a diary and turning them into a catharsis. The guitars flip from fragile melodies to thundering riffs at a moment’s notice, and the bass accentuates the deeper recesses of this stellar - in every way - sound. You are experiencing A Light Within, who have an upcoming EP entitled 'Body Matter.'

"Whether in the mournful dirge of 'World Through The Window' or the swell that engulfs the latter half of lead single 'Between Shores,' this Kansas City-based group embody the notion of emotionally charged music. Drawing comparisons to bands like Junius or Deftones,  they nevertheless carve out a niche that is wholly their own within ambient post-metal.(...)"

They also showed of the cover of "Body Matter" which is totally beautiful and shines like a diamond in my eyes:

(c) by A Light Within, used with kind permission

The band is going to do a couple of shows in the upcoming months, the next chance to see them live is already today. Here are the dates:

Apr 25 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO
May 08 Jackpot Music Hall Lawrence, KS
May 16 recordBar Kansas City, MO
Jun 19 The Riot Room Kansas City, MO

For more details about the band make sure to see the band's Facebook page.

If you still did not have the chance to listen to the first single of "Body Matter" I'll include the video for "Between Shores" right here. Besides the fine video with a outstanding visual exposure it features the full album version of the song.