Friday 5 February 2016

Irish Prog Rockers Hedfuzy Release New Lyric Video 'Snakes'



Spearheaded by Irish multi-instrumentalist Pat Byrne, Hedfuzy, the pseudonym of his latest prog rock project which also features members of Shardborne, Delorean Suite and The Vicious Head Society, the band has revealed a new track from the debut self-titled album, which was released summer 2015. Entitled 'Snakes', this is the third single from the album having already released 'Sing', and the album's most progressive track 'How To Tear Your World From My Head'.

Watch 'Snakes' here:



As well as writing and performing on guitar, bass, keyboards and vocals, the album was also produced by Pat Byrne himself before mixing and mastering was taken on by Chris Collier (Prong, Lynch Mob, KXM).

Like many progressive records, this Hedfuzy album is no different in that it is extremely diverse and draws from a wide field. The album takes the listener on a journey through many soundscapes, and lyrically on a path following one man's reflections upon the decisions he has made in life, good and bad. Where album opener 'Sing' demonstrates an ability to appeal to fans of pop, this can easily fool the listener because from when those final notes ring out, the album moves further and further into more prog territory.

Following the release of the album Pat also became an endorser of Warwick Basses and will appear on the debut album from Irish progressive metal band The Vicious Head Society alongside keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) and extreme metal drummer Kevin Talley (Chimaira, Suffocation).

DARKOLOGY Premier 'Fated To Burn' Music Video



US power metallers DARKOLOGY, featuring ex and current members of Firewind, ex-Solstice, ex-Leather, Arch Rival, Outworld, Zierler, Beyond Twilight and Medieval Steel in their ranks, have been making waves with their latest album 'Fated To Burn', it was produced by Chris Tsangarides (Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Thin Lizzy). Hot on the heels of their cult video "Kill Me If You Can", the band ups the game by delivering a brand new music vidoe for the title track "Fated To Burn". The video can be viewed below.



Starring "Chara Colaiti" is a Top Honors Fine Arts graduate (best know for her satirical persona Anna Goula and some pretty cutting edge shows incorporating a variety of media), Sofia Rodou (an up and coming novelist with a cute pin up look) and Veronica Scandale (an incredibly sexy and impressive fire artist/show woman who's a mainstay on the local scene). The video was directed by Rawrec's Themis Ioannou, a man responsible for videos for popular Greek local artists videos (Anna Vissi, Valantis, TU$) as well for many rock bands (Outloud, Foray Between Ocean, Jaded Star and others) and several TV ads. The new DARKOLOGY video brings to life some really edgy imagery drawn from the deepest darker corners of the collective subconscious and delivers some cool Maidenesque metal with "Kelly Sundown" displaying yet another face of his myriad voices vocals palette in a combination that feels quite irresistable.

The band reaped some top grades across the board, when they released their album and a lot of EU and US ranked it high on their top of the year selections (including an album of the year distinction by Grande Rock).

After opening for the new saviors of traditional metal "Enforcer" and as part of "Overkill's Killfest", almost a year ago the band is now weighting options for live performances and might do a handful of shows in the coming months to be followed by a proper tour in support of a "big" name later this year.

Mellowtoy Releases "Dead Colours" Music Video



Milan, Italy based Rock / Metal band Mellowtoy has released the music video for their track "Dead Colours" (originally premiering with Metal Underground) from their album "Lies" which is available on iTunes now. The animated video was written and directed by The Jack Stupid and features a silent creature attempting to bend the laws of nature to feel less lonely.



"Dead Colours" starts from Alan Moore's world and, in particular, from the Watchmen character Dr. Manhattan, an immortal creature that lives in a world that's still subordinated to cruel natural laws.

The protagonist knows that sooner or later, everyone and everything he loves will fade away just in front of his eyes. His fear of lonliness and all his pain for abandon make him interact with world's natural cycle. He slows down the time flowing to have more time to share with his beloved.

At the beginning this could seem a good solution but the plan reveals a huge fail and forces the creature to restore the natural cycle without a possibility to escape from his pain.

Considerations above pain, fear and loneliness seem to be the first and more expected reading of this video, there is also a biographical reference to Mellowtoy's story and the latest leaving of Matt Massa, the historic singer of the band.

This video represents a deep reflection on changes and the future. It talks about the difficulty and the responsibility to make choices on which depend other people's life. It's not a coincidence the fact that the two main character of Dead Colours has a father/son reletionship where father's behaviour reflects on son's way. Furthermore this video talks about the fear to compromise humans reletionship with wrong behaviour. The video itself stops on a non-concluded attempt to repair all these mistake, keeping an open final view and giving the audience the possibility to choose its own end to this story. - Mellowtoy

For their 4th full-length album, MELLOWTOY are set to break the doors down by dropping their incredible new album entitled ''Lies''. Produced by Marco Coti Zelati (Lacuna Coil), Mixed by Kyle Hoffman (P.O.D, Lacuna Coil, Bush, Zebrahead) and Mastered by the legendary Howie Weinberg (Nirvana, Metallica, Pantera, Deftones, Limp Bizkit) the band has worked with some of the industry’s leading names to ensure that ‘Lies’ creates a powerful statement of musical intent that is set to shake up the current rock/metalscene.

Special guests appearing on the album include both Cristian Machado of Ill Nino (providing guest vocals on “Chain Reaction”) and Paolo Colavolpe from the band Destrage (guest vocals on “Bright New World”). Having toured several times within their native Italy and throughout Europe with renowned international acts like Papa Roach, Disturbed, Stone Sour, Ill Nino, Alter Bridge, HIM & Fear Factory, this 6-piece Metal/Rock band looks set to hit everyone with their unique wave of sound

Cilver Debuts Second New Single "Afterlife" via Loudwire



New York rock act CILVER has debuted a second brand new single today exclusively via LOUDWIRE.COM for their track "Afterlife." The track is the second bit of new music we've heard from the band. The band released "I'm America" last month via Revolver Magazine and can be heard in current rotation on SiriusXM's Octane channel. "Afterlife is the last song that was added to our record," says vocalist Uliana. "It just magically came together so fast with the help of Mark Holman. I lost both of my parents at quite a young age and some friends and family more recently. This song talks a lot about accepting yourself, living your life to its fullest and living for today instead of waiting for the afterlife." CILVER will release Not The End Of The World on March 18th, 2016 via Entertainment One Music, the first since signing with the indie label last year. The band's own Leon Lyazidi produced the record with help from well known producer Johnny K, who executive produced. The band is eager to release their songs to the world, the band spent a good portion of the spring locked away in Groovemaster Studios in Chicago.

"This is the perfect time to release this record," says Preotu. "A time where America is angry, frustrated, lost, but hopeful. The songs are honest and biographical to the point that every lyric made me cry as it transported me to important and memorable moments of my life. Moments of loss and hope, moments that every citizen and immigrant can relate to."

Anchored by songwriting duo Uliana and guitarist Leon Lyazidi, the band has come a long way from their previous projects in New York City. What served as an artistic restart has turned into a runaway train of accomplishment that seems to be going faster as time goes on. The band signed a new deal with eOne Music last year. “eOne is real," says Leon. "When we set out to launch Cilver, we were looking for people who ate, slept and bled music just like we did. eOne was clearly a cut above everyone else and we couldn’t be more excited to be part an amazing roster, led by a passionate and creative team.” After landing a management deal with The RSE Group (Slayer, Gojira, Ghost, Mastodon), representation from The Circle Talent Agency, and legal from Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, 2014 and 2015 ended up as the band’s busiest years yet. The band gained traction touring as openers on the Revolver Magazine Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock tour with Sick Puppies and Lacuna Coil. Uliana was also featured in the Hottest Chicks in Hard Rock issue of the magazine and calendar. After a series of radio festivals and showcases, Cilver found themselves on a boat with Motorhead for the Motorboat Cruise this past fall. In similar fashion, the band also participated on the ShipRocked Cruise this January, which sailed from Miami to the Bahamas.



1. Break Free 2. I'm America 3. Headstone 4. Razorblade 5. Afterlife 6. Frozen 7. It's My Life 8. Bleed For You 9. In My Head 10. Behind These Eyes 11. Not Afraid

Raging Speedhorn Announce Split EP With Monster Magnet



Corby sludge demons Raging Speedhorn are set to appear on a split EP with US Stoner Overlords Monster Magnet as part of the bands’ appearance at the British Desertfest.

The Desertfest sponsored 7” split will be released by H42 Records on April 29th, the first date of the festival, with a limited vinyl pressing of 300.

The track listing is:

Side A: Raging Speedhorn - Halfway to Hell
Side A: Monster Magnet - Hallucination Bomb

Guitarist Jim Palmer had this to say on the release:

“Having been a fan of Monster Magnet, forever it’s a real pleasure to be part of this split record! We also feel tremendously honoured that Desertfest chose us, as we are big fans of the festival. It doesn’t much better than this!”

This is Desertfest’s second split, with last year’s featuring instrumental legends Karma To Burn & Sons of Alpha Centauri.

Raging Speedhorn are currently in the studio with Russ Russell finalising their fifth record, which is set for a mid-2016 release.

THE LUMINEERS ANNOUNCE BRAND NEW ALBUM & 2016 UK HEADLINE TOUR



Cleopatra Released on Decca Records/Dualtone on 8th April 2016

Platinum-selling, Denver outfit, The Lumineers, today announce their long-awaited return with news of second album Cleopatra – the follow up to their multi-Grammy-nominated, self-titled debut – and a much anticipated headline UK tour, which brings them back to London's O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire.

The band also reveal their compelling first single, ‘Ophelia', instantly recognisable as The Lumineers with its syncopated piano rolls and sing-along chorus, released on 5th February 2016.

After exploding onto the scene with their monster single, 'Ho Hey', and its follow-up, 'Stubborn Love' (recently featured on President Barack Obama’s Spotify playlist), The Lumineers spent a solid three years touring six of the seven continents. During that time, the band earned a pair of Grammy nominations (Best New Artist, Best Americana Album), contributed two songs to The Hunger Games franchise (including the hit Jennifer Lawrence/James Newton Howard collaboration, 'The Hanging Tree') and sold an impressive 3 million+ albums worldwide.

The Lumineers took the UK by storm with the release of their first album in 2012, which propelled them from appearing at Hoxton Bar & Grill as relative unknowns, to playing two consecutive sold-out nights at Brixton Academy and headlining the 10,400 capacity Alexandra Palace as household names. And it was their show-stopping performance on the Other Stage at ‎Glastonbury in 2013 that cemented their position as one of the biggest breakout bands in the world.

But Cleopatra proves original members Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites – who founded the band in Ramsey, New Jersey back in 2002 – along with cellist/vocalist Neyla Pekarek, are neither taking their good fortune for granted, nor sitting back on their laurels.

With the help of producer Simone Felice (The Felice Brothers, The Avett Brothers), the band ensconced themselves in The Clubhouse, a recording studio high atop a hill in rural Rhinebeck, NY, not far from Woodstock. The Lumineers then set about trying to make musical sense of their three-year-plus rollercoaster ride. Their skill at setting a visual story to music comes through amidst the delicate, deceptively simple acoustic soundscapes.

“We took the same approach this time as we did with the first album, recording demos in a small house we rented in the original Denver neighborhood where we first moved,” explains Wesley, contributing the lyrical ideas while collaborating on the music with Jeremiah, who tackled a variety of instruments, including guitar, the very prominent piano and trademark tribal drums.

There is something timeless about this band that links their songs to 18th century pastorals, 19th century work songs, 20th century folk narratives and 21st century post-modern cinematic soundscapes. Success hasn’t spoiled The Lumineers; rather, it’s inspired them to follow their muses even further.

HEADLINE UK 2016 TOUR:

Thur Apr 14 – Bristol, O2 Academy Fri Apr 15 – Glasgow, Barrowlands Tue Apr 19 – Manchester, Albert Hall Sat Apr 23 – London, O2 Shepherds Bush Empire

ZAKK WYLDE TO RELEASE BOOK OF SHADOWS II ON APRIL 8 2016



Guitar icon Zakk Wylde will release Book Of Shadows II on April 8th 2016 via Spinefarm Records, his first solo release in 20 years. This release is the highly anticipated follow up to 1996’s Book of Shadows LP, a classic album Wylde released between his work with Ozzy Osbourne that has since become a fan favourite. Book Of Shadows II was recently named as one of the "Most Anticipated Metal Releases of 2016" via Rollingstone.com.

Wylde has been feverishly working on new material since he wrapped up Black Label Society’s "Unblackened" spring tour last year. All songs on Book of Shadows II were recorded and produced at Wylde’s legendary home studio, The Black Vatican, which produced several of Wylde’s recent releases. The new effort will be followed by a wave of tour dates in support to be announced soon.

Zakk Wylde is no stranger to showing the lighter, introspective side of his music, having previously released two Black Label Society albums of stripped down material. The Song Remains Not the Same was released in 2011 which included acoustic versions of songs originally released on Order of the Black and 2013’s Unblackened, a live acoustic album that was recorded live at Club Nokia in Los Angeles.

SPINEFARM RECORDS CONFIRM RELEASE DATE FOR NEW DYNAZTY ALBUM



At long last, DYNAZTY unveil their anticipated fifth album, “Titanic Mass”, set for international release on April 15th via Spinefarm Records.

Hailing from the lively hard rock scene of Stockholm, Sweden, Dynazty are a prime example of forward-thinking and evolutionary sound development. Having established their current formation in 2008, the band's early approach was strictly within the proud and successful tradition of Swedish hard rock as defined by Europe, Treat and the like, culminating with the nationwide Melodifestivalen hit “Land Of Broken Hearts” (from their 3rd full-length album, “Sultans Of Sin”, released in 2012).

However, it was with the Spinefarm-released album, “Renatus” (2013), that Dynazty truly came into their own. Opting for a sound altogether more modern, more defined, more addictive and more powerful, “Renatus” saw the band taking a leap towards a tighter style with an arsenal of rapid rhythm patterns and machine-gun riffs, underpinning ever-present soaring vocals plus huge, addictive choruses. Boasting massive arrangements, “Renatus” was an exceptional album.

Now, “Titanic Mass” sees the Swedes taking the next logical step, maintaining the overall tightness and bite of “Renatus” whilst also giving a courteous nod towards power metal, and finally adding an extra symphonic element – yes, the arrangements are TITANIC this time. The band has succeeded in making the songs more addictive than before, each one pushed to greater heights by the edgy, yet massive production of the overlord of all things metal, Peter Tägtgren (Sabaton, Pain, Dimmu Borgir, Lindemann, etc.).

Say the band: “‘Titanic Mass’ is the culmination of all of the knowledge we've learned and all of the experience we've gained over the years writing songs and making albums. Our efforts combined with the mastery of producer Peter Tägtgren has resulted in an album that we feel is really strong. To us, ‘Titanic Mass’ is without a doubt our ultimate effort.”

The cover and track-listing for “Titanic Mass” are as follows:

Track-listing:

01. The Human Paradox 02. Untamer Of Your Soul 03. Roar Of The Underdog 04. Titanic Mass 05. Keys To Paradise 06. I Want To Live Forever 07. The Beast Inside 08. Break Into The Wild 09. Crack In The Shell 10. Free Man’s Anthem 11. The Smoking Gun

The release of “Titanic Mass” on April 15th (on CD & download) will be preceded by iTunes Grat Track, the hard-hitting “Roar Of The Underdog” on February 12th, when the pre-ordering of the album will commence.

The 1st single, “The Human Paradox”, accompanied by a video directed by Tage Rönnqvist (Swallow The Sun, Santa Cruz, etc.) will rock your socks off on March 18th.

Dynazty are:

Nils Molin Рvocals Love Magnusson Рguitar George Egg Рdrums Mike Lav̩r Рguitar Jonathan Olsson Рbass