Finnish heavy metal sextet BATTLE BEAST released their brand new studio album »No More Hollywood Endings« last week through Nuclear Blast Records.
Today, the band is pleased to announce that the record has hit the German album charts at #11, which marks the band’s highest entry in the country to date. Congratulations!
The band states,
“We are overwhelmed by this response to our new album! Our deepest thanks to all of you who’ve supported us and our music. We’ve had an amazing start for the tour and can’t wait to bring this circus down to Deutschland. See you on the road! Dankeschön!”
Kicked off by sold out arena shows in Finland last week, BATTLE BEAST are also exhibiting tracks from the new album live on stage on their current European tour (with support from ARION among others), before they head to North America in September after an extensive summer festival run. Better secure your tickets now! All dates can be found below.
Order »No More Hollywood Endings« now: http://nblast.de/BattleBeastNMHE
Listen to the tracks in the NB Novelties Playlists:http://nblast.de/SpotifyNovelties / http://nblast.de/AppleMusicNovelties
Watch BATTLE BEAST’s brand new lyric video for ‘The Golden Horde’, here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndSXNhF9g7E
More on »No More Hollywood Endings«:
‘Endless Summer’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dud63tz5JPU
‘Eden’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hzssKb9940
‘No More Hollywood Endings’ OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZzhUPe-Bck
Track By Track Series:
Track #1 – #4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7xOX9Cjqg0
Track #5 – #8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PACbVQaqgo
Track #9 – #11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_UzVQonmew
»No More Hollywood Endings« – Track Listing:
01. Unbroken
02. No More Hollywood Endings
03. Eden
04. Unfairy Tales
05. Endless Summer
06. The Hero
07. Piece Of Me
08. I Wish
09. Raise Your Fists
10. The Golden Horde
11. World On Fire
Bonus Tracks (DIGI and 2LP only!)
12. Bent And Broken
13. My Last Dream
»No More Hollywood Endings« was recorded by keyboardist Janne Björkroth, Viktor Gullichsen and guitarist Joona Björkroth at JKB Studios; with the record also being produced and mixed by Janne.
The cover artwork was created by Jan Yrlund (KORPIKLAANI, MANOWAR etc.), who created the cover for the band’s last album, »Bringer Of Pain«.
BATTLE BEAST live:
w/ CYHRA, ARION, TYRANTTI
29.03. FIN Tampere – Pakkahuone *SOLD OUT*
30.03. FIN Oulu – Club Teatriaw/ ARION
Presented by Metal Hammer, EMP, metal.de, Rock It!, piranha, Start
02.04. D Bielefeld – Forum
03.04. D Leipzig – Hellraiser
04.04. PL Warsaw – Proxima
05.04. PL Krakow – Klub Kwadrat
07.04. PL Poznan – u Bazyla
08.04. D Berlin – Lido
10.04. D Bochum – Zeche
11.04. D Saarbrücken – Garage
12.04. D Nuremberg – Hirsch
13.04. D Mannheim – Delta Metal Meeting
14.04. A Vienna – Szene
16.04. CH Pratteln – Z7
17.04. I Milan – Legend Club
18.04. F Lyon – Ninkasi Kao
19.04. E Barcelona – Razzmatazz 2
20.04. E Madrid – But
21.04. E Sevilla – Custom
23.04. P Lisbon – Lisboa ao Vivo
25.04. E Bilbao – Santana 27
26.04. F Toulouse – Le Connexion
27.04. F Clermont-Ferrand – La Coopérative de Mai
28.04. F Paris – Le Trabendo
30.04. UK London – The Dome
01.05. NL Leiden – Gebr. De Nobel
03.05. D Munich – Backstage
04.05. D Stuttgart – Im Wizemann
05.05. B Vosselaar – Biebob
07.05. D Hanover – MusikZentrum
08.05. D Hamburg – Markthalle
09.05. DK Copenhagen – Pumpehuset
10.05. S Gothenburg – Pustervik
11.05. S Stockholm – Klubben
12.05. N Oslo – Parkteatret
17.05. RUS St. Petersburg – Opera Concert Club
18.05. RUS Moscow – Station Hall
15.06. FIN Kuopio – Rock in the City
19. – 22.06. FIN Nummijärvi – Nummirock
28.06. FIN Helsinki – Tuska Open Air
29.06. FIN Oulu – Rock in the City
05.07. S Knislinge – Helgeåfestivalen
06.07. FIN Rauma – Rock in the City
10.07. D Balingen – Bang Your Head!!! Warm-up Show
11.07. D Neukirchen-Vluyn – Dong Open Air
12.07. CZ Vizovice – Masters of Rock
13.07. FIN Lahti – Rock in the City
20.07. FIN Kouvola – Rock in the City
21.07. FIN Savonlinna – Savonlinnan Ooperajuhlat (w/ ARION, WHEEL)
27.07. FIN Rovaniemi – Rock in the City
02.08. FIN Lappeenranta – Rock in the City
03.08. D Wacken – Wacken Open Air *SOLD OUT*
09.08. FIN Jyväskylä – Rock in the City
10.08. NL Leeuwarden – Into the Grave
15.08. D Dinkelsbühl – Summer Breeze
16.08. A Graz – Metal on the Hill
17.08. FIN Joensuu – Rock in the Cityw/ SONATA ARCTICA
06.09. USA Margate, FL – O’Malley’s
07.09. USA Orlando, FL – The Abbey
08.09. USA Charlotte, NC – The Underground
»The Shadow Tour – North America 2019«
w/ KAMELOT, SONATA ARCTICA
10.09. USA Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore
11.09. USA Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts
13.09. USA Worcester, MA – Palladium
14.09. USA New York, NY – Terminal 5
15.09. CDN Montréal, QC – Club Soda
16.09. CDN Québec City, QC – Impérial Bell
17.09. CDN Ottawa, ON – Mavericks*
18.09. CDN Toronto, ON – The Phoenix Concert Theatre
19.09. USA Detroit, MI – Harpos Concert Theatre
20.09. USA Cleveland, OH – Agora Theatre
21.09. USA Chicago, IL – Patio Theater
22.09. USA Madison, WI – The Annex @ The Red Zone*
23.09. USA St. Paul, MN – Amsterdam Bar & Hall
24.09. USA Kansas City, MO – The Truman
25.09. USA Denver, CO – Ogden Theatre
26.09. USA Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex
28.09. CDN Edmonton, AB – The Ranch Roadhouse
29.09. CDN Calgary, AB – Marquee
01.10. CDN Vancouver, BC – Venue Nightclub
02.10. USA Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre
04.10. USA San Francisco, CA – Palace of Fine Arts
05.10. USA Anaheim, CA – City National Grove
06.10. USA Tempe, AZ – Marquee Theatre
08.10. USA Dallas, TX – Canton Hall
09.10. USA St. Louis, MO – The Ready Room
11.10. USA Atlanta, GA – The Masquerade
12.10. USA Tampa Bay, FL – Jannus Live
*BB only
w/ SONATA ARCTICA
13.10. USA Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall
14.10. USA Louisville, KY – The Tiger Room
15.10. USA Richmond, VA – The Canal Club*
16.10. USA Baltimore, MD – Soundstage
17.10. USA Clifton Park, NY – Upstate Concert Hall
18.10. USA Hartford, CT – Webster Theater
19.10. USA Manchester, NH – Jewel Music Venue*
20.10. USA Clifton, NJ – Dingbatz
**BB only
BATTLE BEAST is:
Noora Louhimo | vocals
Eero Sipilä | bass
Joona Björkroth | guitars
Juuso Soinio | guitars
Janne Björkroth | keyboards
Pyry Vikki | drums
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– second single & lyric video released
Swedish riff lords GRAND MAGUS are set to release their new studio album »Wolf God« on April 19th through Nuclear Blast.
Today, the band releases the second single entitled, “Brother Of The Storm”. Watch the lyric video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn0o8Ly95UE
Band frontman and general overlord JB states:
“The moon has returned, and with it comes a change. It could be someone you know, it could be you. An aspect of yourself that has always been there.”
Pre-order »Wolf God« now digitally and receive “Brothers Of The Storm” and the title track instantly (on Amazon and iTunes) or stream the songs on all streaming platforms:
http://nblast.de/GrandMagusWolfGod
»Wolf God« tracklisting:
01. Gold And Glory
02. Wolf God
03. A Hall Clad In Gold
04. Brother Of The Storm
05. Dawn Of Fire
06. Spear Thrower
07. To Live And To Die In Solitude
08. Glory To The Brave
09. He Sent Them All To Hel
10. Untamed
The band recently released the official lyric video for the first single and title track of their new album, ‘Wolf God’. Watch and listen here:
Watch the first album trailer here to find out more about the song writing and recording process: https://youtu.be/vtd2B7YNSoU
»Wolf God« rises over the Heavy Metal scene majestically and lets the guitar riffs speak for themselves.
The groove and heaviness that were featured on the successful predecessor can also be found on the new, ninth studio album which once again holds a number of future classics.
The stunning new cover artwork was created by acclaimed artist Anthony Roberts.Recorded in Sweetspot Studio in Sweden, together with producer Staffan Karlsson (ARCH ENEMY, FIREWIND, SPIRITUAL BEGGARS), the corner stone was laid for another triumphal procession.
As the majority of the songs were recorded on the first take, they have an honest, diverse and yet down-to-earth sound that envelops the trio’s true power.
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Denmark’s melodic heavy metal band MERIDIAN are releasing today their third album “Margin Of Error” as the follow-up to the critically acclaimed “Breaking The Surface” from 2016.
It’s the bands third album, but it contains a couple of firsts.
It’s the first full album made with guitarist and producer Marco Angioni, and it’s the first album written and recorded with a stable line-up, all sharing the same musical vision.
It includes songs from the digital EP “The Fate Of Atlantis” released last year, including the single “Fragments Of A Life”
Today the band is also sharing the official video for the opening track “The Devil Inside Us All”.
Check it below or in one of our official premiere media partners:
Metal-Roos (AU)
Dutch Metal Maniac (BNL)
Whiplash (BR)
Brave Words (CA)
Rock Hard (DE)
Metalized (DK)
TNT Radio Rock (ES)
United Rock Nations (FR)
Rock Hard (GR)
HeavyMetal.no (NO)
Ultraje (PT)
Demon Reports (SB)
Sweden Rock Magazine (SE)
Antichrist Magazine (UKR)
Metal Rules (US)
MERIDIAN “The Devil Inside Us All” official video
Bassist Peter Bruun says:
“The music was written back in 2017. We were jamming on other new song ideas, and at one point Martin just came up with the first riff out of the blue. It sounded cool right away, so everybody jumped at it. Ideas came flying left and right, and within about half an hour, we had the music done. It was one of those magical moments that you can’t plan, but happens once in a while. Afterwards Lars put a nice melody one top of it, and we had a song. Klaus wrote the words about fighting inner demons”.
Musically, “Margin Of Error” displays a varied landscape of melodic hardrock, hard hitting metal anthems and slowpaced heavy monsters.
Songs with strong melodies and memorable choruses you can sing along to.
It’s the most coherent and well crafted collection of songs from a band that’s better than ever.
Meridian is heading out on the road in 2019 to support the album.
“Margin Of Error” is released March 22nd on cd, lp and digital.
“Margin Of Error” is recorded at Death Island Studios. Produced, mixed and mastered by Marco Angioni.Cover artwork and band photo by Lena Angioni.
Meridian:
Lars Märker – vocals
Martin J. Andersen – guitars
Marco Angioni – guitars
Peter Bruun – bass
Klaus Agerbo – drums
www.facebook.com/meridian.metal www.mightymusic.dk/albums/meridian
“Meridian have certainly done themselves proud here, matching the quality of “Brwaking The Surface” and even adding to it a little which is no mean feat”Powerplay Magazine”
“Everything from melodic rock to hard rock to heavy metal. There’s something for many different kind of fans here
“Hard Rock Info
“Margin Of Error” is on out CD, LP and digital. Order the album at www.targetshop.dk
Brand new song from Danish melodic metallers Meridian. “Second Best” is the first single from the coming new album “Margin Of Error” to be released on CD, LP & digital on Mighty Music March 22nd.
“Margin Of Error” is recorded at Death Island Studios.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Marco Angioni.
Video, Cover artwork and band photo by Lena Angioni.
Pre-order at targetshop.dk
Vinyl: https://bit.ly/2VnkgN6
]]>And yes, Iron Lamb is obviously a traditional band. In fact the band reminds a lot of Motorhead and Dianno-era Iron Maiden. Fast paced Metal, rough vocals, guitar solos, a driving beat, you name it, you get it. Take the 4th song “The Hunt”, for instance. It could just as well be something from Motorhead! In fact the singer’s voice is extremely reminiscent of Lemmy’s raspy voice which suits this rock n’roll style song extremely well. However, early 80s Paul Dianno would also suit the band. In fact chance is that many fans would probably wonder, if they had just found some forgotten Dianno era Iron Maiden tracks. A good example for this is already the first song “Apocalypse Express”. Underdog feeling, rough guitars, rough vocals, just what you would expect.
And yet, Iron Lamb is not a cover band. They play what they love and that is very old school, aka early NWOBHM style Heavy Metal with some rock n’roll thrown in for good measure. Modern Metal fans who love breakdowns are obviously not likely to enjoy this particular album, old school Metalfans, and particularly fans of Motorhead will likely love it! 8 devils!
]]>Manimal isn’t original, they have listened a lot to Judas Priest, Accept and Queensryche. Also there are several other influences you should find out yourself. Opener ‘Black Plague’ has some Painkiller influences and other songs have Priest influences as well. Lots of fast and up tempo songs, but slower songs like ‘Spreading the Dread’ and the threatening track ‘Behind Enemy Lines’ fit in as well. Other mid-tempo tracks are ‘Denial’ and the closing song. The album has a good sound and the mix of melody and tight riffs does make me happy.
The lack of originality costs them one devil, but I like the album.
]]>I think you will not be surprised that the music on Solitary Men sounds a lot like old Rage and is a combination of power metal, speed metal parts, groove and melodic refrains. On top of that the guitar solos are again of a really high standard. The mix of faster songs with heavy metal groovy tracks keeps you focused.
Opener ‘Summer’s Winter’ immediately is the blue print for the album combining speed, contagious melodic refrains and groove. After that there is a variety of slower songs and faster tracks, in typical Rage-style. One of my favorite tracks is ‘Mind Over Matter’, with some fine thrash riffing, speed and groove. The last 2 songs are old Rage tracks. ‘Waterfalls’ is a rather soft track, almost a ballad and needs some time to get used to (not one of my favorites). Final conclusion is that Refuge made an album that will be liked by all Rage fans for sure and with their best line-up I didn’t expect less either.
]]>But I’ll go a bit further….well-written songs, great melodies, screaming guitar solos, fist-in-the-air riffs…these are some of the album’s ingredients that will delight the discerning Metal fan. Southern England’s Toledo Steel have been honing their craft since 2011 and “No Quarter” is only the band’s debut full-length.
From the riff-laden and anthemic ‘Visions In The Fire’ to the up-tempo ‘Sight Of The Sniper’ to the tongue-in-cheek ‘Heavy Metal Headache’, the album epitomises traditional, hard-hitting Heavy Metal. No more, no less.
]]>If his solo albums have proven anything it’s the enduring talent of Herman Frank in writing great songs and strong melodies but the impact of a riff is still never far away. The opening of ‘Can’t Take It’ is a perfect example. Nonetheless ‘I Want It All’, with vocalist Rick Altzi in fine form, is more representational of this album….chock full of catchy refrains and strong harmonies.
Personally I’d have appreciated a bit more raggedness and punch but there’s no denying that “The Devil Rides Out” is deserving of the plaudits it sets out to achieve.
]]>When you look at Shaw’s track record since he appeared on the scene in 1989 as the replacement for Mikkey Dee on the drum stool in the King Diamond band, there is little doubt that the guy lives, breathes and farts metal. And it’s not like it’s just one type or genre of metal. No, no, we’re talking everything from speed, thrash, glam and symphonic to black. Is there in fact anyone more metal than Snowy? Hard to say, but if I’m to trust the promo letter, which came along with the album, Mr. Shaw is betting everything on this. This is the end of being part of other bands, this is a full-on bet on the solo career.
Having given White Is The New Black a few spins, I’m convinced that the drummer/guitarist/bassist/keyboardist/singer is onto something that just might work.
As most of you would have figured, Snowy Shaw isn’t your regular bloke. No, the thing about this debut album is that it is, in fact – wait for it – the best-of album that he’ll make years from now. Yeah, it sounds weird, but why does it make sense? Because (naturally) Shaw has six albums laid out already, and White Is The New Black consists of two songs that represent the style of each of those six (future) albums. Looney. I like it.
What I also like is that the album certainly also shows us that Snowy is a man who refuses to be caged in one particular genre and that he allows his past to be reflected in what he does. He’s certainly a guy who’s got a diverse taste, which is a wonderful thing.
When I listen across the heavy soundscape that makes up White Is The New Black, there are a multitude of references and points of inspiration. Everything from traditional heavy metal over German speed metal to Type O Negative, Rammstein, Venom, Black Sabbath, Priest and Cradle of Filth.
In my book, as diverse as they are, the sources of inspiration are aligned like start signs, and Shaw has a perfect understanding of putting together tunes. The only two songs that fail to impress me are ‘Evil Twin’ and ‘Family Feud’ towards the end of the album – they aren’t bad, but they do tend to be filler material for me – however, that’s all I can complain about.
In sum: A great album by a great musician and a highly recommended effort.
I can’t wait to hear the albums that’ll form the basis for this best-of! 