ENSIFERUM
"WINTER STORM"
Folk Metal/ Viking Metal
Year:18.10.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

The last time that Ensiferum left the studio with a new album, the world promptly shut down due to the covid pandemic. The Finnish folk-metal Melodeath sensation maintained a prolific release schedule since their first demo in 1997, gradually increasing in stature until eighth album Thalassic crowned their ascent in 2020. The nautical opus went on to top Finland's album chart, reaching #3 in Germany, and top ten in Switzerland, Canada and the USA. Eventually Ensiferum would take Thalassic on two massive world tours and to festivals like Wacken, Hellfest, Summer Breeze and Ragnarök, but the global health hoo-hah ensured that the four-year wait for Winter Storm is the longest in the band's near-30-year history.Much of the new material emerged in the lockdown era, wh...

LOUDBLAST
"ALTERING FATES AND DESTINIES"
Death Metal
Year:25.10.2024
(LISTENABLE RECORDS)

Even if he voluntary describes the material as “pretty old-school”, Buriez talks about Altering Fates And Destinies as a very personal album. “It’s a good synthesis of what we stand for in 2024. We don’t forget where we come from yet we didn’t set any boundaries and vowed to do whatever the fuck we wanted.”Indeed, a track like ‘From Beyond II (The Return)’ for instance sees them dwelling back in the Lovecraft mythos but also referencing their own history by offering a sequel to a track off their 1989 debut album, 'Sensorial Treatment' which can also be read as the story of their beginning as a band. Hence also why Buriez went sonically for a very organic and natural sounding type of production, devoid of as much of t...

BEHEMOTH
"XXX YEARS OV BLASPHEMY"
Black Metal
Year:25.10.2024
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Polish extreme metal giants, the mighty BEHEMOTH, are proud to announced the release of their monumental anniversary concert XXX Years Ov Blasphemy which originally streamed online in 2021. The career-spanning show, held at and filmed on three different locations, has a total running time of 90 minutes, divided into three different acts. This very special set features fan favourites as well as a few selected deep cuts that BEHEMOTH had rarely played live before. For this event BEHEMOTH went all-in and took the concept of streaming shows during the pandemic to a whole new level, with a full production, incredibly detailed stage set-ups, breathtaking photography and a high-end sound recording. Way too good to only be seen or heard once, XXX Years Ov Blasphemy is now available for p...

CACOPHONY
"GO OFF! REISSUE"
Thrash/ Speed Metal
Year:27.09.2024
(LISTENABLE RECORDS)

CACOPHONY was formed in 1986 by guitarists Marty Friedman and Jason Becker and signed to Shrapnel Records, . They released two studio albums 'Speed Metal Symphony' (1987) and 'Go Off!' (1988) and remained active until 1989. CACOPHONY both albums showcase unique performances of highly technical playing, typical of the 1980s shred era, with songs featuring fast tempos, melodic solos, exotic neoclassical scales and dual guitar harmonizations. Several tracks were entirely instrumental, which prominently demonstrated Marty Friedman and Jason Becker's renowned technical skills.  'Go Off !' is their second and final studio album . Both Marty Friedman and Jason Becker released their own solo albums : 'Dragon's Kiss' and 'Perpetual Bu...

VOLA
"FRIEND OF A PHANTOM"
Progressive Metal/ Post Metal
Year:01.11.2024
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

It has been three years since the release of VOLA's defining album, ‘Witness.’ It was a sonic assault that captured their signature blend of thoughtful labyrinthine narratives with crushing riffs and experimental sophistication. Heavy/quiet and dark/light were combined with elements of tech-metal, progressive alt-rock, electronica, and stadium-sized choruses.After an intense touring schedule that saw them wind around Europe and, for the first time, the US, Canada, and South America. They now return buoyed with all of those experiences infused with their brand-new studio album, 'Friend of a Phantom,' which will be released on 1 November via Mascot Records.Talking about their evolution, Janzi says. "We have had the time to internalise ‘Witness’ and let ...

KINGS OF MERCIA
"BATTLE SCARS"
Progressive Metal
Year:25.10.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

KINGS OF MERCIA's 2022 approachable, world-class self-titled debut was termed "truly a hybrid: it's heavy, but not metal. It's got tones of melodic AOR hard rock but with an edge." Now, 2024 brings the band's sophomore album written and recorded throughout 2023, 'Battle Scars' sees the core writing team of Matheos and Overland expanding on their obvious chemistry."I think it was a bit easier this time around because we've established a good working rhythm," states Matheos, "I'll send Steve at least a few songs every couple of months, and I try to keep them varied. This allows him to work on whichever ones he feels strongly about."Those songs would become the self-titled debut album, which was released in 2022. Written during lockdown, bounc...

IOTUNN
"KINSHIP"
Epic/ Folk Progressive Metal
Year:25.10.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

IOTUNN’s Kinship is a massive album arising from the primeval sea. It’s a mythological journey through eight tracks that span immense spheres both musically and lyrically, exploring the deep roots of human nature, its connection and disconnection with everything and everyone, and how our choices have always defined ourselves and the lives lived.Notes guitarist Jesper Gräs, "The creation of Kinship has been the most extensive and wild journey we’ve ever been part of. Like trekking up the Galdhøpiggen mountain in Norway, we have crossed peak after peak and seen things continuously brighter and wider until we reached the top, the end. Never have we been prouder and more pleased, and we hope our fans - old and new - will take this album into their hearts...

THE SWEET
"ISOLATION BOULEVARD"
Hard Rock/ AOR/ Glam
Year:29.11.2024
(SOULFOOD MUSIC)

'Isolation Boulevard' is a collection of 12 re-recordings from the extensive collection of Sweet classics. The recordings were made in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. Against this backdrop, the overall performance of everyone involved is all the more impressive, from the driving drums and bass to the 'in your face' guitars and stratospheric vocals. Although the album was created under difficult conditions, in the end it was a pleasure for everyone involved to record 'Isolation Boulevard'. The result speaks for itself.In 2019, SWEET embarked on the biggest tour of their long career to date with the 'Still Got The Rock' tour in Europe and the UK. In between, they even found time to fly to Australia to play as co-headliners on the '...

ASTRAL DOORS
"THE END OF IT ALL"
Heavy Metal
Year:18.10.2024
(SOULFOOD MUSIC)

After having released nine albums, the members of the legendary Swedish metal band Astral Doors were determined to make a 10th album, an anniversary album. The album was called "The End Of It All", as a reflection on what the world looks like today and to somehow say that this could be Astral Doors' last album.Astral Doors, the legendary Swedish metal band, has been away from the scene for some years and many people thought that the band had retired. However, with nine albums released the boys were determend to make a 10th album, an anniversary album.They decided to name the album "The End Of It All" as a reflection of how the world looks today and to somehow say that this may be the last album from Astral Doors.The recordings took place in their home town Borlänge and the band r...

AD INFINITUM
"ABYSS"
Symphonic Female Heavy Metal
Year:11.10.2024
(NAPALM RECORDS)

Swiss/German modern metal frontrunners AD INFINITUM redefine their sound as they look to the future with their upcoming album, Abyss, out October 11, 2024 via Napalm Records. Since breaking out into the scene in 2020, AD INFINITUM has experienced a remarkable rise, evolving their musical style with each release. While their earlier offerings showcased a symphonic metal approach, Abyss reveals a whole new side of AD INFINITUM, marking their most dynamic, modern and progressive record to date. Gripping, rhythmic riffs, infectious choruses, heavy breakdowns and singer Melissa Bonny’s inimitable and increasingly versatile vocal approach present the band at the very top of their game - proving that these hard-working, ever-rising stars never fail in surprising their fans and critics alike...

WIND ROSE
"TROLLSLAYER"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:04.10.2024
(NAPALM RECORDS)

Italian dwarven power metal army WIND ROSE returns to the forge with their new album, Trollslayer, out October 4, 2024 via Napalm Records! Exploding onto the scene with viral appearances on TikTok and amassing almost half a million followers on the platform, as well as almost a million monthly listeners, WIND ROSE have solidified their reputation as a powerhouse in the modern power metal scene.                                                                  CD/ LP:1 Of...

THE CROWN
"CROWN OF THORNS"
Death Metal
Year:11.10.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

Crown Of Thorns serves as the band’s twelfth studio album as THE CROWN and is the dynamic, groundbreaking followup to 2021’s Royal Destroyer. The band made distinctly different creative choices to ensure that the LP’s ten songs would stand as a unique collection. “For me, Cobra Speed Venom and Royal Destroyer are like siblings,” says guitarist Marko Tervonen. “[We wanted] to make sure that we would take a step forward, get a bit more out of our comfort zone on Crown Of Thorns. We really wanted this to sound like a new, fresh album and I believe we did it.”The approach was full circle and inventive. “I had the idea that we should work a bit backwards. I pushed to create the artwork very early in the process. We wanted the album cover to includ...

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER
"SERVITUDE"
Death Metal
Year:27.09.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER's new album is what many would have thought impossible. ‘Before the tragedy, nobody would have thought that this band would continue to exist without Trevor.’‘Servitude’ is Eschbach's debut as singer and lyricist of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER - and the first with Knight on guitar since 2015's “Abysmal”.After a period of deep mourning and soul-searching, Eschbach switched from guitar to vocals, putting aside his lifelong identity as a live guitarist in favour of the band's survival. Former member of THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER, Ryan Knight, returned to the band and took Eschbach's place on guitar. ‘We put everything we had into it and it felt right to make this album,’ he adds. "I'm prou...

SATAN
"SONGS IN CRIMSON"
Heavy Metal
Year:13.09.2024
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

Satan’s history is storied, their albums and incendiary live shows, iconic. The Newcastle, England-bred lineup may quip that their career has been “44 years of prolonged mayhem with a 20-year lunch break”- forming in 1980, eventually pausing before reuniting in 2011- but circa 2024 finds the band thriving, writing, recording, and touring at the top of their game. Proof positive is their seventh studio album, and third for Metal Blade, Songs in Crimson.If 2022’s Earth Infernal album was brutal, up-tempo and with loud guitars, guitarist Russ Tippins calls Songs in Crimson “concise. It’s more to the point and gets there quicker. One of the reasons behind the title Songs in Crimson is that this record is very ‘song’ focused. There&rsquo...

FROZEN CROWN
"WAR HEARTS"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:18.10.2024
(NAPALM RECORDS)

Italian power metal band FROZEN CROWN unveils their new studio album and Napalm Records debut, War Hearts, out October 18, 2024. This marks the band’s fifth album in their seven-year career and their first as a six-piece band, capturing the essence of FROZEN CROWN's dynamic sound brimming with powerful riffs, unforgettable melodies, and raw energy. Get ready to experience their powerful live performances as the band heads out on tour with Kamelot in the fall of this year.Formed in 2017, FROZEN CROWN has garnered significant media exposure with their previous four albums and built a dedicated following with their mixture of power metal, old-school speed and heavy metal. During its short lifespan, the relentless band has performed at several festivals like Sa...