RHAPSODY OF FIRE
"THE EIGHTH MOUNTAIN"
Symphonic Melodic Power Metal
Year:22.02.2019
(AFM RECORDS)

- Excellent new studio album by Italian symphonic metal-kings RHAPSODY OF FIRE and first studio album with very talented new singer Giacomo Voli. This new epic material is stilisticly close to their  late 90’s / early 2000’s masterpieces without marking that time. "The Eighth Mountain" starts a story concept that will stretch over three records in total.- Coverartwork by Alex Charleux (Rhapsody Of Fire, Ubisoft). Mix and Mastering by Sebastian "Seeb" Leevermann (Orden Ogan, Almanac) [!]Rhapsody Of Fire have now returned to the very strengths of those albums. Their latest studio recording The Eighth Mountain combines spirited songs and epic chorus parts with lavish orchestra arrangements. At the same time, the album marks the beginning of a new, excitin...

GEORGE BENSON
"Walking To New Orleans - Remembering Chuck Berry and Fats Domino"
Blues/ Jazz
Year:26.04.2019
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

George Benson gets back to Americana basics on 'Walking to New Orleans', the legendary jazz guitarist's double-barreled tribute to both piano-pounding Crescent City hit machine Fats Domino and the original rock guitar hero and poet, Chuck Berry."I'm a great appreciator of the music made by both of those guys," says Benson, who reanimates their genius with his signature soulful vocals and buttery solos. "Chuck Berry was a great showman and a great musician, and Fats Domino cut nothing but hit after hit after hit."The Chuck Berry songbook is represented on ‘Walking To New Orleans' by "Nadine (Is It You?)," "You Can't Catch Me," "Havana Moon," "Memphis, Tennessee," and "How You've Changed." Fats Domino weighs in with "Rockin&...

HERMAN FRANK
"FIGHT THE FEAR"
Heavy Metal
Year:08.02.2019
(AFM RECORDS)

"Fight The Fear” thrills with Herman's guitar attacks, killer riffs and outstanding, powerful vocals with good hook lines and catchy choruses. A Teutonic Metal fireworks as it could not be better!Introducing Heavy Metal veteran HERMAN FRANK to the crowd is just meaningless like carry coals to Newcastle. The guitarist has been an integral part of the German metal scene since the early 80s. From ACCEPT to VICTORY to his solo project started in 2009 and his work as a producer. With the first three albums "Loyal To None", "Right In The Guts" and "The Devils Ride Out", Frank and his comrades-in-arms are causing storms of enthusiasm in both the press and the fans. And the fourth album "Fight The Fear", cast in the same mold, will not change that....

AVANTASIA
"MOONGLOW"
Symphonic Melodic Power Metal
Year:15 Februar
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

AVANTASIA, the all-star rock opera spaceship piloted by EDGUY singer, songwriter and producer Tobias Sammet, release their eighth full-length album, 'Moonglow', via Nuclear Blast Records on February 15th 2019. This new 11-song record sees Sammet, among the most talented and popular names in German hard rock and metal, reunited with some familiar faces from previous AVANTASIA albums. These include original QUEENSRYCHE lead singer Geoff Tate, PRETTY MAIDS frontman Ronnie Atkins, Michael Kiske of HELLOWEEN, Jørn Lande (ex-MASTERPLAN), Eric Martin (MR BIG) and MAGNUM’s Bob Catley. 'Moonglow' also introduces new collaborators Hansi Kürsch of BLIND GUARDIAN, KREATOR’s Mille Petrozza and BLACKMORE’S NIGHT frontwo...

EXUMER
"HOSTILE DEFIANCE"
Thrash Metal
Year:05.04.2019
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

'Hostile Defiance' is exactly what its title suggests. A 42-minute full on attack, the thrash faction hold nothing back as they unleash hell as only they can, yet with more variety and dynamics than ever before. "We wanted to sonically progress, incorporating more melodic elements in the music as well as more rhythmic variety," states vocalist Mem Von Stein. "We are a lot braver trying to create an up to date and relevant sound that can easily stand alone in today's thrash landscape without sounding trite or a throwback, and we're challenging the listener not to get too comfortable with one specific feel, tempo or pace."'Hostile Defiance' marks EXUMER's third time working with producer Dennis Koehne (Sodom, Melechesh), tracking the album in...

BLOODBOUND
"RISE OF THE DRAGON EMPIRE"
Heavy Metal
Year:22.03.2019
(AFM RECORDS)

“Rise Of The Dragon Empire” is the band’s eager anticipated 8th studio album. The predecessor "War Of Dragons" was the most successful album in BLOODBOUNDS's history to date, reaching chart entries in Germany (DE #56) and Switzerland (CH #58). Cover artwork by Tom Thiel (Brainstorm, Age Of Pirates, Die Siedler, Wildlife Park). Mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren, one of Scandinavia’s most acclaimed engineers (Sonic Syndicate, Steel Attack, Scar Symmetry).Two years after their first chart entry in Germany with “War Of Dragons” and an almost completely sold out headliner tour, BLOODBOUND are back with their eagerly anticipated new album “Rise Of The Dragon Empire”.One has to make a compliment towards the six sw...

BATTLE BEAST
"NO MORE HOLLYWOOD ENDINGS"
Heavy Metal
Year:22.03.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

“100% heavy metal - 0% bullshit!” - BATTLE BEAST’s formula is simple, but very effective; and with their enormously catchy, riff-laden songs coupled with Noora Louhimo’s unique voice, these young Finns have become a flagship of modern heavy metal over the past few years.With »No More Hollywood Endings«, the group cements their status as unstoppable force, showcasing their magic touch for writing endlessly catchy songs once again, without repeating themselves. This record includes everything the band needed to take the next step to conquer the big halls of the world. In the end, one thing’s for sure: Although BATTLE BEAST’s new record may not purely contain “100% heavy metal”, but definitely “0% bullshit”...

BEAST IN BLACK
"FROM HELL WITH LOVE"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:08.02.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

“The BEAST is back, the BEAST IN BLACK!” Haunting words recalling »Berserker«, BEAST IN BLACK’s debut album, which was finally released in November 2017. Although it never actually felt as if the BEAST had been away entirely. Right after the departure from his former band BATTLE BEAST, BEAST IN BLACK’s founder Anton Kabanen recruited new companions in the way of high-pitched vocalist Yannis Papadopoulos (WARDRUM), bassist Mate Molnar (WISDOM), guitarist Kasperi Heikkinen (U.D.O.) and last but not least drummer Atte Palokangas (THUNDERSTONE), who officially replaced Sami Hänninen in early 2018.The band secretly forged 11 hot new tracks which comprise their highly-anticipated sophomore record »From Hell With Love«. The album...

CELLAR DARLING
"THE SPELL"
Progressive Folk/ Metal
Year:22.03.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

- CELLAR DARLING FEED US WITH MORE EPIC & PROGRESSIVE STORYS!CELLAR DARLING’s second full-length »The Spell« weaves a dark fairytale for the modern era, told through heavy yet intricate, progressive folk rock, enchanting visual art and utterly immersive storytelling. The band began in 2016 after Anna Murphy (vocals, hurdy-gurdy), Merlin Sutter (drums) and Ivo Henzi (guitars and bass) left Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE, which they had all played in for over a decade. But they weren’t ready to end their musical journey together yet, and embarked on a new and different path.On »The Spell«, CELLAR DARLING have cemented their sound. Juxtaposing darkness and light, the album soars with melody, pummels with heavy...

FALLUJAH
"UNDYING LIGHT"
Progressive Metal
Year:15.03.2019
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

California progressive death metallers FALLUJAH are swinging upward and venturing outward on new album, »Undying Light«. With new vocalist in Antonio Palermo (also of UNDERLING fame) firmly in position and a no-filler, all-killer songwriting attack, »Undying Light« isn’t the follow-up to »Dreamless«, it’s a massive jump forward. Whereas »Dreamless« wandered intelligently and resonated lithely, new tracks such as 'Glass House,' 'Ultraviolet,' 'Eyes Like The Sun,' and closer 'Departure' find FALLUJAH stripped down, razor-sharp, and emotionally charged.“The songs on »Undying Light« are raw, confident, and new,” says guitarist/primary songwriter Scott Carst...

JORDAN RUDESS
"WIRED FOR MADNESS"
Progressive Rock/ Metal
Year:19.04.2019
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

- Jordan Rudess is the highly acclaimed keyboardist of Dream Theater! Renowned guests include drummer Marco Minnemann, Dream Theater front man James LaBrie, guitarists Vinnie Moore, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa and John Petrucci among others [!]Wired For Madness is bursting and flowing forth with all of the drama, technique and melodicism that have become Jordan Rudess’ musical hallmarks. It’s a vibrant and pulsating tour de force that blends old-school prog and piano with a ferocious and typically ambitious oeuvre that’s as tasteful and classic as it is outrageously expansive. Renowned guests include drummer Marco Minnemann, Dream Theater front man James LaBrie, guitarists Vinnie Moore, Guthrie Govan, Joe Bonamassa and John Petrucci ...

IRON SAVIOR
"KILL OR GET KILLED"
Power Heavy Metal
Year:08.03.2019
(AFM RECORDS)

- 10th album by German power metal heroes Iron Savior! "Kill Or Get Killed" is the perfect successor to "Titancraft" and takes it's strong and characteristic songwriting even further. Mixed and mastered by Piet Sielck in the Powerhouse studios, Hamburg (Saxon, Blind Guardian). Coverartwork von Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rhapsody of Fire, Brainstorm) [!]That Hamburg isn’t only the most beautiful city in the world but also a big stronghold when it comes to power metal should be well know ever since the nineteen eighties. Also every fan of hard, melodic music should be familiar with the band of guitarist and singer Piet Sielck, IRON SAVIOR who are a known quantity in the metal game.The Band has been continuously releasing albu...

YNGWIE MALMSTEEN
"BLUE LIGHTNING"
Neo Classical Heavy Metal
Year:29.03.2019
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

- Limited edition box with 2 bonus tracks and Yngwie-themed coasters (2x), sticker, postcard and 4 guitar picks [!] - Amongst the Top 10 Electric Guitar players of all time by TIME Magazine! Released 20 studio albums in a career spanning 40 years [!]To call Yngwie Malmsteen a 'maestro' or 'virtuoso' is to state the obvious. But such terms don't do sufficient justice to either his talent or impact. There are innumerable guitarists who have copied a small part of the vast musical spectrum that defines him, but nobody comes close to achieving what he has over a period of nearly four decades.Now, with 'Blue Lightning', the man highlights not only his enduring dexterity and diversity, but also pays homage to those from the...

KING DIAMOND
"SONGS FOR THE DEAD LIVE"
Heavy Metal
Year:2019
(METAL BLADE RECORDS)

On January 25th, King Diamond will release a new CD+DVD/Blu-ray, Songs For The Dead Live. Songs For The Dead Live captures 1987’s seminal Abigail album in its entirety - played twice, and in very different locations: Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015. Featuring a brace of classic King Diamond and Mercyful Fate tracks including "Welcome Home", "Halloween" and "Eye Of The Witch", before launching into Abigail, the show boasts an all-star line-up supporting King: guitarists Andy LaRocque and Mike Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and drummer Matt Thompson. The performances are ferocious, hammering home every moment and ensuring all in attendance remain in their thrall.Captured on film by director Denise Korycki f...

WALTER TROUT
"SURVIVOR BLUES"
Rock/ Blues
Year:25 January
(MASCOT LABEL GROUP)

- Walter is touring the world non-stop, doing over 150 shows a year and has mesmerized guitar fans around the globe with his masterful phrases and unique style! Walter Trout is a three-time winner of the Overseas Artist Of The Year title at the British Blues Awards, and a three-time Blues Music Awards nominee.  In 2015, he won the Sena European Guitar Award and also earned him the #6 slot in BBC Radio 1’s Top 20 Guitarist listeners’ poll. In 2018 he won the Blues Music Award for Best Blues Rock Album with We’re All In This Together (2017) [!]No ordinary artist. No ordinary covers album. From the day he conceived the project to the moment he counted off the first song in the studio, Walter Trout had a bolder plan for Survivo...