ERIC GALES
"CROWN"
Blues/ Rock
Year:28.01.2022
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

    ‘Crown’ was produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, and features contributions from ace songwriters Keb Mo, Tom Hambridge and James House.    Eric Gales’ most recent album, 2019’s ‘The Bookends’, debuted #1 on the Billboard Blues Album chart and that year Eric won a Blues Music Award for Blues Rock Artist Of The Year.Eric Gales is a blues firebrand. Over 30 years and 18 albums, his passion for the music and his boundless desire to keep it vital has never waned, even when his own light dimmed due to his substance struggles. Throughout it all, he continued to reinvigorate the art form with personal revelation in his lyrics and bold stylistic twists in his guitar playing and songwriting.Fi...

CYNIC
"ASCENSION CODES"
Technical Death/ Progressive Metal
Year:26.11.2021
(SEASON OF MIST)

3 years after their latest single 'Humanoid', American progressive metal pioneers CYNIC are releasing their long awaited new album "Ascension Codes". As frontman Paul Masvidal comments: "'Ascension Codes' is a portrait of contrasts, like those between struggle and stillness, or the immediate against the limitless.”  For fans of Atheist, Opeth, Death ...TRACKLIST CD/ 2LP:1. Mu-54* (0:32)2. The Winged Ones (5:08)3. A'-va432 (0:28)4. Elements and their Inhabitants (3:09)5. Ha-144 (0:30)6. Mythical Serpents (6:24)7. Sha48* (0:19)8. 6th Dimensional Archetype (4:07)9. DNA Activation Template (5:25)10. Shar-216 (0:23)11. Architects of Consciousness (6:20)12....

EPICA
"OMEGA ALIVE"
Symphonic Female Heavy Metal
Year:03.12.2021
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

For many years now, the comparative of epic has simply been EPICA. Since their formation in 2002 and their quick ascension to stalwarts of symphonic metal noblesse with trailblazing masterpieces “The Divine Conspiracy” (2007) or “Requiem for the Indifferent” (2012), Dutch metal titans only knew one way: Up. Especially with their last three releases “The Quantum Enigma”, “The Holographic Principle” and this years’ “Omega”, forming a metaphysical trilogy that’s both alpha and omega of all things symphonic metal, EPICA became rightful monarchs of a genre they themselves helped made become a global phenomenon.Yet, as every other band, EPICA couldn’t take their latest installment of breathtaking cinemat...

CRYSTAL BALL
"CRYSTERIA"
Hard Rock/ AOR
Year:28.01.2022
(MASSACRE RECORDS)

The album "CRYSTERIA" opens a new chapter in CRYSTAL BALL's history. In their 3rd decade, the band is far from just repeating itself, and you can find new, fresh, and energetic elements in their music.CRYSTAL BALL took its time during the pandemic-related break to write lots of new material, so they could choose from over 30 Songs for the "CRYSTERIA" album. CRYSTAL BALL's new guitar player Peter Berger also contributed many songs and ideas to this album. He was a very refreshing and motivating input. The production of "CRYSTERIA", that was taken care of by Stefan Kaufmann, improved even further and reflects the bands live energy perfectly. The album features the vocal duet "Call Of The Wild" with Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG) whom the band got to know at a festival ...

OPERA DIABOLICUS
"DEATH ON A PALE HORSE"
Epic Black Metal
Year:26.11.2021
(SEASON OF MIST)

Listen everybody, bring out OPERA DIABOLICUS! The Swedish horror outfit have created the perfect horror musical with a little help from their friends Mats Levén (Candlemass, Therion, Skyblood), Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Notre Dame), Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) and Michael Denner (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate)! With ‘Death on a Pale Horse’, the Swedes bring you the epic tale witchcraft, the black death and revenge!For fans of KING DIAMOND, MERCYFUL FATE, CANDLEMASS ...TRACKLIST CD/ 2LP:1. Listen everybody (2:49)2. Bring Out Your Dead (5:24)3. Second Coming (9:51)4. Siren’s Call (7:54)5. Darkest Doom on the Brightest of Days (7:34)6. A song of Detestation &n...

DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT
"NOKTVRN"
Black Metal
Year:19.11.2021
(SEASON OF MIST)

Black metal formation DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT have never stopped smashing through the boundaries of the genre they’ve called home. With the release of their fifth album, Noktvrn, the Germans are looking to expand the minds and perspectives of their ever-increasing fanbase, similar to how they pushed themselves in every element of the new album’s creation. Noktvrn, the title is based on classical composer Frédéric Chopin’s Nocturnes (night pieces), embraces all aspects of the night: darkness, dreams, the obscure state of mind between being awake and asleep, and not least, the dawning of a new day.  TRACKLIST CD/ 2LP:1. Finisterre II (01:52)2. Monument (06:46)3. Am Rande der Dunkelheit (08:18)4. Immortal (06:50)...

RHAPSODY OF FIRE
"GLORY FOR SALVATION"
Melodic Symphonic Power Metal
Year:26.11.2021
(AFM RECORDS)

- Excellent new studio album by Italian symphonic metal-kings RHAPSODY OF FIRE- This new epic material is stylistically close to their late 90s' / early 2000s' masterpieces without marking that time- "Glory For Salvation" is the second album of a story concept that will stretch over three records- Coverartwork by Alex Charleux (Rhapsody Of Fire, Ubisoft)- Mix and Mastering by Sebastian "Seeb" Leevermann (Orden Ogan, Almanac)Rhapsody Of Fire return with the next part of their saga "Glory For Salvation". Pathetic and fast-paced, the band around Alex Staropoli presents a masterpiece of metal symphony. The opus of modern melodic power metal will be released on 26.11.2021.The Italian band Rhapsody of Fire returns with the next part of...

FIT FOR AN AUTOPSY
"OH WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS"
Death Metal
Year:14.01.2022
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Survival depends on evolution. As conditions change and tides turn, we must change with them in order to stay one step ahead of the coming challenges. It’s clear that Fit For An Autopsy have embraced that mantra as they continue to perpetually evolve with each subsequent body of work. Notjust blurring, but eradicating the lines between technical metal virtuosity, death metal menace, hardcore intensity, melodic insidiousness, and abstract approaches, the New Jersey band embody an uncompromising vision of their own.The six-piece—Joseph Badolato [vocals], Patrick Sheridan [guitar], Timothy Howley [guitar], Will Putney [guitar], Peter Blue Spinazola [bass], and Josean Orta Martinez [drums]— perfect this approach on their sixth full-length offering, Oh Wha...

HYPOCRISY
"WORSHIP"
Death Metal
Year:26.11.2021
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

With governments finally admitting that UFOs do in fact exist, and humanity attempting to heal from a state of recent crisis, the timing couldn’t be more appropriate for the newest addition to the HYPOCRISY catalog: WORSHIP. Aptly titled, the album cover shows a mass of humans reaching up mindlessly to the sky as glowing spaceships shaped like the HYPOCRISY crosses sigil beam down to descend upon earthen civilizations and Mayan temples. Designed by artist Blake Armstrong (Kataklysm, In Flames, Carnifex, etc.), WORSHIP’s artwork speaks to the history of the relationship between humanity and extraterrestrials. “They’re coming back to collect,” explains founder and HYPOCRISY mastermind Peter Tägtgren.It has been 8 long years since the last rec...

IRON SAVIOR
"THE LANDING 10 ANNIV. REMIXED/ REMASTERED"
Melodic Power Heavy Metal
Year:19.11.2021
(AFM RECORDS)

· Rerelease of the 7th album, full of haunting melodies and powerful hymns! - Remixed & Remastered· Produced by Piet Sielck in his own Powerhouse Studios (Stormwarrior)· Atmospheric cover artwork by Felipe Machado (Blind Guardian, Rhapsody Of Fire)· Album comes with the unpublished Japanbonustrack "Underneath The Radar"With "The Landing" one of the most popular German metal bands finally returns back to the scene: IRON SAVIOR!Their performance is impressive: "The Landing" is full of haunting melodies and power - all in the typical Savior sound. Hymns like "Heavy Metal Never Dies" and "Hall Of The Heroes" posses an almost unreal power of persuasion, with "Starlight" melodic speed to perfection is represented, the beautif...

DEATH ANGEL
"THE BASTARD TRACKS"
Thrash Metal
Year:21.11.2021
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

The Bastard Tracks…the deep cuts of an album. The songs you don’t hear often when you go to see your favorite bands live, although they may be among some of your personal favorite tracks!Well, Death Angel wanted to do something about that! The band put together a set list dubbed “The Bastard Tracks”. They then performed it in the middle of a pandemic at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco on May 22nd, 2021, and streamed it worldwide the following week. The Bay Area thrashers dig deep into their catalog to perform older favorites, newer classics and songs that have never been performed live before. You’ll hear the stories behind the songs, and get a glimpse into the collective minds and souls of DEATH ANGEL.Recorded live b...

ELDOVAR
"A STORY OF DARKNESS AND LIGHT"
Progressive Rock/ Hard Rock/ Stoner/ Rock
Year:03.12.2021
(SOULFOOD MUSIC)

Kadavar and Elder release their joint album "Eldovar - A Story Of Darkness & Light" on vinyl and CD on December 3, 2021Berlin's most important rock band Kadavar collude with US prog rock wunderkinder Elder, and decided to drown in sound together. What surfaced is "A Story of Darkness & Light", a marvel of musical liberty, a gushing opus between rock, prog and alternative, held together by the two bands' contrasts.Tiger Bartelt, Lupus Lindemann, and Simon Bouteloup of Kadavar as well as Michael Risberg, Nick DiSalvo, and Georg Edert of Elder (minus bassist Jack Donovan who wasn't allowed to travel from the US) extract an arcane and fleeting magic from the primordial broth of rock, the kind of magic that can only work when everything is in fluid. W...

VICTORY
"GODS OF TOMORROW"
Heavy Metal/ Hard Rock
Year:26.11.2021
(AFM RECORDS)

- Produced by Herman Frank himself and Arne Neurand (Guano Apes, LDC, Revolverheld, Emil Bulls, Subway to Sally).- Mastering by Robin Schmidt (Placebo, Callejon, Beatsteaks etc.)- Mixing by Arne Neurand at Horus Sound Studios (Guano Apes, LDC, Revolverheld, Emil Bulls, Subway To Sally)- Cover and artwork by Kai Swillus/Buntmetall (Saxon, Motörhead, Annihilator)- First studio album in 10 years from the cult band Victory!- available as vinyl and digipak (+digipak bonus track)- The bandlineup consists of: Gianni Pontillo (vocals), Herman Frank (guitar), Mike Pesin (guitar), Malte Frederik Burkert (bass), Michael Stein (drums).Newborn, but hard as usual the masters of VICTORY announce themselves back with unexpected power. Ten years after...

EXODUS
"PERSONA NON GRATA"
Thrash Metal
Year:19.11.2021
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

When we think of the phrase Bonded By Blood, we think of two things: a brotherhood that is meant to outlast the trials of war, pain, and time... and the almighty EXODUS. With a bond forged in youth and decades-old friendship, the undisputed masters of thrash metal return with their eleventh studio album: PERSONA NON GRATA due to be released early fall 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. Literally translating to “an unwelcome” or “unacceptable” person, PERSONA NON GRATA touches on themes of modern societal disgust and degradation. “The people that disgust you - cut ‘em outlike cancer,” explains guitarist Gary Holt. “Who is that person? It could be anybody. That’s up to the listener. Who is ‘Persona Non Grata’ to them?”...

SABATON
"THE GREAT SHOW PRAGUE/ 20TH ANNIV. SHOW WACKEN"
True Heavy Metal
Year:26.11.2021
(NUCLEAR BLAST)

Multi-Platinum Swedish metal band SABATON today announces the limited-edition, live-in-concert, double-DVD/Blu-Ray, “The Great Show,” and “The 20th Anniversary Show,” both set for release on November 19 (Nuclear Blast).  Both titles were filmed during the band’s 2019-2020 "The Great Tour“ world trek, and both feature special guest performers. Track listings are below; pre-orders begin today and can be placed here:  https://sabat.one/TheGreatShow "The 20th Anniversary Show" (watch trailer) is comprised of SABATON’s jaw-dropping, two-hour headline concert filmed in front of 75,000 fans at Germany’s Wacken Open Air Festival - coincidentally, celebrating its 30th anniversary - on August 1, 2019.  “The Gre...