At the end of last year HELHEIM announced the completion of their new album and teased fans with the statement that this was “by far the most intriguing album we’ve done thus far. Expect the unexpected!”. And today the unexpected has arrived, with Dark Essence Records revealing not just the details of HELHEIM’s tenth full-length album, but also the title track “Rignir”, as well details of the band’s first full European tour in several years.
The single is unmistakably HELHEIM, and yet it’s quite different. Intrigued? You can listen for yourself as it is available to download or stream at https://darkessencerecords.lnk.to/Rignir
For well over two decades HELHEIM have represented their Norse heritage through their music and their lyrics, with an authenticity and an integrity that is frequently diluted within the so-called “Viking” genres. With “Rignir”, the band again turned to their heritage when writing the poems that form the lyrics for the album, drawing inspiration from the ljóðaháttr, an Old Norse alliterative verse form used largely in the Eddas.
As to the actual subject matter of “Rignir”, which translated means Rain, HELHEIM explain:
This time around we have been very inspired by the local weather of Bergen. The autumn and winter seasons can summon the darkest of feelings within oneself, and this backdrop served as the fertilizer that would germinate the seeds of our lyrical ideas. Exploring the darkness of nature as something that can be seen, as well as sensed, it became a canvas where the pen drew words that rose from the depths of solemnity and alienation. Although each track depicts an ever growing intensity of suffering and loss, there’s still a dialogue on how to maintain some sort of sanity or inner peace.
Let the rain fall heavily upon you.
Once again HELHEIM have recorded the album at the Conclave & Earshot Studios in Bergen, calling on the services of Bjornar E. Nilsen (VULTURE INDUSTRIES, BLACK HOLE GENERATOR) to mix and produce “Rignir” alongside the band, and Herbrand Larsen (ENSLAVED) to handle the mastering.
With a guest appearance by Ole André Farstad playing Lap Steel Guitar on the track “Ísuð”, and with artwork by H’grimnir, tracklisting for “Rignir” is as follows:
“Rignir” is due to hit the streets on the 26 April, and will be available in CD, Blue Vinyl (limited to 500 copies), and Digital formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:
HELHEIM are set to appear at the Dark Easter Metal meeting in Munich on the 24th April, and will join VULTURE INDUSTRIES and Dark Essence Records label-mates MADDER MORTEM for the nine-date “Strange Rain” European tour. Tour routing and other confirmed shows as follows:
Apr 12 Kvarteret , Bergen, NO Apr 24 Dark Easter Metal Meeting , Münich, DE (Helheim only) Apr 25 Quantic Club , Bucharest, RO Apr 26 Flying Circus , Cluj Napoca, RO APR 27 TBC, Budapest, HU APR 28 Nova Chmelnice , Prague, CZ APR 29 Backstage, Paris, FR MAY 01 The Underworld , London, UK MAY 03 Konfus, Esbjerg, DK MAY 04 Skullcrusher, Dresden, DE
The official video of the track “Dualitet og Ulver” from HELHEIM’s ”Heiðindómr ok mótgangr” album, which features a guest appearance from TAAKE’s Hoest, can be seen at http://youtu.be/P_fw_nsSHeA
Progressive Metal pioneers FATES WARNING have recently announced a next and much overdue tour of North America alongside Queensryche in March-April and have now also added a string of complimentary headline dates to the run. Here is a full list of the upcoming dates:
FATES WARNING – Live 2019: Sa March 2nd – Orlando, FL – The Plaza Live – w/ Queensryche Su March 3rd – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room – w/ Queensryche Mo March 4th – Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbit’s * Tu March 5th – Atlanta, GA – Masquerade – w/ Queensryche Th March 7th – Baltimore, MD – Sound Stage – w/ Queensryche Fr March 8th – Sellersville, PA – Sellersville Theater * Sa March 9th – New York, NY – Irving Plaza – w/ Queensryche Su March 10th – Worcester, MA – Palladium – w/ Queensryche Tu March 12th – Cincinnati, OH – Bogarts – w/ Queensryche We March 13th – Detroit, MI – Diesel – w/ Queensryche Th March 14th – Chicago, IL – Concord – w/ Queensryche Fr March 15th – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave – w/ Queensryche Sa March 16th – Medina, MN – Medina Entertainment Center – w/ Queensryche Su March 17th – Lincoln, NE – Royal Grove * Tu March 19th – Tulsa, OK – The Shrine * We March 20th – Dallas, TX – House of Blues – w/ Queensryche Th March 21st – Houston, TX – House of Blues – w/ Queensryche Fr March 22nd – San Antonio, TX – Aztec – w/ Queensryche Sa March 23rd – Albuquerque, NM – El Rey – w/ Queensryche Su March 24th – Tucson, AZ – House Of Bards * Tu March 26th – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee – w/ Queensryche We March 27th – San Diego, CA – Observatory – w/ Queensryche Th March 28th – Los Angeles, CA – Fonda – w/ Queensryche Fr March 29th – San Francisco, CA – Slim’s – w/ Queensryche Sa March 30th – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades – w/ Queensryche Mo April 1st – Redding, CA – The Dip * Tu April 2nd – Portland, OR – Crystal Ballroom – w/ Queensryche We April 3rd – Seattle, WA – Neptune – w/ Queensryche * FATES WARNING headline show
FATES WARNING vocalist Ray Alder checked to comment about the upcoming touring as follows: ”FATES WARNING are hitting the road again in support of our latest album “Theories Of Flight”. But this time we’re touring the U.S. with our good friends in Queensryche. The last time we all toured together was a blast, and we expect this time may be even better. We also look forward to playing some cities that we have not been able to visit in quite a while. We hope to see you all at the shows!“
FATES WARNING are currently promoting their “Live Over Europe” and their latest, much acclaimend studio album “Theories Of Flight”, both released via InsideOutMusic worldwide.
Gathered during a European headlining run for “Theories Of Flight” early 2018, FATES WARNING’s “Live Over Europe” includes audio recordings from 8 different cities (Aschaffenburg / Germany, Belgrade / Serbia, Thessaloniki and Athens / Greece, Rome and Milan / Italy, Budapest / Hungary as well as Ljubljana / Slovenia) and a total of 23 songs in over 138 minutes of playing time, spanning 30 years of the group’s seminal career.
“Live Over Europe” was mixed by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Kreator, Symphony X) and mastered by Tony Lindgren at Fascination Street Studios in Sweden and is available as limited 2CD Mediabook, Gatefold 3LP + Bonus-2CD or as Digital Album. In its week of release, “Live Over Europe” entered the official sales charts in Germany on a stunning # 31 position,
Karisma Records have revealed the details of the upcoming full-length album from Iceland’s Psychedelic Prog Rockers LUCY IN BLUE. The eight-track album, titled “In Flight”, will be the second full-length release from the young band who are making considerable waves on the Icelandic Prog Scene with their elaborate grooves and delicate chord movements, performed with a skill that belies their age.
To give listeners a taste of what they can expect from LUCY IN BLUE, Karisma Records have today released a single from “In Flight”. The single, titled “Matricide” can be downloaded and streamed at https://karismarecords.lnk.to/Matricide
“In Flight” is an album that amply showcases LUCY IN BLUE’s ethereal harmonies and philosophical lyrics, which deal not only with the whole spectrum of human emotion, but also touch on more political themes as well.
Tracklisting for “In Flight” is as follows:
01. Alight Part 1 02. Alight Part 2 03. Respire 04. Matricide 05. Núverandi 06. Tempest 07. In Flight 08. On Ground
Formed in 2013, LUCY IN BLUE released their self-titled debut album via Bandcamp in 2016, and, since then, the band has been stunning crowds in their native Iceland with their soaring guitar solos and intense build-ups, taking their audiences for a ride through the psychedelic soundscapes and the progressive song writing styles of the 1970’s.
Finally, with the release of “In Flight” a much wider audience will be able to see LUCY IN BLUE’s Arnaldur Ingi Jónsson on Keyboards and vocals, Kolbeinn Þórsson on Drums, Matthías Hlífar Mogensen on Bass and vocals, and Steinþór Bjarni Gíslason on guitar and vocals in action, when they hit the stage at the Roadburn Festival in Tilburg, Netherlands, on the 14th April.
“In Flight” will hit the streets on the 12 April and will be available in CD, Digital, and Limited Edition transparent turquoise vinyl formats, and can be pre-ordered now from:
If you like Rush–Porcupine Tree-Dream Theater, Shumaun is a must for you!
Prog ensemble Shumaun will be releasing their highly anticipated sophomore album “One Day Closer to Yesterday” on February 22, 2019. The new release has an underlying concept of love gone wrong. The album begins with two souls in a state of preexistence bonded by love, and continues after they are both assigned bodies on Earth. All attempts at a blissful reunion are complicated, as only one of them can recall their state together prior to birth… and yet their connection is undeniable. “One Day Closer to Yesterday” touches on the many real struggles, conflicts, and experiences that romantic relationships might go through… the good, bad, spiritual, and terrestrial.
The Shumaun sound is shaped by the soaring vocals and lead guitar work of Farhad Hossain, the pounding melodic bass lines of Jose Mora, the subtle guitar nuances of Tyler Kim, and the technical and groove-oriented drumming of Tanvir Tomal.
Says vocalist/guitarist Farhad Hossain, “Stylistically, this album is a bit more raw and heavier than our last one. Guitar wise, there are surprisingly a lot of riffs throughout the album. I use the term ‘surprisingly’ because I never really considered myself to be a riff writer, but somehow that’s the natural direction that this album took a turn to. Much of the lyrics were comprised from improved vocal sessions that were further refined in order to capture something real and unfiltered. Many of the vocal melodies were spontaneous. I incorporated more vocal harmonies and vocal textures this time around as well. Tanvir Tomal is playing his heart out on this one. Some of the drum rhythms are simplistic in approach and yet somehow technical in nature. As always, Jose Mora’s bass playing is tasteful, melodic, and technical all at once, And of course, you can hear Tyler Kim’s guitar textures throughout the album.”
Watch the Lyric video for first single off new album called “Go”
Shumaun initially started as a solo project by Farhad Hossain. After recording a few demos, he decided to recruit a few friends to help build the project into a full-fledged collaborative band. The band released their self-titled debut album on Nov 13, 2015 to rave reviews, and supported it with several shows. Both Mark Zonder (Fates Warning) and Travis Orbin (Darkest Hour) played drums on the first record. Shumaun made it on many lists for best records of 2015 such as Decibel Geek, ProgMetal Zone, Metal Asylum, Rockway.Gr, Progressive Music Planet and The Deli DC Magazine.
Track listing: Sensus Divinitatis The Writing’s on the Wall Fear Is Nafsi Ammara City of Gold Central Station Prove Yourself Go Remember Me and I Will Remember You One Day Closer to Yesterday
Mixing: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio (Pain of Salvation, Cynic)
PROGRESSIVE MUSIC PLANET REVIEW “Great vocals, well-written songs, and solid musicianship are the hallmarks for the debut self-titled release by Shumaun. It’s a very enjoyable album for anyone who likes to sing along with their music. With Shumaun, the songs come first. And that makes for a very enjoyable experience.”
BACKGROUND MAGAZINE REVIEW “Shumaun have recorded a perfect debut album that might appeal to a large audience. The music is impressive and pretty close to brilliant.”
METAL ASYLUM REVIEW “Every part of the journey brings unexpected twists and fresh rewards, blending multi-cultural rhythms and sounds for one of the best rock/metal/prog songs of 2015.”
THE GRIM TOWER REVIEW “It’s rock music with a lot of replay value, and some strong messages at heart. Shumaun is REAL music with REAL effort and REAL values put behind it. There’s a definite positivity here, and it comes off as a rather heartfelt and passionate moment that I’m thankful to have been able to recommend your way.”
DECIBEL GEEK REVIEW “AWESOME! OK, this band is AWESOME and have produced probably my favourite album of the year. A new band in age, this is a set of serious musos, with chops that your local butcher would envy. If you like the axis of Rush–Genesis-King Crimson, Shumaun is a must for you.”
METAL AT THE GATES REVIEW Bringing something fresh and invigorating to the world with their debut self-titled album, Shumaun paints a beautiful soundscape with progressive, rock, pop and touches of delectable South Asian flair. The writing ranges from outright gorgeous with ear-catching progressive rock grooves to straight forward pop-influenced rock.”
In closing Farhad has this to impart, “The message we want to convey through our music is that no matter how different we might view one another; our similarities far exceed those differences. We have the potential of exuding a profound love for one another, as we are all united in more ways than we might think.”
Shumaun is currently playing gigs in the Washington DC area to promote the new record and will start planning an east coast tour of the US in the late Spring of 2019.
PeacockSunrise Records (PSR) is thrilled to welcome The Sun King Reborn to its family for the release of their upcoming debut album “Delta Tales” due out in 2019.
The Sun King Reborn is the solo project of composer, vocalist, and piano player John Blangero from Port Isabel, Texas (USA). The music of The Sun King Reborn is filled with memorable hooks, rocking piano, driving rhythms, and a powerful horn section.
The songs will fill your dreams with memories of lost loves warm nights under the magnolia trees, sweet gospel music, and all-night parties at the local honky-tonk.
Steeped deep in the tradition of southern rock, roots music and country soul, John writes songs that are influenced by such classic artists as Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, and Dan Penn, but that are colored by his own musical style.
From poignant country soul ballads to up-tempo classic rock, The Sun King Reborn provides a musical backdrop for the lives of the southern working class. The band are currently in the studio putting the finishing touches to “Delta Tales.”
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
