DRAGONHAMMER • An epic return!

[ Logo: Gaetano Amodio & Max Aguzzi ]

Action: DRAGONHAMMER
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_DRAGONHAMMER_en.php
Base: Rome • Italy
Genre: Melodic Power Metal
Title: Second Life
FFO: Stratovarius, Freedom Call, Rhapsody Of Fire
Format: Album
Label: My Kingdom Music
Distro: Plastichead
Release: Nov. 04, 2022


⚡DRAGONHAMMER are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email !


DRAGONHAMMER • Online:
► Website: www.dragonhammer.com/
► Facebook: www.facebook.com/dragonhammer.official/
► Instagram: www.instagram.com/dragonhammerofficial/
► YouTube: www.youtube.com//gaevil
► Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/5SR2YMJygmCg3Oo4NYmlaT

Bulletpoints:
• Their long awaited return with the 5ᵗʰ studio album
• Epic, precisely & catchy Melodic Power Metal
• Powerful & determined – renewed songwriting & sound

https://www.youtube.com/embed/t8Y02bnb7zQ
[ Official Lyric Video by Stefano Mastronicola ]

DRAGONHAMMER are one of the pillars of the Italian MELODIC POWER METAL scene, a band that marks the history of this music from 20 years.

[ Artwork: Luca Martinotti/SoloMacello ]

TRACKS
01. Prelude To Conquest 01:29
02. Kingdom Of The Ghosts 04:53
03. Diamond Of Peace 04:49
04. Into The Warrior’s Mind 06:55
05. Shattering Hope 05:40
06. Fallen Brother 04:39
07. Sickness Divine 04:43
08. The Rising 04:35
09. Silver Feathers 06:04
10. Second Life 06:35
11. Ending Legacy 05:10

total: 55:32 min.

With the new album „Second Life“DRAGONHAMMER open a new chapter giving a turn to their music, that is now more powerful, more epic and technically as sublime as it was in the past.

It is the evolution of the band’s way of creating music, renewed in sound and formation. Among the new characteristics of this work, the addition of new vocal elements, more symphonic keyboards and more powerful guitars stand out.

[ Pic: Giacomo Mearelli ]

LINE-UP
Mattia Fagiolo • Vocals
Flavio Cicconi • Guitars
Alessandro Mancini • Guitars, Orchestrations
Gae Amodio • Bass
Giulio Cattivera • Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Orchestrations, Choir Vocals
Marco Berrettoni • Drums

„Second Life“ stands for an album that opens up new visions for the future and wants to be the starting point of this new identity. So definitely you’ll get an explosive mix of Power and Epic Metal with great Symphonic parts!

https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9m6J_y8USk
[ Official Lyric Video by Stefano Mastronicola ]

„Second Life“ sees the official studio debuts of Mattia Fagiolo on vocals, Marco Berrettoni on drums, and Alessandro Mancini on guitar.

„Second Life“ is the first album without Max Aguzzi, one of the two historic founders of the band in 1999, who was also crucial for the artistic side of the band. Therefore, this album also represents a new way of making music for the band, which has found a way to regroup and continue on its path.

„Second Life“ is an album that incorporates all the stylistic characteristics of DRAGONHAMMER but evolves them with a fresher sound and a more advanced songwriting. It is a Power Metal album that, compared to the past, has a strong symphonic character and new vocal styles. The production was entrusted to the Kick Recording Studio in Rome (Italy).

About the lyrics, „Second Life“ tells a timeless story, where the thoughts and feelings of the men of yesterday flow to the present day. A story that, song by song, tells the evolution of a character from the past, delivering to the listener a set of experiences and considerations. The key message is the one of the band’s literally „Second Life“:
a moment in which they are granted a second chance and become aware of what is really important!

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

90 / 100
➤ „… fantastic backdrop of orchestral magic … a gargantuan album of Power Metal to its core … symphonic power is what really makes ‘Second Life’ come to life … have all the hallmarks of fellow Italians Rhapsody, but also Blind Guardian and Twilight Force with their rapid-fire guitars, rhythmically thumping drums driving forward like caterpillar treads on a tank and a superb vocal performance from Mattia Fagiolo making this release really something special … this is classic European Power Metal done to a professionally high standard and any fan of the genre should invest in a copy …“
(Metal Digest)

9 / 10
➤ „… DRAGONHAMMER decided to go big for this album … the orchestration is exquisite, the rhythms are excellent and the guitar work is incredible … vocally, they hit all the hallmarks of Power Metal … powerful leads, big backing vocals and huge choirs to give a massive backdrop for the soaring musical themes. This is an album you can picture in your mind, complete with soundtrack, score, and action scenes …“
(Metal Temple)

4 / 5
➤ „… returned a bit more to their fantasy inspired style … epic atmosphere … a classic kind of Euro Power Metal … a bit more orchestration and symphonic elements this time … we get to hear the sounds of strings, lutes and flutes adding a bit of a medieval flair … songs surge along with a nice sense of velocity, many of them double-kick driven … lots of great solos, the one on ‘Sickness Divine’ being a favourite for me … it would be a shame for fans of the style to overlook this band … ‘Second Life’, being a strong album maybe give them just that, the second chance they need to break through …“
(Metal-Rules COM)

8,9 / 10
➤ „… in the 1990s, this record would probably have won the favour of many … ‚Second Life‘ is not just a record for nostalgics, but a mature, well-constructed and equally well-played work that will surely provide moments of joy for lovers …“
(Heavy Metal Webzine IT)

17 / 20
➤ „… filled with fantastic epic atmospheres and an accomplished phantasmagoria ‚Second Life‘ will only meet the approval of the public … I just hope that this work meets a wider audience. In any case all the trumps have been shot to succeed in this enterprise …“
(Kaosguards)

8,5 / 10
➤ „… action-packed Power Metal … ‚Second Life‘ is just fun and didn’t bore me even on the umpteenth ‚repeat‘, you always discover new nuances … I really like Mattia Fagiolos‘ voice … drummer Marco Berrettoni totally inspires me … a round thing and in this compilation hopefully really a second life for the band …“
(Powermetal DE)

8,5 / 10
➤ „… especially worth mentioning is the powerful-precise drumming of drummer Marco Berrettoni … know their craft … combine dynamic hardness factor with opulent, suspenseful captivating mood level – exactly what it comes down to in Classic Melodic Power Metal … recommendable … for the followers of Majestica, Stratovarius, Freedom Call and Rhapsody Of Fire …“
(FFM-Rock)

81 / 100
➤ „… adorable …“
(Hatena Blog)

8 / 10
➤ „… great keyboards merge with vigorous riffs and excellent solos … 55 minutes of a good experience …“
(Riff Of Metal)

8 / 10
➤ „… another great work to their already lush discography … does not afford a single weak song and convinces with individual highlights, such as the incredibly great ‚Kingdom Of The Ghosts‘, which should bring tears of joy to the eyes of every genre fan.“
(Soundmagnet)

8 / 10
➤ „… nicely balanced, energetic and despite the rather classic Power Metal quite fresh … if you want to remember classic Power Metal, DRAGONHAMMER and its ‚Second Life‘ is a great way to go. People who adore the genre and don’t like novelty might also find it to their liking. The tempo and melody changes are a bonus of the album.“
(Hellmagazine)

16 / 20
➤ „… the new member Mattia Fagiolo delivers a performance that will please those who prefer singers who are not only in the high notes … guitar lovers will find many typically neo-classical solos … I was pleasantly surprised and believe that any Power Metal lover will be more than thrilled …“
(French Metal)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… a successful rebirth … melodies are by no means presented too briefly … quite racy in places … pull out all the stops …“
(Crossfire)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… finally again a work full of fast, European Power Metal and then also from one of the mother countries of this genre, Italy … naturally I like the speedy Power Metal stompers like `Kingdom Of The Ghosts‘ or `Into The Warrior’s Mind‘ best, but DRAGONHAMMER also know how to integrate now and then skillfully epic and symphonic elements into their sound … well-dosed synths, great vocals … choirs and a pinch of pathos … majestic-hymnal … best, coherent and entertaining Power Metal entertainment …“
(Obliveon)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… preference for high-speed anthems with plenty of double bass … lightning fingers … broad-based choruses … the whole thing does not seem as overloaded as with Rhapsody, because the synth debauchery is kept within limits and fits comfortably into the overall structure … epic … everything is performed very catchy and ear-pleasing, but without crossing the border to sugar shock … DRAGONHAMMER have found their own band style for themselves in certain ways …“
(Hellfire)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… Power Metal, arrangements full of ideas, orchestrations, pathos and a lot of passion … yes, perhaps the ’second life‘ of DRAGONHAMMER starts here and I must admit in the best way …“
(TuttoRock)

7 / 10
➤ „… approaches the sounds typical of Rhapsody – and in general of the great tradition of Symphonic Metal of the 90s – without, of course, forgetting the ballads … a journey, yes, into the clichés of the genre, but realised with all care and attention, also thanks to the excellent work of Marco ‚Cinghio‘ Mastrobuono in the studio, who has brought this ‚Second Life‘ straight to the point … true resurrection of a band … a good album … written with care and passion …“
(MetalItalia)

7 / 10
➤ „… da wird mächtig Dampf gemacht … die Jungs sind spielerisch sehr begabt … der Sänger ist in einigen Bereichen mit seiner Stimme unterwegs, die so manch anderem verwehrt bleiben. Auch dem Schlagzeuger muss man allerbeste Qualität attestieren. Von Anfang bis Ende zeigt er keine Müdigkeit, fällt durch ein beständig gutes Drumming positiv auf. Einmal beim Lob austeilen, möchte ich auch nicht die Leistung an den Gitarren vergessen … für Vinyl spricht das exzellente Cover-Artwork, das dann erst richtig zur Geltung kommen würde … für Power Metal-Freunde empfehlenswert.“
(Bleeding4Metal)

3,5 / 5 – great
➤ „… deserve to be more well known. They can write on the same level as big name bands – even better in some cases. Lots of bands peeter out and resort to Eurovision Metal, but such is not the case here. DRAGONHAMMER know exactly who they are and how to present themselves professionally within their cheesy, yet effective motifs … if you come across this album don’t skip it … it’s at the very least a great one-time listen, though it deserves another listen to let the songs sink in …“
(Sputnik Music)

3,5 / 5
➤ „… the catchiness has definitely improved, then there is the focus on melodies, thanks to clever guitar and keyboard solos and many epic choruses … the drums are very crisp … the new singer Mattia Fagiolo is much better suited to Power Metal than his predecessor … this ‚Second life‘ constitutes a sort of rebirth of DRAGONHAMMER; now all that remains is to continue on this road and improve even more, since the qualities and talent are not lacking!“
(All Around Metal)

➤ „… more powerful, more epic and more symphonic than ever …“
(Metal Utopia)

➤ „… Giulio Cattivera‘s keyboard orchestrations are always on point, and never cheesy, whilst the engine room – piston-legged drummer Marco Berrettoni and bass-playing pal Gae Amodio – play their part unobtrusively but with deathless precision … cinematic … if your’e a fan of this kind of music then there’s very little here that you won’t enjoy …“
(Sentinel Daily)

➤ „… an album that opens new horizons for the future of the band and wants to be the basis of this new identity that the band wants to adopt. So you will definitely get to listen to an explosive mix of Power and Epic Metal with great symphonic parts …“
(LifeSteps GR)

➤ „… there is no lack of energy here … fast and melodic riffs, clean and high vocals, catchy and epic themes, etc. … fans of the style will be well entertained …“
(HellHeaven)

➤ „… more epic, more symphonic, and more… well, everything … delivers 11 bangers crammed to the rafters with all the speed, gallantry and majesty anyone would very much hope to get barraged with when faced with an album cover that features bearded dudes throwing down against an immense black dragon … pretty much a win from most every angle, but new vocalist Mattia Fagiolo is the definitely the not-so-secret weapon delivering the death blow that vaults things over the edge … if you like the idea of kicking your day into full gear with a more raw form of Rhapsody, you will definitely find a very willing and well-armed companion with this record …“
(Last Rites)

➤ „… another brilliant and beautifully crafted dose of Power Metal as only boot-shaped land can achieve (well, maybe they don’t use the symphonic pageantry that since Skylark and Rhapsody gets used to it there, but they develop their art very well, let no one doubt it) …  recommendable …“
(The Dark Melody)

➤ „… a beautiful Power Prog Metal album, where all the human emotions were not lacking …“
(Tempi Duri)

➤ „… an epic journey that will make you sing along from beginning to end … with a great melodic structure, brutal riffs, a dynamic and versatile base … impressive vocals …“
(Metal Pedia)

➤ „… vocals are good … very tasteful … the orchestration and the arrangements on this album are absolutely killer and worth a listen alone … songwriting is really top-notch … the years of practice and maturity really shine through … quite long at 54 minutes, but it never feels like it drags or stumbles and the runtime goes by very quickly … DRAGONHAMMER have really put together a good album and if you’re someone who appreciates Power Metal, then I highly recommend you give this one a listen …“
(BloodFireJeff)

➤ „… everything fans would expect from a Power Metal band … it’s strong, it’s emotional, it’s full of details … bottomline, it’s perfect …“
(Metal Addicts)

DISCOGRAPHY
2001 • The Blood Of The Dragon • Full-length
2004 • Time for Expiation • Full-length
2013 • The X Experiment • Full-length
2017 • Obscurity • Full-length
2022 • Second Life • Full-length

[ Monogram: Dario Petrilli ]

PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT • Opulently combative, rousingly triumphed!

[ Logo: Luc Armanet ]

Action: PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT
Base: Paris • France
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal
Title: Ferrum Fero Ferro Feror
FFO: Powerwolf, Rhapsody, Cradle Of Filth
Format: Album
Label: Renaissance
Release: Jan. 23, 2023

Bulletpoints:
• Gorgeous theatric debut album of the French hopefuls
• Operatic, most epic & exquisit sung Metal symphonies
• Highly original, classically inspired, beguilingly beautiful


𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐁𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 • Online:
► Facebook: www.facebook.com/phoebus.the.knight/
► Instagram: www.instagram.com/phoebus_the_knight/
► YouTube: www.youtube.com/@phoebustheknight6790
► Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/5ggmASfbhMARaaLErie3CA

𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐄𝐁𝐔𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐊𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 • 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 🌐 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 & 𝙋𝙍 Action:
www.metalmessage.de/PR_PHOEBUS_THE_KNIGHT_en.php
⚡

📺 Official music video for „The Scarlet Dance“:
youtu.be/Z4S7lukdDMI

PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT comments on „The Scarlet Dance“:
„The ‚Scarlet Dance‘ is the first epic battle of the album. Phoebus found Selene in the Darkest woods and they’re going to fight the Beast with a strategy they came with. For this song, we went with the typical Power Metal riffs and verses, made a long orchestral bridge with some folk surprises after it and a chorus inspired by operatic melodies to make it a long, rich and truly epic song!“


💀 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001 proudly presents:
When history meets fantasy, when Metal passion meets deepest love for great Classical music, the result is operatic SYMPHONIC POWER METAL at it’s best!

Successfully funded with a Ulule Crowdfunding, „Ferrum Fero Ferro Feror“ was made with the 11.400 Euros collected there, thanks to the fans! It is then signed and will be released on Renaissance Records US.

[ Artwork: Mohamed Aouamri ]

TRACKS
01. Ante Lux 02:19
02. The Beast Within 05:03
03. The Iron Queen 04:43
04. The Scarlet Dance 06:46
05. Semen Pessimorum 02:39
06. Darkness Will Prevail 03:56
07. Children Of The Night 03:52
08. The Queen Of The Black Sun 08:11
09. Para Bellum 03:22
10. Massacres De Septembre 05:43
11. Ferrum Fero Ferro Feror 04:46
12. The Sword Of Justice 05:56

total: 57:30 min.

Each track of this truly fantastic debut album is a chapter of Phoebus’ story, the knight alchemist:
from the forgotten dimension of the „Darkest Woods“, going through the gates of Hell, to the crucible of Terror in Paris, you will follow Phoebus and his friends the Knights of Heliopolis, in an epic quest to defeat The Beast and his desire for eternal war.

To put all the events in a dramaturgic vision, this collection of songs is a blend of several musical moods, combining heavy ballads, Metal tracks with majestic orchestrations and instrumental parts.
Lyrics are for the most part in English and a bit of French, all performed with the beguiling lyrical bass voice of Axel, in clean and screamed vocals.

And what a solemn stroke of luck master Axel is for the music of the band:
All too seldom has such a noble sublime voice been carved out of such an inconceivably gigantic vocal talent with such immeasurable dedication and downright unearthly diligence!

So you can enjoy classical Symphonic Metal, Melodic Death Metal, musical, medieval pieces and even passages in the style of great masters like Bach, Mozart or even Rachmaninov!

Witness the legendary fight of Phoebus and his friends against the Beast and the vampire knights! To guide you in this quest, the master drawer Mohamed Aouamri (Sylve, Mortepierre) illustrated each chapters and gave life to this world of Fantasy and History.

[ Pic: Faallaway ]

LINE-UP
Phoebus • Vocals
Oswald Croll • Guitars, Backing Vocals
Hadrian • Guitars, Backing Vocals
Arkeuid • Bass, Vocals
Robin Of Locksley • Drums


„Ferrum Fero Ferro Feror“, Phoebus‘ first adventure with his companions, the Knights of Heliopolis, is waiting for you!
Go on an epic and original musical adventure, mixing Symphonic Metal, Heroic-Fantasy and History, written by Axel de Montalembert, composed by Adrien Djouadou and performed by the one and only PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT!

FLASHBACK:
PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT was born in the mind of Axel de Montalembert. Passionate of music, heroic-fantasy, esoterism and history, he created the story of Phoebus and his companions, the Knights Of Heliopolis, melting together heroic-fantasy and history.

To translate his great tale into music, he needed a composer that could write for a Metal band and a full orchestra to give to the story the epic breath it needed. That’s how he met Adrien Djouadou, a classically trained opera singer active on established stages and together, they created the whole concept of PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT.

Axel would write the lyrics and naturally, sing them and Adrien would compose the whole music, play the guitar and do the backing vocals. But PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT needed musicians, so they found a great team to play with them on this journey:
Noémie Allet on the bass and vocals, Adrien Guingal on the guitar and Guillaume Remih on the drums. Each member of the band would represent a character in the story of Phoebus and his companions.

Naturally, PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT became a Symphonic Metal band with a whole conceptual and visual universe. They value quality in music, production and work invested by involved parties. PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT finds its roots in bands like Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation, Powerwolf, Rhapsody Of Fire, Cradle Of Filth …

DISCOGRAPHY
2022 • The Last Guardian • EP
2023 • Ferrum Fero Ferro Feror • Full-length

PHOEBUS THE KNIGHT are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email ! 📢

💥 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙨!

IMPERIAL AGE • Setting out for new shores!

[ Logo: Jan ‚Örkki‘ Yrlund • Darkgrove ]


Action: IMPERIAL AGE
Album PR: METAL MESSAGE ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝓔𝓼𝓽. 2001
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_IMPERIAL_AGE_en.php

Genre: Symphonic Metal
Title: New World
FFO: Therion, Nightwish, Rhapsody Of Fire

Format: Album + Live-Blu-ray/DVD
Label: Atlantean Records ltd.
Release: August 27, 2022

Bulletpoints:

• 3rd album of the Symphonic Metal aesthetes
• One of the most courageous releases of the genre
• Overwhelming songs cast by fate in uplifting forms
  
  

IMPERIAL AGE are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email – get in touch!

https://facebook.com/imperialageofficial

IMPERIAL AGE is one of the most successful international bands of Russian origin, which today has a multinational lineup and is based in Antalya, Turkey.

After turning down several record deals, they work independently and maintain a close relationship with their large worldwide fan base.

„New World“ is the third album by IMPERIAL AGE – following „The Legacy Of Atlantis“ (2018) and „Turn The Sun Off!“ (2012). The new album „New World“ is released via their own London-based label Atlantean Records ltd.

[ Pic: Imperial Age ]

LINE-UP:
Alexander ‚Aor‘ Osipov • Vocals
Jane Odintsova • Vocals
Anna ‚Kiara‘ Moiseeva • Vocals
Kublai Kapsalis • Guitar
Dmitry Belf • Bass
Manuele Di Ascenzo • Drums



IMPERIAL AGE, one of the most successful Metal bands of Russian origin is back against all odds!

Four years after the massive success of „Legacy Of Atlantis“, which sold thousands of copies, reached millions of streams and YouTube views and helped the formation to international fame, the multinational Symphonic/Power Metal sextet is back with its new opus magnum – „New World“.

[ Album 2022 • Artwork: Jan ‚Örkki‘ Yrlund • Darkgrove ]


TRACKS:
01. Windborn 03:40
02. Legend Of The Free 04:17
03. The Way Is the Aim 04:01
04. Shackles Of Gold 04:02
05. The Wheel 04:14
06. To the Edge Of The Known 03:40
07. Distant Shores 04:44
08. Call Of The Towers 18:12

total: 46:50 min.

This new album proved to be magical in every way:
During the crowdfunding campaign, which raised 188 % of the original amount needed, the musicians were hit by a tornado, unprecedented in the area, which chopped down a third of the forest where they were camping and writing songs, and completely destroyed their camp – though the musicians were hugely lucky that they themselves and all their equipment miraculously remained unscathed.

The choir’s preparations were so intense that the choir’s director and conductor, Taras Yasenkov, had to be taken by ambulance to a psychiatric hospital in the middle of the recording sessions, where he suffered a nervous breakdown – he has since fully recovered.

When the album was almost finished, the whole band laid down with Covid, and as if that wasn’t enough – a month later Russia attacked Ukraine and sent all plans to hell – forcing IMPERIAL AGE’s masterminds Alexander ‚Aor‘ Osipov and Jane Odintsova to leave the country in a hurry after the band released an anti-war manifesto – interrupting the whole process of album production and release …

[ Pic: Imperial Age ]

The lyrics of the third long player turned out to be frighteningly prophetic:
They deal with the quest for freedom and independence, the horrors of war, leaving home with no hope of return, and traveling through rough seas to distant shores – all the lyrics were written many months before all these topics became a grim everyday reality for the band.

As with most great things that involve a huge amount of super compressed energy, every step of the production of this album was achieved through a great effort by all involved:
composing the songs over many hours without food or sleep, long nights in the studio until sunrise, recording live orchestral instruments and choirs, countless rehearsals, hours and days of painting artwork, and many, many other things …

… but the musical end result sounds and ultimately feels the other way around:
upbeat, uplifting and powerful. It seemed as if IMPERIAL AGE were at the end, especially when Max Talion (drums) and Paul Maryashin (guitar) left the band.

[ Pic: Imperial Age ]

But against all odds, the band regrouped, resettled and survived – even reaching new heights:
not only did they record what was missing, hire new musicians (Manuele di Ascenzo from Italy on drums and Kublai Kapsalis from Turkey on guitar), move their entire web store to Italy, release three singles and two music videos, land a headlining European tour for September 2022 – but they also donated a portion of the proceeds to needy Ukrainian families, despite being immigrants themselves.
All this – because of and with great support from their immense worldwide army of ultra-loyal fans, who continue to support IMPERIAL AGE with thousands of album purchases, millions of streams and hundreds of donations.

The result – albeit 3 months late – bristles with IMPERIAL AGE’s trademark powerful, uplifting, visionary Metal with orchestra, choir and 3 lead singers – and yet the band has recorded their happiest, heaviest and most adventurous album yet!

[ Pic: Imperial Age ]

Every single song on this album is a hit, and there are simply no ‚B-sides‘ or weak tracks. „Legend Of The Free“ is one of the fastest and most upbeat Power/Folk Metal hits in the group’s latest collection, with strong lyrics about the pursuit of freedom, while the philosophical „The Way Is The Aim“ is a dance song about finding your own way, with Jane Odintsova switching from operatic to rock vocals.

The murderous, lyrically somber anti-war anthem „The Wheel“ is a must for all future live sets with its fast beat, catchy chorus and Aor’s high-pitched vocals, while „Shackles Of Gold“ immediately conjures up the image of pirates of the Caribbean wreaking havoc on Tortuga in the name of freedom.

Now you might think that 8 tracks are not much – but not in this case. The crown jewel of this album is the epic, dark, immensely powerful and colossal Metal symphony „Call Of The Towers“, which despite its whopping 18+ minute playing time manages to hold the listener’s attention by constantly shifting from an explosive Hollywood-style wall of sound, that pushes every instrument and vocalist to their limits, to acoustic tavern ballads, Bachian organ solos, and even 3 minutes of pure Sympho Black Metal with atonal chords, and a deeply somber atmosphere where male, female, and choral vocals constantly alternate.

All songs are sung by the three lead singers Aor, Jane Odintsova and Anna Kiara – plus a full academic choir as well as live orchestral instruments. „New World“ overwhelms the listener with polished and precise songwriting, highest musical level, enormous variety of vocals and instruments – all this paired with the heaviest Metal sound IMPERIAL AGE have delivered so far – and the new work proves once again why IMPERIAL AGE are so successful, although so many circumstances speak against them and they don’t even have a record company behind them!

•

DISCOGRAPHY:
2012 • Turn The Sun Off! • Full-length
2014 • Warrior Race • EP
2018 • The Legacy Of Atlantis • Full-length
2022 • New World • Full-length
2022 • Live New World (Live) • Full-length

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

10 / 10
➤ „… sound like no other band – their music encompassing Power, Symphonic, and Folk Metal elements – overall, a stunning and extremely pleasurable listening experience, IMPERIAL AGE have delivered a gorgeous symphony of superb Symphonic Metal.“
(Metal Gods TV)

5 / 5 – legendary
➤ „A Symphonic Metal album as if from one cast … impressive in every respect … overwhelms with sophisticated and precise songwriting, an enormous vocal variety and instrumental bombast … metal and classical music form an impressive symbiosis here … every song shows thoughtful arrangements and convinces with its individual melodicism.“
(Deep Ground)

4,5 / 5
➤ „… decidedly enjoyable thanks to the enviable combination of the three voices, two female and one male, which deftly range between parts set toward the lyrical and others sung normally … their Symphonic Metal is magniloquent, theatrical and epic, a sort of cross between the atmospheres of Therion and the brilliance of Rhapsody … very high level, in every respect … certainly stands as a candidate to be remembered as one of the best Symphonic Metal releases of the year …“
(All Around Metal)

4,5 / 5
➤ „… one anthem follows the other … with a nice dynamic and very neat choirs … a cinematic flight of fancy that could almost be called Hollywood Metal … Christofer Johnsson of Therion was not wrong, IMPERIAL AGE has a very great potential, and this third album proves it with flying colours … offering us Symphonic Metal at the highest level, which stands out strongly from the standards of the genre!“
(Rock Meeting)

90 / 100
➤ „There is no other band out there quite like IMPERIAL AGE … an epic, massive yet also beautiful fusion of Heavy Metal and bombastic Wagnerian classical music with catchy melodies that just instantly stick in your head, chugging riffs that will send you into a headbanging frenzy and a combination of male, female, Rock, operatic, choral and folky vocals will leave you breathless and in awe of the talent on display in this insanely excellent musical landscape of colossal proportions.“
(Darkzen Dragon)

9 / 10
➤ „… a pressing, powerful, intense, theatrical album: there is the power of the most exhilarating Power Metal, there is the deepest and most creative Therion, there is the most polished and exhilarating power synth Metal, there is an unparalleled theatricality…. something that very few bands, maybe none, dare to offer nowadays … indistinguishable overwhelming musical energy!“
(Metalhead IT)

8,9 / 10
➤ „… heavily influenced by Therion ’s tremendous symphonic pomposity … I’m sure the good ‚Rock ’n‘ Rolf‘ Kasparek would be proud of these guys … a victory … proof that every effort is rewarded …“
(The Dark Melody)

16 / 20
➤ „… the symphonic side is used here in a much more theatrical way than as a simple accompaniment … it’s easy to understand why IMPERIAL AGE caught the attention of Christofer Johnsson as there are so many similarities between them and Therion, both in the vocal performances, typical of opera, and in the tragic and dramatic side of the music … I was pleasantly surprised … could allow the band to rise to the first rank of Symphonic Metal bands …“
(French Metal)

8 / 10
➤ „… melodic-bombastic Symphonic Metal … accurately performed … especially the three voices of the band are convincing: Alexander Osipov (tenor) as well as Jane ‚Corn‘ Odintsova (mezzo-soprano) and Anna ‚KiaRa‘ Moiseeva (soprano). The interplay of the vocal section is quite impressive.“
(Metal DE)

8 / 10
➤ „… offers everything the Symphonic Metal heart desires and in addition extremely strong compositions and arrangements … varied … intense atmosphere … lots of dynamics … bombastic orchestrations … without failures …“
(Obliveon)

8 / 10
➤ „… much better than the two previous albums in terms of musical composition and production output. For those of you who like Power/Heavy Metal symphony music, IMPERIAL AGE offers all of that. By adding an orchestra, a majestic and elegant choir, with three tenors, mezzo-soprano and soprano, the band has a richer variety of music but still has a strong character and taste …“
(Metal Opera)

8 / 10
➤ „… stylistically more close to Therion, where symphonic embellishments, operatic vocal parts and a solemn atmosphere count … this is a big plus … IMPERIAL AGE have their own style and idea, and this is very much appreciated … played with flair and epic atmosphere … there is no lack of hits and interesting melodies … in the Symphonic Metal category this is one of the most important albums of 2022 …“
(Power Metal Warrior)

8 / 10
➤ „… a convincing and enjoyable album in a genre that is less and less represented in Power Metal …“
(Power Metal France)

78 / 100
➤ „… listens nicely and shows a more mature band … the fans will no doubt be pleased with this new record … the fast-paced tracks provide an energetic experience …“
(Metalfan NL)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… the new album is definitely worth listening to … the band has clearly found its place in the genre … those who like this kind of music will definitely find what they are looking for here … strong performance from a great band …“
(Rock Garage)

Recommendation!
➤ „… quite a bit offered for fans of Symphonic Metal … varied … a few surprises … a lot of heart and soul … really big with orchestra … a lot of Metal … especially the fat choirs give the music something epic … partly reminiscent of typical Female Gothic/Symphonic Metal bands like Nightwish, Delain, etc., but also of early Therion works …“
(Amboss)

➤ „… heavy (Metal) operatic sound … a standout force … operatic Wagnerian bombast … theatrical accolades … with an ear for cinematic drama … intelligent vocal melodies … over the top choruses … powerful … a solid portion of thrive and strut … intense appealing melodies … impressive vibe of uniqueness and extravagance … those taking time, will embrace this extraordinary band … IMPERIAL AGE indeed has no equal!“
(Headbangers Lifestyle)

➤ „… great job … sounds really good … crisp … epic … phenomenal … very melodic … certainly stand out with this signature sound … really great … each song has his own identity … awesome symphonic brave sounding Metal … grand … bombastic …“
(Power Metal Ranger)

➤ „… like a Metal opera … if you’re a Symphonic Metal fan, you’ll definitely, definitely going to love this album …“
(Metal Shop Steve)

➤ „… holy shit … leaves me with an awe … I need more … I need all of it … absolutely amazing …“
(Play again?)

➤ „… offers everything you expected and hoped for from Imperial Age … epic, bombastic, polyphonic, super harmonizing parts … solo parts, which put the individual voices in a classy way and really cool duets …“
(Dark-Art)

➤ „… for Symphonic Metal fans this album is a real recommendation, because here you can find everything that makes this genre … catchy music, melodious vocals and a lot of epic background create a comfortable feeling while listening …“
(Metalmamas Neuigkeiten)

➤ „… bright and clear … truly gives an high intensity … so many great scales … music and vocals from singer Alexander ‚Aor‘ Osipov is huge … like the sound of an adventure in a place never seen before … all sectors shoot through the roof … if you are already intrigued by the imaginative journey of Symphonic Metal, add IMPERIAL AGE and I am sure you will fall in love …“
(Noisewriter)

➤ „Celtic and folk are definitely two of the directions IMPERIAL AGE explore, with ‚The Way Is The Aim‘ highlighting both – the vocals big enough to fill an opera house, with the audience stunned by their immense power … the band have so much presence, their style echoing a Metal symphony with an all encompassing sound that hooks you at every twist and turn.“
(Frenzy Fire)

➤ „… their melodies stand out more than those of the demanding Therion … the symphonic arrangement is still strong and feels even more luxurious than on the previous work …“
(Piro Piro Metal)

➤ „… IMPERIAL AGE detracts in no way from their predecessors Nightwish or Epica … great display (they must be impressive in concert), several and varied voices, metallers, epic, lyrical, assists, choirs …. and an orchestration typical of a great band … instrumentally they sound very good, well constructed songs and melodies in many cases that make you sing and enjoy with them … none of the vocals will leave you indifferent … fast, dynamic sounds full of emotion …  it’s your turn to enjoy them!“
(Nada Hay Bajo El Sol)

➤ „… very melodic but never dull … in structure reminded me of Therion: a solid metal base on top of which layers of orchestrations, vocal lines and choruses are laid down … depending on the moments they go from epic to dramatic, often achieving a soundtrack mood … the melodies stick with you from the first listen … just where ‚Leviathan‘ had failed: it is an album with a definite direction, with convincing and energetic pieces, without dips from beginning to end …“
(The Murder Inn)

➤ „… epic … reaches the level of mastery we expect from Imperial Age … we have to acknowledge the hard work they had to do to release this album and how well they did it … the band has proven once again why they are one of the best of their style … a highly recommended work for any lover of the genre, and that, after everything they have been through in the last few years, is a triumph …“
(Track To Hell)

etc.

[ Seal: Imperial Age ]

BIWO • Heavy Metal, straight from the pot!

[ Logo: Sven Biwo ]


Action: BIWO
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_BIWO_en.php
https://www.facebook.com/biwoband/

Base: Castrop-Rauxel • Germany
Genre: Melodic Heavy Metal
Title: Life And Death
FFO: Wizard, Rebellion, early Majesty

Format: Album
Label: Independent
Release: Nov. 11, 2022

Bulletpoints:

• Refreshing debut album of a true idealist
• Straightforward, 100 % honest & all around spirited
• Timeless-classic Heavy Metal of the old school
  
  
  BIWO is available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email !

[ Pic: Pedyfotografie Fotoschmiede ]

LINE-UP:
Sven Biwo • Vocals & Guitar
Finley • Guitar
Justus • Bass
Hanno • Drums


It is clear to hear that here is a musically thoroughly inspired genre fan ambitious at the start, who makes his real music for just such real fans – uncomplicated Heavy Metal brotherhood is there so very heavy!

The enormously varied and sustainably catchy songs breathe the unique, unused 80s spirit with delicious fervor and in such depth that you simply cannot escape the charm of BIWO if you feel sincerely connected to the early Heavy Metal from that time.
Yes, we mean the very special time when the blessed and equally obscure GAMA Records released unforgettable records by top artists like Stormwitch, Veto and Tyran‘ Pace – and the scene cult around it grows with every year.

Self-promoting and giga-virtuoso orgies of perfection are therefore not at all what BIWO is about, rather the eternally attractive underground is indulged in.


Single „Live Now“:
https://youtu.be/uz3uCLY5DzQ

Mastermind Sven Biwo explains „Live Now“:
„There are enough assholes in the world – people who want to pull you down. We invite you to forget all that shit for a moment. Live now – and do what you feel like doing! Because tomorrow might be too late. Don’t waste your time with negative stuff – grab a beer, raise your fist and shout it out loud!“

And although bandleader Sven sees himself more as a soloing mainman with guest musicians, the result sounds damn organic, homogeneous and completely free of wear and tear. All songs on „Life And Death“ were composed and recorded by Sven Biwo single-handedly. The mix and mastering were also done by master Biwo at Cubi Studios Bochum. The pleasantly idiosyncratic artwork is deliberately not an obligatory Photoshop bombardment – it comes from the brushes of Gudrun Müller.

[ Artwork: Gudrun Müller ]

TRACKS:
01. Live Now 04:20
02. Fountain Of Youth 04:04
03. Win This Fight 03:22
04. Mother Earth 08:36
05. Poor Boy 04:43
06. I 04:54
07. Alone In The Dark 04:11
08. Judgment Of The Gods 06:45

total: 40:44 min.

The idea for the band was born in January 2020 when Sven (guitar and vocals) and Justus (bass) met at a benefit concert. With Hanno (drums), whom Justus knew from his school days, a man for the kettles was then also found.

Shortly before the first rehearsal the pandemic came and with it the break for the formation. However, Sven took advantage of the creative break and began to transform the ideas into songs and to realize a finished album. The final touches were put on „Life And Death“ in the summer of 2022, when the first real rehearsals began and the tracks were given a new shine in the rehearsal room. (Markus Eck)

PREMORTAL BREATH • From the depth of existence

[ Logo: Very Metal Art ]

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

8,5 / 10
➤ „The troupe from the Rhine-Neckar delta has almost surpassed itself in this respect.“
(Saitenkult)

Action: PREMORTAL BREATH • https://www.facebook.com/PremortalBreath/
Base: Baden-Wuerttemberg • Germany
Genre: Heavy Metal
Title: Of Angels And Wolves
FFO: Iced Earth, Disturbed, Avenged Sevenfold
Format: EP
Label: Independent
Release: Sept. 10, 2022

🌐 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 & 𝙋𝙍 Action:
𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_PREMORTAL_BREATH_en.php


PREMORTAL BREATH are available for interviews via Phone, Skype, Zoom & email


Bulletpoints:
• New, crisp EP from the guys from Baden-Wuerttemberg
• Massive material, powerful & fully emotional
• Beefy banging production, kettles mighty through

https://www.youtube.com/embed/KWo0EWqHfIA
[ Official lyric video • Production: Very Metal Art ]

PREMORTAL BREATH comments on the track „Of Angels And Wolves“:
„Having had a quite challenging, yet wonderful childhood, our singer Tommy packed these lyrics with quite emotional memories. He wanted to achieve both. Appreciate everything his mom and his brother did for him during these difficult times as well as he just wanted to tell his father to go to hell. The band supported this project with purest dedication as the result speaks for itself.“

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zDVhjOBB1lI
[ Official music video • Production: Very Metal Art ]

The band comments on „But I’m Not Afraid“:
„The lyrics are purely fictional, but point directly to something you may know. So let’s take our minds on a journey and imagine that there are evil forces that have taken away precious people in your life – your wife and your children. You would promise, wouldn’t you? You would pursue these villains to death, even if it meant that you too would face your end. However, there will be no end until you get your revenge. In another time, another universe, or another life. Much like the movie ‚The Crow‘ that we mentioned and you may be familiar with.“

PREMORTAL BREATH is modern HEAVY METAL with a variety of influences combined into a melodic but hard whole.

Captivating guitar melodies, rousing choruses, spot-on drumming, grooving basslines and much, much more. All of these are just puzzle pieces in the bigger picture that is PREMORTAL BREATH. The multi-layered lyrics deal with topics like terrorism, psychological problems and the abysses of our society.

[ Pic: Premortal Breath ]

LINE-UP:
Thomas ‚Tommy‘ Greulich • Vocals
Sebastian ‚Seb‘ Herbold • Guitars
Tobias ‚Tobbe‘ Eymer • Guitars
Mathias ‚Matze‘ Ruppold • Bass
Andreas ‚Andy‘ Reichard • Drums

PREMORTAL BREATH was founded in 2010 by Thomas ‚Tommy‘ Greulich (vocals) and Thomas ‚Potti‘ Pettrich (drums). A first line-up was completed by Armin Rosen (guitar) and Tobias ‚Tobbe‘ Eymer (bass). Shortly after, two first songs were recorded at Beat House Studio.

After some changes in the line-up, the next stable line-up was completed by Dominik ‚Domme‘ Eymer (bass) and Sebastian ‚Seb‘ Herbold (guitar). In the meantime Tobias had switched to guitar, while singer and drummer remained the same. In 2014 the band recorded the first album „They“ in this line-up.

The line-up remained constant until 2016 when founding member and drummer Potti announced his departure to have more time for his family. Some time passed until Andreas ‚Andy‘ Reichard joined as a permanent member after having acted as a live drummer in the meantime.

[ Artwork: Very Metal Art ]

TRACKS:
01. Circle 04:18
02. Of Angels And Wolves 04:44
03. But I’m Not Afraid (feat. Stu Block) 03:37
04. Wordless 04:27
05. Hourglass 04:23
06. Fuck My Brain 05:23
07. Spartan (Bonus Track) 03:24

total: 30:25 min.

Full of energy and creativity, the formation recorded the second work „Monsters“ in spring 2018. 2021 brought with it the departure of longtime bassist Domme as well as the arrival of Matthias ‚Matze‘ Ruppel, who is now responsible for the low frequencies.

The pandemic had caused many plans to be put on hold, so PREMORTAL BREATH were euphoric to revisit Empire Studios in 2022 to record the new release „Of Angels And Wolves“.

DISCOGRAPHY:
2014 • They • Full-length
2018 • Monsters • EP
2022 • Of Angels And Wolves • EP

EUFOBIA • Towards the madness of the world

[ Logo: Costin Chioreaun ]

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

►► Madness • Album • 2022 ◄◄

8 / 10
➤ „… very well produced, with a balanced sound, containing 10 nervous Melodic Death Metal tracks … with constant vocal battles, a rhythm section that works clockwise, and heavy guitar solos … without a doubt the best album that EUFOBIA has released thus far …“
(Bloody News)

8 / 10
➤ „… are fit on their instruments … technically skilled … I hope that EUFOBIA will get a bit more recognition beyond their national borders, because they can easily keep up with today’s big bands! The potential is definitely there.“
(Crossfire)

➤ „… the ten songs sound varied and skillfully manage to combine harmony and chaos, rhythmic and well composed … I was overwhelmed on first listen by this mix of styles and influences woven in from all over … EUFOBIA does not leave us on the surface of uniformity and familiarity …“
(Metal Hangar 18)

➤ „… a really damn good band … frigging good album … mixes flawlessly both great influences that formed the root of Melodic Death Metal … breathtaking with its Thrashesque guitar riffing and bass lines … to listen loud, but very loud …“
(Metal Addicts)

etc.

Bulletpoints:
• New & third album of the Bulgarian Death Metallers
• Content exciting nuclear war end time concept
• Also visually lavishly staged

Mighty and threatening thunders from the Bulgarian capital Sofia … fatal cause:
EUFOBIA hail with their important third studio album brute and martial in the ears! This extremely determined disc is clearly created with gallons of the most rebellious heart and with immense compositional joy. And you can clearly hear the massive further development of the THRASH DEATH METAL troupe.

[ Artwork: Val Volegna • 12 DROPS Design ]

TRACKS:
01. Madness 03.54
02. Facing The Firing Squad 03.26
03. Wolf Among The Sheep 03.38
04. Messiah 03.49
05. Those Who Believe 03.12
06. Burning Streets 02.46
07. Use Your Head 03.12
08. Liberation 03.07
09. The Establishment 04.59
10. Animal Farm 04.01

total: 36.08 min.

Fact is: absolute artistic openness prevails here in all conceivable musical matters. Contemporary baptized with the programmatic and socially apt album title „Madness“, these indomitable hell souls reveal the successful striving for artistic identity. Fortunately successful: EUFOBIA show on their ’new‘ a very own face!

Outstanding specialty of the much-cursing death horde in all their new creations: brutally aggressive, technically adept and really fat guitar assaults! Heaps of razor-sharp riff canonades are to be experienced, which not infrequently ignite as quickly as a giant tank filled to the brim with fresh kerosene.

And also with their capably handled lead axe, EUFOBIA conjure wonderfully massive earworm moments out of the boxes again and again. Remarkably fit in instrumental interplay, noticeably skilled in the passes and with gigantic enthusiasm at the start, the flaming world critic quartet stands out from many competitors with its new furious output.

[ EUFOBIA 2022 • Pic: Mariyan Tomov ]

LINE-UP:
Niki • Guitar, Vocals
Ivan • Guitar
Steff • Bass, Vocals
Blago • Drums & Vocals

Performing with martial and at all times confidently hewn rhythmic earthquakes, the truly bone-crunching and edgy drum work on this superbly crafted release is by no means left behind either:
for the drumsticks of the fierce rhythm kettle-keeper Blago hammer on his cauldrons as fast and nimbly as gigantic, ultra-heavy demolition hammers.


In addition, the sinister Balkan flails fire razor-sharp words in the most authentic and truthful way on their new output with welcome provocations:
biting lyrics straight from the dirty and dusty street. Singer and guitar monster Niki doesn’t give a damn about compromises in content and fights on „Madness“ with incredibly effective and uncompromising throat attacks.

With „Madness“ EUFOBIA show the worldwide rest of the scene that even nowadays it is still efficiently possible to hammer acutely into the epicenter of the Death Metal profession with a lot of self-confidence and burning fervor. (Markus Eck)


EUFOBIA has produced a new music video for the title song „Madness“, which is the first single of their third album. The video was created by Val Volegna of 12 Drops Design. The lead role is played by the Bulgarian model Maria Georgieva. The story of the video is about a group of survivors in a world, which has been destroyed by a nuclear war, who try to save a girl trapped in a radioactively contaminated area:
https://www.youtube.com/embed/6zOHQUoeuT0
[ Madness • Music Video ]

[ EUFOBIA 2022 • Pic: Mariyan Tomov ]

DISCOGRAPHY:
2010 • Insemination • EP
2011 • Cup Of Mud • Full-length
2016 • Liquid Of Creation • Single
2016 • Eufobia • Full-length
2022 • Madness • Full-length


PR: 𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_EUFOBIA_en.php

EUFOBIA are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email

IMPACT • 80’s, 80’s and again 80’s!

[ Logo: Ian Hendrik ]

Bulletpoints:
• New top single of the superb Heavy Rockers
• Outstanding musicianship with all-round class
• A song that inevitably goes immediately into the ear

https://www.youtube.com/embed/k3QMF4TGV8Q
[ Music Video • Hometown • Production: Dan Ringer ]

IMPACT announce on „Hometown“:
„‚Hometown‘ is the epitome of a blues-inspired, future Hard Rock classic. A killer riff leads into the song, which tells a story about a love affair and a hate relationship. The protagonist longs to leave his dreary and boring hometown to travel the world and its seven seas, but is still deeply rooted in his birthplace. Big 80’s Rock drums, a Mutt Lange vocal production and hard-hitting guitars are the ingredients for an anthem for travellers, assuring them that there will always be a place called ‚home.'“

[ Artwork: Ian Hendrik ]

With the new single „Hometown“ these hungry top artists deliver crisp and fatally catchy HEAVY ROCK at its best!

[ Pic: Impact ]

LINE-UP:
Ian Hendrik • Drums, Backing Vocals, Keyboards
Morris Ramon • Lead Guitar
Joe Hanson • Lead Vocals
Danny F. • Rhythm Guitar
Dan Ringer • Bass

DISCOGRAPHY:
We Want Out • Single • 2020
Faster’N’Higher • Single • 2021
Initial Impact • Full-length • 2021
All In • Single • 2021
Hometown • Single • 20

IMPACT are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email
FB: https://www.facebook.com/officialimpactband/

PR:
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_IMPACT_en.php

FLASHBACK:
IMPACT is a traditional Heavy Metal line-up formed in early 2020 by drummer Ian Hendrik, Morris Ramon and Danny F. on guitars and bassist Dan Ringer. With thundering drums, in- your-face guitars and screaming vocals they reignite the sound of 80s Heavy Metal. In their own songs influenced by bands from the Monsters Of Rock time like Metallica and Judas Priest they critically review the society, scream for freedom and talk about the cliché trio: Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll.

After their founding in February 2020 the band put out their first single called „We Want Out“ in August of 2020. The song was written by guitarist Danny and Drummer Ian Hendrik who also took in the place of lead singer for that particular release as the band was still looking for a lead singer back then. The according music video gained international success and critically reviews the decisions made by the government regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.

Due to the Covid-19 restrictions the band only managed to play one live show in summer of 2020. Fronting the band at this very show was guest singer Joe Hanson who had been in the local rock scene for quite some years. As the concert with Joe Hanson was just a one-off at this point the band started to actively look for a lead singer.

IMPACT sorted that position with Markus Winkler in September 2020 and started writing songs for their first album. The head role in the process of writing was taken by guitarist Morris Ramon and Drummer and producer Ian Hendrik who knew each other from a previous band project. They equally contributed to writing the music, however Ian Hendrik took the main part in writing lyrics. Danny and Dan Ringer also put their own unique style to the songs which makes up the instrumental section of Impact. Over time it became clear that Markus had a great voice but wasn’t the sort of Heavy Metal Singer the band was looking for.

Although the band was now without a singer they started to record the first studio album in January of 2021 at Savage Sound in Bavaria, Germany. About six weeks into the recording process and most of the basic tracks done the band figured why not ask their good friend Joe Hanson to exclusively sing on the album. As it has always been a dream for Joe Hanson to sometime record an album featuring himself on vocals he quickly decided to take the job.

After all the drums were hammered in, Dan Ringer finished to shake the ground with his thundering bass, Danny nailed all the rhythm guitar parts, Morris Ramon made poetry out of every note in his solos and Joe Hanson had his last scream the album was mixed by Ian Hendrik who happens to be a Music Production student in London. After all the recordings sounded the way the band imagined them, they had a very last listen before sending them off to mastering. In that very listening session Joe Hanson asked the band if the offer to join the band as a full member still existed. From that point on the band had finally sorted their full lineup. The tracks were then sent off to Metropolis Studios in London where they had been mastered by none other than legendary mastering engineer Andy ‚Hippy‘ Baldwin who already put his magic touch on bands like The Who, Oasis and Faith No More.

When the band got back the final masters they were all simply blown away by the sheer power. They started promoting the album which was going to be released on the 9th of July 2021 and was going to be called INITIAL IMPACT. On June 25th, in advance to the album, the band released the single „Faster’n’Higher“ which gave the world of Rock and Metal the first glimpse of what can now be heard on INITIAL IMPACT. The song was immediately featured in a British newcomer radio show by Martin Jones the week after. The according music video quickly gained over 2.000 views in just under three weeks. With the backup of that ongoing success the band finally released their first full studio album on Friday the 9th of July 2021 at 6pm CET. A release party was held at the bands local pub called „Kings Road Pub“ and they were all simply blown away by the amount of people that turned up. IMPACT managed to pay off all the CDs they ordered in one single day. Since the album was released the band kept promoting their debut long player and managed to get over 5.000 streams in just over 10 days, from 1.500 listeners in over 50 countries on Spotify alone.

One week later on Friday, July the 16th the band released their second music video supporting the album for the song „Voices Of The Night“. The song features UK rock veteran Dale Radcliffe from the power formation COP UK (Crimes Of Passion) on lead vocals. He immediately joined the project after Ian Hendrik asked him back in May 2021 as he had met him in a beer garden in Germany a few years back where he mistakenly thought Dale was also a fan attending the concert in town.

However, the band managed to play their headline stage debut on September the 25th, 2021 in front of their hometown crowd and their beloved pub. The concert was planned very spontaneously, so the band was worried about playing in front of cockroaches only, but the concert became to be a full success. Around 550 people showed up for their first show. With the massive support from fans all around the world the band went straight back to writing new material and released their follow-up single „All In“ on December the 17th, 2021.

As due to the government regulations to control the outspread of Covid-19, it was still impossible to play gigs, so once again the band got back to writing. The first result of that work is the song „Hometown“ predominately written by drummer Ian Hendrik, in which he expresses his love- hate relationship with his hometown Dillingen. The song has been released as a single with a music video on Friday the 13th, 2022 at 6pm CET and offers the first chance to taste the power of the upcoming album, which the band is currently working on.

With the regulations easing of as well, IMPACT is back to playing live on a regular basis and played their first show in 2022 at the Phoenix in Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany. Parallel to playing gigs every weekend the writing process for the new album is almost completed and recordings are planned to start in May 2022. A name for the album or a release date hasn’t been found yet.

BÖLLVERK • Traditional Heavy Metal thunderstorm!

Logo: Stefanie Mader

Band: BÖLLVERK
Base: Aschaffenburg • Deutschland
Genre: Heavy Metal
Title: Heading For The Crown
FFO: Warlock, Running Wild, Accept
Format: Album
Label: Independent
Release: April 22, 2022

Bulletpoints:
• Debut album of the talented old school Heavy Metallers
• Pithy, refreshing, powerful-teutonic material
• Top songs, absolute whiz-bang potential

Lyric video • „Heading For The Crown“:
https://youtu.be/oqKxWlIGK-k

BÖLLVERK explain the thematic background to the album title track „Heading For The Crown“:
„It’s about our beloved regular pub, which is called ‚The Crown‘. So album and song title have a double meaning – we want to go straight to the regular pub! But also to the top of the genre! And finally to put on the crown, which colloquially also means to pour one’s own joie de vivre exuberantly with deliciously cool barley brew“.

When the three friends Raphi (guitar), Zahn (vocals, guitar) and Markus (drums) formed the band BÖLLVERK in May 2018, this fortunate circumstance marked the initial spark for a quite enormous revitalization of the German Heavy Metal guild!
The three playful enthusiasts quickly wrote their first own songs, and the common favourite direction crystallised out very quickly: core-traditional and above all fundamentally honest HEAVY METAL with a damn iconic 80s touch!

[ Pic: Franzi Zahn ]

LINE-UP:
Svenja • Vocals
Zahn • Guitar, Vocals
Raphi • Guitar
Tim • Bass
Angelo • Drums

From September 2018, bass player Sense completed the line-up. The very first live shows were played and received great feedback from the audience. With this momentum, BÖLLVERK entered the studio in autumn 2019 to record the first demo „Let’s Ride Till Dawn“. It was released on March 6, 2020 and received good reviews from the press and fans.

Unfortunately, due to the lockdown at the time, the CD could not be promoted on the stages. During the worldwide misery of the global pandemic, however, BÖLLVERK by no means stood still.

Personnel changes were also managed with determination, whereby the stylistic directness always remained completely the same. The BÖLLVERK rhythm section was re-staffed with Angelo (drums) and Tim on bass.

And Svenja as a promising new singer raises the solid musical foundation to an even higher level with her enormously powerful and distinctive voice.

[ Artwork: Basti Kraus ]

TRACKS:
01. Ask The Angel, Listen To The Devil (06:05)
02. Let’s Ride Till Dawn (03:27)
03. Good Morning Rock’n’Roll (04:25)
04. Heading For The Crown (04:49)
05. The 7th No (IS A KO) (04:37)
06. Master Of Thunder (06:26)
07. Live Fast (04:20)
08. Next Level Of Service (03:56)
09. Someday We Will Die (05:50)

total: 44:07 min.

With this new line-up, the fantastic debut album „Heading For The Crown“ was recorded.

The experienced Rolf Munkes is responsible for the crisp and deliciously kicking overall sound with his Empire Studio, who is also known in the scene as the axeman of Crematory.

The old school-addicted battlevest banger fraction can expect refreshingly pure, wonderfully powerful and teutonically forged Heavy Metal material in the gloriously timeless style of early Accept, Warlock & Running Wild!

DISCOGRAPHY:
2020 • Let’s Ride Till Dawn • EP
2022 • Heading For The Crown • Full-length

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

►► Heading For The Crown • Album • 2022 ◄◄

8 / 10
➤ „… dynamically powerful Old School Heavy Metal … strongly staged … with the guitar work of Raphi and Zahn classic Judas Priest mood comes up, Svenja and Zahn in the duet go far out … also technically and by the wonderful production ‚Heading For The Crown‘ can be called a huge leap forward, so that every Old School Metalfan must get something out of this album. …“
(Rock Castle Franken)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… traditional old-school … with double-bass, lots of steam and anthemic choruses … the new front witch does her job really well … comparisons to Judas Priest and Running Wild (musically) as well as Zed Yago, Velvet Viper and Crystal Viper (vocally) open up … this is new Heavy Metal, which is not too retro and too cheap for me, but sounds fresh and unspent … very cool!“
(Crossfire)

➤ „… good old school 80s Heavy Metal, with kicking guitar solos …“
(The Bible Of Metal)

etc.

PR:
https://www.metalmessage.de/Promotion_BOLLVERK_en.php

BÖLLVERK is available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email

PRIOR THE END • Beständig im Wandel!

[ Logo: Prior The End ]

PR Aktion: PRIOR THE END • https://www.facebook.com/priortheend
Basis: Rohrbach • Deutschland
Genre: Alternative Metal
Titel: Cutting My Roots
FFO: System Of A Down, Mastodon, Thrice
Format: Album
Label: Timezone Records
Release: 13. Mai 2022

https://www.youtube.com/embed/l0HmP6-WC9s
[ Musikvideo • „Trespassing In Sanity“ ]

Die Band zum thematischen Inhalt von „Trespassing In Sanity“:
„Gefangen zwischen den Identitäten aus Vergangenheit und Zukunft. ‚Trespassing In Sanity‘ wird zum Soundtrack der Pandemie, welche die Welt der Kultur auf der Stelle treten lässt. Ein Befreiungsschlag mit Blick auf hellere Zeiten.“


PRIOR THE END stehen seit ihrer Gründung 2013 für Energie, Emotion und beständigen Wandel.

Verwurzelt in der harten Rock-Musik erhebt das Hallertauer Quintett hohe Ansprüche an stilistische Vielfalt und kompositorische Spannung.

Nach ihrer Etablierung in der Lokalszene und gemeinsamen Konzerten u.a. mit Evergreen Terrace und Napoleon veröffentlichte die Band um Sänger Alexander Weiß im Sommer 2016 das Konzeptalbum „The Worst Is Yet To Come“ bei Timezone Records.

Band • 2022

[ Foto: David Buchner ]

LINE-UP:
Alexander Weiß • Vocals
Raphael Gerl • Guitar
Alexander Schmidl • Guitar
Sebastian Roith • Bass
Christian Schmidt • Drums

Von den Medien gelobt für ihr geerdetes und erfrischendes Songwriting, legten PRIOR THE END 2017 die aggressive One-Off Single „Irukandji“ nach und erzielten damit neben diversen Sampler-Voting-Siegen auch einen Platz auf Tesseracts Daniel Tompkins‘ Spotify Playlist.

Nach einer ausgedehnten Jubiläumstour quer durch Bayern begannen PRIOR THE END mit den Arbeiten an ihrem zweiten Album.

[ Artwork: Chananya Fries ]

TRACKS:
01 Rage & Static 05:41
02 Ask Them About Cancer 03:46
03 Time Forgot Itself 04:21
04 Lifeline 05:30
05 Pygmalion 05:59
06 Trespassing In Sanity 04:58
07 No Skin 04:18
08 Catalepcity 04:21
09 Gaijin 03:40
10 Mark It Zero 04:39
11 No King On Heaven’s Door 04:27
12 Cutting My Roots 06:22

total: 58:03 min.

Unterstützt durch eine erfolgreiche Crowdfunding Kampagne und einer akribischen Studiophase, stehen PRIOR THE END nach 2 Jahren der Pandemie-geschuldeten Bühnenabstinenz mit ihrem neuen Album „Cutting My Roots“ in den Startlöchern, um ein markantes musikalisches Ausrufezeichen zu setzen.

Das Hoffen auf das Morgen. Risiken abwägen. Voreilige Schlüsse vermeiden. Motivation durch weit entfernte Utopien erzwingen. Woody Allen hat mal gesagt: „Die Ewigkeit dauert lange, besonders gegen Ende.“
Und dennoch stand halbgar für die Formation nicht zur Debatte. Dafür haben den Musikern zu viele Leute bei der Entstehung des Albums geholfen. Dafür ist es den Urhebern zu wichtig.

„Cutting My Roots“ war bereits vor der Pandemie inspiriert durch Veränderungen. Der Release handelt in drei Akten von Fortschritt, Ohnmacht und Zerfall. Die Wurzeln sind dieselben, doch die Triebe hatten viel Zeit … 


DISCOGRAPHY:
2016 • The Worst Is Yet To Come • Full-length
2017 • Irukandji • Single
2022 • Cutting My Roots • Full-length


PRIOR THE END sind verfügbar für interviews via Phone, Skype, Zoom & E-Mail

PR:
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_PRIOR_THE_END.php