product: My Refuge - The Anger Is Never Over
release date: 23.03.2021
territory: world
formats: CD & digital
MY REFUGE is an Italian power heavy metal band formed in 2010 in Milan by guitarist Mauro Paietta. In October of the same year saw, the group released their first and self-produced EP “3407-Picture of an August Night”. In 2012, with a deeply revamped line-up, MY REFUGE started to create new stuff and to record new material. A few months later, the band released their second self-produced EP, “Living in Anger”.
In 2015, the Italian group signed a deal with Scarlet/Bakerteam Records for the release of the official full length debut album “A Matter of Supremacy” and then began with intense live activities, i.e. to perform at festivals and to share the stage with artists such as Freedom Call, Elvenking, Furor Gallico, Domine, Drakkar & Primal Fear.
After some line-up changes, MY REFUGE in 2020 decided to turn into a new dimension by becoming an international project, involving musicians from 14 countries and 4 continents.
With this new revolutionary line-up MY REFUGE recorded the material for the new album “The Anger Is Never Over” which was mixed by Christian Ice at Temple of The Noise Studio in Rome and mastered by Andrea De Bernardi at Eleven Mastering Studio in Milan (Italy).
product: Backwood Spirit - Fresh from the Can
release date: 23.04.2021
territory: world
format: CD & digital
Backwood Spirit were founded in Örebro, Sweden, back in 2014 by guitarist and songwriter Kent Engström. When songs were written and demo versions recorded, it was time to put a permanent band together to record an album. Engström at the time joined forces with drummer Joje Lindskoog (Crossroad Jam), and teamed up with Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteen, John Norum) as vocalist. Niclas Boson (bass) also came on board as well as Tobias Åslund (organ & keys) who later was replaced by Peter Emilson.
The group’s self-titled album was released by Pride & Joy Music in April 2017 and received great feedback from both press and fans alike. Since then, new music has been written, and Backwood Spirit went back to the studio again several times between 2019 and early 2021 to record the following record which is titled “Fresh From The Can”. This is the first release to feature new band member Mats Berglund on bass and again impressively shows Backwood Spirit’s influences coming from the Classic Rock and Bluesy Hard Rock genres.
“Fresh From The Can” was record at Zone 17 and produced by Kent Engström, Joje Lindskoog and Kari Malm. Engineered and mixed by Kari Malm. Mastered at Nevo Mastering. All cover photos by Joje Lindskoog. Graphic design by Jerry Eriksson.
product: Orion's Reign - Scores Of War (CD re-issue)
release date: 19.02.2021
territory: world
format: CD (re-issue with 2 bonus tracks)
Re-Issue of Symphonic Metal band ORION’S REIGN’s second full-length studio album, "Scores of War", which originally was released in October 2018.
The original album, engineered, mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios (Powerwolf, Arch Enemy, Dragonforce, Amorphis etc.), in Sweden by Jens Bergen, Linus Corneliusson and Orion's Reign, includes 11 tracks of epic/symphonic metal and now has completely sold out on CD. Digitally, “Scores Of War” has been one of the most successful releases for the label so far; i.e. the hit single “Nostos” feat. Minniva which currently has more than 2 Million streams on Spotify.
“Scores Of War” offers a full symphonic experience profoundly influenced by epic movie scores, with a complete orchestra, bombastic rhythms, massive choirs and guest appearances such as Tim Ripper Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth), Bob Katsionis (Firewind), Mark Boals (Malmsteen) and others. The huge success of this release also brought ORION’S REIGN some slots for TV sync, i.e. for a Discovery Channel commercial and for a trailer on German TV station ZDF for the German national Supercup soccer final in 2020.
This new version of “Scores Of War” is limited to 1000 copies world-wide and additionally includes the two bonus tracks “Raining Blood” (SLAYER cover) and SKYRIM’s “Dragonborn” feat. WIND ROSE/ FAIRYTALE singer Francesco Cavalieri on the microphone. The release date was set to February 19th, 2021.
product: Silent Winter - Empire Of Sins
release date: 23.06.2021
format: CD & digital
territory: world
SILENT WINTER was initially formed in the middle of 90's in the city of Volos in central Greece. Back then, the band recorded and released two demo tapes entitled "Silent Winter" and "War of an Angel” and also played some gigs and appeared on local festivals.
In 2018 the group was reformed with new members and released an EP with 5 songs. One of the featured tracks is a new version of the old demo song “Far Away” which also was released as their first video clip under the production of Progressive Vision Group (Bob Katsionis). This EP received positive feedback and reviews throughout the world. Kiriakos Balanos (guitars) and Giorgos Loukakis (bass) are the original members from 1995’s line-up. For the EP, they were joined by Giannis Antonopoulos (drums), the well-known Mike Livas on vocals (Maidenance, Keepers Of Jericho, Timo Tolkki tour singer), Vaggelis Papadimitriou on guitar and Yiannis Manopoulos (Thelemite) on keyboards.
In May 2019 SILENT WINTER released their first album 'The Circles of Hell' via Greek label Sonic Age Records. The reviews coming in from all over the world again were excellent and “The Circles of Hell” appeared in many ‘best of listings’ of that year. Several 3d lyric videos were released in collaboration with Harry Kountouris who is also now responsible for all the live visuals of Sabaton, as well as for some 3D lyric videos for Rotting Christ. SILENT WINTER played lived with Skyclad in Larissa, and with Acid Death and Nightrage at the Golden R festival in Volos, and a release show together with Floating Worlds in Athens’ Remedy club.
“Empire Of Sins”, the group’s second full-length release, now will be released via Pride & Joy Music on March 26th, 2021. The album was recorded at Kalovidouris Sound Studios, in Volos, Greece between July and October 2020, and mixed and mastered by Dionysis Christodoulatos at CFN recording studio Athens, Greece. Kiriakos Balanos designed the front cover. One of the highlights featured here is the Metal cover of Belinda Carlisle’s smash hit “Leave A Light On”.
product: Stranger Vision - Poetica
release date: 26.03.2021
format: CD & digital
territory: world
STRANGER VISION is one of the most exciting new Heavy Metal bands around, bred on a wide range of influences from across and beyond the realms of melodic heavy metal. Facets of melodic and symphonic power metal and melodic death unite in a stunning attack in the vein of BLIND GUARDIAN, SAVATAGE, IN FLAMES, among others.
The group was founded in May 2019 by Riccardo Toni (guitars) and Ivan Adami (vocals), aiming to create and realize an extremely personal vision and sound with a strong focus on melodies & harmonies plus a powerful, rich sound. Luca Giacopini (drums), Daniele Morini (bass) and Gabriele Sarti (keyboards) shortly after completed the STRANGER VISION line-up.
Adami and Toni then immediately started the song-writing process which was finally completed in June 2020. The recordings for the album “Poetica” took place at Domination Studio in San Marino from June to August 2020 with recording engineer Simone Bertozzi (Ancient Bards) at the desk. Mixing and mastering followed in September 2020 and were handled by Simone Mularoni (DGM).
There are several contributions from well-known Metal musicians from Italy on some of the album tracks, i.e. singer Fabio Dessi (ARTHEMIS & HOLLOW HAZE) on “Hero Of The New World”, singer Alessia Scolletti (TEMPERANCE) on “Memories Of You”, TRICK OR TREAT guitarist Guido Benedetti with a solo on “Rage”, TREAT OR TREAT, TWILIGHT FORCE and LUCA TURILLI’S RHAPSODY singer Alessandro Conti on “Rage” and Zak Stevens (SAVATAGE, TSO, CIRCLE II CIRCLE) on “Before The Law”.
STRANGER VISION’s involvement in the contemporary metal scene is testified to the high expectations that already surround the group, after the sensational covers of Space Oddity (David Bowie), Mad World (Tears For Fears) and Moonshield (In Flames), shared freely by STRANGER VISION during the difficult times of the lockdown.
product: Crystallion - Heads Or Tails
release date: 19.02.2021
format: CD & digital
territory: world
Germany based Heavy Metal band CRYSTALLION was founded in 2003 by bassist Steve Hall and drummer Martin Herzinger. On their first two album releases, "A Dark Enchanted Crystal Night" and "Hattin", they offered a bombastic Metal sound with obvious influences from which came from groups like Rhapsody, Helloween or Dragonforce. Powerful riffs and hooks here met with elaborated songwriting and stirring melodies. Both releases were very well received by their permanently growing fanbase. Numerous live gigs and festival appearances in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic with bands such as Bonfire and Running Wild amongst others followed.
With the release of the album “Hundred Days” (2009), CRYSTALLION moved away from their double-bass orientated songwriting over to rather Heavy & Hard Rock colored songs – without losing their own roots. In 2012, the Bavarians played the Metal-Fest at the prestigious Lorely venue together with other artists like Megadeth, Powerwolf & Edguy. The group’s fourth studio album “Killer” saw the light of day in the beginning of 2013 and continued to follow the Heavy & Hard Rock paths.
A demo with four brand new tracks was sent to Pride & Joy Music in July 2018 and resulted in a new record deal for the band with this German Metal label. Unfortunately, singer Thomas Strübler soon afterwards, in May 2019, decided to leave the band after being a member for 15 years. His successor was found in female singer Kristina Berchtold. In Summer 2019, some festival appearances with Berchtold as frontwoman followed and included the Free & Easy Festival in Munich (with Queensryche and Rose Tattoo) and the „Trveheim“ Festival in Munich with Riot V & Stormwitch. After a long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, CRYSTALLION returned onto stage in October 2020 at the Rockokfest in Landshut, Germany.
With Munich powerhouse singer Bertchold on the micro, the quartet now has managed to leave all Power Metal clichés behind and to start the work on their new album “Heads Or Tails” with fresh breath. This release will lead the way for CRYSTALLION and be finally available in stores from February 19th, 2020. Since July 2019, the experienced and versatile guitar player Werner Hießl from Linz, Austria is part of the line-up.
The album „Heads Or Tails” was produced by CRYSTALLION, engineered & mixed by Mario Lochert @ SeriousBlack Studios and mastered by Jan Vacik @ Dreamsound Studios. The artwork comes from Martin Herzinger @ Venusworksmedia
product: Natural Born Machine - Human
release date: 19.02.2021
format: CD & digital
territory: world
NATURAL BORN MACHINE is a new international Melodic Heavy Rock band founded in 2019 by bassist & composer Alberto Rigoni (solo, BAD As, Vivaldi Metal Project etc.) which features Pink Cream 69 singer David Readman, guitarist Alessio “Lex” Tricarico (BAD AS) and drummer Denis "Denzy" Novello (Ardityon) in the line-up.
The album was recorded and mixed at AR Studio in Treviso, Italy and mixed and mastered by Alberto Rigoni. A lyric video for the track “New Future” and a full video for “Moonchild” will be released upfront to the album; both tracks will be available as singles and instant grats as well. The artwork was designed by Andreas Ballnus (Disorderly Design).
