Complete with word from Rob Halford & Randy Blythe.
The post Testament’s Chuck Billy To Release His Memoir ‘Holding My Breath: The Two Testaments Of Chuck Billy’ In November appeared first on Theprp.com.
Category: news
-
SERPENT ICON: “TOMBSTONE STORIES”
(DGR has a new discovery he wants to share with you from the still-growing realm of melodic death metal, a German trio whose debut EP was released in March of this year.) It isn’t too often that we get to arrive right at the ground floor of a group’s releases. The number of times we […]
The post SERPENT ICON: “TOMBSTONE STORIES” appeared first on NO CLEAN SINGING.
-
The Agency… Past Promise Review
The Agency… Past Promise Review
This song opens with a very mysterious and epic feel. A chord welcomes the listener, followed by pads that expand the sound. It quickly becomes clear that the journey will be atmospheric and intense. I immediately sensed influences from David Bowie in the music. The vocals carry a quality that feels a bit vintage yet incredibly engaging.
What I appreciated is how the male voice occasionally harmonizes with a female voice. This interplay enhances the verse and makes it even more intriguing. The song dynamically builds over time, growing in layers. However, its strength lies in remaining hypnotic, mysterious, and occasionally a touch nostalgic.
Gradually, fuzzy guitars emerge, adding a dystopian element to the overall sound. This composition demonstrates truly interesting songwriting skills, giving the track a slight science fiction vibe. It makes for a refreshing discovery that I would recommend to everyone.
Past Promise – Sound and Atmosphere
Lyrically, the song evokes a range of emotions. The themes explored resonate with many listeners. The blend of music and lyrics creates a unique storytelling experience.
Listeners may find themselves caught in a reflective mood. The sonic choices contribute to this introspective atmosphere. Each instrument plays a role, harmoniously collaborating to create a cohesive piece. The pacing of the song further enhances its ability to draw you in.
The production quality is notably high, showcasing meticulous attention to detail. This invites listeners to explore the song’s nuances. Creativity shines through, as traditional structures are thoughtfully reimagined.
The instruments do not merely serve as a backdrop to the vocals. They engage the listener’s attention, encouraging repeated listens. Each time, new elements surface, revealing previously unnoticed details. This quality speaks to the band’s dedication to their craft.
The song’s arrangement deserves special mention. It flows fluidly, transitioning seamlessly between sections. The gradual development keeps the audience intrigued.
Past Promise – Performance and Production
There’s an undeniable sense of nostalgia woven throughout the music. It evokes memories while simultaneously feeling fresh and innovative. The effective mixing bridges the gap between past influences and contemporary sounds.
As the track progresses, I found myself yearning for more. The exploration of emotion and atmosphere is truly compelling. It effectively showcases the band’s artistic vision. The combination of vintage flair and modern influence creates something unique. It’s a refreshing addition to any playlist.
“Past Promise” is a remarkable showcase of The Agency’s artistic capabilities. Their ability to create a deeply emotional and atmospheric experience is commendable. The composition reflects a maturity in writing and production that is not commonly found. I foresee this song resonating with many for years to come.
Nocturnal
If you love this music: Discover More
For fans of:
David Bowie
The post The Agency… Past Promise Review appeared first on Edgar Allan Poets – Noir Rock Band.
-
Port Noir – The Dark We Keep (Album Review)
by Steve Joyce
Since forming in 2013, Swedish trio Port Noir have enriched the pantheon of essential Scandinavian progressive bands that includes luminaries such as Opeth, Pain of Salvation and Evergrey. Known for their mesmerising live shows, their formidable reputation is well earned, with albums packed with creative compositions and powerful arrangements. The band’s publicity boasts that they craft “a sound that is as intense as it is captivating—blending heaviness, precision, atmosphere, and a great groove in equal measure”. It’s an accurate description.
“The Dark We Keep” is Port Noir’s fifth album. Over its ten songs, one interlude and 49 minutes, the album has a distinctive sonic style that’s like a rowdier version of compatriots Katatonia, and the band stick to it throughout the album. Despite not being a diverse collection, “The Dark We Keep” is hugely effective at creating a mood, enthralling listeners and keeping them fully immersed.
The music on this captivating album is firmly at the metal end of the ‘progressive metal’ spectrum. For example, there’s an epic breakdown in the fourth minute of “Ebb and Flow” that’s genuinely pulverising and similarly, the riffage in the second half of “My Destroyer” will pummel you into thankful submission.
Most impressively, the guitar work by Andreas Hollstrand and Love Andersson sounds fantastic. The riffs throughout are majestic and energising. Bass notes are prominent, causing your inner organs to join in with the headbanging. The riffage is often evocative of goth metal titans Lacuna Coil, Delain and perhaps even Ghost. The guitar work is especially stimulating on tracks like “This View” and “Bloodlust”.
A standout feature of this album is the synthesiser work, providing a rich sonic texture and atmospheric moments which provide respite from the metal onslaught. This is a notable feature on opening song “Complicated”.
Drummer Andreas Wiberg is clearly a dynamic and talented musician. The drum parts are well crafted and performed despite sounding a little synthetic and over-produced. I think the album would benefit from a more vibrant and acoustic drum sound. Nevertheless, the songs are replete with tasty rhythms and dextrous fills, and on “Redshift” we’re treated to a blistering blastbeat!
Not sounding unlike Katatonia’s Jonas Renkse, lead singer Andersson has a ghostly, lilting quality to his voice which provides a perfect counterpoint to the musical barrage. He weaves cohesively with the layered music and often shines out like the brilliant Venus against a hauntingly black night sky. The juxtaposition of spectral vocals, heavy guitars and electronica is particularly effective on “Noir” and “Burst”, two of the singles from the album, with the latter song having a terrific chorus.
The album is aptly titled. Lyrically, the subject matter is incessantly dark, and through clever phrasing and rich metaphor, the words convey a palpable feeling of terror, futility and dread. Many songs evoke a love doomed by adversity, toxicity and unspoken secrets, and a world riven by bloodlust, darkness and devastation. From the aptly titled “Reverie”: “Close your eyes / the current drowns / just feel it / exposure now / a hymn unsung”. Cryptic, yet beautiful and unsettling.
All of the elements that make this album memorable come together in stirring style with album closer “We Shall Die Together”. It delivers a profound emotional payoff with devastating lyrics and hair-raising vocals by Andersson.
I’m massively enjoying this album: it’s fresh, absorbing and addictive. There’s an abundance of thrilling music on this record. The songs are exciting, unforgettable and contain some of the mightiest riffs you’ll hear all year. Port Noir unashamedly claim to be aiming to shape the future of heavy music. With an album as potent as this, they might well succeed.
Order here: https://portnoir.lnk.to/TheDarkWeKeep-Bio
Tracklist:
1. Complicated 05:11
2. Redshift 04:39
3. Noir 04:52
4. Ebb and Flow 04:56
5. My Destroyer 04:26
6. Vargtimmen 01:08
7. Burst 04:04
8. Reverie 05:56
9. This View 04:30
10. Bloodlust 04:35
11. We Shall Die Together 04:50Line up:
Love Andersson – Lead Vocalist, Bass Guitar, Guitar, Keyboards, Piano
Andreas Wiberg – Drums
Andreas Hollstrand – Guitar, Background Vocal, Keyboards, PianoThe post Port Noir – The Dark We Keep (Album Review) appeared first on The Prog Report.
-
Exodus mainman Gary Holt on his singer situation, cartel violence, and what he listens to in the car
“Most of what I listen to in my car is Adele. She’s the greatest vocalist of her generation.” Exodus are back, but don’t expect retro thrash -
Edsel Dope Allegedly Attempted To Block Release Of Wayne Static Collaboration “Crash: Reborn,” According To Producer Mikel Johnston – @thebeast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edsel Dope Allegedly Attempted To Block Release Of Wayne Static Collaboration “Crash: Reborn,” According To Producer Mikel Johnston
The explosive new version of “Crash: Reborn” by Mephisto Odyssey featuring the late Wayne Static has officially surpassed 1.3 million views on YouTube . However, according to producer Mikel Johnston, the track faced unexpected challenges prior to its release .
Johnston alleges that Edsel Dope, acting manager of Static-X , opposed the collaboration after becoming aware of the project and attempted to have both the song and its accompanying video halted . Johnston further claims that outreach was made to licensing representatives at Rhino Entertainment Company in an effort to stop the release .
A Billboard Top 40 producer whose credits include work with Jane’s Addiction and Blondie, Johnston expressed surprise at what he describes as resistance to newly released material featuring Wayne Static, noting the strong response from fans .
While Johnston states he holds no personal animosity , he characterizes the situation as a broader discussion about how Wayne Static’s legacy is represented . He also shared his personal perspective regarding recent Static-X-related releases and imagery , emphasizing that his intention with “Crash: Reborn” was to celebrate Wayne’s original artistry, collaborations, and creative identity .
With the track’s growing success , Johnston indicates he may continue revisiting and reimagining additional material connected to Wayne Static’s catalog.
“I did multiple remixes for Static-X in addition to writing with Wayne. He trusted me and liked my approach to his style. I believe his legacy deserves to be represented in a way that reflects his original vision.”
— Mikel Johnston
Fans can watch “Crash: Reborn” now at the link below.
For press inquiries, interviews, reviews, and all media requests, contact: zach@metaldevastationradio.com
Connect:
https://www.facebook.com/MephistoOdysseyOfficial/
https://www.instagram.com/mikaelwjohnston/
Contact: mephistoodysseyofficial@gmail.com
-
Gene Simmons Announces 2026 Canadian Tour Dates
The dates will take place after Kiss' second annual Las Vegas fan event. Continue reading… -
Death Cab For Cutie Share New Single “Punching The Flowers”
Indie rock titans and eight-time GRAMMY nominees Death Cab for Cutie, recently announced their 11th studio album. I Built You -
Nas Helps Launch NYC’s First Full-Fledged Casino, Performs At Opening
Up until now, degenerate gamblers in New York City had to travel down to Atlantic City or up to Mohegan Sun if they wanted the full casino gambling experience. No more! On Tuesday, Resorts World, a division of a Malaysian entertainment conglomerate, held the grand opening for Resorts World New York City, the city’s first full-fledged casino. One of the company’s partners in this venture is Queens rap legend Nas, who was right there for the casino opening. He was one of the first to roll dice at the casino’s craps table, and then he performed a quick set at the ceremony.
The post Nas Helps Launch NYC’s First Full-Fledged Casino, Performs At Opening appeared first on Stereogum.