Tag Archives: #MetalMastery

OBSCURA Announce Live Album: A Celebration I – Live in North America Watch The Live Video For ´The Anticosmic Overload´

Step into the realm of mind-bending melodies and technical prowess as OBSCURA presents their highly anticipated live album, A Celebration I – Live in North America, which will be released on October 27th via Nuclear Blast Records.
Witness the sheer brilliance of this German metal band as they take the stage by storm, leaving audiences spellbound with their awe-inspiring performance.
A Celebration I – Live in North America takes you on a mesmerizing journey through their iconic discography, featuring fan-favorites from albums like Cosmogenesis, Omnivium, Akroasis, Diluvium and the chart-breaking A Valediction. Experience the sheer energy and raw intensity of their stage presence, captured flawlessly in this one-of-a-kind live recording.
Not only does this live album showcase OBSCURA’s unparalleled musical mastery, but it also offers a glimpse into their latest studio release, A Valediction. Immerse yourself in the sonic landscapes of their most recent opus, as they explore new depths and push the boundaries of metal.
Mixed & Mastered by award-winning producer and engineer Fredrik Nordström, in Gothenburg, Sweden, where mastermind Steffen Kummerer collaborated with him for one week on the live material.
The recordings were all made in the USA, Canada, and Mexico between 2022 and 2023 as part of the ‘A Valediction World Tour’.
Today, we get a taste with a stunning live video for the track ´The Anticosmic Overload´from the album Cosmogenesis, filmed by Vincent Grundke, who has been accompanying the band as a videographer and photographer since 2021.

Watch the video here

Listen to the song on all platforms

Pre-order the album here

Steffen Kummerer comments: “A Celebration I – Live in North America covers a selection of concerts we performed in the United States of America, Canada, and Mexico between 2022 and 2023 as part of the ‘A Valediction World Tour’. Within 20 years, we are looking towards the first live album of Obscura, spiked with songs of our last five releases. It was a pleasure working through every recorded show to pick the best song, the loudest possible audience and a stellar performance by a band that’s on fire. As a first impression, we choose ‘The Anticosmic Overload’ performed in the United States of America, since this was the first song ever we performed in North America back in 2009.”

Tracklist

  1. Forsaken
  2. Emergent Evolution
  3. Ode To The Sun
  4. The Anticosmic Overload
  5. Septuagint
  6. A Valediction
  7. Ocean Gateways
  8. Akroasis
  9. Orbital Elements II
  10. Incarnated

Catch OBSCURA live, as they will embark on an extensive Latin America tour, followed by another extensive run through UK with label buddies DECAPITATED.

Latin America tour
28.10. ARG Buenos Aires – Uniclub
29.10. BR Sao Paulo – Carioca Club
31.10. CHL Santiago – Teatro Cariola
02.11. PER Lima – Teatro Cantaro
04.11. COL Bogota – Ace Of Spades
05.11. HND Tegucigalpa – Radio house Casa Campo
07.11. GTM Guatemala City – Rock ´ol Vuh
08.11. SLV San Salvador – Café Catedral
09.11. CRI San José – Pepper´s
11.11. MX Monterrey – Mexico Metal Fest

With Decapitated & Inferi
29.11. UK Bristol – The Fleece
30.11. UK Milton Keynes – MK 11
01.12. UK Bournemouth – The Old Fire Station
02.12. UK Torquay – The Foundry
03.12. UK Merthyr Tydfil – Redhouse Cymru
04.12. UK Liverpool – O2 Academy 2
06.12. IRE Limerick – Dolan´s Warehouse
07.12. UK Dublin – Opium
08.12. UK Belfast – Limelight 2
09.12. UK Glasgow – Slay
10.12. UK Newcastle – The Grove
11.12. UK Leeds – The Key Club
12.12. UK Norwich – The Waterfront
13.12. UK Southend-on-Sea – Chinneys
14.12. UK London – 229
15.12. UK Manchester – Club Academy
16.12. UK Birmingham – Asylum

Ticket link: https://realmofobscura.com/live/

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Applehead Unleashes Long-Awaited Album: ‘The Light Side of the Apple’

After a three-decade hiatus, Applehead makes a triumphant return with their latest album, ‘The Light Side of the Apple,’ proudly presented by Roxx Records. Roxx Records, an independent label renowned for championing both cherished legacy artists and promising new talents in the rock and metal scene worldwide.

The album ‘Meaning,’ Applehead’s initial offering, recently resurfaced as a limited-edition vinyl/CD through Roxx Records. However, ‘The Light Side of the Apple’ is more than just a nostalgic revival.

Driven by personal struggles and unanswered questions, Greg Minier masterfully guides listeners through a barrage of metal riffs that traverse diverse musical genres, evoking emotional ties reminiscent of rock’s original heyday.

Staying true to the core Applehead ethos, Greg Minier takes charge of vocals and instrumental performances, except for bass lines, gracefully handled by Jaymi ‘Pinkbassman’ Millard (known for his work with Mark Slaughter Band and Slaughter).

Check out the official music video for the single “Down”

As the summer unfolds, Greg Minier prepares with the live band, aiming to grace stages later in the year.

Emerging in 1992 as Greg Minier’s solo project during his tenure with the acclaimed California thrash metal band, the Crucified, Applehead kicked off their journey by opening for the Crucified shows the same year. The debut album ‘Meaning’ was released under the Ocean Records label (with a limited reissue in 2022 by Roxx Records). Greg Minier even gained prominence in the August 1993 edition of Guitar World magazine, featuring a five-page exposé on his guitar expertise and his association with the Crucified.

Mark your calendars for September 1st, 2023, when the new album will hit all streaming platforms, digital outlets, and CD stores. Keep an eye out for the limited vinyl edition, with pre-order options coming your way soon!

The apple tree has matured, bearing more robust branches, and the fruits of these branches are primed to deliver an electrifying rock experience!

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INTERLOPER Unveils Mesmerizing Single ‘Sanctum’ – A Progressive Metal Masterpiece!

Progressive heavy metal outfit INTERLOPER has once again set the metal scene ablaze with their latest release, the captivating single ‘Sanctum.’ Clocking in at 6 minutes, ‘Sanctum’ seamlessly blends the band’s technical brilliance with a melodic guitar approach, offering a tantalizing glimpse into a new era for INTERLOPER.

Lead vocalist and guitarist Andrew Virrueta expresses his excitement about the release, stating, “We present to you our newest song, ‘Sanctum’! We’re extremely thrilled to finally share it with our fans. This track takes us in a heavier and more progressive direction. It embodies our relentless pursuit to push the boundaries of what is considered conventional. We hope you’ll love it as much as we do!”

‘Sanctum’ mesmerizes listeners with its intricate instrumental arrangements and powerful vocal delivery, showcasing INTERLOPER’s evolution and mastery of the progressive metal genre. The track is a testament to the band’s commitment to artistic growth and their ability to explore new sonic territories.

Listen to ‘Sanctum’ on Spotify: [https://interloper.bfan.link/sanctum-sgl.a01].

For guitar enthusiasts and fans of technical prowess, INTERLOPER also treats us to a guitar playthrough of ‘Sanctum.’



Having previously released their critically acclaimed self-titled album “INTERLOPER” in June 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records, the band continues to make waves in the metal community. The making of their debut album, “Search Party,” showcased INTERLOPER’s seamless cohesion in their writing process, allowing them to delve into creative depths without constraints. Produced by the band and Joey Virrueta, with drums recorded at Big Bad Sound LA by Jack Ruley and Zach Fisher, the album reached new heights with the mixing and mastering expertise of Andrew’s brother, Joey Virrueta. The captivating album artwork, created by Caelan Stokkermans, beautifully encapsulated the essence of “Search Party.”

For fans eager to explore more of INTERLOPER’s discography, secure your copy of “

For fans eager to explore more of INTERLOPER’s discography, secure your copy of “Search Party” in the format of your choice.

Below is the tracklist for “Search Party”:

  1. Pathkeeper
  2. Bound to Fall
  3. Moonlight
  4. Dreamlands
  5. Drift
  6. Search Party
  7. The Wishing Well
  8. Idle Years
  9. Cheshire
  10. Baring Teeth
  11. Rio (Duran Duran Cover)

INTERLOPER is:
Miles Dimitri Baker – guitar,
Tadpole Jones – drums,
Andrew Virrueta – vocals and guitar

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Cognitive Sets the Metal Scene Ablaze with Their Latest Single and Explosive US Tour!

Prepare yourselves for an onslaught of bone-shattering death metal as New Jersey’s Cognitive releases their scorching new single, “Rot Eternal.” This blistering track is a glimpse into the band’s upcoming album, promising a relentless assault on your senses. Brace yourself and give it a listen:

“Rot Eternal” was the second composition to emerge from the depths of Cognitive’s creative cauldron. During their pre-production recording, the band realized they had something truly extraordinary on their hands. The repetition of riffs, the earth-shattering slam in the middle, and the unexpected outro all flowed seamlessly, creating a unique and captivating experience. Accompanied by Dahmer Art’s artwork, which perfectly captures the song’s lyrical theme revolving around everyone’s favorite topic—zombies—the single is a thrilling stand-alone release. But that’s not all, as the band teases the arrival of their new album next year!

But that’s not the only news from Cognitive—these masters of mayhem are currently embarking on a month-long North American tour alongside Portugal’s Analepsy. The Quiescence Tour kicked off on July 7th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and will continue until August 5th, concluding in Brooklyn, New York.

Prepare yourself for a relentless onslaught of brutal music as Cognitive dominates the stage, supported by the thunderous sounds of Wormhole and NecroticGoreBeast. This tour follows their recent successful stint supporting Gorod, solidifying Cognitive’s reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the live arena.

Here are the remaining tour dates for Cognitive’s North American rampage:

  • 7/12/2023 Brass Mug – Tampa, FL
  • 7/13/2023 Downtown Music Hall – Fort Walton, FL
  • 7/14/2023 Boozer’s – Corpus Christi, TX
  • 7/15/2023 Come and Take It Live – Austin, TX
  • 7/17/2023 Edge Bar – Tucson, AZ
  • 7/18/2023 1720 – Los Angeles, CA
  • 7/20/2023 Brick By Brick – San Diego, CA
  • 7/21/2023 X-Bar – Cupertino, CA
  • 7/22/2023 Old Ironsides – Sacramento, CA
  • 7/23/2023 The Cellar – Reno, NV
  • 7/24/2023 Metro Music Hall – Salt Lake City, UT
  • 7/25/2023 Trailside Saloon – Denver, CO
  • 7/26/2023 1867 – Lincoln, NE
  • 7/28/2023 Chicago Domination – Chicago, IL
  • 7/29/2023 Sanctuary – Detroit, MI
  • 7/30/2023 Montage Music Hall – Rochester, NY
  • 7/31/2023 Hard Luck – Toronto, ON
  • 8/01/2023 Piranha Bar – Montreal, QC
  • 8/02/2023 L’anti – Quebec City, QC
  • 8/03/2023 Jewel – Manchester, NH
  • 8/04/2023 Ralph’s Diner – Boston, MA
  • 8/05/2023 The Meadows – Brooklyn, NY

Cognitive’s journey began with the release of their EP and full-length album, which caught the attention of Unique Leader Records in 2016. Their album “Deformity” showcased the band’s unwavering dedication to their craft, intertwining their music with the dark legend of the Jersey Devil, a tale from their home state. This marked the beginning of Cognitive’s ascent in the death metal realm. With subsequent releases like “Matricide” in 2018, the band further honed their technical prowess, speed, and brutal songwriting, propelling them to new heights.

As touring became a way of life, Cognitive embarked on numerous treks alongside notable acts like Fit for an Autopsy, Rivers of Nihil, Through the Eyes of the Dead, Vulvodynia, and Lorna Shore. Their relentless pursuit of musical perfection also led them to grace the stage at Maryland Deathfest. Cognitive’s tireless work ethic and unwavering commitment to progress have transformed them into a touring machine, constantly pushing the boundaries of their art.

With the release of their latest album, “Malevolent Thoughts of a Hastened Extinction,” in 2022, Cognitive showcases their growth and exploration of new musical territories. Displaying diversity and masterful songwriting, the band fearlessly delves into new concepts, further solidifying their status as pioneers in their genre.

The current lineup of Cognitive;
R ob Wharton and Harry Lannon on guitars,
Shane Jost on vocals,
Tyler Capone-Vitale on bass,
and
AJ Viana on drums.

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Prepare yourself for an unrivaled auditory experience as Cognitive unleashes their sonic onslaught. Catch them live on their tour and immerse yourself in their world of unrelenting brutality and captivating musicianship.