Rockshots Records - LIONSOUL New Single "Wailing in Red" Off Upcoming Album "A Pledge To Darkness" Out April 2022

Rockshots Records will be releasing LionSoul's third album "A Pledge To Darkness" this coming April 2022. The full length follows the band's albums "Welcome Storm" (2017) (Limb Music), their self-released "Omega" (2013) and EP "The Throne" (2015). Since the band's formation in 2012, they have shared the stage and toured with artists such as Domine, Iron Savior, GammaRay, Kissin' Dynamite, Geoff Tate, Tygers Of Pan Tang in Italy and across Europe along with festival appearances on Metal For Emergency (IT), Biker Fest (IT), and Loud and Proud Festival (IT).

The new album "A Pledge To Darkness" is a huge step forward in LionSoul's career as it is more heterogeneous, in some ways darker than the previous ones. Featuring 11 roaring cosmic tracks, it brings with it nuances ranging from thrash to melodic death metal, including some death metal vocals in order to give more emphasis to certain passages. The album is a composition of different stylistic approaches that converge into the power/heavy roots that still remain at the basis of their sound. The songs range from a classic power metal opener with spatial atmospheres up to a futuristic western ballad, from speed metal tracks - that wink at thrash and melodic death metal - to 80's synth-wave tunes, from mid-tempo hymns in Teutonic/industrial style to the almost omnipresent Cyberpunk themes. “A Pledge to Darkness” remains in all respects a power metal album, but with some dosed contaminations. Overall, its goal is to take you on a hyperspace voyage from Tatooine to 2049 Los Angeles, while passing through Tranctor. The band explains further:

"Imagine your planet at the end of its life and you have the burden to preserve the knowledge so you take a spaceship for a trip to L A in 2049 meanwhile you pass through a portal between 1953 to 1986 and also you change your skin to save the human race from a virus."

Today, the band shares their first single entitled "Wailing In Red". The track is a Blade Runner-inspired story, the wailing of an android who cries red tears.

"It's a classic heavy metal riff that continues for all the verses before turning in a fast chorus, all that arranged in a modern key, with some industrial synths to act as a frame for this cyberpunk drama-inspired song. It’s our first single, a meeting point between classic heavy metal and modern sounds, fast, the notes reflect the obscure and the emblematic nature of the theme addressed in the lyrics with Claudio's powerful growl vocals inserts." adds the band.

Listen to "Wailing In Red" at the following links:

YouTube - https://youtu.be/w-50helLg4M​
Digital - https://bfan.link/wailing-in-red​

Recommended for fans of speedy heavy metal, power metal, hard rock, and 80’s soundtracks, “A Pledge to Darkness” is due out on April 29, 2022.

Album pre-order - https://bit.ly/LionSoul_CD

Track Listing:​
1. Continuum - 1:35
2. Exile to Arise - 4:27
3. Amber of Illusion - 4:48
4. Wailing in Red - 4:37
5. No Beginning (Nor An End) - 4:38
6. Soldier Through Time - 3:47
7. Skin 2 - 3:39
8. A Pledge to Darkness - 5:13
9. Red Flame - 4:15
10. Man, Machine, Almost Rhyme - 5:30
11. The Stranger - 5:22
Album Length: 47:56
​
​Album Credits:​
- Written and Produced by Ivan Castelli and Aurelio Parise
- All growl vocals and by Claudio Facheris
- Recorded and Mixed by Fabrizio “Izio” Romani at Media Factory Studio – Esine (BS)
- Vocal parts recorded by Andrea Facheris at Loft-1 Studio – Dalmine (BG)
- Mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio in San Marino
- Cover art by Stan W. Decker

For more info:​
​Rockshots.eu​
​www.lionsoul.it​
​Facebook.com/lionsoulband​
​Twitter.com/LionSoul_band​
​Instagram.com/lionsoulofficial 

Rockshots Records - Cosmic Metal VANDERLUST Shares Space Ballad "The Last Ganymedian" Off Upcoming Self-Tilted Album Out April 2022

Cosmic metallers VANDERLUST (ft. members of S91, Dreal) will be rocketing their self-titled debut album on April 15th, 2022 via Rockshots Records.

Previously inviting fans into their universe with their two singles "Scavengers of Kuiper Belt" and "The Last Ganymedian", today, they share their next space adventure "Requiem For An Ancient World", a prog-thrash song fitted with symphonic elements.

"It’s the darkest song on the album. It has an irregular structure and violent singing. The song is quite long and mixes very different sections from each other: it starts with a prog rhythm, then goes into a speedy section, and then returns back to prog-tech riffs; the ending part is a crescendo with symphonic choirs in an operatic mood. The atmosphere of this song is very tragic and epic at the same time. It talks about a clan of people rejected from the earth who seeks revenge. They manage to tame a new strong alien species and plot to use these beasts in warfare." adds the band.

YouTube - https://youtu.be/YPziW_qLa4k​

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3siWvsU

Birthed to travel the cosmos, Italy's Vanderlust is a power-heavy metal band with prog-thrash influences that tells tales of space travels, astronomy, space engineering, and sci-fi adventures.

"We tried to mix a prog-thrashy riffing in the roots of Megadeth, Vektor and Tool with epic vocal parts like Iron Maiden, Helloween, Angra, and Lione’s Rhapsody. We also put sci-fi elements in our songs, so you can hear also something from Voivod." adds the band.

This debut recording is like a stellar system with 12 different planets. The star at the center of the system represents the heavy-power metal around all the songs revolving. Despite all the tracks being irradiated by the same light, they are all different from each other. Vanderlust has fast thrash, slow and doom, shiny and brilliant to grunge, and darker songs. Like planets, which appear like simple small bright spots, but in reality, are all big worlds, Vanderlust's songs are more complex than they sound at first listen. In fact, you can easily sing along to some of the choruses even if there are complex riffs in the background. Vanderlust is particularly proud of the participation of opera singer Letizia Cappellini who does vocals on select tracks and helps the band further expand the vocal register of their compositions. The band also adds the presence of synths and electronic elements to the compositions to set the sci-fi mood of the lyrics.

"The main goal was to start a metal band that could be an inspiration for young people, a band that could tell them stories from the future when mankind will have overcome its limits and the solar system will be an entire human colony. This idea came to mind to founding members Francesco and Santo when they began their search for other members that could fit. Drummer Giacomo Mezzetti joined the space odyssey right before the covid-19 outbreak. Vocalist Riccardo Morello joined the band during the first lockdown in Italy, so the first song was entirely composed online, using videocalls and file sharing." adds the band.

For their live aspect, Vanderlust is currently working hard to create a thrilling spectacle, giving all their energy to the fans and letting them join them on the space journey.

Vanderlust is recommended for fans of Iron Maiden, Angra, Tool, Helloween, and Vektor.

Album CD pre-order - https://bit.ly/Vanderlust_CD​

Digital - https://bfan.link/vanderlust​

Previous Singles

- Scavengers of Kuiper Belt - https://youtu.be/d4jsI-cqOkI​

- The Last Ganymedian - https://youtu.be/qle1eChXEf8

Track Listing:
​1. Intro (0:58)
2. High Hopes (3:34)
3. Orphan Planet (3:41)
4. Forgotten Breed (5:13)
5. The Last Ganymedian (3:45)
6. Scavengers Of Kuiper Belt (4:02)
7. Mass Effect Destruction (2:04)
8. Requiem For An Ancient World (4:59)
9. 3 Suns (4:44)
10. Dyson's Swarm (4:00)
11. Ringworld (3:26)
12. Ten Years Back (3:38)
13. Zima Blue (4:39)
Album Length: 48:49

More info:
​Rockshots.eu​
​Facebook.com/vanderlustofficial​
​Instagram.com/vanderlustband 

Boonsdale Records - Start The Rock N Roll Party With THUNDEROR’s (ft. Skull Fist members/ex-members) New Album “Fire It Up” Out Now

New Music Video "Dangerous Times"

Debut Album “Fire It Up” Out Feb 25, 2022 via Boonsdale Records 

L-R – Oscar Rangel – Bass, JJ Tartaglia – Vocals, Drums, Keys, Jonny Nesta – Guitars

Photo Credit – Rae Chatten 

A fresh take on NWOBHM, Thunderor’s “Fire It Up” consists of nine energetic and catchy tunes supplemented with 80s synths and piano. Its purpose is to take the listener on an adventure full of motorcycle rides, whirlwind romance, and diving into danger. It’s a get-up and go album, inspiring one to give it all in life and never give up.

Founder/drummer/vocalist JJ Tartaglia of Skullfist started the band with ex-Skull Fist bandmate Jonny Nesta and Oscar Rangel (Operus, ex-Annihilator) to create something new under his artistic vision. He expects the album to go over well with current Skullfist fans and new listeners due to the originality and hooks in the songs. He explains further:

“I think we’ve created a truly original album with Fire It Up. It was a blast writing these songs and putting my personality into the lyrics for the first time. We’re proud to have done all of the tracking ourselves (it was a learning experience!) and to have done things the old-school way without any quantized drums or pitch correction. I think the result is a more natural-sounding recording which gives a better human connection and allows the songs to shine through with the real attitude. The songs on the album are meant to inspire a life journey – an adventure with friends, motorcycles, romance, danger, and victory. I hope it will be a soundtrack for your adventures.”

The album was produced by JJ Tartaglia; mixed by Chris Snow and mastered by Harry Hess. The album artwork was created by Daniel Porta. The majority of Tartaglia’s lyrics come from his perspectives on life and some stories as well. Throughout the album, there is a theme of longing for escape and refusing to just settle.

Along with the album's release day, Thunderor is sharing their latest music video for "Dangerous Times", a catchy 80s style piano-driven song about romance and love., reminiscent of Toto and Journey that features a massive synth middle section.

Watch and listen at https://youtu.be/cyh71qusBIA​

Fast-paced and full of energy, “Fire It Up” is the soundtrack for a great night out or in, and will be appreciated by fans of Judas Priest, Gowan, and Manowar.

“Fire It Up” is available via Boonsdale Records.

CD – https://thunderor.bigcartel.com​

​Spotify​

Music Video - How We Roll - https://youtu.be/_U-ElWkLNg0​

Music Video - Fire It Up - https://youtu.be/6t_KqTq7OOE​

In additional news, Thunderor's March 2022 European tour with Traveler has been rescheduled to June with dates TBA along with Mexico dates with U.D.O. also in June.
​
​Thunderor dates with U.D.O.:
June 17, 2022 - Circo Volador, Mexico City, MX
June 19, 2022 - Café Iguana, Monterrey, MX 

Track Listing:​
1. Fire It Up (5:12)
2. How We Roll (4:14)
3. All or Nothing (4:31)
4. Dangerous Times (5:24)
5. Thunderor (4:32)
6. On the Run (4:04)
7. Into the Storm (1:34)
8. We Can Make It (4:21)
9. Cold Tears (5:17)
Album Length: 39:09)

For more info:
​Facebook.com/ThunderorOfficial​
​Instagram.com/thunderor_official​

About:​
THUNDEROR is an 80’s-infused heavy metal band formed in 2020. Featuring a lead-singing drummer and an all-star lineup, the Canadian power trio delivers hook-driven stadium-caliber songs with an untamed spirit.

Since 2019, drummer JJ Tartaglia had felt a calling, one which grew stronger each day. Being a member of several prominent metal bands over the last decade (most notably Skull Fist) and having essentially served as a disciple of heavy metal for many years, the time had come to take his quest even further. A new course was being charted for his musical mission. He would share a vision, a feeling… a message he could deliver only with his own voice.

Fueled by his passion for adventure, JJ began to work on drum arrangements and piano pieces that would become the skeletons of the Thunderor songs.

In 2020, with the addition of long-time bandmate Jonny Nesta on guitars, combined with JJ also composing on keys and vocals, songwriting began in full force and quickly yielded an album’s worth of material. Close friend and monster player Oscar Rangel (ex-Annihilator) was then called upon to do bass and the line-up was complete. Thunderous drums, lightning hot guitar licks, dreamy synths, and piercing vocals would form the musical storm that is THUNDEROR.

The band would spend the next year self-recording the album, priding themselves on recording the natural way, producing an energetic record with a strong human connection. Fall of 2021 would see the release of the 1st single HOW WE ROLL, immediately garnering a worldwide audience. The debut album FIRE IT UP is set for an early 2022 release backed by an European tour.

If you’ve ever felt a longing for escape, a thirst for adventure, wrapped in romance and danger, well what are you waiting for? Get after it and let THUNDEROR be your soundtrack! 

Canadian Thrashers TRISKELYON (ft. Hyperia, Artach members) Posts Visualizer For "Find A Way"

 

Triskelyon is the new Canadian melodic thrash metal project created by Geoff Waye, guitarist for Artach and Category VI. Conceived in late 2021 as a studio-only project, they recently unleashed their debut self-titled EP this past January 25th. The band features the contributions of vocalists Pete Healey and Marlee Ryley (Hyperia), along with drum programming by Raul Marques (Burning Torment).
Today, they are sharing with fans a new visualizer for their track "Find A Way" featuring vocals from Pete Healey. The song is the band's most melodic of the three on their debut EP and has a bit more groove.

"It's about my life in a way with lyrics about feeling somewhat isolated from the pandemic....even though the song itself is not at all about the pandemic. It's just a song about feelings and finding my way through it all." comments band founder Geoff Waye.

Listen to "Find A Way" - https://youtu.be/TyssK0Y7Z-w​

With anthemic choruses that you can sing along to, speedy head-banging riffs, and just a straight-to-the-point melodic thrash sound, Triskelyon is recommended for fans of Anthrax, Death Angel, Metal Church, Testament, and Forbidden.

Geoff Waye explains the project in further detail:
"The project formed in St. John's, Newfoundland. It began because I wanted an outlet for more melodic, yet still savage sounding thrashy metal. I wanted to do this as a studio project so I could get things together myself, which means I can do so fairly quickly if I want to. I did all the songs, wrote the lyrics, and play all the guitar and bass on the EP. I cannot play drums, so I found the fantastic Raul Marques. I wanted the vocals to be melodic so after I had the songs together I asked my vocal god friend, Pete Healey, to do some vocals. I sent him what I had and he was into it and you can hear him on tracks "Hunger" and "Find A Way". The last puzzle piece for the EP is Marlee Ryley – the very versatile vocalist for the killer Canadian band Hyperia. I took a shot in the dark and introduced myself and asked if she'd like to guest on the EP and she agreed to be on the closing track "Odyssey (Blessed by Steel)"

EP stream and download are available at https://triskelyon.bandcamp.com.

EP Trailer - https://youtu.be/N4fIPvYqKT8

Lyric Video - Hunger - https://youtu.be/QK0s1Az2EB4​

Lyric Video - Odyssey (Blessed by Steel) - https://youtu.be/ucjbzoMWvEY

Track Listing:​
1. Hunger (2:58)
2. Find A Way (4:03)
3. Odyssey (Blessed by Steel) (3:32)
EP Length: 10:34
​
EP Credits:
• Performance credits:
Geoff Waye – All Guitars and bass
Pete Healey - vocals (track 1, 2)
Marlee Ryley - vocals (track 3)
Raul Marques - drum programming
• All songs written by: Geoff Waye
• Produced by: Geoff Waye and Michael Small
• Mixed by: Michael Small
• Mastered by: Michael Small
• Album Artwork by: Geoff Waye
• Canadian Content (MAPL)

For more info:​
​Triskelyon.bandcamp.com​
​Facebook.com/Triskelyon-109813604928220

M-Theory Audio - PAGAN METAL WARRIORS HELSOTT UNVEIL MUSIC VIDEO FOR “I'LL MAKE YA FAMOUS”

 Second single from the group's new record, ‘Will and The Witch; Pre-orders available now

​

​HELSOTT – America's leading pagan metal band – has unveiled the music video for “I'll Make Ya Famous,” the new single from their upcoming concept album, “Will and The Witch.” The group's newest album will be released by M-Theory Audio on Friday, May 20th. Pre-orders for CD, limited-edition double vinyl, and digital editions of “Will and The Witch” are available now at http://smarturl.com/helsott. The video for “I'll Make Ya Famous” – directed by vocalist Eric Dow – can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Bvj_5Nhs8M0

Says Dow, “'I’ll Make Ya Famous' is the first song on the album. It is the only song on the album that is not directly related to the story. It is more of a prelude and overall description of Billy The Kid. We shot the music video at Whitehorse Ranch in Landers, California. The Ranch is a movie studio and is 1800’s authentic. This is the first time I have directed a video and we are extremely excited to release what we believe is our best music video to date."

HELSOTT's newest album, “Will and The Witch” - mixed and mastered by J-F Dagenais (Kataklysm, Ex Deo) and featuring artwork by Felipe Machado Franco (Blind Guardian, Rhapsody, Gamma Ray), is a concept record that tells a fictional story about how Billy The Kid became the fastest gunfighter in the wild west. The first taste of music from the new album was recently unleashed with a visualizer video for the title track, which can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Gok7aEiO1Ys. The band returns to its musical roots on their latest record with heavier thrash overtones and less orchestral work than their prior record, while catching listeners off-guard with new influences befitting of the album's theme. Thrash metal, power metal, and death metal all converge with acoustic campfire segments, Southern banjo and fiddle, and Native American-inspired hand drums and flutes. The end result is a record that is musically ambitious while remaining melodic, thrashy, and true to the underlying sound of HELSOTT.

Since their formation, the California-based HELSOTT – whose name means “fatal illness” in Old Norse – has paid homage to pagan cultures, mythology, and history while keeping true to their American influences. The group's unique mix of folk metal, death metal, symphonic metal, thrash, classical and rock was first unveiled to the world with the 2012 release of their debut EP “Fólkvangr.” The band soon caught the attention of audiences on a larger scale during the 2013 Paganfest North American tour, where they performed with Ensiferum, Tyr and Trollfest. That tour set the stage for the 2014 release of “Woven,” which was supported with tours alongside Arkona and Heidevolk.

In the years since the original release of “Woven,” HELSOTT signed with M-Theory Audio, released another EP (2017’s “The Healer”) and a second full-length (2018’s “Slaves and Gods”) and logged many touring miles worldwide with artists including Korpiklaani, I Am Morbid, Necrophagia, Tengger Cavalry, Ashes of Ares, Felix Martin, Arkona, Skyforger and Finsterforst. In addition, the band performed at major European festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Cernunnos Pagan Fest. “Woven” was also remixed, remastered, and re-released by M-Theory Audio in November 2020 in celebration of the group's 10th anniversary.

This year will not just see the release of HELSOTT's new album, “Will and The Witch,” but will also see the band's return to the live stage. A small number of dates have been confirmed so far, including international appearances at Germany's Dark Troll Festival 2022 and England's HRH Vikings 2022, with more to come throughout 2022.

More information on HELSOTT's new album, “Will and The Witch,” will be revealed in the weeks to come by M-Theory Audio and at www.facebook.com/helsott.

Upcoming HELSOTT Live Performances:

03/25 Brick by Brick – San Diego, CA
05/26-05/28 Dark Troll Festival – Bornstedt, Germany
07/09 Ramona Mainstage – Ramona, CA
12/03-12/04 HRH Vikings – Sheffield, England

HELSOTT is:
Eric Dow – vocals
Mark Dow – guitar
Peter Truax – guitar
Cooper Dustman - drums

​For more info:
​M-TheoryAudio.com​
​Helsott.com​
​Facebook.com/helsott​
​Instagram.com/Helsott