Rockshots Records - ANNIKEN's New Single "Keep the Light" Pays Homage To Linkin Park's Chester Bennington

 

Norwegian solo metal artist Anniken will be releasing her debut album "Climb Out of Hell" on May 13, 2022 via Rockshots Records.

Today, she shares her tribute to one of her teenage influences, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. She explains further.

"This song is an homage to Chester Bennington. I tried to give the sound some hints of Nu Metal. The riff is more rhythmical. The lyrics are about how Chester’s voice was a light in the darkness of difficult teenage years. I loved Linkin Park, especially their album Hybrid Theory. After Chester’s death, I couldn’t listen to their songs for a while. It was just too sad. Then one day I listened to their album One More Light on a flight back home from a holiday in the UK. The sound was quite different than that of Hybrid Theory, but I loved it. And the song One More Light is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking songs I have ever heard. I decided then to write some sort of response to that song, as a message to Chester. Just to say Thank you!"

"Keep the Light" can be seen and heard via its music video at https://youtu.be/k8W6yM08ND8​

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/36ELVo6

Anniken has been a part of the Norwegian heavy metal scene for years with her band Darkest Sins, the studio project Ana – Metal for Charity, as well as being a part of her husband Marius Danielsen’s trilogy Legend of Valley Doom, both in the studio and with the live band. While in Darkest Sins she opened for bands such as Anthrax, Jorn, TNT, and UDO along with Legend of Valley Doom she has worked with legendary musicians such as Ralf Scheepers, Amanda Somerville, Roland Grapow, Matt Barlow, Doogie White, Jennifer Batten, and also actor John Rhys-Davies from the Lord of the Rings and Indiana Jones movies.

Writing her own songs and having a profound love of lyrics, Anniken is now progressing into her solo endeavours. Anniken's debut album "Climb Out of Hell" features nine tracks, a few of them co-written with her husband Marius Danielsen.

It is a varied metal album that is melodic, raw, and catchy with different types of songs for every kind of metal fan. Some slow, some fast, most of them heavy. Some of the songs have a deeper meaning to them, while others are just exactly what you think they are.

Anniken adds:

"Firstly, I want people to enjoy the music. Secondly, I want them to notice the lyrics. I love listening to music while reading them and trying to understand the stories that are being told. I hope that the listeners feel the same way. I like to also add, that some of the songs were written a while back. I had others that didn’t make the cut. Overall, it is fun to write with other artists and see how the songs turned out both in the studio and live. But writing with others also means compromising. And that is one of the main reasons behind starting my solo project. I wanted to show what I could do, without the guys (yes, the bands I’ve played with always consisted of all guys and me). It is, unfortunately, easy to underestimate female artists in metal. At least, that is my experience. There aren’t as many women within the genre as there are men. Very often I experienced that people just assumed everything was written by the men in the group. I don’t mind being “just the singer”, but I would love to show the world that I am, in fact, more."

"Climb Out of Hell" will be available on May 13, 2022.
Album pre-save - https://bfan.link/climb-out-of-hell​

Physical album Pre-Order
CD - https://bit.ly/AnnikenCD​
Vinyl - https://bit.ly/AnnikenVINYL​

Previous Single:

Lyric Video - Climb Out of Hell - https://youtu.be/vYvatSJq59c​
Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3sxGSga

Track Listing:​
1. Spotlight (3:52)
2. Climb Out of Hell (3:58)
3. Back Then (4:12)
4. Just Walk (5:05)
5. Keep the Light (4:15)
6. Star (4:49)
7. No Name (4:04)
8. Save Us (4:48)
9. Amplified (3:17)
Album Length: 38:23

Album Credits:​
- All songs are written by Anniken, tracks 6,7 and 8 are co-written with Marius Danielsen.
- Cover/art is a compilation of two paintings by Sylvie Rasmussen, Anniken’s grandmother.
- Album is produced by Marius Danielsen.
- All lyrics are written by Anniken, except for the lyrics for Star, which are co-written with Marius Danielsen

Vocals: Anniken
Guitar and Bass by: Marius Danielsen
Orchestrations by: Gabriels (Tracks 1,2,3,4,6,7,9), Peter Danielsen (Tracks 5,6)
Drums by: Alessandro Kelvin
Choirs by: Marius Danielsen, David Åkesson
Growl vocals by: Brandon Bordman
Solos by: Gabriels (Track 1), Bill Hudson (Tracks 2,5), Nick Giannakos (Track 3), Fredrik Enochson (Track 4), Tommy Johansson (Track 5), Jimmy Hedlund (Track 6), Nils Courbaron (Track 7), Marius Danielsen (Track 8), Terry Wapram (Track 9)

For more info:​
​Rockshots.eu​
​Facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063610741197
​Instagram.com/anniken.rasmussen 

Rockshots Records - Greek Symphonic and Cinematic FORTIS VENTUS Announce Debut Album "Vertalia" June 2022

 

Rockshots Records is proud to announce their signing of Greek trio Fortis Ventus for the release of their debut album "Vertalia" on June 3, 2022.

Combining symphonic and cinematic elements along with soundtrack influences, Fortis Ventus formed in 2015 and self-released their first ep "Haunted Heart" in November 2017.
In early 2018, due to creative differences, the band underwent significant changes. The driving forces that remained were composer, arranger, keyboardist George Halliwell and vocalist, lyricist Nancy Mos. Breathing new life into their work, the duo met Gregory Koilakos who would take on the role of guitarist. Together, the three musicians started recording their first full-length "Vertalia" with Gregory taking on both guitar and bass duties for the album, which also changed the band's metal sound with its film score music elements.

Sentimental, dramatic, grand, cinematic, and imaginative, "Vertalia" is a concept album based on a novel-fairytale written by keyboardist George Halliwell.

"Twelve chapters for a total of twelve tracks". says, Halliwell.

The theme of this fairytale focuses on an imaginary planet called Vertalia, where the main character starts their journey to discover their inner truth and the truth of life itself. Through the challenges they face during their journey back to Earth, they connect with their higher self and take a path to eventually achieve inner peace back towards their homeland of Vertalia.

"The audience will be surprised at the intricate orchestrations that hide behind complex melodies on this album. Each person hearing it, will find a glimmer to empathize in every track. We wanted to tell a story and give the listener a variety of feelings and a journey alongside the lyrics." adds the band.

Fortis Ventus is recommended for fans of Hans Zimmer, Two Steps From Hell, Epica, Nightwish, and Kamelot.

The first single "My Death is My Devotion" off "Vertalia" will be released on March 23rd and available for pre-save at the following link: https://bfan.link/my-death-is-my-devotion

The song captures the pain and faith behind the sacrifices for the ones we care, love, and are loyal to.
Fortis Ventus is in the planning stages of live performances to deliver an engaging and unique crowd participating visual-acoustic experience.

For more info:
​Rockshots.eu 
​Facebook.com/fortisventusofficial
​Twitter.com/fortis_ventus 

Rockshots Records - What You Need To Know... "It's All Lies" OUTSHINE Reveal First Single Off Upcoming Album "The Awakening" Out May 13th, 2022

Swedish goth rock/metal band Outshine will be presenting their fifth full-length "The Awakening" this coming May 2022 via Rockshots Records. The album follows their four previous LPs since beginning in 2007. With a vision of darkness and melancholy in a visual landscape, their forthcoming album is all about what has happened in the world during pandemic times.

"This Covid-19 era has taken a toll on the music world and showed that in troubling times the ones in power, the elites, don´t care about the common person. The lies, corruption, hidden agendas, and the rise of fascist behaviour from both unknown and known "leaders" that expands anything we´ve seen in decades are influencing and misleading people around the world making them turn on each other. A depraved glorification of the elite that hasn´t the common human being in mind has risen. The pandemic has clearly shown who gains and who doesn't. The poor and middle-class are getting poorer, the rich insanely rich and the politicians folding to comply to not be targeted." says band founder, guitarist, and vocalist Jimmy Boman.

Outshine's new music video for its single "It's All Lies" visualizes Boman's statement. Should we trust mainstream media or political leaders just because they look or behave nice? And if we don´t obey, will they hunt us down?

Watch "It's All Lies" at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2KeeE2X_F8
Digital - https://bfan.link/it-s-all-lies

Outshine's new album "The Awakening" was produced by Jimmy Boman & Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown, Sweden, and was recorded and re-recorded numerous times at Grand Recordings, Gothenburg, Sweden between 2015-2019. Final recordings were done in 2020 at Studio Meltdown, Kungsbacka, Sweden.

"The Awakening" will feature eight dark, melancholy, film noir-ish, heavy, and gloomy tracks with more of a Sisters Of Mercy, Paradise Lost & Type O Negative feel to it with influences from 1980's horror movies soundscapes.

Boman adds:

"The album's first songs are about the dark side of the pandemic and then the other songs turn more to fighting back, realizing that you yourself need to wake up and open your eyes. The final songs are about we, the common people, need to unite and fight back. Should you trust everything that is said and shown in mainstream media and TV? The idea of this record is to get the listener deep into darkness and soul-searching to awake and open their eyes. I really hope they hear, see, and feel that now, finally, all pieces are in place for what Outshine should be all about. The videos we plan to present, the sound, the lyrics, are all in sync. And that they take the lyrics to heart since they are as important as a reflection on what has happened in society the last few years during the pandemic."

Album Teaser - https://youtu.be/uui6XTKqM_E
Album Preorder - https://bit.ly/Outshine_CD

For fans of Paradise Lost, HIM, and Type O Negative, "The Awakening" is due out May 13, 2022.

Track Listing:
1. It´s All Lies - 7:03
2. Our Misery - 4:47
3. Love Is Dead - 4:16
4. Swe Hates Me - 4:15
5. No More Reasons - 3:39
6. Darkness Within (Agony) - 4:26
7. I Was The One - 4:37
8. We Know Who You Are - 7:55
Album Length: 41:05

Outshine are:
Jimmy Boman - Vocals, Guitars
Niklas Ingvarsson - Bass

Album Credits:
- Mixed & Mastered by Kenny Boufadene at Studio Meltdown, Kungsbacka, Sweden - Summer & Fall 2020.
- Produced by Kenny Boufadene & Jimmy Boman at Studio Meltdown, Kungsbacka, Sweden 2020.
- Recorded and re-recorded numerous times at Grand Recordings, Gothenburg, Sweden 2015-2019. Final recordings at Studio Meltdown, Kungsbacka, Sweden 2020.
- Cover Design by Gustavo Sazes.
- Photography by Hanna Eliasson.

Music and Lyrics:
- “It´s All Lies” & “Our Misery”
Music by Jimmy Boman, Mattias Claesson & Anders Carlberg
Lyrics by Jimmy Boman & Mattias Claesson
- “Love Is Dead”
Music by Jimmy Boman, Fredrik Kretz, Erlend Jegstad & Anders Carlberg
Lyrics by Jimmy Boman & Erlend Jegstad
- “Swe Hates Me”, “Darkness Within (Agony)”, “I Was The One”, “No More Reasons” & “We Know Who You Are”
Music by Jimmy Boman
Lyrics by Jimmy Boman & Mikael Holm
Guitars, bass, electronics, synthesizers, piano, strings & arrangements by Jimmy Boman.
Drums on the recording by Andreas Larsson except “Darkness Within (Agony)” by Jonas Källsbäck.
- Heartbeats on “I Was The One” by Sixten Boman.

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Outshineofficial.com
Instagram.com/outshineofficial
Facebook.com/outshineofficial

Discography:
- Album "Bad Things Always End Bad" (2007 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Single "Love For The Music" (2009 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Album "Until We Are Dead" (2009 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Single “Addiction” (2013 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Single “I Was Nothing” (2013 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Single “Falling” (2013 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Album “Prelude To Descent” (2013 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Single “Agony” (2014 Dead Tree Music / Sound Pollution)
- Album "1313" (2018 GAIN / Dead Tree Group) - CANCELLED
- Single “Love Is Dead” (2019 Dead Tree Group / Sound Pollution)
- Single “Nightcall” (2020 Dead Tree Group / Sound Pollution)
- Album ”The Awakening” (2022 Rockshots Records) 

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 

AEXYLIUM: Nuova Line Up + Nuovo Video

I symphonic folk metallers Aexylium  sono lieti di annunciare l'ingresso in formazione di due nuovi membri, il batterista Alberto Mezzanotte e la chitarrista Thalia Bellazecca (Endorser ESP Guitars). Entrambi ex componenti dei Frozen Crown vanno a sostituire rispettivamente Matteo Morisi e Andrea Prencisvalle,

Per festeggiare la nuova line up è da oggi disponibile sul canale Youtube di Rockshots Records il lyric video di "Spirit Of The North" brano tratto dall'ultimo studio album "The Fifth Season" in uscita oggi 29 Ottobre.

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/d7sOSPr5W9I

Lyric Video by Evolution Lab:
https://www.facebook.com/evolutionlabo​

"The Fifth Season" è disponibile in Digipak CD / Streaming / Digital Download :

CD DIGIPAK EDITION: https://bit.ly/TheFifhtSeason_CD
DIGITAL: https://bfan.link/the-fifth-season

NEXT SHOW: Sabato 26 Febbraio / Slaughter Club Paderno Dugnano in apertura ai Vision Divine
Event link (WFR):https://fb.me/e/1wV5S18Nm

Accostando strumenti tradizionali (flauto, violino, bouzouki) al symphonic metal moderno, il nuovo album degli Aexylium segue il debut del 2018 "Tales From This Land" e l'EP del 2016 "The Blind Crow". "Tales From This Land" ha superato i  120.000 streams su Spotify, e il singolo  "Revive the Village" è entrato nella classifica dei 200 singoli metal su Apple Music Germania.

Gli Aexylium hanno reinterpretato in chiave folk metal i temi principali delle colonne sonore di Game of Thrones e Vikings.
Fin dalla formazione del progetto avvenuta nel 2014, la band italiana si è esibita in rinomati festival come Dumeltica, International Music Festival, Montelago Celtic Festival, Malpaga Folk & Metal, Rock Inn Somma, Druidia e Strigarium, condividendo il palco con Elvenking, Wind Rose, Nervosa, Furor Gallico, Temperance e altri. Nonostante la pandemia e le restrizioni, nell'Agosto 2020 gli Aexylium sono stati scelti dalla città di Milano per esibirsi allo storico Castello Sforzesco.

Il nuovo album "The Fifth Season" è un concreto passo in avanti verso la crescita e la maturità musicale, ed è formato da ballate, riff taglienti, orchestrazioni complesse e brani più dark ispirati alla mitologia Norrena. L'album include anche special guest vocali come Samuele Faulisi (Atlas Pain), Arianna Bellinaso e i membri del Coro della Facoltà di Musicologia.
L'album è stato registrato ai Twilight Studio da Davide Tavecchia con l'artwork di Jan Yrlund (Manowar, Testament, Korpiklaani). 

Band Line Up:
Steven Merani - Vocals
Fabio Buzzago - Guitar / Backing Vocals
Thalia Bellazecca - Guitar
Gabriele Cacocciola - Bass
Alberto Mezzanotte - Drums
Stefano Colombo - Keyboards / Accordion / Backing Vocals
Federico Bonoldi - Violin
Leandro Pessina -Flutes / Bouzouki / Mandolin

For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Aexylium.it
Facebook.com/aexylium
Instagram.com/aexylium_official
Youtube.com/c/AexyliumOfficial
Spotify: https://sptfy.com/5y1a
Aexylium.bandcamp.com 

Hilltops Are For Dreamers: the new single and video "Revival"

Rockshots Records - Feel The "Revival" w/ Hilltops Are For Dreamers New Music Video

Album Due Out March 25th, 2022

Hilltops Are For Dreamers will be releasing their debut album "In Disbelief" via Rockshots Records on March 25th. The album itself is a world of extremes and vastly different from the band’s musical past. It blends influences from post-hardcore with acoustic blues melodies, progressive structuring, heavy riffing, a dash of black metal along with exploring electronic and cinematic paths. The record is meant to be a journey from a gloomy emotional state to a possible healing point through the process of realization. It is divided into three parts, Shadows, which is the dark unfolding of the path, Overturn, where the growing consciousness leads to the hope of a better self, and Awakening, which depicts a moment of revival and prospective remedy. For the album's mixing and mastering, they teamed up once again with Steve Lado at SL Studios.

"In Disbelief has a loose concept and it’s not a storytelling album from the point of having a main character or hero. However, each of the songs has a lyrical and musical theme that matches with the part where it belongs to." adds band founder Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos (Guitars / Bass / Keys / Programming).

Today, the band presents their first single "Revival", a personal favourite of Vasilis' as he explains further:

"One of the best tracks I have written. In my opinion, it is a very open-minded song. It’s a mix of all my influences, starting from electronic and jazz music (the acoustic parts remind me of ‘Thrice’ jazz moments) and moving to extreme metal respectively. This is why the song is accompanied by an animated music video. Lyrically, this is about realization, where you understand all these messages from the past, your nightmares, and the signs. You might have ignored them and taken some risks, but you understand now. It’s never too late."

Watch and listen to "Revival" at the following links:

Music Video - https://youtu.be/UckWHiF_Uig​

Digital - https://bfan.link/revival-1​

Hilltops Are For Dreamers are recommended for fans of Opeth, Thrice and Soilwork.

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

Track Listing:​
​Shadows​
1. Silence (5:03)
2. Severe Serenity (3:56)
3. Healing After The Fall (5:19)
​Overturn​
4. The Tide (3:15)
5. Turn Into Oblivion (4:09)
​Awakening​
6. The Sirens Woe (4:10)
7. Revival (3:53)
8. Unsoiled Soul (3:34)
Album Length: 31:99

Band Line Up:​
Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos: Guitars / Bass / Keys / Programming
Michael Enger: Vocals
Dionysus Maratos: Programming

Album Credits:​
- Guitars & bass recorded and played by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos
- Keys and programming by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos
- Vocals performed by Michael Enger
- Drums arranged and programmed by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos & Dionysus Maratos
- Drums refined and edited by Defkalion Dimos
- All music & lyrics by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos, except ‘Unsoiled Soul’ music by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos & Dionysus Maratos; classical guitar lead by Victor Lamprinos
- Recorded by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos at Hilltops Recordings & Michael Enger
- Produced by Steve Lado at SL Studios (Black Fate's "Ithaca", released via Rockshots Records)
- Mixed & Mastered by Steve Lado at SL Studios
- Co-Produced, edited & engineered by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos
- Artwork synthesis & design by Sophia D.
- Band Logo by Sophia D.
- Artwork photography by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos

About:
Hilltops are for Dreamers (HAFD) is an ambitious project that took shape and form in London around 2018 by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos. However, they pride themselves in being a multinational band, specifically, UK and Greece-based. The band was born through the ashes of the five-piece Greek metalcore act ‘From Zero To Hero, (FO2H)’ that was disbanded in 2012 immediately after the release of their debut album and Dionysus Maratos (ex-FO2H, Celene) was the only one who joined HAFD in their first steps.

Since 2018, the band has managed to self-release their first ‘self-titled’ EP (January 2020) in digital format, receiving a number of positive reviews, including Metal Hammer, Greece (07/10). Mainly focused on a post-hardcore direction, the EP has successfully blended early ‘00s metalcore elements with blues licks and catchy melodies. One lyric and a unique music video have also been produced to support the achievement.

Additionally, during the first Covid-19 lockdown, they wrote and then released the split digital EP ‘A Transition’ (July 2020) with the fellow band ‘Repent For Joy’, pushing their music a step further. That release was accompanied by a music video for the song ‘The Tide’, featuring Michael Enger, who also does vocals on the debut album, ‘In Disbelief’.

What first began as a studio project by Vasilis Papageorgakopoulos from the unfulfilled musical restlessness of the past has become a strong collaboration of fellow international musicians to create and record.

In the end, everyone's goal remains the same; to create influential music following the vision of a no-boundaries-physical or not-world where people connect with sounds and emotions.

Fun Facts:

The artwork photographs were taken over the years by Vasilis in the UK, he never thought that they could be used to synthesize the album inner booklet, but now they are. They challenge fans to find out where some of the pics are from, especially the one in the ‘Awakening’ part of the booklet.

Some of the lyrics were written/conceptualized by Vasilis while he traveled to work by train before the Covid era. Also, some of them are the outcome of just singing while strolling/walking around the streets of London.

For more info:
​Facebook.com/HilltopsAreForDreamers​
​Instagram.com/hilltopsarefordreamers​
​Spotify 

Out Now! Symphonic Pirate Metal CRUSADE of BARDS New Album “Tales of the Seven Seas”

 New Music Video "Vento Aureo"

Symphonic pirate metal CRUSADE of BARDS are excited to share their treasure chest of epic tales with the release of their sophomore album “Tales of The Seven Seas” via Rockshots Records, out now as of Feb 18th. 

With an emotional and energetic live-action production for all kinds of audiences from power to folk, from gothic to pagan, the band has been making a name for themselves with touring and festival performances in Germany, Switzerland, France, and their home country of Spain.

Today, in celebration of their new record, the band is offering their latest music video for their track "Vento Aureo". The song is about the rise of the Marine Republic of Venice. From the era of the Doges to the expeditions to the far east, from the expansion of the trade to the construction of the most unique city in the world. The Italian words in the chorus are the actual lyrics of the hymn of Venice.

The band adds:

“The choice of Vento Aureo as one of our singles and for a video clip was pretty simple. This is the song that better defines what Crusade of Bards has grown to be. You get the pure angelical vocals, the deep growls, the big extravaganza of the orchestra, the catchy chorus, and the raise-your-fists moment. The grandeur of Venice and its ability to expand in a time of wars and political fights with class and diplomacy is also a great reflection of the spirit of the band and how we embark on our journey not comparing to others, but rather trying to be our best version possible without boundaries, without limits.”

Watch "Vento Aureo" at https://youtu.be/TlScyKYsIdg 

Crusade of Bards was formed in 2016 by Paolo Andreotti (keyboards & vocals) and Eleanor Tenebre (vocals) to create music that could mix all their favorite styles and concepts. Initially just a studio project, it soon grew into a full live production that the band describes as witnessing the "Wien-Orchestra directed by Davy Jones".

On this second album, Crusade of Bards has a mix of history-inspired songs and social themes. Paolo Andreotti (keyboards & vocals) is the lyricist and he loves history and geography so the whole concept of the record revolves around the 7 seas, 2 songs for every sea, and each of them about stories that took place or refer to the area washed by them. As you dig deeper into the lyrics, the structure chosen tends to use the same rhetorical figures of romanticism and neo-realism with a strong connection between the sound of a certain word and its meaning. This leads to inner references that may be appreciated by just reading the lyrics, even without the music.

"Tales of the Seven Seas" is the band's second album inside the “Tales” saga, a broader concept that started with their first album "Tales of Bards & Beasts". It revolves around the figure of the “Bard” and the different tales, songs, and myths that the storyteller would present to the public of the different towns and villages visited. While the first album "Tales of Bards & Beasts" was more about myths and legends, "Tales of the Seven Seas" is mainly based on true historical events that have happened in each of them. The concept can be also found in the musical aspects where traditional instruments, scales, or sounds coming from the cultures that live or lived on the shores of the seven mentioned seas are blended into the songs to create the perfect environment for the listener.

The band explains further:

“With this album, we want to make a statement, we want the fans to really understand who Crusade of Bards is both musically and visually. We want them to open their minds, join us on our journeys through space and time, discover new stories and understand that we, as human beings, have changed very little. Our sins, our mistakes, our victories, and our feelings are not new or undiscovered. They are just there, floating on the ocean, waiting for us to collect them”.

Crusade of Bards "Tales of The Seven Seas" is due out on February 18, 2022 and is recommended for fans of Epica, Eluveitie, Alestorm.

CD - https://bit.ly/tales7seasCD

DIGITAL - https://bfan.link/tales-of-the-seven-seas

Track Listing:
1. Anuri (1:57)
2. The Northwest Passage (5:53)
3. An Ocean Between Us - Part III - A New World (5:56)
4. Dunkirk Privateers (3:48)
5. Vento Aureo (5:14)
6. Naupaktos (4:56)
7. Manti (interlude) (0:24)
8. The Red Charade (5:28)
9. Hasard (3:06)
10. Samudr Ka Mandir (4:38)
11. Lies & Ashes (5:23)
12. Leap Of Faith (5:16)
13. The White Witch (4:46)
14. As above, so below (outro) (1:28)

Crusade of Bards are:
Eleanor Tenebre – Vocals
Eduardo Guilló – Vocals
Paolo Andreotti – Keyboards & Vocals
Adrian Carrero – Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Marc Brode – Bass Guitars
Jorge “You” Homobono - Drums

Orchestral Arrangements by Dani G at Estudios Dynamita.
Acoustic Guitars recorded by Pablo Coello at California Studios.
Bagpipes recorded by Andrea Joglar at Estudios Dynamita.

Guest Vocals on Track 2 by Lady Ani.
Guest Vocals on Track 11 by Fabio Lione.
Pre-Production by Victor Saiz at California Studios in Madrid, Spain.

Produced by Dani G & Crusade of Bards.

Recorded at Estudios Dynamita in Viella, Asturies, Spain between September & December 2020.

Arrangements by Dani G & Adrian Carrero.
Engineered by Dani G.

Mixed & Mastered by Dani G at Estudios Dynamita between March & May 2021.
Front cover art & booklet by Daniel Alonso (www.danielalonso.es)

Photoshoot by Nat Enemede.
Make-Up & Hair by Natalia Barrios.
All music & lyrics by Crusade of Bards.
 
For more info:
Rockshots.eu
Facebook.com/CrusadeBards
Instagram.com/crusadeofbards_ 

LionSoul: contratto discografico con Rockshots Records per la pubblicazione del nuovo album "A Pledge To Darkness" in uscita ad Aprile 2022

 

Rockshots Records è lieta di annunciare la firma di un contratto discografico con la heavy/power metal band LionSoul, per la pubblicazione del nuovo album "A Pledge To Darkness" il prossimo Aprile 2022. 

“A Pledge to Darkness” è il terzo album della band, e segue l'acclamato “Welcome Storm” (Limb Music). Il disco è un grande passo in avanti nella carriera della band poichè è più eterogeneo e in qualche modo più oscuro dei precedenti. Sono infatti presenti tracce che vanno dal thrash al melodic death metal, oltre a voci in stile death metal per dare maggior enfasi ad alcuni passaggi. L' album è una composizione di differenti approcci stilistici, i quali però convergono tutti alle radici power/heavy che sono alla base del sound.

I brani spaziano da una opener tipicamente power metal fino ad una ballata western futuristica, da tracce speed metal - che strizzano l'occhio al thrash e al death metal - a brani synthwave anni 80', da inni mid-tempo in stile teutonico al quasi onnipresente Cyberpunk.
“A Pledge to Darkness” rimane a tutti gli effetti un album power metal, ma con contaminazioni attentamente calibrate.

"Immaginate che il vostro pianeta sia alla fine della sua vita e voi avete l'onere di preservare la conoscenza. Quindi prendete una navicella spaziale per Los Angeles nell'anno 2049, mentre passate attraverso un portale tra il 1953 e il 1986, e allo stesso tempo cambiate la pelle per salvare l'umanità da un virus", commenta la band.

“A Pledge to Darkness” sarà pubblicato il prossimo 29 Aprile da Rockshots Records ed è già disponibile in pre-order: https://bit.ly/LionSoul_CD 

TRACKLISTING:

1. Continuum
2. Exile to Arise
3. Amber of Illusion
4. Wailing in Red
5. No Beginning (Nor An End)
6. Soldier through time
7. Skin 2
8. A pledge to Darkness
9. Red Flame
10. Man, Machine, Almost Rhyme
11. The Stranger

Album Credits:
- Composed and Produced by Ivan Castelli and Aurelio Parise
- All scream and growl vocals by Claudio Facheris
- "Piano on “Red Flame” by Hester Digilio
- Recorded and Mixed  by Fabrizio “Izio” Romani at Media Factory Studio – Esine (IT) 
- Vocal parts recorded by Andrea Facheris at Loft-1 Studio – Dalmine (IT) 
- Mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio in San Marino 
- Cover art by Stan W. Decker 
- Digipak and booklet graphics by Clara Lunati

For more info:​
​Rockshots.eu​
www.lionsoul.it
https://www.facebook.com/lionsoulband 
https://twitter.com/LionSoul_band
https://www.instagram.com/lionsoulofficial
https://www.eaglesnestproduction.it