Archive for August, 2021

PSYCHEDELIC ROCKERS HIMMELLEGEME DEBUT NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: August 31, 2021 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Psychedelic Rockers HIMMELLEGEME dip a toe into the waters of history for the third single taken from their upcoming sophomore full-length album “Variola Vera”.  And their chosen subject is none other than one of the notorious, if not the most notorious, of the Roman emperors,  Caligula himself.

Why, you might be asking, has a Norwegian band chosen this well-known miscreant as the subject matter for a track on “Variola Vera”?   Well, it would seem that HIMMELLEGEME see something of themselves, and us, in his flawed character, as the band’s Alexander Vormestrand explains:

So, “Caligula” is a weird one that required an unconventional method of writing from me. Melodically we drew some inspiration from some of our favourite contemporary music, such as AIMING FOR ENRIKE and ULVER, as well as KEVIN PARKER, while lyrically I was inspired by the Roman emperor Caligula. There are so many phases of this person’s life that makes him an interesting character. Many people might even find similarities from their own youth – from being a benevolent boy to becoming a horrible young man. Most of us have phases growing up, so I had to kinda get in character with this one, which may or may not have included lit candles and a “bucket o’crazy” in the middle of the night while my girlfriend slept. The verses depict Caligula  going through different phases, while the chorus is about him finding peace while he gets closer to the end of his life.

“Caligula” can be streamed or downloaded from a number of services at:

https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/Himmellegeme_Caligula

Drawing their influence from both Blues and Atmospheric Prog Rock, HIMMELLEGEME’s lineup of  Aleksander Vormestrand (vocals, guitar), Hein Alexander Olson (lead guitar, slide, drums), Lauritz Isaksen (keys), Erik Alfredsen (bass, backing vocals, misc. instruments) and Leiv Martin Green (drums, backing vocals), have come up with a second studio release that is, according to them, not quite a concept album, but which does, nevertheless, have a theme running through it:

The overall themes of the album are the impact we humans have on planet earth, and the destruction we leave in our wake wherever we go. Not only in regards to the planet itself, but also to the people inhabiting it. It’s not a concept album per se – the lyrics are fictional with roots in reality, but based on newer and older events seen from different viewpoints.  

By using heavy-hitting riffs, chilling melodies and melancholic lyrics, HIMMELLEGEME have, on “Variola Vera”, created a dark, otherworldly, and timeless sound which was recorded  from late spring through to the  late fall of 2020 at Bergen’s Broen Studio. The  album was produced by Anders Bjelland (ELECTRIC EYE / HYPERTEXT) who also handled the mixing and the mastering.

With cover art by Samantha Muljat,  Karisma Records are set to release “Variola Vera” on the 1st of October in CD, Digital, and Limited Edition LP Formats, and it is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp: https://himmellegeme.bandcamp.com/album/variola-vera
Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/product/artist/himmellegeme/

Track listing on “Variola Vera” is as follows:

  1. Shaping Mirrors Like Smoke
  2. Heart Listening
  3. Blowing Raspberries
  4. Brother
  5. Let the Mother Burn
  6. Caligula
  7. Agafia
  8. Variola Vera

More information about HIMMELLEGEME can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/himmellegemeband/

The official video for the track “Blowing Raspberries” from HIMMELLEGEME’s “Variola Vera” album can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/A1f6ihTE2II

The official video by Rasmus Even Hol Skjegstad and Leander Håvik for the track “Natteravn” from HIMMELLEGEME’s album “Myth of Earth” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/JVyIGFFbPQs

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/himmellegemeband/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/himmellegemeband/
Band contact: himmellegeme.contact@gmail.com
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

NEW SINGLE FROM THE UPCOMING MONSTEREO ALBUM REVEALED

Posted: August 27, 2021 in Uncategorized
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“In the Hollow of a Wave”, the third full-length album from MONSTEREO promises to be the heaviest work that the Norwegian rockers, known for their energy-filled rock songs, have released to date. 

Having had over a decade in which to refine their sound,  the band’s latest release is richer, and broader, than its two predecessors, with its judicious use of more keyboards, synths, and a variety of guitars, producing a  sound that is full of heavy riffs interspersed with exploratory instrumental sections.

Karisma Records have previously assuaged our curiosity with a taste of what expect from “In the Hollow of a Wave” with two singles and videos, and today they  have released a third single from the album.  Titled “Witness”, the track can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at https://orcd.co/monstereo-witness

It is a single about which MONSTEREO had this to say:

“Witness” is an attempt, both musically and lyrically, to depict the various frustrations and hardships many have recently suffered. The tune is based on one of the most aggressive riffs on the album, complemented by verses and a chorus that serve to paint the picture of despair and disdain. The songs core is a classic instrumental Monstereo-build up, where airy subtleness and instrumentation evolve into a climax.

Describing their new opus as being filled with “teeth-grinding riffs, big choruses and rock-solid grooves”, MONSTEREO’s lineup of Ola Utaaker Segadal on lead vocals and electric guitars, Øyvind Aase Fluge on electric guitars, Jørgen Stangeland Bach on Bass guitar, and Jon Bolstad on Drums, are masters at producing catchy melodies that contain a few surprises along the  way.

Set for release on the 17th September in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, “In the Hollow of a Wave” is now available to pre-ordered from:

Bandcamp: https://monstereo.bandcamp.com
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/product/preorder
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/ 

With artwork by Robert Høyem, track listing for “In the Hollow of a Wave” is as follows:

  1. Third Eye Seeing
  2. A Sudden Rush
  3. Wings I: Everlasting Darkness
  4. Jigsaw
  5. Witness
  6. Wings II: Beyond Horizons
  7. Wings III: Icarus
  8. Golden

A  video for “A Sudden Rush”, the recently released first  single from MONSTEREO’s “In the Hollow of a Wave” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/GXaW8vat4p8

Whilst the lyric video for the second single release “Wings I: Everlasting Darkness” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/x-TnCVFMQUk

More  information about MONSTEREO can be found on the band’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen, or on their website at http://www.monstereo.no/ 

Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen  
Website: http://www.monstereo.no/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MONSTEREOBERGEN/ 
Band Contact:  monstereo.bergen@gmail.com
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

AVANTGARDE METALLERS IF NOTHING IS REVEAL NEW SINGLE FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: August 18, 2021 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Dark Essence Records have today revealed a new single, taken from the much-anticipated re-release of the 2015 self-titled debut full-length album from IF NOTHING IS, the brainchild of DØDHEIMSGARD bassist Lars Emil Måløy. 

The single, “Darkspace Navigator”, can be downloaded or streamed from a variety of services at:

https://darkessencerecords.fanlink.to/INI_DarkspaceNavigator

It is a track about which the band had this to say:

The lyrics of Darkspace Navigator tell  of a deity that exists in the void between dimensions. An entity that causes  various paranormal phenomena to occur when it chooses to interfere with our world. On the musical side of things this track covers a lot of ground. Starting off with an electro-acoustic section, followed by fast metal parts, groovy stuff, tapping, slapping, beats, cramp inducing chords, and so on. Give it a spin!

Despite its pedigree, the album’s original release passed by largely unnoticed due to it having  only been available through a limited selection of digital platforms. But, on the  10th September, Dark Essence Records intend to bring to light this gem of an album that embodies everything that  lies at the heart of extreme and technical metal music.

Having been  completely  re-mixed and re-mastered, “If Nothing Is” ranges from thrash, speed and death, to black metal, melding sharp technical skills and creative songwriting with a keen eye for detail and a streak of madness. 

IF NOTHING IS’ lineup of Boeddelen on vocals and lyrics, Håkon Grytvik and Mats Stenberg on guitars,  Lars Emil Måløy on  bass, FX, backing vocals, lyrics, main composer and Vegard Myrdal Berg on drums, backing vocals and lyrics, have been joined by  DØDHEIMSGARD’s Vicotnik on synths, beats and samples, and have come up with an album where each song is a journey in itself, replete with intersecting passages that are progressive and experimental,  along with rich jazzy parts.

With new original artwork by Ulf Simon Lindgren “If Nothing Is”  will be available in a CD and a gatefold clear transparent double LP versions  for the first time ever, as well as digitally.  Track listing as follows:

1. 101
2. Sovereign
3. Juvenihil
4. Anti Horde
5. Dominant Outlaw Nation
6. Postapo Calypso
7. Darkspace Navigator
8. Intermezzanine
9. Apsylum Absolute
10. If Nothing Is

It is now available to pre-order now from the following:

Dark Essence Webshop:  https://darkessencerecords.no/artists/if-nothing-is/

If Nothing is bandcamp:  https://ini-official.bandcamp.com/album/if-nothing-is-2

US webshop:  https://darkessence.aisamerch.com/

More information about IF NOTHING IS can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/INI101

Additional Information
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/INI101
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iniofficial/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPtsQQ1D_TMTfbW7odC_S5g
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6JPOsXyyLZv5RS6dPGP3vt
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ini-official
Band Contact: ini101mail@gmail.com
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop:  http://darkessence.aisamerch.com/
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

PSYCHEDELIC ROCKERS HIMMELLEGEME REVEAL NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: August 10, 2021 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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As the time ticks down to the October 1 release of HIMMELLEGEME’s sophomore full-length “Variola Vera”, Karisma Records have released another single and accompanying video from the album to whet the appetite of the band’s growing fan-base.

The track chosen glories in the title of “Blowing Raspberries” about which the band have this to say:

“Blowing Raspberries”  was also one of the earlier tracks written for this release. Aleksander brought the band a short demo, sort of as a joke. It wasn’t like anything he’d written before, but we quickly realized it had the potential to be a banger. Lyrically the subject is written as a space cop drama set in the future. Both lyrically and musically there are some hints pointing to a certain decade – or time period – so, put your down on and shake your bones loose!

“Blowing Raspberries” can be downloaded or streamed from a number of services at:

https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/Himmellegeme_BlowingRaspberries

Whilst the video can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/A1f6ihTE2II

Recorded from late spring through to the  late fall of 2020 at Bergen’s Broen Studio, “Variola Vera” is the follow-up to HIMMELLEGEME’s critically acclaimed debut “Myth of Earth”, an album that brought the band to the attention of prog audiences world-wide.

Produced by Anders Bjelland (ELECTRIC EYE / HYPERTEXT) who also mixed and mastered the album, “Variola Vera” is, according to the band, “not quite a concept album” as they recently explained:

The overall themes of the album are the impact we humans have on planet earth, and the destruction we leave in our wake wherever we go. Not only in regards to the planet itself, but also to the people inhabiting it. It’s not a concept album per se – the lyrics are fictional with roots in reality, but based on newer and older events seen from different viewpoints.  

Influenced by both Blues and Atmospheric Prog Rock, HIMMELLEGEME’s lineup of  Aleksander Vormestrand (vocals, guitar), Hein Alexander Olson (lead guitar, slide, drums), Lauritz Isaksen (keys), Erik Alfredsen (bass, backing vocals, misc. instruments), Leiv Martin Green (drums, backing vocals), use heavy-hitting riffs, chilling melodies and melancholic lyrics, to create a dark, otherworldly, and timeless sound.

With cover art by Samantha Muljat, the track list for “Variola Vera” is as follows:

  1. Shaping Mirrors Like Smoke
  2. Heart Listening
  3. Blowing Raspberries
  4. Brother
  5. Let the Mother Burn
  6. Caligula
  7. Agafia
  8. Variola Vera

Set for release in CD, Digital, and Limited Edition LP Formats, “Variola Vera” is now available to pre-order from:

Bandcamp: https://himmellegeme.bandcamp.com/album/variola-vera

Webshop: https://www.karismarecords.no/product/artist/himmellegeme/

More information about HIMMELLEGEME can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/himmellegemeband/

The official video by Rasmus Even Hol Skjegstad and Leander Håvik for the track “Natteravn” from HIMMELLEGEME’s album “Myth of Earth” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/JVyIGFFbPQs

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/himmellegemeband/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/himmellegemeband/
Band contact: himmellegeme.contact@gmail.com
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/

HELHEIM RETURN TO THEIR ROOTS WITH UPCOMING ALBUM – SINGLE AND VIDEO REVEALED

Posted: August 4, 2021 in DARK ESSENCE RECORDS, HELHEIM, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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Known the world-over for their  authenticity and integrity when it comes to portraying their Norse heritage, Norway’s HELHEIM will be back this Autumn  with their eleventh full-length album “WoduridaR”,  which  promises a return to the roots that the band forged almost 30 years ago.

As a follow up to 2017’s “LandawarijaR” and 2019’s “Rignir”, “WoduridaR” fuses the aggression of the former with the focus on the atmosphere and melodies and the use of clean vocals of the latter, something that the band found exciting, and are interested in developing further.  For  good measure, the judicious use of elements from all of HELHEIM’s releases has produced an album that sums up their legendary career.

“WoduridaR” is an Old Norse word, which  can be translated as “The Wild Rider”, and lines can be drawn directly between the album’s title to Odin’s many names and meanings.  It is not, however, a concept album, with the tracks being  independent from  each other, and each one free to tell its own story .

As a taster of what fans can expect from “WoduridaR”  Dark Essence Records have released the title track from the album as a single, and it can be streamed or downloaded from a number of services at

https://darkessencerecords.fanlink.to/Helheim_WoduridaR_Single

In addition, Visual Artist Costin Chioreanu has produced a video for the track “WoduridaR”  which can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/7-1NQImMowU

Commenting on “WoduridaR”, HELHEIM had this to say:

With “WoduridaR” we have returned to the harshness and the paradigms of “LandawarijaR”, with explosive,  mid-paced melodies that have an emotive refrain which summons the northern flames. Helheim never falters, Helheim never surrenders.

 “WoduridaR”  was recorded by VULTURE INDUSTRIES’ Bjørnar E. Nilsen at Bergen’s Conclave & Earshot Studio.  With artwork by Tom Korsvold, tracklisting for “WoduridaR”  is as follows:

  1. Vilje av stål
  2. Forrang for fiender
  3. WoduridaR
  4. Åndsfilosofen
  5. Ni s soli sot
  6. Litil vis madr
  7. Tankesmed
  8. Det Kommer i Bølger
  9. Hazard (LP & digital only)

Set for release on Dark Essence Records on the 29th October, “WoduridaR”  will be available in CD, Double Silver LP, and Digital formats, and can now be pre-ordered from:

Webshop:  https://darkessencerecords.no/kar218-helheim-woduridar/
Bandcamp: ttps://helheim.bandcamp.com/album/woduridar
US Webshop: https://darkessence.aisamerch.com/

As well as having been confirmed for Hellfest and the Dark Troll Festival in 2022, HELHEIM will play the following two dates in Bergen this week.

Thu 05 Aug: Victoria Cafe & Pub, Bergen, Norway (celebrating the venue’s 15th Anniversary)
Fri 06 Aug:  Beyond the Gates Uprising Festival, USF Verftet, Bergen, Norway

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Helheim Website: http://www.helheim.com
Helheim Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/helheimnorway
Helheim Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helheimofficial/
Helheim  YouTube:  http://www.youtube.com/frosjo
Helheim Bandcamp:  https://helheim.bandcamp.com
Helhiem SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/helheimofficial
Band Contact: helheim@helheim.com
Booking: bjornar@propulsionmusic.no
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence Records YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/DarkEssenceRecords
Dark Essence Records Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darkessencerecords/
Dark Essence Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/DarkEssenceRec
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records North American Webshop:  http://darkessence.aisamerch.com/
Dark Essence Records Australian Webshop:  https://www.heavymetalmerchant.com/bands/d/dark-essence-records/

ROCKERS MONSTEREO REVEAL NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO FROM UPCOMING ALBUM

Posted: August 4, 2021 in KARISMA RECORDS, OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASES
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With just over a month to go until the release of “In the Hollow of a Wave”, the third full-length album from Norwegian Rockers MONSTEREO, Karisma Records have today released a new single taken from the album.   Titled “Wings I: Everlasting Darkness”, the band had this to say about it:

“Wings I” is the soundtrack of supersonic spacetravel. A modern take on the 70s progressive rock. With obligatory duelling guitars, rumbling organs, several high pitched vocal tracks and spaced-out-synthesizers. A cacophony of sound culminating in a rock’n roll banger that pushes the pop format to the edge of outer space.

“Wings I: Everlasting Darkness” can be download or streamed from a variety of services at

https://karismarecords.fanlink.to/Monstereo_WingsIEverlastingDarkness

Whilst the lyric video can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/x-TnCVFMQUk

For over a decade now MONSTEREO’s lineup of Ola Utaaker Segadal on lead vocals and electric guitars, Øyvind Aase Fluge on electric guitars, Jørgen Stangeland Bach on Bass guitar, and Jon Bolstad on Drums have been delighting fans with their energy-filled rock songs.  

And, for “In the Hollow of a Wave”, MONSTEREO have used that energy to great effect, producing an album that is filled to the brim with the band’s trademark catchy melodies, heavy riffs and big sound,  all of which are seamlessly combined with exploratory instrumental sections that lead the listener towards a euphoric climax. 

The sound on “In the Hollow of a Wave”,  is far richer, and more broad,  than anything  the band has come up with before.  With the deft  use of more keyboards, synths, and a variety of guitars, MONSTEREO have, without a doubt,  produced their heaviest album to date, which,  according to the band, is filled with “teeth-grinding riffs, big choruses and rock-solid grooves”.

With artwork by Robert Høyem, track listing for “In the Hollow of a Wave” is as follows:

  1. Third Eye Seeing
  2. A Sudden Rush
  3. Wings I: Everlasting Darkness
  4. Jigsaw
  5. Witness
  6. Wings II: Beyond Horizons
  7. Wings III: Icarus
  8. Golden

Set for release on the 17th September, “In the Hollow of a Wave” will be available in CD, Vinyl and Digital formats, and can now be pre-ordered at:

Bandcamp: https://monstereo.bandcamp.com
Webshop:  https://www.karismarecords.no/product/preorder
US Webshop: https://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/ 

A  video for “A Sudden Rush”, the recently released first  single from the album can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/GXaW8vat4p8

More  information about MONSTEREO can be found on the band’s Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen, or on their website at http://www.monstereo.no/ 

Additional Information
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monstereobergen  
Website: http://www.monstereo.no/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MONSTEREOBERGEN/ 
Band Contact:  monstereo.bergen@gmail.com
Karisma Records contact: post@karismarecords.no 
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records Bandcamp: https://karismarecords.bandcamp.com
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma Records Twitter: https://twitter.com/KarismaRecords
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/