Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Ester Segarra

NIKLAS KVARFORTH, the founder and frontman of Sweden’s SHINING, has never hidden the fact that he has suffered from severe mental problems all his life, something that has impacted his private and public life, both positively and negatively.   His is a struggle with mental illness that affects many individuals on a day to day basis, and it is this that attracted the interest of Art House documentary producer Claudio Marino and his film production company Artax Film.

This interest has resulted in a short documentary about mental illness as seen through the eyes of Niklas Kvarforth.  Titled “Cold Void”,  the documentary  is a personal portrait of the man behind headlines that have included suicide and self-destruction, addiction, bipolar disorder, passion and schizophrenia.  Headlines that have sometimes been true, and sometimes the result of the media’s desire for sensationalism over truth.  And sometimes even the result of detractors who have, often intentionally,  misunderstood SHINING’s ethos and that of its volatile creator.

Marino is quick to point out that “Cold Void” is a film for anyone interested in life stories, and was not made with the intention of pandering to SHINING’s fans.  It is, rather,  very much a personal journey, bringing a much-needed clarity and lack of sensationalism to the subject of Niklas Kvarforth.

Working in the fields of music video and graphic design, Marino is known for his documentary “Blood and Spirit”,  a trilogy about three different artists who live for their art, and who include a Tattoo Artist, an MMA fighter, and a Satanist, in the form of E from WATAIN, a well known figure in the worLd of Black Metal.  It is therefore understandable why he should have chosen Kvarforth as his next subject:

“I’ve known about Niklas and his music for a long time”, commented Marino. ” His story interested me and I wanted to know more about him as a person.  I did some research and we got in contact.  I showed him my documentary trilogy ‘Blood and Spirit’ and he was interested in working with me. We  got along from the start and he proved  to be very cooperative. He was brutally honest,  and never left  any of my questions unanswered”.

“Cold Void” is set for release in the autumn of 2017 in Swedish with English sub-titles, and with music by TREHA SEKTORI. It will be available world-wide in DVD format directly from Artax Film and Shining themselves, as well as via VOD.

A video teaser for “Cold Void” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/2t8aJhdALFE 


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More information about Artax Film can be found at http://www.artaxfilm.com.  Anyone interested in endorsement or sponsorship opportunities related to “Cold Void”, or would like to work on translations into other languages,  please contact info@artaxfilm.com

Cold Void Kvarforth Poster

SHINING will head to North America for a headlining 18-date tour starting on the 5th May, supported by REVENGE and WOLVHAMMER.  Routing as follows:

May 05: Sparta Inn,  Baltimore, MD
May 06: Championship Bar, Trenton, NJ
May 07: L’Anti Bar & Spectacles,  Quebec City, QC
May 08: Theatre Fairmount, Montreal, QC
May 09: The Garrison,  Toronto, ON
May 10: Harpos Detroit, MI
May 11:  Reggies, Chicago, IL
May 12: The Riot Room,  Kansas City, MI
May 14: The Shredder,  Boise, ID
May 15: The Red Room Ultra Bar, Vancouver (without Revenge)
May 16: Studio Seven,  Seattle, WA
May 17: Tonic Lounge,  Portland, OR
May 18: Oakland Metro Opera House,  Oakland, CA
May 19: Adrenaline Sports Bar and Grill,  Las Vegas, NV
May 20: Complex,  Los Angeles, CA
May 21: Joe’s Grotto,  Phoenix, AZ
May 23: Grizzly Hall,  Austin, TX
May 24: The Rail Club, Fort Worth, TX

More  information about SHINING website at www.shiningasylum.com   or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/shiningofficial

SHINING releases and merchandise, including exclusive limited edition items not available elsewhere, can be found at http://www.shininglegions.com

The official video for the track “Vilja & Drömfrom”  SHINING’s album  “IX – Everyone, Everything, Everywhere, Ends” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/QO1JZ0qTSuE


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: www.shiningasylum.com
Shining on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/shiningofficial
Niklas Kvarforth Official Fan Page on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kvarforthofficialfanpage
Shining Webshop: http://www.shininglegions.com
Shining on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/shining-official
Official  YouTube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/OfficialShining
PR: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Booking: luc@rtn-touring.com
Artax Film
http://www.artaxfilm.com
Inkbloodandspirit.com
Fightbloodandspirit.com
Musicbloodandspirit.com

 

Ragnarok PR1

Following on from their successful joint tour in October of last year, Norwegian veterans RAGNAROK have once again teamed up with Slovenia’s CVINGER for part two of the “Psychopathology” Tour, which this time ranges further  East through Europe to bring fans a Black Metal package that also includes France’s INFINITYUM and Ireland’s AETERNUM VALE .  Routing for the “Psychopathology” Tour, named after RAGNAROK’s eight full-length album which was released on Agonia Records last year, is as follows:

19.05: Skullcrusher, Dresden (DE)
20.05: Red & Black,  Chorzow (PL)
21.05: Hydrozagadka ,  Warsaw (PL)
23.05: Blue Hell,  Budapest (HU)
24.05: Majestic Music Club,  Bratislava (SK)
25.05: Nova Chmelnice, Prague (CZ)
26.05: From Hell, Erfurt (DE)
27.05: Backstage,  Munich (DE)
28.05: Blackland,  Berlin (DE)

Ragnarok European Tour 2017

There is currently an open spot for an opening band on the tour, and anyone interested is welcome to contact s.j@infamous-thrones.si or bruchsteinrec@aol.com for more information.

With well over two decades on the Black Metal scene, RAGNAROK has undergone its fair share of lineup changes, with the one constant being Jontho,  the band’s founder, and one of Norway’s most recognisable and iconic drummers.   So it was with some surprise when Jontho traded in his drumsticks for a mic and took over as the band’s vocalist.  A change that has been greeted with much support and approval from RAGNAROK’s army of fans.  Aside from Jontho on vocals, the band’s lineup includes long-standing guitarist Bolverk (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT) and drummer Daniel Minge (DAUDEN), with session bassists Viti (IMAGES AT TWILIGHT, HINSIDIG) and Rammr (JORDSKIPSTYRANN), who will be joining the band for this tour, alternating duties.

More information about RAGNAROK can be found on the band’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial  or on their  website at http://www.ragnarokhorde.com/

PRESS ACCREDITATIONS: JOURNALISTS INTERESTED IN COVERING RAGNAROK‘S SHOWS / ARRANGING AN INTERVIEW WITH THE BAND, PLEASE CONTACTpromotion@agoniarecords.com

A  video for the track ” Dominance and Submission” from  RAGNAROK’s full-length album “Psychopathology” can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/KGGck_iqy3E


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The entire album can be heard below and on BandCamp at https://agoniarecords.bandcamp.com/album/psychopathology
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Eleven tracks spanning over two decades of RAGNAROK’s career can be heard below and at http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial/sets/ragnarok-live-set-list


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CVINGER on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Cvinger666/
INFINITYUM on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InfinityumOfficial/
AETERNUM VALE on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aeternum.vale.9/

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ragnarokofficial
Website: http://www.ragnarokhorde.com
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/RagnarokNorway
Official Spotify Playlist:  http://spoti.fi/2c34nFG
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/ragnarokofficial
Management: https://patriciathomasmanagement.com/
Management Contact: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Label: http://www.agoniarecords.com
For promo copies: info@agoniarecords.com

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Norwegian Black Metallers SARKOM, whose fourth full-length album “Anti-Cosmic Art”  was released on Dark Essence Records at the end of last year, have today revealed a video of a track from the album.  Produced and directed by Andreas Luggen Martinussen , Edited by Kolbjørn Voll Hjelmerud and with music and lyrics by SARKOM founder and frontman E. Unsgaard, the video for the track “Seen through the eyes of a pedophile priest” can be seen below and on YouTube at https://youtu.be/fBsh5tKBrhg 


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Dealing, without a doubt,  about a controversial subject, Unsgaard had this to say about the track itself and the video:

“I got the idea for this song after seeing the documentary “Deliver Us From Evil”.  Pedophilia is something most people despise and don’t want to talk about, but it’s a deadly serious theme as these predators actually live amongst us.  I did some research and the lyrics are based on how I would interpret the mind and thoughts of a pedophile.  As for the video itself, it turned out pretty much as I had envisioned it, and I am very satisfied with the result.  More so because it gave us the chance to work with a professional team with extensive experience gained in TV production.  They also seemed to enjoy doing something different as working on this kind of music/video project was something new to them.  I mean, the last TV production they worked on was “Paradise Hotel”…

SARKOM is set to appear at Inferno Festival in Oslo for the Dark Essence Label night which will take place at Blå on Wednesday 12th April.  For their appearance the band will  play a special set which will include songs that have rarely, or never, been played live.  Additionally, the set will feature a guest appearance from BEASTCRAFT’s Sorath Northgrove.

Other Dark Essence Records bands scheduled for the event are SLEGEST, HAIL SPIRIT NOIR and SULPHUR.

SARKOM will also be appearing at the Dark Easter Metal Meeting in Munich, Germany, on the 15th April.

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

Dark Essence Records released SARKOM’s third full-length album “Doomsday Elite” in both CD and Digital formats in 2013,  followed by the release of  the band’s two earlier albums – 2006’s “Aggravation of Mind” and 2008’s “Bestial Supremacy” in Digital format.  All three albums are available from, and can be heard at, https://sarkom.bandcamp.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Sarkom Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/sarkom
Sarkom Bandcamp:  https://sarkom.bandcamp.com
Sarkom Website: http://www.sarkomsect.com/
Sarkom MySpace: https://myspace.com/sarkom
Band Contact: e.unsgaard@gmail.com
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no/shop/
Dark Essence BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence USA Webshop: http://darkessence.aisamerch.com/
Dark Essence Records KlickTrack:  shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

alfahanne-1-photo-by-jorn-veberg

Sweden’s ALFAHANNE have debuted another track from their upcoming album “Det Nya Svarta”, which is due out on Indie Recordings on the 7th April.  The track,” Satans verser”, which features KAMPFAR frontman Dolk on guest vocals, can be heard at the following:

Lords of Metal (NL)
http://www.lordsofmetal.nl/nl/streams/view/id/561
Crank it Up (SW)
http://crankitup.se/exklusiv-singelpremiar-med-alfahanne-2/
Kaaoszine (FI)
http://kaaoszine.fi/alfahannen-ja-kampfarin-vokalisti-dolkin-yhteistyo-kuunneltavissa/
Metalhammer (IT)
http://www.metalhammer.it/2017/04/01/alfahanne-il-singolo-satans-verser-in-esclusiva-su-metal-hammer/
Friedhof Magazine (ES)
http://friedhof-magazine.com/noticias/alfahanne-estrenamos-en-exclusiva-su-nuevo-sencillo-satans-verser
United Rock Nations (FR)
http://www.unitedrocknations.com/index.php

According to the band the track itself “has so many meanings depending on who is doing the listening. But the first and obvious layer is about raising children in a world that is totally fucked up. Should you lock your doors and just protect them from what’s going on? Or stand up and speak your satanic verses?”

“Satans verser” is available for streaming  or downloading at https://believemusic.lnk.to/SatansVerser

Recorded at the Dödskult studio by Alfahanne’s Pehr Skjoldhammer and Mixed and mastered by Stamos Koliousis, “Det Nya Svarta” follows the ALFAHANNE tradition of including some high profile artists making guest appearances.  Artists which in the past have included  TAAKE’s Hoest, SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, HELHEIM’s V’gandr,  KVELERTAK frontman Erlend Hjelvik, Spellgoth from HORNA and TURMION KÄTILÖT, and Nattfursth from SORHIN, not just on their first two albums, but also live on stage

Guests making an appearance on “Det Nya Svarta” include KAMPFAR’s Dolk, David Lindh from YVONNE AND BRODER DANIEL,  Sanrabb from GEHENNA and Nadine Skjoldhammer.  With artwork by the Trine + Kim Design Studio, tracklisting for “Det Nya Svarta” is as follows:

1. Satans verser (with Dolk from KAMPFAR)
2. Stigmata
3. Avgrundsgravitation (with David Lindh from YVONNE & BRODER DANIEL)
4. Klubb 27
5. Mitt mörker är mörkare än ditt (with Nadine Skjoldhammer)
6. Dödsmaskin (with Sanrabb from GEHENNA)
7. Även en hund har sin dag
8. Svarta får
9. Det nya svarta

alfahanne-coverart

The previously debuted track , ” Avgrundsgravitation”,  which features guest vocals by  DAVID LINDH of SOOT & FLOOD, YVONNE and  BRODER DANIEL can be heard below and at https://youtu.be/8vB1_Nil5VA


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Formed in Eskilstuna in 2010,  the self-styled “Alfapokalyptic Rockers” burst onto the scene with energy, exuberance , and an impressive swagger, which, coupled with a fan-friendly attitude quickly earned them respect,  and an ever-increasing, and dedicated, following.  ALFAHANNE’s debut full-length album “Alfapokalyps” appeared on Dark Essence Records in 2014 and  was followed by “Blod Eld Alfa” in 2015.

The band’s lineup of Pehr Skjoldhammer on Vocals and Guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on Guitars, Niklas Åström on Drums and Jimmy Wiberg on Bass,  have a couple of decades of experience under their belts in bands like VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT.  Together they have created a sound that mixes Black Metal with Classic Rock and Punk, and good old Rock n Roll that is unmistakably ALFAHANNE’s.

Frontman Skjoldhammer recently explained that with their third full-length album ALFAHANNE are continuing  to explore the dark side of mankind: Alfahanne’s lyrics are very personal and have many layers of dirt. Once you dig deeper into them you find many truths as I see them.  Alfahanne will never lean to the left or to the right or write about political issues. The only political issue that is close to our hearts is equal rights but the flipside of that same coin is that we think everyone is equally…. Equally useless.” 

“Det Nya Svarta” is now available to pre-order in CD and Vinyl formats from http://shop.indierecordings.no/artist/16189–alfahanne and in Digital format from https://itunes.apple.com/no/album/det-nya-svarta/id1202165056?

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

The video for the track  “Slutdestination Eskilstuna”,  from ALFAHANNE’s 2015 album “Blod Eld Alfa”, which features SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth on guest vocals, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/kx_RdM7xRqA


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Alfahanne 6 Photo by Jorn Veberg

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Alfahanne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alfahanneofficial
Alfahanne on YourTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlnEhv8tEx2GNRAqVduRMQ
Alfahanne on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/alfahanne
Alfahanne on Bandcamp: https://alfahanne.bandcamp.com
Band Contact: nickeastrom@hotmail.com
Management & PR: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Booking:  kalle@pitchandsmith.com

With their debut full-length album “Lupercalia” now in its third repress, and with work progressing on their next studio album,  Atmospheric Black Metallers SELVANS will celebrate the closing of the first chapter of their activity with a special live album  on Avantgarde Music.

Titled “Hirpi”, the five-track album will consist of four tracks that cover all three of SELVANS releases to date, which, aside from “Lupercalia”,  also include the “Clangores Plenilunio” EP, and the 2016 split with DOWNFALL OF NUR.   The other track will be a cover of DRAUGR’s “Furore Pagano” in a tribute to the band whose demise gave birth to SELVANS.

“Hirpi” was recorded in Pescara, Italy, during two separate live performances.  The first recording took place on the 26th April 2016 when SELVANS performed a special memorial concert for their former vocalist and drummer, the late Jonny Morelli, whilst the the second took place later in the year on the 16th December.  The lineup on the album consists of Haruspex on vocals and Fulgiriator on guitars,  together with session musicians Acheron on guitars, Cordyceps M on bass, and HK on drums.  Former DRAUGR members Triumphator and Stolas joined the band on stage on guitars and bass respectively to perform “Furore Pagano”.

The unique “Faun’s Procession” artwork was conceived by Haruspex and brought into being by the Italian artist Umberto D’Ottavio.  Track listing on “Hirpi” is as follows:

1. Lupercale
2. Hirpi Sorani
3. O Clitumne!
4. Furore Pagano (Draugr cover)
5. Pater Surgens

Selvans Live Album Artwork

“Hirpi” will be released in digipack format on the 20th April and will be strictly limited to 300 copies only.  It is now available to pre-order from https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/hirpi and http://avantgardemusic.bigcartel.com/product/selvans-hirpi-digisleeve-cd-preorder

More information about SELVANS can be found at t https://www.facebook.com/templeofselvans and on the band’s website at http://www.templeofselvans.com/

Selvans Live Album Artwork2

SELVANS’ album “Lupercalia” can be heard below and at http://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/lupercalia


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SELVANS’ EP  “Clangores Plenilunio” can be heard below and at http://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/clangores-plenilunio


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The split between SELVANS & DOWNFALL OF NUR can be heard at https://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/downfall-of-nur-selvans


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Website: http://www.templeofselvans.com/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/templeofselvans
BandCamp: http://selvans.bandcamp.com/
SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/templeofselvans
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/templeofselvans
Twitter: https://twitter.com/selvans_
Instagram:  http://instagram.com/selvans_official
Webshop: http://www.templeofselvans.com/shop/
Band Contact & Booking:  info@templeofselvans.com
Management & PR: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Avantgarde Music
Website: http://www.avantgardemusic.com/
BandCamp: http://avantgardemusic.bandcamp.com/album/lupercalia
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/avantgardemusiclabel
Contact: info@avantgardemusic.com

Taake US tour 17 PR

True to their word Norwegian Black Metallers TAAKE are set to return to North America to play some parts of the country they didn’t reach on their first US tour in 2016, as well as re-visit some locations.

Routing as follows:

20 May: El Corazon, Seattle, WA
21 May:  Star Theater, Portland, OR
23 May:  The Independent, San Francisco, CA
24 May: The Regent, Los Angeles, CA
26 May:  Brick by Brick, San Diego, CA
27 May:  Club Red, Mesa, AZ
29 May:  The Roxy, Denver, CO
31 May:  Triple Rock, Minneapolis, MN
01 June: Reggies, Chicago, IL
02 June: Agora, Cleveland, OH
03 June:  The Loving Touch, Ferndale, MI
04 June: Velvet Underground. Toronto, ON
05 June: Mavericks, Ottawa, ON
06 June: L’Anti Bar & Spectacles, Quebec City, QC
07 June: Théâtre Fairmount, Montreal, QC
08 June: The Middle East, Boston, MA
09 June: The Foundry, Philadelphia, PA
10 June: Le Poisson Rouge, New York, NY

Taake US tour 17 PR1

More information regarding supports will be issued in April

With their signature Helnorsk Svartmetall sound, TAAKE have always stayed true to their Black Metal roots , but the band’s iconic founder and frontman, Hoest, has  refused to allow himself to get bogged down in the formulaic writing that plagues so many bands in the genre today – bands both old and new.  His approach has always been one of trying something new, and original, even if it’s something totally unexpected, and it is this that has kept TAAKE at the top of their game for over two decades.

With his formidable stage presence, Hoest has acquired a quasi-legendary status amongst fans, and the band’s return to the US will hopefully give more of TAAKE’s followers a chance to see one of Norway’s most admired and influential Black Metal bands.

Aside from the US tour, TAAKE will play four dates in the UK in April, and has  already been confirmed for various festival appearances over the coming year.

More information about TAAKE can be found on the band’s website at http://taake.svartekunst.no/ or on their Facebook page at  https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial

TAAKE’s music can be heard on Bandcamp at https://taake.bandcamp.com

The official video for the track “Nordbundet” from the TAAKE album “Noregs Vaapen” can be seen below and at http://youtu.be/OAIIbnrYC7Q


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Taake Website: http://taake.svartekunst.no/
Taake on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/taakeofficial
Taake WebShop: http://svartekunst.bigcartel.com/
Svartekunst Produksjoner: http://svartekunst.no
Taake Management & Booking: Propulsion Music http://www.propulsionmusic.no/
email: bjornar@propulsionmusic.no
Dark Essence Records contact and promo: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records G+: google.com/+DarkessencerecordsNo
Dark Essence Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Dark Essence KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

Bjorn Riis 2017 PR1

Norway’s Karisma Records have today revealed details of the sophomore full-length album from AIRBAG guitarist BJØRN RIIS.  Titled “Forever Comes to an End”, the new album is follow up to 2014’s highly acclaimed, and award-winning,  “Lullabies in a Car Crash”,  and is set for release on the 19th of May.

Written and produced by Riis himself, and engineered and mastered by long-time collaborator Vegard Kleftås Sleipnes, “Forever Comes to an End” features guest appearances from AIRBAG’s Henrik Fossum on drums  and Asle Tostrup on programming,  Simen Valldal Johannessen from OAK on piano, and vocals from the Norwegian singer, SICHELLE MCMEO AKSUM.

A haunting image, shot in Beisfjord, near Narvik in Northern Norway, by the photographer Kjetil Karlsen, forms the highly evocative artwork for “Forever Comes to an End”, and track listing is as follows:

  1. Forever Comes to an End
  2. Absence
  3. The Waves
  4. Getaway
  5. Calm
  6. Winter
  7. Where are You Now

Bjorn Riis Coverart PR

A highly respected guitarist within the Internet guitar community, and with his own blog, followed by thousands of fans each week, Riis’s musical journey started back in his very early teens when bands like KISS and BLACK SABBATH held sway along with the heavily guitar-oriented side of the classic rock era of the ’70’s. The subsequent emergence of Progressive Rock bands such as PINK FLOYD, PORCUPINE TREE, MARILLION AND GENESIS, together with genres like Electronica and Movie Scores, also played a huge role in the formation of the nascent guitarists’ musical direction.

“Forever Comes to an End” pays tribute to all these diverse influences.  From the dark and dirty riffs of Toni Iommi and Zakk Wylde, to the emotional playing of David Gilmour and Steven Rothery. The melodic and sombre voice of Steven Wilson and Tim Bowness and the cinematic landscapes of composers like Thomas Newman and John Barry. And the whole is brought together by Riis very skilled and very individual touch.

“Forever Comes to an End” will be available in CD, 12″ Vinyl and Digital Download formats and a short video teaser for the album can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/FZ1tXevQrl4


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More information about BJØRN RIIS can be found on the guitarist’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisGuitarPage  and on his website at http://www.bjornriis.com  whilst those interested in guitar tutorials and equipment related matters may like to check out Riis’ YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JRXuFfSeZ1AzenPh_krpA

Bjorn Riis 2017 PR2

Music by BJØRN RIIS can be found below and at https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Band contact:  bjorn@airbag.no
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BjornRiisGuitarPage
Website:  http://www.bjornriis.com
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6JRXuFfSeZ1AzenPh_krpA
Bandcamp: https://bjornriis.bandcamp.com
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor
Karisma on SoundCloud:  https://soundcloud.com/karisma-records
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

krakowpr2

When KRAKOW announced that they would be performing a special show for their Dark Essence Records Label Night appearance at 2016’s Blastfest, nobody was really sure what the Post Rockers would pull out of the bag, including the band themselves, other than that it would involve an augmented lineup.

What transpired was a set that included lasers, electronics and two drum kits, with KRAKOW’s lineup of Kjartan Grønhaug on guitars, René Misje on guitars and vocals, Frode Kilvik (AETERNUS, GAAHLS WYRD, GRAVDAL) on vocals and bass and Ask Ty Arctander (KAMPFAR, HADES ALMIGHTY) on drums and vocals, being joined on stage by the band’s producer, and some-time session drummer, Iver Sandøy on keys and drums, Cato Olaisen, who drummed on the ‘diin’ album, and Rune Hals, on drums, whilst Ask moved between drums and vocals.

The set that this augmented line-up went on to perform, consisted of only 4 songs selected from the band’s three full-length albums “Monolith”, “diin” and “Amaran”. One of the tracks, “vitriol”, had never been performed live before, whilst the remaining three took on a whole different aspect, close to their true expression, but with new nuances and added shading, bending and distorting in ways that even KRAKOW itself did not know ahead of time.

So successful was the event that KRAKOW and Dark Essence Records have now decided to release the session in digital format. Titled, appropriately enough, “Alive” and with artwork by Thomas Hooper, track listing is as follows:

1. Monolith
2. Vitriol
3. Of Earth
4. Mound

Krakow Live Album PR

Set for release on the 24th March, “Alive” is now available to pre-order from https://krakow.bandcamp.com/album/alive

More information about KRAKOW can be found on the band’s website at http://www.krakowofficial.com/ or on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/krakowband

More music from KRAKOW can be heard on the band’s BandCamp page at https://krakow.bandcamp.com

The Official Video for the track “Luminauts” from KRAKOW’s “Amaran” album can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/LhgvJpo8_SI


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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/krakowband
Website: http://www.krakowofficial.com/
BandCamp: http://krakow.bandcamp.com/
SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/krakow_band
Band Contact: contact@krakowofficial.com
Dark Essence contact: post@karismarecords.no
Dark Essence Records: www.darkessencerecords.no
Dark Essence Records Bandcamp:  http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/
Dark Essence SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/dark-essence-records
Dark Essence on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/darkessencerecords
Dark Essence Records Webshop: https://www.darkessencerecords.no/shop/
Dark Essence Webshop North America:  https://darkessence.aisamerch.com
Dark Essence Records KlickTrack:  shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords

alfahanne-1-photo-by-jorn-veberg

Photo by Jorn Veberg

Sweden’s “Alfapokalyptic Rockers” ALFAHANNE, whose third full-length album “Det Nya Svarta” is set for release on Indie Recordings in April have today revealed another track from the album via a lyric video by Marcelo Vasco Arts .  The track, ” Avgrundsgravitation”  features guest vocals by  DAVID LINDH of SOOT & FLOOD, YVONNE and  BRODER DANIEL is premiering exclusively on Ghost Cult magazine at http://www.ghostcultmag.com/exclusive-video-premiere-alfahanne-avgrundsgravitation/

ALFAHANNE’s lineup of Pehr Skjoldhammer on Vocals and Guitar, Fredrik Sööberg on Guitars, Niklas Åström on Drums, and Jimmy Wiberg on Bass,  came together to form the band in Eskilstuna, Sweden, in 2010. With considerable experience gained in bands such  as VINTERLAND and early MAZE OF TORMENT,  and with an abundance of energy and exuberance, ALFAHANNE hit the ground running with their debut full-length album “Alfapokalyps”, which  appeared on Dark Essence Records in 2014 and  was followed by “Blod Eld Alfa” in 2015.

With their impressive, and totally likeable,  swagger, and their natural affinity for making friends with their fans, ALFAHANNE’s growing reputation as a dynamic live act, coupled with a sound that they describe as “Alfapokalyptic Rock”, which mixes Black Metal with Classic Rock and Punk, and good old Rock n Roll, has earned the band an ever-growing army of followers.

Along with winning over their fans, ALFHAHANNE have also earned the respect of established musicians, amongst whom are TAAKE’s Hoest, SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth, HELHEIM’s V’gandr,  KVELERTAK frontman Erlend Hjelvik, Spellgoth from HORNA and TURMION KÄTILÖT, and Nattfursth from SORHIN, all of whom have guested in the studio with the band, and some of whom have also appeared live on stage with them.

In keeping with what has become a tradition of being able to work with some of the best of the best, ALFAHANNE’s new album “Det Nya Svarta” features guest vocals from KAMPFAR’s Dolk, GEHENNA’s Sanrabb and  Nadine Skjoldhammer, as well as the afore-mentioned David Lindh. Recorded at the Dödskult studio by Alfahanne’s Pehr Skjoldhammer and Mixed and mastered by Stamos Koliousis, and with artwork by the Trine + Kim Design Studio, track listing for “Det Nya Svarta” is as follows:

1. Satans verser (with Dolk from KAMPFAR)
2. Stigmata
3. Avgrundsgravitation (with David Lindh from SOOT & FLOOD ,YVONNE, BRODER DANIEL)
4. Klubb 27
5. Mitt mörker är mörkare än ditt (with Nadine Skjoldhammer)
6. Dödsmaskin (with Sanrabb from GEHENNA)
7. Även en hund har sin dag
8. Svarta får
9. Det nya svarta

alfahanne-coverart

Frontman Skjoldhammer recently explained that with their third full-length album ALFAHANNE are continuing  to explore the dark side of mankind: Alfahanne’s lyrics are very personal and have many layers of dirt. Once you dig deeper into them you find many truths as I see them.  Alfahanne will never lean to the left or to the right or write about political issues. The only political issue that is close to our hearts is equal rights but the flipside of that same coin is that we think everyone is equally…. Equally useless.” 

Commenting about ” Avgrundsgravitation”,  Skjoldhammer had this to say:

This one is about falling. When you’re young you have lots of hopes and dreams, but as you get older you realise that they won’t happen.  But you still can’t let them go, s o you just keep thinking that tomorrow will be better ad infinitum.  But the truth is that today’s medication and therapy only makes rock bottom seem further away. You just keep on falling, further and further into the abyss, and the abyss becomes deeper and deeper than you think”.

“Det Nya Svarta”, which will hit the streets on April 7th,  is now available to pre-order in CD and Vinyl formats from http://shop.indierecordings.no/artist/16189–alfahanne and in Digital format from https://alfahanneofsweden.bandcamp.com/album/pre-order-det-nya-svarta

ALFAHANNE have been confirmed to appear at the  In Flammen Open Air festival in Torgau, Germany in July.  More dates to be announced shortly.

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

The video for the track  “Slutdestination Eskilstuna”,  from ALFAHANNE’s 2015 album “Blod Eld Alfa”, which features SHINING’s Niklas Kvarforth on guest vocals, can be seen below and at https://youtu.be/kx_RdM7xRqA


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The track “Stigmata” from “Det Nya Svarta” can be heard below and at http://alfahanneofsweden.bandcamp.com/track/stigmata

Alfahanne 6 Photo by Jorn Veberg

Photo by Jorn Veberg

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Alfahanne on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alfahanneofficial
Alfahanne on YourTube: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzlnEhv8tEx2GNRAqVduRMQ
Alfahanne on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/alfahanne
Alfahanne on Bandcamp: https://alfahanne.bandcamp.com
Band Contact: nickeastrom@hotmail.com
Management & PR: patriciathomas@btinternet.com
Booking:  kalle@pitchandsmith.com

Virus PR4

Norway’s Pioneering Experimental Rockers VIRUS are set to release a two-track 7″ EP titled “Investigator” on the 21 April, and have today released a video for the title track.  According to the band “Investigator is dedicated to Columbo’s right eye… Peter Falk, who played the lead role in the classic detective series, had a glass eye. We believe that the eye was a separate character in the series and should have been credited as such. It should also have won the Oscar for best supporting actor many times during the seventies.”

The video, by David Hall of Uneasy Sleeper, is streaming exclusively at the following:

Decibel Magazine (US)
http://decibelmagazine.com/blog/2017/3/16/video-premiere-virus-investigator

Metal Hammer (UK)
http://teamrock.com/feature/2017-03-16/enter-the-weird-and-wonderful-world-of-norways-avant-rock-adventurers-virus

Never Mind the Hype (NL)
https://nmth.nl/video-virus-investigator-columbo/ 

MetalFan (RO)
http://www.metalfan.ro/stiri-rock/virus-scoate-un-videoclip-nou-pentru-piesa-investigator-16312.html

VIRUS was formed in 2000 by guitarist and vocalist Carl “Czral” Michael Eide who wanted to move on from avant-garde Black Metal of VED BUENS ENDE, and create a new kind of experimental metal / rock.  The band’s first, and only, demo was released that same year, and  was followed by  three full-length studio albums before signing with Karisma Records.

It was the partnership with Karisma Records that led to the release of the band’s critically acclaimed “Memento Collider” in 2016, an album which saw VIRUS return to its original three-piece lineup of  of Carl-Michael “Czral” Eide on guitars and vocals, Petter “Plenum” Berntsen on bass and Einar “Einz” Sjursø on drums.   Together they create an otherworldly sound that is filled with flowing bass lines, experimental riffs and groovy rhythms.

With artwork by the Trine + Kim Design Studio (http://www.trineogkim.no/ ), tracklisting for “Investigator” is as follows:

Side A: Investigator
Side B: The Blue Flags Of The Dead

VIRUS Investigator PR

“Investigator” will be released in two formats – 7″ Black Vinyl and as a Digital Download, and will only be available directly from Karisma Records.  Pre-orders have now opened and “Investigator” can be ordered in vinyl format from http://shop.karismarecords.no/product/virus-investigator-7-vinyl and in both vinyl and digital formats from https://virus.bandcamp.com/album/investigator

More information about VIRUS can be found on their website at http://virusnorway.com/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/virusnorwayofficial

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Virus Website:  http://virusnorway.com/
Virus on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virusnorwayofficial
Virus on Bandcamp: https://virusnorway.bandcamp.com/
Virus Webstore:  http://virulentmusic.bigcartel.com/
Promo and other information: post@karismarecords.no
Karisma Records: http://www.karismarecords.no/
Karisma Records Webshop: http://karismarecords.bigcartel.com/
Karisma Records US Webshop:  http://karismarecords.aisamerch.com/
Karisma Records BandCamp: http://karismarecords.bandcamp.com/music
Karisma Records KlickTrack Store:  http://shop.klicktrack.com/karismadarkessencerecords
Karisma Records Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karismarecords
Karisma Records on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/KarismarecordsNor