The legendary Texas thrashers ANIALATOR are back with
a vengeance, unleashing a fierce lyric video for their track "Memories of
Terror," the second electrifying single from their highly anticipated
debut album, *Death is Calling*. Set to drop on October 22nd via Xtreem Music,
this release will tear through the metal scene in multiple formats: CD,
12" LP, cassette, and digital. Brace yourselves for a
relentless ride into the abyss!
"Argus", released by Wishbone Ash in 1972, stands as
one of the most iconic albums of the early 1970s. Blending elements of
progressive rock, hard rock, and folk, the album resonates with its innovative
twin-guitar harmonies, intricate musicianship, and thematic depth. While not
directly inspired by Greek mythology, *Argus* explores universal themes such as
heroism, leadership, conflict, and personal growth, which echo mythological and
historical tales—including those found in ancient Greek myths. The title
*Argus* may evoke the Greek mythological figure Argus Panoptes, a hundred-eyed
giant known for his watchfulness, though the album is more broadly inspired by
the timeless struggles of warriors, kings, and seekers of wisdom.
1. "Time Was" : The opening track, "Time Was," is a journey of self-reflection and personal growth. It starts with a soft, acoustic arrangement before transitioning into a more powerful rock section. Lyrically, it reflects on the passage of time, personal mistakes, and the wisdom gained from past experiences, particularly in romantic relationships. The narrator looks back with maturity:
Key Themes: Learning from the past, emotional
growth, and the passage of time.
2. "Sometime World": "Sometime World" captures a sense of longing and lost opportunities. The narrator expresses dissatisfaction with the passage of time but holds on to a sense of hope for a better future. The lyrics oscillate between resignation and optimism, creating a duality of emotions: "I’m not the same as I was before."
The song conveys a personal quest for meaning, a theme
that aligns with the album's overarching exploration of life's journey.
3. "Blowin’ Free": One of the more upbeat and straightforward tracks on the album, "Blowin' Free" celebrates freedom, love, and adventure. The lyrics are romantic and carefree, contrasting with the introspective nature of other songs on the album. The imagery of open roads and boundless possibility captures the spirit of youthful love: "In my dreams, I'm in your arms", evokes a sense of warm nostalgia and adventure.
4. "The King Will Come": This song introduces grand, epic themes of leadership, prophecy, and conflict, often interpreted as a metaphor for power struggles, both ancient and modern. The lyrics hint at a king's return to bring order amidst chaos: "Battles raging, it’s a fight for the throne."
The song's themes of leadership and prophecy, with an
air of mysticism, could evoke parallels with historical and mythological
rulers, including those found in Greek mythology.
5. "Leaf and Stream": "Leaf and Stream" is a melancholic reflection on the transience of life. Using natural imagery, the song conveys feelings of loss and the inevitable passage of time. The connection to nature reflects the ebb and flow of life’s seasons: "I feel the seasons change" highlights both internal and external shifts, portraying the narrator as a contemplative figure facing life’s changes.
6. "Warrior" : "Warrior" stands out as a powerful track that delves into the themes of courage, resilience, and self-discovery. It depicts a lone figure—a warrior—fighting against overwhelming odds. The battle could symbolize both physical conflict and internal struggles, much like the trials faced by Greek mythological heroes such as Achilles or Odysseus. "I’m leaving to search for something new" suggests that the warrior’s quest is as much about seeking personal wisdom as it is about victory.
This track mirrors the classic archetypal hero's
journey, making it one of the album's most enduring and powerful songs.
7. "Throw Down the Sword" : The album closes with "Throw Down the Sword," offering a sense of resolution after the battles depicted throughout "Argus". The lyrics encourage an end to conflict and the acceptance of peace, whether it be in literal warfare or personal turmoil: "Now that the battle's done"*reflects the idea of laying down arms and moving toward inner peace after a tumultuous journey.
The song’s conclusion evokes the idea of a warrior,
like those in Greek mythology, who returns from battle wiser and more at peace
with the world.
Conclusion:
"Argus" is a timeless masterpiece, weaving together
themes of personal growth, conflict, nature, and the passage of time. While not
explicitly based on Greek mythology, its exploration of heroism, battles,
leadership, and self-discovery is reminiscent of mythological tales,
particularly the archetypal hero’s journey. Wishbone Ash's intricate guitar
harmonies and evocative lyrics make *Argus* not only a musical triumph but a
thought-provoking and deeply emotional journey, rich with mythological
undertones and timeless themes.
Nick Parastatidis
KISS, Ace Frehley (1978)
Casablanca
Η
πιο παράξενη κίνηση στην ιστορία της Hard Rock σκηνής.
Τα
τέσσερα μέλη των Kiss , κυκλοφόρησαν από ένα προσωπικό άλμπουμ, την ίδια
χρονιά, με ίδια ημερομηνία κυκλοφορίας! Κι όμως όχι με τη βοήθεια των άλλων
τριών ο καθένας, αλλά με άλλους μουσικούς. Τρέλα ε; Εμπορικά δεν πέτυχαν και πολύ ως γνωστόν! Από
τα άλλα τρία Peter Criss, Gene Simmons και Paul Stanley, έχω ακούσει μόνο το
δεύτερο, του δαιμονισμένου μπασίστα Gene, που το είχα σε βινύλιο και το Paul
Stanley. Οπότε δεν θα συγκρίνω τούτο το CD του δεύτερου κιθαρίστα Space Ace
Frehley, γιατί δεν έχω ακούσει ποτέ τo
Peter Criss και δεν θυμάμαι καλά το Gene Simmons...Μάλλον γιατί δε μου είχε κάνει
εντύπωση! Απλά έτυχε να έχω σε cd μόνο
αυτά των δύο κιθαριστών και τα θυμήθηκα.
Με κομμάτια σαν τα Rip It Out, τη διασκευή στο New York Groove των Helo, τα
Snow Blind, Ozone, Wiped Out, Fractured Mirror είναι ένα ευχάριστο Hard Rock άλμπουμ
με ματιά στην εκκολαπτόμενη ίσως βαρύτερη κιθαριστικά ευρωπαϊκή σκηνή.
English:
The Most Unusual Move in the History of the Hard Rock
Scene
The four members of Kiss each released a solo album in
the same year, on the same release date! And yet, not with the help of the
other three, but with different musicians. Crazy, right? As we know, they
didn’t exactly achieve commercial success! From the other three—Peter Criss,
Gene Simmons, and Paul Stanley—I’ve only listened to the second one, by the
"demonic" bassist Gene Simmons, which I had on vinyl, as well as Paul
Stanley's. So, I won't compare this CD by the second guitarist, Space Ace
Frehley, because I’ve never heard Peter Criss’s album, and I don’t quite
remember Gene Simmons's... Probably because it didn’t make much of an
impression on me! I just happened to have the two guitarists' albums on CD, and
they came to mind. With tracks like "Rip It Out," the cover of
"New York Groove" by Hello, "Snow Blind,"
"Ozone," "Wiped Out," and "Fractured Mirror,"
it’s a pleasant Hard Rock album with a nod to the emerging, possibly heavier
guitar-driven European scene.
Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης
KISS, Paul Stanley (1978)
Casablanca
Αρκετά
κοντά στις δουλειές τους σαν συγκρότημα.
Το
πρώτο απ'τα τέσσερα προσωπικά άλμπουμ των μελών των Kiss, ίσως το πιο αγαπημένο στους οπαδούς του συγκροτήματος
είναι αυτό του τραγουδιστή και κιθαρίστα Paul Stanley. Όπως είναι γνωστό η ιδέα
το 1978 να δουλέψουν τα τέσσερα μέλη των Kiss με φίλους μουσικούς εκτός του
συγκροτήματος έδωσε αυτά τα τέσσερα άλμπουμ με κοινή ημέρα κυκλοφορίας και για
εμπορικούς λόγους με το λογότυπο της μπάντας στη γωνία. Στον δίσκο αυτόν ο Stanley έχει και κάποια κομμάτια
που απορρίφθηκαν από τα προηγούμενα άλμπουμ τους απ' τους υπόλοιπους, να λοιπόν
η ευκαιρία να τα γράψει στον δικό του δίσκο! Όσο βαρύ και πιο μακριά είναι το
άλμπουμ Ace
Frehley του
ετέρου τότε, κιθαρίστα, τόσο πιο κοντά σε άλμπουμ των Kiss είναι το Paul Stanley, φυσικά και λόγω της φωνής
του που βέβαια ακούγεται συνήθως στα περισσότερα κομμάτια των Kiss. Τα Tonight You Belong To Me, Wouldn't You Like To Know
Me?, Take Me Away (Together As One), It's Alright, Love In Chains, Goodbye είναι τα κυριότερα τραγούδια που μου
κεντρίζουν το αφτί σε αυτό.
English:
Quite close to their work as a band.
The first of the four solo albums by the members of
Kiss, and perhaps the most beloved by the band's fans, is that of singer and
guitarist Paul Stanley. As is known, the idea in 1978 for the four members of
Kiss to work with musician friends outside the band resulted in these four
albums being released on the same day and, for commercial reasons, featuring
the band's logo in the corner. In this album, Stanley also includes some tracks
that were rejected by the others for previous albums, so here was his
opportunity to include them on his own record! While Ace Frehley's album, by
the then-other guitarist, is heavier and further away from the Kiss sound, Paul
Stanley's album is much closer to it. This, of course, is also due to his
voice, which is usually heard on most Kiss tracks. The songs "Tonight You
Belong To Me," "Wouldn't You Like To Know Me?", "Take Me
Away (Together As One)," "It's Alright," "Love In
Chains," and "Goodbye" are the main tracks that catch my ear on
this album.
Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης
Genre:
Thrash Metal
Country:
Italy
Questions
by: Nick Parastatidis
Answers
by: METHEDRAS
Site: Facebook
1. Hello.
What made you choose Thessaloniki for your live show on October 18th? Have you
had any experience with the city or its music scene before?"
Hi and thank you for the opportunity! Thessaloniki was
since the beginning of the tour planning one of the best choices so far, a city
with a great metal scene and great bands as well like Firewind, we can’t wait
to be there, never had the chance so it’s very exciting to play there for the
first time!
2. In
your early days featured two guitarists, but you've since scaled back to a
single guitarist. What led to this change, and how has it impacted your music?
Have you found that the streamlined sound has allowed for new creative
possibilities, or has it required adjustments to your songwriting and
arrangements?
Since “System Subversion” we decided to have only one
guitar player, there isn’t a specific reason about it, we just found out after
the second guitarist left the band that it could be perfect to us a 4 elements
band. In the end this didn’t affect too much our way to compose music, it could
be more of a live trouble because of the guitar riffs under solos for example,
but it’s fine also with just one guitar and a huge bass to fill the lack of
another 6 strings.
3. Why
did you choose to self-release your latest album 'Human Deception' instead of
going through a traditional label? What are the advantages and disadvantages of
this approach, and do you see yourself continuing to release music
independently in the future?
Basically we wanted to completely control everything
about our music, without agreement limitations. Labels are still good to work
with, but if you find the right persons to take care about promo and media
nowadays you can have all the ways to spread your music all around the world,
even if radios and magazines are still largely followed it is indeed true that
the music is running on the web, which is the main place where to let your
music goes.
4. METHEDRAS
has been active for over two decades now. How do you feel the band has evolved
musically and personally since your early days?
It has changed so much since the first albums, we
started with a thrash/death metal arriving to “Human Deception” which is full
of orchestra, electronics and so on. We always felt the desire to experiment
album by album putting new elements at every step, and especially in the last 3
albums we developed more and more the electronic parts in our songs, because we
wanted to add some fresh and unsettling ingredients that could make the music
different than what came before.
5. As an
Italian band in the thrash metal scene, what challenges have you faced, and how
has the Italian metal scene shaped your sound?
Italy is not the best place where to play thrash/death
metal, it’s an underground scene with very few exceptions, so it’s not that
easy to emerge from the others. That’s the reason why we decided to focus more
on touring abroad, because especially after the pandemic era some venues
disappeared, making the Italian live scene less rich of stages, but with more
and more bands willing to play… Speaking about influences from the Italian
metal scene, I think that great bands like Sadist and Extrema could have
inspired us in the past, these bands are more related to our sound.
6. Can
you walk us through your songwriting process? Do you write collectively or does
someone take the lead?
Usually it all starts from a guitar riff or a drums
rhytm, then we all work on it jamming in the rehearsals room and speaking about
the ideas and the direction that a song should take, this part of the
production process of an album it’s always fun and stimulating!
7. Do you
prefer smaller, intimate venues or large festival crowds, and why?
I think that are both exciting, i have to agree with
who says that in the clubs you can really feel the heat of the crowd on your
skin, the persons are closer to us on stage so it’s more physical, on the other
hand I love also the festivals because of the big stages (more space while
playing!) and also for the crowd, it’s good to play in front of somebody who
didn’t know the band and make new friends.
8. What’s
the biggest challenge you face as a band when you’re on tour?
It’s been hard when we had to drive ourselves the
caravan, we did a couple of tour like that and it’s tiring to play after you
drove a lot of hours (sometimes all night long because of the big distances
between two gigs) and then you play again and all the circle starts again.
9. Can
you tell us about any upcoming music or projects you're working on? Will the
Thessaloniki show feature any new, unreleased tracks?
Actually we’re still promoting “Human Deception”, so
we haven’t start yet to compose new music, but there will be something more
from the past in the setlist, to let know better our music to the Greek crowd!
10. What
are you most looking forward to seeing from the audience in Thessaloniki, and
how do you hope they will react to your new album 'Human Deception'? Are there
any specific connections or emotions you're hoping to share with them through
your music?
We’ll do our best on stage to connect the crowd to our
music, the best feeling is when you’ve shared all your energies and the crowd
notice it by telling it after the show, we want to share our songs and to let
it be impressed in the memories of the fans.
11. Thanks
for your time. Please close the interview in any way you like…..
Thank you for the opportunity, big hugs to your
readers and see you in Thessaloniki!
NANOWAR OF STEEL, Italy’s masters of parody metal, are
set to release their live album, *XX Years of Steel*, on December 6, 2024, via
Napalm Records! Recorded at their sold-out show in Milan, this album marks 20
years of their unique mix of humor and metal. It features live versions of 28
songs and includes a bonus CD with nine extra tracks, including two new studio
songs.
Their latest single, “Stormwarrior of the Storm,”
takes a hilarious dive into weather forecasting with heavy riffs and powerful
vocals. Pre-order the album now and catch them on their North American tour
with Tragedy this fall!
After years of cultivating their unique sound in the
underground scene, Siberian atmospheric black metal band GRIMA has caught the
eye of Napalm Records. The four-piece ensemble, known for blending raw black
metal fury with haunting atmospheres and melancholic melodies, has officially
signed a global contract with the renowned label. Formed in 2014 as a studio
project by twins Vilhelm and Morbius, GRIMA has since expanded into a
live-performing quartet, leaving a mark with their 2022 album *Frostbitten*.
Following a successful 25-show European tour earlier this year, GRIMA is set to
unveil new music in 2025. The band expressed their excitement for this next
chapter, while Napalm Records lauds GRIMA for capturing the essence of nature
and pagan mysticism in their music. Fans of Agalloch, Helrunar, Moonsorrow, and
Empyrium, take note—GRIMA is ready to take the stage.
HAMΜERFALL, Dominion (2019)
Napalm
Records
Η
μπαταρία τους δε στερεύει ποτέ.
Οι
πέντε φίλοι, κόσμημα της σουηδικής Power και Heavy Metal σκηνής το πιάνουν
απ'εκεί που το σταματούν πάντα στον προηγούμενο δίσκο, στο πολύ τίμιο
Build to Last (δηλαδή αυτό που μας έχουν μάθει τόσες
δεκαετίες!), στη περίπτωση εδώ και το πάνε παραπέρα. Οι ίδιες κλασικές μέχρι
αντιγραφής 80s classic metal αναφορές, το σχεδόν επικό θεματικό περιεχόμενο των
στίχων, δισολιές στης κιθάρες και κλασική euro power metal φωνή απ' τον Joacim
Cans, ξανασυνθέτουν το μωσαϊκό του ήχου τους. Η αλήθεια είναι ότι ή το
λατρεύεις ή το βαριέσαι. Προσωπικά κλείνω στο πρώτο. Δώδεκα κομμάτια με τα
Never Forgive Never Forget, Dominion, Testify, (We Make Sweden) Rock, One
Against The World, Scars of A Generation, Dead By Dawn, Chain of Command
(έμπνευση οι Jag Panzer, αλλά όχι διασκευή στο δικό τους), Bloodline να
μονοπωλούν το ενδιαφέρον λιγάκι παραπάνω απ'τα υπόλοιπα.
English:
Their battery never runs out.
These five friends, a gem of the Swedish Power and
Heavy Metal scene, pick up right where they always leave off on their previous
album, the very respectable *Build to Last* (that is, what they’ve taught us
for so many decades!). In this case, they take it even further. The same
classic, almost imitation-level '80s metal references, the nearly epic thematic
content of the lyrics, dual guitar solos, and Joacim Cans' signature Euro power
metal vocals all come together to recreate their sonic mosaic. The truth is,
you either love it or get bored with it. Personally, I lean toward the former.
Twelve tracks, with "Never Forgive Never Forget,"
"Dominion," "Testify," "(We Make Sweden) Rock,"
"One Against the World," "Scars of a Generation," "Dead
By Dawn," "Chain of Command" (inspired by Jag Panzer, though not
a cover of their song), and "Bloodline" standing out a bit more than
the rest.
Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης
SΤEEL PROPHET, Unseen (2002)
Nuclear Blast Records
Απ'
τους πιο αδικημένους της απέναντι όχθης.
Οι
Steel Prophet είναι απ' τις περιπτώσεις που η ιστορία δεν συνυπάρχει με τη
δισκογραφική παρουσία. Στα μεταλλικά πράγματα από τα μέσα της δεκαετίας του
'80, το πρώτο τους πλήρες άλμπουμ κυκλοφόρησε το 1990. Αυτό είναι το ένατο τους
full άλμπουμ που ρολάρει στο
στερεοφωνικό σήμερα. Αμερικανικό Power Metal με μπόλικη ευρωπαϊκή νότα και
στυλ. Πάντα θύμιζαν Iron Maiden εποχής Poweslave με Seventh Son... αφού και
μουσικά και στυλιστικά και συνθετικά έχουν δανειστεί πολλά απ' τους Άγγλους
(ασθενείς πλέον) και τη χρυσή τους περίοδο. Αλλαγές στα τέμπο, λίγα πλήκτρα,
πολλές δισολιές και ρυθμός που καλπάζει από μπάσο και κρουστά, στοιχειοθετούν
το μουσικό τους αποτύπωμα στο Unseen CD, κοντά στους Kamelot της παρόμοιας
εποχής, αλλά λιγότερο λυρικοί και πιο μεταλλικοί θα έλεγα. Η σύνθεση που είχαν
τότε, Rick Mythiasin φωνή, Steve Blackmoor & Jim Williams κιθάρες, Vince
Dennis μπάσο κι ο Σουηδός Karl Petter Rosqvist ντραμς αποδίδει τη μουσική τους
με άνεση κι αέρα σε δώδεκα κομμάτια στο δίσκο και με τα πιο χαρακτηριστικά να
είναι τα Truth, Rainwalker, One Way Out, Among the Damned, Magenta, Mirror
Mirror: Life After Life, Blackest of Hearts, Martyred, Killer's Confession.
English:
One of the most underrated bands of the other side.
Steel Prophet is one of those cases where their
history does not align with their discography. They have been part of the metal
scene since the mid-'80s, with their first full-length album released in 1990.
This is their ninth full album spinning on the stereo today. American Power
Metal with plenty of European flair and style. They always reminded us of Iron
Maiden during their 'Powerslave' and 'Seventh Son' era, as musically,
stylistically, and compositionally, they have borrowed a lot from the (now
weakened) English band and their golden period.
Tempo changes, some keyboards, plenty of dual guitar
solos, and a rhythm that gallops from the bass and drums characterize their
musical imprint on the 'Unseen' CD. They are close to Kamelot of a similar era,
but less lyrical and more metallic, I would say. The lineup they had back
then—Rick Mythiasin on vocals, Steve Blackmoor & Jim Williams on guitars,
Vince Dennis on bass, and Swedish drummer Karl Petter Rosqvist—delivers their
music with ease and confidence across the album's twelve tracks. The standout
songs include 'Truth,' 'Rainwalker,' 'One Way Out,' 'Among the Damned,'
'Magenta,' 'Mirror Mirror: Life After Life,' 'Blackest of Hearts,' 'Martyred,'
and 'Killer's Confession.'
Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης
Οι
Αμερικανοί CONTORTION, οι
εκφραστές του νέου κορυφαίου ήχου για το American Metal, στα πλαίσια της Ευρωπαϊκής τους
περιοδείας Unravelling
Europe – United Metal Tour, έρχονται στην Αθήνα και στο BUMS
για μια έντονη και αδυσώπητη ζωντανή εμφάνιση με καταιγιστικό thrash, metalcore, death και djent.
Μαζί
τους οι Melodic
Death Metallers CARVED MEMORIES που απεικονίζουν δυνατά
συναισθήματα μέσα απ΄τη επιθετικότητα και την δύναμη της μουσικής τους.
Την βραδιά ανοίγουν οι Θεσσαλονικείς ατμοσφαιρικοί Death/Black Metallers MELINOE που αφηγούνται καλά και όχι τόσο γνωστά παραμύθια με την ακραία και ατμοσφαιρική μουσική τους.
Τρίτη
8 Οκτωβρίου
Doors open 20:00
Εισιτήρια
12 ευρώ
After rumors of a farewell, SUBWAY TO SALLY, the
legendary German folk metal band, return stronger than ever with their 15th
studio album, *Post Mortem*, set to release on December 20, 2024, via Napalm
Records. This album follows *Himmelfahrt* (2023), which was originally planned
as the band’s grand finale after a 30-year career. However, the album’s
resounding success and the energy of a nearly sold-out tour fueled the band's
creative fire, leading to the unexpected and swift production of *Post Mortem*.
The band reflects on the turbulent state of the world,
capturing themes of darkness, euphoria, and the human longing for moments of
freedom and joy. They aim to be a steadfast voice of authenticity amidst the
chaos of life.
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“Post Mortem” track listing:
1. Introitus
2. Phönix
3. Post mortem
4. Wunder
5. Nero
6. Unter dem Banner
7. Herz in der Rinde
8. Lumpensammler
9. Stahl auf Stahl
10. Atlas
11. Kummerkind
12. Eisheilige Nacht
13. Die Erde bebt
Eleanor is a melancholic Gothic metal band from Osaka,
Japan, formed in 2006 by vocalist Shiori Vitus and guitarist Ippei J.M. Their
music blends European influences, inspired by bands like The Gathering,
Sentenced, and Amorphis, with a touch of Japanese sensitivity.
Current Line-up:
- Vocals: Shiori Vitus
- Guitars: Ippei J.M, Naoki
- Drums: Masaki
- Choirs & Percussion: Jet Rumi
2024 Highlights:
Eleanor released their fifth album, *Effigy Of The
Flowing Tears*, and a digital compilation album, *eleanor WORKS 2019-2021*.
They toured Japan with support bassist Naoko and performed a special one-man
live show.
Discography:
From their early demos in 2006 to their latest
releases, Eleanor has crafted a unique soundscape in the Gothic metal scene.
