HARMONIZE ORACLE Announces New EP "Before The Oracle" and Video for Single "Chained Spirit"

 

Harmonize Oracle has announced the release of their new single "Chained Spirit" along with a special message for their followers.

In their recent communiqué, the band expressed their excitement about finally releasing new music after a significant period of waiting. They shared that "Chained Spirit," which has been in their collection for quite some time, is now ready to be unveiled to the public.

The song delves into the inner world of the story's protagonist and explores the unbearable circumstances that leave individuals feeling trapped. Listeners can find "Chained Spirit" available on all major online platforms, as well as on the band's official website. The group hopes that their audience will enjoy this new musical offering.

Furthermore, "Chained Spirit" will be featured on their upcoming EP titled "Before The Oracle," which is set to be released on November 22, 2024.

PATRIARKH, Formerly Batushka, Reveal Official Music Video for “ВЕРШАЛИН IV”

 

Polish black metal band PATRIARKH, formerly known as Batushka, is set to release their upcoming concept album, ПРОРОК ИЛИЯ (PROROK ILJA), on January 3, 2025, through Napalm Records. The band has unveiled a new single titled “ВЕРШАЛИН IV” (WIERSZALIN IV), which is accompanied by an official music video. This track features the sacred vocals of Eliza Sacharczuk and blends liturgical melodies with intense harsh vocals, creating a compelling soundscape reflective of Eastern Orthodox traditions. The album, inspired by the life of the enigmatic Prophet Ilja and set against a historical backdrop of the 1930s and ’40s, promises to deliver an immersive experience through its eight tracks that incorporate elements of both black and doom metal. PATRIARKH emphasizes their creative journey in crafting this music, highlighting their collaboration with Sacharczuk and the cultural influences that shape their sound. Pre-orders for the album are now available, alongside the captivating music video for the new single.

REVIEW: LABYRINTH, Return To Heaven Denied (1998)

 

LABYRINTH, Return To Heaven Denied (1998)

Metal Blade Records

Τομή δύναμης και προοδευτικότητας.

Οι Ιταλοί Labyrinth ήταν απ' τα μεγάλα ονόματα της γειτονικής χώρας στο μελωδικό και Progressive Power Metal. Νομίζω ότι αυτό το CD είναι το πιο χαρακτηριστικό τους μουσικό έργο. Ένα συγκρότημα που είχε πειραματιστεί ακόμη και με "ρεϊβάδικα"(όπως τα λέγαμε χλευαστικά) πλήκτρα στο προηγούμενο ντεμπούτο τους άλμπουμ κι εδώ ευτυχώς μόνο σε δύο σημεία, τολμούν εδώ να συνδυάσουν τη λυρικότητα στιχουργικά με το ιταλικού τύπου Power  Metal ύφος, του οποίου είναι απ' τα πρώτα δείγματα μαζί με τους επίσης prog Metalers Athena, συγκρότημα του Fabio Lione που πέρασε τόσο από εδώ και κατέληξε ως γνωστόν στη ναυαρχίδα της ιταλικής σκηνής τους Rhapsody. Ένα μείγμα από Angra, Fates Warning και Gamma Ray είναι ο ήχος τους κι η μνήμη μου θυμάται καλά τη πολύ καλή εντύπωση  που άφησε και  την επιτυχία του δίσκου αυτού και στη χώρα μας τότε. Περιέχει ανάμεσα στα έντεκα κομμάτια του κλασικά late 90s τραγούδια σαν τα Moonlight, New Horizons, τη  κομματάρα Lady Lost In Time, Heaven Denied, Thunder, Time After Time, Falling Rain. Η σύνθεση εδώ είναι Rob Tyrant φωνή, Ölaf Thorsen και Anders Rain κιθάρα, Chris Breeze μπάσο, Andrew McPauls πλήκτρα και πιάνο, Mat Stancioiou ντραμς και πολύ θα ήθελα αντί των καλλιτεχνικών τους ονομάτων να ήξερα και τα κανονικά τους, αλλά έτσι αναφέρονται στο βιβλιαράκι του CD!

English

A Cutting Edge of Power and Progressiveness

Italian band Labyrinth was one of the big names in the neighboring country’s Melodic and Progressive Power Metal scene. I believe this CD is their most characteristic musical work. The band, which even experimented with "rave" (as we mockingly called them) keyboards on their previous debut album, fortunately only in two places here, dares to combine lyrical content with an Italian-style Power Metal approach. They were among the first to do so, along with fellow prog metallers Athena, the band of Fabio Lione, who passed through here and eventually ended up with the flagship of the Italian scene, Rhapsody. Their sound is a mix of Angra, Fates Warning, and Gamma Ray, and I recall well the great impression and success this album had in our country at the time. Among its eleven tracks, it contains classic late 90s songs like "Moonlight," "New Horizons," the great track "Lady Lost In Time," "Heaven Denied," "Thunder," "Time After Time," and "Falling Rain." The lineup here is Rob Tyrant on vocals, Ölaf Thorsen and Anders Rain on guitars, Chris Breeze on bass, Andrew McPauls on keyboards and piano, and Mat Stancioiou on drums. I would very much like to know their real names instead of their artistic ones, but that’s how they are listed in the CD booklet.

Τάκης "Ε-Μortal One" Γιώτης

BURNING WITCHES Enchant with New Single “The Spell Of The Skull”

 

Burning Witches are set to unleash their 80s-inspired heavy metal vibe with a modern twist in their upcoming maxi-single *The Spell of the Skull*, out December 10, 2024, via Napalm Records. The Swiss band, known for high-energy shows at major metal festivals like Wacken and Summer Breeze, brings two new tracks that showcase their signature power. The title track kicks off with a fierce guitar intro that highlights Laura Guldemond’s compelling vocals, especially in the anthemic chorus. Guitarist Romana Kalkuhl teases that “The Spell of the Skull” could be a new anthem for fans, marking an exciting prelude to their next full album in 2025.

DELAIN Releases Brand-New Track “The Reaping”

 

DELAIN is set to release their new EP, *Dance with the Devil*, on November 8, 2024, via Napalm Records, bringing fresh energy to their melodic synth-metal sound. Leading with the track “The Reaping,” the band channels a powerful mix of foreboding and sorrow, blending catchy synth melodies and modern heaviness to critique society’s troubling path. Now available on streaming platforms with an electrifying music video, “The Reaping” highlights DELAIN’s signature mix of heavy guitars and 80s-inspired synths. According to founder Martijn Westerholt, the track embodies the band’s evolving sound, offering a glimpse into their synth-driven future while remaining true to their high-quality discography.

Misanthropik Torment release new single

 

American extreme metal band Misanthropik Torment has released their new single, "This Is Why God Hates You", recorded, mixed, and mastered by Aaron Moore at A.MOORTAL Music Studios. Founded in 2018 in Lexington, Kentucky, by Erik Scarlet (vocals, lyrics) and Jonathan Nesbitt (guitar/bass), the band has consistently pushed the boundaries of extreme metal with their intense, passionate, and aggressive sound, earning them a dedicated following among extreme metal fans.

ORRA – New Album Titled “Glimmer of Hope”

 

ORRA (ΩЯRA) is a relatively new and promising melodic Progressive Metal group from Athens, Greece. The band was formed in the fall of 2019 by Petros Pierrakeas (guitar, formerly of Ocean Mind) and Panos Kapogiannis (bass, formerly of Garden Box).

Their sound and style are defined by melodic lines intertwined with emotional and dynamic transitions, creating a distinctive flow.

ORRA recently released their second album, “Glimmer of Hope” (released August 9, 2024) through Sleaszy Rider Records. This follows their well-received debut, *Unbounded* (2022), with Leonidas Chatzimichalis (Fatal Morgana, Equal Vector, etc.) on vocals.

For fans of Fates Warning, Queensrÿche, Rush, 70s Judas Priest, Scorpions, Opeth, and King Crimson, ORRA carves out its own unique path in the genre.

The band also has more to come, as they’re set to release another lyric video from *Glimmer of Hope* in mid-November. Stay tuned!

“Glimmer of Hope” is available on CD through Sleaszy Rider Records, and digitally on all major platforms!