Finnish extreme metal band i Helvete releases a new single – the second album out in November!

Promo picture by Henri Rantala

Combining melodic black and death metal, i Helvete has released the first single Uuden Ajan ABC from their upcoming second album Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta. The concept album tells the story of a movement that sees the direction of the modern world as doomed. Preserving the sustainability of the planet requires extensive and radical actions – and not everyone can survive.

The band from Seinäjoki, Finland released their debut album Sinisten Puiden Niitty two years ago. i Helvete’s new single Uuden Ajan ABC is now available on all streaming services and its lyric video on YouTube. Anna Pellikka, who also guested on the debut album, is responsible for the female vocals in the song. 

WATCH Uuden Ajan ABC video: https://youtu.be/1t0TIi2RAgQ 

Singer-guitarist Aleksi Mäkelä comments:

“Uuden Ajan ABC was the first completed song from our second album. From the beginning it was a very strong ensemble and a single candidate. The song contains memorable riffs, female vocals and mood changes. The opening riff was played and felt for a long time before it got surrounded by other stuff. Originally, the song actually contained a completely separate outro, but when we arranged the song with Tapio, he came up with the idea that it should go back to the stuttering atmosphere of the verses instead of the new outro. Manu added an atmospheric guitar solo to it and thus the end of the song became much better! Lyrically, Uuden Ajan ABC serves as a good starting point for the concept album world, even though it’s only the third song on the actual album.”

Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta will be published on 24th of November 2023 via Inverse Records. Before the album release, the band promises to release two more singles. The album was mixed and mastered by Second To Sun frontman Vladimir Lehtinen, who is known for e.g. as Grima and Ultar‘s sound engineer.
“The composition process of our second album was surprisingly fast. After the release of the first album, it probably took a half year for this album to be composed. Of course, the recordings and other processes related to the album release still took their own time. YYY is perhaps a bit more straightforward compared to the debut album. We wanted to keep the sound world as authentic as possible, and in the recordings we tried to find the most ready sounds for the instruments. In addition to traditional band instruments, the album features violin, accordion, piano and mandolin. Instead of virtual instruments, we wanted these to be real for the record, and we used session musicians to record them. I think the sound of the album is really successful.” Mäkelä continues.

LISTEN Uuden Ajan ABC single on streaming services: https://push.fm/fl/ihelvete-abc

PRE-ORDER CD from: Inverse Store  OR Record Shop X

Biography

Gloomy patterns, addictive moods and melodic, unconventional music. That’s how Finnish extreme metal band i Helvete swallows the listener to the edge of Northern Darkness. The band took its first breath in 2018 by releasing double-single “Pimeyden Ytimessä / Umpikuja”. After two years of writing new material i Helvete grew from duo to a full band and went back to the studio to record their praised concept debut album “Sinisten Puiden Niitty” in 2021. Consisting of experienced musicians, i Helvete hasn’t played any gigs yet – it’s left to wait for the right moment. Instead, the band has focused on making new music. The second concept album “Yksi Yhteinen Yhteiskunta” will see the light in November 2023.

Line-up:

Aleksi Mäkelä – Vocals & Guitar

Manu Kujala – Guitar

Tapio Holappa – Bass

Teemu Koski – Drums

Links:

https://www.yksiyhteinenyhteiskunta.fi
https://www.ihelvete.com/
https://www.facebook.com/iHelveteband/
https://www.instagram.com/i_helvete/ 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEs1W3FVRH2ujQJtXImolyg
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1hqfWpaEEb9wI4HqLvCEoc
https://ihelvete.bandcamp.com

Venezuelan doom-death metal sensation Stratuz presents Morning Star (Lyric Video)

Revered pioneers of extreme metal Stratuz are proud to unveil their captivating new lyric video for “Morning Star.” The track, taken from their highly acclaimed album “Osculum Pacis,” showcases the band’s signature blend of arrangements, density, heaviness, and melancholy, all seasoned with a profound sense of darkness.
“Osculum Pacis” is due for release in CD format via Wormholedeath. More info coming soon!

“Morning Star” symbolizes the first light of dawn, a reminder that spiritual enlightenment shines upon those who are ready. It represents Lucifer as the bringer of light and knowledge, challenging the traditional perception of fear. The band invites listeners to seek their own truth and understanding, urging them to awaken from the layers of lies that have been woven through time.

STRATUZ emerged onto the metal scene in 1984 and quickly solidified their position as Venezuela’s most revered metal band. Their debut album, “In Nomine…” released in 1995, catapulted them to recognition and acclaim. Following a triumphant European tour in 1999, they signed with LSP-Company and released “Spirit Seduction,” which marked a new chapter in their musical journey. After a hiatus, the band reunited in 2019, pouring their passion into the creation of “Osculum Pacis,” which was unleashed upon the world in 2022. The album garnered international praise, securing the top spot on the Jacquin Ravens Top 50 Metal chart and earning accolades as the best work of 2022 by esteemed journalist Roberto Palmitesta and Metal Pedia.

Stratuz continues to push boundaries with their unique brand of Doom-Death Metal, and “Morning Star” serves as a captivating glimpse into the darkness and beauty that awaits within “Osculum Pacis.” Stay tuned for more electrifying releases and updates from this formidable Venezuelan metal force.
The line-up of STRATUZ consists of Franklin Berroterán on voices and keyboards, Gerónimo Egea on guitars, Leonardo Rangel on bass, and Diego Cabrujas on drums. Together, they channel their collective musical prowess to forge a sound that captivates and enchants.

Stay connected with STRATUZ through their official channels for the latest updates and exclusive content:

Website: www.stratuz.info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stratuzofficial
Twitter: twitter.com/stratuzofficial
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/stratuzofficial
Instagram: www.instagram.com/stratuz_official

Norwegian Punk band Freedumb unveils new single ‘Guilt Trip’ from upcoming album ‘The Wasted Years’!

Norwegian punk rockers Freedumb are gearing up to release their album ‘The Wasted Years’ this November, and they’re giving fans a taste of what’s to come with their latest single, ‘Guilt Trip.’ Harkening back to the mid-2000s MySpace era, the track holds a nostalgic charm for long-time followers who remember the band’s energetic performances between 2005 and 2009.

https://orcd.co/guilttrip – streaming

“Guilt Trip” captures the essence of Freedumb’s roots, a song that was a staple in their live sets during their formative years. The track is a testament to the band’s enduring spirit and showcases their original lineup: Torstein Eriksen (bass/vocals), Thomas Walland Hansen (guitar), and Ole Vanem (drums, backing vocals). These seasoned musicians have been integral parts of various notable bands such as Norsk Råkk, Knuste Ruter, North of North, Friksjon, Skavanker, Hevn, The Supervisors, Morte Cerebrale, and Everything But Fun.

The studio recordings for “The Wasted Years” took place in 2011 at Cantus Studio in Oslo. Originally intended as the follow-up to their debut album, “The Freedumb Curse,” released in 2010, these plans were shelved, and some of the songs found a home on the album “Feeding The Tapeworm” (2016). Fast forward to 2021, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Torstein Eriksen unearthed the Cantus recordings and embarked on a creative journey to finalize lyrics and vocals for several instrumental tracks. The result is a 2023 album comprising nine tracks, with five songs in English and four in Norwegian.

2023 marks Freedumb’s 20th anniversary as a band, making it a fitting year for the release of “The Wasted Years.” Since their inception in 2003 in Moss, Freedumb has been a driving force in the punk rock and hardcore scenes, captivating audiences both domestically and internationally. The band is an integral part of the DIY collective “Tonehjulet Kräftpest,” based in Halden.

“The Wasted Years” will mark Freedumb’s sixth studio album, a testament to their resilience and artistic evolution. Throughout their journey, Torstein Eriksen (vocals/bass/songwriter) has remained a constant force, driving the band’s ethos and creative direction.

Links:

Freedumb on Facebook

Freedumb (@freedumbpunk) • Instagram

Freedumb | Spotify

Freedumb on YouTube

Freedumb – Wikipedia