STORMHUNTER: “Best Before: Death” to be released on March 21st!
The new album from the southern German heavy metallers STORMHUNTER will be called “Best Before: Death” and will be released on March 21st via MDD Records! The longplayer was recorded and produced at Iguana Studios under the direction of Christoph Brandes, while Timon Kokott provided the artwork. The first look at the cover is enclosed. “Best Before: Death” is described by the band as their “most personal album” to date, as various experiences from the band’s environment have been incorporated into the work. The 11 new tracks (incl. two instrumentals) with sophisticated guitar work and a variety of melodies should satisfy every fan of classic German Heavy Metal. A first taste will be available soon, the band’s next live dates are below.
We are thrilled to announce that the power/heavy metal band Lokheira has signed a deal with Wormholedeath for their debut album “Dark of the Night”, which is set to release on February 23, 2024. The album is a culmination of the band’s hard work and dedication, and we are excited to share it with the world.The roots of Lokheira’s album stretch back to a late-night epiphany by lead vocalist Irene Mavroudis Ramaglino. She dreamed up the title track, “In The Dark of The Night,”and, driven by its haunting melody, penned its lyrics in the wee hours. Collaborating with her husband, Rob Ramaglino, and his brother, Josh Ramaglino, who delivers a killer guitar solo, Lokheira brought this anthem to life. George Mavroudis, Irene’s brother and bass extraordinaire, lent his touch by crafting the album around the theme of the Seven Deadly Sins.“Dark of The Night” is a musical fusion, weaving a tapestry of diverse musical influences from bands like Orbit Culture, Machine Head, Sons of Texas, Unleash The Archers, Evanescence, Sunburst, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Pantera. Rob Ramaglino’s groove, Irene’s symphonic virtuosity, and George’s foundational bass mastery converge to carve a sonic landscape that defies conventions.The genesis of Lokheira dates back to 2022, born from a collective vision of passionate musicians who meticulously craft and cultivate their sonic identity:George Mavroudis: A luminary in bass and guitar, George’s musical prowess extends to the realm of music theory and the craft of musical electronics. Drawing inspiration from legends like Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd, and Pantera, his sonic journey resonates across multiple musical projects.Irene Mavroudis Ramaglino: A born performer, Irene’s musical journey started on stage at an early age, culminating in triumphant victories, including a prestigious singing competition at 18. Her eclectic influences, spanning Unleash The Archers, Within Temptation, and Evanescence, imbue Lokheira’s vocal realm with fervor and depth.Rob Ramaglino: A multi-instrumentalist virtuoso, Rob’s expertise spans guitars, drums, and the artistry of mixing and mastering Lokheira’s evocative melodies. His musical metamorphosis, from percussive beats to resonant strings, echoes his unwavering allegiance to the metal ethos.All of these styles melded together and created “Dark of The Night”, a unique and captivating album that is sure to leave a lasting impression on listeners.
Apogean Streams Harrowing Video for “Hueman (The Pleasure of Burn)” off the Upcoming Album
Toronto tech death band Apogean has unveiled the third single, “Hueman (The Pleasure of Burn),” off their debut record, Cyberstrictive, slated for 08 March 2024 via The Artisan Era physically (vinyl, CD) and digitally. The track, along with its accompanying music video, contributes to the album’s core theme of exposing the dark side of technology and digital poisoning by painting a dystopian picture of Blue LED Light Fallout.
Apogean States: “‘Hueman (The Pleasure of Burn)’ tackles the aftermath of a lifetime of exposure to blue LED light. Describing the physical ailments and the effects of poisonous photoradiation on the human populace, this song and video serve as a metaphoric representation of what awaits a generation plugged into cyberspace. Musically, this piece marks a turn towards adding more black metal elements to our music. This allows us to use more atmospheric choruses and expand the depth of feeling that we can provide artistically.”
WATCH the Music Video for “Hueman (The Pleasure of Burn)” RIGHT HEREand FIND the track on your preferreddigital/streaming mediaAT THIS LOCATION.
PRE-ORDER Cyberstrictive (on vinyl, CD, digital) as well as merchandise RIGHT HERE (Bandcamp).
WATCH/STREAM the previously released singles: “Thousand-Yard Glare” [Music Video | Audio] “With Which Ear You’ll Listen” [Lyric Video | Audio]
Apogean is a five-piece band from Toronto, Ontario, seeking to transcend metal’s traditional realms with their musical machinations. Drawing inspiration from a broad spectrum of artistic influences, this Canadian ensemble is set to embark on an unending journey, exploring the intersections of progressive metal, technical death, deathcore, and blackened death, positioning themselves at the forefront of heavy music’s ever-evolving landscape.
Despite their recent formation, Apogean features members bringing years of honed skills, diverse collaborations across genres, endorsements from leading musical instrument brands, and notable ventures into video game collaborations and licensing original compositions featured on ESPN. Their debut EP, Into Madness, was released in June 2021 through Blood Blast distribution, with mixing and mastering from renowned metal producer Zack Ohren (The Faceless, All Shall Perish, Immolation, etc.).
Cyberstrictive, the debut album, is Apogean’s first venture with the new vocalist Mac Smith, known for his involvement in various projects and recent stint as the live vocalist for Decrepit Birth. Beyond his vocal responsibilities, Mac, with a background in managing notable metal bands, also independently oversees the management of Apogean.
Across 10 songs, Cyberstrictive discloses the dark aspects of technology, taking a broader look at its impact on our minds, bodies, and souls. Drawing significant inspiration from Ray Bradbury’sFahrenheit 451 and echoing the dystopian excerpts of George Orwell’s1984, the album explores the hazards of modern technology, covering risks such as sensory damage, psychological trauma, desensitization, information paradoxes, predatory practices targeting children, addiction complexities, and the erosion of creativity. Ultimately, the album culminates in a reflection on overarching manipulation and concludes by addressing the burdensome aspects of technology, employing wordplay and metaphor to illustrate the overwhelming drawbacks outweighing the benefits in the modern digital world.
Track Listing: 01. Bluelight Sonata 02. Thousand-Yard Glare [Audio | Music Video] 03. Distance (Of Walls and Wails) 04. With Which Ear You’ll Listen [Lyric Video | Audio] 05. Imposter Reborn 06. Within the Bounds of a Simile 07. Hueman (The Pleasure of Burn) [Music Video | Audio] 08. Polybius 09. Spinthariscope 10. An(t)imus
Album Credits: Vocals/Lyrics – Mac Smith Guitars – Dexter Forbes Guitars – Gabriel Silva Castro Drums – Jacob Wagner Bass – Robert Tam
Guest Solo on “Bluelight Sonata” by Alex Baillie (Cognizance). Guest Solo on “Hueman” by Paul Walsh. Mixing/Mastering by Zach Ohren. Artwork by Mark Erskine.
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