BEAST IN BLACK, the Helsinki, Finland-based metal group led by former BATTLE BEAST guitarist Anton Kabanen, released its third album, "Dark Connection", last Friday (October 29). The official music video for the LP's third single, "Hardcore", can be seen below.
"Enter cyberpunk. Flying cars, sprawling metropolis, valleys of neon lights, emotionless killers, gynoids, femmes fatales, shadowy characters, lethal lust, forbidden passion, love larger than life, space travel, melodic and atmospheric heavy metal with an insanely catchy twist... All this and much more is what "Dark Connection" holds within.
The captivating album artwork was once again done by Roman Ismailov.
Line-up:
Yannis Papadopoulos | vocals
Anton Kabanen | guitars
Kasperi Heikkinen | guitars
Mate Molnar | bass
Atte Palokangas | drums
Today's tune "Hardcore" is taken from the new album "Dark Connection", enjoy!
With yesterday's post, I got a taste of traditional heavy metal in the present time and simply decided that I will continue on the same track for the rest of the week and offer some new discoveries and maybe have something that interests you as a reader.
So first out is one of the finest in Heavy Metal / Hard Rock from Helsinki, FINLAND!
ANGEL SWORD worships the heavy metal gods of old, fallen into slumber decades ago and now angered by the polished plastic sound of modern metal. Prepare for a skull-crushing, vomit-inducing dose of real heavy metal!
Hard and heavy rockers of the finest caliber, is what to expect on their second full-length album titled "Neon City". Further honing their expert songcraft shown on their sold-out first album, "Rebels Beyond The Pale", the new album is packed to the brim with catchy as sin riffs and melodies, powerful and sincere vocals, and 8 songs telling woefully triumphant tales of surviving in this cold, "Neon City". The album was released on November 16, 2019, on green cassettes, limited to 100 copies, and 500 copies on CD. Hopefully, a Vinyl version will be released soon.
ANGEL SWORD are:
Jerry Razors - Vocals, Guitars
Lightning Mike - Guitars, backing vocals
Eviltaker - Bass
St. Peter - Drums, backing vocals
Today's tune "Hardliner" is taken from "Neon City", enjoy!
DÖ is a riff-praising, cosmos-worshipping trio from Helsinki, Finland. This vicious death cult lead by Big Dog (guitar), Joe E. Deliverance (drums) and Deaf Hank (vox & bass) feeds on dark astral energy and compresses it into what they call “döömer” – a unique northern mix of doom, sludge, stoner and psychedelic elements with hints of death / black metal.
“Astral Death Cult” is DÖ’s second LP, and when you count the EP’s, it’s the 5th release in total. Like with the previous productions, drums, guitar and bass for “Astral Death Cult” were recorded live to get the genuine trio dynamics on each track. The result is an album that collides earthy northern tone, riffs heavy as a neutron star and lyrics that praise the great cosmic forces.
A dark basement with lit candles and flying V what more could you ask for a Friday like this.
One of Finland's hottest newcomers, EXCUSE began to make a name for themselves with the second EP, "Goddess Injustice". Release to critical acclaim in 2016 by Shadow Kingdom Records, "Goddess Injustice" largely introduced the fierce foursome to the international metal underground - with a nuclear-powered bang! A finely honed missile of speed metal majesty, EXCUSE's sound on that EP in many ways recalled the classic Canadian god's SACRIFICE and RAZOR, but there were hints of greater glories to come. And at last, they've arrived with the presciently titled "Prophets From The Occultic Cosmos". Released on August 2, 2019. Recorded at Black Floyd Analog Studio in August 2017. Mastered (Analog and Digital) at Timmion Cutting Lab in December 2017 - January 2018.
With the new album EXCUSE, who have been able to transform their earlier youthful energy into enviably advanced maturity with "Prophets From The Occultic Cosmos". Behold these Prophets' coming!
EXCUSE are:
Oskar Lindström - Lead Vocals & Guitars
Atte Aaltonen - Bass & Backing Vocals
Anselmi Ahopalo - Lead Guitar & Synths
Tatu Lybeck - Drums & Percussions
Today's tune "Sworn To The Crimson Oath" taken from the debut full-length album ”Prophets From The Occultic Cosmos”, enjoy!
KING OF NONE is a heavy rock band with psychedelic and progressive touch that was formed in the arctic wastelands of Finland in 2013 by vocalist Miiro Kärki, guitarist Aleksi Kärkkäinen, drummer Patrick Enckell, bassist Juho Aarnio and guitarist Juha Pääkkö, on the ruins of another band. Since its formation, the band has been combining heavy stoner rock riffs with psychedelic jams and progressive elements, culminating in energetic and dynamic live performances. Influences include KYUSS, SLEEP, ORANGE GOBLIN, MASTODON, TRUCKFIGHTERS among others.
The band has released three EPs and played shows along the coast of southern Finland. Notably, they’ve been featured on Spotify’s editorial playlist "Metallia Suomesta" (Metal from Finland) with their song “Yellow Snake King” and several music podcasts, see it below. Currently, KING OF NONE are playing live shows to promote their third EP “Weightless Waters” released in May 2019.
"Weightless Waters" is thier third EP. Recordings started in the summer of 2017 and production finally culminated with a release in May 2019. It was a long trip marked by a determination of doing everything better than previous times. Six songs with a broader variety of style than before, but still including all of the usual tricks we hide in our sleeves plus some new ones! Enjoy some stoneriffic tunes written and performed for the love of playing heavy music together and creating something new for all to listen.
Today's tune "Yellow Snake King" is taken from the latest EP "Weightless Waters", enjoy!
The five-piece, Helsinki based heavy metal band BEAST IN BLACK was founded by Anton Kabanen soon after he had parted ways with BATTLE BEAST in 2015. By the end of 2015 the band played their first gig as opening act for NIGHTWISH. The making of "Berserker" was already in progress back then and it was completed in summer 2017. A deal was signed with Nuclear Blast almost immediately after the completion of the album.
From left to right:
Kasperi Heikkinen - guitars
Sami Hänninen - drums
Yannis Papadopoulos - vocals
Anton Kabanen - guitars
Mate Molnar - bass
"Berserker" continues in the style of Anton's previously composed works which include the first three BATTLE BEAST albums. One of the essential themes on this debut album is the Japanese manga and anime "Berserk". Listen to today's tune "Blind And Frozen", where you get a super catchy, power metal, melodic 80's synth pop tune. As NIGHTWISH’s Tuomas Holopainen says about "Berserker", there’s nothing but a great album to expect: “You have to be mentally insane to not love this album.”
"Berserker" was produced by Anton in his Sound Quest Studio. The album’s artwork marks the return of the collaboration between Anton and Roman Ismailov who was the original illustrator and graphic artist for BATTLE BEAST.
Today's tune "Blind And Frozen", taken off the debut album "Berserker", a enjoy!
Upcoming tourdates as support for NIGHTWISH on their European tour during the autumn!
02.11.2018 (SE) Göteborg - Partille Arena
03.11.2018 (DK) Copenhagen - Valby-Hallen
05.11.2018 (DE) Berlin - Max-Schmeling-Halle
06.11.2018 (DE) Hamburg - Barclaycard Arena
07.11.2018 (BE) Antwerp - Lotto Arena
09.11.2018 (DE) Oberhausen - König Pilsener Arena
10.11.2018 (FR) Paris - AccorHotels Arena
11.11.2018 (CH) Genf - Arena de Geneve
13.11.2018 (SK) Bratislava - Incheba Arena
14.11.2018 (DE) München - Olympiahalle
16.11.2018 (DE) Leipzig - Arena
17.11.2018 (PL) Krakow - Tauron Arena
19.11.2018 (CZ) Prague - O2 Arena
20.11.2018 (HU) Budapest - Papp Laszlo Arena
22.11.2018 (CH) Zurich - Hallenstadion
23.11.2018 (DE) Nürnberg - Arena Nürnberger Versicherung
24.11.2018 (DE) Stuttgart - Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
26.11.2018 (NL) Amsterdam - Ziggo Dome
27.11.2018 (DE) Saarbrücken - Saarlandhalle
04.12.2018 (IT) Milano - Mediolanum Forum
05.12.2018 (DE) Frankfurt - Festhalle
08.12.2018 (UK) London - The SSE Arena Wembley
10.12.2018 (UK) Birmingham - Arena
11.12.2018 (UK) Manchester - Arena
14.12.2018 (FI) Turku - Gatorade Center
15.12.2018 (FI) Helsinki - Hartwall Arena
Helsinki's infamous vampires, THE 69 EYES, will release their 11th studio album "Universal Monsters" on April 22, 2016.
The first taste is the new single and video "Jet Fighter Plane".
The band formed in the bars of Helsinki, Finland in the summer of 1989 by Jyrki 69, Archzie (formerly of SYYSKUU), Timo-Timo, Lotto and Bazie; THE 69 EYES originally had a glam metal, and a sleaze rock sound and were compared to other Finnish Sleaze Metal acts such as SMACK and HANOI ROCKS. The band's lineup has stayed the same since 1992 when drummer Jussi 69 replaced original drummer Lotto who had played on the band's first two 7 inch vinyl singles.
During summer 2015, the band announced that they are working on a new album with producer Johnny Lee Michaels in Helsinki. Johnny Lee Michaels previously worked with the band on four consecutive albums (Blessed Be, Paris Kills, Devils, Angels.) On the band's official Facebook page, they announced the title of their 11th studio album to be "Universal Monsters" and will be released in April 2016. They also announced the first single "Jet Fighter Plane" to be released on January 15, 2016.
Today's tune "Jet Fighter Plane" is taken from the upcoming album "Universal Monsters". The Video is directed by Ville Juurikkala.
KINGSTON WALL was a psychedelic/progressive rock group from Helsinki, Finland, originally formed in 1987. Influenced by such artists as JIMI HENDRIX, LED ZEPPELIN and PINK FLOYD, the group combined eastern themes, mysticism and vivid psychedelia with acid-rock. The band consisted of Petri Walli (guitars, lead vocals), Jukka Jylli (bass, backing vocals) and Sami Kuoppamäki (drums, percussion). Walli took the most active role in the band. He formed the group, composed most of the songs and wrote all the lyrics. He was also KINGSTON WALLs producer and manager and ran the band's own Trinity record label.
During their active time, KINGSTON WALL never achieved mainstream popularity. All their albums were printed in limited amounts and released on Walli's own independent label, Trinity. It was only after the group had disbanded that their popularity slowly grew through word-of-mouth.
KINGSTON WALL was known for their energetic live performances. The band held their own Freak-Out Club three times in Helsinki. They started playing live from small local pubs but as their popularity grew they could sell out the biggest clubs in Helsinki.
Todays tune "I Feel Love" is a cover of the Donna Summer classic. Taken from the second studio album "II". The album was originally released under the band's own record label, Trinity, in February 1993. It was also licensed and released in Japan by Japanese Zero record label. Both of these prints have been sold-out in the 1990s and are considered somewhat collector's items. The Japanese print included English lyrics in the jewel case insert booklet as well as Japanese translations of the lyrics.
In 1998, Finnish record label Zen Garden (later SonyBMG Finland) re-released the whole KINGSTON WALL discography as remastered versions along with a 2-disc limited print-version of each album which included a Bonus CD featuring rare/unreleased studio and live material. These 2-disc versions have also been sold-out and are considered collectibles. The album is still available as a remastered 1-disc version from Zen Garden (2006).
A new 7" version will be released at Svart Records on July 12th.
Listen to ”Kingston Wall - I Feel Love" on Spotify