Asa cum probabil era de asteptat, din cauza situatiei epidemiologice la nivel mondial, turneul Sabaton care urma sa treaca si prin Romania se reprogrameaza in 2022, inclusiv data de la Bucuresti.
Noua data a concertului va fi anuntata in curand pe masura ce trupa isi programeaza noile date de turneu. Biletele raman in continuare valabile. Toti speram ca pana la inceputul verii acestui an pandemia sa ia sfarsit si sa putem reveni la normalitate, dar, din pacate starea de incertitudine se prelungeste si tot mai multe tari nu stiu daca isi pot deschide granitele pentru artisti si staff-ul acestora.
Va multumim pentru ca ati avut incredere alaturi de noi si ca ati cumparat sau pastrat biletele si regretam ca nu putem tine acest eveniment in 2021 alaturi de voi. Pentru mai multe informatii puteti scrie la contact@iabilet.ro Aveti grija de voi, va multumim pentru suport si ne auzim curand.
Asa cum probabil era de asteptat, din cauza situatiei epidemiologice la nivel mondial, turneul SLIPKNOT care urma sa treaca si prin Romania se reprogrameaza in 2022, inclusiv data de la Bucuresti.
Noua data a concertului este 20 iulie 2022 iar locatia ramane tot ROMEXPO. Biletele raman in continuare valabile.
Toti speram ca pana la inceputul verii acestui an pandemia sa ia sfarsit si sa putem reveni la normalitate, dar, din pacate starea de incertitudine se prelungeste si tot mai multe tari nu stiu daca isi pot deschide granitele pentru artisti si staff-ul acestora.
Va multumim pentru ca ati avut incredere alaturi de noi si ca ati cumparat sau pastrat biletele si regretam ca nu putem tine acest eveniment in 2021 alaturi de voi.
Aveti grija de voi, va multumim pentru suport si ne auzim curand.
Biletele au urmatoarele preturi:
Presale:
Psycho – 399 lei – ultimele 200 de bilete
Snuff – 329 lei – ultimele 200 de bilete
Plague – 209 lei
La acces:
Psycho – 430 lei
Snuff – 350 lei
Plague – 250 lei
La pretul tuturor biletelor comandate in presale se adauga comisionul de emitere bilet de 10 lei.
Se pun in vanzare doar 10.000 de bilete pentru acest show.
Biletele se gasesc in format electronic pe www.iabilet.ro si in magazinele Flanco, Metrou Unirii 1, Muzica, IQ BOX, Uman si pe terminalele Selfpay. Online, puteti plati cu cardul, Paypal, pe factura la Vodafone sau Orange sau ramburs prin Fan Courier oriunde in tara.
Copiii sub 2 ani au acces gratuit insotiti de un adult posesor de bilet valabil.
Recomandam fanilor care vin cu copii sub 10 ani sa le proteje acestora urechile cu casti speciale. La concert volumul va fi puternic si acesta poate afecta auzul copiilor.
Organizatorii vor pune la dispozitie suficiente puncte de vanzare a bauturilor pentru a evita cozile. Recomandam totusi sa veniti la concert din timp si nu inainte de ultima trupa. Este normal ca la orele de varf, fix inainte de intrarea pe scena a trupei cand se atinge capacitatea maxima a locatiei, barurile sa se aglomereze. Organizatorii vor oferi un program detaliat cu cateva saptamani inainte de concert.
Va rugam consultati programul final cu 3 zile inainte de eveniment pe metalhead.ro
Accesul cu umbrele este interzis.
Un eveniment METALHEAD & BestMusic Live Concerts powered by ROCK FM
DACA AI LUAT DEJA BILET ACESTA RAMANE VALABIL AUTOMAT
Biletele cumparate raman valabile pentru noua data si va asteptam cu drag la concert anul viitor! Daca ati cumparat deja bilet, nu trebuie sa faceti nimic special. Veniti cu biletul in 2021 la concert, acesta isi pastreaza automat valabilitatea.
DACA AI CERUT VOUCHER DEJA LA INCEPUT DE AN DAR VREI SA PASTREZI BILETUL
Daca ati facut deja o cerere de VOUCHER conform art 32. din OUG 70, CEREA A FOST ANULATA AUTOMAT de iabilet.ro inca din luna iulie a acestui an iar voi nu trebuie sa faceti nimic in acest sens. Biletul ramane valabil automat.
DACA TOTUSI VREI VOUCHER
Daca doriti sa faceti o noua cerere de voucher si sa nu va pastrati biletul o puteti face pe iabilet.ro/retur conform termenilor din art 32 din OUG 70 in maxim 30 de zile. Dupa expirarea celor 30 de zile biletul devine automat valabil pentru editia reprogramata a concertului.
SI ALTE VESTI BUNE
METALHEAD organizeaza in 2021 si alte evenimente precum Nick Mason (Pink Floyd) pe 16 iunie, Judas Priest pe 20 iulie cu o zi inainte de Slipknot, Wardruna pe 13 iulie, Sabaton in iulie cam in aceeasi perioada, Deathstars, James Arthur, Alternosfera, Cargo si Subcarpati la Arenele Romane dar si multe altele semnate si neanuntate inca (trupe mari).
Pentru ca ati fost alaturi de noi si ne-ati sustinut, veti primi pe email un voucher simbolic de 5% DISCOUNT la oricare din evenimentele noastre. Acesta poate fi folosit o singura data la oricare din evenimentele METALHEAD / BestMusic Live dar si la cele pe care le vom anunta in curand. Voucherul il veti gasi in contul vostru de pe iabilet.ro accesand sectiunea “Biletele mele / Vouchere”, dupa ce va logati. Acest voucher este unic si netransmisibil si poate fi folosit doar de pe contul vostru de pe iabilet.ro la o comanda urmatoare pentru unul din evenimentele noastre. Cu acest cod de voucher puteti cumpara mai multe bilete la acelasi eveniment iar reducerea se cumuleaza pe toata comanda. Voucherul expira pe 1 februarie 2021 asa ca va trebui sa-l folositi pana atunci.
Va multumim pentru intelegerea si rabdarea de care ati dat dovada in aceasta perioada si ne bazam pe suportul vostru in continuare. Industria trece prin momente grele dar le vom depasi impreuna si ne vom reveni cu totii mai puternici. Va multumim ca ne sunteti alaturi de 16 ani si va asiguram ca vom continua ceea ce facem incercand sa va aducem trupe mari, de calibru dar si multe nume underground in premiera (sau nu) in Romania.
METALHEAD organizeaza evenimente in Romania de 16 ani si a adus in cele peste 1.000 de concerte de metal nume precum Deftones, Disturbed, Godsmack, SLAYER, Gojira, Arch Enemy, Insomnium, Uriah Heep, Whitesnake, Garbage, Billy Corgan, Behemoth, Nightwish, Cannibal Corpse, Powerwolf, Anti-Flag, Papa Roach, Stone Sour, Anathema, Satyricon, Hipocrisy, Lake Of Tears, Obituary, Napalm Death, Rotting Christ, Sepultura, Watain, Moonspell, Sabaton, Accept, Primordial, Sonata Arctica, Amon Amarth, Delain, Last Hope, Agnostic Front, Dragonforce, Amorphis, Death, Ensiferum, Fleshgod Apocalypse, Evanescence, Delain, Apocalyptica, Asking Alexandria, Solstafir, Cradle Of Filth, Lacuna Coil, Kreator, Annihilator, Dark Transquillity, Arkona, Dead Kennedys, Hollywood Undead, Joe Satriani, Soilwork, Bullet For My Valentine, Evergrey si multi altii.
Ne face o mare bucurie să vă anunțăm că, după lungi discuții și analize, atât cu managementul formațiilor, cât și cu instituțiile abilitate din România, noua dată pentru ediția Maximum Rock Festival 2021 a fost fixată pentru 11-12 septembrie și va avea loc la Arenele Romane din București.
Formațiile reconfirmate pentru Maximum Rock Festival sunt: Epica (Olanda), Therion (Suedia), Orphaned Land (Israel), Subterranean Masquerade (Israel), Riot Monk (România), Loch Vostok (Suedia) și Magnetic(Bulgaria).
Din păcate, Devin Townsend și Katatonia nu vor participa la ediția din septembrie a festivalului, urmând ca aceștia să confirme participarea pentru ediția din 2022. Aceste nume au fost înlocuite pe afiș cu Eluveitie și Dirty Shirt, două formații extrem de îndrăgite de publicul din România și nu numai!
Menționăm faptul că Maximum Rock Festival 2021 va fi o ediție mai diferită și, ținând cont de actualele restricții anti Covid impuse de autoritățile abilitate din România, vom limita accesul publicului la 50 % din capacitatea locației.
Abonamentele achiziționate până în acest moment sunt valabile pentru ediția 2021 a festivalului, iar cei care (din diferite motive) nu pot participa la ediția din acest an a festivalului pot folosi abonamentele pentru Maximum Rock Festival 2022. Mai mult, toți cei care și-au achiziționat până în acest moment abonamente și le vor folosi pentru ediția din septembrie 2021 vor primi un discount la achiziționarea abonamentelor pentru ediția 2022.
Deoarece această ediție este una specială (cu o capacitate redusă a publicului), vă sugerăm să achiziționați din timp abonamentele de festival rămase – disponibile (60 de bucăți la preț promoțional!) prin AmBilet.ro – AICI.
Mulțumim pentru răbdarea de care ați dat dovadă și pentru încrederea acordată atât nouă, organizatorilor, cât și formațiilor participante!
Greek modern metal five-piece SCAR OF THE SUN have reached the next level with the brand new release of their otherworldly third full-length, Inertia. The album delivers a fresh take on melodic, atmospheric, often progressively-influenced metal while forging a unique path, and acts as a follow up to their self-titled demo (2005), debut full-length A Series Of Unfortunate Concurrencies (2011) and sophomore offering In Flood (2016).
We sat down with singer Terry Nikas to find out more about this album, music in general, and much more.
Hi and thank you for talking to us.
Hello
there! It’s our pleasure and thank you for your interest!
Congrats on the new album. How are you guys feeling now getting so close to the release?
Thank you very much, hope you enjoyed it! We are very happy to see the album being released finally! It has been ready for a couple of years, we delayed because the deal with Napalm Records took some time to complete, plus everyone is trying to delay their releases due to covid. So after all this wait, we are really thrilled that this album will be out there and we will be able to go forward!
I loved listening to the lyrics and that you had such a story behind
them, albeit a very dark one. What lead you to go down that path and dig deep
for the pain and anger and troubles and put that into song?
I
didn’t choose to write about these matters, these matters chose me really.
These are everyday events that happened not only to Greece, but also in other
countries. The problem is that we are forced to accept them and pretend that
nothing happened! Well, it did happen! When you see 10.000 people jumping of
off buildings, a skyrocketed unemployment that reached 30%, 80 year old people
that used to have a decent life in the past but now they are searching the
garbage for food and many, many more, you cannot be indifferent. We are in 2021
and we are sending spaceships to Mars, but people on earth are starving. This
makes no sense for the “crown jewel of creation” as some believe that the
humans are.
The Quantum Leap Zero trilogy
focuses on real life events from Greece 2015. While it was definitely a
situation and period that affected a lot of people, what drew you to it to put
it into song?
It was a very, very dramatic situation! It
was like war. The European Union shut down our banks, we were searching for ATM
machines with money available and there were queues of people in all of them or
there was
no money left. It was like sudden death, like they were choking us. Then we had
for the first time a government that fought for us and we got punished for
asking the obvious: to breathe! It was a dark period for us that I really hope
we will never get back, but to be honest, we are not out of it completely
yet.
Since we’re talking about such important
and impactful events, what big world
events do you remember from the time you were growing up?
I remember many events such as the
Chernobyl case, the fall of the Soviet Union and the impact of it, the first
war in Iraq etc, but to me the two most important cases happened in the USA and
I only remember the second because I was born -the first one though is equally
significant. The first one was the killing of JF Kennedy and the second was the
fall of the twin towers in New York City. To me, these two are extremely
important because they show where humanity is going. JFK was a problem for the
big financial interests, and they killed him in his own country! They did a
huge cover up because they just could and because at the time there were no
cameras in every phone, internet etc, so they managed to cover their traces.
The twin towers also had a huge cover up after the event and the American
government used it in order to force new rules that changed the financial
balance overnight. All these, but also what happened to Greece in 2015 are
coups. There is no democracy, elections are just fancy events to show that we have
a saying. Well, we actually don’t!
What are some of the causes you not just
believe in but are actively involved in, outside of the band and album?
I see myself as an ecologist, so whenever I have time I am trying to be involved in actions. I am not an activist, but I would love to have the time and the financial stability to be. I also love dogs, I have been involved many times in saving stray dogs and in several actions about stray dogs. I would also love to be able to have a huge farm to host stray dogs and just go every day there to take care of them and play with them. This is how heaven seems in my eyes.
What are the events or experiences you think build you guys the most as a
band and made you stronger together?
First
of all, we have the same line up for the last 11 years. We did all our tours
together, so this and the condition of our first tours bonded us together. The
main thing that made us stronger together was the endless rejections we got
until we managed to get this deal with Napalm Records. Most bands quit, for us
this was not an option. Every time we had a serious rejection it was taking us
down, but then we were gathering up our strength and we were going forward
trying to be stronger and better. As you can imagine, the fact that the same 5
people insisted and persisted all these years, through some very difficult
situations, both in the band but also in our personal lives, made us strong
together.
When did you decide you wanted to pursue music seriously? Were there
moments when you almost gave it up?
I always wanted to do that and be a
professional musician. I loved music since I was a kid. When I formed the band
though, the plan since day 1 was to do it on the top level. No compromise and
many sacrifices until we make it. After one point there was no other option for
me really, I felt that if I don’t make it, I will be a failure in my
life. There were times that I thought I should quit. I was thinking that if we
will release 2-3 more albums without doing steps forward then there would be no
point of trying, in a sense that you cannot reach a certain age and still send
demos to record labels in order to take you seriously. It would be a matter of
dignity you know. But I am really happy we managed to do the next step right on
the right moment, so all good, hahaha…
What is your favourite town among the
ones you’ve toured in?
I don’t have always time to go around on
tours unfortunately.
Sometimes
you cannot even move around because the venue is in an area that is far away
from the area you can go out and have a coffee and walk a bit. I would say that
Porto was an amazing place to have a day off on a tour because you can walk
around and just sit in a very beautiful scenery, especially if it’s close to
summer that you can sit outside. Barcelona is another city I really like, and I have a good time
every time I have the chance to go around. I would definitely love to have more
time to see many places better.
Most people I know, me included, absolutely hate hearing their recorded
voice because it sounds nothing like it sounds in their head. How do you deal
with that as a singer?
Hahahaha…
I know what you mean. Well, many huge singers had that problem like John Lennon
that absolutely hated his voice and he was doing anything he could in order to
hide it under production tricks. Many people also don’t have the opportunity to
record their voice on high quality equipment, let alone mix it nicely. Most people
listen to their voice on the phone sometimes, recorded on a phone recorder. I
don’t have any of these problems. First of all, I can record on expensive and
high quality equipment and mix it nicely but anyway I like my voice a lot, even
if it’s recorder on a normal phone, hahaha…
What do you do to spark your
creativity? What does being creative mean to you in particular?
Lyrics come to my mind all the
time! I have much more to write about than just ten songs every time we make an
album. I am inspired by everyday life and the planet goes so wrong, so I get
endless inspiration. Also, when I listen to music my brain directly reacts in a
positive way and I get ideas about songs. Outside of the band, I have many
things that I love doing and I could do much more if I had time. For example, I
love working with wood and make treehouses and structures. I find it so
creative! I don’t do something to spark my creativity, I guess I am lucky that
this thing comes naturally to me. Creativity means being alive! I couldn’t just
have a 9-5 job without any purpose in life other than the weekend and the 3
weeks holidays during summer! I would die if I had to work to a bank, hahaha…
Something very particular to
the last year was having to deal with a lot more “me time” in lockdown. How do
you deal with boredom?
The lockdown was weird! The first
part last year, when everything started, I stopped working (I am a sound
engineer and I have my own studio). All work stopped. For me being a very busy
person, it felt weird at first, but then I was happy because I had time for me
and my family! I was totally stressed about the financial aspect at first but
eventually I started working again after 3 months. I ended up having the busiest
year at the studio, probably because all musicians find time to record and mix.
I had no touring though, so I had more time at home, but there were a few
months that I was all day at the studio. Still I had more time for myself, but
this was good because I have two baby sons, so I had the chance to enjoy them
and stay with my wife at home more than before. Family is number one for me, so
I managed to spend more time with them. Also, being a father of babies is a full-time
job, as a result, I didn’t really have free time, hahaha…
What’s your favorite ’90s jam?
Hmmm.. This is a tough question, simply
because they are too many to choose from! I would say probably the song
Somewhere Far Beyond from Blind Guardian. This is really really hard to say, I
can make you a list of 100 songs from the 90’s and still not be completed,
hahaha…
Dragii nostri, Din cauza contextului international si national si a masurilor de siguranta si de securitate ce se impun in combatarea raspandirii pandemiei de COVID-19., concertul Judas Priest de anul acesta de la Bucuresti se reprogrameaza in 2022, pe 18 iulie, tot la Arenele Romane.
Legendele heavy metal si-au reprogramat tot turneul aniversar “50 de ani”. Amalgama din Rusia raman invitatii speciali ai serii. Revenim in curand si cu alte nume pe afis.
Biletele cumparate raman valabile pentru noua data si va asteptam cu drag la concert anul viitor!
Va multumim pentru intelegerea de care ati dat dovada in aceasta perioada si ne bazam pe suportul vostru in continuare. Industria trece prin momente grele dar le vom depasi impreuna si ne vom reveni cu totii mai puternici. Va multumim ca ne sunteti alaturi de 16 ani si va asiguram ca vom continua ceea ce facem incercand sa va aducem trupe mari, de calibru dar si multe nume underground in premiera (sau nu) in Romania.
Biletele se gasesc in format electronic pe www.iabilet.ro si in magazinele Flanco, Carturesti, Metrou Unirii 1, Muzica, IQ BOX si pe terminalele Selfpay. Online, puteti plati cu cardul, Paypal,carduri de tichete culturale Sodexo, pe factura la Vodafone sau Orange sau ramburs prin Fan Courier oriunde in tara.
Hooverphonic canta pe 24 mai 2022 la Bucuresti la Arenele Romane, Open Air. Evenimentul va respecta toate normele in vigoare la momentul desfasurarii acestuia.
Hooverphonic vin din Belgia si in cei peste 20 de ani de activitate au lansat 10 albume dar si hituri precum “Mad About You”, “Eden” sau “2 Wicky”, combinand trip hop-ul cu rockul alternativ si cu muzica electronica. Cel mai recent material discografic este ‘Looking For Stars’ care a fost lansat in 2018.
Piesele trupei au fost incluse pe soundtrack-urile multor filme precum CSI, La Femme Nikita, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Permanent Midnight, The Interview, Stealing Beauty sau Third Watch.
In 2020 Hooverphonic trebuia sa reprezinte Belgia la concursul Eurovision insa acesta a fost anulat din cauza pandemiei.
Concertul va fi marcat mai ales de reintoarcerea solistei Geike Arnaert, artista care a urcat pe scena alaturi de Hooverphonic din 1997 pana in 2008. Aceasta a revenit in trupa in Noiembrie anul trecut iar momentul a fost celebrat cu o relansare a cunoscutei piese ‘Mad About You’ care implinise 20 de ani. Reintoarcerea lui Geike a venit natural, avand in vedere ca multi fani ai trupei i-au simtit lipsa.
Biletele au urmatoarele preturi:
– Premium (cu loc) – 149 lei in earlybird, 169 lei in presale si 200 la intrare
– Teren (fara loc, in fata scenei) – 119 lei in earlybird, 139 in presale si 170 la intrare
– Acces General (cu loc) – 79 lei in earlybird, 99 lei in presale si 130 lei la intrare
Perioada earlybird este limitata la primele 200 de bilete din fiecare categorie
Pentru biletele “cu loc” accesul se face doar prin parc prin lateralele arenei
Pentru biletele de pe Teren accesul se face pe la portile de jos din parc ale Arenelor Romane.
Biletele ofera participantilor acces doar in categoriile in care si-au cumparat bilet.
La pretul tuturor biletelor comandate in earlybird si presale se adauga comisionul de emitere bilet de 10 lei.
Copiii sub 2 ani au acces gratuit doar in zona Teren (nu si pe scaune) si insotiti de un adult posesor de bilet valabil.
Recomandam fanilor care vin cu copii sub 10 ani sa le protejeze acestora urechile cu casti speciale. La concert volumul va fi puternic si acesta poate afecta auzul copiilor.
Organizatorii vor organiza suficiente puncte de vanzare a bauturilor pentru a evita cozile, Arenele Romane fiind o locatie propice pentru evenimentele de gen. Recomandam totusi sa veniti la concert din timp si nu fix inainte de concert. Este normal ca la orele de varf, fix inainte de intrarea pe scena a trupei cand se atinge capacitatea maxima a locatiei, barurile sa se aglomereze. Organizatorii vor oferi un program detaliat cu cateva saptamani inainte de concert.
Accesul cu umbrele este interzis.
Biletele se gasesc in format electronic pe www.iabilet.ro si in magazinele Flanco, Metrou Unirii 1, Muzica, IQ BOX si pe terminalele Selfpay. Online, puteti plati cu cardul, Paypal,carduri de tichete culturale Sodexo, pe factura la Vodafone sau Orange sau ramburs prin Fan Courier oriunde in tara.
Forget HELLOWEEN – Here comes HELLOWEEN This is the beginning of a new time calculation: »Please stick together!« This was the ardent wish of thousands of fans calling out to Andi Deris, Michael Kiske,Michael Weikath, Kai Hansen, Markus Grosskopf, Sascha Gerstner and Dani Löble during the PUMPKINS UNITED WORLD TOUR – and their dream has come true! With the upcoming album, simply titled HELLOWEEN, the band opens a new chapter after 35 years of a glorious career. The future of one of the most influential German metal bands from now on will feature three singers. Originally planned for the live performances only, it was the birth of a unique seven piece metal alliance.
Dani Löble: „This record is the coronation of the PUMPKINS UNITED journey! Still, until today I am fascinated by the different character traits and facets of the HELLOWEEN history. Per example the legendary voices of Michi, Andi and Kai. To enjoy them now together on one record, under one flag is the ultimate HELLOWEEN experience”. It is therefore not surprising that the pre-release single “Skyfall” (out on april, 2nd), a 12 minute epos written by Kai Hansen, has the long yearned “Keeper-vibe” – even if the long player can by no means be limited to it. “Skyfall” implies the musical arch which will be loved by fans of every era. This first album of a new age is taking the fans from unforgettable memories of the fifteen studio records and four live CD’s to new adventures.
“Skyfall” begins with a bang. The epic track describes an alien landing on earth and a dramatic chase while Kiske, Deris and Hansen duel with each other in a breathtaking manner and create a vocal broadband adventure. Produced by Martin Häusler, it is the most elaborate video clip in the history of the band; shown with 3-D animation and having a cinematic look, this video is a real high end experience.
The base of this milestone album was already erected in the studio: using the original drum kit of Ingo Schwichtenberg, the recording was done with the same modulators at the Hamburg HOME studios where back then „Master Of The Rings”, „The Time Of The Oath” and „Better Than Raw” were recorded. Completely analog and under the eyes of long term producer Charlie Bauerfeind and co-producer Dennis Ward, the UNITED impact travelled to New York and got the final mix in the Valhalla Studios of Ronald Prent (Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, Rammstein). „After 30 years with the different line ups of the band I really thought I was well prepared for another extreme challenge, but I was wrong! My expectations were highly exceeded in every way with this super-sized creativity package” tells us Bauerfeind.
Besides all musical competence, it is also the special enthusiasm that defines HELLOWEEN. Michael Weikath characterizes in his own way: „It is the incomprehensible encounter of seven musicians who are working as friends and even family and created something that no one would have thought it could be possible. It is like awaking from a sleep but still being in an incredible dream”. Returnee Kai Hansen reflects: „Being in the studio with my old companions after 30 years was very emotional for me. But at the same time it was a completely different experience with the “new” boys. The collaboration of different songwriters and strong characters made the album very special: a unique mix with reminiscences from all chapters of the band’s history. HELLOWEEN is a big part of my life and I am looking forward to celebrating the songs live for and with our fans”! From another perspective Markus Grosskopf agrees: „For me, being one of the last ‘survivors’ who played every note from the beginning, it was a fantastic experience and a very emotional process. I think everyone can hear it on this album. I love it”.
With all this brand new material an album has been created, an album that is set apart from the digital mainstream and showing the essence of the band was never more solid. This is the beginning of something big – here comes HELLOWEEN.
„HELLOWEEN” will be released on June 18th, the album pre-order will kick off on March 26th.TRACKLISTING „HELLOWEEN“
01 – Out For The Glory 02 – Fear Of The Fallen 03 – Best Time 04 – Mass Pollution 05 – Angels 06 – Rise Without Chains 07 – Indestructible 08 – Robot King 09 – Cyanide 10 – Down In The Dumps 11 – Orbit 12 – Skyfall
—-
The first single “Skyfall” will be available on CD, digitally and in two different vinyl versions.
Single 1: Vinyl, CD, digital: ‘Skyfall’ (single edit) + ‘Skyfall’ (exclusive alternative vocals mix). Both are exclusive single versions and will not be on the album. Around 20 minutes playing time.
Single 2: Vinyl only ‘Skyfall’ (single edit) + ‘Indestructible’ (exclusive album track). This is a strictly limited version of the new single with one exclusive album track.
Pre-order the singles here in the format of your choice: Watch the teaser trailer here: https://youtu.be/O_ZbYRkYPLs
Disclaimer: God Is An Astronaut is probably one of the first post-rock bands I’ve listened to. Even more so, one of the bands with whom I’ve had the pleasure of sharing the stage a few years back (Torsten, Niels and Lloyd are the most down to Earth artists I’ve ever met). So what you’re about to read is unapologetically a biased review of their upcoming album, Ghost Tapes #10.
Adrift, the first song on the album, sets the tone for what I would call a God Is An Astronaut you never knew ever existed. 90’s grunge riffs, dirty delayed guitar leads and distorted bass lines, followed by the atmospheric trademark the band is known for. Right from the get-go, I can definitely say that the Production is perfect. A lot of work has been put into capturing every detail on what the band is expressing on Ghost Tapes #10. And this song clearly establishes the vibe that we are going to experience throughout the entire album.
Burial is the song that the band chose to announce the album through, releasing it as the first single. And I think it’s safe to say that they made the right choice: dark melodies, deep piano chords and a constant state of anxiety, all tailored in a way to make you nod your head at the same time.
If there’s something I think more post-rock genre bands should embrace more is experimenting with odd time signatures and groovy drum beats, rather than the usual (and overdone, at this point) crescendos and reverb-driven lead parts. I think In Flux is doing just that. The song starts off with a dark synth pad part, followed shortly by a 7/8 time signature beat. I could definitely hear this song in Quentin Tarantino’s next action movie’s soundtrack.
Photo Credit: Brian Meade
Spectres picked up from where In Flux left off, in a similar odd time signature beat and a fear inducing soundscape . This gem is one of the best examples on how the band have distanced themselves from albums like All Is Violent, All Is Bright or Helios / Erebus. I’m pretty sure that more than 16 years ago they wouldn’t have had a clue that they would put out an album such as this one. An album I cannot wait for all of you to listen to.
Fade is God Is An Astronaut’s second single off Ghost Tapes #10 and it clearly doesn’t disappoint in maintaining the solid feeling the entire album’s been built upon. However, unlike the 4 previous songs, we’re listening to a more melody oriented song, rather than the riff based songs like Burial and Spectres.
Barren Trees is probably my favourite song on the album! It managed to encapsulate all of my expectations from this long awaited release: groovy drum beats, courtesy of Lloyd Hanney, Torsten’s airy vocals and riffs and Niels’s amazing bass lines, all wrapped up in a reinvented grungy God Is An Astronaut.
Luminous Waves is the closing song and it’s something I was waiting to hear from the GIAA crew in a long time. I strongly think that, if they would try to write Fragile once again, this song would definitely sound like it.
Conclusion: The album clearly represents a departure from Epitaph, Helios / Erebus and basically, most of what we’ve been used to hearing from God Is An Astronaut. Of course, that’s not a negative aspect. It’s actually quite the opposite. If there’s something that I respect the most in a band is their ability to innovate their sound and re-invent themselves, over and over again. Ghost Tapes #10 does just that and I cannot wait to listen the s**t out of it on repeat.”
Anneke van Giersbergen recently announced the release of her new solo album ‘The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest’. Today she is happy to reveal “My Promise” as the album’s first single. The track premieres alongside an accompanying music video.
Anneke comments: “I wrote ‘My Promise’ when I imagined what life after divorce would really entail. The lyrics deal with a determination to fight for love. The song starts off with an acoustic Arabo-Spanish Gypsy vibe and gradually builds towards a euphoric ending. Ruud Peeters wrote a hauntingly melancholic string arrangement.“
Anneke continues: “We shot the video in Radio Royaal, one of my favourite restaurants in my hometown Eindhoven and it shows a few defining moments in a relationship, represented by different couples.“
You can watch the video here:
Additionally, ‘The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest’ is available for pre-order starting today. The album will be available as eco-friendly CD Digipak (plastic-free), as 180g Gatefold LP (incl. the album on CD) & as digital album. It will be released on February 26th, 2021. Click here to pre-order the album: https://annekevangiersbergen.lnk.to/TheDarkestSkiesAreTheBrightest
(“The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest” – cover artwork) “The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest” – Tracklist: 01. Agape 02. Hurricane 03. My Promise 04. I Saw A Car 05. The Soul Knows 06. The End 07. Keep It Simple 08. Lo And Behold 09. Losing You 10. Survive 11. Love You Like I Love You
The album’s title, ‘The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest’, refers to the idea that, when facing personal challenges, we are forced to find answers to life’s biggest questions. But, at this point in her near-three-decade-long music career, this solo album – and, crucially, the heartbreak that inspired it – was not something Anneke van Giersbergen ever anticipated writing. In 2018, Anneke began working on new material for her metal band, VUUR. Although their debut album, ‘In This Moment We Are Free – Cities’, was met with a mixed reception, fans were warming up to their heavy, progressive sound. Therefore, a rapid follow-up album would surely establish Anneke’s return to fronting a metal band. However, behind the scenes, these were troubled times.
Anneke shares, “My belief in VUUR saw me spend all my savings on recording VUUR’s debut album and taking the band on the road. After completing our first touring cycle, I realized that more VUUR would mean yet more, huge financial risks.“
To make matters worse, in 2018, her long-lasting marriage, which had always been wonderful, unexpectedly saw a storm approaching. Anneke adds, “I instantly knew I needed to write music about fixing my life. This creative endeavour would be far too personal for a VUUR album. And it would also require solitude.“
With just her acoustic guitar and basic recording gear, Anneke retreated to a small house near the woods, just outside her hometown of Eindhoven. She let go of the pressures of what VUUR’s future might be, and fell into the meditative process of writing a solo album. In 2019, work continued on the new songs. In 2020, Anneke asked her friend and producer, Gijs Coolen, to help finish the album.
Throughout the completion of the album, Anneke’s fragile, acoustic song-stories were fused together with an alchemy of panoramic strings, horns, and percussion. The resulting 11-track record has all the intimacy of Anneke serenading an audience of one, combined with surprising departures into swampier, foot-stomping grooves.
The Japanese art of kintsugi has inspired Anneke to use a repaired heart as the album’s symbol. Kintsugi teaches that bringing together the pieces of a broken object – with the use of a precious metal – adds value and uniqueness to it. And, instead of giving up on their marriage, Anneke and her husband decided to take the time to mend their bond. They now cherish the repaired heartbreak as something profoundly valuable.
Their journey through this personal storm, and the album that Anneke created in the eye of it, proves that the darkest skies truly are the brightest.
About Anneke van Giersbergen:
‘The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest’ is Anneke’s 23rd career album. It proves, once again, that the award-winning Dutch artist defies being pigeonholed by any genre.
After thirteen years as the front woman for melancholic metallers, The Gathering, she struck out on her own in 2007. Since then, her creativity has known no bounds. Anneke quickly solidified a successful solo career (initially under the moniker Agua de Annique), and has recorded and performed with Canadian metal genius Devin Townsend multiple times. She has also lent her serene yet powerful voice to the likes of: Anathema, Icelandic folk group Árstíðir, Within Temptation, Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen, Amorphis, and prog legend John Wetton.
2012’s ‘Everything is Changing’ was something of a milestone in Anneke’s solo career. The album, which was the first to be released under her own name, received two Edison Award nominations – Holland’s most prestigious music prize – in the categories ‘Best Female Artist’ and ‘Best Album’. In 2015, Anneke van Giersbergen and Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) released their collaborative album ‘The Diary’ under the name The Gentle Storm. In October 2017, Anneke’s progressive metal outfit VUUR released their much-anticipated debut album. ‘In This Moment We Are Free – Cities’ entered the Dutch Album Top 100 at number 2, Anneke’s highest-ever chart position.
Forever the unpredictable artist, in late 2018, Anneke released ‘Symphonized’, an 11-track live orchestral album. It was recorded at two career-spanning concerts alongside Residentie Orkest The Hague, and features rearrangements of songs from her entire back catalogue. 2019 saw Dutch music copyright organisation Buma Cultuur honor Anneke with the Buma ROCKS! Export Award. This is their award for the Most Successful Dutch Artist Abroad in Heavy Music. In 2021, the release of her new solo album ‘The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest’ will see Anneke surprise her fans all over again.
Norwegian Rock outfit LEPROUS is delighted to release a brand-new single entitled “Castaway Angels” via InsideOutMusic today. The song was recently tracked at Ocean Sound Recordings in Norway and then mixed by Adam Noble (Placebo, Biffy Clyro, Nothing But Thieves).
