Mad About Rock

  Icons of melancholic doom and gothic metal, PARADISE LOST have announced the second leg of their "Ascension Of Europe" tour, expanding the original run, which will start on October 10th, by 21 new dates. Tickets go on sale today, Friday, Oct 3rd, from 10am UK / 11am CET via https://paradiselost.co.uk/tour-dates/ . PARADISE LOST - Ascension Of Europe Part 2 06.02. NL Leeuwarden Neushoom 07.02. DE Hamburg Markethalle 08.02. DK Aarhus Voxhall 10.02. SE Gothenburg Pustervik 11.02. NO Oslo John Dee 13.02. SE Karlstad Nöjesfabriken 14.02. SE Norrköping Arbis 15.02. SE Stockholm Debaser 18.02. FI Lahti Finlandia-Klubi 19.02. FI Tampere Tavara-Asema 20.02. FI Helsinki Ääniwalli 21.02. EE Tallinn Helitehas 22.02. LV Riga Spelet 24.02. LT Vilnius Loftas 27.02. PL Gdansk B90 28.02. PL Warsaw Progresja 02.03. PL Wroclaw A2 03.03. DE Berlin Huxleys Neue Welt 04.03. DE Leipzig Felsenkeller 05.03. DE Hannover Capitol 06.03. NL Zoetermeer Poppodium Boerderij STREAM / PURCHASE PARADISE LO...

  Icons of melancholic doom and gothic metal, PARADISE LOST have released their long awaited 17th album, 'Ascension', today with Nuclear Blast Records. PARADISE LOST’s first album in 5 years, following 2020’s acclaimed Obsidian, was produced by the band’s revered guitarist Gregor Mackintosh and mixed/mastered by Lawrence Mackrory and is adorned with artwork by renowned British artist George Frederic Watts’ classic painting The Court of Death (1870-1902). Their latest, critically lauded masterpiece is evidence of a band still at the height of their prime 35+ years into a groundbreaking career. Soaked in misery and grief, Ascension soars with song’s like ‘ Tyrants Serenade ,’ ‘ Serpent on the Cross ’ and ‘ Silence Like The Grave ,’ that take listeners on an unforgettable journey through morose despair forged in soundscape of massive riffs and searing solos. Commenting on the record’s release, vocalist Nick Holmes states: "It took us nearly 40 years to get here but we're ...

  Icons of goth and doom, PARADISE LOST have revealed the second single, ‘Serpent on the Cross,’ from their long-awaited, 17th album Ascension that’s out September 19th from Nuclear Blast Records. Commenting on the song, vocalist Nick Holmes says: "The cross represents stability, prosperity, hope and happiness. The serpent represents trepidation, anguish and overbearing sadness, lurking in the shadows ready to take everything away." Stream ‘Serpent on the Cross’: https://paradiselost.bfan.link/serpent-on-the-cross Pre-order Ascension: https://paradiselost.bfan.link/ascension ‘SERPENT ON THE CROSS’ MUSIC VIDEO: https://youtu.be/EVtZZ15oQDQ Ascension Tracklist: 1. Serpent On The Cross 2. Tyrants Serenade 3. Salvation 4. Silence Like The Grave 5. Lay A Wreath Upon The World 6. Diluvium 7. Savage Days 8. Sirens 9. Deceivers 10. The Precipice Produced by Gregor Mackintosh at Black Planet Studios in East Yorkshire, UK & NBS and Wasteland Studios in Sweden Mixed/Mastered by La...

  Rising from the depths of the outlaw underworld, British theatrical rock act 'FangSlinger' return with their latest single 'Bare Your Teeth'. A raw and untamed fusion of tribal rhythms, heavy guitars and dark seductive vocals. The track delivers an intoxicating blend of hard rock, blues and country swagger, tailor-made for fans of Marilyn Manson, Rob Zombie and Ghost. Accompanying the release is a striking music video with it's abstract fever-dream of gothic western splendour that visually captures the essence of the band's dark mythology. The imagery portrays the vampire curse consuming it's host. A haunting representation of transformation, self-expression and rebellion against societal norms. 'Bare Your Teeth' is a battle cry for those who refuse to conform. An anthem for the outcasts, the wild at heart and those who dare to embrace their true nature. 'This song is about shedding the masks society forces upon us' says FangSlinger himself...

  As the band prepares to release their brand new studio album Sleepless Empire, Italian metal titans LACUNA COIL have released the ultimate single ‘I Wish You Were Dead’ alongside a stunning music video. ‘I Wish You Were Dead’ is about the emotional turmoil and struggle that accompanies toxic relationships. The song’s video, which premieres this evening at 8pm GMT, takes the track’s heavy theme and spins it into a romantic Goth tale just in time for Valentine’s Day. Filmed by Martina L McLean in a church in Capranica, a small town north of Rome, it marks a first in the history of LACUNA COIL: the band performing a choreography! STREAM HERE WATCH THE MUSIC VIDEO HERE On the new single, the band shares: “We all have this person we wish never existed, right? We all felt the need to erase the same person from our thoughts, someone who hurt us that it’s still in our mind. We wanted to write heavier lyrics on a happier musical canvas. Also we are a little tired of being politically c...

  Norwegian gothic metal pioneers Trail of Tears are back after more than a decade of silence. Their triumphant return kicks off with the title track, "Winds of Disdain," from their upcoming EP of the same name, set for release on 24 May 2024 via The Circle Music. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StMyuCZI_L8 Grab the single via digital platforms: https://thecirclemusic.lnk.to/wod2024 The single "Winds of Disdain" is a powerful and emotional exploration of the frustrations and negativity that have gripped the world in recent years. The song channels the darkness of the pandemic and the bleak outlook of today's society, all delivered with Trail of Tears' signature dark gothic metal sound. The song features the haunting vocals of Ailyn Giménez García, formerly of symphonic metal band Sirenia. Alongside García's soaring voice, founding member Ronny Thorsen delivers his distinct growls. The rest of the band features a solid foundation ...

  North American gothic metal fans were met with cause for elation last week, when genre-leading outfits BLACK VEIL BRIDES & VV (Ville Valo) announced an epic co-headlining tour for the Fall of this year. The announcement has proven to be an omen of what was still to come, as today, Black Veil Brides have released their cover of the Sisters of Mercy classic “Temple of Love” feat. VV! Leading with foreboding organs that quickly kick into a dark double time pace, the track tells tales of the perils of love in gothic storms, and bades the listener beware the wrought elegance it weaves. With an ominous tone, “Temple of Love” is the solemn backdrop to which these love metal paragons begin their union and sets the unholy couple off on their upcoming concert tour. Committed to uncompromising expression, with a foundation in hard rock tradition and rule-breaking iconoclasm, BLACK VEIL BRIDES is a transcendent celebration of life-affirming power and anthemic catharsis. A gothic visio...

  Originally a recording project of multi-instrumentalist and music producer Lucas Di Mascio, Malacoda has persevered and grown throughout the years. Now a trio, the band is ready to unleash the conclusion to their trilogy of EP's that was written and recorded before the pandemic. Embark on the Year Walk.... 'The Year Walk' is the third EP Malacoda will release in 2021. Four more songs which build upon the band's symphonic sound first explored on 2016's Ritualis Aeterna. Long time collaborator Michael Farina returns to play drums on select tracks, as well as Ryan Claxton (Tulip, Living Dead Girl) and Andrew Suarez (ex-The Slyde). The haunting album cover was made by the extremely talented Stefan Skjoedt. Featuring Gabriel Guardiola (Immortal Guardian) on the track Beaten Path as well as a stellar mixing and mastering job by Jeramie Kling (The Absence, Inhuman Condition, Venom Inc.), The Year Walk encompasses everything the band sought to achieve with this direction ...

Nordic symphonic metal masters MIDNATTSOL have just released the official lyric video for the title track of their upcoming new album “The Aftermath” which will be released on May 25th via Napalm Records. MIDNATTSOL now has true full sister power featuring Liv Kristine and Carmen Elise! The name "Espenæs“ rightfully makes a lot of people swoon – as both sisters have been a vital part of a magnitude of gothic / symphonic / folk metal milestones. Until this point a supergroup involving both sisters sharing microphone duties was only the stuff only dreams were made of. Now it is a reality! The band comments on the track: “As a huge thank you for waiting for us all these years, here is another song for you before the release of our new album! It contains a message that we want to reach out with; What do you think it is?” “The Aftermath” relies much more heavily on folk influences lending atmospheric density to the melancholic symphonic metal compositions. A sumptuous and sensua...

EPICA LAUNCH NEW VIDEO FOR "DECODE POETRY" AHEAD OF UK HEADLINE TOUR Dutch Symphonic Metal band EPICA has launched the video for “Decoded Poetry” which is taken from the band‘s latest EP ”The Solace System”. The animated video was created/produced by anime-master Davide Cilloni and completes the video trilogy of EPICA‘s masterful title track “The Solace System” and “ImmortalMelancholy”, all taken from “The Solace System EP” which was released worldwide in September 2017 via Nuclear Blast. Watch the new video now at: https://youtu.be/PEV-W_YqoGA EPICA‘s Coen Janssen (keys) comments: "It has been a great pleasure working with the talented Davide Cilloni on this unique video-trilogy. In this final part we finally find out what will happen to our dimension and if the Universal Death Squad will conquer our planet…. Let‘s hope for the best!! I hope you enjoy this last part as much as I have enjoyed seeing myself as a cartoon haha" EPICA are excited to ret...

Tuomas Holopainen's 3-track demo earned him his first record deal with his freshly founded band NIGHTWISH back in 1996. 20 years later, with over 2,000 shows played and more than 8 million records sold - NIGHTWISH are the biggest European symphonic metal band. Reason enough for Nuclear Blast to celebrate this huge anniversary by releasing a 2CD compilation titled Decades, on March 9th, 2018. The band have released their first trailer, in which mastermind Tuomas Holopainen talks about the songs that made the cut for Decades. Watch the clip here and below: https://youtu.be/CeWMrytEH7I Tuomas comments: "Actually, for me personally, it's not a 'best of' because I think the more correct term would be 'the most essential ones' [...] If a person who has never heard of NIGHTWISH before would like to get an idea of what this band is about and has been about for the past 20 years, he would get the perfect picture on 'Decades'! That was like my ph...

EPICA Release Music Video For 'Immortal Melancholy' This Friday September 1st, EPICA will release their long-awaited EP, The Solace System, which includes six brand-new songs, written and recorded during the process of their latest album The Holographic Principle. The band is honoured to premiere their new music video for 'Immortal Melancholy' exclusively on Billboard – watch the music video here: http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/rock/7948919/epicas-immortal-melancholy-video Keyboarder Coen Janssen comments: "Enjoy the second part of our animated video-series! In' Immortal Melancholy' the story continues where we left off with 'The Solace System'. We hope you like it as much as we do! Let's find out if the Universal Death Squad takes over our universe....!!" In case you've missed the latest trailers, make sure to watch them here: behind the music pt. 1: https://youtu.be/LmQHfDT8dsY behind the music pt. 2: https://yout...

EPICA Release Second "Behind The Music" Trailer Recently, EPICA announced their long-awaited EP, The Solace System. This record will include six brand-new numbers, which were written and recorded during the process of their latest album The Holographic Principle, which came out in late 2016 and charted worldwide. The EP release is due for September 1st, 2017 via NuclearBlast. To give you all an understanding of the content and the concept of this EP, EPICA will release some "behind the music" videos! They have unveiled part 2 of the trailer series, which you can see here:  https://youtu.be/4a2Bl5hL8Ts Catch up on part 1: https://youtu.be/LmQHfDT8dsY The band comments: "Here's our view on the new upcoming EP "The Solace System". We talk about the music and the lyrics of all the songs you can find on this record. Enjoy watching!" Track list of The Solace System: 01. The Solace System 02. Fight Your Demons 03. Architect Of L...

On September 1st, PARADISE LOST's studio album 'Medusa' will herald the loneliness and damp cold of autumn, as the legends from West Yorkshire return to their doom metal roots and deliver their 15th full-length release named after the Greek Gorgone whose sight turned people into stone. The British cult metallers will premiere the first track off their freshly forged monster on July 7th, and can reveal a snippet from the upcoming single entitled 'The Longest Winter'. Get a first impression of this new track, mixing typical PARADISE LOST melody lines with crushing doom moments. Check out the teaser below! In addition, the band can announce the 'Medusa' track list will consist of the following eight songs: Fearless Sky (8:30) Gods Of Ancient (5:50) From The Gallows (3:42) The Longest Winter (4:31) Medusa (6:20) No Passage For The Dead (4:16) Blood & Chaos (3:51) Until The Grave (5:41) Bonus tracks: Frozen Illusion (5:45) Shrines (3:59) Symbo...