The unveiling of Bruce Dickinson's new solo single, "Afterglow Of Ragnarok", coupled with the release of its official music video, undoubtedly marks a significant moment for the rock and metal community. The convergence of music and visual storytelling, as envisioned by Dickinson and Tony Lee in their graphic novel, brings a unique and immersive experience to fans.
The collaboration with director Ryan Mackfall adds a cinematic dimension to the narrative, while the original artwork by Staz Johnson promises a visually captivating journey. The synergy between these elements holds the promise of not just a musical endeavor but a holistic artistic expression.
The anticipation surrounding "The Mandrake Project," Dickinson's forthcoming solo album, is palpable. Scheduled for an early 2024 release via BMG, the album holds the promise of delivering a sonic tapestry woven with Dickinson's distinctive vocal prowess and enriched by the thematic depth introduced in "Afterglow Of Ragnarok".
"Afterglow Of Ragnarok" is a dramatic and epic track that introduces the world not just to the music of the album but to the compelling narrative that forms the basis of "The Mandrake Project".
"It was important to set the tone of the project with this track," Dickinson explained. "As befitting its title, it's a heavy song and there's a great big riff driving it… but there's also a real melody in the chorus that displays the light and shade that the rest of the album brings… and just wait until you see the video!"
"The Mandrake Project" is a dark, adult story of power, abuse and a struggle for identity, set against the backdrop of scientific and occult genius. Created by Dickinson, scripted by Tony Lee and stunningly illustrated by Staz Johnson for Z2 Comics, the series features 12 episodes that collect into three graphic novels and will be launched in 2024.
An eight-page comic prequel to "The Mandrake Project", titled "Afterglow Of Ragnarok", is included within the vinyl seven-inch single booklet which accompanies the single of the same name and sets the scene for the story to come. The seven-inch single also features Dickinson's original solo demo version of the song "If Eternity Should Fail", which first appeared on IRON MAIDEN's album "The Book Of Souls" in 2015.
ELVENKING presents Venom cover "Prime Evil", featuring Tony Dolan and Snowy Shaw!
Following the release of their latest, eleventh studio album, “Reader Of The Runes – Rapture” (released in April 2023 on AFM Records, order HERE!), heavy metal, pagan, folk and melodic death metal fusionists Elvenking have suprised fans with a stunning cover version of VENOM's "Prime Evil"! But, this isn't just another cover, the Elvenking version also features guest appearances of former VENOM singer and bassist Tony Dolan, and Snowy Shaw (ex-Mercyful Fate, ex-King Diamond)!
As ELVENKING revealed, "it is a special song in many ways, starting from the fact that it is a love letter to a band and to a specific moment in time when metal was in fact imprinting our lives indefinitely. The second special aspect of this recording is the lineup. It is a surprise and a metal-dream come true for us since it sees Tony Dolan "Demolition Man" on vocals + bass (he was the original singer and bass player of Venom in the era in which this album was released and now he is still kicking with Venom Inc.), Snowy Shaw (ex-Mercyful Fate, ex-King Diamond, ex-Memento Mori, etc.) on drums, Damna on vocals + rhythm guitars, Aydan on solo guitar + keyobards and Lethien on the violin."
Ever since their inception in 1997, Elvenking mastered their way to their own identity with courage and bravado, leaving behind the shackles of genres step by step before they truly broke out with their 2014 monument “The Pagan Manifesto”. Elvenking have been defying all genres, now feeling quite at home in their very own enchanted realm. With “Rapture”, the Italian collective has unleashed part two of their monumental Reader Of The Runes trilogy, and an epic metal quest of woe and despair, wrought with mysterious figures, dark magic and an altogether mesmerizing autumnal flair reminiscent of a forest glade during an Indian Summer. It’s more than just a metal album. It’s a moving story set to fabulous songs, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality. Many times before, Elvenking have weaved powerful magic into the world. This time, they truly came into their own, wresting their best effort yet from a global pandemic.
The band is currently in the studio, working on a new album to be released in the hopefully not so distant future. Furthermore, ELVENKING just recently announced an extensive US and Canadian tour as special guests of ALESTORM. Find all upcoming live dates listed below!
Ever since their inception in 1997, Elvenking mastered their way to their own identity with courage and bravado, leaving behind the shackles of genres step by step before they truly broke out with their 2014 monument “The Pagan Manifesto”. Elvenking have been defying all genres, now feeling quite at home in their very own enchanted realm. With “Rapture”, the Italian collective has unleashed part two of their monumental Reader Of The Runes trilogy, and an epic metal quest of woe and despair, wrought with mysterious figures, dark magic and an altogether mesmerizing autumnal flair reminiscent of a forest glade during an Indian Summer. It’s more than just a metal album. It’s a moving story set to fabulous songs, bridging the gap between fantasy and reality. Many times before, Elvenking have weaved powerful magic into the world. This time, they truly came into their own, wresting their best effort yet from a global pandemic.
The band is currently in the studio, working on a new album to be released in the hopefully not so distant future. Furthermore, ELVENKING just recently announced an extensive US and Canadian tour as special guests of ALESTORM.
US & Canada 2024, w/ ALESTORM Mar 19 - Cincinnati, OH @ Bogart's Mar 20 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Elevation Mar 22 - Toronto, ON @ The Concert Hall Mar 23 - Montreal, QC @ MTELUS Mar 24 - New Haven, CT @ Toad's Place Mar 26 - Pittsburgh, PA @ Stage AE Mar 27 - Detroit, MI @ The Majestic Mar 29 - Milwaukee, WI @ The Rave Mar 30 - Omaha, NE @ The Admiral Apr 02 - Winnipeg, MB @ The Park Theatre Apr 03 - Saskatoon, SK @ Coors Event Centre Apr 05 - Edmonton, AB @ Midway Music Hall Apr 06 - Calgary, AB @ The Palace Theater Apr 08 - Vancouver, BC @ Commodore Ballroom Apr 09 - Spokane, WA @ Knitting Factory Apr 10 - Boise, ID @ Knitting Factory Apr 12 - Sacramento, CA @ Ace of Spades Apr 13 - Santa Ana, CA @ The Observatory Apr 15 - Tucson, AZ @ Rialto Theater Apr 16 - Albuquerque, NM @ El Rey Theatre Apr 18 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom Apr 19 - St. Louis, MO @ Red Flag Apr 20 - Indianapolis, IN @ Old National Centre Apr 21 - Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
P.O.D. release video for their new single "Afraid to Die" (featuring Tatiana Shmayluk from Jinjer).
Platinum-selling rock juggernaut P.O.D. — Sonny Sandoval [vocals], Marcos Curiel [guitar], and Traa Daniels [bass] — kicked off the fall with the video for their new single "DROP," which features a vicious vocal cameo from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. It earned quick press accolades from Metal Injection, Rock Hard, Revolver, Rolling Stone, Metal Hammer, Rock Sound and Knotfest.
Now the band is back with another blast and is sharing the video for the equally eruptive single "AFRAID TO DIE," featuring Jinjer vocalist Tatiana Shmayluk.
It's an anthemic song with an edge — and the collaboration was born of P.O.D. and Jinjer's Fall 2022 tour. "AFRAID TO DIE is a combination of cryptic and triumphant melodies," says Curiel. "It has storytelling rhymes and chugged verses, and a wide open, melodic yet semi-morbid, chorus. It's anthemic In every sense of the word." He continues, "Our dear friend Tatiana Shmayluk offers her unique approach and we had incredible musical chemistry with her. This is P.O.D. hitting the human core of our existence and dealing with love, fear, integrity, and most of all, family and friends. It's ultimately an abundance of love and life."
ABOUT P.O.D.: They've been a band — and a vital one at that — for more than 30 years. But ask rock icons P.O.D. what still inspires them after all this time, and they'll tell you they still operate as if they're perpetual underdogs. Yes, with every new album they release, with every show they play, these musical lifers still feel they have something to prove. "We're still here and we're still creating some of the best music we've ever made," says guitarist Marcos Curiel. "When it comes to heart, grit and soul, P.O.D. is your band." Adds vocalist Sonny Sandoval: "We're always still proving who we are — always having that punk-rock mentality."
It's this mindset, this unrelenting grit that has long defined the platinum-selling P.O.D. and continues to do so as they march proudly into the next era of their long-winding journey of a career. Now, they are nearly five years removed from their previous studio album, Circles, which to date has been streamed more than 50 million times and spawned the hit "Listening to Silence." Earlier this year, the band returned with new single "DROP." The track is a sonic boom of a cut, and features a thrilling vocal turn from Lamb of God singer Randy Blythe. "Dude, it's the sickest thing ever," Curiel said of "DROP," which was inspired by the guitarist's longtime love of electronic music. "When that drop hits, everyone knows it," he adds. "We needed to create a song in that way…P.O.D. style."
P.O.D.'s audience has always been at the core of everything the band does, and to that end, their live shows remain essential to who they are. They've played major festivals including the Sick New World, INKcarceration and Hell and Heaven Fest, and have shared stages with the likes of KORN, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Evanescence and Seether.
LIONHEART are going to release their new studio album, "The Grace Of A Dragonfly", on February 23rd 2024 via Metalville Records.
As soon as the previous album “The Reality Of Miracles” hit the shelves in 2020 Lionheart knuckled down to record the next one. deciding early on that this time they would produce a concept album. The record centres around WW2, but the band very much wanted to make this an anti-war album, while at the same time remembering those who fought for our freedom.
The songs on the album are sensational, with Lee Small’s emotional lyrics reflecting not only the pain and grief inflicted by war on ordinary, innocent people in every conflict zone, but also their strength, resilience and determination. Supported by Lionheart’s superb songwriting, soaring backing vocals, beautiful twin guitar harmonies, and atmospheric keyboards, Lionheart’s sheer power shines brightly from every one of the eleven songs, culminating in a heartfelt prayer for peace in the world.
Each new Lionheart album has brought with it a leap in the quality of the songwriting and production and this album is no exception. “The Grace Of A Dragonfly” is nothing short of epic and is by far Lionheart’s finest work to date.
TRACK LISTING
Declaration
Flight 19
V Is For Victory
This Is A Woman's War
The Longest Night
The Eagle's Nest
Little Ships
Just A Man
UXB
The Grace Of A Dragonfly
Remembrance, Praying For World Peace
LINE UP
Lee Small (The Sweet, ex-Shy) - lead vocals.
Dennis Stratton (ex-Iron Maiden) - lead guitar/backing vocals
Steve Mann (MSG, ex-Liar) - lead guitar/backing vocals
Rocky Newton (Grand Slam, ex-MSG) - bass guitar/backing
