Incoming! AdraStea

 

ADRASTEA PROJECT BAND Unveils Debut Album "Maximum Risk" - A Fusion of Classic Hard Rock Influences

Get ready to embark on a sonic journey through the realms of classic hard rock as Adrastea Project Band proudly unveils their debut album, "Maximum Risk." Born amidst the challenges of the global lockdown in 2020, this album is a testament to the resilience and creativity of its creators, led by Andrea Di Martino.

Formed in Genoa, Italy, during the height of the lockdown, Adrastea Project Band was born from the creative fervor of Andrea Di Martino, who began composing new songs and resurrecting old ones. With the help of producer and sound engineer James Maximilian Jason, 14 songs were carefully selected for inclusion on this debut album.

"Maximum Risk" is a collaborative effort featuring a roster of talented musicians with whom Di Martino has collaborated over the years. From the bassist and singer of Blue Dawn, Enrico Lanciaprima and Monica Santo, to members of Small Band, ex-members of The Void and Acrophobia, and other esteemed musicians, each contributor brings their unique talent and energy to the project.

Recorded, mixed, and mastered at AfterDusk Studio owned by James M. Jason, "Maximum Risk" offers a diverse range of influences, spanning from 70's hard rock icons like Deep Purple and Uriah Heep to 80's heavy metal, prog rock, symphonic metal, and even elements of experimental and electronic music.

Explaining the significance behind the album title, Di Martino states, "'Maximum Risk' is one of the most significant songs on the album, and I also chose it as a single. The lyrics can be interpreted in various ways: we accept the maximum risk when we make a decision, when we do something right or wrong, when we face something bigger than us."

"Maximum Risk" is a thrilling musical odyssey that captures the essence of classic hard rock while pushing boundaries and exploring new sonic territories. Fans of diverse rock genres will find something to love in this debut offering from Adrastea Project Band.

The album was released on September 15, 2023 and is available on all major streaming platforms. To learn more about Adrastea Project Band and their debut album, visit https://adrasteaprojectband.bandcamp.com/album/maximum-risk.

 Follow the band at these links:

www.facebook.com/AdrasteaProjectBand

www.instagram.com/andrea.di.martino1975

https://adrasteaprojectband.bandcamp.com/album/maximum-risk

God Is An Astronaut album and live shows

 

Following previously-released single, "Falling Leaves", and its accompanying video, today, Irish progressive psych-and krautrock trio GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT has revealed the title track of their much-awaited new album, Embers! The band‘s new studio offering is set to release on September 6, 2024, courtesy of Napalm Records.

The second single from GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT‘s upcoming album stands as their longest composition to date. Defying genre boundaries, it seamlessly blends elements ranging from progressive rock to black metal.

"Our lives are like embers,“ the band comments, "glowing brightly for a while, then fading into the quiet dark, leaving only a faint echo of their light."

The new GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT single, "Embers", is now streaming on all digital services. Watch the clip, premiering here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr7i5278ul0 

GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT has mesmerized audiences worldwide with their distinctive sonic tapestry both in dynamic live performances and through their recorded works. Amidst their perpetual whirlwind of touring, the band emerges once more with their freshly crafted studio album "Embers". In support of the upcoming record release, GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT has also announced a busy touring schedule for 2024, with many more shows to be announced soon. Find all dates listed below!

Founded by brothers Torsten and Niels Kinsella, the trio has once again created an exceptional collection of songs, inviting listeners to explore and interpret it in their own unique ways. "Embers" represents GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT's most extensive and grandiose production to date. From the very first note to the lingering resonance of its finale, "Embers" quietly but confidently affirms their mastery of their craft: From psych- to excellent krautrock trips, driving rhythms by drummer Lloyd Hanney and collaborations with guest musicians including Dara O'Brien, Jo Quail and Sean Coleman further enrich the album's sonic space, incorporating elements such sitar, cello, zither, shamanic drums, bowed psaltery, chimes and tanpura.

Featuring artwork by the internationally renowned Irish artist David Rooney and mastered by Europe's foremost mastering engineer Streaky, with their forthcoming progressive, psychedelic and instrumental post-rock opus GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT will achieve remarkable heights!

Embers" Tracklist:

1. Apparition

2. Falling Leaves https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OVAsQwk_Vg

3. Odyssey

4. Heart of Roots

5. Embers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fr7i5278ul0 

6. Realms

7. Oscillation

8. Prism

9. Hourglass

 

"Embers" will be available in the following formats:

- 2LP Gatefold Marbled Oxblood Black with Artprint & Slipmat 

- 2LP Gatefold Transparent Yellow (Vinyl 1) / Transilia (Vinyl 2) 

- 2LP Gatefold Glow In The Dark

- 2LP Gatefold Black

- 6 Page Digipack

- Music Cassette Black with Gold Print

See GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT Live:

Aug 1, 2024 - Backstage - Munich, Germany

Aug 2, 2024 - Flex - Vienna, Austria

Aug 4, 2024 - Rockstadt - Brasov, Romania

Aug 6, 2024 - Lublin Radio - Lublin, Poland

Aug 7, 2024 - A2 - Wroclaw, Poland

Aug 8, 2024- Brutal Assault - Jaromer, Czech Republic

Aug 9, 2024 - Kwadrat - Krakow, Poland

Aug 10, 2024 - Sziget Festival - Budapest, Hungary

Aug 11, 2024 - Randal Club - Bratislava, Slovakia

Aug 15, 2024 - Frantic Fest - Francavilla, Italy

Aug 16, 2024 - Festa di Radio Onda d'Urto - Brescia, Italy

with many more shows to be announced soon!

GOD IS AN ASTRONAUT is:

Torsten Kinsella - Guitar, Piano, Synths, Backing Vocals

Niels Kinsella - Bass

Lloyd Hanney - Drums

For More Info Visit:

https://godisanastronaut.com/

https://www.facebook.com/godiaa

https://www.instagram.com/giaa_band

https://god-is-an-astronaut.bandcamp.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-bApZr7tuETL3Vc8zLYpbA

https://open.spotify.com/artist/079svMEXkbT5nGU2kfoqO2

https://lnk.to/GIAA-Embers/napalmrecords

Satan new album released September

 

Long-running heavy metal legends, SATAN, recently announced their upcoming new full-length, Songs In Crimson, set for release on September 13th via Metal Blade Records. Today, they are pleased to launch the record‘s preorders.

SATAN‘s history is storied, their albums and incendiary live shows, iconic. The Newcastle, England-bred lineup may quip that their career has been “forty-four years of prolonged mayhem with a twenty-year lunch break” — forming in 1980, eventually pausing before reuniting in 2011 — but circa 2024 finds the band thriving, writing, recording, and touring at the top of their game.

Proof positive is their seventh studio album, and third for Metal Blade, Songs In Crimson. If 2022‘s Earth Infernal album was brutal, up-tempo and with loud guitars, guitarist Russ Tippins calls Songs In Crimson “concise. It‘s more to-the-point and gets there quicker. One of the reasons behind the album title is that this record is very ’song‘ focused. There‘s more punch this time around. Each chorus speaks for itself.”

SATAN rails against characterless, metronomic, and “cut and paste music on a digital dog leash. Recording in the 21st century has become no more than a series of binary code. Call me reactionary,” says Tippins, “and maybe I am, but every bone in my body wants to rebel against the incoming tide of ones and zeros.” With influences from King Crimson to Mercyful Fate, SATAN‘s own stylings remain unique, the band‘s NWOBHM origins a springboard for musical and lyrical creativity, commentary, and nonconformity.

While Songs In Crimson features lyrics including “a once-great nation is going down” and “this is the end of an era,” SATAN offers no quick fix. “There is always hope; solutions are not for us musicians to proclaim,” Tippins believes. “Each song has its own different theme. While there is no title track as such, the song ’Deadly Crimson,‘ which is an anti-capitalism narrative, is as close as it gets to that. As a concept, making money from money is fatally flawed in that it depends on constant growth,” Tippins says. “But constant growth is obviously impossible; a conveyor belt of sacrificial lambs.”

Honed by years of collaboration, brotherhood and love, SATAN‘s chemistry is unbreakable. “We played at a metal festival where the headlining band had zero original members,” Tippins says. “I cannot get my head around that, though I admire their bravery. We are the genuine article. We did not reunite just to trade on past glory,” he concludes. “If you want nostalgia, this is not the band for you. We look only ahead and always will.”   

If 1983‘s Court In The Act started SATAN‘s aural journey, and 2018‘s Cruel Magic was a game-changer, where does Songs in Crimson stand in SATAN‘s heavy discography? “The goal is to further consolidate the style we‘ve established, the pathway we‘ve been on since the reunion,” Tippins says. “Part of that style is that each release must have something that sets it apart from its predecessors.”

Songs in Crimson was produced by the band and Dave Curle of First Avenue Studios who also engineered, mixed, and mastered the record.

Songs in Crimson will be released on jewel case CD (USA), digipak CD (EU) and digital formats as well as spined sleeve vinyl with insert, poster, and download card in the following color variants:

Transparent Pigeon Blue Marbled (US)

180g Black (EU)

Dark Crimson Red Marbled (EU)

Steel Grey Marbled (EU - Ltd. 500)

Pale Yellow Marbled (EU - Ltd. 300)

Clear w/ Red & White Splatter (EU - Ltd. 300)

Clear w/ Black, Red & Gold Splatter (Ltd. 200 – Excl. Band Edition)

Songs In Crimson Track Listing:

1. Frantic Zero

2. Era (The Day Will Come)

3. Whore Of Babylon

4. Sacramental Rites

5. Martyrdom

6. Turn The Tide

7. Captives

8. Curse In Disguise

9. Truth Bullet

10. Deadly Crimson

Find preorders at:

https://eyesoremerch.com/bands/s/satan/

Iconic vinyl: Axe Attack Compilations

 

Axe Attack Compilation Albums by K-Tel: 

Two compilations that rocked school kids in the 80s!

In the pantheon of compilation albums, K-Tel's "Axe Attack" series stands out as a significant collection for heavy metal enthusiasts. Released in the early 1980s, these albums captured the burgeoning heavy metal scene, curating tracks from both established and emerging bands of the era. K-Tel, known for their budget-friendly compilations, created a product that offered fans a gateway into the intense and electrifying world of heavy metal. This essay delves into the details of the "Axe Attack" vinyl releases and provides a comprehensive list of the songs featured on these iconic albums.

Overview of the two Releases

The "Axe Attack" series was released primarily on vinyl, a format that was the standard for music consumption during the early 1980s. The compilation series included two main albums: "Axe Attack" and "Axe Attack 2," each encapsulating the raw energy and diversity of the heavy metal genre.

Axe Attack (1980)

The first album in the series, released in 1980, set the stage with a collection of tracks that featured a mix of hard rock and heavy metal. It was a snapshot of the transition period where hard rock was evolving into a more intense and aggressive form known as heavy metal.

Check out these tracks!

1. Iron Maiden - "Running Free"

2. Sammy Hagar - "Bad Motor Scooter"

3. Blue Öyster Cult - "Don't Fear the Reaper"

4. Pat Travers - "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)"

5. Girlschool - "Demolition Boys"

6. Angel Witch - "Angel Witch"

7. April Wine - "I Like to Rock"

8. UFO - "Doctor Doctor"

9. Thin Lizzy - "Waiting for an Alibi"

10. Judas Priest - "Living After Midnight"

11. Motörhead - "Ace of Spades"

12. Rose Tattoo - "Rock 'n' Roll Outlaw"

13. The Michael Schenker Group - "Armed and Ready"

14. Nazareth - "Razamanaz"

15. Whitesnake - "Fool for Your Loving"

16. Status Quo - "Caroline"

Axe Attack 2 (1981)

The second installment, released in 1981, continued the tradition with a fresh batch of heavy hitters and deep cuts. This album solidified the series' reputation for delivering high-octane rock anthems.

Another corker of a track list!

1. AC/DC - "Whole Lotta Rosie"

2. Judas Priest - "Breaking the Law"

3. Scorpions - "The Zoo"

4. Rainbow - "All Night Long"

5. Motörhead - "Bomber"

6. Gary Moore - "Run to Your Mama"

7. Samson - "Vice Versa"

8. Gillan - "Mutually Assured Destruction"

9. Whitesnake - "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"

10. Saxon - "Wheels of Steel"

11. Thin Lizzy - "Chinatown"

12. Iron Maiden - "Phantom of the Opera"

13. Ted Nugent - "Cat Scratch Fever"

14. Rose Tattoo - "Nice Boys"

15. Black Sabbath - "Paranoid"

16. Budgie - "Breadfan"

Rockin’ the schools: Significance and Impact

The "Axe Attack" compilations played a crucial role in the dissemination of heavy metal music during a time when the genre was still carving out its identity. For many fans, these albums were an introduction to bands that would later become legends in the heavy metal pantheon. The selection of tracks showcased the genre's diversity, from the bluesy hard rock of Whitesnake to the relentless speed of Motörhead.

K-Tel's approach to compilation albums made "Axe Attack" accessible to a broad audience. The label's focus on affordability and widespread distribution meant that these albums could reach listeners who might not have had the means to purchase full-length albums from each of the featured bands. This democratization of music access helped to cultivate a generation of metal fans and contributed to the genre's rising popularity in the early 1980s.

The "Axe Attack" series also captured the zeitgeist of an era where heavy metal was becoming a significant cultural force. The inclusion of iconic tracks like Iron Maiden's "Running Free" and AC/DC's "Whole Lotta Rosie" provided listeners with a snapshot of the genre's evolution. These compilations were more than just collections of songs; they were curated experiences that encapsulated the raw energy and rebellious spirit of heavy metal.

The Legacy of Axe Attack and fond memories 

Today, the "Axe Attack" compilations are remembered fondly by collectors and music historians alike. The albums serve as time capsules, preserving the sound and spirit of early 1980s heavy metal. Vinyl enthusiasts continue to seek out these records, not only for their nostalgic value but also for their role in the history of the genre.

K-Tel's "Axe Attack" compilation albums were more than mere collections of tracks; they were instrumental in shaping the heavy metal landscape of the early 1980s. By offering a curated selection of some of the best and most influential songs of the time, these albums introduced countless listeners to the power and intensity of heavy metal music. The legacy of "Axe Attack" endures, reminding us of a time when vinyl ruled and heavy metal was on the rise.

https://www.discogs.com/release/1252466-Various-Axe-Attack

https://www.discogs.com/release/2766878-Various-Axe-Attack-Vol-II