Nemška zasedba Paradox se vrača z napovedjo novega albuma Mysterium. Album naj bi izšel še letos pri založbi AFM Records, točen datum izida pa še ni znan. Spodaj pa si lahko preberete izjavo Charlyja Steinhauerja:

»Friends and fans,
I had a dream. I wanted to start together with AXEL BLAHA, with whom I founded PARADOX in 1981, and end together again at some point. Unfortunately, that is no longer possible because he has said goodbye to this world.
In all these years, AXEL was the only musician who worked with me the way you have to, to achieve a goal. We never danced around at multiple weddings and were always loyal to one band. PARADOX! This was the only way the two classics “PRODUCT OF IMAGINATION” and “HERESY” were possible.
I miss him very much and it is very difficult for me to move on without him, but anyone who knows me knows that giving up is not an option for me.
Not even after 43 years and that's why I can tell you, that I have composed a new PARADOX album, which will hopefully be released worldwide this year via AFM RECORDS. The album will be called “MYSTERIUM” and will contain all the trademarks a Paradox fan wants.
The special thing about “MYSTERIUM” is that I composed all the songs and played all the instruments myself, because I will never again work with project-hungry musician whores who play a few notes on an album but otherwise have nothing to do with PARADOX, or none maintain contact with his colleagues. Unfortunately, this runs like a common thread through the entire career and is the main reason why PARADOX was never able to really get off the ground. To do this you need musicians who work together and pursue a common goal.
It should also be a warning to all young musicians and new bands who want to achieve something with their band. You can find out more about this in the numerous interviews for the new album. You should definitely read this!
I will also be responsible for the mix and the entire production.
The lyrics are written by ACHIM “DAXX” HOEMERLEIN (ex-Vendetta), who also wrote the lyrics for “TALES OF THE WEIRD” and “PANGEA”.
TRAVIS SMITH (Opeth/Nevermore etc) is currently working on the artwork.
“MYSTERIUM” is a very heavy album and contains 10 songs with a playing time of 51 minutes. Dedicated to AXEL BLAHA, my best friend and co-founder of PARADOX!
Cheerz!
Charly«

Grški power metalci Firewind bodo danes ob 16. uri premierno predstavili videospot za komad Fallen Angel, ki je del prihajajočega albuma z naslovom Stand United. Tracklista:

Salvation Day
Stand United
Destiny Is Calling
The Power Lies Within
Come Undone
Fallen Angel
Chains
Land of Chaos
Talking in Your Sleep
Days of Grace

Italijanski power metalci Alterium so v obliki videospota razkrili naslovni komad prihajajočega debitantskega albuma Of War and Flames. Plošček bo izšel 8. marca pri AFM Records, tracklista pa je takšna:

Drag Me to Hell
Siren's Call
Of War and Flames
Firebringer
Crossroads Inn
Shadowsong
Crystalline
Heroine of the Sea
Chasing the Sun
Bismarck (Sabaton cover)

Nemški death/thrash metal band Boundless Chaos je razkril komad Guillotine, za katerega je vokal posnel Malte Gericke (Sijjin, Vale of Siddim, ex-Necros Christos). Gre za svež material s prihajajočega prvenca Sinister Upheaval, ki bo izšel 19. januarja pri založbi Dying Victims Productions in obsega naslednje naslove:

Down
High Tension
Arson from Beyond
Kromer's Whistle
Guillotine
Tyrant’s Call
Blasphemeous Rupture
Rip out the Roots
Demons Unchained

Ameriški sci-fi black metalci Imperialist kot drugi single s prihajajočega EP-ja Quantum predstavljajo komad Echoed Demise. Omenjeni mini album bo izšel 15. decembra pri založbi Transcending Obscurity Records, obsega pa naslednje naslove:

Gateway
Echoed Demise
Quantum Annexation
Call of Vulcain
Quiescent Terror

Nizozemski progresivni thrasherji Cryptosis ponujajo v posluh skladbo Master Of Life s prihajajočega polvečerca The Silent Call, ki bo izšel 1. decembra pri založbi Century Media.

Band lahko v živo ujamete 24. marca naslednje leto v Orto Baru skupaj s Cynic in Obscuro.

Nemški power metal veljaki Freedom Call se trenutno nahajajo v Soundart Recording Studio, kjer poteka snemanje njihovega enajstega studijskega albuma. Več podrobnosti sledi kmalu, spodaj pa lahko preberete izjavo banda iz studia:

»Hello to everyone from Freedom Call and big cheers from the Soundart Recording Studio. The recordings for their new studio album have started. Fantastic work of Ramy Ali - drums - (artist page) on the drums & Alexander Lysiakov on the sound machine. More infos will be revealed soon!«

Nizozemski progresivni thrasherji Cryptosis so posneli videospot za naslovni komad prihajajočega EP-ja The Silent Call.

Finci Children Of Bodom so že lansko leto napovedali izid koncertnega albuma, ki so ga posneli na zadnjem koncertu 15. decembra 2019 v Helsinkih, štiri leta kasneje, torej 15. decembra 2023, pa bo končno ugledal luč sveta. Izšel bo pri založbi Spinefarm Records, prednaročite pa ga lahko tukaj.

Nizozemski thrasherji Cryptosis bodo 1. decembra izdali EP z naslovom The Silent Call. Seznam komadov je sledeč:

The Silent Call
Master Of Life (Bionic Swarm Sessions)
Prospect Of Immortality (Live In Athens)
Transcendence (Live In Athens)

Velikani simfoničnega black metala Dimmu Borgir sporočajo, da bodo 8. decembra pri založbi Nuclear Blast izdali album Inspiratio Profanus. Tokrat ne bo šlo za novo glasbo iz hiše Dimmu Borgir, temveč gre album priredb, ki jih je zasedba v vseh letih delovanja tako ali drugače posnela. Prednaročila za Inspiratio Profanus so že na voljo, že sedaj pa lahko prisluhnete prvemu komadu z albuma, in sicer znameniti klasiki od Venom. Seznam vseh komadov na ploščku je takšen

Black Metal (Venom)
Satan My Master (Bathory)
Dead Men Don't Rape (G.G.F.H.)
Nocturnal Fear (Celtic Frost)
Burn In Hell (Twisted Sister)
Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple)
Metal Heart (Accept)
Nocturnal Fear (Celtically Processed) (Celtic Frost)

Švedski melodični progresivci Evergrey, ki smo jih lansko leto ujeli tudi pri nas v Orto Baru, sporočajo, da bodo ob 30. obletnici delovanja pri Napalm Records izdali prav poseben album z naslovom From Dark Discoveries To Heartless Portraits. Izšel bo 15. decembra in zajemal naslednje komade:

Call Out The Dark (Live Version)
Where August Mourns (Live Version)
My Allied Ocean (Live Version)
A Touch Of Blessing (Live Version)
Recreation Day (Live Version)
King Of Errors (Live Version)
Save Us (Piano Vocal Version)
Call Out The Dark (Piano Vocal Version)
Blindfolded (Piano Vocal Version)
Midwinter Calls (Piano Vocal Version)
A Silent Arc (Demo Version - Instrumental)
Save Us (Demo Version - Rough Mix)
Midwinter Calls (Demo Version - Rough Mix)
Call Out The Dark (Demo Version - Rough Mix)
Blindfolded (Demo Version - Rough Mix)

Ameriško-ukrajinski atmosferični post/black metal trio Cailleach Calling predstavlja single Glittering Delusion, ki ga je band prvotno napisal v sklopu natečaja za glasbo v računalniški igri Cyberpunk 2077.

Ameriški heavy/doom metalci Cirith Ungol so naznanili, da s koncem leta 2024 ne bodo več koncertirali. Tukaj izjava banda:

»After careful deliberation, we have decided that 2024 will be the final year that Cirith Ungol will be performing live. Having taken a 25 year long hiatus, we could never have imagined the tidal wave of love and support that would come from all of you upon our return. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank every one of you, who has attended our shows and supported our music. We are immensely proud of the work we have created in the past few years, and are beyond excited about our latest epic album, Dark Parade.

Legions, this is your rallying call. If you've never had the opportunity to see the band live, or if you want to see us perform once more, 2024 is your year. We will be announcing shows worldwide in the coming weeks, so stay tuned for news.«

Italijanski thrasherji Game Over so objavili video za komad Call of the Siren, ki se bo nahajal na prihajajočem albumu Hellframes, katerega izid je napovedan za 20. oktober pri Scarlet Records.