Hamilton, Ontario’s heavy rock outfit, Doors & Fours is releasing a new album, Black Magik & Other Aphrodisiacs, on all major music platforms on February 1, 2019. The independently produced album is a mash-up of raw heavy rock, with a very “go fuck yourself” punk attitude.

The first single off the second full-length album is “Feeling Dead,” a rowdy, hard-hitting track with catchy hooks and a horrifically voracious music video. In all honesty, the track might be 30 seconds to a minute too long. This single shows the talent of the Ontarian band that openly shuns overproduction and various electronic elements that are becoming standard in the heavy genres. Check the track out for yourself on this page.

The band plans to tour with their loud, brash rock through Canada extensively over the next year in support of this fiery album. Comprised of four legs to ensure reaching as many listeners as possible, the first leg of the tour from March 23rd to April 27th, 2019, includes the eastern part of the country. More tour dates to be announced!

Doors & Fours Spring Tour Dates:

March 23 – Niagara Falls, ON – Willy John’s
March 28 – Toronto, ON – Bovine
March 29 – Waterloo, ON – Harmony Lunch
March 30 – Hamilton, ON – Club Absinthe
April 5 – London, ON – Old East 765
April 6 – Windsor, ON – Phog Lounge
April 12 – Barrie, ON – Foxx Lounge
April 13 – Ajax, ON – Rottilicious
April 19 – St. John’s, NL – Treble
April 20- St. John’s, NL – Treble
April 26 – Montreal, QC – Traxide
April 27 – Ottawa, ON – Punk House

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Currently, it’s trendy for many indie and underground bands to release their music on dead media like cassettes (and I actually saw cassette players on new devices while Christmas shopping this year), but Lords of the Trident has taken it one step further. Their latest video for the song “Chasing Shadows” off of their latest album, Shadows From the Past, is being released exclusively as a game that actually works on the SEGA CD console.

The video game console, popular from 1991 to 1996 has been out of production for nearly 20 years, but that doesn’t stop vocalist Fang VonWrathenstein from collecting Sega CD games and memorabilia. As luck would have it, one of the producers from Digital Pictures — a company responsible for the production of a number of Full Motion Video (FMV) games — is a huge fan of Lords of the Trident. After numerous talks, he was able to recruit some of his former Digital Pictures colleagues and the idea to craft the game was set in motion.

The band and the crew worked in secret for numerous months to create a “Make My Music Video” game for the system. These types of games were also created for Kris Kross, Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, and INXS. Much of the backbone for previous Digital Pictures games (such as the controversial hit “Night Trap”) was used to create the game.

Said executive producer Tom Zito:

The real trick was making the console display widescreen. The old games were used to a smaller, non-widescreen display, so a lot of that had to be written from the ground up.

To add to its exclusivity, only five official copies were ever created, and the music video can only be seen by playing the game, or by watching various playthroughs online. One copy of the game went to Pennsylvania-based YouTube gaming channel Halberd, run by the power metal vocalist Lee Prisby of the band Klaymore (and his video game channel Halberd). Another went to Ryan Schremp, a personal friend of the band and owner of the popular blog Topless Robot. A third copy made its way to long-time friends of the band, Guys Games and Beer.

The Lords of the Trident have also posted their own playthrough video, demonstrating the game achieving a perfect 100% score. On the SEGA CD version there are a number of different levels of playthroughs available that correspond to other previously published Lords of the Trident music videos, but as of yet, no channels have posted them.

Says vocalist Fang VonWrathenstein:

It’s a dream come true for us (me, specifically) to have our very own Sega CD game. I’d like to thank Tom Zito and the rest of the guys at Digital Pictures for pursuing this crazy idea of ours. I can tell you I’ve already played the crap out of this game, and although we can’t make more copies for wider release, at the very least you can watch our 100%ed playthrough online!

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Canadian thrash metal outfit, Hellnite, released their second single, “Phantom Force,” from their forthcoming debut full-length, Midnight Terrors. The album will be released on February 12, 2019, through Sliptrick Records. Have a listen to the track on Spotify.

Vocalist/guitarist Paolo Belmar explained the meaning behind “Phantom Force”:

‘Phantom Force’ is basically about the fear of being possessed by that dark spirit. It represents that fight between you, your body, and the spirit trying to possess it, the outro of the song is trying to achieve a progressive sound to complement that sentiment.

Formed originally in Mexico City in 2010, and now re-established in Edmonton, Canada, by founding member, vocalist, and guitarist Paolo Belmar, Hellnite’s debut album was written and recorded by Belmar who is now joined with a live line-up consisting of bassist Konnor Miskiman and drummer Ryan Payne.

The full-length is lyrically a paranormal and sci-fi-themed concept album with influences from classic heroes such as Kreator, Slayer, Death, along with next-generation thrash and heavy metal influences such as Havok and Skull Fist.

Belmar added:

It’s basically an open door to the next stage of this project that I began in Mexico. I have been working on ‘Midnight Terrors’ since 2014 and I think it will be well-received from people who are into oldies and classic metal. I want to provoke curiosity with this album; my purpose is to catch people’s attention so they can follow the next movements of the band, which are going to be a little bit twisted in comparison with ‘Midnight Terrors’ and can’t wait to share the next release after this one.

Hellnite’s first single and album title track can be heard in the player on this page.

Hellnite Midnight Terrors Track Listing:

1. Projection (1:08)
2. Phantom Force (5:50)
3. Spirits Prevail (4:22)
4. Beasts From The Deep (4:56)
5. Thrash of The Living Dead (4:16)
6. Darker Than Black (5:59)
7. Stage On Fire (5:18)
8. The Necromancer (5:52)
9. Midnight Terror (4:11)

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I love it when this happens, when I make a snap “this band sounds like” judgment and it gets confirmed in the press release. And that’s just what happened with Alborn and their track “Full Circle.” After about a minute of play time, it was very apparent that this was a band that, either intentionally or not, had captured the sounds of Sevendust and Alice in Chains. The comes the press release, and low and behold, Sevendust producer, Morgan Rose, has produced this Alborn track.

The video was filmed and edited by Freddy D’Angelo and Jordan Hageman.

Alborn commented on the track:

Working with Sevendust’s Morgan Rose and the guys at The Attic has been an absolute honor and great learning experience; everyone had a ton of great input that helped mold ‘Full Circle.’ We’re beyond thrilled with the response that we’ve gotten from the track so far and are anxious to see how far it can take us.

Let us know what you think of the track.

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Yes, we know! We’re a little late to this party, but on November 30th, Ukraine’s growing heavy metal giant, Jinjer, released “Dreadful Moments.” The track will appear on the band’s forthcoming five-track EP, Micro, which will be released on January 11, 2019.

The band commented on the “Dreadful Moments”:

This is the darkest song we have ever made both musically and lyrically. Something that will make you live through all the horror so many people had to experience over all their childhood, something that will never let you stay indifferent.

Pre-order Micro here.

The full Micro EP track listing is:
“Ape”
“Dreadful Moments”
“Teacher, Teacher!”
“Perennial”
“Micro”

Jinjer will head back to Europe supporting Amorphis and Soilwork in early 2019. A complete list of dates can be found here:

Jinjer 2019 Tour Dates:

w/ Amorphis & Soilwork
11.01.19 DE – Oberhausen / Turbinenhalle 2
12.01.19 NL – Nijmegen / Doornroosje
13.01.19 DE – Hamburg / Markthalle
14.01.19 DK – Copenhagen / Amager Bio
15.01.19 SE – Stockholm / Fryshuset
16.01.19 NO – Oslo / Rockefeller Music Hall
18.01.19 DE – Hannover / Capitol
19.01.19 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
20.01.19 PL – Krakow / Klub Kwadrat
23.01.19 BG – Sofia / Universiada Hall
25.01.19 HU – Budapest / Barba Negra Music Club
26.01.19 AT – Vienna / Ottakringer Brauerei
27.01.19 CZ – Zlín / Masters of Rock Café
28.01.19 SK – Bratislava / Majestic Music Club
29.01.19 DE – Berlin / Kesselhaus
30.01.19 DE – Munich / Backstage (Werk)
01.02.19 DE – Geiselwind / MusicHall
02.02.19 DE – Cologne / Essigfabrik
03.02.19 BE – Antwerp / Trix Muziekcentrum
04.02.19 UK – London / Electric Ballroom
06.02.19 FR – Paris / Cabaret Sauvage
07.02.19 FR – Toulouse / Le Bikini
08.02.19 ES – Madrid / Mon
09.02.19 ES – Barcelona / Salamandra
10.02.19 FR – Lyon / Le Transbordeur
12.02.19 IT – Trezzo Sull’Adda / Live Music Club
13.02.19 DE – Wiesbaden / Schlachthof
14.02.19 DE – Saarbrücken / Garage
15.02.19 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn
16.02.19 CH – Pratteln / Z7

w/ Obscura & Nucleust
04.04.19 JP – Osaka / Fan J Twice
05.04.19 JP – Nagoya / Imaike 3 Star
06.04.19 JP – Tokyo / Cyclone
07.04.19 JP – Tokyo / Cyclone

Jinjer – South Africa Tour 2019

03.05.19 ZA – Capre Town / Mercury Live
04.05.19 ZA – Johannesburg / Platteland

For more info on Jinjer, visit their Facebook page.

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A fresh and haunting approach to death metal comes in the form of Olkoth, a new project founded in South Carolina by guitarist Zach Jeter, bassist Brad Parris (Nile), drummer Joshua Ward (Rapheumets Well, Xael), and guitarist Hunter Ross (Rapheumets Well).

They are set to release their debut, self-titled album early in 2019, and to entice the masses they offer their first single and video, “Imperfect Reanimation.”

Coined as dynamic, cold, and haunting, inspiration for the band grew from elements of the occult, history of war and corruption, and Lovecraftian fiction. The single is a ferocious exhibition of the power, speed, and unbridled aggression that Oolkoth will quickly be reputed for.

Jeter tells listeners what they can expect from the upcoming album:

Our unique blend of styles and approach to writing we believe will be well-received. Our goal is to bring a newness and originality that will be a breath of fresh air in the death metal community. We will give the fans a taste of the sheer brutality we incorporate as well as the dynamic changes and atmosphere within our music. With further releases we will expand on that style and show our unique mix of violent riffs and diverse emotional themes.

The single was produced and mixed by Joshua Ward and Zach Jeter at Elder Verse Studio.

About Olkoth:

Olkoth was formed in Columbia, South Carolina, in 2016, by guitarist/songwriter Zach Jeter. The band’s music and themes are inspired by the occult, Lovecraftian lore, mythology, and corruption throughout history. In 2018, Olkoth was joined by Brad Parris (Nile) on bass, Joshua Ward (Rapheumets Well, Xael) on drums, and Hunter Ross (Rapheumets Well) on guitar.

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III: The Forest Within the Tree is out now through 20 Buck Spin on LP, CD, and all digital formats; place orders at the label webshop and via Bandcamp.

Following their set at Migration Fest and two subsequent release shows for the LP, Deadbird will take their touring to the next level in support of III: The Forest Within the Tree throughout 2019. Watch for tour dates and another new video from the album to be announced early in 2019.

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Gothic metal band, The Sixth Chamber, has released the official music video for “Entrance to the Cold Waste.” Filmed in the wastelands of Death Valley, California, “Entrance to the Cold Waste” features Stanton Lavey (grandson of Church of Satan founder/Satanic Bible author, Anton Lavey, whose character featured prominently in this season’s American Horror Story) and belly dancing by Mahafsoun.

Lead vocalist Rahne Pistor said of the song:

With ‘Entrance to the Cold Waste’, we sought to create a portal of escape from the drab norms of daily reality we tend to become trapped in and provide passageway to a nightmare realm of sublime dreamscapes. I wanted to create a world as it exists within my deeper consciousness rather than as it seems in the confines of the waking world.

About The Sixth Chamber:

The Sixth Chamber is a library in hell where all the world’s darkest secrets are kept in neatly arranged volumes on shelves. Band leader Rahne Pistor came up with the concept in 2001 inspired by the writings of 18th century mystic, William Blake. Since that time, the band has accumulated a long and storied recording legacy with gothic, metal, experimental, blues, psychedelic, fantasy/horror soundtrack, and other musical and poetic influences evident in their sound. Themes generally focus on the mythic, mystic, and phantasmic.

About Stanton Lavey:

Stanton Lavey is the grandson of Church of Satan founder and Satanic Bible author Anton Lavey. The resemblance to his iconic grandfather is uncanny. Stanton spends his time promoting Anton Lavey’s legacy and related principles of the Laveyan Satanist philosophy.

About Mahafsoun:

Mahafsoun, a Persian belly dancer and model, aptly describes herself as an escapist. She became a YouTube sensation as an early adopter of gothic metal bellydance and has shared the stage belly dancing live with revered metal acts including Moonspell, Epica, and Ex Deo. Her style is mired in dark fantasy art, and she is currently one of the most easily recognizable gothic fashion models of today.

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Charlotte, North Carolina’s hard rock band, Testarossa has released the official music video for “Mother Lover,” off of their upcoming, debut LP, Don’t Be Late For the Party. Directed/produced by Steven Billings and Joe Potts, “Mother Lover” features guest vocals from Asking Alexandria’s Danny Worsnop.

One listen and you’ll be thinking of Steel Panther, but only less clown/cover band and more clown/party band. Now, Testarossa probably won’t like that comparison, but it’s true, and there’s no denying the ‘80s influence, which is worn on their sleeves like a sucking chest wound.

About the new track, Testarossa commented:

‘Mother Lover (Mthr Lvr)’ is the product of years of hard work and endless frustrations. From the song’s raunchy guitar intro and 13-second opening scream to the contagiously catchy chorus and the 48-second display of guitar mastery, the energy emitted is guaranteed to kick you right in the teeth. The song is taken to the next level with the help of Danny Worsnop on guest vocals. Danny also appears in the music video. ‘Mother Lover’ is a step back into the familiar territory of what rock ‘n’ roll used to be and what rock ‘n’ roll should be. Don’t take it too seriously. Just sit back, crank the radio up, and get ready to party.

About Testarossa:

Testarossa is a four piece rock ‘n’ Roll extravaganza hailing from the suburbs of Charlotte, NC. The sounds produced by the band are reminiscent of past decades, but still retain a fresh, modern vibe. The thunderous sounds produced by Buddy Radford’s drum kit are enough to make Tommy Lee blush. Blake Webb, the bassist, has a remarkable ability to hold a groove and lend a solid foundation for some infectious hooks. Jordan West’s guitar work is second-to-none and is eerily evocative of guitar virtuosos from days gone by. Take the sonic masterpiece created by the three, then add Colten Bell’s bourbon and pipe-tobacco-tinged howling vocals and the results are like nothing else. Testarossa can only be described as rock ‘n’ roll. The songs are carefully crafted to induce an uncontrollable urge to party and sing along. Subject matters of their songs range from tongue-and-cheek teenage angst and overtly confident claims of unrivaled passion — all the way to losing close friends to addiction and unrequited love. A live performance from Testarossa is a wide ranging, rollercoaster of emotion that never loses focus on the main objective, having a good time. The sounds emitted by Testarossa are bound to make your body shake like a bad ball joint in your daddy’s 1989 Z28 Camaro.

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Since it is a live recording, it’s difficult to know its lo-fi sound is deliberate, but it works. The guitars have a great ’80s thrash sound with leads that remind me Suicidal Tendencies, while the vocals sound Danzig-ish. Definitely a cool mix to be heard.

WYN commented on the live performance:

We’d actually never performed this song, but being so locked in that show, it was an opportunity to challenge ourselves. It’s a privilege to play with a group of guys with such a deep trust, musically and otherwise. I believe that shows through in this recording.”

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