[ Logo by Dark Lightning ]

Light in the darkness

Base: Lower Saxony • Germany
Style: Symphonic Metal
Genre: Melodic Metal, Dark Metal, Symphonic Metal
FFO: Xandria, Lunatica, Edenbridge
Type: Full-length
Format: CD + Digital
Label: Independent
Release: Dec. 06, 2024

Bulletpoints:
🔘 The profound debut album of the German band
🔘 Authentic, sincere, individual songs
🔘 Powerful, intense, touching, sung in multiple ways

LINE-UP
Lea Diekmann • Vocals
Alexander Jung • Guitars
Mike Richter • Guitars
Frank Pirnay • Bass
Marvin • Keyboards
Nepo • Drums

DARK LIGHTNING • Online:
► Instagram: www.instagram.com/darklightningband/
► Facebook: www.facebook.com/darklightningband
► YouTube: www.youtube.com/@darklightningband
► Bandcamp: dark-lightning.bandcamp.com/
► Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/1rE3C3hLUtkJSqZVAe8yN6

💿 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬:
2023 • Dark Lightning • EP
2023 • Lilith • Single
2024 • The Demons We Create • Full-length

📢
DARK LIGHTNING is available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email – feel free to get in touch!
📢

DISCOGRAPHY
2023 • Dark Lightning • EP
2023 • Lilith • Single
2024 • The Demons We Create • Full-length

https://youtu.be/Yo-3QWXRayQ
[ „Beautiful Beast“ • Official Lyric Video ]

Singer Lea takes a deeper look at the single „Beautiful Beast“:
„‚Beautiful Beast‘ deals with the attraction of a toxic person. It’s a warning about the person – the ‚beast‘. She is described as gentle and beautiful, with an outward appearance of ‚virgin-like purity‘, so to speak, and a silky voice. But appearances are deceptive, because once you have allowed yourself to be dazzled, there is no escape. The beast will use you ruthlessly and make your life hell. Musically, the song is based on a recurring guitar riff, which is introduced to the listener right at the beginning by a string intro. The track represents the wilder, rougher side of DARK LIGHTNING, but despite its straightforwardness, it is not too simple, especially thanks to the varied middle section.“

Founded in Braunschweig in 2018, DARK LIGHTNING have carved out their own place in the scene with their unique Metal combination of symphonic elements and profound, emotional themes.

The six-piece’s music, which comes straight from the heart, processes personal struggles and experiences and transforms them into atmospherically dense soundscapes that are both powerful and touching.

[ Artwork by Diogo Soares ]

TRACKS
01. Glimpse Of Freedom (01:09)
02. Trapped Forever (04:31)
03. The Unknown Mind (04:33)
04. Into The Night Sky (03:10)
05. Hall Of Tears (05:00)
06. Take Off (04:01)
07. The Lonely Ruler (05:38)
08. Solace In My Solitude (04:48)
09. Born Without A Heart (04:38)
10. Beautiful Beast (04:18)
11. Quest For Light (03:11)
12. The Demons We Create (09:13)

total: 54:10 min.

„The Demons We Create“ is the first major release from DARK LIGHTNING and represents a clear further development of the band’s individual SYMPHONIC METAL sound.

Thematically, the profound work is dedicated to the inner struggle with personal demons and the confrontation with past experiences. The dark and emphatically emotional atmosphere is emphasised by varied vocals, driving guitar riffs and orchestral elements that make this album worth listening to an intense musical journey.

Compared to previous releases, the sincerely self-aware formation has further developed and noticeably refined its specific sound.

While the symphonic influences remain, „The Demons We Create“ features more dark and melodic Metal elements.

The songs have become more aggressive and dynamic overall, with distinctive guitar work and a broad, richly utilised palette of vocal expressions, ranging from clear, emotional passages to powerful growls.

[ Pic by Dark Lightning ]

LINE-UP
Lea Diekmann • Vocals
Alexander Jung • Guitars
Mike Richter • Guitars
Frank Pirnay • Bass
Marvin • Keyboards
Nepo • Drums

Future plans
After the release of „The Demons We Create“, DARK LIGHTNING 2025 will focus on live performances and festivals to bring the new sound to the stage. New singles are also in the pipeline to further advance DARK LIGHTNING’s musical development and strengthen the band’s presence in the Metal scene.

⚡
MEDIA FEEDBACK:

10 / 10
➤ „‚The Demons We Create‘ attracting fans from a multitude of genres … sending a stone cold chill down the spine – the band stomping ahead with an almighty punchy crunch, the harsh vocals adding even more menace to an already menacing march! The intensity of the album since it began has been spot on, not too overpowering and definitely not timid …“
(Metal Gods TV)

77 / 100
➤ „Although Lea occasionally sings in a soprano-like voice, she sings in a relatively deep female voice, which gives the overall mood a gloomy note and creates a beguiling world view.“
(Burrn!)

76 / 100
➤ „… well-constructed compositions in which power, melody and symphony merge wonderfully into good songs … good guitar work and many symphonic sounds that complement or support each other perfectly …“
(Musica BE)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… dramatic poetry … the combination of elegantly structured arrangements and raw passages, paired with the masterful interpretation of singer Lea, is one of the greatest strengths of this fascinating debut work …“
(Rock Hard Italy)

7,3 / 10
➤ „A solid debut album that focuses more on the classic sound of Symphonic Metal and is definitely aimed at fans of the genre at the turn of the century.“
(Melodic Metal Sound)

11 / 15
➤ „… immediately evokes memories of the time when the genre was still original and unspent … back then Theatre Of Tragecy coined the term ‚beauty and the beast‘, to which DARK LIGHTNING also feel committed … always sounds approachable and authentic … the band is focused and increases from song to song …“
(Legacy)

7 / 10
➤ … they no longer focus solely on pure Symphonic Metal, but also increasingly allow dark and melodic Metal elements to shine through, which give the whole thing a push in the right direction …
(Bleeding4Metal)

7 / 10
➤ „… the songs are well played to the point … the final title track at the end of the disc pushes the boundaries and lasts nine minutes. This is where they really let off steam. There are even aggressive growls in between …“
(Crossfire)

➤ „… more than just a work – it is a journey through human emotions and abysses, impressively accompanied by music that moves and resonates in equal measure …“
(BlattTurbo)

➤ „… is sure to impress fans of Symphonic Metal … just grabs the listener and the rhythmic vocal style is sure to keep one intrigued. Fantastic melodies throughout and Lea throws down one hell of a vocal performance …“
(Wanna Hear a Great Song Today?)

➤ „… melodic and compelling, with a female vocalist able and willing to deliver crustal clear melodic singing as well as adding an operatic flair … a band that are well aware of how contrasting elements create tension and a dynamic flair …“
(The Viking In The Wilderness)

➤ „… Symphonic Metal on the heavier side, with clean female vocals and harsher Black/Death Metal vocals mixing with the symphonic strings and classic Metal riffing, making for a rather neat take on the genre.“
(Loud Enough? Magazine)

➤ „… singer Lea does with a prone to the operatic, but not forgetting Metal roughness … essentially they are utterly linked with Old School Heavy Metal the same way Nightwish were in their early days … interesting how Lea’s voice reminds Alanis Morissette’s … well, the combination is a killer. That what makes ‚The Demons We Create‘ so different.“
(Metal Addicts)

➤ „… very dynamic release, where the songs fit together well …“
(Rancor Metalzine)

➤ „… a wide array of Symphonic Metal with crushing riffs and a blend of soaring and harsh vocals across a surprise packed hour of intensity.“
(Frenzy Fire)

➤ „Powerful guitars and keyboards with perfect atmospheric beds set the tone and reveal Lea Diekmann’s masterful vocal artistry … an album that deserves to be heard in its entirety, especially because the work, while not exactly conceptual, tackles profound themes dedicated to the inner struggle with personal demons and confronting past experiences. A wonderful debut!“
(Roadie Metal)

➤ „… powerful Symphonic Metal masterpiece … delivers a fierce blend of dark melodies, crushing riffs, and Lea Diekmann’s breathtaking vocal versatility, transitioning smoothly between clean vocals and guttural growls … if you crave music that hits deep and leaves you wanting more, this one’s for you!“
(CeciOn de Metal)

➤ „Dark, epic, symphonic music with a beautiful, versatile voice … definitely a band to follow and support!“
(Femmes du Metal)

➤ „… exemplifies both mastery and dedication. I was particularly impressed by the carefully structured sequences I appreciated their focus on the symphonic aspects present in each track, which were supported by a robust and skillfully constructed framework … melodic riffs, expressive and strong vocals, along with tight rhythms, truly culminate in a remarkable Symphonic Metal experience …“
(Rock Era)

etc.

 

Highly explosive riff thunderstorms!

[ Logo: Breakdown ]

Bulletpoints:
🔘 Full-bodied EP from the Brazilian-German killer band
🔘 Boisterously inventive songs that are immediately catchy
🔘 A cursedly fluid, fabulously coherent Thrash massacre


https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/0J0CqxYejA6rrpFIJFswtI
https://www.youtube.com/@breakdownbkn
https://www.instagram.com/breakdown_bkn/
http://www.facebook.com/BreaKdowNBKN

Here comes a true banger:
Extremely fantastic THRASH METAL, bloody intense, wonderfully melodic & technically complex!

The new EP „Divide And Konquer“ was produced by experienced soundmaster Andy Classen (Stage One Studio) – 4 tracks of pure energy and uncompromising Metal that will delight Deathers, Thrashers and Heavy Metal fans.

The trio returns as a true powerhouse – delivered again is uncompromising extreme Metal with a mixture of melody, like a bastard of Death, Sepultura, Kreator & NWBHM – with that special X factor that makes BREAKDOWN what it is!

[ EP • Artwork by Alcides Burn ]

TRACKS
01.The Tentacles Of Hate
02. Divide And Konquer
03. War
04. Rise From The Dead
05. Angels Don’t Kill

total: 20:15

[ Pic: Breakdown ]

LINE-UP
Leo • Guitar, Vocals
Tati Schmidt • Bass
Edu • Drums

https://www.youtube.com/embed/eM8n5meX4YA
[ Official Video by Breakdown ]

[ Single • Artwork by Paulo Kalvo ]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dk5Bu6Zpwuc
[ Official Video by Ingo Spörl • Hard Media ]

https://www.youtube.com/embed/MzMDBATac1k
[ Official Video by Breakdown]

BACKFLASH:
Born from the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil, later relocated to Ireland, and today based in Germany, Location is just a detail at this stage.
BREAKDOWN blasted on to the scene in 1998 playing every kind of show imaginable. They quickly found themselves embraced by every facet of the insanely diverse local music scene.

After recording „Disgrace“, a 3-song demo, and a live tape called „Live After Thrash“, the label Unsilent Records saw the band live and decided to release the first BREAKDOWN full-length „Time To Kill“.

Released in 2007, these 8 tracks have caught the attention in the global underground scene over the following years – BREAKDOWN appeared in compilations and Magazines in Brazil, USA, Europe and all over the planet and shared the stage with many important bands.

Heavy, old school and intense, the music is uncompromising:
„… just as amazing as the cover and title, so is the sound of the trio … got the punch of old school, amazing melodic pieces and good solos …“ (Rock Hard Germany 2007)

DISCOGRAPHY
2007 • Time To Kill • Full-length
2008 • Disorder & Unprogress • EP
2024 • Rise from the Dead • Single
2024 • Divide and Konquer • EP


MEDIA FEEDBACK:

10 / 10
➤ „… BREAKDOWN riding a Thrash Metal tsunami with consummate ease … uncompromising and fiery … deserves to be listened to time and time again!“
(Metal Gods TV)

9 / 10
➤ „… is really fun … drums like a machine gun, buzzing guitars and a wonderful shot of nostalgia … BREAKDOWN manage the balancing act of sounding old-school and, thanks to a great production, transporting the Teutonic-inspired Thrash into today …“
(Soundmagnet)

8 / 10
➤ „Thrash til‘ Death in old school guise explodes here with power in five tracks that do the genre proud.“
(Hellfire)

8 / 10
➤ „… strong Thrash Metal that keeps its roots but looks forward … besides Thrashers, this should also please fans of Heavy Metal due to good melodic solos and even Death Metallers due to the heavy passages … we hope with such good work that the trio will return soon with a full album …“
(Confere Rock)

8 / 10
➤ „Five songs that simply have everything it takes … razor-sharp riffs … terrific solos … the charismatic, unique vocals tower over everything … unbelievably high level … really strong songs … powerful riffs and truly catchy tunes … goosebump-inducing anthems …“
(Metal Division)

8 / 10
➤ „… very loud thrash metal – in a positive sense … as followers of the old school of thrash, focusing on fast picking and aggressive vocals, BREAKDOWN managed to update the style …“
(Whiplash)

8 / 10
➤ „… old-school Thrash … brutal sound … good work …“
(Mundo Metal)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… fast banging, pretty aggressive vocals … nice demolition … fat riffs … powerful drums, immense groove and melodic backings … always with fine death metal contacts … check out the guys, definitely.“
(Rock Castle Franken)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… full of energy, intensity and technical finesse … the level is appealing … with their balance of speed and heaviness they have found a good key to rise above the competition … I personally particularly like Leo on guitar and microphone, who can always provide pinpricks …“
(Time For Metal)

7,5 / 10
(Rockhard IT)

➤ „… a strong release … Thrash in general … clear hints of Speed and Death Metal – and that really makes it all the cooler … mix of some Death, Sepultura, Kreator and a little hint of some NWOBHM … if you like good Thrash with Speed across the field – well then this is the EP for you …“
(Rancor Metalzine)

➤ „… back to the golden age … a must-listen for fans of Thrash Metal. BREAKDOWN’s undeniable talent and passion for the genre shine through in every track, making ‚Divide And Konquer‘ a true gem …“
(Ancient Forest Fanzine & Art Zine)

➤ „… more than just an EP; it’s a fierce statement of intent, and a must-listen for anyone seeking fresh, aggressive, and uncompromising Metal.“
(Bloody News)

➤ „… based on the best and most modern of the metal scene … influences of Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal and more … modern sound, intense, well crafted and very well produced … will surely grab your attention from the first play … bold, intense … with modernity creativity …“
(Metal Junkbox)

➤ „Overall, a ferocity laden, aggression fuelled Thrash Metal onslaught with a tonne of menace and terrific head bang ability.“
(Frenzy Fire)

➤ „… returns with vengeance … relentless Thrash fury … a tight, well-executed package of Metal that caters to fans of the genre’s various subgenres …“
(1921 Bali Headbanger)

➤ „… a concentrated mixture of Death and Thrash … what makes this band so fantastic is their energetic sound and that they not only manage to convince with melodic leadership, but also present a powerful sound … stands out …“
(Metal-FM COM)

➤ „… high pace and high intensity compositions … meaty and subtly distorted lead vocals provide a contrast to the more form and elegant guitar riff cascades … with sharp and cutting guitar solo runs as the rule rather than the exception … an EP to seek out by those who enjoy their Thrash Metal when it is fast, tight and delivered with a bit of a ferocious momentum …“
(The Viking In The Wilderness)

➤ „… a thrashy masterpiece that will captivate fans of hard guitar sounds. The combination of powerful riffs, precise drumming and a pinch of melody makes each of the four tracks unique … for fans of uncompromising Thrash Metal, this is an absolute must-listen.“
(BlattTurbo)

 

Challenging the unpredictable

[ Logo: Angelo Roccagli ]

Action: TYSTNADEN
Title: The Black Swan
Base: Udine • Italy
Style: Modern Metal
Genre: Alternative Rock, Alternative Metal, Modern Metal
FFO: Evanescence, Halestorm, Lacuna Coil
Type: Album
Format: CD + Digital
Label: Elevate Records
Release: Sept. 13, 2024

https://www.facebook.com/TystnadenBand/
https://www.instagram.com/tystnaden_band/
https://www.youtube.com/@tystnadenbandofficial

Bulletpoints:
🔘 New full-length album from the Italian visionaries
🔘 Lovingly composed, deeply detailed songs
🔘 Fully convincing return of a unique band

DISCOGRAPHY
2006 • Sham Of Perfection • Full-length
2008 • In Our Eye • Full-length
2012 • Anima • Full-length
2024 • The Black Swan • Full-length

TYSTNADEN explain the thematic background of their new single and the video for „Forsaken“:
„We are concerned with the terrible topic of war and all the immense suffering that still emanates from it – all of us who are doing well in our everyday lives should always be aware of this. ‚Forsaken‘ reveals what we’ve become used to: brutality and pain as an alarming norm. Those living in this harsh reality soon fade into oblivion. In the music video, only the eyes of the pure can pierce through the brutality to truly see the hate and suffering. Confronted with an animated cubist painting, Anna begins to witness everything, feeling the pain, fear, and abandonment in her own flesh. The adults and the less pure remain blind to this reality; for a moment, Anna even sees them as part of the brutality. But eventually, everything returns to normal, as that’s how we all continue to move forward, even the purest. And thus, they remain forsaken.“

TYSTNADEN say about their new single:
„Despite all the love and intensity we may invest, this time, like others, the end arrives. An unexpected event. Our own ‚black swan‘. It changes everything. This is what happens when everything ends, when we fuck everything up. But think about how drastically the end itself changes based on how we perceive it, accept it. We can thus embrace it. Or we can fight it.“

After years of silence, the Italian band returned to their strengths in 2023 and began to cultivate their roots with a valuable maturity. And so the songs that make up their new album „The Black Swan“ were brought to vibrant life.

[ Artwork: Beatrice Demori ]

TRACKS:
01. Cage (Intro) 01:03
02. Forsaken 03:32
03. Mysterious 03:31
04. Mo’Kill 03:56
05. Need 04:44
06. Broken 04:01
07. Memories 03:54
08. Thorns 04:08
09. Waiting For Anything 04:19
10. Crystal 04:01
11. Missed 03:41
12. Desire 04:30

total: 45:00 min.

TYSTNADEN have entrusted the production of their new album to Fabio D’Amore at Synonym Of Sound Studio, which is located between Silz in Austria and Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy.

The mix of this fourth album benefits from the collaboration with Francesco Marzona and the title is a tribute to Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s 2007 essay in which he discussed the powerful effects of rare and unpredictable events and the human tendency to find simple explanations for these events after the fact. This theory has since become known as the „Black Swan Theory“.

[ Pic: Beatrice Demori ]

LINE-UP:
Laura De Luca • Vocals
Giulia Coletti • Lead Guitars
Cesare Codispoti • Guitars
Stefano Galioto • Bass
Alberto Iezzi • Drums

FLASHBACK:
TYSTNADEN were born in 1999. The band’s sound is a fascinating blend of instinctive energy and elegant atmospheres. Evolving over time from immediate dark tones to a more mature expressiveness, it combines a strong melodic sensibility with gritty, catchy riffs. Releases:
2000: demo „Tystnaden“ recorded at Entropia Studios by Simone Sant. „Top demo“ reviews on Italian magazines.

2003: demo EP „Fragments“ recorded at OuterSound Studios by Giuseppe Orlando (Novembre). The great European response gives popularity to the band and attract major labels.

May 2006: full-length album „Sham Of Perfection“, produced and published by LMP – Limb Music Products and Publishing (Germany).
Recorded and mixed at New Sin Studios by Luigi Stefanini, mastered by R.D. Liapakis and Christian Schmid at the Prophecy and Music Factory Studios, Germany, in March 2006.
Artworks and merchandise by well known visual artist Travis Smith.
Worldwide distribution and amazing reviews from the specialised press.
Also received an exciting response from the fans.

July 2008: second full-length album „In Our Eye“ produced and published by Renaissance Records (AZ-USA).
Recorded and mastered at New Sin Studios by Luigi Stefanini.
Artwork by Annalisa Zamaro and Tystnaden.
Distributed by Renaissance and Koch Entertainment Distribution, in the U.S.A., Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Colombia, Peru.

October 2012: third full-lenght album „Anima“ produced and published by Valery Records (Italy).
Recorded and mastered at New Sin Studios by Luigi Stefanini.
The album title is a simple but profound Italian word, just like the band members‘ profile.
Once again, to come to full circle, the artwork is left in the capable hands of Travis Smith.


MEDIA FEEDBACK:

4 / 5
➤ „… extremely positive … with a few brief symphonic touches … eleven decidedly pleasant, well-crafted, effective and convincing songs (the songwriting is of excellent quality) … there is some hint of Modern Metal, especially on the groove of the guitars, and some effect on the always splendid voice … full of those romantic-decadent atmospheres that make Gothic an extremely particular genre, as fascinating, intriguing and seductive as it is … a band that has garnered decidedly very little of what it deserves in terms of talent and quality of music!“
(All Around Metal)

8 / 10
➤ „Friends of Dark Tranquillity, In Flames or Sentenced should risk an ear … powerful vocals … grown and matured a lot … the more you listen to ‚The Black Swan‘, the more subtleties emerge and the album grows and grows and grows …“
(Bleeding4Metal)

7 / 10
➤ „… sung with enthusiasm and passion, purposefully and confidently with the powerful voice of Laura De Luca … good condensation of sonic power, with lots of rhythmic riffs and melodic solos … today’s TYSTNADEN are the fruit of the maturation of those from the beginning of the millennium, they are certainly different, but still have good ideas on ‚The Black Swan‘ …”
(Metalitalia)

➤ „… well-rehearsed and focused … everything is perfectly balanced … they respond to all the wishes of their great and explosive singer Laura, who has a good range and expressiveness, and give her free rein in every respect … an album that is a pleasure to listen to, also thanks to the production, which allows us to hear the album in all its power … highly recommended!“
(Tempi Duri)

➤ „TYSTNADEN’s ‚The Black Swan‘ is another great symphonic Metal album, in a string of powerful Italian Metal successes … unique and different … I recommend it to any fan of symphonic Metal … has its high points which will inspire you and give you a reason to listen to this music repeatedly.“
(Progressive Rock Central)

➤ „An album to seek out by those fond of a melodic breed of contemporary Metal that combine careful elegance with compelling power.“
(The Viking In The Wilderness)

 

Journey into your own self …

[ Logo: Nola & Joel Design ]


Bulletpoints:
🔘 New EP from the German Swamp Metal obsessives
🔘 Grandiose mix of Heavy Metal, Stoner and Doom
🔘 Visionary creations, full of delightful contrasts


➤ ➤➤ HELL IN THE SKIES are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_HELL_IN_THE_SKIES_en.php
https://www.instagram.com/hell_in_the_skies/
https://www.facebook.com/hellintheskies
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/artist/1B4XMSiHlaEznAR7OZxAaQ
https://www.youtube.com/@hellintheskies

[ Pic: Nola & Joel Design ]

LINE-UP
Asmoday • Vocals
Solas • Rhythm/Lead Guitar
Baka • Rhythm/Lead Guitar
Garmr • Bass
Baal • Drums

Action: HELL IN THE SKIES
Title: II
Base: Eberswalde • Germany
Style: Heavy Metal
Genre: Heavy Metal, Stoner Metal, Doom Metal
FFO: Black Sabbath, Alice In Chains, Armored Saint
Type: EP
Format: CD + Vinyl + Digital
Label: metalloscope music
Distro: /
Release: May 15, 2024

Visionarily inspired and imaginatively filled with monolithic stories about heaven and hell, the infinite universe, dark mythology and the unfathomable depths of the human psyche, HELL IN THE SKIES create a whole cosmos of timeless qualities.

And so things got off to a powerful start right from the beer-fuelled founding ritual – the midnight hammer blows could be heard as far away as nearby Berlin when the initials H.I.T.S. were carved deep into unholy stone in the swamps of Eberswalde in 2017.

Through the eclipsing fusion of Metal, Stoner and Doom, HELL IN THE SKIES subsequently brought their fiercely sweaty Swamp Metal to thousands of lustful ears – including perfectly happy classic black Sabbath disciples.

Singer Asmoday turns his innermost self inside out in „Vicious Scorn“:
„I experienced a dark and mystical vision of a metaphysical nature, in which the fervent summoning of dark demons from the past took a fatal course. The spirit of evil could be captured and channeled, putting the evoker in a high position to take over all control. Such bundled negativity was purposefully transformed into a higher power … a vicious army full of bitter hatred finally roamed the land like an infernally angry mob …“
WATCH: https://youtu.be/DleXwyi-bXU


HELL IN THE SKIES take a deeper look in „Fields Of Betrayal“:
„As the title of the song symbolises in advance, it is about the humanly weighty subject of betrayal. Listeners are welcome to use their imaginative powers of imagination and merge completely with the mystical atmosphere of the song. In terms of content, we have deliberately left plenty of room for interpretation so that listeners can develop their own ideas as freely as possible. ‚Fields Of Betrayal‘ can be projected onto any situation and event in life.“
WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPJm0mqZxyg


As grim narrators of the dark, they present their artistic self-image. Yes, these evocative creators of their very own SWAMP METAL audibly feel called to higher things. And with the unmistakable and hypnotically organic sound of their truly unique compositions, these instinctive masters guarantee a truly powerful (live) experience.

The new EP „II“ presents six magnificently powerful and richly contrasting compositions, which are also consistently convincing vocally – after all, every second is bursting with sincere and honest authenticity:

[ Artwork: Voidgazer ]

TRACKS
01. Fields Of Betrayal (04:36)
02. Riotous Uproar (05:02)
03. Vicious Scorn (06:29)
04. Sad & Done (04:06)
05. Mental Asylum (04:02)
06. Prince Of Wallachia (05:29)

total: 29:47 min.

As the brilliantly attuned five-piece’s cursed, catchy style gets straight into your blood in a magical way, the formation is able to infect their concert audiences effortlessly time and time again – once you’ve been there, you’ll never be able to forget the intensity and fervor of these thoroughly obsessed maniacs who are passionate about what they do.

Even when HELL IN THE SKIES share the stage with longer-established scene greats, they know how to inspire those in attendance with a captivatingly authentic performance, whereby both young and old souls are only too happy to be converted by the overall sound, which welds together several decades of hard music.


DISCOGRAPHY
2018 • s/t • Full-length
2024 • II • EP

[ Symbol: Nola & Joel Design ]



MEDIA FEEDBACK:

10 / 10
➤ „… six very differently structured songs, which Black Sabbath fans of the first hour in particular will be able to get a lot out of … Asmoday’s vocal range is remarkable, even in extreme ranges he sounds terrific. Not only once is he so close to one of the most charismatic voices ever that you could bet that some people would mistake him for Ozzy Osbourne … a contender for the year’s throne …“
(Bleeding4Metal)

9,3 / 10
➤ „Already the opener ‚Fields Of Betrayal‘ really sweeps me away with its groove … ‚Riotous Uproar‘ then comes along with a decent shot of doom … ‚Vicious Scorn‘, where I have the feeling that I have to go to mass right away (but is it Sabbath already today?) … powerful Metal … a delicacy …“
(Time For Metal)

8,9 / 10
➤ „… honest and direct songwriting … authentic and straightforward … shine right from the start with metallic heaviness and an infectious Pantera groove, with the opener ‚Fields Of Betrayal‘ really picking up the pace. The rough yet melodic vocals are really spot-on, as are the classic solos, which further enhance the material … plenty of appealing songwriting … consistently beautiful drive …“
(Zephyr’s Odem)

8,5 / 10
➤ „… catchy riffs and groovy rhythms … warm and voluminous soundscape … expressive vocals … welcome and warm-hearted variety … exciting mix that loses none of its energy even after repeated listening …“
(Soundmagnet)

8 / 10
➤ „… groovy Metal with concise vocals as well as energetic riffs and hypnotic rhythms … Pantera and Black Sabbath … cracks, grooves, simply makes you want more. If you like expressive Metal without blinkers, this release is highly recommended and should be put on your turntable.“
(SLAM Alternative Music Magazine)

7,5 / 10
➤ „Genuine Swamp Metal can’t seem to generate enough hits … a mixture of Stoner and classic Heavy Metal with the decisive touch of Doom … grim and radiant …“
(Saitenkult)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… Black Sabbath are an undeniable influence … those who move through the Metal worlds without prejudice could discover something like an upcoming insider tip with HELL IN THE SKIES …“
(Hellfire)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… musicians who have mastered their craft and a versatile vocal performance … ranging from clear classic Black Sabbath style doom vocals to raw aggressive rock vocals …“
(Rock Garage DE)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… I am often reminded of Black Sabbath. But Black Label Society, Type O Negative or Pantera also come to mind. I would place HELL IN THE SKIES somewhere between Southern Rock, seventies proto-Metal and Stoner. They play with dynamics and have a real feel for exciting songs.“
(Neckbreaker)

➤ „… brilliant stuff … crushingly heavy … amazing … for fans of Sabbath, Down and classic Metallica …“
(Iridium Rock And Metal Reviews)

➤ „… awesome riffs, great variety … is sure to satisfy fans of the heydays of Heavy Metal … great …“
(Wanna Hear a Great Song Today?)

➤ „… well sung … the burner … comparisons with Warrior Soul and Armored Saint … cool … fun …“
(Scream For Metal)

➤ „… once again prove their musical versatility and talent for powerful Heavy Metal … emotional and powerful lyrics … rousing journey through dark and fascinating worlds … unique soundscape … ‚II‘ is a must for all lovers looking for a profound and captivating musical experience …“
(BlattTurbo)

➤ „… a good portion of time-honored Armored Saint … the strong vocals of singer Asmoday are reminiscent of the wonderful John Bush … a portion of psychedelic radiance … a hint of Ozzy fragrance in the top note … powerful and with a direct sound … HELL IN THE SKIES have potential, the character-giving vocals, the snappy guitars and the powerful rhythm backbone harmonize and entertain, especially when the doom brake is out of action …“
(Metal Inside)

➤ „… a wonderful round of catchy and crunchy old school Heavy Metal … nice mix with Stoner and Doom … let yourself be carried away …“
(Rancor Metalzine)

➤ „… really accessible, and the vocals are catchier than the plague. The EP is well-balanced and engaging, with variety and room to breathe between ideas …“
(Metal Eclipse Reviews)

➤ „… a spiraling amalgamation of classic Rock and pummeling Doom that will set the imagination in flight. Fans of Black Sabbath and Alice in Chains will be over the moon and into the stratosphere when encountering the thrilling reprieves … amazing band on the rise!“
(Highwire Daze)

 

Invitation to a nightmare 

[ Logo: Ersin Kara ]

Action: SMORRAH
Title: Welcome To Your Nightmare
Base: Gelsenkirchen • Germany
Style: Death Thrash Metal
Genre: Thrash Metal, Death Metal, Groove Metal
FFO: Pantera, Sepultura, Exhorder
Type: Full-length
Format: CD + Vinyl + Cassette
Label: Sick Taste Records
Release: Feb. 23, 2024

Bulletpoints:
🔘 Strong debut album from the German powerhouse
🔘 Enormously rich, full-bodied Death Thrash package
🔘 Hard-hitting, precise and catchy material


https://smorrah.com/
https://smorrah.bandcamp.com/
Socials:
https://www.facebook.com/smorrah
https://www.instagram.com/smorrah_official
https://twitter.com/smorrahofficial
https://www.tiktok.com/@smorrah

Buy online:
https://sektor12shop.de/epages/6c4798ca-5432-4f6d-8408-8e58beb96d35.mobile/de_DE/?ObjectID=1682740&ViewAction=FacetedSearchProducts&SearchString=Smorrah
&
https://sicktasterecords.bigcartel.com/product/presale-smorrah-welcome-to-your-nightmare-sick-034

The nameplate of this damn sturdy precision Thrash machine reads 2017 – and, yes, the four Thrash’n’Death metallers from SMORRAH are definitely powerhouse guys!

Location: Gelsenkirchen. That’s right, the oft-mentioned city known for its glorious soccer club Schalke 04, also home to the Teutonic Thrash Metal pioneers of Sodom. In this former mining area, the eerie legend of the nasty demon "Smorra", who sits on the chests of sleeping people at night and tries to suffocate them bitterly, has been reverently told for generations.

[ Pic: Anna-Lena Hickmann ]

LINE-UP:
Marius Wegener • Vocals
Daniel ‚Pumper‘ Hartmann • Guitars
Christian ‚Kraje‘ Krajewski • Bass
Raphael Swierczynski • Drums

Our local patriotic heroes gave their own heavy steel commando such a demonic name. Also breathtaking are the stunningly vehemently riffed, fatally powerful and groovy SMORRAH blasts of notes, skillfully crowned by many technical refinements – DEATH THRASH METAL that just pops!

With charismatic playing strength, the bright formation delivers immensely intense, gripping song loads, all of which drill into your consciousness like a workaholic miner on adrenaline!

SMORRAH have also written some similarly spooky stories on their sooty banner, which the determined and tried-and-tested foursome around front beast Marius hoist high into the half-heartedly blowing trend wind!

With their unmistakable and thoroughly uncompromising sound, paired with gloomy lyrics, the band knows how to convince every time anew! Influences from all Metal genres and beyond come together to form a Groove Thrash monster that takes no prisoners.

[ Artwork: Timon Kokott ]

TRACKS:
📺 01. Welcome To Your Nightmare 04:51
02. Dead Snake Eyes 04:45
📺 03. Age Of Decay 05:54
04. Killing Spree 03:58
05. Hope Dies Last 03:45
06. Buried Underneath 05:40
07. Death Awaits 05:00
08. Evil Betrayal 05:19
09. When The Tide Comes In 06:25

total 45:42

With their debut album „Welcome To Your Nightmare“, SMORRAH release a total of 9 variedly conceived and hellishly powerfully produced songs.

High tension is guaranteed:
„Welcome To Your Nightmare“ energetically takes the listener on a gripping journey into the dark abysses of human psychology, leaving you hardly any time to catch your breath – the deliciously tight, bludgeon-from-the-bag quartet really does more than justify the legend surrounding the band’s name!

Tireless headbangers, maniacal Thrashers and hungry Groove heads will all get their money’s worth.

And anyone who has experienced these four likeable, down-to-earth heavyweights from Gelsenkirchen at one of their highly explosive and absolutely sweat-inducing live shows knows that there is only one direction with SMORRAH: Straight ahead!
Auf Loik!

DISCOGRAPHY:
2018 • The Evil Within • EP
2020 • Necrosouls • Single
2022 • Live At Helvete • Live Album
2024 • Welcome To Your Nightmare • Full-length

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

9,5 / 10
➤ „… fat riffs that almost take your breath away … the fantastic thing about the guys from Gelsenkirchen is that they don’t let anything get in their way and do their own thing … Caution: danger of addiction! Groovy thrash monsters could also be lurking by your bedside, waiting for a favourable opportunity …“
(Bleeding4Metal)

9 / 10
➤ „… singer Marius can not only growl very cool, he also has clear vocals that get under your skin … blast their groovy riff monsters almost non-stop around your ears or sneak into your thoughts in quiet passages … one of the pearls of the underground, if not the pearl of the month … convinces with honest Metal that defies all trends and fires from all cylinders for the entire playing time!“
(Obliveon)

9 / 10
➤ „… really fat … produces strong pressure … SMORRAH process the anger in their songs and you can feel that in the relentless sound … everything is offered to torture your neck muscles or to let off steam in the mosh pit … what a great groovy crusher!“
(Metalheads DE)

9 / 10
➤ „… a very good debut … convinces with great musical work and ingenious songwriting … never gets boring, but makes you want more … what stands out above all is the constant musical class … not only the voice of Wegener can be heard, but also the qualities of the other musicians … so one perfectly written riff chases the next and the solos are also uniquely played … Thrash songwriting in a class of its own …“
(Soundmagnet)

4 / 5
➤ „… a proof to SMORRAH’s ability to combine Thrash and Groove Metal influences into a cohesive and devastatingly heavy sound. With unrelenting aggression, haunting atmospheres and impressive musicianship, this album is a must for fans of extreme Metal … cementing their place among the genre’s top acts.“
(MetalUnderground AT)

8,8 / 10
➤ „A true Thrash monster … a very fat debut album, which not only comes along with energetic music, but was also packed with a fat sound. A cool combination of old and new Thrash.“
(Zephyr’s Odem)

8,6 / 10
➤ „… absolutely pummelling … definitely nods to Kreator and Sodom in here and the other German Thrash classics too … melodic leads … shreddy as hell too in spots … absolutely fantastic debut … crowned as my favourite Thrash Metal release so far this year … if you just love everything about Thrash and German Thrash, then this absolute ripper is going to be right up your street …“
(Drako’s Death Metal News & Reviews)

8,5 / 10
➤ „… relentless sound … powerful … as an experienced disciple in the thrash metal universe, you can raise your eyebrows with enthusiasm … the fire of Sepultura meets the groove of Pantera, mixes with the coldness of Sodom and Kreator and yet has a whole unique style of its own that makes SMORRAH stand out from the sometimes confusing swamp of releases …“
(Powermetal DE)

8 / 10
➤ „… nine songs that kick ass … mixture of Thrash Metal (musically), Death Metal (vocally) and a bit of Groove Metal (rhythmically) … contemporary, no cheap Retro Thrash … manage to inspire the old and the new generation alike … the production is mega fat and bangs … a successful debut!“
(Crossfire)

8 / 10
➤ „… skilfully combine the qualities of bands like Sodom (also based in Gelsenkirchen), Sepultura and Pantera. Of course, one or two riffs sound very familiar, but otherwise they sound very independent. Good and varied songwriting. Good debut album. If you like your thrash metal varied and don’t just like thrashing speed, you can pick this up without hesitation.“
(Time For Metal)

3,5 / 5
➤ „Get ready to bang your head nonstop while raising your horns … old school, 80’s-infused Thrash Metal extravaganza spearheaded by classic riffs … Marius deeply vociferating like a demented beast … unstoppable, violent sounds brought into being while also alternating between more melodic moments and pure savagery …“
(The Headbanging Moose)

➤ „… steely inferno … relentless heaviness … brute energy and gritty riffs create an atmosphere that is honest, hard and uncompromising … debut album that perfectly epitomises the heaviness of Thrash/Death Metal … with menacing intensity reflected in every track …“
(BlattTurbo)

➤ „Do you like your Death Metal with rich elements of Thrash? And preferably with a bit of Groove throughout? Don’t worry – SMORRAH is the answer to your prayers… hard, delivered with tremendous precision and still catchy in that cool way… 9 strong tracks… sure to have many hitting the repeat button, because you can just listen to it again… and again…“
(Rancor Metalzine)

➤ „… technically high quality … fast, melodic, groovy … the guitars have great moments throughout the album … it just fits … sounds really cool … vocals – my goodness where does the man get these sounds from – Marius‘ style is brutal, varied and simply … SMORRAH’s debut is a board before the Lord and an absolute buy recommendation …“
(MetalZone – Support The Underground)

➤ „… cool Groove Thrash … really cool mixture … not only on the cap … but also great guitar work, also with nice warm parts … really good …“
(Scream For Metal)

➤ „… unsettling and ferocious … uncompromising and at times groove laden … sounds less like a debut album and more like the work of a band that have been playing together for years, which bodes very well for the longevity of Metal …“
(The Razor’s Edge)

➤ „… Thrash Metal rocket that could have come straight from the Bay Area … this thing rattles brutally and just waltzes over you … it’s a real mouthful … awesome! Fans of the band will be delighted … a brutally good album!“
(Festivalstalker)

➤ „… killer … strong Thrash album … if you like Thrash metal, you will definitely like it … a little underdog pearl … I can only warmly recommend SMORRAH …“
(Moshpit Passion)

➤ „… finally … leave you barely able to breathe … the band’s high energy and live performance make the entire 45-minute album an ideal headbanger. The best examples of this are ‚Age Of Decay‘ or ‚Buried Underneath‘ …“
(Hardrock LT)

➤ „…of high quality, with thoughtful songs in a style that pushes technique and groove in equal measure, with enough energy and speed for my needs and yet with a more open approach to arranging where there is room for different tempos and atmospheres. Solid!“
(Cvecezla)

➤ „Each song on the album offers a different experience, showcasing different essences that intermingle between the Thrash and Death base … demonstrates their ability to navigate a wide range of emotions and sounds within Metal … agonizing vocal performance … excellent instrumental execution … offering a very personal sound … an intense debut that will not disappoint you.“
(TNT Radio Rock)