Radiant, enchanting & uplifting!

[ Logo: Nicolas Spreutels ]

Action: KATE NORD
Base: Casperia • Italy
Genre: Symphonic Fantasy Metal
Title: Compass To Your Heart’s Desire
FFO: Nightwish, Epica, Enya
Format: Album
Label: Independent
Release: Dec. 16, 2022

🌐 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 & 𝙋𝙍 Action:
𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_KATE_NORD_en.php

Bulletpoints:
• Deeply soulful, upliftingly visionary debut album
• Sensational clear, operetta-like female vocals
• Inspiring noble mix of Melodic, Power & Symphonic Metal

https://www.youtube.com/embed/9f1yYLIXZ78
[ Embrace The Cold • Lyric Video ]

Kate says about the song:
„This is a dark and epic story about facing difficult times and the struggle to keep going nonetheless. ‚Embracing the cold‘ is not about giving up or bending to your circumstances, but is rather a metaphor for radical acceptance of your situation and trying to make the most out of what you have. Embrace the cold, to find your way back to the sunlight!“

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Qeen4n2uWZ8
[ Compass To Your Heart’s Desire • Album Teaser ]

KATE NORD is a classically trained Finnish singer/songwriter who creates high quality SYMPHONIC FANTASY METAL in central Italy.

With her versatile, impressively clear as well as amazingly soprano strong exceptional voice, this fabulous golden throat can easily compete with the best and most famous of the entire guild.

[ Pic: Marco Savi • SPF Produzioni ]


LINE-UP:
Kate Nord • Vocals, Keys, Orchestration
Francesco Mattei • Guitars
Andrea Arcangeli • Bass
Omar Campitelli • Drums

„Compass To Your Heart’s Desire“ is KATE NORD’s debut album as a solo artist, with a special guest solo by Timo Tolkki, popular by Finnish Power Metallers Stratovarius.

[ Artwork: Nicolas Spreutels ]

TRACKS:
01. Recitative To The Moon 01:47
02. All Alone 03:28
03. The North Wind And The Troll 03:50
04. Embrace The Cold 02:59
05. Wither And Rust (feat. Timo Tolkki) 05:04
06. Dream Of Daylight 05:37
0. Breathe In The Night 03:43
08. Dance Of The Fairies 02:58
09. Aeternam Vale 04:24

„Compass To Your Heart’s Desire“ is inspired by Scandinavian folk tales about trolls and fairies and the illustrations to these tales, such as the works of John Bauer, as well as fantasy novels as well as the works of the world famous fantasy grandmaster J. R. R. Tolkien.

„Compass To Your Heart’s Desire“ is embedded in wonderfully powerful Heavy/Power Metal sounds with slamming drums and furious distortion guitars, often bursting with fully melodic, catchy outbursts.

[ Pic: Marco Savi • SPF Produzioni ]

FLASHBACK:
Her first release as a solo singer was a cover of Howard Blake’s „Walking In The Air“ in 2017.

Kate’s musical resume includes formal studies in classical singing in both Finland and Italy. She began her music studies in Porvoo, Finland with pianist Diana Bärlund, who also taught former Lordi keyboardist Awa (Leena Peisa).

Kate already appeared as a lyricist of the Italian Progressive Power Metal ensemble Noveria since the band’s formation in 2013. She was also featured as a guest vocalist on Noveria’s album „Forsaken“, released 2016 via Scarlet Records.

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

98 / 100
➤ „… a stunning album … a must for any fan of (female fronted) Symphonic Metal … fantastically beautifully composed and arranged … goosebumps … beauty and purity … phenomenal voice … incomparable … if you think Tarja Turunen is the best female singer, then Kate Nord comes right after!“
(Musika)

95 / 100
➤ „… very melodic, harmonic structures … a good album full of first-line classic elements … KATE NORD’s beautiful voice is unique with a clean, white and soft register! Excellent soprano!“
(Darkzen Dragon)

9 / 10
➤ „With a good sound … style influenced by Nightwish, Xandria, Amberian Dawn, including her soprano skills … intense songs … very emotional and melancholic … brilliant vocal performance … very outstanding … an exquisite album … recommended from start to finish …“
(Locos Por El Power Metal)

9 / 10
➤ „… an exhibition of classical vocals … outstanding … has a unique ability to transport emotions … very well produced … KATE NORD sets a very high bar in terms of individual performance … very promising … Symphonic Metal fans can be very excited about ‚Compass To Your Heart’s Desire‘ …“
(Metal Temple)

80 / 100
➤ „… reminds me of a good Nightwish, Epica, Within Temptation … so good for those who prefer something more melodic, clear and beautiful rather than something heavy and aggressive … Timo Tolkki is a guest musician … I can recommend it to those who like opera and classical music, and it is also suitable for those who listen to pop music, as a few songs are quite catchy …“
(MariMetal)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… will not fail to appeal to fans of formations such as Epica and Nightwish, but also to those who are not generally accustomed to sounds of this kind, resulting in an effective product that is worth giving a chance.“
(Heavy Metal Webzine)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… turned out quite pompous … immediately the intro shows their skills in all facets … the voice is clearly focused … very harmoniously kept … everything sounds like from one cast … who likes Nightwish, Within Temptation, Epica or the soundtrack to ‚The Lord Of The Rings‘ (keyword: Enya), should definitely listen in here!“
(Crossfire)

7 / 10
➤ „… brings back memories of glorious Nightwish times with Tarja as the front woman … musical treat …“
(Metal DE)

7 / 10
➤ „… varied vocals that give you goosebumps especially in the middle registers … fantastic melodies … KATE NORD’s songwriting talent is beyond question on this album … from brisk to gloomy, bombastic to dreamy and classical to Metal, the artist glides through the stylistic elements with her songs and skillfully combines them into a coherent, entertaining album … fans of female fronted Metal and Symphonic Metal may heartily enjoy!“
(Der Hörspiegel)

➤ „… practices her soprano voice with bravura … opera-inspired … stunning classical content … imagine Nightwish mixed with Rhapsody Of Fire with female vocals taking classical singing to the extreme … this is it.“
(Metal Addicts)

➤ „This album is awesome, Symphonic Metal with touches of Progressive and Power Metal, masterfully executed, with great arrangements and beautiful vocals … excellent work …“
(Metal Pedia)

➤ „Tremendous listening experience … even if I don’t like to draw comparisons, in the case of KATE NORD some with Tarja are obvious, after all they both have the same home … so if you like to be enveloped by symphonic sounds and enchanted by a beautiful voice, this is the right address!“
(Metalmamas Neuigkeiten)

➤ „… a promising debut and an artist to keep an eye on if female-fronted Symphonic Metal is your thing.“
(Sea Of Tranquility)

➤ „… this is tightly packed … good production … soul piercing through every line and riff … KATE NORD’s singing voice is clear in every word, in every syllable, and she is the clearest of all … her high voice is no different from a graceful fairy goddess … great … her throat is the best … as for the symphonic part, it is both elegant and beautiful, changing depending on the song … everything can make happy … truly heavenly …“
(Noisewriter)

Under the spell of bewitching mysticism!

[ Logo: John Connor ]

Action: RAVENLIGHT
Base: Belfast • Northern Ireland
Genre: Symphonic Power Metal
Title: Immemorial
FFO: Nightwish, Kamelot, Sonata Arctica
Format: Album
Label: Distortion Project Records
Distro: Code7
Release: Jan. 27, 2023

Bulletpoints:

• 2nd studio album of the Irish nature mystics
• Beauty, longing & power in a touching trinity
• Tasteful, emotional songs full of beauty & aesthetics

https://youtu.be/bt4-f6an7-U
[ Official music video by TWKOM & John Connor ]

RAVENLIGHT comments on „Reflections“:
„We chose ‚Reflections‘ as the first single for ‚Immemorial‘ as it was one of the early songs that set the tone for the rest of the album, it showcases a mix of emotional vocals and lyrics alongside heavy riffing and strong hooks, the contrast of light vs dark, heaviness vs beauty and hope vs fear runs throughout the whole release, and so it seemed like the perfect song and video to welcome the audience into that theme.“

https://youtu.be/NNaTeYLAoNU
[ Official music video by John Connor ]

RAVENLIGHT comments on „Spirit Of Life“:
„A unique track on the album – while most the songs represent darker themes, we decided to keep ‚Spirit Of Life‘ as the light in the darkness. The song was written to be infectiously fun and just a good time for the audience and listeners, so we made the video a little bit weirder than usual too!“

[ Pic: TWKOM Media ]

LINE-UP
Rebecca Feeney • Vocals
John Connor • Guitars, Keyboards
Dean Kane • Bass
Michał Bugajski • Drums

RAVENLIGHT returns, stronger than ever with their long awaited second album, „Immemorial“!

[ Artwork: John Connor ]

TRACKS
01. Masque Of Red Death (04:27)
02. Reflections (04:22)
03. The Painters Dream (04:33)
04. Spirit Of Life (03:58)
05. Paper Ships (03:37)
06. Rain (03:46)
07. Spiral (04:22)
08. Left Behind (05:57)
09. The Maze (04:13)
10. Springtime Lament (08:40)

total: 47:58 min.

Channelling their live energy into this new release, „Immemorial“ features 10 tracks of hard hitting Power Metal showcasing a range of styles and themes, from the reflective „Spiral“, to the grandiose „Springtime Lament“, this album highlights the band’s evolution and determination from the past few years.

FLASHBACK:
Formed in 2018, RAVENLIGHT play an energetic brand of progressive tinged SYMPHONIC POWER METAL which have gained them a reputation as one of the most exciting and unique bands to emerge from the Irish Metal scene in recent years.

Starting with their 2018 EP release „End Of The World“, RAVENLIGHT quickly made their mark on the local scene and further afield with a number of shows across Ireland, including an invite to support Progressive Metal legends Evergrey in Dublin in March 2019.

At the start of 2020, RAVENLIGHT went back to the studio and recorded their debut album, „Project Genesis“, which was released in June 2020 across Europe and Japan via Novus Records, gaining positive reviews and press across the continent.

Unfortunately due to the pandemic, live shows to promote the album were postponed indefinitely, however instead of resting on their laurels, RAVENLIGHT returned once again to the studio to record their 2021 covers EP, „Intermission“ alongside a series of music videos shot over various lockdowns.

With restrictions easing, RAVENLIGHT made their long awaited return to the stage, with a delayed album launch show, a mere 21 months after the release of the album, an appearance at the Siege Of Limerick festival and shows supporting Firewind, Cruachan and Stormzone across Ireland.

DISCOGRAPHY
2018 • End Of The World • EP
2020 • Project Genesis • Full-length
2021 • Intermission • EP
2023 • Immemorial • Full-length


RAVENLIGHT are available for interviews via phone, Skype, Zoom & email !

🌐 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 & 𝙋𝙍 Action:
𝗠𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗔𝗚𝗘 ᴳᴸᴼᴮᴬᴸ • 𝐸𝓈𝓉. 2001
https://www.metalmessage.de/PR_RAVENLIGHT_en.php

💥 𝙌𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙮, 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙖𝙨𝙨!

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

9 / 10
➤ „… an impressive album and it delivers everything, modern Symphonic Metal can offer: powerful guitar riffing, well composed orchestral arrangements, catchiness, epic melodies, ballads as well as dynamic and fresh songs … excellent vocalist who keeps the sound perfectly together and stamps her vocal authority on every track … set the bar very high for all other releases in 2023 … a must have …“
(Metal Temple)

85 / 100
➤ „I was already thrilled with the first album. It’s no different now. Maybe just a little bit better … all in all very good …“
(Musika BE)

8,5 / 10
➤ „The band stays true to their style, where emotive, melancholic and to some extent dramatic melodies lead a parade of tunes that invite moments of tranquillity … a good album mainly for Symphonic Metal lovers.“
(Locos Por El Power Metal)

3,5 / 5
➤ „There are immeasurable reasons why this album impresses. Firstly, there is the lead singer who surely would’ve been a big name back in the day. Lastly, everything else. The album does not require extra immiscibility, it is already blended to perfection. The pounding drum, the beautifully played piano, and riffs; they strike a perfect balance between heavy and melodic. There is a sense of immenseness about the music, despite how straightforward it is. There is a great deal of passion behind it, and I believe that comes through immaculately.“
(Sputnik Music)

80 / 100
➤ „… beautifully done Symphonic Metal songs with fresh and hard-hitting Power Metal … variety of styles … at all times musically … reflexive, melodic … Rebecca’s beautiful voice stands out a lot, it gives a unique softness to each track …“
(Darkzen Dragon)

8 / 10
➤ „… has a very appealing orchestration … to enjoy, with eyes closed … beautiful vocals … RAVENLIGHT please keep it up, since today you have at least one more regular listener!“
(Obliveon)

8 / 10
➤ „… I’m very impressed! Symphonic Power Metal is not my thing generally, but what this band are doing is unique to the Irish scene and offers something completely different. It also helps that they’re extremely good at what they do!“
(Burning Metal Irl)

8 / 10
➤ „Symphonic class and not bombastic noise is what we expected, and they bring it with more than a little of their beautiful Irish charm layered in as well …“
(Powerplay)

7,5 / 10
➤ „… some potential … good balance between the metallic and orchestral side … catchy melodic arcs … I really like its oldschool interpretation of Symphonic Power Metal and provides a nice counterbalance to the many identical sounding bands that populate the genre these days …“
(Powermetal DE)

72 / 100
➤ „… arrangements are kept simple and, to some extent raw, providing an ideal backdrop for Rebecca Feeney’s mesmerizing performance. She excels both in technique and emotional expression, displaying impressive control and a remarkable low register that adds weight and gravitas to her singing. The transitions between operatic and powerful rock vocals are seamless and a major strength of the album.“
(Metal Archives)

70 / 100
➤ „Although ‚Immemorial‘ addresses itself primarily to the users of Symphonic Power and related subgenres, I believe it can easily have its say outside this narrow market as well thanks to a down-to-earth, immediate and catchy making, which shrugs off the all too cloying excesses of certain colleagues and distances itself from certain disposable music. Well done.“
(TrueMetal IT)

7 / 10
➤ „… somewhere in the intersection of Nightwish, Edenbridge, Crystal Gates and The Dark Element … Rebecca Feeney puts the stamp on the tracks with her expressive voice … should be a welcome addition to the collection of fans of this style of playing …“
(Hellfire Magazin)

7 / 10
➤ „… not simply looking back … the band also push forward by integrating interesting influences … a strong album that will appeal to a diverse range of listeners … fans of early Nightwish and traditional European Symphonic Power Metal will enjoy it, especially if they’re seeking something less pop-oriented … ‚Immemorial‘ is more than just retrogressive Symphonic Metal and may resonate with Metalheads who enjoy Occult Rock and even female-fronted Progressive Rock.“
(Metal Observer)

3,5 / 5
➤ „… vocal approach inspired by Nightwish’s Tarja … contains some interesting influences of traditional Irish music …“
(All Around Metal)

10 / 15
➤ „… with fine prog elements. Vocally, Mrs. Feeney moves in the higher, opera-like areas on … RAVENLIGHT know how to please in this genre, which is overflowing especially in recent years. Especially the now and then interspersed progressive elements, the piano passages and the wise decision not to inflate the songs too pompously, let you listen again and again …“
(My Revelations)

➤ „This optimally functioning, catchy melodic mix can make ‚Immemorial‘ a small, fine treasure for all those who would like to experience it as dreamy and enchanting as possible.“
(Sonic Seducer)

➤ „… true, signature Symphonic Metal style … like a good stew, it evolves on low heat … let its flavors meld and blend into each other … Rebecca’s vocals are once again superb and at times rise to the sublime, to a level that definitely and defiantly rivals some of the bigger and indeed biggest names working in the genre … excellent …“
(Über Röck)

➤ „Balm for the ears! … RAVENLIGHT definitely can’t escape a comparison with Nightwish, but that’s not necessarily a bad attribute … RAVENLIGHT, however, don’t reach so strongly into the symphonic box and so ‚Immemorial‘ could please all those who like clear female voices and like to lose themselves in pleasant tones …“
(Metalmamas Neuigkeiten)

➤ „… a remarkable Symphonic Metal work … with front lady Rebecca Feeney, the Northern Irish band has a singer with an excellent voice in its ranks, which should not only appeal to fans of classically trained voices, but also to fans of more Rock-oriented vocals …“
(Female Fronted Power)

➤ „… durch ihren variablen Gesang erlebt man Emotionen, die für solche Songs sehr wichtig sind … eine talentierte Band, die ihre Instrumente perfekt beherrscht … musikalisch sind sie wirklich sehr gut …“
(Nightshade)

➤ „… guitars play an important role in RAVENLIGHT’s music. They are strong, with great overtones, with flashy lines, and, most of all, prominent … RAVENLIGHT give Rebecca all the chances to bright very shiny and she does … great …“
(Metal Addicts)

➤ „… full of freshness, but with a certain nostalgic touch … a good album, strongly reminiscent of Nightwish in their first phase, combining this concept with a more progressive development … from beginning to end we can enjoy different subgenres in it … enjoy them!“
(Nada Hay Bajo El Sol)

➤ „… RAVENLIGHT have grown a lot … will definitely surprise you … it’s really different and a big step forward …“
(D Metal Galaxy)

etc.