Deep in the 80s, high in quality

These promising Italian HARD ROCKERS got together by their own Rock’n’Roll destiny in 2007.

The band’s name WITCHE’S BREW is taken from the name of guitarist Mirko Witche Bosco. In 2008 the hungry bunch recorded a live EP, „Pentatonicspeedfreaks“ during an Austrian tour.

[ Pic: Raissa Bianchi ]

LINE-UP:
Mark Blacks • Vocals
Mirko Witche Bosco • Guitars
Demis Perry Whites • Bass
Frankie Brando • Drums

Two years later WITCHE’S BREW recorded their first full length release „White Trash Sideshow“, published through Black Widow Records. The year 2011 the formation participated in the compilation „Return To The Sabbath“, a tribute to Black Sabbath.

2012 saw them recording their second album „Supersonicspeedfreaks“, also with Black Widow Records, this time with the participation of special guests including none other than Nik Turner of Hawkwind and Frederick Martin Grice of Delirium amongst others.

In 2015 WITCHE’S BREW recorded the third album „Against The Grain“, also with Black Widow Records as label partner.

All of these longplayers received great reviews and interviews from both national and international music media, such as Rock Hard, Metal Hammer, Metal Maniac, Classix, Sludge, Rumore etc. WITCHE’S BREW have done many tours throughout Italy and Europe.

[ Pic: Davide Bordogna ]

After a few usual changes in the band they finally found finally the perfect line-up to record their fourth and best album to date, out in September 2020 on Universal Music Group Italy: „Chronicles Of Electric Sorcery“.

TRACKS:
01. Redneck Saloon 05:39
02. Shot Of Rum 05:05
03. Devil’s Whorehouse 04:47
04. Contagious 03:13
05. Ti Bon Ange 04:07
06. Take You There 05:10
07. Good Spot 04:09
08. Find A Way 03:40
09. See You Next Time 03:37
10. Out Of Control 03:22

total 41:29 min.

Since June 12th, 2020, the quartet spoil the ears with the track „Find A Way“ – the first official single release out of the upcoming album:

[ Artwork: Mirko Witche Bosco ]

The new, all around sovereignly presented compositions reveal truly outstanding, great potential, and it is by no means a coincidence that the production of the record also strongly reminds of the glorious 80s.
And the latter is no miracle – after all, WITCHE’S BREW are fully into the legacy of crunchy bands such as Lynch Mob, Slaughter, Giant, Skid Row, Dangerous Toys and Dirty Looks. (Markus Eck)

On Friday, June 19th, 2020, the band published its new music video for „Find A Way“:

DISCOGRAPHY:
2010 • White Trash Sideshow (Full-length)
2012 • Supersonicspeedfreaks (Full-length)
2015 • Against The Grain (Full-length)
2020 • Chronicles Of Electric Sorcery (Full-length)

Direct link Streaming Services
https://lnk.to/WitchesBrew

⚡🔔📢
➤ 𝓦𝓘𝓣𝓒𝓗𝓔’𝓢 𝓑𝓡𝓔𝓦 • 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 & 𝙋𝙍 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻:
https://www.metalmessage.de/Promotion_WITCHES_BREW_en.php
📢🔔⚡

 WITCHE’S BREW are available for interviews via phone, Skype & e-mail

WITCHE’S BREW • Online:
         

Reactivated passion

WELKINS BOREAL was founded in 2018 by Finnish songwriter Teemu Kautonen as a follow-up to his former band Nattvindens Gråt, which released three albums 1995-2000 and played a European tour in 1997. Teemu has also played with acts like Darkwoods My Betrothed, Furthest Shore and Wizzard.

WELKINS BOREAL’s debut album ‚Phantoms Of Yesteryear‘ was released in 2019 as Teemu’s solo effort. On the new EP „Ashes“, the line-up was augmented with Aki Koponen on guitar and Toni Paananen as session drummer.

[ Artwork: Pavel Kurbanov • All4Band Design ]

TRACKS:
01. Are You A Witch? 03:58
02. Triumph Of Steel 04:59
03. Ashes 03:51

total: 12:48 min.

„Ashes“ contains three ATMOSPHERIC GOTHIC METAL songs that vary in style from the raw heaviness of ‚Are You a Witch?‘ to the epic and progressive ‚Triumph Of Steel‘ to the catchy melodic title track.

In fact, the EP features the first brand new songs Teemu has written since 2001, given that the debut album ‚Phantoms Of Yesteryear‘ comprised of completely revised and re-recorded versions of old Nattvindens Gråt songs.

WELKINS BOREAL opted to record the EP in the old-fashioned style on magnetic tape with the apostle of analogue sound, producer/engineer Anssi Kippo at Finland’s legendary Astia Studio.

[ Pic: Mirkka Pihlajamaa ]

LINE-UP:
Teemu Kautonen • Lead & backing Vocals, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards
Aki Koponen • Guitar, backing Vocals

Toni Paananen • Session Drums

Everything on the new EP is organic: no drum samples, no autotune, no amp simulators, no MIDI. Therefore, the playing and singing might not be perfect, but the producer and the band followed the philosophy of the feeling of the music outweighing robotic precision and a sense of danger being more interesting than predictable perfection.

The fundamental elements of the music are catchy rocking melodies, heavy guitar riffing, melancholic keyboards and baritone vocals. Fans of bands such as Sentenced, To/Die/For, Ghost and Charon should feel right at home with WELKINS BOREAL.

 WELKINS BOREAL is available for interviews via phone, Skype & e-mail

E-MAIL:
info@welkinsboreal.com

WELKINS BOREAL • Online:
          

DISCOGRAPHY:
2019 • Phantoms Of Yesteryear (Full-length)
2020 • Ashes (EP)

Sublime quintessence

VARUS was formed in 2012 as a further development of the party-hearted minstrels of Banjaxed. Elements of folklore and the joy of celebration were retained, but the participants decided to concentrate on their own compositions and to leave the replay of already written works behind.

[ Pic: Wiebke Brandt ]

LINE-UP:
Konstantin Raab • Lead Vocals, Keyboards, Flutes
Stefan Schwarz • Guitars/Backing Vocals
Norbert Caspar • Bass
Max Betz • Drums


The band name VARUS refers to the historical Battle of the Teutoburg Forest or the leader of the Roman legions, who took his own life on the battlefield and thus functions as a symbol of the empire pushed back by the Germanic natural tribes.

Formed in the forges of Upper Franconia, VARUS is committed to a lengthy and all-round profound concept:
The equally independent as well as epic and aesthetic fusion of classical music, traditional Folk and pithy Metal.

The initial raw idea developed into a characteristic, dynamic SYMPHONIC FOLK METAL style that strikes an original balance between emotional, atmospheric, epic orchestrations and thunderous, dark guitar thunderstorms.

[ Artwork: Belén Morante Velasco ]

TRACKS:
01. The Awakening 09:09
02. Tränk dein Herz 02:47
03. A New Dawn 05:27
04. Ascheregen 05:01
05. Ein Lebewohl 09:01
06. Wandel der Zeit 05:40
07. The Minstrels Chant 05:25
08. Die letzte Schenke 04:01

total: 46:31 min.


So the four minstrels came together to unite a bundle of orchestral epic, uncompromising hardness, sophisticated structures and melodic Folk influences. Next to trembling bass foundations, brute guitar walls and archaic drums, flute, tin whistle and mandolin also find their place.

In 2014 the band released its debut album „Till The Sun Rises“, now they are back in the scene with the brilliant successor „A New Dawn“.

Official Lyric Video for the title song „A New Dawn“:

VARUS‚ characteristic and unique creations on „A New Dawn“ are held together by sophisticated drum compositions, which also cover more progressive fields, and a hammering bass, which includes funk as well as baroque thoroughbass. The harmonious ensemble is rounded off by wide-ranging guttural vocals and occasional clear vocals, completed by voluminous choral arrangements.

The lyrics of the songs deal with legends, sagas and timeless themes such as freedom, nature romanticism or the art of drinking. The lyrics are deliberately bilingual – in German and English.

DISCOGRAPHY:
2014 • Till The Sun Rises (Full-length)
2020 • A New Dawn (Full-length)

 VARUS are available for interviews via phone, Skype & e-mail

🔗 Landing Page • Streaming

E-MAIL:
varusband@gmx.net

VARUS • Online:
           

⚡ 🔔 📢
➤ 🎼 𝐕𝐀𝐑𝐔𝐒 • 𝙊𝙛𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙤 & 𝙋𝙍 Action:
https://www.metalmessage.de/Promotion_VARUS_en.php
📢 🔔 ⚡

The power of imagination

VELVET OCEAN is an ALTERNATIVE MELODIC METAL band from Oulu, Northern Finland. The story of the band began a couple of years ago as a co-writing project of the main singer Riitu and her husband, guitarist Jarkko ‚Jake‘ Ronkainen.

As songs kept popping up the project soon evolved into a studio project with both session musicians and later band members joining in. Early in the pre-production stage Oulu symphonic orchestra cello players Arto Alikoski and Harri Österman joined as well as the established Finnish keyboard player Marco Sneck.

[ Artwork: Abstract Chaos · Design ]

TRACKS:
01. It’s So Hard 03:20
02. Tonight 03:47
03. Requiem 05:05
04. Butterfly 05:27
05. Truth Or Illusion 03:01
06. Elysian Fields 03:58
07. Broken 03:58
08. Innocent Eyes 03:28
09. Lullaby 04:14
10. Salvation 03:58

total: 40:16 min.

The debut album recorded in this way, which later got the title „Purposes And Promises“, was handed over to Johan Örnborg and Jens Bogren for mixing and mastering at the well-known Fascination Street Studios. „Purposes And Promises“ was released on February 7, 2020 via Helsinki Records and is distributed by Warner Music Finland.

The title of the album describes the motivation of the Ronkainens behind the album project. It has been the sole purpose of their lives for the last few years, says Jake, and the promise they made to complete it has held the project together throughout the hard work period.

VELVET OCEAN believe that music is a connection between their own feelings and the outside world, and that is why their compositions tell stories about things that have happened in their personal lives. The music style of VELVET OCEAN is basically derived from all the music the couple has ever listened to, and also incorporates influences from genres other than Metal music.

[ Pic: Jarkko Ronkainen ]

LINE-UP:
Riitu Ronkainen • Vocals
Jarkko ‚Jake‘ Ronkainen • Guitar, Vocals
Jani Lehtinen • Guitar
Tuomas Vesa • Bass
Jami Alaverronen • Synths
Arto Alikoski • Cello
Bastian Schallschmidt • Drums

The independent style reminds a little bit of other contemporary Melodic Metal bands with female vocals, but adds a touch of Pop and Grunge as well as distinctive drum beats and acoustic instruments.

„Our music is about honesty and dealing with certain emotions that have caused some difficulties or challenges in life. It’s about expressing yourself and dealing with negative feelings in a way that other people can identify with them,“ adds Riitu, who describes her attitude towards music itself as follows:
„Music is very important to me. It’s almost as important as the air that I breathe. Music gives a meaning to my life. It’s also a sort of therapy to me. With music I can express the thoughts and emotions that I go through. I’m the kind of person that I have a very vivid imagination and I feel that this is a quality that is very useful in making music. Music connects me very strongly to my emotions in a way that sometimes feels even a little bit excessive. It is very important to me to communicate with the people listening to our music. I mean an emotional level connection that would make the people try to understand the feelings we have put into the blend that has eventually made the music exist. I am also very visual in my composing. I would like the mere music and the sound to fill the whole inner space of the person listening with images and landscapes. Today the world is packed with visual information and leaves less to the imagination which is kind of a negative thing sometimes. In the end, I would love to think that our music will prevail after everything we’ve gone through.“

On May 21st VELVET OCEAN released the latest music video, this time for the album song „Elysian Fields“:

DISCOGRAPHY:
2020 • Purposes And Promises (Full-length)

VELVET OCEAN • Online:
         

E-MAIL:
velvetoceanband@gmail.com

MEDIA FEEDBACK:

4 / 5
„… for the young band’s debut album, it’s a shockingly strong accomplishment.“
(Desibeli)

4 / 5
„You’ll love the mix of depth and the accessibility here – it’s a winning combination … a great debut.“
(The Rockpit)

8 / 10
„… clean and defined sound quality, with the right amount of modern aggressiveness and weight. So everything can be heard and understood, and the listener will be able to catch what the band is trying to express … excellent work …“
(Metal Temple)

„Emerging with a debut that is certainly promising for a strong career, VELVET OCEAN have shown themselves to be adept at both captivating songwriting and artists in balancing the contributions of a great number of artists.“
(Sonic Perspectives)

„… this debut album has a very pleasant sound, very kind, very much if you like style, sentimentality and the charm of the peaceful … worth listening to … spirit and emotional experience, that does deliver and fulfill.“
(Dark Metal Divas)

„Riitu Ronkainen‘s melancholic vocals can’t help but remind me of Evanescence‘s Amy Lee. The amount of emotion in her voice is incredible, which adds so much more depth to the otherwise straightforward yet charming melodies. She effortlessly transitions from poppy to classical vocals, hitting every note. From then on, the tracks remain easy to listen to and flow into one another smoothly … every single one of the seven band members has something special to add to this record, from powerful, varied bass lines to drums ranging from explosive to sensitive … they have managed to develop and grow into their very own musical identity during the making of this album, due to an intuitive creative flow that can only be celebrated. It’s undeniable VELVET OCEAN has put their heart and soul into ‚Purposes And Promises‘ …“
(Tuonela Magazine)

„VELVET OCEAN together with front woman Riitu Ronkainen themselves create a kind of crisp, fresh, romantically charged Alternative Metal sound, with confidently played (Rock)guitars and opulent arrangements. The extremely tasteful performance is pampered by catchy, velvety soft tone sequences and Riitu’s anytime devoted vocals.“
(Sonic Seducer)

„Ten atmospheric tracks inspire with hard sounds and velvety soft melodies. Impressive use of cello and soulful vocals give the compositions an inevitably engaging character. The enchanting voice of singer Riitu is powerful and fragile at the same time and always conveys captivating emotionality … ‚Purposes And Promises‘ surpasses its promises!“
(Orkus)