Preorder for CHEVALIER’s “Chapitre II” MLP with exclusive bonus track starts now.

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Vinyl release of Chevalier’s sold-out 2018 Chapitre II EP will be out on 12” MLP on September 21, concurrently with CHEVALIER’s show at HARDER THAN STEEL festival with Omen, Oliver Dawson Saxon, Ashbury, Cauldron and more.

Chapitre II,  was specially re-mastered for this vinyl release and features an exclusive BROCAS HELM cover version of “Fly High”.
MLP is limited to 500 green vinyl copies and includes one A4 insert. Layout by Annick Giroux.

PRE-ORDER HERE!

Too often, hitting the “rewind” button on speed or thrash metal reveals bands more interested in rehashing past glories than offering something new. The speed/thrash explosion of the mid-’00s displayed that if anything, it’s far too easy to slap on a jean jacket, queue up Bonded by Blood, form a band, “borrow” some riffs and release subpar, uninspired material. Which brings us to Helsinki, Finland for an introduction to Chevalier, one of the most fiery and unique bands to hit the speed metal pavement in recent memory.

Formed a mere two years ago, Chevalier (who consist of vocalist Emma Grönqvist, the guitar tandem of Tommi and Mikko, bassist Sebastian Bergman and drummer Joel), immediately got to work in their rehearsal room, whereupon they recorded their A Call to Arms debut EP. While their recent split with Legionnaire recorded in a traditional studio, the band opted to return to the comfortable environs of their rehearsal room for the tracking of Chaptire II. Sure enough, it has given Chevalier a throttling, reverb-soaked sound that catapults speak not only to the band’s speedy roots, but the labyrinthine song constructions similar to NWOBHM upstarts Hell and Mercyful Fate.

Chapitre II is the band’s most diverse release to date, as evidenced by the expanded song lengths and oftentimes adventurous song layouts. Grönqvist, in her banshee-wailing, scream-queen glory, turns in a riveting performance, holding steady against relentless thrash beats and triumphant gallops. The songs themselves tackle a wealth of topics: “The Messenger” is about the rush to deliver a crucial message to one’s kingdom before paranoia kicks in; “Wrath of Steel” details a warrior’s thoughts on a bloody battlefield, and “The Curse of the Dead Star” is about impending doom from outer space.

The combination of fantasy and science fiction lyrics along with urgent, challenging, melody-laden speed metal instantly sets Chevalier apart from the pack, where every song is more than just a simple headbang-a-thon — they are journeys onto themselves.

Chapitre II track listing:

  1. The Messenger
  2. Wrath of Steel
  3. The Curse of the Dead Star
  4. Fly High (Brocas Helm cover)

VULTURES VENGEANCE: new 7” and shirt, preorder starts now.

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2-track 7” “Lyrids: Warning from the Reign of the Untold” features 2 previously unreleased songs only available on this release.

The “Temple of Time” t-shirt features an exclusive design by Dan Capp! 
4-color print on black, heavy cotton Fruit Of The Loom t-shirt.

Both products will be available by Sept 3st.

You can preorder the 7” and shirt separately. Or as a bundle and save € 2,00.

PRE-ORDER HERE!

The legend of Vultures Vengeance began in 2015 when the Italian epic metallers released their Rising demo tape. Limited to only 150 copies, Rising quickly sold out when influential German metal magazine Deaf Forever gave the demo a glowing review. Word of mouth on Vultures Vengeance (who feature guitarist/vocalist Tony T. Steele, new lead guitarist Tony L.A., bassist Matt Savage and drummer Kosathral Khel) traveled fast, leading all the way up to Gates of Hell Records, who signed the band in 2016 for the release of their Where the Time Dwelt In EP. Like Rising, Where the Time Dwelt In earned Vultures Vengeance significant praise in European metal circles. Since then, the band has worked in new lead guitarist Tony L.A., and has been ensconced in a recording studio working on their first full-length album, which is set for release sometime in 2019. In the meantime, the band is treating fans to two leftover songs from the Where the Time Dwelt In EP on the Lyrids: Warning from the Reign of the Untold 7-inch.

The songs — “Empire of the Crimson Fields” and “Into the Cave” — were recorded during a separate studio session from Where the Time Dwelt In, but follow in the sonic path of the cuts from the EP. “Into the Cave” is inspired by the “cave myth” from Plato, while “Empires of the Crimson Fields” features a two-part narrative that tells the story of a noble family awaiting of the birth of the new king. The family eventually conquers an empire, but starts savaging the natives, which is where the story shifts to a commoner who has watched his son killed and his land destroyed. The pain and prayers from this man are eventually heard, placing a curse upon the kingdom. Their points of view converge at the song’s conclusion where both fall into the face of death, neither receiving clarity.

The two songs are climatic bodies of work, drawing from a wide range of influences from classic NWOBHM, thrash and power metal, crystallized with a warm, but raw production job, capturing the feeling and aura of Vultures Vengeance’s decade of choice, the 1980s. It is here where Vultures Vengeance is able to successfully toe the line between nostalgia and their own take of vintage, fantasy-based heavy metal. Fans of Omen, Steel Assassin and Liege Lord will no doubt feel at home.

Lyrids: Warning from the Reign of the Untold track listing:

  1. Empire of the Crimson Fields
  2. Into the Cave

CORONARY / TRAVELER SPLIT 12” PRE-ORDER STARTS

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PRE-ORDER HERE!
Never underestimate the power of a good demo tape. Ever since Metallica brandished their legendary “No Life ‘Til Leather” demo in 1982, the metal scene has actively sought out new and emerging bands through this simple, but effective medium. Even though the age of digital recordings and the convenience of the internet has removed some of the romanticism in creating and ultimately unearthing a hidden gem, the classic three-song demo tape lives on in 2018. Case in point: Finland’s Coronary and Canada’s Traveler, who have combined their respective debut demos for a split release via Gates of Hell Records.

Like any good split, this particular offering provides the best of both worlds when it comes to vintage, striking classic metal.

Coronary, who formed in Tampere in 2017, when a pair of Finnish metal veterans, guitarist Aku “Herr Lederwurst” Kytölä and drummer Pate “Batvik” Vuorio, reconnected after bumping into each other at a local flea market, strike first with their German-influenced, unvarnished take on freewheeling ’80s metal. Flashy and spiraling leads emerge from every corner, while the dirty, rough-and-tumble vocals of Olli “The True Herman” Kärki, emerges as the necessary bridge between the band’s notable German/Euro influences that bringing back to mind bands like Accept or Torch and early 80s melodic American metal leanings.

The 2017 creation of guitarist, bassist and primary songwriter Matt Ries, Traveler is rounded out by Gatekeeper vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud and drummer Chad Vallier. The band’s contributions to the split are marked by an up-tempo, almost relentless style of ground-and-pound metal, reminiscent of the best of Deaf Dealer and 80s Canadian classics going toe-to-toe with Iron Maiden. And, much in the same way he fits Gatekeeper like a glove, Abboud proves to be just as good of a fit in Traveler, becoming the perfect offset to Ries’s penchant for quick, rifling twin-guitar harmonies.

 

VULTURES VENGEANCE To Release ‘Lyrids: Warning From The Reign Of Untold’ 7-Inch In September

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As Italian epic metallers VULTURES VENGEANCE prepare to record their first full-length this summer, the band will further whet their fans’ appetite by releasing the “Lyrids: Warning From The Reign Of Untold” 7-inch in September via Gates Of Hell Records, a sub-label of Cruz Del Sur Music.

Featuring two leftover songs from their 2016 “Where The Time Dwelt In” EP (“Empire Of The Crimson Fields” and “Into The Cave”), the 7-inch will also include the talents of new lead guitarist Tony L.A. Scelzi, who joined VULTURES VENGEANCE last year.

“We have always played both of these songs at our live shows, so fans of the band should have no problem recognizing them,” says guitarist/vocalist Tony T. Steele. “The two songs maintain the same spirit and atmosphere of the ‘Where The Time Dwelt In’ EP, so in some ways, it could be interpreted as a sequel, just with different production. And, we are excited to feature Tony’s lead guitar playing on an actual release. Sadly, this will mark the last release with drummer Kosathral Khel, but it’s a fitting way for us to bid farewell to him.”

Steele says the VULTURES VENGEANCE lineup is “stronger than ever,” which should come in handy as they get to work on a new album and begin integrating a new drummer into the band.

“We are always really glad to play live, but the most important thing is that all the people who make it possible are those who sincerely love what we do and heavy metal in general,” says Steele. “We will always be thankful to these people, for they keep this music alive not because it’s a trend, but because they’re passionate about it. Our main goal for the future and upcoming shows is to keep this unchanged and encourage everyone to read the messages that are within our music. Ultimately, our fans should expect that the stage for VULTURES VENGEANCE will always be like a book where we will write the accurate description of who we are and not of whom we would like to be.”

The “Where The Time Dwelt In” EP was released in October 2016 via Gates Of Hell Records.

 

CORONARY And TRAVELER Team Up For Split Demo Release Via Gates Of Hell Records

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A true metal battle rages across the frozen fields of Canada and Finland on the debut split release from CORONARY (Finland) and TRAVELER (Canada). Slated for a JUNE 2018 release via Gates Of Hell Records. The split will be available on Vinyl .

– CORONARY –

Formed in Tampere in 2017, CORONARY was created when a pair of Finnish metal veterans, guitarist Aku “Herr Lederwurst” Kytölä and drummer Pate “Batvik” Vuorio, reconnected after bumping into each other at a local flea market. Upon realizing they both shared a similar vision of wanting to create a metal band that took its influences from the ’70s and ’80s, the two men set about to complete the CORONARY lineup, eventually securing lead singer Olli “The True Herman” Kärki, second guitarist Jukka “Doktor” Holm and bassist Jarkko “C-90” Aaltonen.

CORONARY emerged from a January 2018 studio session with three songs of classic metal glory, highlighting the gritty vocals of Kärki and guitar tandem of Kytölä and Holm, the latter capable of dropping in ACCEPT-like riff tactics to match their firebrand lead guitar work. The demo is already catching fire in the metal underground, with Metal Crypt stating CORONARY “refuse to reinvent the smoothly rollin’ heavy metal wheel. No, on the contrary, they want it to be untouched, letting it roll freely, the way it’s been rolling in the best way since the golden era of ’80s heavy fuckin’ metal.”

– TRAVELER –

Calgary, Alberta’s TRAVELER was created in 2017 by guitarist, bassist and primary songwriter Matt Ries, who in addition to his regular duties with GATEKRASHÖR and HROM, developed an itch to branch out with his own song ideas in order to have a fresh outlook on music. Joined by vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud (also of GATEKEEPER) and drummer Jan Loncik, TRAVELER shacked up at Richobo Studios in Calgary with Loncik manning the production boards. TRAVELER’s up-tempo, pounding style puts the sound of RIOT and MANILLA ROAD on overdrive with a preponderance of soaring twin guitar harmonies and Abboud’s effortless, but always convincing vocal delivery.

“The songs were inspired by an unhealthy mix of real life and fantasy,” says Ries. “Whether it be from the trials and tribulations we face day-to-day, or just pure exaggerated scenarios. I think these songs express that well.

“The sky is the limit at this point,” he continues. “I’ve had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback through fans and festival promoters wanting more from us. So, at the moment I am putting together a lineup of members and teaching our new drummer all of the songs for the upcoming full length. And, we will begin recording after he is up to speed. With Gates Of Hell’s help and various other release options, I think we can do really great things.”

CORONARY/TRAVELER split track listing :

CORONARY

  1. Firewings
  2. Bullet Train
  3. Mestengo

 TRAVELER

  1. Starbreaker
  2. Behind The Iron
  3. Mindless Maze

CHEVALIER “A CALL TO ARMS” FINALLY ON VINYL

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Gates of Hell Records is proud to announce the release of CHEVALIER’s “A Call To Arms” on MLP!

Relentless, uncompromising, raw speed metal from Finland influenced by US epic/power metal and Euro metal (French speed metal in particular).
Medieval melodies united to fast riffing, tons of blitzkrieg guitar solos and leads, tight bass and drumming and powerful vocals by Emma Grönqvist, will appeal to fans of ADX,  Brocas Helm, Acid, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden and obscure, old school Heavy Metal. An unpolished recording, done at the rehearsal room, places this band out of time. Such music needs to be heard on vinyl!

“A Call To Arms” will be released by Gates of Hell Records  on April 27 on VINYL, featuring specific remastering and revamped layout by Annick Giroux. The MLP comes with  insert with lyric and exclusive promo photograph!