Tag: Judas Priest

OLD-SCHOOL METAL ENTHUSIASTS PHAËTHON SIGN WITH GATES OF HELL RECORDS

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Gates Of Hell Records is proud to announce the signing of London, England’s PHAËTHON. The label will release the band’s debut “Sacrifice Doth Call” mini-album on CD and vinyl in Feb 2021.

 

Formed during the plague of 2020 by vocalist/guitarist/keyboardist Vrath and bassist Aees, with drummer Herr Berthelsen completing the lineup, PHAËTHON is hell-bent on delivering ripping old-school heavy metal of the epic persuasion.

The name PHAËTHON refers to the bastard son of the sun-god Helios, who seized the reins of his father’s chariot, nigh ramming the sun into the earth. Only Zeus’ thunderbolt evaded the planet’s imminent doom. This misguided relationship between man and his invention dominates the lyrical subject matter — be it Mayan human sacrifice, Christian hangings, or conflicts of Apep and Horus.

 

Tribute is paid to old masters like MANILLA ROAD, BATHORY and CIRITH UNGOL, along with the NWOBHM legends such as PAGAN ALTAR, SATAN and JUDAS PRIEST. The resultant five-song “Sacrifice Doth Call” is a bristling testament to these bands and the spirit of classic, timeless heavy metal.

 

“The songs on the EP must have been with me for more than five years,” says Vrath. “I’m always writing music, but never truly found an outlet for them. Two or three years ago I decided enough was enough and asked my good friend Herr Berthelsen to lay down some drums for the tracks really for no other reason than to have them out of my head. Now nothing came of the takes for several years until I finally found the time during lockdown to start working on what would become PHAËTHON. By 2020, I had been practicing my vocals and solos and finally felt confident taking on the project with full force. The results blew us all away and the decision was made to form a band and look for a label…and here we are.”

The current pandemic has provided bands with enough hurdles and logistical issues to last a lifetime. For the members of PHAËTHON, geographic challenges reared their head: Vrath, who is originally from Finland, is based in London; Aees in Greece and Herr Berthelsen relocated to Vancouver and has since been replaced by former Amulet drummer Dave Sherwood.

“Modern technologies allowed us to record our bits remotely, always making sure the sound was true to the cause,” notes Vrath. “I’m usually insistent on sitting in on the mixing, but this time I handed free reign to Cam Shuck Productions who is also based here in London. But, I got to admit Cam did a brilliant job even without me!”

“Sacrifice Doth Call” track listing:

 

Sacrifice Doth Call
Suncrater
Bless Us, O Ra
To The Gallows
The Final Beholder

 

Related links:
https://phaethon.bandcamp.com/

SKELATOR Inks Deal With GATES OF HELL RECORDS; New Album ‘Cyber Metal’ Due In June

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(Cover art illustration and design by Dordji Bowles and Ryan Rich)

Veteran west coast metallers SKELATOR has signed with Gates Of Hell Records for the release of their fifth studio album, “Cyber Metal”. The album is due June 14 in European territories and June 21 in North America.

Formed in 1998, SKELATOR has capably flown the flag of never-say-die true metal, harnessing Jason Conde-Houston’s stratospheric vocal range, dueling guitar harmonies and battle-tested rhythms. SKELATOR originally met Cruz Del Sur Music/Gates Of Hell owner Enrico Leccese in 2013, who relayed word that SLOUGH FEG leader Mike Scalzi suggested the label sign the band. Fast-forward six years and the two parties have joined forces for “Cyber Metal”.

“Creating ‘Cyber Metal’ was a long process for us, not just recording and writing, but finding the right lineup as well,” says Conde-Houston. “We started writing for the album in 2016 but had two incidents of needing to find a bass player to round out the lineup which effectively put a stop to the writing process. Luckily in 2017, we found Darin Wall and he brought the driving bass that we needed to solidify the lineup. His playing immediately locked in with Pat’s [Seick] ‘rock bomb’ drumming style and enabled Robbie [Houston] and Rob [Steinway] to focus in on delivering the guitar harmonies and heavy riffs and allowed us to shape the band’s sound into what we have always wanted. I can say without hesitation that this current lineup of the band is the most talented and cohesive that it has ever been.”

With the goal of making “Cyber Metal” their “most polished effort to date,” SKELATOR has assembled a batch of songs that deftly combine modern German power metal (GRAVE DIGGER, PRIMAL FEAR) as well as classic influences such as JUDAS PRIEST and RIOT. The result is an album with no shortage of screaming vocals, high-flying guitar solos, thunderous bass, gated drums and even extra doses of keyboards.

The album was recorded throughout 2018 between a variety of studios, including drums at Hangar 12 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington and vocals with Matt Roach at Rain City Recorders in Vancouver, British Columbia. The rest of the tracking was handled by the guitar duo of Houston and Steinway, who eventually put the finishing touches on the album this past December. “It was a long grueling process but it was well worth it because now we have the best sounding SKELATOR record to date,” says Conde-Houston.

Thematically, Conde-Houston says SKELATOR had one rule: No songs about swords, unless they are laser swords. “We touch on movies and comics that have inspired us since we were kids in the ‘80s. Songs like ‘Akira’, ‘Highlander’ and ‘Seven Scars’ are all obvious nerd-out lyrics based on decades of watching the same movies over and over. But the songs are still anthems and we still have at least one track about playing true metal.”

Now past the 20-year mark as a band, “Cyber Metal” finds SKELATOR at the top of their game with the same drive and passion as when they started. “The hard part about keeping a band together for 20 years is the fact that we are all getting older and have more and more responsibilities,” concludes Conde-Houston. “But the beauty of having this band for so long is that we have a great legacy of albums to share with the world, and we all enjoy what we do and have the drive to keep doing it. As hard as it was to create this new album, it is a joy to listen to. This is our most ambitious record and the catchiest as well. I think it will please SKELATOR fans new and old. Even if you are a ‘Give Me Metal Or Give Me Death’, purest you’ll be still be singing along to tracks like ‘Cast Iron’ or ‘Cyber Samurai’.”

 

“Cyber Metal” track listing:

  1. Cyber Samurai
  2. Cast Iron
  3. The Hammer
  4. Highlander
  5. Akira
  6. Erlkönig
  7. Seven Scars
  8. Psychic Silver Wheels

 

TRAVELER To Release Self-Titled First Full-Length In February

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Fresh off their split with Finland’s CORONARY, Canada’s TRAVELER will release their self-titled first full-length on February 22 via Gates Of Hell Records. Recorded at three different studios throughout 2018, “Traveler” will feature eight songs of up-tempo, classic metal, right up the alley for fans of vintage JUDAS PRIEST, MANILLA ROAD and RIOT.

According to guitarist and founding member Matt Ries, “Traveler” will certainly appeal to fans of their debut demo and split with CORONARY. The three songs from their demo have been re-recorded and given new life thanks to TRAVELER’s now-complete lineup, a first for the band. “To have this become a reality is amazing,” he says. “I’ve learned a lot about who you jam with and not settling for anything less than the best. I’ve also learned how much work comes behind taking the reins on everything, but it’s all worth it.”

TRAVELER, who are now rounded out by vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud (also of GATEKEEPER), second guitarist Toryin “Junior” Schadlich, bassist Dave Arnold and drummer Chad Vallier, tracked drums at AB Records, guitars at Ries’s home studio and vocals at Richhobo Studios. In all, their self-titled album shows just how far TRAVELER has come in the span of a year, with the re-recorded songs from the demo blending seamlessly with the band’s new compositions.

“The newest songs all vary differently from each other,” says Ries. “We feel this will make for a really interesting album. But, of course, the album has no shortage of dueling guitars and powerful vocals. And, after hearing the vocals laid out for the first time over these songs, I can safely say they all pound just as hard! The lyrical themes are mixed with real life experiences and total exaggerated scenarios. Ripping leads and harmonized guitars. Driving bass lines. Everything I love to hear when I throw on a record. So, if we share the same taste, you’ll be raising your fist.”

TRAVELER, who originally started as an outlet for ideas that weren’t suitable for Ries’s other bands GATEKRASHÖR and HROM, has enjoyed a year that has gone far beyond the guitarist’s expectations. Starting with the positive feedback from their split with CORONARY to the writing and creation of “Traveler”, TRAVELER has capably handled the whirlwind that was 2018 and now has their eye toward 2019.

“This year has been a really exciting experience,” says Ries. “It’s also been extremely challenging getting everything together. Our love for the music has kept us on the right track. However, the feedback from everyone has lit a fire under our asses to make the best possible record. I didn’t expect to be working under such a great label so soon. Again, all of this has been nothing but motivation to keep moving. Now that we are wrapping up the year, we are focused on making a great live show for everyone! We can’t wait to rock the stages for all of you. We have a lot of great plans in the works for shows and future projects. So, the way I see it, we’re just getting started”.

 

FEEL THE REIGN OF STARBREAKER!

ROAD WARRIOR To Release ‘Power’ In October: ‘It is a Statement of our Intent’

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Australian true metal brigade ROAD WARRIOR will release their debut full-length album, “Power”, on October 12 via Gates Of Hell Records. Featuring eight tracks of “diverse, fist-clenching, manly and classic metal,” “Power” was recorded at Against The Grain Studios in Adelaide, South Australia with Andy Kite at the helm.

Comments bassist/vocalist Denimal Blake: “It is a statement of our intent: To inject ‘Power’ back into a heavy metal scene that has been somewhat bereft of it. Whether if it truly is an objective case or not, that is our summary and the crux of the band. When heavy metal first gained a foothold it was the personification of musical power, a very special time that is finally coming back to strength, regardless of trends, due to its dominance.”

ROAD WARRIOR (who are rounded out by guitarist Overdryve and drummer Villon) are said to have recorded “Power” with “gusto, the gnashing teeth and thrusting of loins,” meaning, the album’s cuts are leaning heavily on the band’s ’80s influences as well as the proto-metal scene from the latter part of the ’70s. Says Blake: “Our influences are in a blender this time, laced with the flavor of ROAD WARRIOR, METAL CHURCH, BLACKKOUT, early IRON MAIDEN, SAVATAGE, JUDAS PRIEST, LOUDNESS, RIOT, TWISTED SISTER and HEXX.”

Accordingly, Blake says the album’s lyrical themes are quite varied: “Sex, sex and more sex, along with a bit of historical conspiracy, power, pre-diluvial civilization and hotter sex.” Tongue-and-cheek aside, Blake and his ROAD WARRIOR bandmates remain steadfast in their conviction to true heavy metal.

“We have an acute awareness of the NWOTHM [NEW WAVE OF TRADITIONAL HEAVY METAL] and know that we stand out in many ways, whether it’s due to influence, locality or pedigree. Either way, I cannot speak for the ears of others, but we are supremely confident the album will live up to the album cover and title and help usher in a new age of classic rock and metal as the trends dissolve.”

“Power” track listing:

  1. Don’t Fight Fate
  2. On Iron Wing
  3. Devils In Waiting
  4. I Am The Hunger
  5. Tease n’ Torture
  6. Sweating Out The Poison
  7. Back Alley Tokyo Woman
  8. The Future Is Passed

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!

CHEVALIER/LEGIONNAIRE SPLIT AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER

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Chevalier and Legionnaire split 7” is an unique mix of ancient epic metal and speed metal, featuring raw and melodic medieval tunes played hell for leather, powerful vocals, epic twin guitars, and an analogue recording that will raise the dead.

One unreleased song for each band.

CHEVALIER: The Greed of The Cross
LEGIONNAIRE: Born Of Ash And Blood

Limited to 500 copies. Out on Feb 23rd.

Preorder starts now.

For fans of Brocas Helm, Judas Priest, Slough Feg, Mercyful Fate, ADX, Iron Maiden and old school Heavy Metal.