Tag: omen

French Epic Metal Band HERZEL to release debut album “Le Dernier Rempart” on March 19. Pre-orders open today!

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“Le Dernier Rempart” is a unique concept album, born straight from HERZEL’s native region of Brittany.

It will be available on March 19 on Compact Disc, LP and Digital. The LP (Black Vinyl) includes Insert, A2 Poster & Download Code.

CD PRE-ORDER: https://tinyurl.com/y65qg4bx

LP PRE-ORDER: https://tinyurl.com/y3xw8nfj

Le Dernier Rempart is split into two parts. Part one contains two songs dealing with Brittany history along with an instrumental traditional song. Part two is the aforementioned concept about a hero named Herzel, who, through trials and tribulations, eventually delivers Brittany the Sword of the Gods (“L’Epée des Dieux”). It is a concept that could only come from the unique region of Brittany.

Influenced by U.S. metal stalwarts Manilla Road, Warlord, Queensryche, Heir Apparent, Omen and Virgin Steele, as well as Celtic and French traditional music, Herzel was formed by Thomas Guillesser, who was then joined by drummer Ion Philippon, guitarist Kévin Le Vern and bassist Mordiern Le Dissez. Second guitarist Gurvan Lardeux was the last piece to the puzzle, and shortly thereafter, Herzel got to work on its debut demo, Unis dans la gloire, which was released in 2015.

 

LE DERNIER REMPART’s tracklist:

Maîtres de l’océan
La Flamme
Le Dernier Rempart
Barceau de Cendre
L’épée des Dieux
L’Ultime Combat

French Epic Metallers HERZEL Join GATES OF HELL RECORDS

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Gates of Hell Records  is proud to announce the signing of French epic metallers HERZEL. The label will release the band’s first studio album sometime in 2020.

HERZEL was formed in 2013 by vocalist Thomas Guillesser, who was then joined by drummer Ion Philippon, guitarist Kévin Le Vern and bassist Mordiern Le Dissez. Second guitarist Gurvan Lardeux was the last piece to the puzzle, and shortly thereafter, HERZEL got to work on its debut demo, “Unis dans la gloire”, which was released in 2015.

Influenced by U.S. metal stalwarts MANILLA ROAD, WARLORD, QUEENSRŸCHE, HEIR APPARENT, OMEN and VIRGIN STEELE, as well as Celtic and French traditional music, HERZEL offers a unique angle to epic metal. Their songs are sung entirely in French, but fans of the aforementioned bands will no doubt find something special lurking within HERZEL’s sound.

“We think that the ‘unique’ sound of HERZEL comes out from the different types of music we listen to and the fact that we don’t put up walls during the composition process,” says Philippon. “We want it to be sometimes like U.S. metal with fast and catchy riffs, other times more melodic and epic with ideas that come from Celtic or prog music. Ultimately, we want to play music that sounds epic, that tells the story of heroes, of legends from Bretagne.”

HERZEL was brought to Cruz Del Sur’s attention by one of the first fans of the band, Luis Ruvio. At the 2018 installment of the Keep It True festival in Germany, Ruivo introduced Philippon to Cruz Del Sur owner Enrico Leccese. “Since I already knew of the label, I knew Cruz Del Sur would be a good fit for our band,” notes Philippon. “A few months later, we traded a few more messages and that was it”.

Since the 2015 release of “Unis dans la gloire”, HERZEL has been gradually working on new songs. Philippon estimates there has been occasions when the band has spent six months or up to a year working on compositions, fine-tuning the riffs, melodies and vocal lines. But, the finish line is drawing near: HERZEL has completed the songwriting process for their first-ever full-length album.

“It will be an album with five new songs,” says Philippon. “Three of the songs will be part of a trilogy about a hero called ‘Herzel.’ Just like the demo, the lyrics will be a melting pot of legends and historical facts that took place in Bretagne.”

VULTURES VENGEANCE: ‘Lyrids: Warning From The Reign Of The Untold” To Be Released September 14

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Italian epic metal band VULTURES VENGEANCE will release the two-song 7-inch “Lyrids: Warning From The Reign Of The Untold” on September 14 via Gates Of Hell Records.

PRE-ORDER: http://tinyurl.com/ybuff633

 The perfect setup for their first full-length album (due in 2019), “Lyrids” features a pair of leftover songs from the band’s 2016 “Where The Time Dwelt In” EP: “Empire Of The Crimson Fields” and “Iron Cave”. Both songs find VULTURES VENGEANCE (who feature guitarist/vocalist Tony T. Steele, new lead guitarist Tony L.A., bassist Matt Savage and drummer Kosathral Khel) digging deep into their NWOBHM roots as well as power metal and thrash, aided by a warm, but raw production job.

Inspired by the “cave myth” from the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, “Into The Cave” takes on fantasy-based heavy metal in the style of OMEN, STEEL ASSASSIN and LIEGE LORD. “Empire Of The Crimson Fields”, on the other hand, 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.

Since their 2015 formation, VULTURES VENGEANCE has become a favorite among European critics and fans, with influential German metal magazine Deaf Forever giving the band’s debut “Rising” demo a glowing review. From there, “Where The Time Dwelt In” only served to further their reputation as a new classic metal band to watch. It is with little doubt “Lyrids: Warning From The Reign Of The Untold” will hold the VULTURES VENGEANCE fanbase over until their first full LP finally arrives next year.

“Lyrids: Warning From The Reign Of The Untold” track listing:

  1. Empire Of Crimson Fields
  2. Into The Cave

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 ANNOUNCE DEPARTURE OF GUITARIST NAIL; ENLIST REPLACEMENT TONY L.A.

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Italian epic fantasy metal outfit VULTURES VENGEANCE have announced the departure of long-time guitarist Nail.

Comments the band: “After seven years, Nail has decided to leave the band due to personal problems. We wish him all the best in his life and future career endeavors. He’s an extremely talented musician and his technique and personality were essential in the development of both the ‘Rising’ demo and ‘Where The Time Dwelt In’ EP.

“It hasn’t been easy to find an adequate replacement, but after a long search we’re happy to introduce Tony L.A., a great guitarist and the perfect personality for a band like VULTURES VENGEANCE. ”

“The new album’s songs are complete and in the coming months we will begin work on our first full-length.”

For booking, contact vultures.vengeance@gmail.com