Day: 20 September 2023

Austrian crossover legends KONTRUST have released their second new single, the standout track “the end”, off of their highly anticipated upcoming fifth full-length, set to be released on November 3, 2023 via Napalm Records! On the band’s first album in nine years, KONTRUST present new vocalist Julia Ivanova and new drummer Joey Sebald, who already won over live audiences in the summer of 2022 at huge festivals such as Graspop Metal Meeting, Hellfest Open Air, Barcelona Rockfest and Resurrection Fest.

“the end” is out alongside a creative animated music video that supports the dystopian lyrics of the song. While still featuring massive rhythms and a sing-along chorus, “the end” showcases that despite their overall positive attitude and party mentality, KONTRUST don’t shy away from focusing on serious themes, like escaping the devastation of earth to possibly aim for a new beginning. Check out the new video below!

KONTRUST on “the end”: 

“We regret to announce that this is the end of everything as you know it. We spiral into chaos and in a desperate attempt for survival, we try to grasp at that which gives us hope. You can’t run or hide. Simply let go and embrace it.”

Watch the animated music video for “the end”:

After nearly a decade, crossover legends KONTRUST make a stand with a revitalized line-up and groundbreaking fifth studio album!

On madworld, KONTRUST sticks to their lively, playful and experimental signature style, ready to entertain old and new audiences alike. Rousing album opener “i physically like you” kicks the riot right off, followed by extremely danceable “madhouse” and “rock to outer space”, which feature heavy riffs and party pop vocals. The latter showcases that, despite the overall positive attitude and party mentality, KONTRUST don’t shy away from focusing on serious themes, like escaping the devastation of earth to possibly aim for a new beginning. With heavy and catchy “lederhosen overkill” the Austrians tap into their well-known stage attire. Electronic influences on closing track “i can’t control it” absorb the listener before the album fades out.

Without a shadow of a doubt, KONTRUST are one of the most extravagant and exciting acts in the scene, and have enthralled fans and critics alike with an inimitable sense of fusing various genres like reggae, pop and dance with heavy hard rock riffs, spliced with their very own way of representing the roots of their home country. This synthesis of styles has brought them not only notable chart entries for several releases, but also high recognition in the form of the “Austrian Newcomer Award” for their debut album, as well as the “AMADEUS Austrian Music Award” – Austria’s biggest and most important prize for national bands and artists – for their second album, Time To Tango.

Throughout their two decade-spanning career, the Austrian based outfit has gained millions and millions of YouTube views on their exciting music videos, with over 15 million views on the electrifying hits “Hey DJ!” and “Bomba” alone.

With their new album, madworld, KONTRUST prove their standing as an unpredictable force in the scene – always hungry, wild and full of surprises, and ready to exceed everything they have achieved so far!

KONTRUST add:

“In a world already spinning out of control, we’ve cranked up the madness to 11 on madworld. This audacious venture marks a milestone for us, as we proudly present our first entirely self-produced album. It’s a sonic storm like no other, where vibrant sounds clash and blend in a symphony of controlled chaos – embrace the sensory overload and prepare to be swept away by a unique excess of KONTRUST that will leave you thirsting for more.”

Pre-order madworld HERE

madworld tracklisting:
1.    i physically like you
2.    madhouse
3.    rock to outer space
4.    black soul
5.    criminal
6.    the end
7.    pulling
8.    lederhosen overkill
9.    masterpiece of a monster
10.    u.f.i.u.
11.    i can’t control it

madworld will be available in the following formats:
1LP Gatefold TRANSPARENT GREEN
1LP Gatefold TRANSPARENT ORANGE
Shirt & 1-CD Digipack Bundle
Digital Album

KONTRUST live:
02.11.2023 AT – Vienna / Szene (album release show)
 
KONTRUST is:
Julia Ivanova – Vocals
Stefan Lichtenberger – Vocals
Michael Wolff – Guitar / Programmings
Gregor Kutschera – Bass
Johannes Sebald – Drums
Manuel Haglmüller – Percussions / Programmings

KONTRUST online:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
Spotify
Twitter
TikTok

Source: Napalm Records

VARG, Germany’s top-notch pagan metal force, returns stronger than ever on their new album, entitled Ewige Wacht (Engl. Eternal Vigil), to be released on October 13, 2023 via Napalm Records. Today, the wolves prove their standing as a firmly rooted, leading entity in the scene once more by unleashing the brand-new single “Eisenseite”, cut from the new offering. After dropping the first single, “Immer Treu”, “Eisenseite” is another powerful hymn that showcases how much singer Fylgja has been involved in the full album this time. Her valkyrie-like singing expands the band’s sonic spectrum and forms a perfectly harmonizing contrast to Freki’s razor-sharp screams and growls.

Accompanied by a matching music video, the song transports Nordic mythology as well as values like honesty and loyalty, which also symbolizes the album as a whole.

VARG on “Eisenseite”: 

“A hymn to bravery and the determination to fight for what is important to you, even when it seems hopeless. It is not our blood that ennobles us, it is our soul, the way we live our lives towards others and our attitude that makes us honourable and great.”

Watch the official music video for “Eisenseite”:

With their last and most successful record to date, Zeichen (Engl. Signs, 2020, #16 in the German album charts), VARG put the thematic and musical focus completely on their pagan roots. On their brand-new brainchild, the wolves follow this path unwaveringly, honestly, authentically and raw, and impressively manifest their reincarnation and matchless standing on top of the scene! 

Songs such as “Schildmaid” (shieldmaiden), “Immer Treu” and “Fylgja” are emblematic of the striking interplay between both vocalists and the path VARG have been treading since Zeichen. “Weltenfeind” (enemy of the world), “Tyr” and “Hammer” resound as powerful hymns, uncompromising with mercilessly brute nagging and cutting riffs. The folky melodies in “Morgenrot” (dawn) lead to the epic “Siegreiches Heer” (victorious army), which once again sharpens the idea of unity that runs like a red thread through Ewige Wacht.  The title track forms the final climax and combines pagan themes, haunting melodies and the engaging power of the wolves to end this outstanding sonic adventure, leading into promising times for the German horde.

VARG on the new album:    

“Ewige Wacht is both our most emotional and strongest album. It is a journey through Nordic mythology that tells of old stories and the protection and preservation of the flame of our ancestors. Traditions and values like family, fortitude and desire are like a common thread running through the entire record. Uncompromising harshness meets epic and sustaining melodies. Authentically raw production and yet more powerful and mighty than ever. This album will pierce the hearts of our fans, because it comes deeply from ours.”

Pre-Order Ewige Wacht HERE

VARG undoubtedly stand as a firmly rooted, leading entity in the German pagan scene that has been gathering fans around the world for over 18 years of the band’s existence, touring Europe and North America, and have always driven their following upwards through numerous gigs at Europe’s biggest festivals, such as Wacken Open Air, Party.San and Metalfest. Even after all these years, Freki (vocals), Fylgja (vocals), Morkai (guitar) as well as the newest additions to the line-up, Ulvar (guitar, bass) and Rohgarr (drums,) still manage to provide incomparable sonic surprises to their devotees. The revitalized line-up with two highly talented and innovative musicians brings a breath of fresh air and leads VARG into a new chapter in the band’s history. Grown artistic maturity meets a unique feeling of common bond between band and fans, which is reflected thematically in the new album. Ewige Wacht tells of myths and legends of long forgotten times and transfers them into the here and now in trademark multifaceted pagan garb. 

VARG live 2023:
Don’t miss VARG live on stage in 2023 on their headline tour with labelmates NACHTBLUT and folk metal band Sagenbringer, kicking off October 7 in Erfurt.

Wolfsfest Tour          
w/ Nachtblut & Sagenbringer
07.10.23 DE – Erfurt / From Hell
14.10.23 DE – Hamburg / Logo
20.10.23 DE – Frankfurt / Batschkapp
21.10.23 DE – Bochum / Matrix
27.10.23 DE – Nuremberg / Hirsch
28.10.23 DE – Munich / Backstage Werk
10.11.23 DE – Stuttgart / LKA Longhorn
17.11.23 DE – Berlin / ORWOhaus
18.11.23 DE – Leipzig / Hellraiser
24.11.23 CH – Pratteln / Z7
25.11.23 AT – Vienna / SimmCity

Ewige Wacht tracklisting:    
1.    Immer Treu
2.    Schildmaid
3.    Weltenfeind
4.    Fylgja
5.    Tyr
6.    Járnsíðasleið
7.    Eisenseite
8.    Hammer
9.    Morgenrot
10.  Siegreiches Heer
11.  Ewige Wacht

Ewige Wacht will be available in the following formats:  
Deluxe Box  (incl. Digipac, drinking horn, bottle of mead, pendant) – limited to 500 copies
2-CD Digipac in Slipcase (28 pages, bonus: guest vocal album)
1- LP Gatefold (Marbled) – limited to 100 copies
1- LP Gatefold
1- CD Jewel Case
Digital Album

VARG are:      
Freki – Vocals
Fylgja – Vocals
Morkai – Guitars
Ulvar – Guitars, Bass
Rohgarr – Drums

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Source: Napalm Records