Category: News

Swedish metal virtuosos AMARANTHE break through the grey November clouds, ready to cure your seasonal blues with their new uplifting track ‘Outer Dimensions’!

Once again, high energy vibes paired with a catchy chorus and garnished with some heavy riffs and impressive growls, this song is determined to live up to its name and take the listener to higher spaces.

AMARANTHE’s Olof Mörck states:

Dimensions and galaxies collide in our latest single ‘Outer Dimensions’, which takes you on a journey from the introspective and obscure, all the way to a sparkling cosmos of an epic chorus! We feel that it showcases ‘The Catalyst’s diversity, all in one track, while remaining very recognisably AMARANTHE. The song is masterfully counterpointed by a tour de force of a video, directed by long time collaborator Patric Ullaeus – so let us bring you the furthest reaches of your imagination with ‘Outer Dimensions’ soon!

‘Outer Dimensions’ is the third single from AMARANTHE’s forthcoming album The Catalyst, that will see the light of the day on February 23rd, 2024, via Nuclear Blast Records. The album will be available digitally and in different physical formats including CD, Vinyl, a 2CD Special Edition and a band exclusive Vinyl that will come with a signed poster.

Presave or preorder your format of choice here: https://amaranthe.bfan.link/the-catalyst

Watch the video for ‘Outer Dimensions’:

The Catalyst is the most conceptually coherent piece of work in AMARANTHE’s storied history. Dedicated to notions of transformation and revelation, it delves deeper than any previous album, as Olof Mörck explains.

We’ve done these things before, but we’ve never been as theatrical as we have this time. In fact, we all questioned whether we went too far this time, but I also figured that this band was always this way. Literally the first seconds of our first video was a big explosion! But yes, The Catalyst is more theatrical than ever. We’ve never really been symphonic or orchestral before, but this time we just thought why not? Because we can! The key to this album is that we let go of the boundaries and decided to do something even more adventurous.”

The Catalyst represents the culmination of 15 years of hard work and the breathless pursuit of a wholly original musical vision. Change is inevitable. Victory is assured.

Photo credit: factory16

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

Always hungry, wild and full of surprises, Austrian crossover legends KONTRUST are one of the most extravagant and exciting acts on the scene. With their new single and official music video for “lederhosen overkill” the band taps into their well-known stage attire, fusing modern and heavy tunes with the roots of their home country. The song is cut from their new studio album, madworld, out this Friday!

On their 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.

Throughout their two decade-spanning career, the Austrian based outfit has gained millions and millions of YouTube views with 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 – ready to exceed everything they have achieved so far!

KONTRUST on “lederhosen overkill”:  

Lederhosen, the ancient cursed battle attire of legends. These enchanted garments hold the power to harm both wearer and onlookers. Beware, for the mystical Dirndl are most vulnerable when these treacherous lederhosen fall into the wrong hands.

Watch the official video for “lederhosen overkill”:

Without a shadow of a doubt, KONTRUST 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. On madworld, the chart-storming unit sticks to their lively, playful and experimental signature style, ready to entertain longtime and new audiences alike.

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.

KONTRUST is:
Julia Ivanova – Vocals
Stefan Lichtenberger – Vocals
Michael Wolff – Guitar / Programmings
Gregor Kutschera – Bass
Johannes Sebald – Drums
Manuel Haglmüller – Percussions / Programmings

Photo Credit – Angela Ambrose – Lunar Ring Sound & Graphics Inc.

Canada-based Cabrakaän are originally from Mexico and even though they live far from their homeland they aspire to share the mythology, traditions, and sounds of their home country with metalheads everywhere. With their latest album “Aztlán” they hope to give their listeners an immersive experience that draws them into a different world. The concept album features a fusion of multiple genres and is representative of the cultural integration that they evoke in lyrical and musical themes. The latest single “La Cigarra” ft. Reed Alton (Osyron) is a traditional mariachi song that Cabrakaän turns into a melodic metal masterpiece. They comment:

This song is a cover of a traditional mariachi song by Raymundo Pérez Soto. The lyrics represent the feelings an artist has whenever they sing. Their love of singing is so powerful that they are willing to die for it, just as the cicada (cigarra). The song features guest vocalist Reed Alton of melodic metal band Osyron performing a verse and some harmonies, and a guest violinist James Watson. As in the original, it’s vocally powerful – but with a distinctive metal turn.

Cabrakaän begins the songwriting process by establishing an album theme and all the songs on an album connect with that overall theme. “Aztlán” is centered on the Spanish conquest – colonization and the defeat of Mexico’s Aztec empire, Tenochtitlán. Some songs chronicle stories from before the Spaniards’ arrival to Mesoamerica, and others draw on their rich culture that transformed from centuries of cultural fusion, which makes them who they are.

On “Aztlán” audiences can expect to hear a mature, grander version of their familiar sound that interweaves metal with symphonic and folk elements. Even though their lyrics are in multiple languages, people of all linguistic backgrounds will hear their stories through the music itself. It is recommended for fans of Amon Amarth, Megadeth, and Maria Grever.

Watch “La Cigarra” ft. Reed Alton (Osyron):

“Aztlán” is due out on November 17, 2023, and available for pre-order at https://cabrakaan.bandcamp.com/album/aztl-n

Track Listing:​
1. Tonantzin – 3:50
2. Fuego – 5:28
3. Tlaloc – 4:01
4. Luces y Sombras – 3:51
5. Malintzin – 5:16
6. Mictlán – 4:25
7. Yolot – 5:16
8. Xóchitl – 2:42
9. La Cigarra (featuring Reed Alton) – 5:31
10. Mictlán (English Version) – 4:25
11. Fuego (English Version) – 5:28
Album Length: 50:13

Album Credits:​
Produced by Marko Cipäktli and Cody Anstey
All songs mixed by Cody Anstey at Clarity Recording & Mixing (Osyron, Ravenous E.H., Wu-Tang Clan)
All songs mastered by Mika Jussila at Finnvox Studios (Nightwish, Children of Bodom, Amorphis)
All lyrics by Pat Cuikani & Marko Cipäktli

Album Band Line-up:​
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar

Live Band Line-up:​
Pat Cuikani, Vocals
Marko Cipäktli, Drums & Rough Vocals
Alex Navarro, Lead Guitar
Brendan Wilkinson, Rhythm Guitar
David Saldarriaga Tobón – Bass, Classical Guitar

For more info:
Cabrakaan.com
Instagram.com/cabrakaan_band
Facebook.com/CABRAKAAN