New Music: Anthea - Illusion - @thebeast

Rockshots Records is proud to announce their latest signing of Los Angeles' Anthea for the release of their debut album "Illusion" due out October 23rd, 2020 to follow their independently released 2017 self-titled EP.  Creating coherent yet diverse cinematic, theatrical metal music with many influences from film scores and established metal acts such as Kamelot, Nightwish, and Wintersun, Anthea offers up a gothic symphonic progressive sound that can appeal to a wide variety of fans with their range from clean operatic vocals to black metal like screams. Anthea have shared the stage with bands such as Smile Empty Soul, September Mourning, Helion Prime, Graveshadow, Abigail Williams, and many more. "We are so incredibly excited to finally be releasing our debut album!  We especially want to thank Roberto Giordano and Rockshots Records for giving us the opportunity to release this record under their label. Years of dedication and perseverance have gone into making the band what it is today and we are stoked to see it all paying off!  So much work and passion were put into the making of this record and we are extremely proud of the end result!  What we hope to achieve is to give the listener a vast cinematic and theatrical experience so that by the end, they feel like they have just gone on this epic journey with us. A huge thank you to all of you who have supported us throughout the years, and to those of you who are just finding us for the first time!"  Special guest on ‘Moirai’ is Chiara Tricarico (Sound Storm, Moonlight Haze, ex-Temperance), while Eric Meyers is featured in “The Light Divine” as lead guitarist.  ‘Illusion’ is set to be released on October 23, 2020 via Rockshots Records. Anthea's first single "Moirai" features guest vocals from Chiara Tricarico (Sound Storm, Moonlight Haze, ex-Temperance) and is a track that was written to capture the beauty of life itself. The band adds: "We all tend to focus on our own little bubble, without really thinking about how everyone that ever was, is, and ever will be is connected in the grand scheme of things.  To truly express this idea, we decided to include a second vocalist on the track from an entirely different part of the world.  Italian symphonic metal singer Chiara Tricarico was up to the challenge and we are thrilled with the end result!  Her voice added a beautiful new dimension to the song.  She truly understood what the song was all about and what we were going for." Listen to "Moirai" on YouTube. Moirai (feat. Chiara Tricarico) Video: "Illusion" album pre-order Physical http://bit.ly/Anthea_CD Digital https://apple.co/2Q9UxqV (w/ "Moirai" as Instant Grat!) Second Single "Illusion" Title Track: the band comment “The title song of the album, Illusion, is one of our faster tracks featuring some epic dueling guitar and keyboard action. This song really gives the musicianship skills of every individual member in Anthea a chance to shine. We have also noticed that, when played live, Illusion always receives a phenomenal response from the crowd!”  LISTEN: https://spoti.fi/3mKDgDO  ALBUM PRE SAVE: https://backl.ink/142778537  ALBUM PRE ORDER: http://bit.ly/Anthea_CD  TRACKLIST 1.  Reach 2.  Eclipse 3.  Moirai (Feat. Chiara Tricarico) 4.  Illusion 5.  The Light Divine (Feat. Eric Meyers) 6.  Discovery 7.  The Expedition 8.  Reflections 9.  Moirai (Orchestral Version) Album Credits: Diego Valadez - Vocals/Keys Juan Pina - Guitar/Screams Marcos Mejia - Guitar Eric Guerrero - Bass Peter Vasquez - Drums -Guests- Chiara Tricarico - Vocals Eric Meyers - Guitar Female Vocals on “Moirai” Performed by Chiara Tricarico Second Guitar Solo on “The Light Divine” written and performed by Eric Meyers All music and lyrics by Diego Valadez except on “The Expedition” music by Marco Mejia, Lyrics and Orchestration by Diego Valadez. Produced by Diego Valadez Mixed/Mastered By Will Salazar (Revenant Sound Studios) Layout & Design By Ricky Silva (Interfectum Studios) Music Videos & Lyric Videos By Anthony Ortiz (Divergence Studios) Live Photography By Matt Martinez (Red Hare Images) Studio Photography By Elizabeth Gore (Lone Wolf Productions) More info: Rockshots.eu  Antheametal.com  Facebook.com/antheametal  Instagram.com/antheametal About: Anthea is a melodic, symphonic metal band from Los Angeles, CA. The band aims to create coherent yet diverse cinematic, theatrical metal music.  With a combination of clean operatic vocals and black metal like screams, Anthea's music can appeal to a wide variety of metal fans. In 2015, after spending much of his time writing new music, Diego Valadez (Cellador) met with drummer Peter Vasquez (Angel Sinestro). The two decided to form a band, giving an outlet to the material that was already in the works. They recorded their first demo under the band name 'Anthea.' This was accomplished with the help of some very talented studio musicians filling in for bass, guitar, screams, and additional vocals. While recording, Anthea had been simultaneously searching for permanent members and was soon joined by guitarists Juan Pina and Marcos Mejia, as well as bassist Eric Guerrero. - 30- "Guitarist Juan Pina’s screams and Valadez’ clean vocals kept the dynamics interesting and brought out the extra push for something unique in comparison to what you would normally find in the majority of symphonic metal acts." - Metal Assault "The band aren’t afraid to heavy things up if they deem it necessary for the advancement of the song, meaning that The Anthea (Demo) is a varied and satisfying listening experience." - Sentinel Daily "The band went on to be named as first-place winners on the night. When their name is announced, the crowd screams in appreciation." - Spectrum News 1
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MOONSPELL Announce Very Special Halloween LIVE Show! - @thebeast

In the darkest of years, MOONSPELL have announced to play a special Halloween LIVE show, taking place in the South of Portugal, an ancient town named Beja, on October 31st 2020! At the local theatre Pax Julia, originally built in 1928, the band will deliver their annual and own brand of Halloween to the world: An exclusive live concert for 300 guests but that can be witnessed WORLDWIDE by the wolfpack, scattered and lying in wait for this to happen since the quarantine left all boats on shore.   On October the 31st, Saturday, a fullmoon, with the show starting at 21.30 (PT/UK), 22.30 (Europe), 1.30 PM (PDT), 4.30 PM (NY/EDT), 5.30 PM (MX /CDT), 6.30 AM (NOV 1st/GMT+9), 7.30 AM (NOV 1ST/GMT+10), MOONSPELL will put an amazing show, a dedicated production and the chance for you to watch LIVE + COMMENT!     MOONSPELL have just recently played their first shows in Portugal since the world went on lockdown, and seem to prove Portugal is on the lead when it comes to organize shows in these uncertain times.  As the band just shared their first live experiences online:  " Under a beautiful Portuguese sky we returned to our live performances. Congrats to the Wolfpack whom even with a mask and sitting down took our wolfheart to tragic heights. Thanks also for being so civilized, observing the rules while enjoying the show. Without you there’s no tomorrow. Kudos to the promoter, city hall and all the technicians and security. Moonspell is proud to be one of the bands playing live already! We feel blessed and lucky.“ [ photo © JOANA CARRIÇO PHOTOGRAPHY ]     This Halloween will see them LIVE at one of their most special shows to date:  "From Beja, Portugal, to the world out there, we are proud to present you HALLOWEEN 2.0, the event Moonspell fans have eagerly awaited for in this year of the plague!“ The show will be limited to 300 guests at the historic location of the theatre in Beja, but a streaming link will be available at the platform BOL afterwards and for everyone who buys a ticket, can’t watch it live or wants to watch it again.  Grab your ticket, for the physical or digital live experience with MOONSPELL this Halloween via the following links:   Virtual ticket: 5,30€ (inc TAX)  https://www.bol.pt/Comprar/Bilhetes/90840-moonspell-sala_virtual_pax_julia/Sessoes   Physical ticket (15€ inc TAX, limited to 300 tickets!): https://paxjulia.bol.pt/Comprar/Bilhetes/90836-moonspell-pax_julia_teatro_municipal/Sessoes   Upgrade tickets + merch bundles are available at: wolfpack@moonspell.com or on www.moonspell.rastilho.com (you need to have a valid ticket)   It’s no secret that MOONSPELL, in more than 25 years of their band history, have always been close to their dedicated fanbase, delivering special and captivating shows on countless, extensive tours all over the world, and creating an impressive back catalogue of diverse, impactful and versatile records, which influenced entire dark and gothic metal generations. Just recently, MOONSPELL launched a Patreon page and welcomes you to become a member of the band’s exclusive and official fanclub, the WOLFPACK! Run by MOONSPELL directly, the fanclub is offering exciting and various models to engage closer with the band and to enjoy priority, exclusive experiences not to be found anywhere else than in the WOLFPACK. Be it exclusive news and contents, as well as merchandise, show tickets, Meet & Greet, and a great deal of amazing, in-depth experiences with MOONSPELL and their members, all support goes directly to the band. Become a member of the pack now and chose which wolf you are at  THIS LOCATION! For More Info About MOONSPELL Visit: www.moonspell.com www.facebook.com/moonspellband www.instagram.com/moonspellofficial www.napalmrecords.com/moonspell www.moonspell.rastilho.com
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New Music: Somnus Throne by Burning World Records - @thebeast

Burning World Records has been active since 2007. Mothership of Roadburn Records and based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The label is run by Jurgen (also formerly of Roadburnfest). Burning World also has a big mailorder with mainly doom/stoner/black metal/drone/industrial vinyl.    "Quick note to say the Somnus Throne album is now uploaded in full on the link below. If you like Sleep, Om , Electric Wizard, Monolord and the like (and who does not!) this one is for you. If you only check out one track please try Sadomancer, in my humble opinion that is the stand out track. All though the rest is not bad either!" burningworldrecords.bandcamp.com/album/somnus-throne Somnus Throne by Burning World Records
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Arcanum Sanctum - “Ad Astra” - Featured At Pete's Rock News And Views - @thebeast

Arcanum Sanctum - “Ad Astra” - Featured At Pete's Rock News And Views! Check it out by visiting this link here: http://petesrocknewsandviews.com/arcanum-sanctum/ Russian melodic death metal band with Soviet sci-fi movie soundtrack approach. After two well-received albums of catchy uptempo melodic thrash-death metal with traditional harsh vocals the band decides to step aside from the beaten path and explore new grounds.This exploration turns into a breathtaking journey through space and time. The band finds its inexhaustible source of inspiration in the past. It's not a secret that things we encounter as kids leave the deepest traces in our souls. By a twist of fate all members of ARCANUM SANCTUM were born at the end of a so-called Golden Age of Space exploration and caught its echoes in a form of sci-fi books, movies, cartoons and associated soundtracks popular in their childhood. Still exciting and inspiring for the band, this theme determines the new direction its music takes on the new album. For fans of Dark Tranquility, Amorphis, Omnium Gatherum Formed back in 2004 in Komsomolsk-on-Amur (the Far East of Russia) as a brainchild of Vadim Nalivaiko , ARCANUM SANCTUM have remained the adepts of melodic death metal throughout the years. With the debut recorded using a trial-and-error method in their home studio due to the absence of any more or less professional recording studios in the city the guys reach satisfactory level of quality. Actually, “ Fidus Achates ” – the debut album of ARCANUM SANCTUM finished in January of 2009 – is the most proficient metal record made in their region back then. On this almost completely Russian-language album (except for one song – “ Shadowed ”) released by MORE HATE PROD . in 2010 and warmly welcomed by fans and the press (Surprise of the month at www.metalreviews.com in August of 2010) the band takes traditional melodic death metal to heart and combines this sound with elements of technical thrash metal and contrasting deep melodic instrumentals – as stated by the press the dynamic switch between aggressive melodic death metal and both acoustic and keyboard instrumentals is this album’s most captivating aspect. Having no stable line-up yet inspired by warm reception of the debut, Vadim decides to focus on composing the new songs for the follow-up album. " Veritas Odium Parit " is released in December of 2012 by BUIL2KILL RECORDS under the auspices of the legends of technical death metal – SADIST (Italy). The album gets positive reviews worldwide. According to the musical critics, “ Veritas Odium Parit ” raises the band to a new level and proves its versatility and maturity – the songs are very melodic, complex and found the converging point of aggression and technique with progressive touch. Enthusiastic about the band’s progress, new members come on board even despite the 1150km distance between their hometown and the base-city of the band – as is the case with Nikolay Kondratyev (drums, FALLCIE , ex- DEHYDRATED ). With the new line-up ARCANUM SANCTUM participate in MADE IN KOREA metal festival ( Seoul, Republic of Korea ). Soon after the band gets in touch with Mort prod. (China) and schedules a China tour for May- June of 2015. Along with playing shows in the Far Eastern region and preparing for the tour, Vadim develops a totally new album concept with a challenging approach to composing. After the China tour the musicians decide to focus on new material occasionally playing some local shows. The new album is dedicated to the Soviet science fiction with lyrics based on the works of the Soviet sci-fi writers and the music significantly influenced by the Soviet sci-fi movie soundtracks and such bands with progressive and non-trivial approach, like AMORPHIS and DARK TRANQUILLITY . The English language of the lyrics opens the worlds created behind the "Iron Curtain" to those who is not familiar with the Soviet school of sci-fi devoid of shopworn alien invaders and apocalyptic prophecies, while the deep and majestic growls and confident clean singing of the new vocalist Ivan Beschastny embody spiritual and physical strength of the men of future. After a long, both physically and mentally demanding process of composing and recording the album is mixed and mastered at Unisound AB by the famous Dan Swanö . The CD titled “ Ad Astra ” is self-released by ARCANUM SANCTUM in summer of 2020. Album art and track listing below! 1. Wanderers in Space 01:36  2. The Quest 04:39  3. Pack Rat 04:28  4. Down to Earth 03:06  5. Ad Astra 04:21  6. A Perfect Place (to Hide) 05:07  7. Solaris 04:00  8. Under the Alien Sky 05:07 Current line-up: Ivan Beschastny - vocals Vadim Nalivaiko - guitars Roman Rysyev - guitars Kirill Kulinichev – bass Nikolay Kondratyev - drums (session) Resources: Bandcamp: https://arcanumsanctum.bandcamp.com/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/arcanumsanctum Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arcanumsanctum/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ARCANUMSANCTUMOfficialchannel Twitter: https://twitter.com/SanctumArcanum Bandcamp: https://arcanumsanctum.bandcamp.com/album/ad-astra SmartURL: https://smarturl.it/ad_astra Ad Astra by ARCANUM SANCTUM
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The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors Signs Worldwide Deal with Extreme Management Group - @thebeast

The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors started off as a passion project by Hate Storm Annihilation founder Craig Schmuhl who had been interested in pursuing musical endeavors outside the sonic boundaries of the Death Metal genre for quite some time. With the intention of delivering a more diverse musical experience, he began writing in the summer of 2015. No real purpose or goals, just writing with the only mission statement being that it NEEDED to be music made without limitation; genre, song length, or “standard song form” in any way. In other words, TRUE PROGRESSIVE MUSIC . By 2016 he had a full record's worth of materials that felt worthy of being recorded. Shortly after, he met Puerto Rican drummer/roommate William Candelario while attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA . Opposite to Craig, William’s musical background was strong in African rhythms found in Puerto Rican folklore and jazz . On an absolute whim, Craig asked William if he had any interest in playing together. Needless to say, William was eager to infuse his roots into a heavier sound, and the two spent the next 2 years hashing out and recording what would be T he Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors first album release “ A Humanistic Perspective ”. Without ever really intending on playing the music out, the initial reaction amongst peers was very positive. There was SOMETHING there, and it needed to be played out to an audience. Soon after coming to this conclusion, Craig offered Trevor Martin and Tyler Novak the Guitarist/Keyboardist and Bassist positions of the band. Both musicians were lifelong fans of the Progressive style and perfectly integrated themselves into The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors ’ sound. Since the summer of 2019, The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors have been hitting the road to deliver a unique live musical experience that offers incredible dynamic range to a wide array of sonic territories. Everything from 70’s Progressive Rock, 90’s Alternative Rock/Shoegaze, 80’s New Wave, 2000’s Post-Rock, and even hints of Modern “Extreme Metal” . The lyrical themes are primarily focused around reflecting different aspects of human life be they Social, Environmental, Political, Spiritual , and in some cases much more personal.  Being a band that casts such a wide net over such a large musical identity comes the other personal liberties it’s allotted. This includes the large variety of shows and bands The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors can/have performed with. Everything from Punk, Technical Death Metal, Fusion, Alternative Pop, Singer Songwriters, and many other kinds of bands/acts. But what about the name? It would be fair to assume The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors ’ name is based off of some chocolatey LSD trip that sends the listener spiraling off into the outer reaches of space, searching for extraterrestrial beings and the true meaning of life. But jokes aside, this is very much the intention behind the band. We want to get people asking “ What is a Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavor ? And what does a band with a name like that even sound like?”. We treat every song as its own musical journey with the intention being; to entertain, get you thinking, and maybe even provoke some kind of deeper connection to yourself and the world around you. The name may come off strange at first, but by the first listen you’re going to understand that there is an intricate, almost story like arc, to all of the music that we like to consider “ The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors ”. Now the band has signed with Extreme Management Group , and had the following to say about the partnering, “ The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors is incredibly excited to be partnering up with Extreme Management Group . This amalgamation of talents/minds is the next logical step towards bringing our music to new audiences, and we’re so happy to be able to pursue these endeavors with EMG ". EMG said, " The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors has done a ton of work getting themselves to this point. We look forward to working with the band and taking everything to the next level.” Anticipate big things to come from The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors and Extreme Management Group . Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/themysticalhotchocolateendeavors/ Twitter : https://twitter.com/hotmystical Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/mysticalhotchocolateendeavors/ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkdXD-a6OWLvzxOeKNNTNYA BandCamp : https://themysticalhotchocolateendeavors1.bandcamp.com/ Official : https://www.themysticalhotchocolateendeavors.com/ www.facebook.com/extrememanagementgroup A Humanistic Perspective by The Mystical Hot Chocolate Endeavors
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FUNERAL LEECH: Death Meditation Full-Length From New York City Death/Doom Practitioners Sees Limited CD Release Via Carbonized And Dawnbreed Records - @thebeast

Death Meditation , the crushing debut from New York City-based death/doom practitioners  FUNERAL LEECH , is available for the first time on CD format via Carbonized Records.   Initially released on LP and digitally earlier this year,  Death Meditation  spews forty-five punishing minutes of death/doom darkness mired in contemplation of our mortal fragility; a true volatile display of pure sonic sickness. Recorded and mixed at Chapel Black Studios in Brooklyn, New York by Travis Bacon (White Widows Pact, Black Anvil, Hogwasche) and mastered by Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Tomb Mold), through the fetid resonance of  Death Meditation ,  FUNERAL LEECH  believes that death is a new beginning!   The CD edition, released in the United States by Carbonized Records and in Europe through Dawnbreed Records, comes with a three-panel, double-sided booklet and is limited to 500 copies worldwide.   For orders in the US, visit this  LOCATION . For European orders, go  HERE .   Stream FUNERAL LEECH's  Death Meditation   HERE .   Hailing from New York City,  FUNERAL LEECH  was forged in the twilight hours of 2015 with the purpose of spreading slow death. The band conjures their own dark, brooding brand of mid-tempo death/doom that finds triumph in depression and suffering. Since releasing the  The Funereality  demo in 2017 and "The Void" single in 2018,  FUNERAL LEECH  has shared the stage with bands such as Antichrist, Aura Noir, Black Anvil, Demoncy, Dispirit, Heresiarch, Innumerable Forms, Shape Of Despair, and Spectral Voice.   "Anyone down with Asphyx's demo and 'lost album' recordings will find much to appreciate in  FUNERAL LEECH 's barely-ever-approaching-mid- tempo take on early '90s death/doom." - Decibel   "For  FUNERAL LEECH , death is a new beginning. It's the place where destructive and decaying sounds bubble up from the darkness to remind us of our frailty..." - Cvlt Nation   "...a devastatingly heavy, drawn out, and mesmerizing listen that harkens back to the hay-day of death metal getting a far more dynamic approach in the '90s.  FUNERAL LEECH  certainly nail this style to near perfection and offer a truly magnificent record that certainly impresses as the band's first full length." - Nattskog   "Empowerment through suffering cannot be understated as peak motivation within a life examined and there are few better outlets for this self-actualization than the realm of mid-paced death/doom metal such as that of New York-based quartet  FUNERAL LEECH  who've achieved an intense and painful mummification of the 'self' in seeming geologic time on their debut full-length album, Death Meditation... one of the best death metal records I've heard so far this year.." - Grizzly Butts   "Everything about this record feels cold and calculated in the best possible ways, and the ways that the best death/doom records always do. Savage riffs, vocals that emanate straight from the bowels of hell, and a consistent sense of dread combine with a constant sonic churning to give this record a weight that just cannot be escaped from... a brilliant ride..." - The Metal Dad   "...a must for fans of death/doom metal." - Grimm Gent   "It's huge, it's destructive and, above all, if you want it heavy, then it is ideal." - The Razors Edge   "The production on Death Mediation is just perfect, it's dirty, murky and earth shatteringly heavy just as it should be... you need to check out this record but watch the foundations of your house because this is a heavy one!" - The Sleeping Shaman   "Right from the outset, the foreboding is evident. Opening track 'Downpour' sets the tone with eight minutes of dark brooding misery where Lucas Anderson's drumming is as gut-wrenching as his vocals." - Moshville Times UK   " FUNERAL LEECH  takes an oldschool approach to death/doom, playing slow and mournful doom with occasional uptempo elements that fit nicely into death metal's macabre arenas... The music is heavy and immediate, while also having longer lasting atmosphere and melody. If you imagine a band like Bolt Thrower, only darker and doomier, then you'll have an idea of  FUNERAL LEECH' s line of work." - Wonderbox Metal        http://www.facebook.com/Funeralleech http://www.twitter.com/FuneralLeech http://www.instagram.com/funeral.leech http://www.facebook.com/Carbonized-Records http://www.twitter.com/Carbon_Forms http://www.carbonizedrecords.bandcamp.com http://www.carbonizedrecords.storenvy.com
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Angelic Desolation stream new EP at Metal Injection - @thebeast

Colorado's ANGELIC DESOLATION are streaming the entirety of their new  EP  Quorum of Unspeakable Curses  via Metal Injection. The album is set to be released this Friday! The band commented " With Quorum Of Unspeakable Curses we made it a point to step up our game. Everything from production to songwriting is tighter and more fleshed out when compared to our last release. We hope everyone likes what we've done this time around and that these tracks keep our fans satiated while we work on even newer material. QUOC releases on Friday Sept. 25th so head on over to our  bandcamp  page to look at the pre-order bundles we have available!" Listen to the EP:  https://metalinjection. net/av/grindcore-monday/ angelic-desolation-razorgrind- your-ears-with-a-quorum-of- unspeakable-curses Pre-order:  https:// angelicdesolation.bandcamp. com/
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