New Heavy Metal Releases From Svarttjern, Porta Nigra, Rat King and Ironflame

As the beginning of a new year (and a new decade) quickly approaches, we will be receiving some new heavy metal music from Europe (Svarttjern, Porta Nigra) and from here in the U.S. (Rat King, Ironflame). Arriving on January 17th, is the new full-length album "Shame Is Just A Word" from Norwegian death metal band, Svarttjern. Their new eight song release kicks down the door with it's aggressive album opener "Prince Of Disgust," as the music comes blasting out of your speakers. The six-minute "Melodies Of Lust" showcases the band's more progressive side, switching between melodies to display the song's raw emotion. Svarttjern wrap up their new album with the steady pounding rhythm and growling vocals of "Ravish Me," along with the thrash metal guitar riffs of the title song, "Shame Is Just A Word." To find out more about Svarttjern and their latest release "Shame Is Just A Word," please visit facebook.com/svarttjern.

Next, from Germany comes the latest release from the Black Metal band, Porta Nigra. Their new album "Schopfungswut" features only six tracks, but each track is a epic blast of sonic aggression, beginning with the neck-breaking speed of "Die Kosmiker." Their energy continues to demand your attention, as in the eight-minute epic "Das Rad des lxion," while "Die Entweihung von Freya" is a wall of heavy metal sound that just punches you in the face with it's shear force. Porta Nigra close out their new album with the aggressive power of the title song "Schopfungswut," which is nearly nine-minute of quick-pounding rhythms and growling vocals. To find out more about Porta Nigra and their latest release "Schopfungswut," please visit facebook.com/PortaNigraBand.

Sticking closer to home, we have the return of the Seattle metal band Rat King and their latest release "Vicious Inhumanity." It features nine tracks, beginning with the build-up of "Matanza," that just explodes with controlled chaos that will make you take notice of this band. The trio continue with the two-minute intensity of "Borratanico" and the buzzing guitars of "Chaleco De Billetes," before arriving at their epic album highlight "In Quiet Sleep." Rat King finish with the death metal frenzy of "Zero" and the final high-energy attack of "Rotting From Inside." To find out more about Rat King and their latest release "Vicious Inhumanity," please visit facebook.com/ratkingseattle.

Finally we arrive at the February release of heavy metal warriors Ironflame's latest album "Blood Red Victory." This is the band's third full-length release, as they continue to carry the torch of classic thrash metal with this new eight-song set. Ironflame begin with the swift pace of "Gates Of Evermore," as you will fully appreciate the band's stellar musicianship. The album continues with the steady drumming and electrifying guitars of "Honor Bound" and the classic high-powered metal sound of "Seekers Of The Blade." Ironflame's influences come shining through on songs like "On Ashen Wings" and "Grace And Valor," before closing with the epic tale of the "Night Queen." To find out more about Ironflame and their latest release "Blood Red Victory," please visit facebook.com/IronflameUSA. 

New Releases From Metal Blade Records Artists Cattle Decapitation & Oni

It has been four years since we last heard from Cattle Decapitation and they have finally returned with their bleakest hope of our planet with "Death Atlas." Their new album was released on November 29th through Metal Blade Records and features fourteen new death metal anthems to behold. After the build-up of the introduction track "Anthropogenic: End Transmission," the album kicks it into high gear with the blow-back speed of "The Geocide." Cattle Decapitation keeps the intensity on full blast with "Be Still Our Bleeding Hearts" and the chugging thrash metal rhythm of "One Day Closer To The End Of The World." The screams and howls of "Finish Them" continue the album's death metal assault on your ears, before Cattle Decapitation wraps up their new album with the tempo changes of "Time's Cruel Curtain" and the nine-minute progressive metal closer "Death Atlas." To find out more about Cattle Decapitation and their latest release "Death Atlas," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/cattledecapitation.

Next, on December 13th is the arrival of the new five-song EP titled "Alone" from Oni. Led by vocalist Jake Oni, this new release follows the 2016 debut "Ironshore" and continues their exciting, modern hard rock sound. Beginning with the title song "Alone," Oni displays the perfect balance of aggression and melody to give the music an addictive edginess. The intensity grows on the heavy metal attack of "Dead Inside," before Oni finish up their new album with six-minutes of pounding rhythms and screaming vocals that should last until their next new release. To find out more about Oni, please visit facebook.com/TheOniBand. 

Check Out New Music From Indie-Artists The Phantom Broadcast, Cox's Army, Fever Joy

Back in November, The Phantom Broadcast released their second volume of "Antiquities," which follows the release of volume one back in April. The two EPs were brought together to create the band's new full length vinyl LP. The new nine-song full-length release begins with the melodic flow of "Warning" and the more pop-infused rock of "Amethysteria," which just finds its way into your musical heart. The Phantom Broadcast pick up the intensity with the "jam band" feel of "Mast," before the group slows down to showcase their quieter side with "Burrowing Owl." They finish up their new album with the addictive modern rock and wonderful harmonies of "Topaz." To find out more about The Phantom Broadcast and their latest release "Antiquities," please visit thephantombroadcast.com. 

Chicago bluegrass band, Cox's Army recently released their second full-length effort titled "New Richmond Town." This new thirteen song set begins with the wonderful banjo picking of "The Queen Bee," as the energy rises with the steady strumming flow of "Big Spoon, Little Spoon." The band's beautiful descriptive lyrics flow sweetly next to the melodic tones of the title song "New Richmond Town." The quiet acoustics of "Searching For Home" allows you to fully appreciate the bluegrass sound of Cox's Army, while "Leather, Wood and Nails" quickens the pace. This quartet wrap up their new album with finger-picking energy of "Sleeping In The Car" and "Treat Your Baby Kind." To find out more about Cox's Army and their latest release "New Richmond Town," please visit coxarmy.com. 

The alternative-pop band, Fever Joy recently released their new five song EP titled "Reflections." The album kicks off with the rhythm fueled "Bad, as singer Avery Robitaille delivers the perfect expression of emotion to lift the song's energetic beats. The album's title song "Reflections" has a quieter, more ambient sound, before the dance beats of "You're Losing Control" returns the energy back to the album. Fever Joy wrap up their new short release with the mainstream, modern rock enjoyment of "Crazy Love." To find out more about Fever Joy and their latest EP "Reflections," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/feverjoymusic. 

New Music From Artists Golden Cinema, The Pairs, Opeongo, Zinnia, JS Williams, Debra-Jean Creelman

From Prince Edward Island comes the debut EP from the modern rock trio, Golden Cinema. The new 3-song set titled "Peachy Keen EP" begins with the title song, which features a melodic tone that invites you to enjoy their fresh, raw sound. The album continues with the steady pace of "Colour Me In," before closing with the quick energetic rock shot of "Nostalgia." To find out more about Golden Cinema and their latest "Peachy Keen EP," please visit goldencinema.bandcamp.com. 

Americana/Folk band, The Pairs recently released their new full-length album titled "Noise." The twelve-track release begins with the harmonies of "Did I," backed by a steady stomp/clap rhythm. The Pairs deliver a pop-infused sound to "Fallen," while "Hand In Hand" carries a nostalgic jazz waltz. They plug in for the full-on rock assault of "Poison Water," then showcase their softer side on the gentle acoustics of "Will And A Way." The Pairs close out their new album with the emotional, dark tones of "Fire And Rain" along with the soft, quiet strumming and beautiful vocals of "Put The Gun Down." To find out more about The Pairs and their new album "Noise," please visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/thepairsmusic. 

Singer/songwriter Keegan Trumpour recently released his debut album as Opeongo. The album titled "Miasma" features eleven tracks, beginning with the stark, classical-sounding piano backdrop of the title song, followed by the alt-pop delivery of "Everything:Something:Anything:Nothing." Opeongo pours all his emotions into the ballads "Hopeless" and "Port Boys," before finishing with folksy blues of "September #9" and the nine-minute experimental, epic closer "Miasma #2." To find out more about Opeongo and his latest release "Miasma," please visit his Facebook page at facebook.com/Opeongo. 

Synth-pop artist Zinnia recently released her full-length debut album "Sensations In Two Dot" back in November. It features nine-tracks, beginning with the slow, steady pace of "Yellowstone," as Zinnia is allowed to let her vocals soar. She quickens the pace for "Black Bark, Yellow Leaves," while the melodic tone of "Lupins" will certainly turn you in a fan of Zinnia. The album closes with the slow blues of "Soft Place To Land," the exciting, energetic pop rhythm of "Requiem" and the addictive pop vibe of "Dreamer." To find out more about Zinnia and her latest release "Sensations In Two Dot," please visit facebook.com/thisiszinnia. 

Canadian singer/songwriter JS Williams recently released his debut album titled "From A Plane." It features eight tracks, beginning with the mellow, ambient tone of "Only Oceans" and the acoustic strumming, floating vocals of "Montmarte." Williams quietly lets the music of "My Name Is December" just glide along, as he sings with heart and passion. He finishes up his new album with the modern, alternative rock of "Forest Fires" and the slow-moving ballad "Rachel Est." To find out more about JS Williams and his latest release "From A Plane," please visit jswilliams.ca. 

Electro-pop artist Debra-Jean Creelman just released her new six-song EP title "Triggers & Mirrors." Her new set is filled with energetic pop anthems like "Smoke" and "All Your Life," while "No More Maureen" is a sonic blast of pulsating beats and rhythms. Debra-Jean Creelman closes out her new short release with the slow, bluesy flow of "How Many Times." To find out more about her new release "Triggers & Mirrors," please visit her Facebook page at facebook.com/debrajeansounds. 

New Music From Fernando Perdomo, Udo Pannekeet, Emiliano Deferrari and Marco Machera

American classical guitarist Fernando Perdomo pays respect to the legendary progressive rock band, King Crimson with his new album "The Crimson Guitar." The music of King Crimson was a big influence on Perdomo and inspired him to learn to play classical guitar. The new ten-track release begins with the short 90-second grace of "Peace (A Theme)," followed by the beautiful acoustic melody of "Islands." Fernando Perdomo sticks close to the original with his interpretation of "I Talk To The Wind," while "Erudite Eyes" continues to showcase his finger-picking skills. Perdomo closes the album with the gentle touch of "Book Of Saturday" and a slow-down, mellow version of the King Crimson classic "The Court Of The Crimson King." To find out more about Fernando Perdomo and his latest release "The Crimson Guitar," please visit his Facebook page at facebook.com/Fernandoperdomomusic. 

World-renowned bass player Udo Pannekeet (Focus) recently released his brand new solo studio album titled "Electric Regions." The album features guest appearances from some of his Focus bandmates, as Udo uses this outlet to showcase some of his more experimental music that he has been currently working on. The new five track release begins with the nearly 24-minute epic "Electric Regions Part One," as Udo mixes together many different genres (Jazz, Funk, EMD, Rock) on this musical piece to display his many inspirations. The album continues with the jazz fusion blast of "Integration Yes" and the electronic beats of "The Antibes Situation," which allows Udo to lead you down the rabbit hole of rock music. The album closes with the rhythm-fueled, modern jazz sounds of "Cocon Cocon." To find out more about Udo Pannekeet and his latest release "Electric Regions," please visit udopannekeet.com. 

Italian music duo Emiliano Deferrari and Marco Machera are preparing to release a new free-form improvisational album on November 15th. The new four song, self-titled release begins with sixteen-minutes of the duo experimenting with sounds to see what sticks. While the songs have no form or rhythm to them, they are very interesting to listen to with headphones on. The album finishes with the plucking of strings during "Sette" and the nine-plus minutes of tapping and strumming of "Tre," as they find solace in their improvisations. To find out more about this latest release from Emiiano Deferrari and Marco Machera, please visit rattsburgrecords.com.