Finland’s ORPHAN DEVIL Joins Gates Of Hell Records

Gates Of Hell Records has announced the signing of Finnish metal upstarts ORPHAN DEVIL. The label will release the band’s debut two-song EP, “Victims Of The Night/Drifting Away” in February 2020.

Originally formed in 2016 by a group of old friends who shared the same interest in music, ORPHAN DEVIL’s lineup was completed this year with the addition of vocalist Perttu. From there, the young band hit the studio for the recording of the EP, showcasing a deft blend of classic metal with a dose of speed.

“We listen to lots of different kinds of music,” says guitarist Kristo. “Of heavy metal influences, the biggest ones are old the Swedish heavy metal bands. Many of them had punk influences and kind of a melancholic vibe in their sound, which we love. And, of course, none of us would have picked up an instrument if we hadn’t listened to IRON MAIDEN. Classic rock is also as important for us as heavy metal.”

ORPHAN DEVIL (who are completed by second guitarist Sakke, bassist Sampo and drummer Late) joined forces with Gates Of Hell after a simple email was sent to the label. The band is currently fine-tuning songs for their next release as well as preparing for additional live duty. For now, “Victims Of The Night/Drifting Away” showcases a band already coming into their own as songwriters.

“I don’t really think of our songs as having a specific theme,” concludes Kristo. “We’re just writing about what’s on our mind at the moment and what seems to fit the song. Mostly it’s about life and death with a little glimpse of hope somewhere.”

PULVER Streams ‘Kings Under The Sand’ Title Track on DEAF FOREVER

German metal throwbacks PULVER are now streaming “Kings Under The Sand”, the title track from their forthcoming first full-length, via Deaf Forever.

https://www.deaf-forever.de/songpremiere-pulver 

“Kings Under The Sand” was recorded in October of 2018 at Big Snuff Studio in Berlin, Germany, with producer Richard Behrens at the helm. The artwork was handled by Max Löffler. Featuring eight cuts of gritty, but classic metal, “Kings Under The Sand” capitalizes upon the promise PULVER showed on their 2018 debut self-titled EP. Right up the alley for fans of NWOBHM heroes TANK and German mainstays ACCEPT, PULVER relish in the glow of steely songwriting, oscillating between feverish gallops and grueling mid-tempo romps, all with a storyline about the “Phantom Hawk” alien warrior tribe that made its first appearance on the band’s self-titled EP!

PRE-ORDER: http://tinyurl.com/y5a3f5bx 

Kings Under the Sand track listing:

  1. Rising
  2. Phantom Hawk
  3. Blacksmith’s Lament
  4. Kings Under the Sand
  5. Qarah
  6. Warrior Caste
  7. Alpha Omega
  8. Curse of the Pharaoh

CONVENT GUILT To Release ‘Diamond Cut Diamond’ In November

“Diamond Cut Diamond”, the second full-length album from Australian true metal quartet CONVENT GUILT, is set for a November 9 release via Gates Of Hell Records.

The follow-up to 2014’s “Guns For Hire” was recorded at various locations around Sydney in the first half of 2018 by Lachie Vercoe, who was also responsible for the album’s mix. “Diamond Cut Diamond” was mastered by Patrick Engel at Temple Of Disharmony. The album’s striking cover art featuring a strong colonial Australian image was created by Lena Richter of Diamonds and Rust Tattoos.

Possessing the same classic metal swagger as found on “Guns For Hire”, “Diamond Cut Diamond” contains seven slabs of song-oriented metal, graced with well-placed tinges of melody and NWOBHM influences. CONVENT GUILT (who feature bassist/vocalist/primary songwriter Ian, the guitar tandem of Andrew and Dario, and drummer Brent) have once again placed focus on emotion and energy over soulless musical precision, resulting in a must-listen for fans of early IRON MAIDEN, SAXON and TRESPASS.

According to Ian, the songwriting process for “Diamond Cut Diamond” was an organic one, although the band was sure to take their time when writing their all-important sophomore album. “Songwriting happens when it wants to rather than when I sit down to focus on it,” he says. “The oldest tracks on ‘Diamond Cut Diamond’ were written before ‘Guns For Hire’ was released. Even the newest tracks have been around a while. We rehearsed the tracks quite a bit and recorded rough demos to fine-tune our approach. With a bit of luck, this has added extra layers to the songs without compromising the band’s raw energy.”

Employing lyrical themes that, according to Ian, touch upon Australia’s “rich and dusty history,” “Diamond Cut Diamond” proves to carry plenty of philosophical weight as well. “Some of our lyrics deal with conquerors and the subjugated, the inbuilt weakness of men, depression-era outlaws and the insanity of social media. It’s a mixed bag thematically, but as always, lyrics are a vital part of what this band is about.”

It’s been four years since the release of the last CONVENT GUILT LP, so, as you could imagine, the band is chomping at the bit to unleash the album upon the waiting ears of the metal scene. As “Diamond Cut Diamond” shows, the wait was well worth it. “I’m sure it’s the same for most bands, but getting an album out seems like such a massive weight off our shoulders – it’s a ‘release’ in more ways than one,” says Ian. “We won’t rest on our laurels, but we’ll enjoy the relief and achievement as well. A couple of us have other projects we’re working on, so we’re giving those a bit more attention. And we’re riding the usual waves of life to wherever it takes us.”

“Diamond Cut Diamond” track listing:

1. Howling Vengeance
2. Born To Trouble
3. Powder Dry
4. Scream Out Your Heart
5. Bonnie And Clyde
6. Thief In The Night
7. Foxes Run

CORONARY / TRAVELER SPLIT 12” PRE-ORDER STARTS

PRE-ORDER HERE!
Never underestimate the power of a good demo tape. Ever since Metallica brandished their legendary “No Life ‘Til Leather” demo in 1982, the metal scene has actively sought out new and emerging bands through this simple, but effective medium. Even though the age of digital recordings and the convenience of the internet has removed some of the romanticism in creating and ultimately unearthing a hidden gem, the classic three-song demo tape lives on in 2018. Case in point: Finland’s Coronary and Canada’s Traveler, who have combined their respective debut demos for a split release via Gates of Hell Records.

Like any good split, this particular offering provides the best of both worlds when it comes to vintage, striking classic metal.

Coronary, who formed in Tampere in 2017, when a pair of Finnish metal veterans, guitarist Aku “Herr Lederwurst” Kytölä and drummer Pate “Batvik” Vuorio, reconnected after bumping into each other at a local flea market, strike first with their German-influenced, unvarnished take on freewheeling ’80s metal. Flashy and spiraling leads emerge from every corner, while the dirty, rough-and-tumble vocals of Olli “The True Herman” Kärki, emerges as the necessary bridge between the band’s notable German/Euro influences that bringing back to mind bands like Accept or Torch and early 80s melodic American metal leanings.

The 2017 creation of guitarist, bassist and primary songwriter Matt Ries, Traveler is rounded out by Gatekeeper vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud and drummer Chad Vallier. The band’s contributions to the split are marked by an up-tempo, almost relentless style of ground-and-pound metal, reminiscent of the best of Deaf Dealer and 80s Canadian classics going toe-to-toe with Iron Maiden. And, much in the same way he fits Gatekeeper like a glove, Abboud proves to be just as good of a fit in Traveler, becoming the perfect offset to Ries’s penchant for quick, rifling twin-guitar harmonies.

 

CORONARY And TRAVELER Team Up For Split Demo Release Via Gates Of Hell Records

A true metal battle rages across the frozen fields of Canada and Finland on the debut split release from CORONARY (Finland) and TRAVELER (Canada). Slated for a JUNE 2018 release via Gates Of Hell Records. The split will be available on Vinyl .

– CORONARY –

Formed in Tampere in 2017, CORONARY was created when a pair of Finnish metal veterans, guitarist Aku “Herr Lederwurst” Kytölä and drummer Pate “Batvik” Vuorio, reconnected after bumping into each other at a local flea market. Upon realizing they both shared a similar vision of wanting to create a metal band that took its influences from the ’70s and ’80s, the two men set about to complete the CORONARY lineup, eventually securing lead singer Olli “The True Herman” Kärki, second guitarist Jukka “Doktor” Holm and bassist Jarkko “C-90” Aaltonen.

CORONARY emerged from a January 2018 studio session with three songs of classic metal glory, highlighting the gritty vocals of Kärki and guitar tandem of Kytölä and Holm, the latter capable of dropping in ACCEPT-like riff tactics to match their firebrand lead guitar work. The demo is already catching fire in the metal underground, with Metal Crypt stating CORONARY “refuse to reinvent the smoothly rollin’ heavy metal wheel. No, on the contrary, they want it to be untouched, letting it roll freely, the way it’s been rolling in the best way since the golden era of ’80s heavy fuckin’ metal.”

– TRAVELER –

Calgary, Alberta’s TRAVELER was created in 2017 by guitarist, bassist and primary songwriter Matt Ries, who in addition to his regular duties with GATEKRASHÖR and HROM, developed an itch to branch out with his own song ideas in order to have a fresh outlook on music. Joined by vocalist Jean-Pierre Abboud (also of GATEKEEPER) and drummer Jan Loncik, TRAVELER shacked up at Richobo Studios in Calgary with Loncik manning the production boards. TRAVELER’s up-tempo, pounding style puts the sound of RIOT and MANILLA ROAD on overdrive with a preponderance of soaring twin guitar harmonies and Abboud’s effortless, but always convincing vocal delivery.

“The songs were inspired by an unhealthy mix of real life and fantasy,” says Ries. “Whether it be from the trials and tribulations we face day-to-day, or just pure exaggerated scenarios. I think these songs express that well.

“The sky is the limit at this point,” he continues. “I’ve had an overwhelming amount of positive feedback through fans and festival promoters wanting more from us. So, at the moment I am putting together a lineup of members and teaching our new drummer all of the songs for the upcoming full length. And, we will begin recording after he is up to speed. With Gates Of Hell’s help and various other release options, I think we can do really great things.”

CORONARY/TRAVELER split track listing :

CORONARY

  1. Firewings
  2. Bullet Train
  3. Mestengo

 TRAVELER

  1. Starbreaker
  2. Behind The Iron
  3. Mindless Maze

CHEVALIER “A CALL TO ARMS” FINALLY ON VINYL

Gates of Hell Records is proud to announce the release of CHEVALIER’s “A Call To Arms” on MLP!

Relentless, uncompromising, raw speed metal from Finland influenced by US epic/power metal and Euro metal (French speed metal in particular).
Medieval melodies united to fast riffing, tons of blitzkrieg guitar solos and leads, tight bass and drumming and powerful vocals by Emma Grönqvist, will appeal to fans of ADX,  Brocas Helm, Acid, Judas Priest, Mercyful Fate, Iron Maiden and obscure, old school Heavy Metal. An unpolished recording, done at the rehearsal room, places this band out of time. Such music needs to be heard on vinyl!

“A Call To Arms” will be released by Gates of Hell Records  on April 27 on VINYL, featuring specific remastering and revamped layout by Annick Giroux. The MLP comes with  insert with lyric and exclusive promo photograph!