Epica unveil video for Ghost in the Machine in collaboration with De Efteling

 Dare to dance with the dead! Dutch symphonic metal titans EPICA have unleashed their eeriest creation yet, the spine-chilling music video for 'The Ghost in Me (Danse Macabre),' a haunting track that lures listeners into a world where shadows dance and the afterlife whispers.

This song is a unique collaboration with Europe’s second-most visited theme park, Netherlands’s magical De Efteling, and their much-anticipated new attraction, Danse Macabre.

Drenched in ghostly imagery, the video mirrors the unsettling thrill of De Efteling’s new ride, which opens its gates on October 31st, right in time for this Halloween season. Ever since their childhood, every member of EPICA has loved this theme park that welcomes over 5 million visitors per year. Therefore, this collaboration was a true match made in the otherworld.

Submerge yourself now in the music video which was filmed right inside and in front of the new attraction - and as if this wasn’t already exciting enough, the band even received their very own “Epica gravestone” that you can spot, if you look closely.

EPICA’s keyboard player, Coen Janssen, said:“Every kid in the Netherlands knows how magical ‘de Efteling’ is, and working this closely with the most beautiful theme park in the world surely is a dream come true! As a young boy, I immediately got captivated by the “Danse Macabre” by Saint-Saëns as a soundtrack for their haunted house “Spookslot”. So when ‘de Efteling’ announced their new plans for the ghostly attraction “Danse Macabre” all pieces of the puzzle fell into place immediately: Why not combine our symphonic side with the ’scary’ side of metal and do our version of this epic classical piece?!? 

'We are so happy that ‘de Efteling’ trusted our vision and gave their full support, providing us with the new ride's storyline, so we could write lyrics fitting the fantastic narrative and even adding a new chapter!”

‘The Ghost In Me (Danse Macabre)’ lures fans into a darkly enchanting dance with the dead in this YouTube video and will also appear on all streaming platforms soon… when more of Epica’s next chapter will be unveiled.

The song has already made its live debut at the band’s monumental 'Symphonic Synergy' shows in Amsterdam this September, and fans in Latin America will have the chance to be the next to hear it live at two shows that EPICA will perform exclusively with a full orchestra and choir.

NEWS: Iranian-Norwegian band Confess release single ahead of new album, while under jail sentence in Iran

 Confess, the Iranian-Norwegian metallers who have been making waves following on from the success of their widely praised 2022 album “Revenge At All Costs” have returned with a brand new album, “Destination Addiction”, set for release on January 31st, 2025!

Pre-order Now Via Bandcamp

Ahead of this, the band have released their new single ‘Slaughterhouse’.

Speaking about the track, frontman Nikan Khosravi has said:

"‘Slaughterhouse’ is one of the most aggressive songs I have ever written, and it will set the tone for listeners regarding what they are going to hear on this album! With a very scary death/groove tone, this song presents a very messed-up, twisted fantasy that comes from the mind of a creature that can be seen as a mash-up of Jeffrey Dahmer and Leatherface.

It deals with brutally killing to take revenge, but it also explores the belief that these actions are all happening inside his mind, with the victim trapped within him forever. I had never written anything like this before, from the perspective of a serial killer. I allowed myself to paint an alarming image in a super heavy death/groove metal style while envisioning my interrogator in my head.”

Produced by Khosravi, and mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated Alberto De Icaza (Amon Amarth, Clutch, Miss May I, Dead Cross, Upon A Burning Body) “Destination Addiction” is set to land at a critical point in human history. Given the escalating conflicts across the middle east and between Ukraine and Russia, Confess’ intention with “Destination Addiction” is to ask the question “What happens when you’ve survived things that no-one should have to?” Too often this question ends in dismal fashion, be it suicide, substance abuse, declining mental health, or worse.

Speaking about the album, Nikan has said:

“With “Destination Addiction”, we aimed to channel our personal experiences and the turbulent times we live in into something musically innovative and brutally honest. This album is a testament to our resilience and passion for metal. “Destination Addiction” delves deep into themes of isolation, depression, addiction, and suicidal thoughts, reflecting our harrowing experiences following their arrest in 2015 and life in exile and I can say that this album is way darker than “Revenge At All Costs”!

The lyrical content offers a raw and critical perspective on the political and social turmoil in Iran as well as the broader global climate, addressing the Women, Life, Freedom movement in Iran, the war in the Middle East and Europe, and the dangers of terrorism in today’s world. This album is the aftermath of “Revenge At All Costs”!”

Nikan further commented on getting to work with extreme metal luminaries George Kollias (Nile) and Marzi Montazeri (ex-Phil Anselmo and Illegals, ex-Superjoint Ritual, ex-Exhorder, Heavy As Texas) on this record:

"Working with George Kollias has elevated our sound and added a lot of depth and texture to the record. Marzi Montazeri's contribution to 'After Goliath' has provided a dynamic edge.”

 

The tracklisting for the album is:

1. Built On A Grave

2. Slaughterhouse

3. Expedition

4. Dark On Both Sides

5. Suicide Song

6. Final Lap

7. After Goliath

8. Origami God

9. Only Shackles To Lose

10. Breathe In. Breathe Out.

 

Formed in 2010 in Tehran, Iran, the band's ideology reflects the experiences of living under a theoretical political system, combining critiques of organized religion with commentary on sociopolitical issues and personal struggles. Their debut album, “Beginning of Dominion”, was released on January 1st, 2012. By 2014, Confess had released four singles and an EP titled “Back to My Future [2/4]”. The single ‘Encase Your Gun’ emerged after the Iranian regime suppressed the Green Movement in 2009.

On October 28, 2015, just two weeks after releasing their second album, “In Pursuit of Dreams”, frontman Nikan Khosravi and DJ Arash Ilkhani were arrested by the Revolutionary Guards. They faced charges of blasphemy and propaganda against the state due to their music and interviews. After spending three months in solitary confinement and 15 months in public prison, they were released temporarily on bail pending trial. Initially sentenced to six years each, they appealed the verdict.

Due to ongoing threats, Nikan fled to Turkey in 2017. In December 2018 he was granted political asylum in Norway. Arash joined him in May 2019 after also seeking asylum in Turkey. In July 2019, in their absence, an appeal court sentenced Nikan to 12 and a half years in prison plus 74 lashes and Arash to two years in prison.

Upon settling in Norway, Confess experimented with seven-string guitars and modern death metal sounds while retaining their signature groove. In 2022, they welcomed three new members and began touring without fear. They released their third album, “Revenge at All Costs”, on January 21, 2022, inspired by their struggles and experiences. The album received critical acclaim, earning high ratings from several metal publications and saw the band featured in prominent media outlets like Sky News, The Guardian and BBC.

In September 2022, Confess signed a worldwide management deal with Extreme Management Group in New York. They continued to face challenges from the Iranian regime, including social media attacks, but remained inspired and productive. They supported Nile on their European tour, performing across 11 countries and 16 cities, solidifying their presence in the global metal scene. In September 2024 Confess supported Belphegor and Malevolent Creation on their European run before appearing at the Vagos Metal Fest in Portugal and Viborg Metal Fest in Denmark. “Destination Addiction” is set for release on January 31st, 2025.

 

ALBUM REVIEW: Trucker Diablo album sets benchmark few will reach

Social Hand Grenade detonates aurally with variety and passion

By Jonathan Traynor

Let’s face it, Trucker Diablo have nothing to prove in terms of their music, but their new album, (out now) Social Hand Grenade takes them on to a level many wish and cannot attain.

When an album is described as mature, it is sometimes the death knell for an act, but the Big Truck’s maturity here is in the confidence to deliver something that is rarely achieved.

However, this album comes with a word of caution: it will first make you grin from ear-to-ear and in the next breath contemplate the world and the wonders of the sheer madness around you.

Take ‘California on the Run’. It will come as a surprise to a few, but a few bars in and you realise that they have captured the essence of a smile and distilled it into music.

That’s not to say Trucker Diablo have gone soft or anything – heaven forfend – there are sufficient stadium killer anthems that will make others weep in frustration.

And, speaking of a wee cry, heart-string tugging closer will have all those ‘experts’ on Saturday night talent shows ditch their boy bands and FX-singing divas a they will never emulate the wistfully contemplative ‘What I See’.

California on rhe Run  and the coda and the clutch of songs that weave the human condition, both individually and collectively

 ‘Here Come The Vultures’ is the hand grenade delivered to the endless scrolling and the gathering of trolls behind screens. It is a fuck you to them all.

Do You remember the ‘Summer of ‘69’, with Bryan Adams? Well, ditch the drive-in, smash the front porch and learn that ‘We Are Forever’. 

Nodding to Mr Adams Tom id asking about the summer of ’89, and recalls that feeling we can remember in our formative years, that feeling we wish to recapture, and for our sanity we can.

The performances by all, as always, are exemplary, the melodies infectious, and the arrangement of each song carefully honed for maximum effect.

What is striking is that even with both the contemplative, and the rage Tucker Diablo have delivered a Social Hand Grenade that has more positivity than a fleet of fully charged Tesla’s.

Social Hand Grenade is out now