NEWS: Gloryhammer release new single and video ahead of Dublin date

ARE you ready to wield it? Must you wait for Angus McFife XIII?

Fear not mighty warriors of the galaxy! Gloryhammer have released the first single and official music video of their third studio album 'Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex'.

On their third epic quest through the universe, the five heroes around Angus McFife XIII created the galactic hymn 'Gloryhammer', which tells about their own journey through time and space, the greatest battles of all times and never ending glory.

Christopher Bowes said: "Mighty warriors of the galaxy! Are you ready to raise up your laser powered goblin smasher to defeat the forces of Zargothrax? Then it's time to watch the video for our new single...simply called 'Gloryhammer'.

"In this song, Angus McFife has arrived into a terrible alternate universe ruled by the evil wizard Zargothrax...and to make matters worse, his legendary Hammer of Glory is powerless.

"His only hope is to fly into space and recharge the hammer with the power of astral fire...if his quest fails, then the forces of evil led by the deathknight Ser Proletius will rain down nuclear fire upon the brave resistance fighters of the Kingdom of Fife. The tragic fate of the Kingdom of Fife hangs in the balance once more..."

"It is my destiny
To rule the Galaxy
I am the one
The chosen son
Glory! Hammer!"

The galaxy waits in fear for the return of Angus McFife XIII, who fought the greatest battle the galaxy has ever heard of, against the evil sorcerer Zargothrax. All hope of the Kingdom of Fife lies in the strong arms and the infinite wisdom of their young prince.

On May 31st, Gloryhammer's new album Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex will tell us the whole story of the most gigantic battle of all time. Until then, we expect to receive more parts of what will end as the best power metal album the galaxy has ever seen. Keep your eyes and ears open!
Pre-Order Legends from Beyond the Galactic Terrorvortex here.

Zargothrax on the new album:
“Oh wow! I know a lot of people have been waiting on this album for what seems like centuries. For the last three years we've been working non-stop on it in absolute secrecy, and now it is finally complete! We can't wait for y'all to hear it...this is the greatest power metal album of all time. HOOTS!“

Gloryhammer play Dublin's Academy on October 24th.

And, for those that didn't know...

GLORYHAMMER were founded by Alestorm frontman Christopher Bowes in 2009, who spent the next years gathering an international line-up that suited his idea to create a band based conceptually on the fantasy genre and musically fitting generally into the power metal mould. Both aims were achieved stunningly and their debut album, Tales from the Kingdom of Fife released by Napalm Records in 2013 immediately garnered the band high critical acclaim from critics and fans alike.

GLORYHAMMER were able to top this success with their second full-length Space 1992: Rise of the Chaos Wizards(2015) and have continued to tour in front of ever growing audiences, performed at all major metal festivals, and have by now been nominated twice by German Metal Hammer as best band in the category “Up & Coming” at the Metal Hammer Awards.

GLORYHAMMER are:
Angus McFife XIII, Crown Prince of Fife – Vocals
Ser Proletius, Grand Master of the Deathknights of Crail – Guitars
The Hootsman, Astral Demigod of Unst – Bass
Zargothrax, Dark Emperor of Dundee – Keyboards
Ralathor, the Mysterious Submarine Commander of Cowdenbeath – Drums

NEWS: Big Truck gets into gear with the Other Side Of The City as double CD reissue awaits

IF you don't like Trucker Diablo we don't like you! Just kidding, we love all of you Constant Readers, but Trucker Diablo are special.

Carving a path to ever greater recognition the Big Truck has shifted into high gear and getting ready to roll into the summer with the re-issue of two albums in a double CD package 'Devil Songs' - combining The Devil Rhythm and Songs of Iron, now that the band has regained control of those albums.

 But the Big Truck has unloaded a new cargo to whet our appetites in the shape of new single 'Other Side Of The City', a track dripping with class and oozing out a demand to join in. Carlsberg don't do music, but if they did...

Written in the formative times when the two aforesaid albums were wowing the rock world, it is out, officially, on April 26th, but you can watch the video here.

Tom explained the song's origins: "I remember when we wrote City. Simon and I were in my old rock shed jamming and reminiscing about the old days, growing up, all our favourite films and music. Simon showed me this riff he had, and I started jamming and when he played the chorus, the first lyric I sang is still the lyric today. It was like magic and we loved it.

"We pride ourselves on good songs no matter how heavy or light, the song is king and we are proud of how it turned out."

And damn proud they should be!

Recorded late 2018 with long term producer Frankie McClay at Einstein Studios, and featuring current bassist Jim McGurk, ‘Other Side of the City’ is released 26th April 2019

'Devil Songs' 30 song double cd/digital package released May 2019. 

ALBUM REVIEW: Bloodbound take on fiery beats on Rise Of The Dragon Empire

POWER metal. It gets a bad name from the snobs, and in some case it is deserved. But, when it is done well it is something that earns a grin and ham fisted air guitar playing. And, Bloodboiund do it very well.

Eight albums in and they are still doing it very, very well. Rise Of The Dragon Empire has all the power elements you would expect, with the smattering of Nordic folk. And, damn it but it makes us smile (when we're not pulling poses and pointing skyward to Valhalla...)

Led with the increasingly impressive vocals of Patrick J Selleby and the gang singalongs it is lyrically slightly sub George RR Martin, but that is part of the charm. Sure, we revel in bands that explore the deepest recesses of the human mind, and the collapse of society, but this is glorious escapism.

All that would be futile without

t stout musicianship and well thought arrangements, such as on 'Magic Eye', with its pacey development.

Tomas and Henrik Olsson wield their guitars in a glorious symmetry and Fredrik Bergh's keyboard flourishes are sumptuous. The intro to 'Blackwater Bay' is worth the price of admission.

However, that same song could be identified by the naysayers as an example of the overblown, nature of the genre Bloodbound tread. But that is to miss the point. As the guitar solo kicks in just before the three minute mark you realise that this is a band confident in what they are doing, and know full well that it could be seen as ridiculous, but is really glorious.

Take lead single 'The Warlock's Trail' - driven by Andres Broman's bass and the metronomic pace of Daniel Sjogren's drums to underscore the soaring heights of the track.

Sod it, doubters can go away, because Rise Of The Dragon Empire is just enjoyable, entertaining and wonderful.

(Oh, and we admit at least one of the cut-offs is adorned by a Bloodbound patch following their Belfast show with Sabaton.)

Review by Jonathan Traynor

Rise Of The Dragon Empire is out now