Artists

Black Metal / Death Metal / Punk

Fueled by the desire to explore new soundscapes in the vast landscapes of punk and metal.

Gothenburg, Sweden based metallers AGE OF WOE is comprised of members of END OF ALL, MASSMORD, THE PROCESS and NO HAWAII.  The band is fueled by the desire to explore new soundscapes in the vast landscapes of punk and metal, leaving the Gothenburg sound in the dust.

Technical/Progressive

For fans of Periphery, The Dillinger Escape Plan, Sikth, and Misery Signals:

Winnipeg, Manitoba’s ANNEX THEORY has exploded onto the scene like a supernova, ready to unleash its music upon unsuspecting listeners everywhere.

Formed in 2008 by former QUO VADIS vocalist Trevor Birnie and young guitar virtuoso Sam Jacobs, ANNEX THEORY set out to create a truly unique sound, fusing an original multi-vocal style that can only be experienced to believe with crushing groove, silky smooth technicality, monstrous hooks, and dense atmosphere. The duo recruited Wade Forshaw (guitars), Matt Rutowicz (keyboards), Adam Jefkins (drums), and Jordan Fehr (bass) to set launch the act into orbit and beyond. The band has opened for DESPISED ICON, MISERY INDEX NEURAXIS, ELECTRO QUARTERSTAFF, THE CONTORTIONIST, LAST CHANCE TO REASON, SUFFOKATE and many others.

Melodic Death

Sweden has given birth to some of the best heavy metal bands over the years, and Blinded Colony are the next to follow in those footsteps.

Never imitating, but building upon the bricks laid by bands like The Haunted, Soilwork, In Flames and Children of Bodom, Blinded Colony is the representation of the next generation of aggressive metal. With adrenaline-laced guitar rhythms, dizzying keyboards and ripping vocals, Blinded Colony creates a distinguished harmonic aggression that hits the listener harder than a size 16 boot-to-the-face.

Formed in January 2000, by guitarists, Johan Blomström, Tobias Olsson and original vocalist Niklas Svensson, Blinded Colony was known as Stigmata. By 2002, the band had released two demos, Painreceiver and Tribute to Chaos. Tribute to Chaos caught the attention of Italy-based Scarlet Records. Coinciding with their newfound record deal, the band officially changed their name to Blinded Colony. Their full-length debut, Divine, was a testament to their work ethic, self-produced and released in 2003 on Scarlet Records. Divine not only featured artwork by Carlos del Olmo Holmberg, but the album also created such a buzz that it received full, proper, distribution in Japan through Soundholic Records. Blinded Colony and Scarlet Records parted ways a year later. This also marked ushering in of new vocalist, Johan Schuster. The band recorded an industry demo that showcased Schuster’s use of powerful, throat-tearing screams and soaring, clean vocals. While this style is used often in contemporary metal music, Schuster’s style made him a noticeable standout among the herd. Combined with the growth and maturity of the band as musicians, this demo caught the attention of US based record label Pivotal Rockordings, who immediately took note of Schuster’s vocals and the energetic boost he brought to the band as a unit.

Blinded Colony began the recording process of their second full-length album, Bedtime Prayers, in the spring of 2006. The band chose once again to work without a producer and to record the album themselves. Not only was this a decision to keep out the influence of producers and others, but, it was a decision that would present Blinded Colony’s music in the most organic form possible. The band once again recorded at their home studio, SoundPalace, in Karlshamn, Sweden. With song titles such as “In Here,” “Need,” “Aaron’s Sons,” and “Bedtime Prayers,” in addition to the three singles, “Heart,” “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” and “My Halo,” Blinded Colony have their sights set on breaking out of the Swedish underground and into the global metal scene. With music videos planned for the songs, “Once Bitten Twice, Twice Shy,” “Heart,” and possibly “My Halo,” Blinded Colony intend to not only assault the listeners musically, but also visually with the videos to be directed by Thomas Tjäder (In Flames). The first video from Bedtime Prayers, for the song “Heart” is set to hit television and computer screens in early November.

It’s a feat of Blinded Colony’s own determination and vision that they have established themselves with a unique sound, without falling into the bottomless pit of Swedish copycat clone bands. Their drive to succeed has already landed them on the same stage with international acts such as Hammerfall, Dark Tranquillity, Evergrey and Mercenary. Additionally, Blinded Colony headlined the Roskilde Festival warm-up show with their countrymen By Night and The Psyke Project and on November 12 rocked the stage of Gothenburg’s Belsepub with former label mates Sonic Syndicate and Arise at the first Belsefest 666. With their Pivotal Rockordings worldwide debut geared for November 10 in Europe and November 14 worldwide, Blinded Colony will follow it up with dates with Ektomorf in December and a proper European tour in early 2006. Don’t be surprised when Blinded Colony breaks through as a household name.

Swedish guitarist/vocalist Christian Älvestam (SOLUTION.45, MISERATION, TORCHBEARER, ex-SCAR SYMMETRY) will release his first solo EP, entitled Self 2.0 exclusively in all major web-retail outlets and streaming services in Spring 2012.

Perhaps most well known in the metal community as the singer on SCAR SYMMETRY’s first three albums, and currently frontman in SOLUTION.45, Älvestam also garnered fandom in the house music scene through his collaboration on a single MCD with DJ HENRIK B, entitled Now and Forever. The single not only received rave reviews in the electronic music scene, but also was immediately picked up by DJ Tiesto, who played it in regular rotation on his world tour to tens of thousands of people. With additional contributions of his signature vocal style as a guest in the most recent DEMON HUNTER and BLOODBATH releases, Älvestam’s name has become a fixture among hordes of fans.

However, Self 2.0 promises to be something different from what fans expect from the singer/songwriter, as Älvestam explains:

“It’s not exactly a secret that I have a weak spot for more pop-oriented stuff – especially in the vein of the sound of the ´80’s. In fact, I have always been listening to softer music, alongside the heavier stuff, which is probably why my own music so often, unintentionally, tend to end up being a mixture of the two. I simply can’t help myself when it comes to merging the aforesaid styles together, it seems. I’d like to call it unavoidable influence, as a direct result of having been indoctrinated with both, from childhood upwards. With that said, fighting against it is not an easy thing, whether you want to or not;) At the same time, some would call it a mixed blessing I guess. Anyhow, I have wanted to do something a bit different from what I usually do, for a long time now and that is to make an all stripped-down and laidback album, where I use my clean vocals only. You who have followed me since the early days know I’ve made brief digressions, musically, of that sort before, like the “Final State”-trilogy (Unmoored) and “Lethean Tears” (Solution .45), to name a few, so it’s not like “Self 2.0” is me heading out into completely unexplored territory. I’ve been there before, grubbing in its periphery. Then again, I guess you could see “Self 2.0” as me going all the way for the first time, if you like!

What can you expect of “Self 2.0” then, taken as a whole? Well, if you, like me, dig bands/artists such as Michael Cretu (Sandra/Enigma, etc.), Krister Linder (Grace/Dive, etc.), 30 Seconds To Mars, Mute Math, Nephew, Dead Letter Circus, Pendulum, Mew, The Radio Dept. and so on, chance is “Self 2.0” may strike your fancy!”

Progressive/Black Metal

Gothenburg, Sweden based progressive extreme metallers ELDRIMNER started in 2006, immediately playing shows regularly with other groups in the Gothenburg black metal scene.  Over the following years, the band’s original black metal sound progressed, taking inspiration from groups as varied as MESHUGGAH and THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN.  In 2009, ELDRIMNER released an EP entitled I mitt jag. ELDRIMNER’s new material – which features all Swedish lyrics and guest appearances – will be released in the Spring of 2012.

Melodic Death

MARIONETTE has injected new light and energy into the Swedish metal genre since bursting onto the scene with its debut album SPITE in 2008.  Building on the multiple successes brought on by high profile European tours in support of ENEMIES (2009), MARIONETTE will now self-release its magnum opus, NERVE on November 14 while Pivotal Rockordings will release the digital version of the album on all major web-retail outlets and streaming services.

Since inception, the band has broken the Gothenburg sound mold – taking inspiration from unexpected places – while adapting new visual approaches, often putting the band at odds with self-absorbed elitists and an older, more conservative generation of listeners.  Kerrang! magazine has given special accolade to the band’s aggressive sound as having “stylistic depth,” “technical cohesion,” and an intrinsic ability to walk the line between relentless heaviness and commercial appeal.

Technical/Progressive

no•ci•cep•tor: Pronunciation: \-ˈsep-tər\  Function: noun
: a receptor for injurious or painful stimuli : a pain sense organ.

Featuring in its ranks THREAT SIGNAL guitarist Travis Montgomery, NOCICEPTOR’s Among Insects EP (produced by Montogomery at his home studio in Dallas) is a hard-hitting riff-fiesta featuring massive grooves, scorching solos, and insane jam-offs for fans of MESHUGGAH, NEVERMORE, and TESSERACT.

The rather dark expression of pain through music is not an uncommon thing.
Nor is it an expression limited only to darker, heavier, or more “metal” bands.

What makes this band a unique outlet for this is the potent combination of intelligence and artistic expression.  Knowledge is power….and knowledge, focus, and concentration of energy is what makes NOCICEPTOR powerful.

The music of this band has been toiled over…through many long hours…not necessarily with the wild, blunt abandon of a bull in a china shop…but with planning and premeditation, which isn’t always associated with metal bands.  Wild abandon is far from a dismissed subject within the realms of NOCICEPTOR, but rather than let loose with no real sense of control, its brutality is channeled.  It is concentrated.  It is precise, and therefore given the very sharpest point it can obtain.

NOCICEPTOR is grace through the absurd conglomeration of ferocity and delicate patience. It is the polarized contrast between chaotic brutality and beautiful order, and the violating, disturbing rupture of pulsing groove and force.

Swedish Tech Metal Supergroup

Swedish tech metal supergroup NONEXIST features former ARCH ENEMY and current HEARSE vocalist Johan Liiva and ANDROMEDA/SKYFIRE guitarist Johan Reinholdz. Their new full-length record entitled From My Cold Dead Hands was recorded at Multipass Studios and features 9 blistering new tracks. From My Cold Dead Hands will also be accompanied by cover songs that Pivotal Rockordings will release for free on YouTube.

Johan Reinholdz commented: “I´m really excited about unleashing the second assault of Nonexist! Even though ‘Deus Deceptor’ came out ten years ago, Nonexist never died.  It has always been alive in my heart and I´ve written songs for it every now and then.  Because I love it, I love this kind of music which I grew up with. A couple of years ago the Nonexist song-writing became more frequent and I came up with the title – ‘From My Cold Dead Hands’ and I started to focus on getting the album done.  I also began dabbling with cover-songs, something I´ve never really done before but it´s great fun! Some of these song choices might surprise you – but they´re all done Nonexist-style! I then asked Johan Liiva if he wanted to join Nonexist again was pleased when he said yes.  He is one the great singers in extreme metal and I´m proud to work with him again!”

Johan Liiva also commented: “It’s been like 10 years now since the debut came out. I actually had this ‘fantasy’ ever since to make a sequel. For various reasons (like for example ‘life’ haha) it took us all this time to finally get there. Thankfully, Johan and I stayed in touch every now and then… and now *kazaam!* – the time has come! Filled to the brim with new and fresh ideas – as well as retro ones, for sure! Let’s hope you people out there who digged and asked for another one appreciates this new one. Hailz and salutes – it’s time… metal to the very bone!”

NONEXIST’s debut full-length record Deus Deceptor was released in 2002 via Century Media/New Hawen Records and the lineup at the time included Johan Liiva, Johan Reinholdz, and DEFLESHED/DARK FUNERAL drummer Matte Modin.  Deus Deceptor was produced by Tommy Tägtgren and Johan Reinholdz at Abyss Studios and featured a musical direction described as a cross between early ARCH ENEMY and CARCASS (circa Heartwork).

Progressive/Death

Progressive death metal act SKYFIRE formed in the small Swedish town of Höör in 1995. Early on the band’s founders Martin Hanner and Andreas Edlund had a vision of combining epic atmospheric metal with complex song structures, yielding a sound that completely deviated from what the rest of the Swedish scene was doing at the time. SKYFIRE’s unique musical concoction resulted in attention from labels all over the world.

SKYFIRE’s debut album Timeless Departure was released by Hammerheart Records in March 2001 and was recorded at Abyss Studios with Tommy Tägtgren. Timeless Departure, a groundbreaking release that received critical acclaim, combined the tasteful use of keyboards to create a symphonic atmosphere with elements of melodic death, black, and power metal. SKYFIRE followed their debut with Mind Revolution, a slightly more progressive effort in 2003, utilizing Tommy Tägtgren once again as producer. Following a European tour with Ancient Rites, Blood Red Throne, and Thyrfing, SKYFIRE signed with Arise Records. The group’s third album, Spectral, was released in May 2004 and was recorded at Studio Underground. Similar to their previous works, Spectral was received with extremely high regard amongst the metal media and the band’s devoted fan base due to its heavy and ominous sound. SKYFIRE embarked on a tour with the legendary Dark Moor, followed by an appearance at the Busan Rock Festival (Arch Enemy, Soilwork, Rage) in South Korea shortly before their departure from Arise Records.

After a brief hiatus and a series of member changes, SKYFIRE returned in 2007, signing a multi-album deal with Pivotal Rockordings.  The band then regrouped to begin writing their magnum opus. The end result is September 2009’s Esoteric; a masterpiece that not only draws from SKYFIRE’s trademark sound, but also expands on it with orchestral and choir arrangements as well as even more progressive song structures and heavier riffs. SKYFIRE spent two-and-a-half years writing the material for Esoteric, and ended up recording 10 songs at the band’s Powernest Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden.  Esoteric was mixed and mastered by Scar Symmetry’s Jonas Kjellgren at Abyss Studios and features artwork by Pär Olofsson (The Faceless, Exodus).  The first SKYFIRE onslaught to hit the streets since 2004 however is the digital-only Fractal EP out in July 2009, which features tracks written between 2004’s Spectral and Esoteric and demonstrates the band’s growth as musicians and a group over those years.  It is also the first new SKYFIRE material to feature lead guitarist Johan Reinholdz (Andromeda) and vocalist Joakim Karlsson (Mark:Black).
2009 will see a rejuvenated SKYFIRE—dead set on picking up from where they left off. With Fractal due out in July and Esoteric in September, expect extensive touring and the epic onslaught that only SKYFIRE can deliver. Get ready: SKYFIRE is reborn!

Melodic Death

Sonic Syndicate have proven themselves to be an international force.  Perhaps that realization came in 2006 when Sweden Rock Festival hand picked the band to be on a bill which featured renowned artists such as Arch Enemy, Evergrey, Entombed, Def Leppard and many more.  2006 also brought change to Sonic Syndicate’s lineup.  Second vocalist Roland Johansson, whose talents can also be heard on the Eden Fire single “Jailbreak” joined the ranks along with new drummer John Bengtsson. With a new and refined lineup, Sonic Syndicate has steamrolled into 2007 with full impact.  The band has joined forces with Nuclear Blast Records for their sophomore release, Only Inhuman, which is due out in May of 2007 and is expected to hit pop charts all across Europe.  The band is also scheduled to tour heavily in support of Only Inhuman such as appearances at Wacken Open Air, Gates of Metal, and Up From The Ground festivals this summer.

Eden Fire, first released in September 2005, is comprised of ten tracks broken down into three different segments. The praise for the band’s previous two EPs Black Lotus and Extinction was so high that the band felt it necessary to include the works on their debut release so that all the masses could get a chance to hear the material, since the EPs are now out of print. The songs were re-worked in order to meet the band’s new standards and the tracks were completely re-recorded along with three brand new tracks. The result is an album broken down into three segments each with a continuous theme/concept throughout its tracks.The album also features the operatic and soaring vocals of bassist Karin Axelsson on the track “Enhance My Nightmare.” The work on Eden Fire has been compared worldwide to works by bands such as In Flames, Children of Bodom, and Killswitch Engage.  Eden Fire received raving reviews from magazines from the United States all the way to Japan including everywhere in between.  Following the release of Eden Fire, Sonic Syndicate teamed up with Arise and Inevitable End for a Swedish tour which took all the bands to every major market city in Sweden and Sonic Syndicate was able to draw legions of fans to every gig, proving that the band’s much improved live show and lineup could withstand any live situation and still deliver their brilliance.

Coupled with Only Inhuman, Eden Fire is sure to surge in popularity and demand as a result of successive touring, a large budget advertising campaign across Europe and North America as well as mainstream radio play around the world.

Hardcore/Death/Horror

Italy’s horror-inspired extreme metal act STIGMA has struck again with its April 2010 sophomore release, Concerto for the Undead.   Fusing staccato and spastic guitar riffs with uncompromising breakdowns and lyrical themes revolving around zombies and terror, Concerto for the Undead defies any “core” branding, placing the quartet in a league of its own.

STIGMA began its conquest of the European metal scene in 2000, releasing two critically acclaimed EPs and appearing at Wacken Open Air and Metal Camp in addition to touring incessantly in their home country. After signing with USA-based record label Pivotal Rockordings, STIGMA recorded its debut effort When Midnight Strikes! which was released in early 2008.  The album praised by the media worldwide, with special accolades from Metal Hammer, Rock Hard, Kerrang! and Legacy magazines.  Following the release of When Midnight Strikes! STIGMA took its horror show on the road for seventy dates, conquering and captivating audiences at festivals and clubs across Europe.

STIGMA’s mission to supersede its contemporaries in brutality takes center stage in Concerto for the Undead.  Recorded at Fear Studio and produced by Bring Me the Horizon guitarist Jona Weinhofen, the album presents listeners with a crystal clear barrage of uncompromising and vertiginous riffing complemented by infectious gang shout choruses, relentless blast driven drumming and ferocious bass riffing.  Concerto for the Undead was mixed and mastered by Scott Atkins (Behemoth, Cradle of Filth, Sylosis) and features guest appearances by Jamie Hope (ex-THE RED SHORE) and Jon Hunt (ex-DEAD TO FALL).  Andrea Berton’s stunning artwork features comic illustrations of the band’s now patent horror themed lyrics.  Fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, Darkest Hour, Himsa, At the Gates and horror aficionados worldwide should be prepared for STIGMA’s Concerto for the Undead.

Melodic Death

Swedish death metal innovators ZONARIA are poised to dominate the ears of listeners worldwide with their highly anticipated debut, Infamy And The Breed .

ZONARIA first took form in 2002 under the leadership of guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist Simon Berglund along with axeman Emil Nyström (both were 15 at the time!) . After two years of playing gigs in and around their hometown of Umeå , the band recorded and released their Evolution Overdose demo. Following its release, the band went through a succession of member changes, which ended with the induction of  drummer Emanuel ”Cebbe” Isaksson and bassist Jerry Ekman (both at the ripe age of 17) in 2005. Meanwhile, the home-recorded Evolution Overdose demo -which showcased a unique style of traditional Swedish death metal tinged with black and doom metal influences ranging from HYPOCRISY and DIMMU BORGIR to ARCH ENEMY – was well received in the European underground and beyond, catching the attention of USA-based label Pivotal Rockordings who previously released albums by BLINDED COLONY and SONIC SYNDICATE (Now on Nuclear Blast Records).

In the spring of 2006, ZONARIA was ready to record new material, but this time, with professional assistance. Rendered In Vain, which  featured three new songs, was recorded at Dimrakk Studio in Umeå and was mixed and mastered by Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR SYMMETRY, ex-CARNAL FORGE) at Black Lodge Studios with the addition of guest vocals by Christian Älvestam (SCAR SYMMETRY, UNMOORED) on the track “Attending Annihilation.”  Continuing with the lyrical themes of  the apocalypse,  armageddon, and the inevitable demise of humanity, Rendered in Vain proved to be a momentous step forward for ZONARIA both lyrically and musically, selling out of stock as soon as copies could be pressed. ZONARIA hit the road shortly after, first pulling hundreds of fans to local gigs and then opening up for legendary Finnish black metallers IMPALED NAZARENE on a European tour.  Zonaria also shot a video for the song “Rendered In Vain” with Standard Film Team.

The year  2006 marked the band’s transition from local status to that of  internationally renown artists. The band was also  named the best Swedish Unsigned Artist in the prestigious Sweden Rock Magazine. Pivotal Rockordings signed ZONARIA in November 2006, and soon after the band entered Kabyss Studios with Per Nilsson (SCAR  SYMMETRY) and Jonas Kjellgren (SCAR  SYMMETRY) at  Black Lodge to begin the recording of their debut album, Infamy And The Breed.

Plans to tour in support of Infamy And The Breed are underway, along with brand new music videos. Containing such tracks as “The Armageddon Anthem,” “Descend Into Chaos,” and “Pandemic Assault,” ZONARIA‘s misanthropic medly of brutal riffs, melodic harmonies, maniacal drumming, and ominous synth lines is fully showcased on this  debut masterwork. You have been warned…time has come to an end!