ALBUM REVIEW: Black Orchid Empire – Tempus Veritas


 

Prog metal trio Black Orchid Empire crank up the technical complexity and again display their playing chops on Tempus Veritas (Season Of Mist). While there is a certain schizophrenia at play here, a clash of styles, if not intent, it has to be said that when these London-based boys (Paul Visser – vocals/guitars, Dave Ferguson – bass/vocals, and Billy Freedom – drums) are good, they are very good.

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PODCAST: Episode 251: The Steve and Keefy Power Hour, April 2023 Edition


Time for another edition of The Steve and Keefy Power Hour! Senior Editor Steve Tovey joins Chief Editor Keefy, recapping March 2023 Rock and Metal Releases and previewing April’s essential new heavy music! Two white guys and music nerds pontificate on the music you love. Also, will we have new music soon from Ghost, Slipknot, Foo Fighters, and Iron Maiden? Shoutout to our amazing team of reviewers worldwide. Also, also, RIP Mat Davies as always. Hosted by Ojaay!

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Black Orchid Empire to Host Listening Party for “Semaphore” Album Today


UK prog metallers Black Orchid Empire will drop their new album, Semaphore, tomorrow June 12th, 2020 via Long Branch Records. The band will host and exclusive listening party/hang out on a Zoom call tonight at 8 PM (GMT time) just for their fans. You can get the call-in details at the links below. Their new album is amazing and stay tuned for our interview with the band soon. Continue reading


Amplified Festival Books Jinjer, Conan, Flotsam And Jetsam, Memoriam, And More


Eric A.K. of Flotsam And Jetsam

Amplified Festival rolled out a series of major final lineup announcement today over social media, for the 2019 edition of the fest. Headliners and support acts such as Conan, Flotsam And Jetsam, Memoriam, Jinjer have been added, with a full list below. Tickets are on sale now! Continue reading


Mushroomhead, Lawnmower Deth, Byzantine, The Bad Flowers, Collibus Announced For Amplified Fest 2019


Amplified Festival 2019 made a major announcement of major bands to play next years festival. Taking place from 19th-21st July 2019. At Quarrydowns, Gloucestershire UK, the fest has announced Mushroomhead as their main stage headliner on 20 July 2019. Also announced are Lawnmower Deth, Idiom, Bloodshot Dawn, The Bad Flowers, Ryders Creed, Those Damn Crows, Rocket Dolls, Black Bullets, Lotus Eater, Esprit D’air, Mortishead, Trc, Seething Akira, Hightown Parade and Awakening Hyperia on the main stage. More bands and ticket info have also been released as seen below. Early Bird Tickets will be on sale until midnight on Halloween. Still to be announced are mainstage headliners for Friday and Sunday, as well as closing bands for the other stages. Continue reading


Black Orchid Empire – Yugen


Black Orchid Empire’s Yugen (Long Branch/SVT) is a slick new spin on the sounds Heavy Metal people love. The opening song, ‘My Favorite Stranger’ is a headbanging gem, evokes shades of NIN, Tool, and Primal Rock Rebellion. The guitars have a heavy soulful tone to them one moment and a classic rock sound to them the next, all of this is accentuated by clean vocals. The trio is Paul Visser on vocals and guitars, Dave Ferguson on bass and vocals, and Billy Freedom on drums, bringing the thunder.

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