Delain Releases Video For "We Are The Others"

Dutch symphonic metal masters DELAIN have released an official video for the title track of their third and most massive album to date, We Are The Others, which was released earlier this year in North America via Sensory Records and in Europe via CNR Entertainment. The lyrics to “We Are The Others” were inspired by the hate crime against a British girl named Sophie Lancaster in 2007. She and her boyfriend were beaten comatose by a gang of youths, because of their Goth looks, and Sophie later died from her injuries. This tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Commented DELAIN vocalist Charlotte Wessels: "Sophie's story hit close to home for us, being part of a subculture ourselves but it's in no way an individual case; people are discriminated against — all the time, to the point of violence — based on their cultural or ethnic background everywhere. ’We Are The Others' is our own 'outsiders anthem' for everybody who, deliberately or not, diverts from the norm. Whether it's by looking different, acting different, or choosing a different path in life then is expected from you."

View the new “We Are The Others” video, stream the North American version of the entire album and more now AT THIS LOCATION.

We Are The Others is an album littered with concepts in every aspect, from lyrically bridging fantasy with reality and actual events in history, to the steampunk-influenced cover art created by noted pop surrealist Glenn Arthur. DELAIN enlisted a massive production team for the recording, including Jacob Hellner (Rammstein, Apocalyptica), Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikstrom (Scorpions, Backyard Babies), bringing every element of the album to life. As always fronted by the soaring, vibrant vocals of Charlotte Wessels and drenched in the glorious keyboard passages of band founder ex-Within Temptation keyboardist, Martijn Westerholt, We Are The Others boasts twelve of the most epic DELAIN hymns to date, with the North American version containing four additional live bonus tracks exclusive to this pressing.

"...these tunes are really damn catchy. For the most part, they stick to the same crunchy midtempo template, but they reinforce the formula with giant hooks. 8/10" - Outburn

"Addictive songwriting with the right balance of catchiness, Delain could out maneuver Within Temptation based on this output. 8/10" - Blistering

"...a solid modern symphonic metal album and it may be Delain’s best album to date." - About.com

"...We Are The Others finds the band on a continuing course of symphonic metal, but with a refreshing injection of rock groove and accessibility. 4/5" - Dangerdog Music Reviews

"...one of the strongest records in this vein of metal to come out in a really long time... It’s catchy, atmospheric, cathartic and soulful, without being generic and watered down or saturated in pretentious synth-nymphomania... 8/10" - Axis Of Metal

http://www.delain.nl

http://www.facebook.com/delainmusic

http://www.lasersedgegroup.com/sensory.html

https://www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge

Voyager: Prog Metal Wizards Release Fan-Filmed Video

Western Australia’s progressive metal practitioners VOYAGER have unveiled a brand new fan-driven video for their track “Seize The Day,” one of the most charging anthems on their acclaimed full-length, The Meaning Of I, released in November 2011 via New Jersey-based Sensory Records.

Using a collection of smartphone recordings from fans on March 2nd in their hometown of Perth, Western Australia and from fans from across the globe, VOYAGER have put together the best footage submitted by these fans, to create this unique piece of music video creativity. Check out the awesome video and an informative statement about the creation of the video by director Ben Berkhout AT THIS LOCATION.

Following the release of The Meaning Of I, VOYAGER have been touring heavily in support of the brilliant album. In addition to previous national touring across Australia with Children of Bodom, a short US tour with labelmates Creation’s End including Progpower USA Festival, a full North American tour with Rhapsody of Fire and more, VOYAGER now confirm a new set of dates across their home country again this November.

VOYAGER The MEANING OF I Tour:

11/01/2012 Hamilton Station Hotel – Newcastle

11/02/2012 Sandringham Hotel – Sydney @ Steel Assasins Festival

11/03/2012 The Patch – Wollongong @ Perpetual Tides Festival

11/04/2012 Lucky Australian Tavern – West Sydney @ Westfest

11/08/2012 TBA

11/09/2012 The Workers Club – Melbourne

11/10/2012 The Basement – Canberra @ BastardFest

"...We’re now officially past the point where Voyager was the best-kept secret in progressive metal. 9.5/10" - Hardrock Haven

"There are so many little nuances going on on in every song that it makes this a treat to listen to... Definite top five contender of the year. 9.5/10" - Hellbound

"...an amazing album without a single dull moment anywhere in its entirety. 9.5/10" - Metal Delirium

"...the overarching theme is a simple underlying motif: very catchy melodic rock, and sometimes bordering on metal, in enigmatic prog wrapper. 5/5" - Dangerdog Music Reviews

"This album proves the heart of the genre still lies in experimentation honed down to cohesive, memorable songs. 8/10" - Blistering

"The Meaning of I is another winner from the band and Sensory, so if you are a progressive metal fan this one needs to be on your immediate radar. 4/5" - Sea of Tranquility

".. these guys are one of the big strongpoints of modern prog metal. 4/5" - Ytsejam

http://www.voyager-australia.com

http://www.facebook.com/voyageraustralia

http://www.lasersedgegroup.com

Delain: Epic Metal Troupe's Third LP To See North American

Dutch symphonic metal troupe DELAIN have announced the details of their upcoming third full-length studio effort, We Are The Others, now confirmed for North American release this Summer via New Jersey-based top-tier progressive metal label Sensory Records, while CNR Entertainment will handle the release in The Netherlands and Roadrunner Records will handle the rest of Europe.

The follow-up to DELAIN's worldwide critically-acclaimed sophomore album April Rain -- also released via the same Roadrunner/Sensory partnership in 2009 -- We Are The Others broadcasts the band's epic brand of metal bigger than ever, as always fronted by the soaring, vibrant vocals of Charlotte Wessels and drenched in the glorious keyboard passages of band founder ex-Within Temptation keyboardist, Martijn Westerholt.

Comprised of twelve brand new anthems, We Are The Others is an album littered with concepts in every aspect, from lyrically bridging fantasy with reality and actual events in history, to the steampunk-influenced cover art created by noted pop surrealist Glenn Arthur. DELAIN enlisted a massive production team for the recording, including Jacob Hellner (Rammstein, Apocalyptica), Fredrik Thomander and Anders Wikstrom (Scorpions, Backyard Babies), bringing every element of the album to life. The band met Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell at Wacken Open Air, which resulted in a guest appearance on the album. Sensory's special North American digipak edition features four additional live bonus tracks exclusive to this pressing. View the cover art for We Are The Others and more AT THIS LOCATION.

Originally conceived by Westerholt as an all-star studio project, the immediate success of the debut album Lucidity quickly saw DELAIN evolving into a full-blown band. The immediate impact of Lucidity put Delain on tour, and as an instant live sensation across Europe, the band’s popularity continued to grow with the release of their second album April Rain. The band found themselves on tour throughout Europe, the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, with some of the highlights of said touring including festival performances at Wacken Open Air, Sonisphere, Lowlands, ProgPower USA, and Hellfest. As the band’s popularity grew they evolved from a support act for Kamelot and Epica into full fledged headliners across Europe.

Stay tuned as DELAIN unveil more new info on the new album as well as tour dates across the planet over the months ahead.

We Are The Others Track Listing [North American version]:

1. Mother Machine

2. Electricity

3. We Are The Others

4. Milk And Honey

5. Hit Me With Your Best Shot

6. I Want You

7. Where Is The Blood (feat. Burton C. Bell)

8. Generation Me

9. Babylon

10. Are You Done With Me

11. Get The Devil Out Of Me

12. Not Enough

13. The Gathering (live)

14. Control The Storm (live)

15. Shattered (live)

16. Sleepwalkers Dream (live)

DELAIN lineup:

Charlotte Wessels - vocals (ex-To Elysium, ex-Infernorama)

Martijn Westerholt - keyboards (ex-Within Temptation)

Otto Schimmelpenninck van der Oije - bass (ex-Detonation)

Timo Somers - guitars (ex-Vengeance)

Sander Zoer - drums (ex-Nemesea)

http://www.delain.nl

http://www.facebook.com/delainmusic

http://www.lasersedgegroup.com/sensory.html

https://www.facebook.com/TheLasersEdge

Diablo Swing Orchestra To Release New Album Stateside

Sweden's eclectic metal troupe DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA will peak the curiosity of North American masses through the release of their third full-length, Pandora's Piñata, May 22nd via Sensory Records, with Candlelight Records handling the album in Europe.

An eclectic mash up of metal, opera, swing jazz, tango, and spaghetti western soundtrack, the music DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA creates is unlike that of any other group on the planet. The message of DSO has expanded its way through an incredibly devout fanbase developed over years of infiltrating viral markets dominated by open-minded musical thrill seekers, in addition to prominent live gigs on several continents over recent years, and fans of their incredibly unique, technical, ambidextrous groove are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pandora's Piñata.

DSO have released a visual trailer for the album utilizing "Voodoo Mon Amour," the opening track to the maze of Pandora’s Piñata, the track displaying the obvious and incredible talent of the outfit. CHECK IT OUT HERE.

The follow-up album to their acclaimed 2009-released Sing Along Songs For The Damned And Delirious, also released via Sensory, Pandora’s Piñata finds DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA expanded into a massive eight-piece lineup, with the permanent addition of two horn players. The new album is a smörgåsbord of different levels of musical insanity building on the foundation laid down on their previous album. And as always the musical mayhem is fronted by the glass shattering voice of Annlouice Loegdlund, a metal queen at night but a trained opera singer by day, her incredibly infectious and professional range setting the rest of the incredibly layered tunes alive with vibrant flames of originality. The theme of the album follows the seven cardinal sins that one can imagine falling out of this like-no-other-audio-visual-piñata. The story is also followed up in the artwork which as usual has been created by the band’s bass player Anders Johansson. For the third time the band collaborated with renowned Swedish illustrator Peter Bergting to create the album cover. Featuring over fifty minutes of brand new material sure to enlighten, empower, and likely even confuse the everyday metal fan, Pandora’s Piñata is undoubtedly an album that most any fan of extreme musical experimentation should experience.

The upcoming year will find DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA creating disturbances on stages around the world, beginning with a tour of Latin America in May and June with a European trek and much more to follow.

Pandora’s Piñata Track Listing:

1. Voodoo Mon Amour

2. Guerrilla Laments

3. Kevlar Sweethearts

4. How To Organize A Lynch Mob

5. Black Box Messiah

6. Exit Strategy Of A Wrecking Ball

7. Aurora

8. Mass Rapture

9. Honey Trap Aftermath

10. Of Kali Ma Calibre

11. Justice For Saint Mary

DIABLO SWING ORCHESTRA Latin American Tour Dates:

5/24/2012 La Quinta - Caracas, Venezuela

5/25/2012 Teatro Matacandelas - Medellin, Colombia

5/27/2012 Ozzy Bar - Bogota, Colombia

5/29/2012 Inferno Club - São Paulo, Brazil

5/30/2012 Salon Reducci - Buenos Aires, Argentina

6/01/2012 Circo Volador Mexico City, Mexico

6/02/2012 Calle 2 - Guadalajara, Mexico

Recording Musicians For Pandora's Piñata:

Annlouice Loegdlund — Lead Vocals

Daniel Håkansson — Vocals & Guitars

Pontus Mantefors — Guitars, Vocals, Synthesizers & Effects

Daniel Hedin — Trombone & Backing Vocals

Anders Johansson — Bass

Martin Isaksson — Trumpet & Backing Vocals

Johannes Bergion — Cello & Backing Vocals

Petter Karlsson — Drums & Percussion

Additional Musicians For Pandora's Piñata:

Diana Lewtak — Violin

Erika Risinger — Violin & Viola

Emilia Wareborn — Viola

Michael Carlqvist — Double Bass

Anna Melander — Flute

Lucy Rugman — Clarinet

Ekaterina Skidanova — Oboe

Elisabeth Jansson — Horn

Wictor Lind — Timpani & Percussion

Oskar Reuter — Mandolin

Live Setup As Of 2012:

Annlouice Loegdlund — Lead Vocals

Daniel Håkansson — Vocals & Guitars

Pontus Mantefors — Guitars, Vocals, Synthesizers & Effects

Daniel Hedin — Trombone & Backing Vocals

Anders Johansson — Bass

Martin Isaksson — Trumpet & Backing Vocals

Johannes Bergion — Cello & Backing Vocals

Johan Norbäck — Drums

http://diabloswing.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Diablo-Swing-Orchestra/61680950315

http://www.lasersedgegroup.com/sensory.html

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Lasers-Edge-Group/176127959010

Cd Review: Haken - Visions

Ok, some have called this a Prog-Metal album. So I think I should start this review out by saying this is more on the heavier side of Prog-Rock than it is Metal. Don't be expecting Nevermore, Symphony X, or even Dream Theater here or you will be very disappointed. Of course since it is a Prog release the vocals are abysmal. Notice how there are a very small few bands that ever make it big playing Prog-Metal? I seriously do not think it is because of the playing. Notice how the big names I mentioned all have pretty solid singers? Am I the only one who notices these things?

Anyways, onto this release. The playing is as Prog-Nerd as it gets. If you know who the label Sensory is, you know what to expect. This is Status quo Sensory stuff. Which of course it is far from Status quo outside the walls of that label. If you love the three big names I have already mentioned above, you should start hunting down some Sensory stuff. Remember when you could buy a cd just off of what label it came from? Sensory is one of those kind of labels. If you love this type of stuff, just go buy all their stuff.

Now see, there I went again. I said I would talk about this specific release and I went off on a tangent again. Ok, sure those tangents were on purpose to prove a point, but if I wasn't so tired from listening to this release I would have probably found a better way to say this. This cd is boring as hell. When my wife went to bed I had way too much energy so I decided to stay up and review some cd's. Then this thing came on and I started getting very tired very quickly. Prog can be very exciting and most people miss that. But Prog can also be very boring. Even the great classical composers had their compositions filled with dynamics. They would fill them with highs and lows. When Shakespeare wrote his plays he made sure there was an equal balance of comedy and tragedy. Hell, even Michael Bay has quiet parts in his movies to go along with all the damn explosions! This cd is a few steps away from being one of those flute cd's you can get at the store your wife buys all those scented candles at.

Sure the playing is done by very amazing players. The songs are just boring. They need someone in the band to wake them up and write some stuff that grabs your attention and makes you stand up and say "Holy crap!" After I was so excited about reviewing this cd from the artwork I must say I am very disappointed. But like I said, if you are into really Proggy stuff you might not find it so boring. Myself, I might keep it around for when the insomnia is getting out of control.