Latest News
FINLAND’S SHADE OF SORROW SIGN TO M-THEORY AUDIO
We are pleased to announce that Finnish melodic death metal newcomer SHADE OF SORROW are the latest talent to collaborate with M-Theory Audio and we look forward to the completion of their debut album.
The one-man project is spearheaded by multi-instrumentalist Mika Kankainen, the former drummer of Finnish bands WWOC, Soul Terror, and Warceremony. With SHADE OF SORROW, Mika plays all instruments including drums, bass, guitar, keyboard, while also handling vocals showcasing his immense talent and virtuosity.
"My dream came true as M- Theory Audio contacted me and proposed a collaboration with Shade of Sorrow,” explains Mika. “I know they have a huge amount of professional experience in the field of music business, and I really think that the company has a heartful purpose of lifting promising bands and music up for the masses. Needless to say, I´m super stoked about this collaboration and will make sure that we will get a hell of a debut album to release! There is a lot of passion, big dreams and a huge work ethic behind this project and I’m really looking forward for the future release and collaboration with M-Theory Audio!”
The genesis of this band started back in 2017 when demo songs were sent to friend and collaborator Tuomas Saukkonen (Wolfheart, Before the Dawn, Dawn of Solace, etc.) who promptly agreed to produce. Fast forward to 2020, their busy schedules finally lined up and they went into the studio to record the first two SHADE OF SORROW songs -- “No Return” and “Fabricated Hope,” each receiving glowing reviews. Both songs were recorded, mixed and mastered by Esa Uusimaa (Wolfheart, Rain of Acid, Crowen) with vocals produced by Juha Kylmanen (Full Nothing, For My Pain…) from Whiteleaf Studios. Those two songs were then followed up by a stand-alone digital single “Meteor” in 2022, which Tuomas from Wolfheart played some acoustic guitar on. Videos were made for all 3 songs, with a highlight being “No Return,” which gives you a great taste of what’s to come and can be seen HERE.
All 3 songs will be available on the forthcoming full-length release, along with 6 new ones once again produced by Saukkonen.
More information on SHADE OF SORROW and the upcoming album release will be revealed later this year at facebook.com/shadeofsorrow and by M-Theory Audio.
IMMORTAL GUARDIAN New Single “Roots Run Deep” includes guest vocals from Ralf Scheepers
5th new song and music video released from the Power/Progressive Metal band’s upcoming new album
Hotly anticipated Power/Progressive Metal band IMMORTAL GUARDIAN continue building the anticipation for their next opus, sporadically issuing new material as it completes as we head towards a late summer release of the band’s full album. Today the group unveils “Roots Run Deep” along with a corresponding music video. To heighten the experience the group has enlisted the services of famed vocalist Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, ex-Gamma Ray) who guests alongside IMMORTAL GUARDIAN singer Carlos Zema.
Recording independently and remotely the quartet is assembling the follow-up to 2021’s successful ‘Psychosomatic’ track-by-track and sharing the material as it completes, along with visually captivating music videos, that again the self-contained group produce themselves. Check out “Roots Run Deep” on all streaming/download services, or watch the clip, which also includes Ralf, HERE.
“This Super Metal style song brings together the powerful vocals of Mr. Scheepers with Immortal Guardian’s signature sound to create an epic and inspiring anthem,” explains Carlos. “’Roots Run Deep’ takes us on a journey back to a time when we were all united, before our differences and conflicts divided us. It reminds us that we all share a common history, and that as a society we must learn to survive the separations and unite to conquer. With a message of hope, unity, and perseverance, ‘Roots Run Deep’ encourages us to make the world a better place. So let us embrace our shared history and let this song inspire us to make a positive change in the world. Thank you for watching this powerful and inspiring video.”
“’Roots Run Deep’ is about the levels of today’s division. Black and white, religion vs religion, left vs right, rich and poor, war and peace, etc.,” further explains guitarist/keyboardist Gabriel Guardian. “The world is so divided right now and what we want more than ever is unity. This song is about putting our differences aside and remembering that we are all humans just trying to survive. We all just want a happy life, and that would be more likely to happen if we all just agreed to disagree and respect each other and celebrate the things that make us all so different and unique.”
Heavy topics are not unfamiliar to Immortal Guardian whose previous album focused on the Covid pandemic, likely the first full album to be thematically linked to the disease and its effect on the globe and its people. In the past year, Immortal Guardian have revealed four other brand-new songs including “Perfect Person,” “Ozona,” “Echoes” and “Southern Rain” forming a basis for their next conceptual piece, ‘Unite and Conquer.’ The band will continue to share new material as the creative process proceeds building up to a new full-length album planned for late summer 2023. Watch for pre-orders soon for CDs and limited color vinyl variants. More info will be released by Immortal Guardian and M-Theory Audio in the weeks and months to follow. https://www.facebook.com/igmetal/
SCARDUST ANNOUNCED AS SPECIAL GUEST ON BLIND GUARDIAN TOUR
We are thrilled to announce that Progressive Metal Group SCARDUST have been confirmed as the special guest on this fall’s forthcoming BLIND GUARDIAN European tour.
"It's an incredible honour for us to be chosen to join the legendary Blind Guardian on the first leg of their ‘The God Machine’ tour around Europe,” states SCARDUST singer Noa Gruman. “We'll be playing lots of our favourites from ‘Strangers’ and ‘Sands of Time’ but you can expect some new music too. See you on the road in September or October... and don't forget to come and say hi!"
“Progressive metal from Israel meets timeless metal from Germany, what could be better?” asks BLIND GUARDIAN. “Rocking the stage on tour from 22nd of September until the 4th of October. We are very excited and can't wait to go on tour with them.”
The dates beginning in September will be the first chance to see BLIND GUARDIAN on tour since 2019, and the very first time to see SCARDUST on a major European tour. Get tickets for the tour HERE
Sept. 22 – Garage – Saarbrucken, Germany
Sept. 23 – Batschkapp – Frankfurt, Germany
Sept. 25 – A2 - Wroclaw, Poland
Sept. 26 – Progresja – Warsaw (Breslau), Poland
Sept. 28 – Huxley’s - Berlin, Germany
Sept. 29 – Leiderhalle Beet. – Stuttgart, Germany
Sept. 30 – Stadthalle - Lichtenfels, Germany
Oct. 2- E-Werk - Koln, Germany
Oct. 3 – Alcatraz – Milan, Italy
Oct. 4 – Atlantico – Rome, Italy
SCARDUST have played major European festivals, like Wacken Open Air, Metal Days, Dong Open Air and the UK’s Ramblin’ Man Fair and smaller sporadic club shows including those alongside countrymen Walkways. The quintet has consistently and organically developed a following and reputation, working for the opportunity to support a major band across European stages.
Recently SCARDUST released a standalone project whereby the group created a medley of Disney Princess songs in elaborate metal fashion, including a one-shot performance music video. Watch now HERE.
SCARDUST’s last album, ‘Strangers,’ was released in late 2020 and despite the world’s Covid setback the Israeli quintet persevered through the challenges presented to them and recorded and released a phenomenal effort described by Dead Rhetoric as “captivating from start to finish.” Their sophomore record, ‘Strangers,’ presented a unique concept album built of complementary song pairs working from the outside in resulting in something fresh which received strong critical and fan approval. Seven music videos were presented in support of the release, including their collaboration with PATTY GURDY on “Concrete Cages”
Both of SCARDUST’s albums, ‘Strangers’ and ‘Sands of Time,’ are available on all streaming/download platforms, as well as CD and Vinyl so check your local stores or order direct from our webstore, Bandcamp or various other online retailers.
Singer Noa Gruman is also recognized as a verifiable talent and has also been a featured guest lead vocalist on albums from noteworthy artists including Therion, Amorphis, Orphaned Land, Gloryhammer, Mike LePond, Winterhorde, and Subterranean Masquerade.
Blackened Progressive Metal Group VINTERSEA Return with “At the Gloaming Void”
On Tour with MOONSPELL in May
Eagerly awaited VINTERSEA make their return with “At the Gloaming Void,” a brand-new offering from the Portland-based outfit. It marks the first new music since their notable 2019 release, ‘Illuminated,’ an album that turned many heads and remains a favorite for fans and a consistent seller for the M-Theory label. As always, the band’s commitment and vision towards their art is fully enhanced by another top-notch production video, handled by bassist Karl Whinnery, which debuts today on the band’s YouTube channel HERE “At the Gloaming Void” is also available now as a digital single on all streaming and download platforms HERE.
“After three years of touring, writing, and recording, we couldn't be happier to be back with ‘At the Gloaming Void.’ This song represents everything that excites us about our upcoming album - it is ferocious, heavy, fast, and unrelenting, but still touches on deeper emotions and a sense of beauty,” states guitarist Riley Nix. “We hope that you all have as much fun listening to the song, watching the video, and sharing them with your friends as we did making them!”
“At the Gloaming Void” is the first taste of the highly anticipated new album from VINTERSEA. Set for a May 5th album release, the album coordinates perfectly with the group’s tour that begins the same day with Portugal’s famed gothic metal band MOONSPELL, joined by Swedish symphonic metal act ELEINE and Texas’ Progressive OCEANS OF SLUMBER.
Tour w/Moonspell, Eleine, Oceans of Slumber
05.05 - Houston TX - Scout Bar
05.06 - San Antonio TX - Paper Tiger
05.07 - Dallas TX - Trees
05.08 - Sante Fe NM - Tumbleroot Brewing
05.09 - Phoenix AZ - Last Exit Live
05.10 - Los Angeles CA - 1720
05.11 - San Diego CA - Brick By Brick
05.12 - San Francisco CA - DNA Lounge
05.13 - Portland OR - Bossanova Ballroom
05.14 - Vancouver BC - The Cobalt
The forthcoming effort was once again engineered by Gabe Johnston (Devin Townsend, Underoath, Moonsorrow), and this time mixed by the team of Carson Slovak and Grant McFarland (Rivers of Nihil, Lorna Shore, Black Crown Initiate) with mastering duties handled by Troy Glessner (Unto Others, Silver Talon).