epica – Page 2 – Nine Circles

CANTO: Epica, Confusion Master, Fueled By Fire, and More

Happy Monday, all. News looks a little tame out there today, but I’m sure we can whip something up.

And since I fiercely need a post-work beer, we’ll start with Epica, who have teamed up with Kazematten Brewery for the release of Epica Beer. The name isn’t super creative, sure, but the signature lager does sound pretty damn refreshing right now.
German doom metal collective Confusion Master has set November 19th as the release date of their sophomore album, Haunted. That will be out through Exile On Mainstream, and you can check out a teaser for the new album at this location.
Kły, the atmospheric black metal project out of Poland, are releasing their third album, Chen, during the fall equinox (September 22nd). It will be available through Pagan Records as a CD and digitally, with a vinyl release sometime early in the new year, because… duh.
And we’ll close with the new video from Los Angeles thrashers Fueled By Fire, for “Bloodshed”. That marks their first new material since 2013, so be sure to pick up Past…Present…No Future…Part 1, the first in a pair of two-song 7-inch releases.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

It’s pouring out, and I still need to go for a run, but I am happy tomorrow is Friday.

Dunk!festival is going virtual for 2021, and will feature the likes of Amenra, Brutus, B R I Q U E V I L L E, and many more. The online edition takes place the weekend of May 13th (which is a Thursday, but you know what I mean). Even better news… the event is free!
Vildhjarta premiered a new track today, titled “När De Du Älskar Kommer Tillbaka Fran De Döda”. If I planned it right, it premiered less than an hour prior to this posting. That one is out through Century Media, and will be available on all streaming platforms tomorrow.
Epica have announced “Ωmega Alive”, their first universal streaming event. That is, obviously, in support of their new album, and is scheduled for June 12th. Get your tickets and merch bundles here. And if you need help making a decision, you can also check out this trailer.
Vulture is dropping a new album on May 21st titled Dealin’ Death, and today they released a new video for “Star-Crossed City”, taken from that album. The album will be out through Metal Blade, and the video is available for your viewing pleasure immediately below.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

What’s everyone drinking tonight? I’m curious.

The latest installment from Wode, titled Burn In Many Mirrors, drops on April 2nd through 20 Buck Spin, and pre-orders are up for digital and physical formats. More importantly, at least terms of today’s relevance, they dropped a new track called “Fire In The Hills”, and it is expectedly awesome.
Big | Brave have a new LP coming soon. Vital will be released on CD and digitally on April 23rd, with a vinyl format following on July 9th, from Southern Lord. For a glimpse into what’s to come, check out the video for “Half Breed”. It’s a Friday, so there are new videos to share all over the place, but make sure this one is on your list.
Oceans has a new EP scheduled for an April 30th release through Nuclear Blast, titled We Are Nøt Okay, and today they released a video for the title-track. Andy Dörner of Caliban jumped in to provide some vocals on that one, which is pretty cool.
And lastly, this has been coming for awhile, today is the official release date for Ωmega, the latest studio album from symphonic metal legends Epica. To celebrate the album’s arrival, they’ve also released a new music video for “Skeleton Key”, which has been embedded immediately below. Check it out.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

My tape collection is growing at a rapid rate, a trend I did not anticipated this time last year.

For those that like keeping up with all things Epica, they revealed a new vlog entry today. This episode, titled “From Alpha to Omega”, is the 15th installment and falls just a few days before the release date of Ωmega. That album is officially out Friday through Nuclear Blast.
Remember that lineup announcement from Scardust last week? If so, you probably remember the hints of an upcoming live performance. Well, we have those details to share today. It will be a live streamed event, titled “Breaking The Ice”, and it’s scheduled for March 8th.
Greek prog metal band Calyces dropped a new in-studio session, “Live at Studio U217”. The tracks performed in that clip are all taken from Impulse to Soar, which you can check out here.
Tombs dropped a new music video for “Secrets of the Black Sun”, and that sounds like the perfect way to wrap up the day. Of course, that one is taken from 2020’s Under Sullen Skies, an awesome album start to finish, available through Season of Mist.

“Ein Bier… bitte.”
– cmb

I have re-injected so many albums this week. It’s been great.

French death metal crew Agressor have released three new live videos, in celebration of the release of The Order of Chaos box set. Check out the clips for “When Darkness”, “Deathreat”, and “Warrior Heart” right here.
Epica dropped a bass playthrough for the recently released new single “Free – The Wolves Within”. That track is taken from Omega, which will be out on February 26th through Nuclear Blast.
Ola Englund, the Swedish guitarist associated with Six Feet Under, The Haunted, and more, is releasing his second solo album in early 2021. It will be titled Starzinger and pre-orders are available here.
Mora Prokaza premiered a new video today for “Madonna”, a track taken from By Chance, which was released earlier this year through Season of Mist. You can snag the album here, and watch the video below.