Terra Atlantica
Terra Atlantica was founded in December 2014 by singer Tristan Harders and drummer Nico Hauschildt, who knew each other from a former project. Both could finally fulfil their dream of playing in a classic Power Metal Band in the vein of their idols like Edguy, Avantasia or Rhapsody. They completed their crew with bassist Nick and guitarist Mike. Quickly, the idea of singing about the saga of Atlantis and other nautical myths developed and the first album ‘A City Once Divine’ was written. Catchy choruses, polyphone vocals and epic orchestration became of great importance to the band. The debut record was released in 2017, along with the video to the all-time favorite ‘Atlantica’. In the following years they played some bigger shows with bands like Majesty, Stormwarrior, Grailknights or Victorius. Over time there were some changes made to the line-up, causing the second album to become a solo effort by Harders and Hauschildt for the most part. Recordings started in 2018 and took place at Tonlabor/ HAW, in Hamburg, Germany mainly. Furthermore, the crew is complete again with Julian Prüfer on bass and Freddie Akkermann on guitar. “Age Of Steam” will now be released on August 14th, 2020 via German label Pride & Joy Music and once again offers a lyrical concept. The fictional story continues the saga of Atlantis and takes place in the 19th century. Atlantis arises again and, with its advanced technologies, heralds the start of the Industrial Revolution. The British Empire feels menaced by this new power and, by an act of treason, tries to eliminate the new rival in the fight for domination on the seven seas. The orchestral arrangements again come courtesy of guitarist/singer Alex Hunzinger (Aeternitas) from Lübeck, Germany. Singer Oleg Rudych (Magistarium) and Gabriel Tuxen (Seven Thorns) appear as guests. Mix and mastering was handled by Marc Wüstenhagen (guitars, Thunder And Lightning) from Berlin; the cover artwork was created by Dusan Marcovic (Dragony, Symphonity). Releases on Pride & Joy Music: – Age Of Steam (2020) – Beyond The Borders (2022)
Domination Black
DOMINATION BLACK have come a long way since their formation in 2003. After releasing their first two albums in 2005 and 2006 with their first line-up they already had started steering into a more melodic direction with their MCD „The Haunting“ in 2008. In 2009, however, original vocalist Kari Killgast left the band. About half a year later, DOMINATION BLACK found a new frontman in person of Matias Palm (Merging Flare, Heavy Metal Perse) and started recording their 3rd album „Dimension: Death“ which was then released in 2012. It truly was a step into a new melodic sound and received raving reviews all over the place. Supporting the album, the band toured in Finland, Sweden, Romania and Russia. The year 2014 saw DOMINATION BLACK releasing their new single „Master Of Deception“ and visiting Estonia for the first time. Since then, there was a break for a couple of years until the band finally started demoing songs for their next full-length album. But this also meant that some changes needed to be made. Along came new drummer Ville Nissinen (formerly of ID: Exorcist) and guitarist Juuso Laitinen (Deathproof). The recordings were finally started in summer 2018 with the new energy. The group also played some gigs to introduce their new line-up to the audience. Now, DOMINATION BLACK are ready to release their new album “Judgement IV”. The band has also shot a music video for the song „Center Of The Universe“ which will be released soon. The record was produced by DOMINATION BLACK and mainly recorded at Äänilaitos Studio, Kotka by J-P Pusa and Juuso Elminen. Vocals were recorded at Sonic Pump Studios in Helsinki by Eero Kaukomies, and bass tracks & acoustic guitars and some lead guitars were recorded by Matias Palm in Helsinki. The mixing and mastering was handled by Saku Moilanen. Releases on Pride & Joy Music: – Judgement IV (2020)
Jet Jaguar
JET JAGUAR was formed in 2014 and hails from Cancun, a city located in the Mayan region of Mexico. The band’s name was inspired by the Jaguar, a sacred animal for the Mayan civilization and for the areas inhabited by the Mayans. In early 2016, their “Zero Hour” EP was released. The title track and their first Spanish song “Rompiendo el Acero” have become fan favorites. 2017 was a busy year for JET JAGUAR. This year saw them tour Mexico twice (for a total of 35 dates). The group also embarked on their first European tour across Germany, Belgium, The Netherlands, Poland, Hungary and Romania. JET JAGUAR received worldwide recognition by being the first Hispanic-American band to ever win the Wacken Open Air Metal Battle in Germany in August 2017. In 2018 JET JAGUAR performed in Mexico City at the biggest metal festival in Latin America, “Corona Hell and Heaven”, alongside acts such as Ozzy Osbourne, Deep Purple, the Scorpions, Judas Priest and Megadeth. They also performed at “Tecate Mexico Metal Fest“ and had their first gig at the Lunario del Auditorio Nacional (Mexico City). JET JAGUAR kicked off 2019 with performing at the biggest festival in Costa Rica “Grito Latino Fest”. Currently, JET JAGUAR is planning the release of their debut album “Endless Nights”, which will see the light on July 17th, 2020 on German Heavy Metal label Pride & Joy Music. Future plans include touring throughout Mexico, Europe and Latin America in support of the album. Releases on Pride & Joy Music: – Endless Nights 2020
Operus
OPERUS‘ world class performance style is a cross breed of a metal band with the dramatic performance of theatre that come together to produce a unique sound and thrilling live show. Formed by six professional musicians, OPERUS‘ depth comes from the vast musical experience each member brings with them. From extensive studio time, to worldwide performances in metal bands, Symphonic/chamber orchestras and the stages of musical theatre. OPERUS has come for all metalheads and music lovers around the globe. The combined musical knowledge in OPERUS comes from decades of intense dedication to music with University and Masters Degrees, Royal Conservatory of Music certifications and first-hand experience from performing live across North and South America, Europe, and Asia. These experiences from the band members include well known ensembles such as Trans-Siberian Orchestra (Robin Howe), Annihilator (Oscar Rangel), Vital Remains (Dean Paul Arnold), Skull Fist (J.J. Tartaglia), Eclipse Eternal (Wojciech Sokolowski), and leading roles in professional theatrical productions such as Jukebox Hero and Beauty & the Beast (David Michael Moote). OPERUS has brought their world class performance to such great stages as Wacken in Germany and Force Fest in Mexico in addition to opening for power metal heavy hitters Sonata Arctica and the Rhapsody Reunion Tour. In 2015 OPERUS recorded and produced their debut EP, “Opus I”, which was followed by their debut full length album „Cenotaph“ recorded at Silverwings Studios, Montreal in early 2017. Cenotaph was released worldwide on October 13, 2017 through Dark Star Records in Association with MVD Entertainment and Sony Music. In 2019 Operus returned to Silver Wings Studios to begin recording their second full length album, „Score of Nightmares“, which is set to be released on June 19, 2020 through Pride & Joy Music. Releases on Pride & Joy Music: – Score Of Nightmares (2020)
Sapphire Eyes
SAPPHIRE EYES started in 2011 when Niclas Olsson (ALYSON AVENUE, SECOND HEAT) decided to put together a record (”Sapphire Eyes”) alongside friends he had made in the music business. The first album was handled more as a project than as a band with various performers/singers. After the debut was released, thoughts started to brew about making SAPPHIRE EYES a band with regular members and in time for album number two, the critically acclaimed ”Breath Of Ages” was put together. The group is all Swedish but when Niclas searched for a vocalist, he approached to Finnish vocalist Kimmo Blom (URBAN TALE, LEVERAGE) and immediately, it felt like a perfect match! ”Breath Of Ages” was released in 2018 and grounded the Scandinavians as performers of classic Melodic Rock/AOR. Airy keyboards and great hooks & melodies oozed from the record and a few concerts really got the group together even tighter towards becoming an act on the music scene to really take note of. Now, SAPPHIRE EYES will release their third album called ”Magic Moments”. The band tries to reconnect to the simpler times full of passion and possibilities when growing up. Still, the melodies are foremost important and the emotions delivered are meant to make you feel like anything is possible in life! Releases on Pride & Joy Music: – Magic Moments (2020)
Asgard
ASGARD, the Trient based Italian Prog Metal band, was founded in 1986 and since then has released the five studio albums “Götterdämmerung” (1991), “Esoteric Poem” (1992), “Arkana” (1992), “Imago Mundi” (1993) and “Drachenblut” (2000). In their early years, the Prog group with folk influences was mainly active live and also took part in some contests (of which they have won three!). The Italians also recorded two demos and took part in various compilation albums which even included recordings in Ibiza with Nick Griffiths, a former sound engineer of Pink Floyd! Maybe because ASGARD come from the very North East of Italy, a region with historical and deep cultural connections to both Austria and Germany, the German label “Music Is Intelligence” signed the group in 1990 and put out their first four albums. In 1995, two of the band members moved to Germany and released the record “Drachenblut” with a new line-up in the year 2000. “Ragnarøkkr“ now is ASGARD’s 6th full-length release in total and was produced by Roland Grapow (ex Helloween, Masterplan). Join ASGARD’s world full of myths, shamans, rituals & atmosphere combined with progressive heavy metal & some medieval parts. Don’t expect the ordinary – this band’s sound is just breathtaking & unique! Releases on Pride & Joy Music: Ragnarøkkr (2020)
Beneath My Sins
Beneath My Sins is a French Symphonic Metal band founded in December 2015 by guitarist Clement Botz and singer Emma Elvaston. Both are former members of the band Evolvent. In March 2017, Beneath My Sins released it’s first album „Valkyries of Modern Times“, promoted with shows in Belgium with the band Skeptical Minds and two European tours together with Russian Thrash metal band Pokerface. Quickly perceived as the emerging Symphonic Metal band of the French scene, Beneath My sins had the opportunity to tour with the famous Canadian band Kobra And The Lotus during their stay in France in June 2018 and with Imperial Age in 2019. In September 2018, the band got in contact with Fabio D’Amore, bassist from Serenity. After a few meetings and discussions they all agreed that he would provide his services as a producer to the band. Thanks to this collaboration, the French group was able to record under professional conditions and to work with famous names of the music business. Many talented guests such as Matteo Sisti (Eluveitie), Melissa Bonny (Ad Infinitum), Michele Guaitoli (Temperance and Visions Of Atlantis) and Fabio Lethien Polo (Elvenking) also joined the ship for one or more songs. In November 2019, Beneath My Sins signed a record deal with Pride & Joy Music for their new album « I Decide » which will be released on March 20th, 2020! In the process, the band also signed with the booking agency Alpha Omega management. The year 2020 will be a very promising year as the band has secured an UK tour in April – together with the mighty Serpentyne and Tezaura. Releases on Pride & Joy Music: I Decide (20.03.2020)
Ani Lo. Projekt
Ani Lo. Projekt came into being in 2010 when well-known Bulgarian singer Ani Lozanova and her long-term musical partner, drummer Konstantin Dinev (Kossy D.) started it. Their debut “Miracle“ saw the light of day with a different line-up in March 2011 which was accompanied by a brilliant gig at Rock Theater in Sofia. Many shows followed, for instance at a biker event with Ian Parry guesting who also participated on “Miracle“. 2012 a major line-up change took place when Ani Lo. moved to Germany and Kossy D. to the USA. The singer played some gigs with musicians based in Münster, Germany, for example opening the metal event „Das Schloss Rockt“ in June 2017. In 2018 work on the second album “A Time Called Forever“ began with Kossy producing and recording drums in his studio in San Diego, USA. He came over to Germany to record vocals at Bazement Studios of Markus Teske in the summer. 12 songs composed by Jens Faber (Dawn Of Destiny) who also played guitar, bass and keyboards as well as some growls and clean vocals were recorded in his studio in Bochum, Germany. Teske took over the mastering, again at Bazement studios. The work was done on December 2019. The new ALP album sees guest performances of vocalists Eric Dow (Hellsott, USA) on “My Misery“ and “Don’t Leave This World“, Michael Thionville (Voodoma, Germany) on “Fly With Me“ as well as Lachezar Stefanov, natural talent, husband of Ani and her biggest fan on “Bleed“. The artwork was created by Bulgarian artist Deliana Stoyanova. The band shot a video for the title track with Bremen-based Bulgarian Mitko Petrov to be released in February. Klub Trigon in Haltern am See, Germany served as location. Releases on Pride & Joy Music – A Time Called Forever (2020)
Elegy Of Madness
Elegy Of Madness is an Italian Symphonic Metal band founded in 2006 by Tony Tomasicchio. In the same year the first promo „Another Path“ was released. In 2009 they published the first album „The Bridge Of Sighs“ and in 2013 “Brave Dreams“ followed, promoted all over the world through festivals (Exit – Novi Sad) and opening shows for great bands (Arkona, Skrillex, Sabaton). In 2017 they released the third album called ‚New Era‘ distributed all over the world and obtained a special limited Japanese edition. In May they started promoting ‚New Era‘ with many Italian and European live shows but mainly taking part in festivals like „Balkan Metal Meeting“ (Pula – Croatia) and „Zobens um Lemess open air Festival“ (Lone – Latvia) opening for great bands such as Amorphis, Batushka and Heidevolk. They also played at „Dream Rock Event“ (San Pancrazio-Italy) with DGM, at „South’s Cheyenne Metal Fest“ supporting Lacuna Coil and at „Taranto Rock Festival“ as special guests. In April 2018 a Ukrainian tour took place with four gigs (Zaporizha, Krivoj, Rog and Kiev) and they opened Therion’s live concert in Kiev. On October 7 they performed at Quinphonic festival in Birmingham and played in London and Tipton. Elegy Of Madness also performed as headliner with Lacuna Coil and Tower of Babel at M.i.c. Rock Festival in Villapiana, Italy. On May 2019 the band supported Mark Boals (Yngwie Malmsteen) in Italy (Florence, Milan and Rome), in June they recorded their fourth full-length album at Domination Studio (Rhapsody, Michael Romeo, Twilight Force). Currently, the band keeps on playing around Italy and will finish the New Era Tour on February 2020 with a great show at Fusco Theater with a young local Orchestra. Releases on Pride & Joy Music: Invisible World (24.01.2020) Live At Fusco Theater (29.01.2021)
Ghostreaper
Debut album of metal project GHOSTREAPER featuring ten international vocalists, male and female, in an epic Wild West setting. There’s everything from hard rock to modern metal up to classic power metal. “Straight Out Of Hell“ combines different genres forming a complete and powerful picture. The album is full of melodic hooklines and riffs, telling the story of a band of outlaws at the time of the Wild West. Great songwriting meets powerful and energetic voices. Written and produced by Mikk Hollenberg, guitarist of dark metal band VOODOMA. Singers in alphabetical order: Deibys Artigas (Venezuela) – Leadvocals „Sons of the Gun“, „Red Moon Rising“ Sandra Bullet (Portugal) – Leadvocals „Black Widow“, „Snakes & Slaves“ Eric Castiglia (Italy) – Leadvocals „High Noon“, „Sons of the Gun“, „Farewell“ Onur Kaplan (Turkey) – Leadvocals “ Desperados“ Danny Kross (Algeria) – Leadvocals „Snakes & Slaves“ Diane Lee (Switzerland) – Leadvocals „Darkness of Sin“, „House of Hell“ Laut Lindmae (Estonia) – Leadvocals „House of Hell“, „Snakes & Slaves“ Jordy Noran (USA) – Leadvocals „High Noon“ Michael Thionville (Germany) – Leadvocals „Darkness of Sin“ Evgen Zoidze (Ukraine) – Leadvocals „Straight out of Hell“, „Snakes & Slaves“ Musicians: Mikk Hollenberg – Guitars, Bass, Keys Wolle Haitz – Drums, Percussions Releases on Pride & Joy Music: Straight Out Of Hell (2019)