Hi Elana! How are you? What does a typical day look like for you at the moment?

“Hi! A typical day for me at the moment starts with walking my dog followed by a 20 minute meditation. I try to throw in some yoga to get my body ready and warm for rehearsals. We have been prepping for some upcoming shows, so rehearsals and applying notes afterwards are super important.”

Please give us a little bit of background on the Motive Black project and how it came about.

“I came out to Los Angeles from New York to do a few warped tour shows on the Shira Girl stage in the summer of 2018. I had some songs I was trying to rework from my old band, and while I was out here I reached out to some producers. Nick Rowe and I worked on one of the songs and it kind of grew from there. I ended up staying in California and turning my attention towards this new project. I really just bothered everyone until they agreed to work with me.”

You’re about to release your debut album. What’s the record about, where did you draw influence from sonically and what does it mean to you? What do you hope listeners will take away from it?

“The album is about evolution and the wild roller coaster of emotions that you experience when you go through abrupt change. The road to finding yourself can be beautiful, but it’s also filled with mistakes, anger, forgiveness, mania, and heartache. I hope listeners can find songs on this album that they can really relate to, and feel seen within. We can’t all understand each other’s specific experiences, but we are all tied together by shared underlying emotions.”

Please take us through your songwriting/creative process for the LP. What was your favourite part? And what did you find most challenging? You worked with Ray Luzier, Marcos Curiel, Carla Harvey & Nick Rowe…how was that experience?

“Every song sort of came about in its own way. For some songs we started with my lyrics, and others Nick would have a cool riff he had been working on that we would try out. One song even began as a joke we were making on a break from working on a song that was giving us some grief. I think the most challenging thing was covid breaking up the production of the album so much. It also really messed with my headspace for a bit. Ray was amazing to work with. It was so cool to watch him record the drums and really add his energy to the project. Marco’s was really chill and laid back, he laid down some guitar for Broken. Carla was so lovely, she recorded vocals in Chicago because of covid. We finally got to meet in person while shooting the video. I’m so glad she agreed to sing on the track, she’s such an inspiration and was really a blast to work with.”

Finally, what else is next for you? We’ve read that for the future, your goal is to turn Motive Black into a full band, both in the interest of touring and future work on new music. Are you in the process of doing this yet?

“Motive Black is now a full band, hence the rehearsals. It’s really cool to see the songs finally coming to life on stage. We have some upcoming shows soon to be announced in Los Angeles, and hope to be out touring in the fall.”

Brand new artist IKONIK is the brainchild of Katrine Wachmann from Copenhagen. Inspired by the early 2010’s she brings forward a technical and fresh take on the metal genre. Having some of the best vocal cords and chops the Nordic metal industry has to offer, IKONIK is a name that is set to flourish in the coming years. Now, she presents her debut single ‘Wall of Stone’. “‘Wall of Stone’ is a song about commitment issues and being stuck in a relationship that is going nowhere, though knowing that vulnerability might be the only way to make a relationship work. Whatever the listeners get from this song I’m just truly humble, amazed and excited that IKONIK is off on its wings and ready to fly out into the world”.

Finnish hard rock act Smackbound will release their second album, Hostage, on April 21 via Frontiers Music Srl. Fronted by versatile vocalist Netta Laurenne, it sees the quintet deliver another powerful slab of metal-influenced musin. A first single and video from the record for the song ‘Change’ is available now. “We actually started writing the album in early 2021 and even recorded the drums for a couple of songs, but then stopped because a lot of other things were going on in our lives,” explains Laurenne. “Most of it was subsequently written and recorded in autumn 2022 and I actually wrote some of the lyrics and recorded vocal takes just days before the album was mixed and mastered. We were taking turns between working on the record and sleeping! It was a hell of a ride, but we were able to pull through and give birth to our beloved second child!”

The End A.D. present the video for their song ‘Stink’, directed by Lanice Hill. ‘Stink’ is a track taken from the band’s It’s All In Your Head album, out now via Wormholedeath worldwide.

Disillusive Play is excited to announce their signing with the Wormholedeath label for the distribution and promotion of their second full album entitled Songs for the Non-Existent, which will be released in Spring 2023. Songs for the Non-Existent, will feature Marios Karanastasis (The Silent Wedding) on the duet of the album, Bob Katsionis (ex. Firewind) on Keyboards, Iliana (Enemy Of Reality) in backing vocals, and guest appearance of bass player Panagiotis Bourazanis in one track. Check out the astonishing video for ‘Queen of the Night’ below.

‘Necro Nightmare’ is the third single from Küntsquäd‘s new self-titled album due for release on February 24 via Wormholedeath worldwide. Watch the video below.

Discover more women in heavy music via the playlist below!

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‘Khaos Divine’ is the first single taken from TEMTRIS‘ 7th album Khaos Divine. Khaos Divine is due for release on March 17t through Wormholedeath records. Khaos Divine is a stunning, modern metal concept album, which plunges the listener into a tale of a dark and troubled dystopian city where a new world order has taken hold of its population with the offer of a chance to live an almost eternal life but at the cost of freedom. This album is full of emotion-charged songs, with catchy guitar riffs, memorable melodies, and choruses which are characterized by the trademark twin guitar harmonies that define this band’s distinctive sound. Driven by a powerful and energetic rhythm section and soaring power metal vocals, Temtris leads you through this musical journey of salvation, betrayal, and the loss of all hope.

Transworld Identity (T-ID) is a new Finnish hard rock band comprised of Mila Bosa (vocals), Mika ‘Lamppari’ Lamminsivu (guitar), Juha ‘Junnu’ Kinnunen (keyboards), Kasperi Kinnunen (bass) and Lacu Lahtinen (drums). Their music draws inspiration from the core foundations of hard rock music, showcasing the feel-good factor that gets the adrenaline flowing. Having recently signed to Frontiers, they will release a debut album entitled Seven Worlds on March 17, with a first single and video for the song ‘Everything Must Burn’ available now.

Rockshots Records is proud to announce their signing of Spanish power melodic metal Dreamyth for the release of their debut album Aletheia on April 14, 2023. Combining heavy riffs, epic and majestic orchestrations, modern synths, and stunning vocal and harmonies with finesse like no one else, the band delivers high caliber album with special guests Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia), Bob Katsionis (ex-Firewind) and Eduardo Guilló (Sun of the Dying, Crusade of Bards). Dreamyth intends to conquer the heart of metal fans all around the world. The band’s first single to unveil off the debut full-length is the title track, which features Herbie Langhans (Firewind, Avantasia). “This tune was one of the first songs to stay in our head, and soon in yours too, one of the songs that undoubtedly had to be on the album. Melodic, heavy with a dose of epic choruses but simple. It was always one of our favorites, but thanks to Herbie Langhans and his outstanding performance he has elevated it to a level that is hard to beat. We think we have all managed to capture in it our strength, desire, and enthusiasm for this new adventure we are starting.” says Adrián Carrero.

‘Exorcism’ continues Belle Morte’s international collaborative series and takes listeners on a journey far East, to the grassy steppe of Mongolia. This single features a traditional Mongolian bowed stringed instrument called mornin khuur and khuumei (throat singing), both performed by Ulziisaikhan Khoroldamba.

SETANERA is an Italian metal band that gained a solid reputation in the past few years and now released the video of the song ‘Equilibrium’ to anticipate a new album that will be out on February 17 via Volcano Records & Promotion. The band shows a sonic maturity in these five minutes of intense melodic metal that combine both symphonic influences with a more modern and alternative approach. The strong voice of Valentina Bucci appears to be the perfect leader on a solid carpet of drum and bass while guitars and keyboard outline a deep harmonic landscape that’s worth of being explored. [via Metal Planet]

Mimi Barks has released another new video from her DEADGIRL mixtape, this time for the furious ‘SAW.’ After the high production values of her last clip, for ‘ASHES,’ in which the German doom-trap queen is burned at the stake as a witch, here she’s taken a more raw, minimal, lo-fi approach. It’s no less eerie, though. “‘SAW’ marks the resistance, rage, and anger I experienced while seeking my identity and self-worth on an emotional, spiritual, physical, and mental level,” she says of the track. “Working independently on set with a micro team – just me, my videographer and his camera – it takes me back to my roots. No crew, no lights, and no screenplay. It’s raw, industrial and dirty, with the walls of the derelict buildings reflecting the wrath and backlash of my internal war.” [via Kerrang!]

Oakland, CA blackened progressive metal band Dawn Of Ouroboros will release their second album, Velvet Incandescence, on April 21 via Prosthetic Records. Alongside the album announcement, Dawn Of Ouroboros has unveiled the lead single and accompanying music video, ‘Rise From Disillusion’. [via Brave Words]

Melodic power/thrash metal band, Olathia, have released their new single, ‘Shotgun’. The track will be featured on the band’s upcoming album, The Forest Witch. Watch a video for ‘Shotgun’ below. [via Brave Words]

Eramnesia are a new duo consisting of guitarist Pat Reilly and singer Aimee Zambrana, and they have shared their first-ever single, ‘Alone Under Neon Lights.’ Combining elements of Eighties goth-rock, synth-pop and glam-metal, the moody track features gigantic guitar solos, throbbing drum machine beats, and Zambana’s robust voice, which travels from an intimate croon to a powerful belt. It’s accompanying video sees the band evoke the song’s title by performing under the glow of neon lights, with scenes of Reilly’s wife dancing hypnotically in between the shots of the band. “We knew the vibe we wanted to create with this video; Dark, retro, and atmospheric with twist of sexiness,” Reilly said. “Director Eric Taylor Parker did an amazing job not only shooting with that idea in mind, but also in the editing of the video. Shout out to my wife Karen for being that twist of sexiness, this video shoot was truly a great time!” “I had a lot of nerves leading up to our first shoot, but filming was a blast,” Zambrana adds. “Eric implemented the retro-meets-futuristic feeling we were looking for, and the gorgeous Karen acted as a personification of the song’s theme of forbidden desires. The video is our official introduction as Eramnesia, so I know it will have a special place in my heart for years to come.” [via Revolver]

CATEGORY VI return with a full blazing firestorm with their third album and most accomplished release to date Firecry. From the initial flickering flame of title track ‘Firecry’ to the final cinders of the absolutely combustible cover of HEART’s classic ‘Barracuda’, CATEGORY VI delivers true and classic 80’s heavy metal with utter perfection. Firecry boasts a crisp, clear, and scorching modern production that does not distract from the band’s true 80’s metal sound. Listen to the title track below which is about witchcraft persecution.

Discover more women in metal and heavy music via the playlist below!

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Melbourne Crustmetal/Deathpunk band Küntsquäd are excited to announce they have inked a record deal with European label Wormholedeath for their upcoming debut album release. The self-titled album will be released worldwide on February 24. With the announcement comes the release of the first single ‘Gods Of War’.

Visions Of Atlantis returned strongly with their studio release, Pirates, in 2022, followed by extensive touring through Europe and the US. There’s no time to rest for the Pirates, so they start 2023 with the release of a brand new high-quality official music video. Capturing their dedicated fans in the video, the rousing single ‘Clocks’ will make every symphonic metal enthusiast’s heart pound faster. Fixing itself in the minds of the crowd forever, catchy harmonies are underlined by bouncy metal beats. The single comes just in time for the band’s announcement of their Pirates Over Europe tour, featuring support from Autumn Bride, and kicking off in Germany on April 4. The tour will follow their Pirates Over North America tour, featuring support from The Spider Accomplice and beginning on February 7 in Los Angeles, CA. Clémentine Delauney: ”We are so excited to be able to release a video for ‘Clocks’ as we love this song and we noticed that it quickly became one of our fans’ favorites as well! We could tell from the crowd’s response every time we started to play this song live last year! So here is a fun portrait of what enjoying life as a pirate can be about, remembering the clock is ticking… Let’s all make a golden play out of 2023!” [via Brave Words]

In 2022, Delain strode boldly forwards, announcing a revitalized lineup and plans for a new studio album, entitled Dark Waters, to be released February 10 via Napalm Records. The album is a sonic rollercoaster ride of catchy tunes with explosive elements, ranging from pop to film score-inspired to blistering, room-shakin’ metal, and even includes a special guest or two. Unveiled this week, the new, emotionally-driven single ‘Moth To A Flame” also showcases Delain’s versatility, offering up a pop-induced hymn, and proving that the globally respected band are at the top of their game. The official video for ‘Moth To A Flame’ draws listeners even deeper into the Delain universe. [via Brave Words]

Waving the flag of a new generation of metal, alternative and punk, The Hellfreaks are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their fierce new album, Pitch Black Sunset, set for release April 14 via Napalm Records. The curtain has finally fallen again as the budding band unveils their addictive first heavy rock-infused single, ‘Hit Me Where It Hurts’. Jumping right into the pit, the quartet blends metallic punches with a sound echoing the likes of genre visionaries Muse, accented by electrified guitar leads and raspy punk vocal attacks by singer Shakey Sue. Representing the relentless atmosphere of the song, the Hungarian musicians strap on their boots to celebrate a never-ending night in their official music video. The Hellfreaks state on ‘Hit Me Where It Hurts’: “’Hit Me Where It Hurts’ is about hope and despair. Hope is able to move mountains. But what if the desired dream stays a dream? Then hope turns to prison. Intoxicated by a desire that never comes true, we reach the dead end, where the brain clearly sees the way out, but our heart won’t let us make the necessary steps. All that’s left is suffering. This song is an invocation for the metaphorical punch to eliminate the last piece of false hope, the real culprit in such a situation.” [via Brave Words]

Symphonic metal band, Beyond The Black, have released their fifth studio album, which is self-titled, via Nuclear Blast Records. The band also deliver a music video for the track, ‘Free Me’. Jennifer Haben comments: “This album is the epitome of Beyond The Black and it’s arrived finally where it belongs: with our fans! We couldn’t be happier, and today we’re celebrating this release with the powerful, reassuring message of our new single, ‘Free Me’: Never think you need to go out alone and solemnly carry the weight of the world. We’re in this together and we are many!“ [via Brave Words]

It’s gonna be really tough for any metal song this year to be more exhilarating than ‘Pardon Me, I Have to Go Now.’ Hanabie‘s latest stunner is a distinctly modern update on the garishly fun electronic-core that took off in the late 2000s; neon party synths, breakdowns with the jingly catchiness of a radio hip-hop beat, and wheel-screeching turns between throat-searing screams and buttery cleans. Hanbie add flecks of traditional Japanese instrumentation and notes of hyperpop onto that pile, and the result is a blindingly fun anti-work anthem that’ll make you want to slam your computer shut and gleefully stomp it to pieces. [via Revolver]

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