Ape Vermin, the formidable 3-piece act hailing from the depths of Valdese, North Carolina, USA, is gearing up to conquer the cosmos with their latest sci-fi-infused album “Andromedas Colossus” on May 17, 2024, with a US tour to follow the release.
Exploding onto the metal scene in 2019, Finnish power metal band Metal De Facto made their debut with "Imperium Romanum", a full-length with a theme-driven collection of songs about Ancient Rome that was bombastically nostalgic old-school power metal. These fresh but familiar songs quickly caught the attention of metal listeners worldwide, notably with the first single ‘¨The Conqueror’ amassing over 200,000 video views and over 600,000 streams on various streaming platforms.
In early 2020, the band held their first headlining show in Helsinki, which attracted fans from all over the world to attend the show in a packed On the Rocks club. This success quickly led the band to continue performing live, opening for prime moving metal bands Ensiferum and Beast in Black.
Consisting of guitarists Esa Orjatsalo (ex Dreamtale) and Mikko Salovaara (Kiuas), bassist Sami Hinkka (Ensiferum, ssSHhh), keyboardist Benji Klint-Connelly (Everfrost) and drummer Atte Marttinen (ex Kivimetsän Druidi). It was announced however in 2022 that former vocalist Mikael Salo (ex Thy Row, ex Dyecrest) would no longer be the band’s singer. On the same day, the band’s new vocalist Aitor Arrastia hailing from Spain was announced along with the announcement of the band’s upcoming second full-length album, "Land of the Rising Sun Part 1." The album will be the first of two parts, themed after Japanese culture.
Metal De Facto's latest single, "Rise Amaterasu" is a triumphant anthem that showcases their distinctive power metal sound. With robust and resonant tunes, the track captures the core of the band's celebrated style. This release introduces the band's new vocalist, Aitor Arrastia, highlighting their musical craftsmanship. "Rise Amaterasu" assures an engaging and dynamic expedition, maintaining the band's legacy and enthralling listeners with its compelling storyline and impressive expertise, embodying the enduring essence of power metal. Together, let's revive the grandeur of Power Metal!
"Land of the Rising Sun Part. 1" will be released on February 9th, 2024 in CD Jewel Case, Vinyl Black and Transparent Splatter Vinyl.
Track Listing: 1. Rise Amaterasu 2. Code of the Samurai 3. Heavier Than a Mountain 4. Slave to the Power 5. Divine Wind 6. Tame the Steel 7. Superstars 8. 47 Ronin
To celebrate this momentous occasion Metal De Facto will play shows on the release weekend with Dreamtale and Everfrost (Everfrost only in Helsinki) in Finland!
Show Dates: Feb 9, 2024 - Yo-talo, Tampere, FIN (with Dreamtale) - Ticket info here. Feb 10, 2024 - On the Rocks, Helsinki, FIN (with Dreamtale and Everfrost) - Ticket Info here.
