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"The mega hits of the 80's-heavier than ever before!" is the motto of the latest Atrocity hit collection, "Werk 80 II".  Not unlike the highly acclaimed forerunner, the German extreme Metal pioneers have chosen only the best of the golden 80's and given each song a Heavy Metal twist.  Whether       it's the immortal classic "Relax", "Don't You Forget About Me", or "The Sun Always Shines on TV", ATROCITY manage to give each track a unique touch and as such, recreate the mood of yesteryear in combination with the heaviness of today's contemporary Heavy Metal.  "Werk 80 I" is an album that will undoubtedly fill the dance floors.

SIRENIA was formed by Morten Veland in January 2001. Morten's musical work was already well known through his work with his former band Tristania, a band he co-founded back in the mid nineties. Being the main songwriter for this band he was a part of defining the gothic metal sound from a very early time on. With SIRENIA his intention was to bring everything to the next level, a task he succeeded to fulfil. Up to date SIRENIA has released 3 albums and an EP, their latest work ‘Nine Destinies and a Downfall' made it to the charts in 6 countries, receiving great reviews worldwide. Meanwhile their single ‘My Mind's Eye' taken from the same album topped radio charts in several countries. Their new album ‘The 13th Floor' was released on the 23rd of January via Nuclear Blast Records.
SIRENIA sounds like a mixture of gothic metal and rock with classical influences, in addition to some elements from more extreme metal genres. Their sound have a solid base in the powerful drums and bass supported by massive rhythm guitars, dressed with atmospheric keyboards and spiced with melancholic violins and 12-string guitars. The vocal styles are diverse and consist of female vocals, choirs, growls, screams, clean male vocals, whispers and samples. The songs are very intense and the atmosphere changes frequently. The lyrics are based on reflections on life, death, love, hate, paranoia, anxiety and mental decline in general.

Elis return from the depths of life with their darkest and strongest album ever: "Catharsis", or healing through suffering. Heavy guitar riffs and catchy, yet unexpected compositions unite with detailed vocal melodies in a charming symbiosis.  The new front lady Sandra Schleret plays impressively with the nuances of her voice to include oriental melodic sounds, fragile
emotions, and rock odysseys, proving her extensive vocal capabilities. The experiences of the previous year, i.e., the dark times that Elis and their new vocalist lived through, form the basis of the lyrical content.  At first, each band member tackled the demons alone, but soon found the necessary strength in each other to combat destiny's blows and create the music that with its incessant energy will place the band once again at the top of the Gothic Metal scene.  The powerful, yet clean production is the work of Alex Krull (Leaves' Eyes, Atrocity).  "Catharsis is an extraordinary Gothic Metal jewel that once heard, will not voluntarily be allowed to slip
out of your hands.

Originally the brainchild of Arjen Lucassen's (Ayreon, Star One...), Stream of Passion is now ready to release their second studio album. "The Flame Within" leaves its predecessor in the dust thanks to a more mature song writing that presents a further developed band able to give Gothic Metal a newfound profundity.  Carried by Marcela Bovios' fantastic vocal lines, Stream of Passion delivers the entire spectrum of human emotions-at times dreamy and melancholic, at others uninhibited and forward pressing.  In this way, heavy riffs merge with romantic undertones in majestic unity.  Jens Bogren's (Fascination Street Studios) mastering work allows the tracks' subtle nuances to come into play.  "The Flame Within" is more than a loosely arranged sequence of songs, but rather a holistic Gothic Metal masterpiece complete with mystic elements and sonorous symphonic romanticism.