Mickey's Metal Morsels: Episode Twenty One

Welcome one and all to another power-packed installment of Mickey’s Metal Morsels; We’re on a metal tip this time around – hope you all enjoy what we’ve dug up!

MOTIVIK

Having spent their teenage years in the early nineties immersed in the hard thrashing sounds of Tourniquet, Believer and many more, multi-instrumentalist Ryan Roebuck and vocalist Courtney Simmons were inspired to follow in the footsteps of the bands that had given them so much support and encouragement through their music – and from that dream, that aspiration, Motivik would be born. In 2020 the duo from Atlanta, Georgia unleashed their first album, Death Of The Gunman, and now in 2024 they are ready to take the next step forward with their incredible second album, the breathtaking explosion of precision, adrenaline-infused riffing, adventurous song writing, technically dextrous playing, stunning melodies and huge choruses that is Renouncement!

From the dramatic, uplifting instrumental opening of Palace Of Ashes, that heralds the beginning of Renouncement’s incredible, emotional ride, to the final heart-wrenching words of the epic Once Again that conclude it, Motivik’s latest release is a staggering summation of everything that is great about metal music. Motivik take the essence of classic thrash metal and mould it into fresh, exciting forms with their progressive, imaginative approach. Dethroned takes jagged, angular riffing and fuses it with great hooks and the sort of fantastic, melodic chorus that emblazons itself across your memory with one listen. Break The Walls lands blow after blow of aggressive thrash power before exploding into a searing solo and uplifting chorus. This Man I Am is the distillation of absolute headbanging metal magnificence… I’m sure you get the picture by now.

Renouncement was released through Roxx Records on July 1st, adorned in the powerful and evocative artwork of Seth Metoyer (Mangled Carpenter) and all fans of the very finest in melodic thrash and heavy metal should be waiting to embrace this sonic offering. With Renouncement, Motivik have really shown the metal world just what anthemic, affecting, outstanding music they are capable of creating. And Ryan Roebuck and Courtney Simmons can stand proudly alongside all those bands that once helped them to dream.

UNDER BLACKENED SKIES

After a decade-long hiatus, Under Blackened Skies announced their triumphant return with the release of their highly anticipated single, Hollow Tyrant in June. The band’s first brand new single in ten years cames alongside the announcement of their first live performance since 2015.

Formed in 2008, UBS quickly established themselves as a dominant force in their local metal scene, captivating audiences with their raw energy and uncompromising sound. Led by founding members Aaron Sheldon, Manu Patel, and Andy Davies, the band garnered critical acclaim with a win at the Metal To The Masses competition and a memorable performance at Bloodstock Festival in 2010.

Despite facing lineup changes and a brief hiatus in 2015, the core members reunited in 2023 with longtime guitarist Chris Locke and new bassist Dan Carter, reigniting their passion for creating music and promising fresh sonic landscapes for fans old and new.

Hollow Tyrant marks a significant milestone for Under Blackened Skies, showcasing their evolution as musicians while staying true to their roots. The single delivers a powerful message, tackling themes of environmental destruction, societal injustice, and the resilience of the human spirit.

With lyrics that cut deep and melodies that soar, Hollow Tyrant is a rallying cry for change in a world plagued by corruption and greed. Through their music, Under Blackened Skies invites listeners to question the status quo and stand united against tyranny and oppression.

“We are thrilled to finally share Hollow Tyrant with our fans” says guitarist Aaron Sheldon. “This song is a testament to our resilience and determination to make our voices heard. We can’t wait to unleash it live and connect with our audience once again.” says singer Manu Patel.

The music for Hollow Tyrant was written by guitarist Chris Locke and the lyrics were written by vocalist Manu Patel with instruments performed by Under Blackened Skies. Hollow Tyrant was recorded, mixed and mastered by Lune from the UK black metal band The Sun’s Journey Through The Night. Artwork was created by Huruf Mati and lyric video created by BSA Graphics.

RISE OF KRONOS

German death metallers Rise Of Kronos strike back with the release of Kraken – the final single from the band’s forthcoming album Where The Gods Return, which will be out on August 2nd.

Singer and guitarist Tom about the song: ”Kraken takes us into the deepest abysses of the deep sea. Deep down in the sea lives a primeval mythological monster. A creature from the deep, destroying worlds. The song describes the fear of the creature’s awakening and the cult of preserving this secret. The song was one of the first to be created for the album and was convinced by its simplicity and at the same time its brutality.”

Rise Of Kronos was born in 2021 from a former band called Surface. After eleven years of hard work, countless concerts, three records and a lot of sweat, blood and tears Surface decided to start a new chapter. As they were (and are) close friends, they wanted to stay together but walk a new, even more, professional path. They needed to stand up and – finally – take each and every fan with them to Olympus. The decision for a new name was born quite early on their journey to a new concept. Somehow Surface did not fit to the music anymore and had to be replaced, but on the other hand, those four friends want to keep the link to their eleven years of music and their amazingly loyal fans – to their so-called Titans. Consequently, they named themselves after their 2015 released record Rise Of Kronos. Rise Of Kronos is a hymn of praise to the past years, their fans as well as a brand-new concept with a new image and new musical influences. Dark, modern and straightforward death metal with the tendency to progressive metal, Swedish death and hardcore – this is what ROK stands for. Combining Greek mythology and an impulsive live show, they are ready to take the lead to Olympus – now.

SNAKE MOUNTAIN

Australian melodic technical death metal band Snake Mountain has released their debut EP, Villainous I: Reverence, and they are taking this heavy slab of riffs on the road with a stack of shows throughout August.

Villainous I: Reverence is a collection of tracks that have shaped the band’s sound over the years, weaving in various influences brought in by members who contributed to the band’s story at the time. While some original members may have moved on to other projects or hung up their instruments, the remaining and newly found members have put together this hard-hitting EP Villainous I: Reverence in tribute to their former band mates and the story that brought them here.

Says vocalist Nev Pearce: “This EP is in honour of our journey as a band, and to the previous members who contributed to it since its inception: co-founder Dan Maynard, who I started the band with; longtime drummer Shane Smith; guitarists Jamie Cotton and Dario Lagana; and bass player Rory Swayne. All of them left pieces of their personalities in these songs and helped bring them to life”.

The EP also features some incredible guest appearances by friends the band has shared the stage with over the years:

The Hunted (Apex Predator Edition): Matt G Walters (Freedom of Fear) – Solo

Fall of Eternia: Sam Wolstenholme (Aeon Nexus) – Melodic Vocals, Geoffro O’Leary (Pistonfist) – Hails, Oliver Fogwell and Wade Norris (Our Last Enemy) – Hails. Ben Weber (Deprivation) – Hails.

Before the band moves forward stylistically with their planned follow-up EP later in the year, which will see them delve deeper into the technical death metal genre (much like their 2023 single Veins), Snake Mountain invites the listener to join them in honouring the past and preparing for the future.

Snake Mountain also recently toured for their single Everliving and opened for Italy’s Fleshgod Apocalypse and Finns Wolfheart in Brisbane, as well as teaming up with Aussie industrial metal band Witchgrinder for their Queensland dates.