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On the verge of their 25th anniversary of the band, it was only fitting for the German metalcore giants in Caliban to give their passionate fanbase something unique – An album filled with lyrics sung in their native tongue. Guitarist Marc Görtz from the band joins IUF today to talk about the new music they are eagerly looking forward to unleashing here in 2021, which is plenty left in the tank. The first release centers around the new album “Zeitgeister”, which contains a collection of the bands previous songs in the backlog that are given a new remake/recording as the lyrics are sung in German this time around. But it doesn't stop there, the songs they chose are still previous fan favorites but the new versions are given a renewed life as if they were brand new. Marc talks about how that specific process wasn't an easy one to begin with, but it was still a great experience for him and his bandmates to come together and give the metal community something extraordinary during these challenging times. Marc also talks about the many worldwide touring cycles that have given Caliban the well-deserved recognition and how grateful he has been for each show performed thus far. Let's face it, staying home this past year has really opened up that new found appreciation for the touring life. Lastly, Marc gives us hints and outlooks on another brand new album a bit further down the road after “Zeitgeister” is unleashed – which isn't too far away. The future for Caliban is bright, perhaps the brightest it's been. After 25 years, they are kicking and heavier than ever. Tune into our episode with Marc now and be sure to buy and stream Caliban's newest headbanger “Zeitgeister” out everywhere on May 14 via Century Media Records.

Stay connected with Caliban, visit: https://www.calibanmetal.com/, https://www.facebook.com/CalibanOfficial, and https://www.instagram.com/calibanofficial/

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Transitioning as an artist from a genre like pop music into heavy metal can be quite the challenge – for someone like a vocalist in Skye Sweetnam, it felt as if she found her calling with that said transition. Having been at this gig for nearly 2 decades, forming the Canadian metal outfit Sumo Cyco in the last 10 years allowed Skye to channel everything within herself to put her artistic visions out there. Now on the verge of dropping the 3rd studio album “Initiation”, Skye speaks with us about the development and writing processes that took place leading up to the release. Along with bandmates Matt Drake, Matt Trozzi, and Oscar Anesetti, this quartet have really come together and have asserted themselves in the metallic and new wave punk-rock sound they have manifested over the years. We also get the chance to talk about the different themes that came into the light within the new music, and how this album opened up new pathways for each individual in the band to continue to grow. Skye has been through plenty at the same time, which also means taking everything she has learned throughout the music industry and applying that experience into what she loves doing the most – being the best she can be, and lastly, being herself in the music she continues to write within Sumo Cyco. Tune into our conversation with Skye and stick around until the end of the episode as we get the opportunity to put her on the “Hot Seat” as she tries to guess the lyrics to her own songs that trace back, waaay back to her days in pop. Sumo Cyco's new album “Initiation” unleashes May 7 on Napalm Records.

Stay connected with Sumo Cyco, visit: https://sumo-cyco.myshopify.com/, https://www.facebook.com/sumocyco, and https://www.instagram.com/sumocyco/

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"Vive la France" and turn up the volume, as we are joined by guitarist Nicolas Exposito from the French metalcore outfit LANDMVRKS. The new album, “Lost In The Waves” has been through quite the process from start to finish that involved lineup changes and a new collaborative effort in the writing stages. Summer 2019 saw the birthing elements of the new record, and going through the touring cycles with the new lineup and of course, a pandemic - Nicolas talks about how grateful he and his bandmates have been during this timeframe. This unprecedented time away from the stage allowed this lineup a chance to grow together and paved the way to some of the more newer songs on the record. They have not been to the United States as of yet, but the unique sound that this heavy metal quintet have formed will be turning many eyes and ears in their direction in the near future. Make no mistake, it's only a matter of time until LANDMVRKS make their presence felt in metalcore, and they are doing it with a new taste combined with many subgenres incorporated in their DNA. Tune in now to our conversation with Nicolas and be sure to buy and stream the new album “Lost In The Waves” out now everywhere on Arising Empire.

Stay connected with LANDMVRKS, visit: https://www.landmvrks.com/, https://www.facebook.com/LANDMVRKS/, and https://www.instagram.com/landmvrks/

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It's been over 4 decades in the making of Saga – a Canadian band who have been the cornerstone of the progressive rock world. In that timespan, they have presented 22 studio albums while trekking worldwide performing alongside some of the most notable artists in classic rock. Veteran guitarist Ian Crichton is our guest today on IUF, and he tells us about the many countless and memorable experiences throughout his storied career with Saga. “Symmetry” is the band's newest album in an acoustic setting, and Ian jumps into the unique ideas and processes that took place during the first months of the pandemic which fleshed out the production plans. The record has been out roughly over a month now and Ian and his bandmates are already eyeing new music in the near future. Even though he has been in the game for a lifetime, he doesn't dwell on the past too much because his vision as an artist will always continue to grow as long as he has his guitar by his side – the same can be said for the rest of Saga. Tune into our episode now with a classic musician who's been through it all and be sure to buy and stream the album “Symmetry” out now via EarMusic.

Stay connected with Saga, visit: https://sagagen.com/, https://www.facebook.com/SAGAgeneration, and https://www.instagram.com/saga_band/

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For anyone who doesn't know – “Diamante”, translated from Spanish means “Diamond”, which inspires the imagination and ingenuity, and the artist we have today embraces both attitudes flawlessly. In this episode, we are joined by the talented sapphire-haired singer-songwriter as she takes us through the journey leading up to her highly-anticipated 2nd studio album, “American Dream”. Dia talks about the pressure she took on after releasing her debut record in 2018, which landed her top spots around the rock-radio world. After receiving endless well-deserved recognition, she decided to rejoin forces with renowned producer Howard Benson and go independently with this new album. Commonly praised as the modern day Joan Jett, Dia has her own dynamic persona that she is confidently asserting out there onto the heavy music scene, and she's doing it effortlessly. “American Dream” allowed her to display her most personal moments in a way she never could have before, and it has shown a whole new and different side of her that will further her musicality and evolution. So many amazing stories unfold inside the world of “American Dream”, tune into our conversation with this rising star in Diamante and be sure to pick up her new record dropping everywhere worldwide May 7.

Stay connected with Diamante, visit: https://www.thisisdiamante.com/, https://www.facebook.com/ThisIsDiamante/, and https://www.instagram.com/thisisdiamante/

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There are no words to describe the mindblowing sound incorporated with the St. Louis metal trio named The Lion's Daughter. Formed in 2007, they started off with more of a blackened sludge element before evolving into what it is today. We are joined by frontman Rick Giordano as he takes us through the thought process of the new album, “Skin Show”. Plenty of ideas came to the surface with this 4th album, along with different sci-fi futuristic feels surrounding eerie and cinematic tones. From the songwriting, the production process, and the themes – there is a lot to be left pondering for the listeners and Rick indulges in the idea of leaving it to interpretation for anyone picking up this album. In short, we recommend you do so because it breaks the rules on so many ideas on what is “metal”. Tune in now and be sure to buy and stream “Skin Show” from The Lion's Daughter out now everywhere via Season Of Mist Records.

Stay connected with The Lion's Daughter, visit: https://thelionsdaughter.bandcamp.com/, https://www.facebook.com/thelionsdaughter/, and https://www.instagram.com/thelionsdaughterstl/

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One of the more unique releases of 2021 will be manifested by the Norwegian black metal giants, Vreid. We are joined by the founder and bassist of the band, Jarle Hváll Kvåle as he talks about the multiple productions on the music and the movie behind the new release titled “Wild North West”. With each song in the record, a music video was created to tell the story in the record in such a distinctive way. Jarle takes us through the thought process of teaming up with a handful of talented producers who took part with the band to create such an astonishing work of art. He also talks about his experiences on touring throughout his storied career, from more than 500 shows in 25 countries so far. And even though the world is at a standstill, he mentioned the hard work behind the live stream Vreid had put together last summer which gave them a source they and the fans needed to experience unlike any other. This album was definitely a creative adventure for him and his bandmates, and in the end it felt as if the band grew artistically in many ways. It will be an April to remember with a new album and a new motion picture set to drop simultaneously, so be sure to tune into this episode now and buy/stream “Wild North West” out everywhere April 30th via Season Of Mist Records.

Stay updated with Vreid, visit: https://www.vreid.no/, https://www.facebook.com/vreidofficial/, and https://www.instagram.com/vreidofficial/

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From touring in a handful of notable festivals such as Roadburn, Wacken, and Hellfest – Icelandic psychedelic rock band The Vintage Caravan continue to make strides in their career with the upcoming 5th album “Monuments.” We chat with frontman Óskar Logi Ágústsson about the current life events occurring in Iceland and what he has been doing to keep himself busy during this past year. He also dives into the recording process about where it seemed uncertain at times working with renowned producer Ian Davenport, who in the end, gave this band the best handles in the business in rounding out the entirety of this record. Óskar also talks about the Iceland music scene, which includes the likes of Bjork, Sigur Ros, and Of Monsters And Men to name a few. So many diverse artists emerging from this magnificent country only provide fuel for himself and his bandmates to keep building a name for themselves – and they are doing just that. With a new album on the horizon and an upcoming tour with Opeth, The Vintage Caravan are well on their way. Listen in now and be sure to buy/stream “Monuments” dropping April 16th on Napalm Records.

Stay updated with The Vintage Caravan, visit: https://www.thevintagecaravan.eu/, https://www.facebook.com/vintagecaravan, and https://www.instagram.com/thevintagecaravan/

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“The only way to do that was to, of course, become a musician myself.” - Says rising Dutch/Spanish guitarist Sonia Anubis. It was at the age of 14 when Sonia first picked up the bass guitar while being influenced by the likes of KISS and Megadeth that she made the decision to forge the music of heavy metal into her most beloved passion. Now at the age of 22, she has already taken part in notable worldwide festivals and a handful of bands in her career that provided all the growth and maturation she needed to get to this point. This is also an exciting year for Sonia as we get the chance to talk about her newest heavy metal projects, Cobra Spell and Crypta, which both bands have new music coming up on the horizon – and an addition for Crypta, the signing with a renowned label like Napalm Records. Even though the world has been in lockdown status for over a year, Sonia has been busy with writing music, her Patreon and YouTube channel, all the while giving guitar lessons to her students who are aspiring to pick up the guitar themselves. Lastly, Sonia talks about her own personal influences and how important it is to her to pass on what she is learning down to the generation of the future. Sonia may be young, but she has taken in so much that she is ready to attain whatever challenge may hold for her next – and take it from us, it's nothing she can't handle so be sure to stay on the lookout for new music coming soon from Sonia Anubis and her two new heavy metal projects, Cobra Spell and Crypta. SHRED ON SONIA!

Stay updated with Sonia Anubis, visit: https://www.soniaanubis.com/, https://www.facebook.com/soniaanubis/, https://www.instagram.com/soniaanubis/, and https://www.youtube.com/c/SoniaAnubis/featured

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Call it a comeback. The U.K. based post-metal band Devil Sold His Soul make their heroic return after nearly a decade – but this time it's with the joining of forces of both the current and previous vocalists, Ed Gibbs and Paul Green. Garnering a mix of the old and the new, the duo have formed a chemistry that is nothing short of extraordinary within the record's vocal work. From adversity, grief, loss, to mental health, anxiety, and personal healing – it's been an uphill climb to get to this point. Ed and Paul talk about each of those experiences that they and the band have gone through, and how the new album provided the outlet they never thought they needed. At a time like today, the new album “Loss” could not have been more well-timed, as the singles released so far have resonated with such a vast audience who are more than excited to have this band back from the oblivion. Devil Sold His Soul is a band who have presented a huge positive musicality impact from the era of the 2010's, and loved by many during that process. To make a return like this is unlike any other, as fans around the world have come together in elation. Between writing, structuring the songs, and the production process, Ed and Paul take a deep unwinding of the recording days that challenged them to further themselves as individuals and artists. Tune in now and do not miss “Loss”, the new album from Devil Sold His Soul, out everywhere April 9th on Nuclear Blast Records.