Firstlight Productions Presents
Issue No .01
Price: â‚Ź2
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• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
The fathers of epic heavy metal, Manilla Road will take you a journey of bone crushing metal might. Firmly rooted in tradition, after more than 35 years and 18 studio releases, they are ready to raise the hammers on high as never before. Based out of Wichita, Kansas USA, Manilla Road released their first album in 1980 with the name of Invasion. Other 17 albums followed threading most of the traditional genres of Heavy metal. From classic Heavy Metal to Thrash Metal to US Power Metal. They are often categorized as the fathers of Epic Metal, a term partially derived from the use of mythology and fantasy literature lyrics in their music. Mark ‘The Shark’ Shelton remains the only founding member from the band and up to this day he is regarded as one of the most influential musicians to come out of the US Heavy Metal scene. The other members being Bryan ‘Hellroadie’ Patrick, Joshua Castillo and Neudi Neuderth. Throughout their career Manilla Road have played numerous gigs starting from small clubs to the biggest venues and festivals. They have also succeeded in building a very dedicated following, most of whom follow the band through their tours around the world. 2014 has been a very busy year for the band, playing for the first time in South America consisting of gigs in Brazil, Paraguay, Peru, Chile and more. In July they have also played in Italy, Cyprus, Germany and Slovenia. To close off the year they’ll be playing once more in Germany, Scotland, England, Romania and to our delight and for the first time ever they will be playing at the Malta Doom Metal Festival 2014.
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• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
Officium Triste was formed in April 1994 with the purpose of creating slow, heavy and melodic doom/death metal. Inspiration was mainly found within the music of bands like Paradise Lost, Anathema, Chorus of Ruin, My Dying Bride, Celestial Season and Katatonia. After a demo and self-financed 7” EP the debut full-length “Ne Vivam” was released in 1997. After a split MCD with Could Mourning from the USA in 1998 the band quit, to return after 7 months realizing a wrong decision was made. A promotional recording done in 2000 drew the attention of Displeased Records. This Dutch label has released every album ever since, “The Pathway” in 2001, “Reason” in 2004 and “Giving Yourself Away” in 2007. In the meantime the band had some line-up changes, but it always got stronger as a unit. In 2009 the band celebrated their 15th anniversary with a compilation album “Charcoal Hearts-15 Years of Hurt”. Within these first 15 years Officium Triste shared the stage with famous acts like Candlemass, Anathema and Swallow the Sun and appeared on festivals like Doom Shall Rise and Madrid is the Dark.
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In 2011 the band started working on a new album with a new line-up. This album, entitled ‘Mors Viri’ was finished in 2012 and released in 2013.
• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
Formed during 1981 by childhood friends and twin guitarists Robin Brancher and Keith Sharp, Desolation Angels bring all that is great about the NWOBHM movement. After releasing a demo in the same year and a single in 1984, they released the highly acclaimed full-length album that took the same name as the band. The band relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1987-88. They eventually returned to England in the early ‘90s before splitting up in May, 1994. In 1991, they release their second full-length album While The Flame Still Burns. Reformed in 2012, through popular demand after the release of their 4CD box-set Feels Like Thunder, they have played festival gigs across Europe in support of Demon and Diamond Head resulting in bookings for more European adventures, including: this year’s ‘Metal Magic’ festival in Denmark and also ‘The Malta Doom Metal’ festival! At present the band have been into the studio to lay down five new tracks for a demo which was released as a digital download this year, along with a video to coincide with the release.
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• Malta Doom
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Metal Fest •
Forsaken started out as progressive metallers Blind Alley and the initial line-up, formed in September 1990, featured Leo Stivala (vocals), former Fall Out keyboardist Cay Schembri, Kevin Azzopardi (guitars), Simeon Gatt (drums) and Tony Azzopardi (bass). The band adopted the epithet Forsaken shortly after the recruitment of ex-Kremation and Vandals bassist Albert Bell in July 1991. They released their first demo “Requiem” in 1991. This resulted in a deal with the French underground independent label Arkham Productions. The band released its debut 7th Ep on Arkham entitled “Virtues of Sanctity” in July 1992. In May 1995, the track “Moon Dancer” was included to the first all-Maltese underground CD compilation “The Storm Has Begun”. In February 1997 the band released its long-awaited debut CD entitled “Evermore” on Storm Records. In 2000, the band recorded “Neon Knights” – a cover version of the monumental Sabbath track off “Heaven and Hell”, which the band contributed to a Mk II Black Sabbath trubute entitled “Dehumanised Witch” released on MidWest Metal Production (USA). On the 4th January, 2001, Daniel Magri, the band’s longest serving guitarist, passed away after a long and courageous battle against Cancer. Daniel’s contribution to the band was indeed outstanding. In Feb 2002 Forsaken opened a new chapter in their eventful history with the release of a three-track demo simply titled Demo 2002. Shortly after despatching the demo to various labels, the band was approached by Golden Lake Productions (Scotland, UK) with a concrete offer for a new record deal. The band’s record deal with Golden Lake saw the band release a MCD entitled “Iconoclast” toward late summer 2002. This was soon followed in 2004 by the full length release “Anima Mundi” on Golden Lake Productions. Both this album and the MCD have received an incredible response throughout the world from fans and media alike and have catapulted the band to the forefront of the doom metal scene. The next release on Golden Lake was the re-release of the “Evermore” CD, which was re-mastered and includes the “Neon Knight” cover recorded in 2000. This was released in January 2005 and is limited to 1000 copies only. November 2005 saw the band release “Dominaeon”. After more than three years in the making, in 2009, Forsaken returned with “After the Fall”. They are currently working on a new studio album to be titled ‘Pentateuch’.
• Malta Doom
Reino Ermitaño was formed in 2001 in Lima. Taking their main cue from Black Sabbath, early Pentagram and many Heavy Rock bands from the Seventies, the band also drinks deeply from Metal acts such as Celtic Frost, Hellhammer and Saint Vitus as well as from the contemporary Doom Metal scene. Reino Ermitaño’s characteristic songwriting and the unmistakable singing of its vocalist Tania Duarte have given the band a unique stile. The vocals are delivered in the band’s native Spanish and the lyrics deal with introspection, life and death, magic, nature, and a personal vision of the spiritual world. Early in 2009, Reino Ermitaño’s guitarist Henry Guevara left the band and was replaced by Eloy Arturo, who remains in the band to this day. In 2009 the band did a European tour, playing in the Doom Shall Rise VI festival in Göppingen, as well as several other venues in Germany and Switzerland. They have released four albums and are currently recording their fifth album “Conjuros de Poder”, which they will support with another tour of Europe in 2014.
Metal Fest •
Malta’s doom death veterans Victims Of Creation were established in 1992 by founder members Rex and Dino. After a rather lengthy hiatus, Rex and Dino re-grouped in 2008 together with AJ Burd and Daniel Bartolo. MDM 2009 marked Victims Of Creation’s return on stage to widespread acclaim. Following this successful comeback, the band played more local gigs and was reconfirmed for nearly all successive MDM editions. After performing at MDM in 2011, VoC signed to Germany’s Cyclone Empire and released their debut album ‘Symmetry of Our Plagued Existence’ with CE in April 2013. The album was launched at the final edition of the legendary Doom Shall Rise festival in Germany where the band received a very strong response. Unfortunately, Daniel Bartolo left the band after the band’s return from Germany, and was replaced by Emanuel Portelli (ex-Sepia). The band will also be appearing at the acclaimed festival DUTCH DOOM DAYS shortly after MDM 2014 and is working on a new album.
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• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
The scorching heat and suffocating Maltese summer days spawned new waves reeking of heaviness and blues drenched drowsiness. It Came From The Desert rolled into life under the spell of blazing temperatures and barbecuing meat steaks under star filled skies. Four old friends found their paths reunited in putting together songs outlining the heaviness of their diverse musical backgrounds. Heavy desert rock has plagued this riffage and groove oriented being. Mist is a doom metal band from Slovenia, formed in July 2012. The quintet released their first demo in November 2013, which was reprinted 2 weeks later due to large interest. Even though they are a young band they already had a chance to play as an opening act for Uncle Acid & The Deadbeats in Vienna. “If this is their rough draft, their full album will be something mighty indeed.” - Gabriel from Ride With The Devil. “Mist are this generations answer to Black Sabbath and Coven.” – Matt Baggins from Two Guys Metal Reviews.
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• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
Façade is a doom metal band from Dordrecht, the Netherlands, formed around 2011 by Ben de Graaff (Sepiroth, Night of Suicide) and Korijn van Golen (Amorgen). They released an EP in May 2013 on vinyl and are currently working on their first full length album. Façade focuses on creating melodic, atmospheric doom metal with musical and rhythmical progressions. Lyrics often describe feelings such as betrayal, depression and despair.
Outrage started in May 1983 in Pforzheim (South Germany), when Udo F. “The Bringer of Doom” (lead guitar) and Frank P. “The Voice of Hell” (lead vocals) started the band after just a couple of meetings. Their influences were HELLHAMMER, CELTIC FROST, METALLICA, SLAYER and especially VENOM. Udo started writing all the music, making arrangements and he gave the band’s lyrics a deeper meaning.
Over the years the band had numerous lineup changes with Udo F. “The Bringer of Doom” remaining the only constant member throughout. Frank P. “The Voice of Hell”, one of the founders of the band had a short stint out of the band from 2008 to 2011. Outrage have released four Demos, one EP, three Compilations, one DVD and seven full-length albums. Playing with bands like POISON ASP, DEFENDER (DE), death-thrashers POISON, KREATOR and TANKARD, Swiss thrash act MESSIAH and DARKNESS, Outrage have always sought the keep alive the traditional Heavy Metal style and they have remained true to their roots and old school way of recording: live drums recording, old guitar equipment (original distortion effect and Marshall amp, as well as the guitar itself from the early ’80s), no modern day techniques. The beast is still breathing and ready to show the world what in the early/mid ’80s was called Black Metal! Authentic, raw and ripping old school blackened thrash!
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• Malta Doom
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Metal Fest •
In 2007, Firelord formed from the ashes of a previous Doom Metal project called Saint Judas founded by Mario E. Bussini few years back. In 2007 Beppe Tozza, Daniele Biffaro
and Giulio Buscaglione joined the project. The band played some covers and a couple of draft tunes heavily influenced by Black Sabbath, Count Raven, Gates of Slumber, Earthride, Saint Vitus and Wino projects, Doom scene, Stoner and Metal until ’80s. There were many band lineup changes, until 2011 when a certain stability was gained by bass player Dario Giuva joined the band, who helped with the release of their first four track Firelord EP “The Burning EP”. Currently, the lineup is Mario E.Bussini (voice, guitars), Giulio Buscaglione (drums) and Mario Pappano (bass). The band is currently recording new material for their first full length.
Formed in 2001, SoulSteal quickly became one of the most respected and original bands on the island of Cyprus. Defined by a unique mixture of slow and aggressive beats, violently adhered to a softer atmospheric aura, the band engaged the public across the main venues of the island, leading to a significant amount of followers.
Influenced by bands such as Katatonia, Anathema and My Dying Bride, the band released their first EP “Mirror is a Lonely Place”, in 2009. During that long period of studio inactivity, between 2002 and 2009, the band remained present on the live scene with various gigs within the island of Cyprus. In 2012, the band released their first full-length album “Answers to Everything”. The album received great critical acclaim, and was characterized as one of the best releases to come out of the island. In September 2012, SoulSteal played in Cyprus, supporting Moonspell at their sole concert on the island. In early 2013, the band was added to the Earache Records Metalizer app on Spotify, after being voted the top band in an Earache Records poll. The band is currently composing their second full-length album, expected to be released in 2014.
• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
Crimson Dawn were founded in 2005 by Dario Beretta and Emanuele Rastelli. Inspired by classic epic metal, the duo released their first promocd, “A Dawn in Crimson” in 2006. Dario took the roles of lead singer and lead guitarist, while Emanuele played rhythm guitars, bass and keys.
The drums were handled by Mattia Stancioiu, who also supervised the promo’s production. After a two-year hiatus, Dario resurrected Crimson Dawn once more. Inspired by his love for bands like Black Sabbath, Candlemass, and Cathedral, Dario made the crucial decision to add strong doom elements to the Epic strands of the first demo. Dario (now playing a 7-strings guitar) was joined by Luca Lucchini (drums), Antonio Pecere (vocals), Emanuele Laghi (keys), Alessandro Reggiani Romagnoli (bass) and Marco Rusconi (6-strings guitar) to complete the band’s present line-up. In early 2013, they released their first full length ‘In Strange Aeons…’ on My Graveyard Productions, mastered by Dan Swanö (Opeth, Edge Of Sanity) at Unisound Studio.
Bruno Masulli formed In Aevum Agere (from underground metal bands ANNIHILATIONMANCER & POWER BEYOND). They play classic doom metal influenced by Candlemass and Black Sabbath
with a personal touch. In 2007 they released their first demo “From The Depth Of Soul” which received a lot of positive reviews in several parts of Europe such as Holland, France, USA, UK, Italy and mainly in Germany as DEMO OF THE MONTH. A song from the demo was included in METAL CRUSADE VOL. XVI (Germany). In 31th January 2009 In Aevum Agere played at Hammer Of Doom in Germany. In 2011 they released a promo CD ‘MMXI’, where its tracks were included in their full-length ‘The Shadow Tower’ released in December 2012. In September 2012 In Aevum Agere signed with Pure Steel Records.
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• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
Official warmup bands
OCT
23, 2014
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Arkham Witch hail from Keighley, West Yorkshire, England. Formed by Simon Iff? and Emily Ningauble in 2009, the pair recorded a self titled demo CD-R that was very well received. Encouraged by the positive reception of the demo, John Demaine was recruited to play Bass. They were a three piece for several months, until persuading Aldo ‘Dodo’ Doom to complete the line-up. The band then rapidly wrote a raft of material and ventured into a studio. After many beers and arguments the debut album ‘On Crom’s Mountain’ arrived in 2011 and released through Barbarian Wrath Records. The band are now signed to Metal On Metal Records. Their second album ‘Legions of the Deep’ was released on MoMR in 2012. Since their inception, they underwent some lineup changes, namely, John Demaine joining Dodo Doom for some double heavy action on Guitars and ‘Raj Singh’ recruited on Bass. “Raj Singh helped us out during a gig in Dubai, and since then we haven’t managed to get rid of him!!”
• Malta Doom
Fangtooth were formed in 2007 by three old friends Sfack, Grendel and Painkiller, who already played together in a doom band called Karnstein and in a death metal band called Exhuman. After one year of hard work Fangtooth wrote six songs which were released on their debut self titled album. Joseph Reginson played the bass for this release. Eventually, Fangtooth were signed by the Russian label Solitude Production, which helped with the distribution amongst the most important zines and distros, receiving great feedback. They played in Malta Doom Metal Festival 2011 with Pagan Altar and other great European doom bands, discovering a fantastic scene and a great audience. During 2013, Damien (bass player of Bunkerr66, Occultator, Lich, and much more) joined the band as a bass player, where temporarily Mirko (drummer of Bunker66, Traumagain) filled the gap. With a complete line up, they recorded their second full length called “… as we dive into the dark”, which will be released by Jolly Rogers Records in 2014.
Metal Fest •
12th Ode is a 5 piece Heavy Metal band from Malta. The band started off as a Classic Rock covers band back in July 2010. In its first year 12th Ode played an extensive number of gigs that introduced the band, after which, the band’s focus started shifting from covers onto original material. In 2013 the band’s sound shifted to Heavy Metal.Influenced by the NWOBHM the band establishing itself amongst the metal community and got invited to play at the MDM with a line up boasting the likes of The Prophecy, Nomad Son and Dark Quarterer amongst others. In 2014 the band began work on its debut album. Still influenced by the traditonal Heavy Metal sounds of the early 80’s, shades of Doom began to appear in the (yet unreleased) new songs. 12th Ode is Daryl Ebejer on vocals,Jeremy Xuereb & Darryl Portelli on guitars.Henry Portelli on bass and Laurence’wenzu’ Baldacchino on drums.
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• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
RUNNING ORDER Friday: 20:00 - 20:45: It Came From The Desert 21:00 - 21:45: Mist 22 :00 - 22.45: Soulsteal 23 :00 - 00:15: Officium Triste 00:30 - 1:30 : Forsaken Saturday: 16:00 - 16:45: Facade 17:00 - 17:45: Firelord 18:00 - 18:45: Crimson Dawn 19 :00 - 19:45: In Aevum Agere 20 :00 - 20:45: Reino Ermitano 21:00 - 21:45: Outrage 22:00 - 22:45: Desolation Angels 23:00 - 00:15: Manilla Road 00:30 - 1:15: Victims of Creation 14
• Malta Doom
Metal Fest •
DM is the brainchild of veteran doom monger Albert Bell who dreamt of organising a doom metal festival in Malta after attending the first edition of the Doom Shall Rise festival in Germany in 2003 with his soul mates Forsaken. Albert was captivated by the magic, intimacy and community spirit of DSR and sought to get something similar off the ground in Malta. The waters were tested in 2007 by a three-way doom night featuring UNSILENCE (UK), FORSAKEN and NOMAD SON. The show went well and plans for the first edition of MDM in 2009 were set in motion. Italian legends DARK QUARTERER headlined MDM 2009. The festival increased in stature and scope ever since with new personnel roped in (James Gauci, Glen Gauci and more recently Simeon Gatt from Dawn of Anguish/Forsaken and Noel Mifsud) to meet the demands of organising MDM. Once more, this year’s edition sees a variety of bands joining the fray. These include the powerepic doom soundscapes of Crimson Dawn and In Aevum Agere (both Italy), Forsaken (Malta), the pummelling yet atmospheric doom death of Soul Steal (Cyprus), Façade (The Netherlands), Victims of Creation (Malta) and Rotherdam’s doom death godfathers Officium Triste; the classic doom grooves of Mist (Slovenia) and Reino Ermitano (Peru); It Came from the Desert’s (Malta) sludge driven desert rock, Firelord’s (Italy) stoner-induced vibes, the old school thrash/ black/doom of Germany’s Outrage, Desolation Angels’ melodic NWOBHM and Manilla Road’s (US) trailblazing epic metal, while not forgetting the triple metal blast coming to you at Thursday 23rd’s warm-up coming via 12th Ode (Malta), Fangtooth (Italy) and Arkham Witch (England). So MDM returns in 2014 with another blistering edition of doom metal worship. Doom Has Risen…and is here to stay!
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• Malta Doom
Transport Nearest public transport stage to Chateau Buskett (*venue) is called Ta’ Xuxa il-Buskett. Example journey from Sliema to venue takes around 1.30hrs. One Day Ticket @ €1.50 7 Day Ticket @ €6.50 Night Bus Service @ €2.50 per trip (Ticket can be purchased from Vending Machines or from the Driver) Note: Last bus from Buskett is at 21.45 More info from the public transport website itself on journey planner section www.publictransport.com.mt Private Transport Transportation TO and FROM Festival Sliema Transport from near Europa Hotel and back to general public :Fri - 6.00pm and return at 1.45am from venue to hotels Sat - 2.00pm and return at 1.30am from venue to hotels Valletta Transport from near Phoenicia and back to general public:Fri - 6.00pm and return at 1.45am from venue to any destination in Malta Sat - 2.00pm and return at 1.30am from venue to any destination in Malta Prices are as follows: Mini Bus > One Way From Sliema or Valletta to venue Price €4 Mini Bus > Both Ways From Sliema or Valletta to venue and after from venue to any destination Price €5 * Venue is Chateau Buskett
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Metal Fest •
Travelling by Taxi Gejxa Garage:- www.gejxagaragemalta.com Tel:- (+356) 21486395 (+356) 99499468 Airport Transfers (Arrival- Airport to hotel – Departure - hotel to airport) Approximate prices: Up to 2 persons round trip: €35 10 persons round trip: €65 To or From Festival Approximate prices: Up to 2 person per trip €20 For more than 2 persons ask price when booking Electricity The electrical supply is 230 volts +/- 10%, 50 hertz. The three-pin rectangular plug system is used, as in Britain. Adapters are very easy to find. Language The official languages of Malta are Maltese and English. Maltese, a language of Semitic origin written in the Latin script. Over the centuries, it has incorporated many words deriving from English, Italian and French languages. Italian is also widely spoken. Driving Important to note that in Malta and Gozo, driving is on the left, like UK. If you intend to rent a car or drive in Malta, it is advisable to take out comprehensive insurance. National or international driving licences are accepted. Currency Malta currency is Euro (€), since Malta is part of the Europeon Union.
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