Killswitch Engage

Flytjendur

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  Killswitch Engage

  U.D.O. is a German heavy metal band founded by lead singer Udo Dirkschneider in 1987. Closely tied to the name U.D.O. is Accept, founded by Udo Dirkschneider and Michael Wagener (later to become a top producer) in Solingen, which was the predecessor of U.D.O.
  
  U.D.O. is an incorrect tag for Udo Mechels.
  
  After the breaking up of Accept in 1987, a large fan community followed Udo Dirkschneider and Stefan Kaufmann to U.D.O.
  
  Starting with the first albums Animal House in 1988 and Mean Machine in 1989 U.D.O. proved to be pure heavy metal without any Trend-Sound influences. Both albums continued where Accept had left of in 1986 with Russian Roulette. Animal House was played in by Peter Szigeti (guitars), Frank Rittel from Warlock (bass), Mathias Dieth from Sinner (guitars),Thomas Franke (drums) and of course Udo Dirkschneider (vocals)
  
  When Mean Machine was released in 1989 U.D.O. had a totally different look. From the line-up which had played on Animal House, remained besides Udo only Mathias Dieth (guitar). New were Andy Susemihl (guitar), Thomas Smuszynski (bass) and Stefan Schwarzmann (drums).
  
  Even though the unwritten U.D.O. law No-Keyboards was broken, U.D.O. achieved an amazing success, with the album Faceless World, produced by ex-Accept drummer Stefan Kaufmann.
  
  At first disputed, it turned out to be, with Udo Dirkschneider (vocals), Mathias Dieth (guitar), Wolla Boehm (guitar), Thomas Smuszynski (bass) and Stefan Schwarzmann (drums), U.D.O.'s most sold album so far.
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  Machine Head

  Undisputed masters of murderous riffs, pugnacious grooves and ferocious hooks since 1991, Machine Head are long established as one of the most influential and incendiary bands in the metal world. Exploding into the world’s consciousness with 1994’s seminal Burn My Eyes album, the now legendary Oakland crew brutishly redefined what it meant to be heavy, incorporating a wild array of influences into some of the sharpest and most brutal metal anthems ever written. Nearly three decades later, the band founded and led by vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn has amassed an extraordinary catalogue of classic albums, while routinely enhancing an already formidable reputation as one of heavy music’s most powerful and relentless live bands.

  From the controversial but hugely successful experiments of 1999’s The Burning Red to the globe-conquering might and bombast of 2006’s The Blackening (which saw them tour the world for four full years, supporting Metallica along the way) Machine Head have never stagnated creatively or taken their foot from the artistic accelerator. Recent years have seen them forge an ever more independent and defiant path, not least through their much celebrated An Evening With... shows, wherein fans are treated to three hours of non-stop Head music with no compromise. With albums like 2014’s Bloodstone & Diamonds and 2018’s diverse, destructive and politically-supercharged Catharsis, Machine Head have continued their exhilarating evolution, while never losing the furious spirit of their old school, underground roots. Impervious to trends and proud to stand alone: Machine Head is still the bulldozer that crushes all!

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  Malevolence

  Malevolence have never waited for permission. From the underground to festival main stages, they’ve built their reputation on sheer force of will, crushing live shows, and an unshakable foundation of heavy riffs and harder work. Now, with their fourth studio album “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken”, Sheffield’s finest step into a new league.

  Recorded in California at Dave Grohl’s legendary Studio 606, the album was tracked through the iconic Neve 8078 console, the same desk that captured game-changing records like Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Rumours,” and Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers.” For a band that’s always pushed forward without compromise, it was the perfect setting to carve out a record that represents everything Malevolence stands for. The album marks a new level of songwriting precision without sacrificing the band’s trademark weight. Working alongside Grammy Award-winning producer Josh Wilbur (Lamb of God, Gojira, Trivium), the result is Malevolence at their most punishing, urgent, and anthemic.

  Lyrically, “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” reflects the principles that Malevolence have lived by since day one—honesty, loyalty, and integrity. These are not just themes woven into the album but values the band holds in their personal and professional lives. This record doesn’t deal in facades or empty gestures; it’s an unfiltered expression of the struggles, victories, and unshakable brotherhood that have carried them this far.

  “The story behind each song comes from lived experiences rather than just meaningless words on the page. It’s not all just about anger or aggression; there’s a lot of weight in the words across the whole album, whether that’s addressing personal struggles, the state of the world, or the highs and lows of life. It was important to me to really step up on the lyrics of this album. I think you can feel that raw energy and emotion in every track, and I hope people will connect with it on a deeper level. It’s 100% my proudest work to date.” - Alex Taylor

  Malevolence’s rise has been impossible to ignore. From an early afternoon slot on Bloodstock Festival’s main stage in 2021 to direct support for the headliner in 2024, they’ve proven that the grind pays off. Across Europe and the U.S., their sets have become a focal point of festival carnage, drawing some of the most chaotic pits of the summer and cementing their place as one of modern metal’s most vital forces. That reputation has earned the respect of metal’s elite. Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe, a longtime supporter of the band, lends his unmistakable roar to “In Spite,” bringing two generations of heavy music together on one track. The collaboration is a nod of approval from a legend in the scene, but more than that, it’s a statement Malevolence aren’t following in anyone’s footsteps. They’re carving their own.

  “Where Only The Truth Is Spoken” delivers on everything Malevolence have built so far—harder riffs, bigger hooks, and an undeniable presence that has taken them from Sheffield to the world stage.