Kill The Action Captivating Sonic Landscapes Kill The Action is a quartet specialising in electro-rock, comprising musicians hailing from diverse corners of the music community. Their musical fusion involves a harmonious interplay between melodious and intense guitar tones, alongside ambient-style synthesizers, substantial synth bass reverberations, infectious rhythmic patterns, and profound vocal melodies. This amalgamation results in the creation of a distinctive and captivating sonic experience. Their discography includes an EP named 'For All You People,' which was unveiled in 2018, followed by the release of their full-length album 'Anti-Gravity' in 2020. Their most recent offering is an EP titled 'Zero / Infinity,' which became available on various media platforms on August 8th. This EP consists of six tracks, with three of them, including the title track 'Zero / Infinity,' having been released as individual singles. The latest addition to their singles roster is 'Mongol,' which coincided with the official release of the EP on the same date. Rock for Richmond: Unveiling a Spectacular Musical Affair for Mental Health Awareness Announcing the triumphant return of Rock for Richmond! In its latest edition, the annual fundraising concert orchestrated by Malta’s foremost mental health non-governmental organization, The Richmond Foundation, is poised to shine with the presence of renowned performers. Taking the stage on this vibrant evening are Joon, Brikkuni, and Kym Pepe – artists celebrated for their entrancing talents that have resonated not only locally but also on the global music stage. Scheduled for the 19th of August at the Greek Amphitheatre adjacent to Mosta’s MCAST school, this event is an unmissable occasion, boasting an exceptional lineup of musical acts and a compelling platform to illuminate the dimensions of mental health awareness. Marking its fourth iteration, this year's concert guarantees an electrifying night of music, entertainment, and meaningful exchange among attendees. This concert has firmly cemented its status as a community favorite, rallying musicians and supporters alike to rally behind the cause of the foundation, raising both funds and consciousness for its critical undertakings. At the core of The Richmond Foundation's mission is the enhancement of mental well-being in Malta, facilitated through an array of services encompassing therapy, support groups, educational initiatives, and advocacy efforts. The event receives generous sponsorship from Shoulder Compliance, Hole in the Wall, and Inkontru.app. Secure your tickets by visiting here and be part of this extraordinary event. Tryst Arcane's 'Sun Of Other Days': A Musical Voyage to Nostalgic Summers Making a highly anticipated return, Tryst Arcane unveils their second release, titled 'Sun Of Other Days,' featuring the accomplished guitarist Emanuel Portelli as a guest collaborator. This album delves into the heart of a Maltese/Mediterranean summer backdrop, where nostalgia and memories intertwine. It aims to resonate with the inner child of numerous Maltese millennials, transporting them to the cherished days of their youth spent beside the sea, upon sandy and rocky shores. The album encapsulates the essence of those bygone summer holidays – the sun's warmth during the day, the lingering heat at night, the salty sea breeze that carried the aroma of the sea and the coastline. It revives the sounds of the shore and its unique fragrances, reminiscent of traditional foods and the cheerful jingle of the ice-cream van. Beyond these sensory experiences, 'Sun Of Other Days' encapsulates the profound sense of togetherness with family and friends, the exciting adventures fueled by boundless imagination, and the unburdened spirit of innocence and liberation. 'Sun Of Other Days' is slated for release on major digital platforms on the 11th of August, 2023. Get ready to be transported to the magical tapestry of summers past with Tryst Arcane's evocative musical journey. The Travellers & Ira Losco for EuroPride Valletta 2023 Concert with Christina Aguilera The official booking system for the remarkable EuroPride Valletta 2023 concert is now open for reservations. This year's concert will be graced by the presence of internationally acclaimed American artist Christina Aguilera, who will be the focal point of the event. Scheduled to take place at the Floriana Granaries on Saturday, September 16th, this concert is open to all at no cost. However, to ensure safety measures, those intending to attend are kindly requested to secure their spots through a reservation. The organizers have outlined that each individual can reserve a maximum of four spots, categorized by age: 17 years and above, between 14 and 16 years, and all those under 14 years. Attendees aged 14 to 16 must provide a signed concert form from their parents or guardians, while those under 14 can only attend if accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older. Christina Aguilera's performance will conclude the Pride March, anticipated to draw a substantial crowd of both Maltese and international participants. This march symbolizes Malta's strides in civil rights and underscores its commitment to fostering increased equality not just locally, but across Europe and beyond. Notably, reservations are not required for the Pride March itself. However, those interested in staying for the concert afterwards are advised to book their tickets. Aguilera, a notable advocate for the LGBTIQ+ community, is set to headline the concert with her chart-topping hits like "Beautiful," "Lady Marmalade," "Genie in a Bottle," and "What a Girl Wants." Joining her on stage will be a mix of local and international supporting acts, including Greek singer and artist Katerina Stikoudi, who is no stranger to performing at gay pride concerts abroad. The lineup also features local talents Ira Losco and The Travelers. Ira Losco expressed her honor at being part of the lineup, emphasizing that music transcends barriers of age, race, and sexuality. The Travelers' Chris Gatt expressed excitement for the unique opportunity to perform on the same stage as Aguilera and highlighted the significance of showcasing Maltese music on a European stage. This much-anticipated concert featuring Aguilera will serve as the grand finale of the EuroPride Valletta 2023 event series, a pioneering celebration taking place in Malta for the first time from September 7th to 17th. Rockestra 2023: Uniting Music and Purpose for a Noble Cause Rockestra 2023, centered around the theme "More Than a Feeling," is scheduled to take place on Saturday, September 30th, at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre, MFCC, Ta’ Qali. This edition of Rockestra marks the concluding chapter under the leadership of President George Vella, organized in support of The Malta Community Chest Fund. Pawlu Borg Bonaci, the Artistic Director of Rockestra, emphasizes that the event, orchestrated by The Malta Community Chest Fund in collaboration with numerous dedicated volunteers, transcends the boundaries of a mere rock concert. Instead, it stands as a purposeful gathering that unites individuals from diverse walks of life, all contributing to a noble cause. In a noteworthy departure, Maestro Aurelio Belli will serve as the Musical Director for Rockestra for the first time. He reflects on his own experience of benefiting from The Malta Community Chest Fund's assistance during a challenging period marked by cancer. Through his involvement with Rockestra, Belli aims to reciprocate the support he once received. President George Vella extends his gratitude to the organizers, The Malta Philharmonic Orchestra, and the participating vocalists, highlighting their unwavering commitment to ensuring Rockestra's triumph. The event's primary objective, as articulated by the President, remains to generate funds for The Malta Community Chest Fund, a crucial pillar of support for numerous individuals, particularly those grappling with illnesses. The launch of Rockestra's fifteenth annual installment saw the presence of key figures such as John Huber, Chairman of the Board of Administrators of The Malta Community Chest Fund, Owen Bonnici, Minister for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, and Julie Zahra, the Opposition’s Spokesperson for the National Heritage, the Arts, and Culture. These leaders urge the public to attend Rockestra, an occasion that not only celebrates Maltese talent but also upholds an honorable mission. The roster of performers for this year's Rockestra includes Aidan Drakard, David Loewe, Mikaela, Moira, Martina, Kersten Graham, Kevin Paul, Kenneth, Matthew James, Klinsmann, Raquela, Chris Grech, Peter Grech, Frank Calleja, Lara Dimech, Brooke Borg, and Pawlu Borg Bonaci. Tickets for Rockestra 2023 are available for purchase on showshappening.com with early bird tickets till August 18th.

The inaugural Farsons Great Beer Festival took place in 1981 at the Farsons Brewery in Mriehel. Over the years, it found its home in different locations, including Tigne in Sliema and Ta' Xbiex Marina. However, since 2001, the festival has found its permanent residence at Ta' Qali Park, where it has flourished to become the largest summer festival in Malta. It has solidified its position as a prominent fixture in the island's summer calendar. Every night during the festival, Malta's esteemed artists and bands take the stage, showcasing their talents to the enthusiastic crowd. This musical extravaganza has been hosted on two stages since 2001, providing even more opportunities for performers to shine. One remarkable aspect of the festival is its commitment to nurturing new talent. Aspiring bands and artists are granted the chance to perform in front of a sizable audience, serving as a steppingstone for their careers. This year's edition witnessed one of these up-and-coming bands open the festival which has persisted for an impressive 42 years, with the exception of the years affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This longevity establishes the festival as the most enduring music-related event on the islands. The purpose of this diary-style write-up is to document the performances of this year's bands on the Rock Stage. The reason for focusing on this stage is that I spend most of my time here, particularly on the days when I am responsible for playing music before and between bands. Through this diary, I aimed to create a recorded account of the musical renditions taking place on the Rock Stage. It will serve as a historical record, capturing the essence of the festival and the artists who graced this iconic platform. All too often, we take such moments for granted, and I hope this diary will preserve the memories and significance of this vibrant event for years to come. Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, I couldn't attend every night of the festival. However, in this write-up, I will cover the nights I was present, whether I attended as an audience member or participated in an official capacity. DAY ONE - 27th July Delirium MT's momentous debut on a grand stage marked the exciting commencement of this year's Farsons Beer Festival. Originally formed in 2019, the band unveiled their first album, titled 'State of Delirium,' on the 17th of September 2022. At the onset of this year, following some lineup changes, the band decided to rebrand themselves as Delirium MT. Their captivating setlist predominantly featured tracks from their album, but they also treated the audience to a new song titled 'The Deceased' and a stellar rendition of Arch Enemy's 'The Eagle Flies Alone.' After their electrifying performance, I had the opportunity to speak with members of the band. Their adrenaline was still surging, and it was evident that they were overjoyed by the resounding success of their first ever performance at the Farsons Beer Festival, leaving them elated and gratified. The subsequent band has a proud history spanning 28 years, starting their journey in 1995. During this time, they have released three demos and four studio albums, all of which were well-received between 2000 and 2015. However, after 2015, the band underwent some member changes, which temporarily disrupted their activities. With a newly stabilized lineup, the band wasted no time and began working on fresh material. Sadly, their plans to perform these new songs live were put on hold due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, which brought the music industry to a standstill. It wasn't until February 2022, when events started to get back to normality, that they graced the stage once again. At this year's Farsons Beer Festival, they showcased six of their latest creations, leaving the audience in awe. The highlight of their set was an epic progressive metal opus inspired by the legend of Matteo Falzon. This remarkable piece was performed live on stage for the second time ever (if I’m not mistaken). This powerful song will be featured on their upcoming fifth album, which promises to center around Maltese tales and folklore themes. Anticipated to be released in early 2024, the album is eagerly awaited by their devoted fanbase. The final band to grace the stage on the first night was the esteemed doom veterans, Forsaken, celebrating their impressive thirty-second year in the music scene. Throughout their illustrious journey, they have amassed an impressive discography, including 2 demos, 2 EPs, a split with the Finnish band Fall Of The Idols, and five studio albums. Their latest offering, 'Pentateuch,' was released in 2017. This performance was highly anticipated, as it marked their first show in 13 months, since their appearance at the Haunting The Theatre Metal Fest in June 2022. From the moment they stepped on stage on Thursday, their professionalism shone through, and it was evident that they were relishing the experience of being back in the limelight. Their setlist comprised a compelling collection of songs from their various releases, tracks that the attendees knew by heart and joyously sang along to throughout the night. The atmosphere was electric, and the crowd's enthusiasm was palpable. As the night reached its pinnacle, Forsaken closed their set with the epic 'Via Crucis', but the despite of the time the crowd wanted more and the band obliged with a captivating Black Sabbath medley (featuring 'Black Sabbath' and 'Symptom Of The Universe', much to the delight of everyone present. Their remarkable performance brought the curtain down on a truly fantastic metal night at the Farsons Beer Festival, leaving attendees with lasting memories of an unforgettable musical experience. In conclusion (of the first day), the bands on the first night expressed satisfaction with the sound quality on stage, although there were some issues with the sound outside that could have been improved. Unfortunately, there were holdups between bands caused by technical problems, leading to a delay in both Weeping Silence and Forsaken sets. As a result, the performances extended into the early hours of Friday. Despite these challenges, the bands' professionalism and dedication shone through, ensuring that the audience still had an enjoyable and memorable first night of music at the Farsons Beer Festival. DAY FIVE - 31st July Gordon O’Reilly on guitars and vocals, Ray ‘Il-Bazzu’ on drums, and Dylan Ray Galea on bass make up the dynamic trio known as Drowning Sorrows. Combining elements of Heavy Metal, Punk, and Rock ‘N’ Roll, this band consistently delivers an outstanding and electrifying performance every time I have had the pleasure of witnessing them on stage. Their journey in the music scene began with a memorable debut gig at the Rock City & Metal City Festivals at City Theatre in Valletta in March 2022. From that moment on, they have been leaving their mark on the island's hard rock and heavy metal scene. During the fifth day of the Farsons Beer Festival, they once again proved their prowess opening the night with a hard-hitting show. Their setlist included their debut single 'Animal,' which was released on August 1st of the previous year thus making this appearance a sort of commemoration of the first anniversary of 'Animal’. Alongside this, they showcased six other original Drowning Sorrows songs. The audience was also treated to the band's trademark sound on two impressive covers: 'White Lightning' by J. P. Richardson (the Big Bopper) and the iconic 'Heroes' by David Bowie. It was a performance that left a lasting impression, showcasing their talent and musical diversity. Death metal outfit Bound To Prevail came together in 2014. On July 1st, 2016, the band unveiled their self-titled debut demo comprising two songs: 'Survival of the Sickest,' which gained substantial airplay on several metal radio shows on the island, and 'Contorted Divergence.' Subsequently, on August 25th, 2017, the band released their first full-length album entitled 'Omen of Iniquity', from which, they played 'The Throne Were Gods Bleed' and 'Irreverent Progeny,' during their performance at the Farsons Beer Festival. The band's set also featured eight new tracks, all sourced from their yet-to-be-released album, 'Enthroned in Torment.' In recent years, Bound To Prevail has primarily focused on participating in festivals abroad. Notably, they performed at the Death Feast Open Air in Andernach, Germany, during their 2022 tour, and they were also part of the final Tolmin edition of Metaldays. Their next scheduled performance will be at The Garage on the opening day of the Malta Death Festival, on October 6th. The brutal death metal onslaught continued as Abysmal Torment took the stage. Founded in the year 2000, the band released their debut EP, 'Incised Wound Suicide,' four years later. Their first full-length album, 'Epoch of Methodic Carnage,' followed in February 2006, released under the Brutal Bands label. Over the years, Abysmal Torment treated their fans to three more powerful full-length albums, culminating with 'The Misanthrope,' which was released on September 21, 2018. Their latest performance at The Garage on June 3rd, supported by the emerging band Halcyon and as on that day the band delivered an intense setlist on stage at the Farsons Beer Festival, comprising tracks from their four full-length albums. They kicked off the show with the title track from their latest work 'The Misanthrope,'. Throughout the night, the crowd was enthralled as they played several more songs from their impressive discography. Notably, Abysmal Torment also unveiled a new song called 'Vermin,' which is set to be included in their upcoming EP, due for release soon. Excitement builds for Abysmal Torment's next performance scheduled for October, where they will take part in the much-anticipated return of the Malta Death Festival. Fans can expect an electrifying display of their relentless and signature death metal sound. Describing the day as brutal would be an understatement; it was an extraordinary prelude to the highly anticipated Malta Death Festival. The sound quality throughout the day surpassed that of the festival's opening night, leaving all the bands delighted with their performances on stage. Although there were some timekeeping hiccups, which might impact attendance, particularly during the last band's set, overall, it was an incredible night of metal. This was evident from the enthusiastic participation of the crowd in front of the stage, as massive moshpits erupted during the performances of Bound To Prevail and Abysmal Torment. DAY 7 - 2nd August - Night Of The Classics Atomic Flame's third gig illuminated the opening of Night Of The Classics at this year's Farsons Beer Festival. They delivered a captivating performance, showcasing a dynamic set primarily comprised of original compositions that will feature on their forthcoming debut album, scheduled for release in the not-so-distant future. The group, consisting of accomplished musicians, witnessed Lawrence Baldacchino commanding the drums, Charles Buttigieg skillfully handling the bass—both stalwarts with extensive careers in Malta's rock scene spanning multiple decades. Nigel 'Noogie' Buttigieg skillfully managed both guitar and vocal duties, while the lineup was completed by the inclusion of Sicilian-born Marco Mulè. Before this memorable spectacle, the band marked their debut on stage in January, sharing the spotlight with Valiantis. This performance immediately signaled the band's seriousness and determination from the very outset. Furthermore, they also took to the stage alongside Delirium MT on the 27th of May, 2023. The band shall be back on stage on the 20th September during Damaged & Co. Present: Cirque De L'Independance alongside Swiss Melodic Black/Death Metal band Heathen Heretic and hosts Damaged & Co. Taking the stage next were the eminent figures of Prog Rock, Mirage. The group came together in the year 1977 and remained active for a decade before embarking on a hiatus that endured until 2010. Presently, the lineup consists of the twin brothers Andrew (handling guitars and vocals) and Michael (managing drums), accompanied by their father and founding members Jon Vella Zarb on bass, Denis Vella on keyboards, and guitarist Robert Longo. In my perspective, Mirage stood out as the highlight in terms of sound quality from all the occasions I have attended. Their performance showcased a distinctive setlist, notably different from their previous appearance at this year's Rock The South event in May. This time around, their repertoire leaned heavily towards original classics, including notable tracks like "Ashes," "River Of Light," "In An Empty House," and "For Absent Friends." Lord Adder remained steadfast in fulfilling their commitment: "In 2019, Lord Adder made a triumphant return, and their momentum has not waned since. Their objective is to infuse the music scene with their potent brand of heavy metal, and they have no intentions of decelerating in the foreseeable future," as stated by Mark Spiteri. This marked the band's second appearance on the Farsons Beer Festival stage. It's worth noting that Mark has graced the festival platform twice more, once with The Bristles and making a guest appearance with the Rock Troupers. Having recently graced the stage at The Garage on the 24th of June, the band's performance at the festival exuded a brilliant blend of heavy metal energy and charisma. Notably, this concert serves as their final show on the island, with their next performance scheduled for The Midi Festival in China come September. In wrapping up, I can't think of a more fitting way to sum things up than by sharing the sentiments of Lee Dorrian (known for his association with Napalm Death and Cathedral). While enjoying his holiday on the island, he made a visit to the festival grounds and when he noticed Mirage on the lineup. Fondly recalling their music from as far back as 1982 with 'For Absent Friends,' he relished the performances of all three bands. Undoubtedly, it was a night of timeless excellence! DAY 8 - 3rd August Let's rewind the clock by six years, to a scorching August evening, when Repugnance last took the stage. Back in 2019, the band had been slated to perform at Deathfest Open Air, yet circumstances forced them to cancel at the eleventh hour. Thus, this occasion marked a triumphant return for the Brutal Death Metal group, which initially formed in 2011. With nearly all the tracks performed that night stemming from their debut full-length album, "Shrouds of Deceit," released on May 24th, 2019, the set culminated with the powerful 'Priest Of Impurity,' a track hailing from the Seeds of Oppression EP, released on February 18th, 2014, via Anopsys Records. Right from the outset, it was unmistakable that the band was poised to deliver a captivating performance. Their six-year hiatus seemed like a mere handful of days, setting the stage for their upcoming gig in October (details yet to be revealed). During this interim period, the band is diligently composing and piecing together songs with the objective of releasing them next year. Revitalized by the recent addition of Zain Gauci on drums, Chaotic Remains took the stage after Repugnance, unleashing a potent dosage of Death Metal. The band's performance consisted of fresh tracks from their forthcoming album, which is now nearing its final stages of development. Among these was 'Blood And Gore,' a single released on November 20th, 2021. Hailing back to their formation in 2008, Chaotic Remains burst into the scene with their highly acclaimed debut album 'We Are Legion' on December 1st, 2017. Their most recent live appearance was in April, where they supported the Spanish Melodic Doom Death metal ensemble Evadne at The Garage. Before that, the band had a notable role on February 11th as one of two special guests during the inaugural album launch event for 'Life's Grand Delusion' by Damaged & Co. The other featured band was Viper Soup Complex. Martyrium stands out as one of the most seasoned bands within the realm of extreme music in our country. Established in 1999, the band has unveiled a total of five full-length albums. Their latest creation, 'Lamia Satanica,' emerged on March 19th, 2021, under the banner of Art Gates Records. This release marked the return of Norwegian vocalist Sandra Stensen, who had previously fronted the band in 2018. Notably, she played a significant role in crafting the compositions on 'Lamia Satanica,' from which the majority of the setlist performed at the Farsons Beer Festival was drawn. During the event, the band introduced two new tracks, 'Triad Of Stygian Fires' and 'Thrice God’s Voice Denied,' both of which will find a place in their forthcoming album. News concerning the album's launch is anticipated by year-end, with work on it already at an advanced stage. Before gracing the Farsons Beer Festival stage, Martyrium's most recent performance had been in Erba, Italy, where they shared the limelight with three other bands: Slovakia's Doomas, alongside Italy's Chronic Hate and Necroshine, on May 13th. Returning to the Thursday night show, the band delivered the exceptional performance they are renowned for. As with every previous encounter I've had the privilege to witness, they did not fail to impress. Just as Monday showcased its brutality, Thursday echoed the sentiment with three exceptional performances from the depths of the underground extreme metal scene, a facet our island can rightfully take pride in. All three bands that graced the stage that night, much like the previously mentioned acts, gave nothing short of their absolute best. Despite less-than-optimal sound conditions, the dedication and skill exhibited by every performer and musician on the Rock Stage at the Farsons Beer Festival 2023 remained unblemished. Regrettably, the festival's final day, slated for Saturday, August 5th, had to be called off due to severe winds that posed a risk of damage or injuries, rendering it impossible for the organizers to continue with the event. MY PENNY'S WORTH ON THE EVENT As with any festival, the Farsons Beer Festival, too, has its share of pros and cons that contribute to its overall experience. Fortunately, the scales tip in favor of the positive aspects, notably the commendable selection of bands. However, it's worth noting that some avoidable drawbacks did arise, underscoring the need for heightened attention and meticulous planning. These observations aren't intended as criticism towards the festival's organization, but rather as constructive suggestions to enhance future editions. Turning to the dressing room in the backstage area, there's little to fault, though one could argue that accommodating three bands simultaneously might have been a stretch due to its modest size. Each musical act prepares differently, and in the future, considering an instrument storage facility could alleviate the issue of musicians from different bands inadvertently crossing paths while retrieving their equipment. It is worth commending the efficient handling of beverages and other services towards bands and other staff backstage, a task that was flawlessly managed. Speaking of the allocated grounds in the backstage area, the challenge arises when moving equipment to and from the stage. While the space was ample, the absence of a direct exit point for vehicles posed a hurdle. Bands had to unload their gear, relocate their vehicles to the designated parking area outside the festival grounds (on the opposite side), contributing to the inconvenience of instruments obstructing the allocated dressing room already mentioned. This had to be done way before the doors were due to open for the public. And as mentioned although there was ample room backstage area for bands' vehicles, they had to wait until attendees dispersed before driving through the festival area to collect their equipment. A common complaint echoing throughout the festival was the quality of sound emanating from the stage. It is undeniable that it fell short of optimal, prompting a suggestion for organizers to inform confirmed bands about who the sound engineer shall be on the night and provide the option to bring their own. A notion that has long lingered is the absence of band merchandise during the festival. This would be one of the few occasions these bands have to sell their merch. And wouldn't it be fitting to offer attendees the chance to purchase t-shirts, hoodies, and other items adorned with the year's festival poster on the front and the list of bands and stages on the back (as is custom in other festivals)? Some might argue that it is first and foremost a beer festival. True but would it be the same without the music provided by the bands? Shifting to the topic of stages, while there was initial buzz about three stages, it came to light that there was, in fact, an additional one. It raises questions as to why this fourth stage and the artists performing on it were not adequately mentioned in the festival buildup. In conclusion, despite its imperfections, the festival remains a cherished summer tradition, consistently offering one of the most enjoyable multi-day experiences year after year. Should you, dear reader wish to comment, please feel free to do so in the comments section below. Did you visit the festival grounds during the festival? We value your opinion?

In a few days' time, Jon Lukas would have turned 75 years old, affectionately recognised as another Maltese artist who succeeded abroad. This is his story... Jon Lukas, also known as Woodenman and born as Frank Agius on August 4, 1948, in Paola, Malta, was a renowned musician from Malta. In the 1970s, he achieved a groundbreaking milestone for Maltese music with the release of his hit single "Can't Afford to Lose," becoming the first Maltese artist to achieve international success. This iconic achievement was acknowledged 40 years later when his handprint was included in Bay Street's Walk of Fame on November 28, 2010. Additionally, he received a Lifetime Achievement award at the Malta Music Awards, presented to him by Freddie Portelli and featured on the TVM news on the same day. Jon Lukas will forever be etched in Maltese music history for being the first Maltese pop artist to sign with a major international record company, not just for his ground-breaking chart success in various foreign territories. The 1970s were a challenging time in Malta when pop music access was limited to Rediffusion, and concepts like FM radio, the internet, or making overseas phone calls were practically unheard of. Consequently, aspiring to become a pop star seemed nearly impossible. Jon Lukas defied the odds by securing a contract with EMI Columbia, which was a momentous achievement. During its peak, "Can't Afford to Lose" received regular airplay on Radio Luxembourg, which was equivalent to today's MTV. The song's extensive exposure on the station, with twice nightly plays for a month and occasional inclusion on playlists over the following year, propelled its popularity in various territories. Revered as a timeless classic by his fans, the song continues to enjoy regular airplay, particularly in Malta. Notably, "Can't Afford to Lose" was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road studios in London, using the same microphones and session musicians as The Beatles during their tumultuous period near their breakup. The B-side of the single, "Can't Make You Mine," was written by Mike McGear of the UK act The Scaffold, who, in reality, is Peter McCartney, the brother of Sir Paul McCartney. Aside from reaching the Top 40 charts in the UK and several European territories, "Can't Afford to Lose" secured the top position on the pop charts in Lebanon for an entire month, preventing The Beatles' "The Long and Winding Road" from reaching the No. 1 spot. This success led to Lukas embarking on tours in Lebanon, Abu Dhabi, Damascus, Iran, and other Emirates, sharing the spotlight with esteemed names such as Googoosh, Gilbert Bécaud, Johnny Halliday, Michel Legrand, Mal, Domenico Modugno, Patti Pravo, Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Bananarama, Lisa Stansfield, Level 42, and various other international and Arabic music stars. In the early 1980s, Jon Lukas formed a close bond with the legendary US soul artist and Grammy Award winner Marvin Gaye, who was residing in London at the time and facing personal challenges. They collaborated on several ideas and productions, although most remained unfinished. Lukas did release a track titled "Love Hurts" shortly before Gaye's tragic death in 1984. In 1993, accompanied by Marita, Jon Lukas placed second in the Malta Song Contest with the song "Żommni u Għannaqni." This marked another significant milestone in his career as it was the first time he sang in Maltese, an experience that evoked a deep sense of belonging. The English version of the song, titled "Love We Share," was produced by renowned Indian-British music producer Biddu, known for hits like Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting," Tina Charles, Jimmy James, and The Real Thing. In 1994, Jon Lukas broke the HIV/AIDS taboo in Malta by establishing the Jon Lukas AIDS Awareness Campaign, aimed at promoting awareness and education about the emerging disease. That same year, Lukas organized and participated in a Rock Mass dedicated to his brother Ray, who had passed away from HIV+ related complications in 1987. In 1998, under the name Woodenman, Jon Lukas and his band made a significant impact by topping the Peoplesound.com indie music web charts for the entire month of August with their song "My Time." However, later that year, Lukas faced a near-fatal cardiac arrest, which necessitated a break from music for rest and recovery. Although less visible in the public eye, Lukas continued his involvement in music behind the scenes. In 2007, he received an Effigy Award in Marbella, Spain, where he spent considerable time when not in the UK. The award was presented by ONDA CERO Radio/ABC Network Radio USA in recognition of Lukas's radio airplay in these territories for his 2007 release, "Far Away." He continued recording under the moniker Jon Lukas Woodenman. Later that year, he released another song titled "Better Man," showcasing a revitalized passion for music that captured his soulful essence from a fresh perspective. In the summer of 2008, Marc Storace of Krokus paid tribute to Lukas' 'Can't Afford to Lose'. During Krokus’ concert, on the island of Gozo, Lukas surprised the audience as he emerged to sing the last half of the song in duet with Storace. Throughout most of his career, Lukas made rare visits to Malta, mostly for brief breaks. However, in early 2009, he returned for a six-month period to care for his ailing mother. During his time in Malta, he actively engaged in the local scene, serving as a judge on ONE TV's talent show ID and hosting his distinctive cutting-edge radio show called "Woodenman's Jukebox." The show aimed to present uninterrupted credible music without excessive talk. The radio show continues to be broadcast to this day, streaming live on Fridays at 2045hrs CET (1945hrs UK) on ONE Radio and at CHANNEL RADIO UK on Wednesdays at 1900hrs CET (1800hrs UK), with a repeat airing on Fridays at 2200hrs CET (2100hrs UK). Detailed show information and links to listen on-demand are available on the dedicated Facebook page. Around the same time, jonlukaswoodenman was approached by Adrian Saliba of Rewind Productions to write a song titled "ONE 4 U" for the 2010 Malta Eurosong Contest. In 2010, Jon Lukas Woodenman was diagnosed with lung cancer, resulting in the partial removal of one of his lungs. He subsequently underwent a grueling four-month chemotherapy course, sharing his cancer treatment experience with friends and fans through online posts on his Facebook page. In August 2010, during a Winter Moods concert attended by a record-breaking audience of 10,000 people, a personal tribute was paid to Woodenman, highlighting his significant contributions to Maltese music. In May 2011, he made his first post-cancer live appearance in a tribute concert organized by Winter Moods. He also featured in a TVM biography about Winter Moods. Through his involvement and connections with key figures in the Maltese music scene, Jon Lukas became acquainted with the abundant talent and vibrant music scene on the island. Apart from recording his radio shows, his visits to Malta became more frequent, allowing him to attend numerous live music events held on the island. Sadly, Jon Lukas, the first Maltese artist to break into the UK's Top 40 charts passed away at the age of 72 after battling cancer for 13 years. photos from Jon Lukas Woodenman Facebook page

Remembering Ray Mahoney: Malta's Melodic Wordsmith and Poetic Visionary On the evening of Tuesday, 25th July, news of the passing of one of Malta's most prolific lyricists began to circulate on social media. This artist, whose career spanned over 60 years, was well-known for his melodic and nostalgic writing style, touching the hearts of many with his intimate poetry. Born on 1st June 1949 in San Ġiljan, Ray Mahoney was a founding member of the Moviment Qawmien Letterarju and started his journey in poetry back in 1963. Throughout his illustrious career, Mahoney's literary works appeared in various books and anthologies, showcasing a modernised romanticism. Notably, at the age of 19, he co-authored the book "Antenni," and subsequently penned several other books, including "Dawl fil-Persjani," "Għoxrin Rebbiegħa," "il-Muża Maltija," "Linji Ġodda," "Orizzonte Senza Fine," "Cross Winds" (published in England), "il-Poeżija Maltija," "Turġien," "Ħodon Qronfol," "Il-Miġra," "Ward mal-Mogħdija," "Qawsalla," "Disgħa Għal Disgħa," "Mwieġ," and others. Apart from his poetry, Ray Mahoney also ventured into writing novels and plays, many of which were brought to life on stage by Politeatru. One of his most remarkable achievements was providing the lyrics for the famous rock opera "Ġensna" in 1982. Set to music by Paul Abela, this rock opera held a significant place in Malta's history, taking audiences on a powerful and emotional journey through the island's past. Following the success of "Ġensna," Mahoney continued to write lyrics for ten more musicals, each showcasing his talent for storytelling and poetic expression. These musicals include "Bastilja" (1989), "Ulied in-Nanna Venut fl-Amerika" (1991), "Il-Gwerra ta’ Spiru Cefai" (1992), "Ali Baba" (1994), "Żeża tal-Flagship" (1996), "It-Tfalja tal-Palazz" (1997), "It-Tieġ ta’ Karmena Abdilla" (1999), "Rita (ta’ Cascia)" (2000), "Manuel! Manuel! Il-Bandiera tal-Maltin" (2000), and "Jien Ġużeppi" (2006). Throughout his remarkable career, Mahoney penned numerous songs, some of which gained international recognition. Notably, his lyrics for the songs "Could it Be," performed by Paul Giordimaina and Georgina Abela, and "Little Child," sung by Mary Spiteri, achieved sixth and third place, respectively, in the Eurovision Song Festival in 1991 and 1992. Another notable song he contributed lyrics to was "Here Comes My Lover," performed by Karen Polidano. Beyond his accomplishments as a lyricist, Ray Mahoney was a prominent news broadcaster on television and hosted various radio programs, including the notable "Intaqgħu Hemm." He also lent his voice to reading novels and romances on One Radio for an extended period, in addition to making other valuable contributions to the station. For his outstanding contributions to the arts, in 1979, Raymond Mahoney received the Best Author Award at the Malta Music Awards. He was also honoured with the Diploma of Associazione Dio Pan Culturale di Firenze, further acknowledging his significant impact on Maltese culture and literature. Melodija.eu extends heartfelt condolences to Ray Mahoney's family and friends.

Kapitlu 13 new song 'Żerriegħa ta’ Mħabba' with violinist Maria Cini On Friday, 14th July, Kapitlu 13 and violinist Maria Cini presented an original rap-style song, titled "Żerriegħa ta’ Mħabba" (Seeds of Love), which is related to the Feast of the Doctrine in Ħal Tarxien. The performance took place during a unique show. Additionally, on Saturday, 15th July, there was an air and ground fireworks display, followed by a procession on Sunday morning, featuring the devoted statue of the Madonna of the Doctrine. In a statement, Ian Massa, the Secretary of the Youth Section & Doctrine Followers, emphasized the intensive work that went into creating this song, including efforts to produce a music video featuring various Doctrine followers of all ages. The song "Żerriegħa ta’ Mħabba" tells the story of a lesser-known tradition of a small winter feast, which has now evolved into a multi-day celebration, with society embracing all external festivities, including the casino and warehouse, both owned by the same society. The song also addresses the fire that broke out during this feast, destroying the float and the band that had been formed a few weeks prior. Mr. Massa dedicated the song to past, present, and future Doctrine followers who, with courage and determination, have strived and will continue to strive to maintain the stability of this feast in Ħal Tarxien. He mentioned that this song is the first of its kind, written by Kapitlu 13, and it pays tribute to Doctrine followers and their patroness, the Madonna of the Doctrine. Watch song video here. Chanelle Fenech debuts with a song called 'Feels' Chanelle Fenech, a talented 17-year-old emerging artist, has made her debut with a captivating song titled 'Feels.' This summer anthem narrates the story of a girl who develops feelings for a boy, only to find that he doesn't reciprocate her emotions. However, as the song progresses, with the support of her friends, she manages to overcome this "obsession" and discovers the importance of self-love and self-worth, realizing that these qualities are invaluable. Chanelle Fenech has already made waves in the music scene, having participated and performed in numerous events, most notably on Malta's Got Talent. During the first season of the show, she wowed the judges as a solo act, making it through to the judge's cuts. Later, she had the opportunity to re-participate in the second season of the show, this time with a choir called La Voix Harmonies. Their incredible talent and performance led them to receive Valentina Rossi's golden buzzer, propelling them all the way to the live shows and eventually reaching the final. Now, Chanelle is taking her artistic journey to the next level by exploring songwriting and experimenting with different musical genres. She firmly believes that 'Feels' is a significant step towards achieving her ultimate goal of becoming an established artist. With her undeniable talent and determination, it's evident that Chanelle Fenech is destined for a bright and successful future in the music industry. Song video can be viewed here. Minister Launches Rock’N Malta 2024: Financial Support for Rock Music Artists and Producers Minister Owen Bonnici, responsible for National Heritage, the Arts, and Local Government, has officially launched the call for applications for Rock’N Malta 2024. This program aims to provide financial assistance to artists and concert producers in the rock music genre and its subgenres. Minister Bonnici highlighted that the initiative, introduced in 2017, has gained significant popularity among local organizers and producers. Thanks to the support from these funds, they have successfully organized concerts featuring both local artists and renowned international acts such as Lordi, Barclay James Harvest, Dream Theatre, Krokus, Steve Hackett, and more. Chairman Aaron Zahra of Festivals Malta expressed that Rock’N Malta offers an opportunity to explore a different music strand not typically targeted by their main festivals. The initiative also aligns with the agency's main goal of providing platforms for local artists to showcase their talents. Zahra encouraged organizers, promoters, and artists to submit their applications and take advantage of this fund. Francis Agius, CEO of Festivals Malta, added that Rock’N Malta allows them to further support local artists, organizers, and promoters, particularly within the rock music scene. The genre's popularity in the region is evident from the overwhelming turnout and sold-out events that are part of Rock’N Malta. For Rock’N Malta 2024, a total budget of €300,000 has been allocated. Interested parties can apply for the funds until noon on Friday, 15th September 2023. Those wishing to apply can find more information at www.festivals.mt.

In a thrilling new chapter for the band Decline the Fall, their recent lineup change and highly anticipated album mark a transformative period in their musical journey. The upcoming album, "Perspectives", is a heavier and more mature sound than their debut, and features songs about a variety of topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, personal growth, and the challenges of being a musician. John Castiel, the band's vocalist, recently spoke to us about the album, and shared some insights into the songwriting process, the recording process, and the band's hopes for the future. M The band recently underwent a lineup change. Can you introduce us to the new members and tell us how they've influenced the band's sound and creative process? JC "Since our relocation to Slovenia in 2020, we have undergone three lineup changes. Initially, approximately a year ago, we had the pleasure of meeting Sašo Pučko, a talented guitarist hailing from the City of Maribor, Slovenia. Together with Sašo, we collaborated on an album, joining forces with the lineup consisting of John, Ehren, and Kris. The recording of this album concluded at the end of 2022. However, at that time, Kris made the decision to depart from the band. We found a suitable replacement in Giuseppe Taormina, a guitarist from Sicily who had been studying music in Graz, Austria, a two-hour drive away from our current location. Our most recent addition to the lineup is Gregor Korošec, a talented musician from the City of Ptuj. Prior to joining us, Gregor had not yet experienced performing on stage but had been creating music through his solo project. We recognized his potential immediately when he applied for the bassist position. To summarize, the current lineup of our band consists of John on vocals, Ehren Fenech on drums, Gregor Korošec on bass, Sašo Pučko on guitar, and Giuseppe Taormina on guitar. I don't think you will ever find a lineup consisting of two Maltese, Two Slovene, and one Sicilian anywhere else haha." Transitioning to a new lineup can often lead to a shift in musical direction. How would you describe the evolution of Decline the Fall's sound on this upcoming album compared to your previous work? "Musically we were shifting before the lineup changed as we introduced a heavier tuning to the band when we released our last single ''Sinister'' and when it comes to recording our 2nd album we continued on that path." What were the main inspirations behind the songwriting process for this album? Were there any particular themes or experiences that shaped the lyrics and overall tone? "I wrote most of the album's lyrics during the covid pandemic so obviously, I was very influenced by that situation but the album is going to be named ''Perspectives'' and I tried to talk about different topics that not many musicians talk about while using my own perspective and experience on the subject. For some songs, I needed help from others that had a different point of view on the subject which helped me evolve not only as a musician and a writer but also as a human." Are there any standout tracks on the album that you're particularly excited about? Could you provide us with a glimpse into the emotions and messages conveyed in those songs? "I think at the moment I have two favourite tracks. Agony - which talks about a specific moment that we as humans go through when we just go through a bad experience and you let negativity take over you and put you down even more. It's that specific moment when you look in the mirror and you're disappointed in yourself to the point that instead of trying to pull yourself up, you push yourself down. So it could be portrayed as a conversation with yourself. Suffocating - Talks about being held back by the people that love you. This is not something I experienced properly because luckily for me, my family was supportive of me leaving the country and I appreciate that a lot. I wrote this because I understand that not everyone is so lucky and there are many people out there being held back from actually doing what they want. Sometimes the people that are holding you back don't even know they are doing it. It's a mix of love and fear." As you embark on this new chapter, what aspects of Decline the Fall's music do you feel have remained consistent, and what elements have undergone notable changes? "There are key elements in the band that we always want to keep. I'm a sucker for catchy choruses so even though we went on the heavier side we still implemented that element in most of these new tracks. We all improved as musicians since the first album and hopefully, our fans are going to hear that we matured and improved our skills." The band's previous album garnered a significant following. How do you think this new release will build upon your existing fan base and attract new listeners? "It's hard to say if I had to be honest. Obviously, we tried our best to improve on what we've done before so the aim is that if you liked our first album, you will love this one but one thing for sure is that we are releasing this album in a better way, compared to the first one since it was during Covid and we couldn't even do a show for it's launch." In addition to the album, you mentioned filming music videos for the singles. Can you give us a sneak peek into the visual aesthetics and concepts that will accompany your songs? "We will be filming a total of five music videos and already shot three of them! The budget is limited but we tried our best to make them interesting enough without having a story going on. So the aesthetics are going to be mostly artistic in various locations that we loved. The fact that we're located in Slovenia gave us a big advantage in having beautiful locations for the band's performance so we definitely took advantage of that." Collaboration can often breathe new life into a band's creative process. Have there been any notable collaborations with other artists or producers on this album that you can share with us? "When it comes to this album we didn't have any collaborations on it other than our producer Fredrik Nordström that helped us stay in the right direction and created the Introduction to the album." The recording studio is often a space where artists experiment and push their boundaries. Did you explore any new techniques, sounds, or instruments during the recording process that fans can look forward to? "When we decided to move, we made it our goal to find a house that has a place where we could build our studio and that's what we did. We were lucky to build our own studio and record this album all by ourselves. We all studied and practised recording throughout these past years and invested in the right equipment so we don't have to go to a recording studio and can do everything ourselves. That gave us a big advantage on this album as we could work separately on the tracks while saving time and money." Finally, what are your hopes and aspirations for this upcoming album? How do you envision it resonating with your audience and leaving an indelible mark on Decline the Fall's musical journey? "It's hard to explain what we went through as a band to make this second album possible but every time we found ourselves giving up or losing our way, we always managed to fight through it and focused on the future because we truly believe in what we're doing. We're going to keep fighting and doing our best to push these tracks but whatever happens, for us as musicians, it's already a big achievement just having it out there in the world. I hope that whoever we reach will realise our passion for it." Decline The Falls's next shows are: 4th of August - Metaldays (Slovenia) 19th of August - S8 Underground Club, Budapest (Hungary) They will also be announcing other dates, including Malta later this year. Read more about the band, and their discography here photos from Decline The Fall's official Facebook page

Owen Leuellen and Destiny collaborate on new song - press release 14/07/2023 They are a match made in music heaven and we got a taste of the magic on The Voice Kids Malta. Today Owen Leuellen and Destiny release their collaborative track ‘Juice’ on all radio stations along with a music video by the renowned Steven Levi Vella and DOP Victor Abela who have multiple music videos to their names. The collaboration is a fresh Summer track which will surely have you turning up the volume. Owen tell us ‘’ We were friends a long time ago but since we been on the voice together as coaches we found more buzz in each other than we had ever seen before. So we were like how bout we give the island something to remember for a long time’’ while Destiny says ‘’ I don’t know from where to start. Myself and owen always had a very genuine friendship. We love being around eachother and supporting one another. But after the voice kids we shared something deeper and more special. And we instantly thought about collaborating together. This is just the beginning and I’m pretty sure we’ll have much more music coming your way in the future. To end this I would like to thank owen for being such an incredible person and for making me feel so at ease around him. Stay tuned x x x’’ Music video link Maleth Crucis unveils another song from their upcoming EP In a post on the band's facebook page (and his personal one) singer Michael said this about the latest song announced to be part of their upcoming debut EP: "Now that this gem is featuring in our EP historia nostra, it served to reach another benchmark in the mastering process. It's more brutal than its previous version. This is what morphed Maleth Crucis, between the founding members a re-union from the early-mid nineties in the days of Lithomancy". The band also posted the following information regarding the song in particular and the EP: Intergalactic Animal Farm event important update Viper Soup Complex issued an important update today 17th July with regards to their event taking place at The Garage on 12th August: "The Viper and the Wolf are still meeting and colliding in an explosive soup at the speed of light, however this time round the wolf will not be singing, it will transcend from sheep while becoming more and more determined to provide you with an incredible night ! No ..we're not dreaming! it's actually the truth! This event hasn't been without its changes! and yet another change will see Wolfsinger having to leave our night due to unforeseen circumstances to be replaced by locals From Sheep To Wolves! While we hope to have the opportunity to share the stage once again with Wolfsinger, we're looking forward and we're excited to see this new development! Stay tuned for more! Poster credit goes to the ever-patient Samwel Mallia".

Damaged & Co. Announces First-Ever Tour in Captivating Israel “We are absolutely thrilled to share with you our most exciting news to date: the announcement of our very first band tour in the captivating land of Israel!” announced Damaged & Co. on their Facebook page on Monday 10th July. And while apologizing for thier recent social media silence, they explained it was because they have been diligently working behind the scenes, meticulously planning and organizing this remarkable mini-tour, as well as other surprises that the band shall be revealing soon 😉. The tour is planned as follows: On the 5th of October, Damaged & Co. shall be gracing the enchanting city of Haifa, performing at the renowned Wunderbar. Followed by another live performance on the 8th of October, when they’ll be taking the stage at סטודיו המפלט - HaMiflat Studio in the vibrant and bustling city of Tel Aviv. Finally, on the 10th of October, the band shall be making their way to the historical and spiritually captivating city of Jerusalem. At the prestigious Blaze Rock Bar. From the vibrant streets of Tel Aviv to the underground dens of Haifa and the ancient wonders of Jerusalem, the band is ready to soak in the infectious energy of the crowd and embrace the richness of Israel's diverse cultural tapestry. The combination of their music, the electric atmosphere, and the beauty of these cities is sure to create an extraordinary experience for all. The band ended their message, “We'll be providing exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peeks and sharing ticket information with you. We can't wait to embark on this incredible journey together and create memories that will last a lifetime. Let the music and magic of Israel ignite our souls and unite us all in an unforgettable celebration of art and culture”. 🎶✨ Fistful of Thrash Vol. 2: Murdoc.104 Featured in Massive New Wave Thrash Compilation 7th July marks the release of Fistful of Thrash Vol.2 compilation on The Hills Are Dead Records , a MASSIVE compilation of some of the most interesting up and coming new wave thrash bands around the world, and locals Murdoc.104 have been included in it. Murdoc.104’s song on the compilation is their eponymous song taken from their debut EP ‘The Undying’ This double album can be downloaded for free from Bandcamp and can also be obtained in both double cassette and double CD format, both in limited number. Remembering Steve Borg: A Tribute to a Founder, Friend, and Dad with "No Surrender" A short post on social media Axel Borg (son of late Steve Borg) wrote: " Today would have been your 54th Birthday! A thought that is always right there, in everything that I do.. What would we be doing if you were still here with us? What would you say to us? How would life be with you around? Of course .. brilliantly Rock N Roll. That’s why we take every opportunity to cherish all the loving, funny moments we had together. Being yourself, you managed to earn a huge amount of respect from a LOT of people. Being it friends, family, music buddies, and the list goes on, luckily most of them are still in our circle. For your 54th the lads made sure that we give you another deserving Salute, coming from a lesson that you gave us a couple of years ago .. No Surrender! You always kept going no matter what, you kept your spirits high until the last beat. That’s why us, as Purple Haze, we are releasing our latest writing dedicated to our Founder, Friend, and Dad .. We would also like to dedicate this song to Ivan Tabone's father who sadly pass away today. ‘’No Surrender’’ video can be viewed here A Huge thank you goes to David Cassar Torreggiani Daryl Ebejer Bagigu Philip Ivan Tabone SPINESPLITTER STUDIO You made this possible once again x". Personnel: David Cassar Torreggiani - guitars Daryl Ebejer - vocals Philip 'Bagigu' Camilleri - bass Ivan Tabone - keyboards Axel Borg - drums Recorded at Spinesplitter Studio by David Depasquale Condolences from all at Melodija.eu to Ivan Tabone and family

DALAM is the backing band to Malta’s construction noise. ‘HEADLINES’ ,the band’s debut EP, is out now exclusively via Kewn Records and is an introduction to DALAM’s frantic, brash, and sardonic sound. ‘HEADLINES’ marks the first phase of what DALAM set out to achieve when they formed in 2020—write compelling tracks steeped in sludgy noise rock, early metalcore, post-hardcore, and various other kinds of filthy music. On an island where everything seems far-fetched, DALAM pushes things one step further. The four tracks on ‘HEADLINES’ feature stories that would make the news in a parallel world where Malta is just slightly more bizarre. ‘HEADLINES’ was engineered, mixed, and mastered by Steve Lombardo at Hell Next Door Studios. check it out now

A Rock Legend's Path from Local Bands to Krokus and Beyond Mark Anthony Storace Crockford, born on October 7, 1951, in Sliema, is the son of Anthony Storace and Edna Crockford. He is one of six children in his family. From a young age, he taught himself to sing and began his musical journey at the age of fourteen in 1965. He made his initial live performances with two local bands called Stonehenge Union and The Boys. Inspired by the influential WOODSTOCK Festival in the late 1960s, Storace renamed The Boys to Cinnamon Hades. The band started covering songs by Iron Butterfly, Jimi Hendrix, and various hard rock acts like The Who, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, and Black Sabbath while still including the popular Beatles "Abbey Road Medley." Driven by his dream to pursue a career as a rock musician, Storace had to leave his homeland behind. In 1970, he relocated to London, and the rest, as they say, is history. When it comes to Maltese artists who have made a name for themselves abroad, only a few can be mentioned alongside Marc Storace. In November 2021, Marc returned to the island with some friends to film a documentary about his life. During his visit, I had the privilege of interviewing Marc on November 2nd, where we discussed various topics, episodes from his life. Thanks, Mark, for accepting to visit us at our studios. Hope you're enjoying your stay on the island. Thank you. It's my pleasure to be here and do this interview with you. And yeah, we're having fun. I'm here with a couple of friends of mine from Switzerland, Serge and Sepp, and we're actually here mainly to film some footage for the documentary of my singing career from the very start, which is in the hands of Sepp, who came up with the idea a couple of years back. And actually, we never really got started because COVID came. And so, we wanted to come to Malta two years ago already. But anyway, in the meantime, I did the album. So that was positive too. Well, I am sure throughout the years you have been asked about your early life over and over again. So, we'll try not to dwell too much on that. But maybe a topic which is usually overseen is the fact that you left Malta at a young age and considering what family means to us, Maltese or Mediterranean especially, how hard was it at that time? It wasn't easy at all, but it was a decision I had to take because I had not done too well getting myself a diploma here. So, I kind of held a dagger against my own back and I had to move, take a decision. [And] I thought London would be the best place to go because I could speak English very well. [And] I went there, and I had some friends there. So, I could find my way around and met some musicians and jammed and stuff. But then this thing happened [that] I met this Swiss lady and thanks to her, I made the step to Switzerland. But it was very hard for me all the time. I had these kind of lows where I would think of Malta a lot and miss my family, my friends and a good old hobz biz-zejt and lampuka, some pastizzi and lampuka pie that my mom used to cook and stuff like that. It's the homesickness. And when I went to Switzerland, of course, it became worse, this feeling. The music got better, the situation with Tea and so on. But the feeling of missing the Maltese culture, Mediterranean culture, the fresh seafood and stuff like that walks along the promenade because I grew up in Sliema along the promenade. That was my life, and the sea, of course, life in the Mediterranean on top and under it. Skipping the bit about Tea going to Krokus, many know about you turning down an audition with AC/DC in ‘80 or ‘81. But few know, or at least it is less mentioned, that around the time Krokus asked you to join, you did an audition with Rainbow. How did that one come about? Well, I was at that time in London after the whole episode and adventurous seven years with Tea, which was my actually a pioneering hard rock, progressive Swiss rock band with whom I had come to Malta and we had done five phenomenal concerts. It was like Beatlemania. We didn't know what hit us when we landed at the airport and the support here was so great. And soon afterwards, we actually went our ways and I went back to London and formed a band called Easy Money. And we were close to signing a contract with Grizzly and going on tour in the USA as opening act for Genesis. You know, so it looked like a rosy future. But within the band, I felt some insecurity and some turmoil and opposition, some lack of harmony within the musicians, which made me feel insecure about.., it's like when you go into a casino and put all your money on one number, you know. So, and then we were doing a rehearsal in London and this guy, he was a talent scout, Bob Adcock, took me into the direction room. You know, these were different rehearsal rooms and he said, would you like to do an audition with Rainbow? I said, wow, Richie Blackmore. Great. Yes. Straight away, he said OK. I think it was a Thursday and he said, you fly on Saturday. I said, what? So fast. I have to look into the songs and stuff. He said, no time for that. You know, they just want to know how your voice is. So, I said, OK, well, let's go for it. And I flew to Geneva [New York] that Saturday and I was picked up by, rest his soul, Cozy Powell. And the tour manager of Deep Purple was working with them as well. And we went over the border and Cozy was driving like a rally driver. I mean, he had a racing driver's license. So, we arrived at this chateau and there was the Moulin Rouge mobile recording studio of Jethro Tull parked outside and stuff. And this was like a little bit over my head, you know, for I'd never been to the USA at that point, you know, I'd done Europe with Tea. And the thought of, you know, singing with Ritchie Blackmore and Roger Glover and Don Airy and Cozy Powell was like, wow, quite, you know, I was really nervous. And anyway, so Cozy took me to his room. I chose the song Man on a Silver Mountain, which had been written by Ronnie James Dio. And then Ritchie came in, asked me if I want to have a shot of whiskey. I said, I don't drink whiskey before I sing, but maybe afterwards. Thank you very much. And we went down into the basement where they had everything ready. And off we went, you know, first warmed up with a jam, just singing, whatever, and then we went into the Man on a Silver Mountain and stuff. And that was it. He said, man, now we're going to have dinner. You know, we had dinner. The whole crew was there, and it was a nice atmosphere. And then Cozy took me on the side and he said, you know, when you go to bed tonight, lock your doors because, you know, Ritchie gets up to his pranks, horror pranks, you know, and stuff like that. So, I said, yeah, thanks for telling me. And I locked both doors. There were two sides to the room, and nothing happened that night. And then in the morning I flew back. And then a couple of days later they told me, sorry, we decided to take someone else. All fair and clear and no problem. I continued with Easy Money and we were still writing songs. And then a couple of weeks later, it's amazing how everything happened around the same period. I got a phone call from Chris Von Rohr, one of the founder members and band leader of Krokus. And so, this was a call. Switzerland was calling me back. You know, that's the way I felt, you know. So, we agreed to do a weekend jam and I enjoyed the weekend so much. And so, did they. And then I felt in a way, I felt like being back home in Switzerland because I had spent those seven years with Tea. You know, so it was back to Schnippo, you know. And the typical stuff you do there and yeah, like sitting in a Swiss pub, people talk with each other, whereas in London, you go into a pub on your own, nobody talks to you, you know. And this I found terrible; you know. This big city loneliness thing, you know. I prefer smaller places. So, I ended up in Switzerland again and the rest is history. You know, the Krokus story. Success was immediate when Metal Rendez-Vous was released. Did you personally expect that reception, considering it was your debut with Krokus? I loved it. Wow, great. You know, at last. I've been trying so long, you know, since my dream started in Malta. Singing with The Boys and Stonehenge Union, [then The Boys] and then Cinnamon Hades and dreaming of bigger things. But because of the small size of the island and there not being a music industry here, which was big enough to support a musician's life, you know, where you have to pay your rent, buy a car, pay your taxes and all that stuff, you know, your insurances and stuff. I couldn't do that from doing music alone. And there's no way I was going to go and sing in a hotel or in those days we had the night clubs like The Caravel and Pialli and so on. And I had an offer from them, you know, with a good monthly salary and stuff, but I thought then I would stagnate and lose my chance. So anyway, yeah. In 2018 Krokus announced the Adios Amigos World Tour as their last and retirement was to follow. It was sad news to the metal world, but when considering the band had been around for 46 years plus and 29 releases to date, 26 with your voice on them. I am sure you believe that was a good run. Any thoughts of putting out any back catalogued unreleased material? I think that's too early to say. I think it's also too early to say whether Krokus will play again or not. I mean, we owe concerts to the USA and Canada and Mexico. And my hope is always very high. I'm a positive thinker, you know, otherwise I would have never left the island, you know. And I believe there's a chance that we can finish that tour, those gigs that we owe over the big pond and that there's a possibility that we could do something again in Europe, in Switzerland. I think where there is life, there is hope. And OK, rock and roll, a rock band needs a lot of energy. It's kind of almost like a sport, what we do, especially singing and playing drums, so as long as everything is there, then, you know, and from my end, I've just done a solo album. I'm feeling top fit to do concerts and stuff. We'll talk about Krokus a little bit more before we come to the solo project. It would be impossible to talk about your years in Krokus in just one short interview. But I'm sure you have stories and episodes that you are fond of and you can relate to us. Yeah, there's many. Where do I start? Well, you know, in the beginning, I was living in London, so I had my life there and I said I'm not going to come and live again in Switzerland until the whole thing is stable. So, I kept my life in London going and I was flying over. I had to do rehearsals and the tour and at the end of that, go back home in London. And we communicated a lot by telephone and stuff. Of course, big telephone bills and stuff. But yeah, and then we when it really took off, we weren't at home much anymore. So it didn't matter where you live anymore for a while because you were living out of a suitcase and what counted was your passport and in those days you had a cheque book and a visa, you know, and life went on and on and on. And yeah, there's a couple of funny accounts like when, God rest his soul, Tommy Kiefer, we were on I think, the second tour in the USA, Hardware, and we suddenly drove off. We stopped at the fuelling station on the autobahn, on the freeway, and we drove off and then suddenly we saw that Tommy is missing and he's not in his bunk, you know. So, we had to turn back, go back to that station and see where Tommy is. And where did we find him? It's where you always found Tommy, in the bar with a beer. And almost the same thing happened to me in Denmark. Yeah, I got off the tour bus, it was like in the middle of the night, at about two in the morning, everyone else was already asleep except the driver, of course, they're not allowed to sleep. Good thing as well. And it was a female driver and she had a little dog who was always under the driver's seat, you know, and they went out. I thought, okay, so I'll go down to the toilet and she's gonna probably fuel. But it wasn't that, you know, she was quicker than I thought, she just needed something quick. And I came back out and I saw the bus, you know, driving off, you know, I ran like, like an ass behind this bus. And, it was getting further and further away from me and I thought, oh, shit, now what? You know, so I checked that if I had money and if I had, yeah, in those days, luckily, I had my mobile phone. [And, but I think] I had a prepaid card in those days. This whole thing got so complicated. But the guys at the tankstelle, you know, at the filling station, they helped me out. They called the USA because the ex-Tea manager, Peter Waelti, who was also involved with Krokus, is usually still awake at two in the morning, you know. So, we got him on the phone and then he called the band and he got someone up and they sent me a taxi the next day to that tankstelle, you know. Oh boy. And I arrived at the gig in time for soundcheck, you know, I walked in, had a coffee and went straight to the microphone, you know, one, two, one, two, played something and amazing, amazing when stuff like that happens. We had another episode, which wasn't so, so funny, actually. And it was also in Scandinavia on the tour bus, on the Hellraiser tour. And we came to this, the same place, it's like a bridge where, where the bass player of Metallica had, they had this accident and he died because the bus skipped over. The road was icy, and our driver lost control. You know, you go in a slide, there's not much you can do except calm down and hope. And he hit this other big truck full of metal, steel stuff, you know, and, and he nearly lost his left leg. And our bus went onto the side of the bridge against the running border, the planks, you know. And so, our doors were locked. The two doors were on that side. They were jammed against the planks and we couldn't get out. And our driver was screaming his head off. And I jumped out of my bunk and said, no smoking, don't light any, anything, just in case we have a petrol leak, you know. And they called the emergency and we waited about 20 minutes or half an hour till they could come. It's not easy, you know, you can't drive full blast on that, on those road conditions. They came and they told us to move away from the back glass, because that's the biggest glass you have. It's like a sitting room in the back and they smashed the window in and then they put blankets over the remaining glass and ladders. And we all got out from the back window, except the driver, they went in and helped him out and took him to hospital. And we, we waited then about another three hours in this place until [another] bus [arrived], they sent another bus to take us back to Germany where we had a gig to play the next day. And life went on almost as usual with a little bit of bitter taste, you know, and we kept hearing news about the driver that they're not going to amputate his leg, which was great, you know, and so all good, thank God, back to normal. The number of singers whose voice is still very good after 65, if you don't mind them telling your age, is countable on the fingers on one hand. Apart from yourself, I can only think of Glenn Hughes. How did you manage to take care of your voice like that over the years? Well, I, I just turned 70, actually. And I had a great birthday with my family. And yeah, I guess, you know, I've been through all the rock and roll parties and late nights and stuff and excess, but I never went totally overboard, you know, with stuff. And I guess that helped a lot. And the reason was always in the back of my head, I don't want to ruin my vocal chords, because that's, that's my capital, you know, it’s only a little instrument there, you know, which you can't repair so well, you can't go into a music store and say, I'll have a new one. You know, when it's gone, it's gone. So, this thought at the back of my head kept me balanced out, you know. So, thank God and touch wood. I'm still hitting [although] I'm not hitting the highest notes that I used to hit when I was younger, you know, which is normal. But, you know, I always had a very high voice. So now, I've lost maybe half a semitone. That means half a note, but it's still high compared to some singers anyway. And my lower notes have more character, you know, it's like an old bottle of red wine, which tastes better when you pull it out of the cellar, after 10 years or so, you know, 20 years. As you mentioned, at the beginning of our chat, you're here doing a documentary about yourself. But before the documentary hit the screens, an album shall be released nearing the end of this year, which means that Mark Storace is definitely not hanging his boots. Can you reveal anything about the songs and musicians appearing on it? Well, we'll soon be opening a new website, www.storace.ch and all the information will come there. The release is going to be on the 8th December. And also, the first gig, it's like a showcase in Zurich, in this old club called Mascot, which is very popular. And we're going to have media people there and journalists and fans as well. And, you know, family and friends. And yeah, the music, you know, to hear pieces of the music, some streaming will be on the website as well. Plus, all the links and all the... like there's going to be a store for not only for merchandising, but also for where people can buy the album, the CD. The vinyl will come [out] later. You know, we're going to see how the CD goes and don't take things for granted in this funny age we're living in. And but yeah, that's probably going to go in the normal direction. And December is going to be the big day for the live gig. But before that, Mr. Sepp here, Mr. Sutter, he did already the trailer teaser, which is on my Facebook site, you know, facebook.com-marcstorace. And that's already got the intro of the single on it, you know. Really nice number, I think it's going to be the first single. And also Sepp made a magnificent video out of that song. And since I didn't have my whole band ready when we did the video, I only took one guitar player and he happens to be the co-writer. We wrote that song together. His name is David Preissel. So I find it fitting that he's on the video for the first, the debut, [the] first single. And the band members will be announced also very soon, hopefully with a photograph. We have to get them all together. But we just figured out now recently, I found the guitar player, lead guitar player, soloist who is going to be in the band and go on tour with us. And all this will be announced shortly. In fact, there are some dates already booked. Among them, there's a noticeable one, which I'll let you explain why. But does that mean that you're still touring? Well, we start before Christmas, you know, these four dates that we have before Christmas. They are important places in Switzerland, which are, real culture hotspots. You know, we have musicians from all genres playing there and kind of hardcore guests who follow and fill up the place. And the atmosphere is fantastic in every one of these places. And one of them is Koffmehl in Solothurn. And Solothurn is the Hochburg (stronghold) of Krokus. You know, it's where Krokus was born. And I spent a long, long time living there as well. And so I'm looking forward to every one of them. And I think we now can soon also announce a gig in Basel, it's where I live. And there's another one close to Bern. So you've got Zurich, Bern, Basel and Solothurn, which is pretty covering the Swiss-German part. And I guess a lot of journalists will be filling up the VIP stalls, you know. So that's a good way to spread the news as fast as possible and get all the critics and reviews and get the ball rolling, you know. I'm really excited about that. Well, the last question, you can understand where it's coming from. As a Maltese fan, I must ask, shall we see you back on stage in Malta? Oh, definitely. I would come straight away. I'd love to come, you know. So I'll be waiting for the call, you know, from I don't know who it's going to be. I know there's a lot of Maltese rock fans out there, different kinds of rock, whether it's metal or doom or hard rock or progressive rock. Rock is rock. [So] And we live on a rock. Yeah. So this is where it started for me. So I would really love to come back. And if not before Christmas, then hopefully when we do the tour in beginning in around March, we're going to start and we'll take it from there. But I think the first gigs before Christmas will tell us a lot about what's going to happen in the future of 2022. Well, around March, the weather over here is fantastic. Thanks, Mark, for stopping by and.. My pleasure. For your patience, in answering my questions. No patience at all. I'm glad to talk through you. I can inform the Maltese rock audience out there. And I always made it a point to do interviews each time I come to Malta, whether I have a new product or not, you know, so just to say hi, hi, everybody. Kif intkom? All right? Footnote: The album ‘Live and Let Live was released on Cream Of Rock. Marc kept his word and performed at the Aria Complex on the 30th September 2022. In a post on his facebook page a few days later Marc wrote:” WOW - MALTA!!! Thank you for your warm & heartfelt "welcome" when I returned to my country of origin with my band STORACE. I left the island as a young man to spread my wings and returned "full circle" 50 years later with our last Friday's show at the Aria Complex here in San Gwann. My daughter Giuliana came along as well and contributed with some vocals. Some of you might remember when I returned for the first time in 1977 with TEA, then with the "Hellraiser" KROKUS line-up [including Dom & Tony that shared the stage with me last Friday] in 2006 & 2007, followed by another TEA show in 2010 and finally with the KROKUS originals in 2017 at this same venue. It's been a long journey during which I never forgot my original musical roots here in Malta! YOU ALL ROCKED!!” In the meantime these last couple of days Krokus announced that they'll hit the stage on 25th August at the Riverside Festival in Aarburg. Interview photos by Vica Mifsud and Serge Danis other photos personal collection of Marc Storace and Noel Mifsud Interview held at ONE productions studios Marsa, November 2021

On Monday 20th March Metal Devastation Radio (from Jackson, Tennessee in the US) announced that Maltese metalcore band Damaged & Co. have won the weekly battle of the bands held online: “Damaged & Co. Wins Battle Of The Bands Last Week On MDR! Coming in with 21,945 votes!” We at Melodija.eu congratulate the band for this success and remind all our followers that one can catch the band live on the 31st March at Aria Complex supporting Finish band Lordi and again on Friday 21st April at Dark Malta. ROCK THE SOUTH 10th EDITION POWERED BY URBAN JUNGLE posted earlier: “We’re ecstatic to present Rock the South Malta’s full lineup for our huge 10th-anniversary edition. Zion will be home to our most explosive lineup yet this 5, 6, 7 May 2023” WEEKEND + SINGLE DAY TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW Weekend tickets available at early bird prices for a limited time only! Two Main Stages Silent Disco/Band in a Camp Stage powered by White Noise __ FRIDAY 5th MAY | 5:30PM → Bo Ningen (JP/UK), Beangrowers, Areola Treat, Michael Azzopardi, Kym Pepe, Cher Camilleri, Roża Radju ĦAJ, The Violent Violets, Alias 1, Estranyesa SATURDAY 6th MAY | 5:30PM → Pulled Apart By Horses (UK), Brodu, AIM (IT), Shoshtakovich’s Nightmare, Massacre House Party, Beesqueeze, The Velts, Edgar Allan Paul Black Plague, Spots and Stripes, Zkeletonz DJ Set (UK) SUNDAY 7th MAY | 2PM → Beheaded, BNI, Club Murder, BILA, Haine, Krishna, Hempifier, Five Years From Now, Dalam, Mirage, Grotium, Ferret, Niket, Morsrot DJ Hades, ĦANEK, Gh⊕s††, CHILD, Tina __ Art + Mascot by Samwel Mallia – with special homage to designs from Panda and Andy Vella’s posters for previous editions. __ SUPPORTED BY Urban Jungle, Festivals Malta, Visit Malta, Cisk, Jägermeister, Amrita Malta, Ziggi Rolling Papers, eCabs, PRS Malta, TSS Sound Rentals Malta, Kewn Records, White Noise Back to Dark Malta: On Tuesday 21st March Hades Events, the organisers of Dark Malta, which this year takes place between the 21st and 23rd April announced the festival’s daily programme on their event page on facebook

20 Years ago a long journey called Hades Events started ... One year later, on the 18th March, their first event with international artist Vitalic was hosted and after that, “ it was a whole roller coaster of emotions, tears, challenges, joy, projects that seemed impossible and more” as posted by Rene Farrugia, founder of Hades Events on fb. "In 5 weeks time we will see each other at Dark Malta Festival 2023, not to forget another The Dungeon Event coming soon, The Malta Deathfest and the 15th anniversary of The Halloween Massacre. Also a jam packed calendar at The Garage , and already 3 foreign dj gigs and more. So yes it's going to be another busy year. For sure I cannot thank you all for the support all these years and for the coming ones too ”. Congratulations from Melodija Team goes out to Rene and surely we cannot thank him enough for all the events and bands we had these past 20 years The Anchorite will return! Anchorite are currently in pre-production of their second album (yet untitled), with Leo Stivala belting out some really EPIC vocals! The band are aiming for a late 2023 release! In a short post Leo stated: "New Anchorite album being composed.. Thanks to Daniel P. Warrington for helping me out with the vocal pre-production sessions." The Viper and the Wolf are finally meeting as they collide in an explosive soup at the speed of light for a night to remember! The event was supposed to be held in April but had to be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. New date for the event is 12th August at The Garage. In their statement organisers Viper Soup Complex said: "At Viper Soup Complex, we'll join forces with locals Lightspeed Collision and our Italian friends Wolfsinger; for a healthy mix of genres that will provide you with an unforgettable experience Stay tuned for posts and updates!"

In anticipation of the upcoming live shows and soon to be completed full length album Ancient Remains is releasing a new track on streaming services titled ‘A Sorcerer’s Tale’ in the coming days. Ancient Remains upcoming live shows are The Lost And The Damned on 24th March followed with a show during Dark Malta in April. Krishtalk is back and kicking off the season 2 with a BANG! And a thrilling guest, the one and only Baż Żaz Get ready for some serious fun and exciting conversations, folks! Krishtalk can be listened here The Malta Trust Foundation (VO1761) is organising a concert with the musical band SKALD. The event is going to be held at Razzett l-Antik in Qormi on 30th April 2023 (eve of a public holiday). Doors will be open at 08:00 p.m. Tickets can be bought from the here As a non-profit organisation, the Foundation runs entirely on donations and CSR. This concert is being organised as a fundraising event which is part of the Foundation’s annual fundraising telethon which will be held later this year. Skald is a musical band consisting of five members and who sing passionately in the Maltese language. They have a lot of original songs and along the year they participated in events like Ghanafest, Notte Bianca, Earth Garden and the Beer Festival. They also had the opportunity to organise a "Skaldatura" at Teatru Manoel. Skald are already working on their second album. This event is being supported by the band SKALD, Razzett l-Antik, BESTEAM Audio and ShowsHappening. All the money from this concert are going to charity! In a post on social media Hemplifier announced that: "We are proud to unveil our debut album - The Stoner Side of the Doom! Artwork done by our own Baż Żaz! " Details regarding album which shall be available in Black Vinyl (ltd to 250), Yellow/Smoke Vinyl (ltd to 220), Ultra LTD “Hemp Edition” (ltd to 30) and digital shall ne released on June 2nd. Pre-order date: March 30 (18:00 CET) "We recorded our debut album ‘The Stoner Side of the Doom’ live during September 2021 at the local Cornerhouse Studios. The album consists of 6 tracks from which 1 track, with the name of ‘Weedcraft’, we have already released as a single on the same YouTube channel of ours on the 17th of November. ‘Weedcraft’ got also a very good response & was shared by many others such as the renowned 666MrDoom www.electricvalleyrecords.com www.evrecords.bandcamp.com

Official Announcement by Dark Malta organisation on Friday 18th March: Unfortunately in the Last Days we had been informed by the Blutengel Management that their show at Dark Malta Festival 2023 is going to be cancelled for Medical Reasons. With Only 5 Weekends to Go, this couple of Days had been a race against time to find another Headliner for Saturday. While the Dark Malta crew wishes a speedy recovery to the Band Member, we are sure that the band that is replacing Blutengel, for the Saturday Headline Spot will rock Dark Malta Festival ... This was quickly followed by another post announcing the new headliners for Saturday 22nd April: This 2 days were a race against time, but now We Are Very Happy to Announce AND ONE as the Headliners for Saturday 22nd April at Dark Malta Festival 2023 ... A Big Thanks and Lots of Gratitude goes to AND ONE and Kai for making this possible in such short notice ... Are you ready for a Military Fashion Show? Friday 18th march witnessed the debut live appearance of yet another band, a trio, who are still in their early youths. Halcyon is formed by Zain Gauci (Saint Vermin, Chaotic Remains) on guitar and vocals, Alexander James (Damaged & Co.) on bass and vocals and Venezuelan, Victor Hugo Rivera Barreiro on drums. Originally their debut was supposed to happen some weeks ago in Valletta with the superb lighted city as a backdrop, but due to weather conditions it was postponed. Maybe this accident was in a way a blessing because the sheer brutality they showed on stage at The Garage left the crowd want more, and if there weren’t any bands following the audience would have got more. But Halcyon’s debut marked also the commencement of Club Murder’s Double Murder occasion (with A Broken Design and Club Murder on Friday’s bill and Luciferi Regnum, Morsrot, Lady lizard and a different set by Club Murder on Saturday) Halcyon project themselves as technical death metal, but the influence of the old school establishment is highly visible, (in fact they performed covers of songs by Death and Sepultura). What is sure about this band is the sense of humour Zain possesses. Definitely a band to look out for and after this performance I’m sure many are eagerly awaiting their debut recordings, hopefully in a very near future. Official statement from Rock The South organisation on March 16th read: 10 years of music, 10 years of alternative sound and culture blasting throughout Zion with hundreds of bands occupying these stages and thousands of you making endless memories with us Together with you, we have created this meeting space for local and international artists and live music fans alike, setting the bar for new scenes and subcultures every time Thank you, Panda for the wonderful visual identity and poster designs throughout the years, alongside Andy Vella for last year's stellar artwork. Annie Jäger Sci and Chris Mal for filming every year, and Videocafe taking over from last year. Special thank you to our home of Zion Bar & Restaurant, with us since day one, alongside all our crew, partners, and all incredible participating artists part of every edition. Thank you to all of you festival goers, for your constant support and excitement throughout the years Rock the South 10th edition on the 5th 6th and 7th of May full lineup will be out NEXT WEEK together with single-day tickets Weekend Early bird tickets are still available here

On 23rd March Crowd Force Booking announced the 'Decapitating Europe Tour 2023' featuring brutal death metal outfit Abysmal Torment alongside Molested Divinity (Turkey), Carnivore Diprosopus (Columbia) and Kakothanasy (Switzerland). The tour is set to commence on May 18th at the 'Nice To Eat you Deathfest' in the Czech Republic, moving through Germany, Belgium and Switzerland and with more dates to be announced. Abysmal Torment formed in 2000 (after changing the name from Molested) and has released their first EP (Incised Wound Suicide) four years later. Their debut full length album 'Epoch of Methodic Carnage' was released in 2006, followed by Omnicide (2009), Cultivate the Apostate (2014) and The Misanthrope in 2018. Melodija Team wishes all the luck to the band and we hope to see the band on stage in Malta very soon! Whilst thanking their fans for the support chill-out/fusion band Cushion announced the arrival of their EP 'Reborn' on Friday 24th March. "Exciting news! Our EP called Reborn is finally here! We’ve been working hard on this project and we can’t wait for you to listen to it. It’s available on all major streaming platforms. Thank you for your support and we hope you enjoy it!", read their Facebook post in which they also thanked Blacklight Studios and singers Analise , Julie Pomorski , Nadine Axisa and Fiona Cauchi who guested on the EP. Cushion, a Fusion band of Indian and cosmopolitan sounds which is based in Malta, offers a very interesting mid tempo fusion of western and eastern chill-out music, mostly inclined towards the sound of India, with dominant sitar licks, eastern inclinations on vocal threads, backed with sublime ambience from the keys, and interesting bass and drum patterns to wrap it all up. (From Cushion official bio on the band's website)

Gianluca Bezzina, a former Eurovision participant, emerged as the winner of the third installment of Mużika Mużika on Saturday night with his song "Sabiħa," written by Joe Julian Farrugia and composed by Philip Vella. A doctor by profession, Bezzina is no stranger to the stage, having represented Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest a decade ago in Sweden and placing eighth. In his remarks, Bezzina expressed his surprise at winning, stating that he was content with his performance and savouring the moment. The runners-up were Drakard and Lisa Gauci with their song 'Jekk Mhux Int,' and Jasmine Abela with 'M'hawnx Bħalek' ranked third. In addition, Maestro Ryan Paul Abela was awarded Best Musical Arrangement, and Jasmin Abela won the Best Interpretation award. Mużika Mużika, has grown into one of the most prominent platforms for showcasing Maltese songs and artists. The festival, held at Ta' Qali MFCC and hosted by Keith Demicoli, Moira Delia, and Claire Agius. The last weekend of March is upon us with a major event organized by Rock 'N Malta, to be followed by another one on the following night, this time organized by the guys that brought Therion to our shores. On the 31st March, a public holiday on the island, Rock 'N Malta presents Lordi at the Aria Complex, San Gwann. The Finnish band was formed in 1992 by Tomi Petteri Putaansuu (Mr. Lordi) who is the band's lead singer, songwriter, and costume maker. The band first success came in 2002 with their hit single "Would You Love a Monsterman?” but are probably most famous for their triumph in the Eurovision Song Contest of 2006 with their song "Hard Rock Hallelujah". The band’s discography boasts 17 studio albums and 3 compilations, plus numerous singles, and music videos. On the night Damaged & Co. fresh from the launch of their debut album ‘Life’s Grand Delusion’ last February. Tickets for this event costs €25 and can be bought here. Less than 24hours later The Garage hosts Spanish Melodic Doom/Death metal band Evadne on their second visit to Malta (having played the Malta Doom Metal Festival in 2012). Evadne was formed in Valencia in 2003 although they performed for three years prior under the name of Hexenprozesse. Influenced by classica Doom/Death metal bands of the 90's their sound is based on melancholy, a desperate and devoted attempt to establish a sound that cries for the deepest, most arcane and saddest feelings in humans. In 2004 the band released its debut demo 'In Bitterness Of Our Souls'. The demo is currently sold out after selling all 1000 copies issued. Their first full length album was released in 2007 (The 13th Condition) and since then released 3 more, with the last one being The Pale Light Of the Fireflies on the 24th December 2021. Chaotic Remains are the support band on the night and tickets are €10 and can be bought from the door. Festivals Malta events for 2023, includes a new addition in November called The Early Opera and Music Festival. The calendar which started with the Valletta Baroque Festival in January, Carnival in February and Mużika Mużika in March continues with Ritmu and The Malta International Arts Festival in June, The Malta Jazz Festival and Dance Festival Malta in July, Notte Bianca in October, and The Three Palaces Festival and The Early Opera and Music Festival in November. In addition to these events, Festivals Malta is responsible for organizing five national events and backs Rock ‘N Malta events, supporting the rock community in Malta. Learn more about Festivals Malta's upcoming events here

Just 8 months after the initial CD release, ZABBETH will now also be available on VINYL!! in a limited number. A launch party for this occasion shall be held at Kickstart Rock Bar on Sunday 30th April. Other merch such as CDs, T-Shirts, and Patches will be available at the event with bundle offers to be announced soon! Autism awareness in new single by Different Minds and other fresh singles April is the autism awareness month and local band Different Minds launched their new single ‘Different Not Less’ about this theme. Lyrics emphasize for more awareness about the abilities of autistic individuals and the importance to integrate them by offering them opportunities in life. The lyrics of the song were written by the band’s acoustic guitarrist Jason and his daughter Nicole Mizzi. Music by the singer Robert G and musical arrangements from the other band members – Elton Abela on piano, Godwin Debono on bass guitar, Jeff Hailey on electric guitar and Julio Guintero on drums. Production by Cyprian Cassar. ‘Different Not Lesss’ is the sixth single from Different Minds in recent years with the most popular amongst them are ‘Across the Borderline’ and ‘Helping Hand’. The band can be followed by liking their FB page – Different Minds Malta. Check the song here. Aidan Somers, a diverse artist and producer from Malta has just released his debut single titled ‘Alone’ His work showcases a variety of influences which broadly range from ambient to emotive, as well as melancholic and electronic music. Whether it's composing as 'Aidan Somers' or 'Alias 1' his electronic project, both have gained traction in the local and international scene, with releases on several record labels and working with established local artists. ‘Alone’ can be listened here Another new track is called Drilly, delivered by Bruce Samut who composed and sang with backing band made up of David Cassar Torreggiani on guitars, Antoine Tonna on bass and Patrick Camilleri on drums with both music and video production by David Depasquale at SpineSplitter Studio and can be heard here. Behold The Wolves is a one-man band from Malta specialising in industrial metal with a tint of progressive. In May 2020 his single ‘Fallin’’ appeared on Spotify with ‘Gone’ following it on 27th November 2021. His third single emerged on 29th March 2023, it’s called ‘In-Nofs’ and as the previous songs was released on 1865065 Records DK. As one can guess from the title the song is in Maltese. 'In-Nofs' is on spotify

Sonic Storm parts with guitarist and announce release dates On 4th April Sonic Storm announced that guitarist Sean Attard has left the band: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce that our good friend Sean has left Sonic Storm. We have really enjoyed having Sean on board for the past year, sharing riffs, ideas, gigs, beers and (a lot of) laughs. We are really thankful and would like to wish Sean all the very best for his future endeavors, on whichever instrument he decides he wants to play". In the meantime Sean posted his gratitude towards the band: "Thank you guys for the opportunity and experience! I'll cherish the memories! Good luck for the future! " A few hours later the band revealed the artwork of their debut album 'Keys to your Ruin' which will be released later this year after releasing their second single 'Web of Corruption' on the 26th April 2023. We wish both parties on their future adventures. Bitterside single no.3 from their comeback album LOW is the third single by Bitterside from their 3rd album Perception, released on 26th september 2022. In a short post on their Facebook page the band stated that: 'Low' is a piano driven ballad that was written 20 years ago in what feels like a different life. The song cuts through the soul, highlighting the complexity of how much we want to end a relationship but at the same time wanting to hold onto it". Listen to LOW on all local radio stations or here Massacre House Party signs with Kewn Records Kewn Records issued a short press release which read: "They don't do house, but they like to party - Massacre House Party are a surfy garage, post-punky, indie rock band who've been charming the tiny sunny island of Malta with their catchy, body moving tunes. Coolness has never been so proud to have as its ambassadors a trio, who joined forces even unknown to their good selves, to play a string of memorable live shows and unleash blistering, poppy singles to the people out there, as long as they enjoy themselves too. Welcome to the Kewn Records Family!" All of us at Melodija.eu congratulate both Massacre House Party and Kewn Records.

**HEATSTROKES IS NOW ON MELODIJA.EU** We're happy to announce that now you can listen to Heatstrokes on melodija.eu. Heatstrokes is a weekly metal show airing on allRock Dab Radio since March 2011 and presented by Noel Mifsud. Since day one the show for metalheads of all ages promoted the local scene as much as new music from all around the globe with interviews and promotions. Illustrious artists both Maltese and foreigners have appeared on the show, too many to mention. ​ The weekly show airs every Sunday 6pm with repeats throughout the week and is now available here on Melodija.eu. Check it out ➡ https://www.melodija.eu/heatstrokes Rock The South launched officially with unplugged live session Rock The South was officially launched on Thursday 6th April with an unplugged set by Beesqueeze and Italian artist Yung Belial, plus a few words from organiser Nick Morales. The event took place at one of the sponsors (Urban Jungle) outlet in Tigne Point, Sliema. On 8th April Black Plague hosted the festival’s official pre-party with the participation of Yung Belial, Eddie Fresco, Caro Etern, and one of the newer names on the block who merges his metal upbringing with melodic rap Kodin Hill. The 10th edition of Rock The South takes place at Zion Bar & Restaurant from the 5th till the 7th of April and tickets can be bought from here. Checkmate unveils new guitarist just hours before gig With just a few hours left for the band to hit the stage, Checkmate posted the following message on their Facebook page: "It is with a heavy heart that we announce the departure of our lead guitarist Denis Grubic who has left the band due to personal reasons. Denis has been an invaluable member of our band, and we are deeply grateful for his contributions, talent, and passion for music during his time with us. We wish him all the best in his new chapter, and we will miss him greatly." The message continued: "On the other hand, we are excited to introduce our new lead guitarist, Adam Bonello. Adam has an impressive track record in the music industry, having played with acclaimed acts such as Ira Losco's band, The Lesser Gods, and The Characters. With his musical experience and expertise, we are confident that Adam will bring fresh and innovative sounds to our band and captivate our audiences with his exceptional skills. Our band is committed to producing quality music and delivering great performances, and we are excited to continue our journey with Adam as our lead guitarist", whilst thanking everyone for the continuous support and loyalty to the band. Dark Malta bands' running orders announced With only a few days left for Malta's darkest festival Hades Events have announced the bands' running orders (below). Dark Malta takes place at Gianpula Main Room between the 21st April and the 23rd. Organiser Rene Farrugia shall be Noel Mifsud's guest on Heatstrokes which shall air on Sunday 16th April. In the meantime take a look at what Alessandro Schümperlin had to say about his experience at last year's edition when his band Blut shared the stage with more than twenty other bands here. Tickets for this year's edition can be bought from here live bands photos by Noel Mifsud

Kewn Records add yet another band to its roster In a short post (reproduced below) on their Facebook page Kewn Records announced the signing of yet another band, Dalam. In the same post the records company also revealed details of Dalam debut release. 'Proud to announce the signing of the backing band to Malta’s construction noise - DALAM ! 'HEADLINES', the band’s debut EP, is an introduction to DALAM’s sardonic brand of noise rock and hardcore. The four tracks feature stories that would make the news in a parallel world where Malta is just slightly more bizarre. Engineered, mixed, and mastered at Hell Next Door Studios.' 'Headlines' is out later this year via Kewn Records. Dalam are: Malcolm Alden - Vocals Kurt Pace - Guitar Ben Mifsud Joslin - Bass guitar, vocals Andrew Mifsud - Drums Dalam shall perform at RTS on Sunday 7th May. The return of 'Il Bestia' This year Rock The South not only marks its 10th anniversary, but also the return of Loathe's vocalist David "Beast" Fenech on stage after a four year absence, this time fronting 'newcomers' Niket, a project started by Nicholas Bonello as a solo project in 2019. Niket's show at RTS, in fact is the band's stage debut. In a post on his Facebook page David expressed: " It's been nearly 4 years since I performed Live with Loathe, unfortunately we're going thru a neverending Hiatus at the moment but we ain't gone yet expect some Good news soon... Meanwhile a few years ago a very extraordinary and wonderful Individual contacted me telling me he had this Dream he wanted to fulfill and wanted me to do vocals... He told me something that I'll never forget and brought tears to my eyes plus flattery and appreciation - He said till now you are the most Painful and Desperate Voice I have ever heard in the Maltese Scene and that's why I want you in this... With this I felt that all I ever wanted to achieve as a vocalist with Loathe was reached thus becoming the Birth of Niket 🖤 So finally after our Debut EP self titled Niket we're performing for the first time Live at Rock The South Malta and since were beginners (LOL!) were playing a bit early in the afternoon so it would be lovely to see a lot of you Guys and Girls catch us Live and Enjoy our Show. Thanks and Hope to see you there Deepest Respect The Beast Niket released their debut eponymous EP on 22nd October 2021on Kewn Records and shall hit the stage at RTS as Dalam, on Sunday 7th May. Juan Xerri to fill for Mark Spiteri on vocal duties at The Garage this weekend At noon on Friday 14th April the following statement was released by Lord Adder on the band's page on Facebook: "Earlier this week, our frontman and bassist - Mark (Crusher) was hit with a really mean throat allergy which had a severe (temporary) effect on his voice making him unable to reach certain notes. Given that the concert was to happen in a few days' time, there was no way we would cancel this gig after months of preparation from both us and Soul. At the same time, though, we truly value your experience more than anything, and anyone who's been following us through the years can (hopefully) vouch for that. In comes Juan Xerri, most of you may know him either from previous guest appearances with us or as the frontman of great bands such as Animamortua and previously Relicuia. Yesterday's rehearsal was great and we look forward to sharing with you the final result tomorrow. Join us in welcoming Juan as part of The Gut's lineup!" Whilst all of us from Melodija.eu yearn a speedy recovery to Mark, we are sure that Juan shall rise to the occasion and deliver, as he always did. The Gut is happening on Saturday 15th April at The Garage