The Melodija Golden Disc Award We’re excited to unveil The Melodija Golden Disc Award 2024 returning for its second edition to celebrate the incredible talent and diversity within our local music scene! After a stellar debut last year, we’re back to honor outstanding artists across six vibrant categories: Alternative Electronic Metal Blues / Folk / Jazz Rock Dub / HipHop / Pop *All participating albums are those released in 2024, making this a true celebration of the year’s best music This is your chance to support the music you love and have your say in who takes home this year’s Golden Disc awards. Join us in recognizing the creativity and passion that make our local music scene shine. Winners will be announced on Sunday, January 26th, 2025. Mark your calendars!

< Back Steve Buttigieg Piano Steve is a Gozitan pianist who is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Malta. He began his musical journey at the age of 6 when he first started studying piano. As a pianist, Steve collaborates with a number of local artist and bands, playing at weddings, concerts, and various events all over the Maltese islands. Aside from this love for instrumental music. Steve has a keen interest in musical theatre and operatic music. He has participated in numerous opera and theatrical performances, showcasing his versatility as a musician. Currently, Steve is also a piano teacher at Clef House, where he imparts his knowledge and passion for music to aspiring young pianists. Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back Conrad Borg Vocals facebook.com Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

Rankin < Back Rankin’s sound combines the bluesy influence of thumping rock/metal legends like Motörhead and Down with a heavy dose of groove metal and a touch of sludge, thrash and alternative rock. The Malta-based band is comprised of Shaun Farrugia (Guitar), Gimli Ukkonen (Drums), James Byrne (Vocals) and Callum Hayden (Bass). The band was formed in 2018 after Shaun and James, who worked together as a graphic designer and content writer respectively, began jamming together with bassist Alex Lapinniemi (who stepped down and was replaced by Callum in 2022). After joining with drummer and former black metal vocalist Gimli in 2019, the band quickly took on a more solid shape as a serious metal outfit and their mixture of influences melded together to create a distinct dark and sludgy, but melodic, sound. The band used the Covid years to record their first album ‘Chrysalis’ with Clayton Cini of XIR Mobile Recording Studio and released it in April 2022. Band Members Callum Hayden Bass Callum Hayden Shaun Farrugia Guitars Shaun Farrugia Gimli Ukkonen Drums Gimli Ukkonen James Byrne Vocals James Byrne Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Follow the band Previous Band Next Band

< Back David Cachia Bass, Vocals Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back Adam Bonello Guitars Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back Alexander James Bass melodija.eu © Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back David Pulis Keyboards martyrium.com Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back Mark Dimech Vocals @rocknroll_malta Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back Steve Shaw Bass facebook.com Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

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< Back Jon Vella Zarb Vocals, Bass Babanov Photography Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

< Back Trevor Tabone Vocals, Keyboards Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

Different Minds Charisse Agius < Back Different Minds is a local pop rock band. It was originally formed more than 20 years ago but the band's ambitions were cut short because all instruments and sound systems were stolen from the garage they used to hire for reherseals. The original single 'I Can Change' was recorded during that period but eventually it was released 20 years later, when in Summer 2019 the founding members - lead singer Robert G and acoustic guitarist Jason Mizzi - decided to regroup Different Minds again. Former keyboardist Elton Abela joined as well. Jeff Hailey on lead guitars, Godwin Debono on bass guitar and Julio Quintero on drums are the new members for this 6-men band. A total of 6 original singles were released by Different Minds. 'Across the Borderline' in 2020 and Helping Hand in 2022 are their most popular songs and both made it to the top places in the PRS Malta Airplay Chart and 'L-Aqwa 20 - Klassifika tal-Maltin'. The latest single 'Different Not Less' was released in April 2023. The band gig's are also popular for all-time pop rock cover versions. Band Members Julio Quintero Drums Julio Quintero Jason Mizzi Guitars Jason Mizzi Godwin Debono Bass Godwin Debono Robert G Vocals Robert G Jeff Hailey Guitars Jeff Hailey Elton Abela Keyboards Elton Abela Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Follow the band Previous Band Next Band

Destiny Band Oz < Back Destiny Band Oz is a multi-award winning duo comprising husband and wife singer-songwriters, Thomas and Tessa Libreri. Their versatile music and vocal styles range from soulful ballads to pumpy, country rock; ('Country, Rock and Soul! ) They have already released 3 albums and 2 EPs and are excited to have just released their new album of original songs with new producer, Damian Cafarella of EOR Studios called 'Who I Might Be'. As children, Thomas and Tessa grew up in the suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Thomas in Reservoir and Tessa in Kilsyth. They were both musically inclined and tutored in music and singing. Thomas formed his first band at 12 playing bass guitar and had singing lessons from Normie Rowe. He played in many bands over the years. Tessa performed in musicals, went to the Johnny Young Talent School and was classically trained by Suzanne Steele then with Audrey Duggan. Thomas and Tessa met in a line-dancing country band based in Kinglake in 1996 which seemed like 'destiny' and they soon branched out on their own as a duo and later with various full band line-ups performing at clubs and functions. They married, had children and settled in Kinglake. They didn't perform much whilst their children were very young and then the horrific Black Saturday bushfires struck. Thomas and Tessa fought and saved their home and family and some of their neighbours but not all - and in the aftermath they decided to move their family away to Gippsland for a new start. (Thomas received a 'BM' - Bravery Medal from the Governor-General of Australia for his actions in saving a neighbour after the fire who sadly died a few weeks later in hospital) both Thomas and Tessa were heavily involved in the relief and rebuilding effort personally and through their building business at the time. After moving to Gippsland, they devoted themselves to the activities of their primary school aged daughters, joined community groups and clubs in the area and soon found themselves performing full-on again. They decided to record an album of their original songs written over the years because of their life-changing experience and knowing how fragile life is, so it was more for posterity than anything but they were encouraged by local radio hosts who'd heard them perform their songs to release a song to radio, which they did in 2017. Since then, they've had amazing #1 and Top 10 chart successes for their music and have amassed over a dozen major Australian and International awards including: Akademia Rising Star 2021 (Los Angeles) and *Akademia Best Country Song 2019 National Traditional Country Association of Australia Artists of the Year 2020 - Tessa Libreri with 'Ray of Hope' and Thomas Libreri with 'I'll Be With You' RRTCR Dory's World Indie Network Country Duo of the Year 2019 & 2020 Back to back awards for International Band of the Year 2019 & *International Entertainer of the Year 2020 at the International Singer-Songwriter Association Awards in Atlanta, Georgia USA. Independent Country Music Association (ICMA)Country Duo of the Year 2019 (Tamworth Country MF) Gold Medallion Media Awards (GMMA) Group or Duo of the Year 2019 GMMA Collaboration 2020 (Tamworth Country Music Festival) *Back-to-back awards at the Tasmanian Independent Country Music Awards for National Artist of the Year 2019 National Band of the Year 2018 Overall Number One song in 2017 And numerous Australian and International song awards to date. Band Members Thomas Libreri Vocals, Guitars Thomas Libreri Tessa Libreri Vocals, Guitars Tessa Libreri Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Follow the band Previous Band Next Band

Horned Majesty < Back Horned Majesty emerges as a formidable force within the death metal scene, uniting the prowess and experience of musicians renowned for their contributions to extreme metal. This collaboration brings together Clint Aquilina, known for his intense vocal work with Putrid Birth, and Mark Azzopardi, whose bass lines and backing vocals have added depth to bands like Myronath, Ragnarok, Draugul, Khaospath, and more. Clayton Cini, with a history in bands such as Animamortua and Thy Legion, commands the drums, bringing precision and ferocity to the band's rhythm section. On guitars, Zain Gauci of Saint Vermin and Pilgrimage, among others, delivers riffs that are both intricate and devastating. Formed in 2023, Horned Majesty has quickly made its mark with the release of their first single, 'Bringer Of Light,' showcasing their unique blend of technical prowess and relentless intensity. Each member's extensive background in various facets of the death metal genre contributes to a sound that is both fresh and deeply rooted in the traditions of death metal. Band Members Clint Aquilina Vocals Clint Aquilina Hellcommander Vargblod Vocals, Bass, Guitars Hellcommander Vargblod Zain Gauci Drums, Vocals, Guitars Zain Gauci Clayton Cini Drums, Guitars Clayton Cini Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Follow the band Previous Band Next Band

< Back Kyle Fenech Guitarist Kyle Fenech is a Maltese guitarist and songwriter who first became interested in music at the age of 14. Influenced by blues, classic rock, progressive rock, and psychedelia, music quickly became more than a hobby, it became a lifelong passion and creative outlet. Over the years, Kyle played with several bands, but his most notable project was Pyramid Suns. The band released an EP and later recorded a full album, showing strong creative potential and building a loyal following. Unfortunately, like many passionate projects, internal dynamics and band drama eventually led to the group falling apart. After spending a couple of years exploring other things outside music, Kyle recently found himself pulled back into the scene when former Pyramid Suns guitarist and vocalist Joel invited him to join a new project called Manic Satin, alongside three young talented musicians, Sarah, Grace, and Jake. What started as joining as an extra guitarist quickly turned into a fresh creative chapter. Now a few months into the project, the band is moving forward with strong energy and ambition. Kyle brings the same drive and passion he once pushed into Pyramid Suns, while embracing a new generation of musicians and a different stage of life. No longer in his twenties, balancing music, responsibilities, and “Gen Z band dynamics” has become part of the adventure. Always searching for new sounds and inspiration, Kyle draws influence from all kinds of music and creative expression, constantly evolving both as a guitarist and songwriter. For him, music remains a source of peace, balance, expression, and escape. Managing four different brains in a band is another story entirely, but that’s part of the ride. Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

Double Standard Emma Beard < Back An Italian, Finn , Dane and Malteser walk into a kazin .... memory fades beyond that point other than they somehow ended up making noisey tunes together. Band Members Christian de Souza Jensen Vocals Christian de Souza Jensen Lasse Ullvén Vocals, Guitars Lasse Ullvén Costantino Oliva Vocals, Drums Costantino Oliva Timothy Garrett Guitars Timothy Garrett Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Follow the band Previous Band Next Band

< Back Godwin Debono Bass Discography Date Title Type Listen Member of : Follow the artist

Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus Alexia Baldacchino < Back Sometime in 2011 Albert started working on the music for his solo project, later named ALBERT BELL'S SACRO SANCTUS. By autumn of 2012 he was able to present 2 demo songs to Metal On Metal Records with whom he'd been co-operating because of NOMAD SON . It wasn't what most would expect from the veteran of the doom scene... it was more of a return to the roots when it comes to his influences and musical career. And it was also the first time Albert's vocals were to be heard on a recording. This darker and much more "evil" sounding side of Albert's musical expression appealed right away to the label and the sides agreed to work with each other again. The debut album, "Deus Volt" was recorded during 2013 and 2014 at Chris Grech's (NOMAD SON guitarist) studio as well as at the renowned Temple Studios with sound engineering and music production guru David Vella. Albert handles most of the instrumentation on the album (vocals, lead and rhythm guitars, and bass of course) with Robert Spiteri - Malta's drumming prodigy from hard rockers FIRE recruited on drums to masterful effect. ALBERT BELL'S SACRO SANCTUS is the next step in Albert's heavy metal trajectory, where his song-writing, lyrical talents and musicianship all come to the fore. "Deus Volt" - Albert's debut solo album captures and pays tribute to the myriad influences that have inspired him to date - from the formative influences of BLACK SABBATH, JUDAS PRIEST, MOTORHEAD, VENOM and CELTIC FROST to Bell's passion and love for classic doom metal as epitomised by NEMESIS, CANDLEMASS, TROUBLE and SAINT VITUS. On "Deus Volt" one can also trace nods to epic metal and the dark, arcane soundscapes typical of the Italian and Hellenic metal scenes that Bell has always felt strong affinity to, reflective of the influences of Mediterranean culture on the music and thematic concepts that he has and continues to explore in his musical forays. Lyrically, "Deus Volt" sees Albert drawing on both myth and historical fact. It centres on a fictional tale that charts the conjuring and embracing of arcane forces by the higher echelons of the Fatimid dynasty in the midst of efforts of rival caliphates to oust their supremacy. As Fatimid power is ascertained, a bolder challenge arises in the form of successive crusader incursions, spearheaded by the rise of the Knights Templar and other Christian military orders, including the Knights of Outremer and the Knights Hospitalier (Knights of St.John). As their banners rise and battle-cries holler in the East, Christianity's ever-increasing military and political power and expansive ambitions resonate across uncharted territory. Blood is spilled across the battlefields of Hattin and Ascalon as these opposites clash! Drawing upon myth, belief, superstition, courage and the search for glory; both sides vie for ultimate supremacy under the panoptical gaze of the Monolith - the all-encompassing God! Deus Volt! (God Wills It!) ALBERT BELL'S SACRO SANCTUS debut album was released on November 14th, 2014 through Metal on Metal Records. It brings savage epic blackened doom metal that you can raise your fist and headbang to! Primeval metal intended for the discerning and elite old-schoolers! Albert started working on his sophomore album still long before the debut was out. For the second SACRO SANCTUS album "Ad Aeternum", Albert uses the same musical and song-writing formula explored on "Deus Volt", though perhaps now somewhat more refined with his increasing studio experience as a solo artist. This said, Albert's approach remains steadfast and resolute in its commitment, dedication and celebration of old school metal, without any compromises whatsoever. Lyrically, "Ad Aeternum" revisits Templar history, combining fact, myth and fiction once more. After the Templars' rise to supremacy over the Saracen hordes, the Knights Templar continue on their primary quest in the Holy Land - to unravel the secrets of the Temple of Solomon. On this journey, the Knights Templar encounter, among other things, ancient Hermetic texts that spoke of a monolithic, all-encompassing God well before the origins and rise of Christendom. The Knights' interactions with Fatimid and Saracen traditions and lore also made them privy to other forces of esoteric and arcane knowledge, including the rudiments of ancient Sumerian/Babylonian magick. Armed with such arcana imperii, the Templars become even more invincible and a growing threat to the Papacy and theological orthodoxy - the very foundations of the Christian world are thus threatened. Steps are taken by the Papacy, cajoled by the French Monarchy (one of the principle power brokers at the time) to crush the Templars and destroy their influence throughout Europe. A brutal Templar inquisition is undertaken (this is where the album draws on historical fact) with the Order facing charges of witchcraft, demonology, devil worship and so forth. All this is documented on the track titled "Hex and Heresy". As referenced in the mid-section of the track, while the last Templar Grand Master de Molay is being burned at the stake, he and his associates curse their persecutors (Pope Clement and King Philip of France) who eventually die within a year of de Molay's torture and burning. Following the proclamations made by their Grand Master while burning at the pyre, the surviving Templars invoke dark Sumerian demi-gods and deities and unleash the foulest of deaths on their foes (as documented on both "Seal of Damnation" and "Invocations of Unlight"). Despite their persecution, many Templars survived and continued to wield untold power worldwide till this very day (hence the last track "Illuminati (Will to Power)" on the album - and the title track "Ad Aeternum"). "Ad Aeternum" was again recorded at Chris Grech's studio, between July 2014 and August 2015, while drums were recorded by Robert Spiteri at the Temple Studios of David Vella, who contributed some keyboards and who again co-produced, mixed and mastered the album. Sparing no quarter, this gauntlet-clad fist in the face of all hipster pretenders and new metal trenders was released on April 29th, 2016 through Metal on Metal Records. Albert continued following up his forays into Templar history and myth with a third album (the final instalment in Sacro Sanctus' Knights Templar trilogy), which delved into the Templars' diaspora after their coerced disbanding and their links with contemporary esotericism and various secret societies. Titled "Liber III: Codex Templarum", the album focuses on the Order of 13's fate following their coerced dissolution including their alleged involvement in insurrections against despotic rule in Scotland and the Alpine lands in the 14th century. Templar myth and fiction are combined to masterful effect once more as our erstwhile protagonist unleashes riff upon riff of untainted and feral old school, blackened heavy metal forged from a cauldron of pedigree influences from Celtic Frost to Trouble, to Motorhead, Bathory and Venom. With "Liber III: Codex Templarum", Sacro Sanctus continues to successfully tread along the true footprint of the genre with all its best ingredients meshed in a chalice of metalized blood that should satiate the thirst of elite metal aficionados. We find some changes in band personnel on "Liber III" - Steve Lombardo (well known in Malta for his pounding and malevolent drumming with local punk legends B NI plus his studio work with myriad Maltese bands) now joined on drums and Owen Grech (one the island's most talented shredders) on lead guitar. Owen (KILLERWITCH, ex-12TH ODE, MALTA DIO DISCIPLES) handles most of the guitar solo work on the album after being enrolled together with Steve and organ player Luciano Schembri on Sacro Sanctus cover of "The Shrine in the Gloom" - which featured in “Terror Tales” - a Death SS tribute released by Black Widow Records in 2018. Albert retained vocal, bass and all the rest of guitar duties together with his now tried and tested song writing and composition skills. All the pre-production work was completed between November 2017 and January 2018 at Steve Lombardo's Hell Next Door Studios (Gudja, Malta) while the album was mixed and mastered once more by Albert's erstwhile collaborator David Vella at Temple Studios, Mistra Bay, Malta. "Liber III: Codex Templarum" was released on September 5th, 2018 by Metal on Metal Records. Raw and primal as you can get, Bell sounded the clarion of battle once more with his third declaration of war! With his Templars trilogy now complete, Albert went about the task of forging a new exciting concept for his fourth album. “Sword of Fierbois” is the fruit of this intense labour, charting circa 700 years of European history, from 732 AD to the 1430s. With his penchant for story-telling very evident once more, Albert explores how the fate of myriad chief protagonists of the Middle Ages, including most notably, Charles ‘The Hammer’ Martel, Charlemagne and Joan of Arc, was intimately tied to the possession of the allegedly miraculous and mythical blade – the Sword of Fierbois. Throughout the process we meet several other important historical personages, from the Umayyad Caliphate Commander Abdul Rahman, Henry V, the Daughin of France (Charles VII) and the Cardinal of Winchester, Henry Beaufort. Milestone battlescapes, including the Battle of Tours (732 AD), the Battle of Agincourt (1415) and the Siege of Orleans (1428-9), are also visited and retold in all their ferocious glory. Recorded during the height of the Covid pandemic late 2021 at Steve Lombardo’s Hell Next Door Studios and mixed by Grammy Award winner Marcus Jidell (AVATARIUM, THE DOOMSDAY KINGDOM, CANDLEMASS, etc.), the album features 11 blistering, no-holds-barred and merciless tracks of crushing old school metal. Steve Lombardo retains his position behind the drum stool for this album. Various and much-esteemed guests from both Maltese shores and beyond also join Albert (vox, bass and guitars) in animating his vision for “Sword of Fierbois”, including the likes of Mantas (VENOM.INC), Alan Jones (PAGAN ALTAR), JOHN GALLO (ORODRUIN), and the afore-mentioned Marcus Jidell. The album is mastered by CJ Grimmark from Lighthouse Mastering (Norway) and was released through Metal on Metal Records once more on September, 30th, 2022.September 30th, 2022. Rejoice metalheads, for the hour of the Sword has come! Are you old school enough to handle it? Band Members Steve Lombardo Drums Steve Lombardo Albert Bell Vocals, Bass, Guitars Albert Bell Discography Date Title Type Listen Buy the band's merch Ad Aeturnum [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus More Details Deus Volt [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus More Details Liber III: Codex Templarum [CD] | Albert Bell's Sacro Sanctus More Details Follow the band Previous Band Next Band