This song is our Tribute to one of the greatest voices in rock and roll history Boston Vocalist Brad Delp who in 2007 tragically took his own life... The re-working of this song reflects the true emotions behind the lyrical content. RIP
Video Directed by Bradley Cooper, Filmed at "The Doghouse Studios" Los Angeles, Photos by Stephanie Cabral Photography
Joseph Michael (vocals, keyboards) Jake Dreyer (guitar) Anthony Crawford (bass) Alex Nasla (keyboards) Marco Minnemann (drums) James "Timbali" Cornwell (percussion)
After entering several international charts with their latest album, “Curse Of Autumn”, WITHERFALL are releasing a video for “The Unyielding Grip of Each Passing Day” which is showcasing the stellar technical qualities of the individual members of the band - in particular Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Necrophagist, Jordan Rudess, Kreator) and Anthony Crawford (Chon, Alan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati):
Witherfall about the song and video: “WITHERFALL approaches writing music more like a classical composer would than a common modern metal band. Sometimes the ideas for a composition span more than the logical breadth of one song. A good example is the three song ‘Curse of Autumn’ suite. This piece contains within it the songs: ‘Curse Of Autumn’, ‘The Unyielding Grip of Each Passing Day’ and ‘The Other Side OF Fear’. If you listen to those songs in sequence you will understand how they were written together. The video features an instrumental play through featuring the monster rhythm section Marco Minnemann (The Aristocrats, Necrophagist, Jordan Rudess, Kreator) and Anthony Crawford (Chon, Alan Holdsworth, Virgil Donati) filmed by Bradley Cooper at Doghouse Studios.”
International charts for “Curse Of Autumn”:
Germany: #20 Official Top 100 Albums
Switzerland: #73 Official Top 100 Albums
USA: Top New Artist Albums - #7, Current Rock Albums - #31, Top Current Albums - #83, Billboard Top Albums - #200
Come October 2021 WITHERFALL will be special guest on Evergrey’s “Recharging Europe Tour” with Dust In Mind opening.
Rock Hard, Eclipsed, MusiX and metal.de present:
Recharging Europe Tour 2021
EVERGREY
+ special guest: WITHERFALL
+ DUST IN MIND
08.10.21 (DE) Oberhausen - Resonanzwerk
09.10.21 (GB) London - 229 venue
10.10.21 (GB) Nottingham - Rescue Rooms
11.10.21 (GB) Bristol - The Fleece
12.10.21 (GB) Manchester - Academy 3
13.10.21 (GB) Newcastle - St Dom’s Social Club
14.10.21 (GB) Glasgow - Cathouse
15.10.21 (IE) Dublin - Voodoo Lounge
16.10.21 (GB) Birmingham - The Asylum 2
17.10.21 (NL) Leiden - Gebr. De Nobel
19.10.21 (DE) Stuttgart - Im Wizemann Club
20.10.21 (DE) Hamburg - Bahnhof Pauli
21.10.21 (DE) Berlin - Columbia Theater
22.10.21 (NL) Eindhoven - Dynamo
23.10.21 (BE) Vosselaar - Biebob
24.10.21 (DE) Mannheim - 7er Club
25.10.21 (DE) Nürnberg - Hirsch
26.10.21 (DE) Lindau - Club Vaudeville
27.10.21 (DE) Munich - Backstage Halle
29.10.21 (DE) Aschaffenburg - Colos-Saal
30.10.21 (DE) Andernach - Live Club
31.10.21 (CH) Luzern - Schüür
01.11.21 (FR) Colmar - Le Grillen
02.11.21 (FR) Lyon - CCO Villeurbanne
03.11.21 (ES) Barcelona - Boveda
04.11.21 (ES) Madrid - Shoko
05.11.21 (ES) Pamplona - Totem
06.11.21 (FR) Toulouse - L'Usine
07.11.21 (FR) Paris - Petit Bain
WITHERFALL have already released six videos taken from “Curse Of Autumn”. Don’t miss the cinematic video for “As I Lie Awake” that was directed by Zev Deans (Ghost, Behemoth…): https://youtu.be/KFbrq-n17Gs
Thanks to all our fans and friends. We cannot wait to celebrate with you all when the world resumes...
Angry Metal Guy
On third album, Curse of Autumn all this talent is on vivid display as the band rips through wild, adventurous prog-power anthems tailor-made for fans of Symphony X and Nevermore.
Sonic Perspectives If you're not already following this band, start yesterday, because it's clear that they're going places.
MetalSucks
Their brand of progressive power metal has a granite-hard edge to it - more Amerithrash than Eurocheese. The emotional core remains intact even as the runtime pushes the hour mark.
Metal Injection
This is a band with the technical proficiency of Dream Theater but the aggression and bombast of 3 Inches of Blood.
GhostCult
Back with their third full-length release, Californian act Witherfall return with prog guns blazing... excess and pomposity are all part of the majesty of prog so just sit back and enjoy the ride.
SANCTUARY – return to Europe for special festival shows and discuss future plans in new video
On December 13th, 2017, Warrel Dane, the legendary lead singer of Sanctuary and Nevermore passed away while recording his posthumously released studio album “Shadow Work”. At that time, Sanctuary had already confirmed and announced a US tour supporting Iced Earth in February/March 2018 and while shocked by Warrel Dane’s passing, decided to turn it into a tribute to his legacy with exceptionally talented Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael. Performing tracks from 1988’s “Refuge Denied”, 1990’s “Into the Mirror Black” and 2014’s “The Year the Sun Died”, Joseph Michael delivered a stunning performance and received very positive feedback from the fans attending the shows. Remaining founding members Lenny Rutledge (guitars) and Dave Budbill (drums) ultimately made the decision to continue with Sanctuary and new singer Joseph Michael not only as a live act, but also compose and record a new album, which is currently expected to surface in 2020.
Now, the band has confirmed two European festival shows this summer and will tour North America in July performing the entire “Refuge Denied” album as Lenny Rutledge explains:
“Sanctuary are looking forward to playing two special festival shows in Europe this summer in addition to our commemorative “Refuge Denied” dates in the US where we will perform our classic debut album in full. If you’re an old school Sanctuary fan or a fan of classic metal, you don’t what to miss this run of dates! Joseph Michael (Witherfall) is the new singer of Sanctuary and we will be playing songs from all 3 albums but focusing on the earlier material. Come check out the return of Sanctuary!”
Lenny Rutledge and Joseph Michael reveal more about Sanctuary’s future in this new video:
While the new album is still months away, Sanctuary will continue to perform live as Joseph Michael enables the group to do intense old school sets including the soaring vocals and high screams, fans know and love on albums such as “Refuge Denied” and “Into the Mirror Black”. Sometimes, great triumph comes from great tragedy, and this sounds true in regards to Sanctuary!
SANCTUARY live 2019
2019 North American tour - Performing all of “Refuge Denied”!
The Witherfall merch table always turns into a party. This was from the Sonata Arctica tour last march. We are offering 25% off at http://www.witherfall.com/merch until May 10th... Watch the video and head on over! Use Code: MERCH
WITHERFALL release cover of TOM PETTY's: "I WON'T BACK DOWN"
Today, US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL is releasing their version of Tom Pettys “I Won’t Back Down”, which is part of the acoustic “Vintage EP” release, out on March 22, 2019.
“During the final writing sessions of “A Prelude to Sorrow”, Joseph Michael and Jake Dreyer stumbled upon doing a darker version of “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty. The song was recorded during the Prelude Sessions at Boogie Tracks Recording studio (featured in the music video) in Jake Dreyer’s hometown of Panama City, Florida. A few weeks after the record was finished Hurricane Michael, a category 5 and largest hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in recorded history came and destroyed Panama City, Mexico Beach and Boogie Tracks Studios. Also destroyed was the dock that was home to many wine soaked writing sessions for both Nocturnes and Prelude. The dock can be seen during both “Ode To Despair” and “I Won’t Back Down” solo sections. The Before and After is a haunting reminder that nothing is permanent. We hope this song and video serve as a tribute to the Florida Panhandle and the perseverance of the people living there in rebuilding their communities.” - WITHERFALL.
The “Vintage EP” is available for pre-ordering now with WITHERFALL offering an exclusive green “Verdigris” vinyl limited to 200 copies alongside t-shirt bundles. The transparent-magenta “Vintage Pinot Noir” vinyl, limited to 100 copies, is already sold out from Century Media’s European Store.
Today US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL have released “A Prelude to Sorrow”, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems”. Listen to the album in its entirety HERE.
Watch an unboxing video of “A Prelude To Sorrow” HERE.
The media reaction to the album has been nothing short of extraordinary:
"A Prelude To Sorrow" provides the listener a cathartic release through some of the most mesmerizing music I have ever heard. The savage brilliance of this album is stunning
-9.5/10 -Metal Wani-
One of the most talented acts in metal; check this out and be impressed
-Angry Metal Guy-
The turmoil of WITHERFALL‘s chaotic, highly technical and dramatic performance is as impressive as ever.
-Distorted Sound Magazine-
-5/5 Metal Hammer.de-
I implore you listen to ‘A Prelude to Sorrow’ so that you too can share in an album that is as moving as it is memorable, as emotional as it is engaging, as intelligent as it is intimate and that is as heavy lyrically as it is musically. In short, it’s a sonic tour-de-force.
- 9.8/10 Man of Much Metal-
A Prelude To Sorrow" is one of the recordings of the year.
-Rock Hard Greece-
‘We are Nothing’ and ‘Vintage’ being the shining stars. Both songs are 11 minute compositions reminding of the best, progressive metal offered till today.
-9/10 Markusheavymusicblog-
WITHERFALL understand how to package perfectly negative emotions in such a way that a large whole emerges. Despite the blows of fate (or maybe just because of that), the band grows beyond itself. Actually, it cannot get better.
- 9/10 Hell-fire magazine-
8.5 / 10 Joseph Michael’s powerful voice belongs to the best of the genre.
-ROCK HARD (Ger) Soundcheck #9-
-AARDSCHOK (NL) Soundcheck #3-
90 / 100 A blasting album where technique and vibe fit perfectly together!
-LORDSOFMETAL.NL-
9 / 10 – WITHERFALL have delivered an impressive follow-up
-BURNYOUREARS.DE-
Magnificent!
-9/10 Rock Tribune (B)-
‘A Prelude To Sorrow’ overwhelmed me upon first listen and has enough interesting details to keep surprising me"
-Gitarist (NL)-
Bolstered by a clear, crisp recording, this album is an essential listen for any heavy/power/progressive metal fan.
-Wonder Box Metal-
On “A Prelude to Sorrow”, main songwriters Joseph Michael (vocals, Sanctuary – live) and Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth) succeeded in perfectly combining the group’s technical proficiency with an appropriate eerie and somber atmosphere, manifesting also in Kristian Wåhlin’s majestic cover painting. “A Prelude to Sorrow” was mixed and mastered by Chris “Zeuss” Harris. (Sanctuary, Queensryche, Iced Earth)
The album is available as a Limited Edition Digipak, jewel case CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album.
US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL will release the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems” on November 2nd, 2018. Now, the band is proud to reveal the first song from “A Prelude to Sorrow”.
“Ode to Despair was the first composition that was completed for “A Prelude to Sorrow” so it only seems fitting to start off with this track. Its origin traces back to around 2016 when we were figuring out what to do with Sagan being sick and unable to perform. Fueled by red wine and only a glimmer of the sorrow that was to come "Ode" took only one writing session to complete. The video was shot over the two month span that we were in the studio tracking “A Prelude to Sorrow” and watching the video brings you into the world we inhabited for what seems like an eternity... Special thanks to Don Adams and his masochistic tendencies and keen editor’s eye. Stay tuned for more...”
On “A Prelude to Sorrow”, main songwriters Joseph Michael (vocals, Sanctuary – live) and Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth) succeeded in perfectly combining the group’s technical proficiency with an appropriate eerie and somber atmosphere, manifesting also in Kristian Wåhlin’s majestic cover painting. For mix and mastering, WITHERFALL again worked with Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Sanctuary, Queensryche, Iced Earth) and “Ode to Despair” is just a mere glimpse at the depth and quality, the album holds within.
The “A Prelude To Sorrow” track list can be viewed below:
WITHERFALL – A Prelude To Sorrow
1. A Prelude To Sorrow (1:27)
2. We Are Nothing (11:13)
3. Moment Of Silence (6:55)
4. Communion Of The Wicked (6:40)
5. Maridian’s Visitation (3:1)
6. Shadows (7:08)
7. Ode To Despair (3:49)
8. The Call (2:11)
9. Vintage (11:06)
10. Epilogue (2:47)
The album will be released as Limited Edition Digipak, jewelcase CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album.
The following limited vinyl colours are available:
While you wait for the First some from Witherfall"A Prelude To Sorrow" to drop check out this Studio update from Joseph Michael and Jake Dreyer featuring a look back on "Nocturnes and Requiems".
US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL will release the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems” on November 2nd, 2018. The band reveals more details about this stunning new offering:
“A Prelude To Sorrow is a concept record, though not in the sense that most people have come to know the form. Ours is not a story where each song acts as a chapter. The inspiration lays in the supremely dark reality that was the passing of our drummer and one of our best friends Adam Sagan. These songs are raw emotional reflections, composed in the witching hours under the influence of wine and sorrow, while watching and helping our friend fight and ultimately lose his battle with Lymphoma. Nocturnes and Requiems was dedicated to Adam after the fact. A Prelude to Sorrow is written specifically about his and our personal tragedy. Like Nocturnes and Requiems the songs have been arranged to still have the peaks and valleys that any great record should. With “Prelude” these peaks just might be a little steeper and the valleys might be a little deeper, alternating between violence and beauty. The titles initials are an acronym for “Adam Paul Sagan”, He came up with Nocturnes and Requiems so we suppose it is kind of fitting that he also inspired this title. Hope he doesn’t come knocking on our door for royalties. We hope that this will be a fitting requiem for our friend and talented musician.”
Given its tragic background, main songwriters Joseph Michael (vocals, Sanctuary – live) and Jake Dreyer (guitars, Iced Earth) succeeded in perfectly combining the group’s technical proficiency with an appropriate eerie and somber atmosphere, manifesting also in Kristian Wåhlin's majestic cover painting. For mix and mastering, WITHERFALL again worked with Chris Zeuss Harris (Sanctuary, Queensrÿche, Iced Earth).
The “A Prelude To Sorrow” track list can be viewed below:
WITHERFALL – A Prelude To Sorrow 1. A Prelude To Sorrow (1:21) 2. We Are Nothing (11:15) 3. Moment Of Silence (6:50) 4. Communion Of The Wicked (6:35) 5. Maridian’s Visitation (3:30) 6. Shadows (7:03) 7. Ode To Despair (3:51) 8. The Call (3:52) 9. Vintage (11:06) 10. Epilogue (2:53)
The album will be released as Limited Edition Digipak, jewelcase CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album.
The following limited vinyl colours are available: 400x transparent blue vinyl – only available at www.witherfall.com/merch 200x clear vinyl – only available at Century Media’s European store http://bit.ly/WitherfallCMD
We are excited to announce that Witherfall will be opening for KAMELOT on their Japan Tour 2018. We are excited to be a part of such an epic production! The Event is put on by Creativeman Productions.
If you haven't picked up your copy of our Debut "Nocturnes and Requiems" follow the links below!
US epic metal shooting stars WITHERFALL will enter the studio to record their eagerly awaited second album, entitled “A Prelude To Sorrow”, the successor of their highly acclaimed debut album “Nocturnes And Requiems”.
The band comments:
"Witherfall have finished writing and are deep into pre-production of our second LP. On May 15th Witherfall will head into the studio to self-produce our follow up to “Nocturnes And Requiems”. Tracking and engineering wizardry will be handled by JJ Crews at Boogie Tracks studios in Panama City. The Compositions are both melodically violent and beautifully aggressive with a much Darker Tone than Nocturnes. More news to follow..."
Krisitan Wåhlin, who has painted the hauntingly beautiful cover artwork of “Nocturnes And Requiems” and who is known for his work for bands as King Diamond, Tiamat, Dissection, Black Dahlia Murder, and many others, is already working on the cover for “A Prelude To Sorrow”.
Witherfall’s second album is planned for a worldwide release on Century Media Records in early November 2018.
Today we celebrate Record Store Day as a reminder of what actually supports the great music you consume to enrich your lives and stimulate your imagination. (Hopefully along with a good bottle of some intoxicating substance and attractive company) While we were blown away by the response to the Debut Release of "Nocturnes and Requiems" we cannot wait until you can hear our latest creations! Thank you so much for supporting Witherfall... New Music is in the works.
We have partnered with quite a few record shops all over the world including ZIA Records (Las Vegas,Phoenix & Tucson), Amoeba Music (Los Angeles,San Fransisco & Berkley) Underground Power Records (Germany), Cash4Chaos (Las Vegas), Steel Gallery Records (Greece) and many more.
If you are in these locations please help out the scene by purchasing "Nocturnes and Requiems" in shop and If not we are doing a special promotion; until Tuesday enter code RECORDSTOREDAY20 and take 20% off your entire order. Just visit our Store here:
On March 13th 2018 while Jake Dreyer and Joseph Michael are out on tour with Iced Earth and Sanctuary, Ward Records (Japan) Will rel-release Witherfall "Nocturnes and Requiems" Import Orders can be placed here:
The Re-issue will also include a bonus track title "The Long Walk Home" (December) which is a tribute to the late Witherfall drummer Adam Sagan who passed before the release was finalized. The Track can be purchased in the US here:
"The Long Walk Home" (December) was a song that Jake and i wrote to bridge the gap between "Nocturnes and Requiems" and the next Album "A Prelude to Sorrow". It is about dealing with loss and being totally alone with your thoughts. We hope you like songs with hundreds of guitar and vocal tracks!"
Nocturnes and Requiems is Witherfall’s debut album. How do you feel it represents your sound? Jake Dreyer: I think that we really did a good job on capturing the sound and atmosphere that we were going for. We just wanted to have a record that we personally wanted to listen to. The songs have to come first, we love memorable hooks but also complex instrumental passages that keep us as players interested. All of the parts just flowed during the writing process; nothing was forced. We are currently working on the follow up to Nocturnes, expected in the third quarter of 2018. The sound on that is just an expansion of Nocturnes and Requiems. It’s darker, heavier in some sections and lighter and more dynamic than Nocturnes in others. It might look ridiculous on paper but when one listens, they will understand.
Joseph Michael: I think that the record is exactly as we imagined it. Jake and I sat down to write this record about a month after we left White Wizzard. I could not be happier with the result. The reception from the fans has been remarkable and long lasting. The album is still doing well a year later. READ MORE AT DECIBEL:
After a very successful live debut on 70000tons of Metal earlier this month, Witherfall is very pleased to announce our signing with Continental Concerts USA for the North & South American territories. We have already begun the early stages of bringing Witherfall to a city near you for Fall of 2018. Continental is a tremendous name in the industry and we want to thank our new partner Daniel DeFonce for his hard work. Stay tuned at http://www.witherfall.com and we will see you on the road!
Photo by Stephanie Cabral