Like some larger bands (Ghost pictured) we do not have ads in Billboard mag or other trades. Just the support of fans, professionals and the appreciation from #musicians of complex and left of center musical ambition.
PS: Witherfall have officially begun the Pr-Production/Arranging stages of our next record. As you may well know a lot of #PinotNoir and #BelvedereVodka gets consumed during these times. To fund our bad habits we are having a special sale: Share this post and go to:
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”!
Witherfall are celebrating Record Store day by giving fans 25% off our entire catalog including shirts and other merch items. Click here to browse through our store and use code RSD2019 at checkout for 25% off!
These packages and more are also on sale!
Watch our Tour Video featuring our Helloween's "A Tale that wasn't Right" cover
+++Drummer Bruno Valverde (Angra, Kiko Loureiro) To Join Witherfall for Keep It True Festival+++
Acclaimed Angra and Kiko Loureiro Drummer Bruno Valverde will be Joining Witherfall for the 2019 Keep It True Festival in Germany on April 27th (set time 1:30 CET)!
"We are excited to have the amazingly talented Bruno Valverde on board for the 2019 Keep It True Festival later this April. Our Drummer Steve Bolognese had some scheduling conflicts and we needed to find someone quickly. We are happy to announce that Keep it True Festival will be the first time ever that we perform "Vintage" in it's entirety. We cannot wait to share what else Witherfall have in store for the future with fans and newcomers alike."
Hello from the road everyone! Our European tour with Sonata Arctica is in full swing and the shows have all been amazing. Today we release "Vintage" ! It is now available for Purchase/Download/Streaming.
WITHERFALL touring Europe right now; release new single and video for HELLOWEEN-cover "A Tale That Wasn't Right"
US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL recently started touring Europe as support of Sonata Arctica’s »Acoustic Adventures« tour. (Tour dates below.) As a special release fitting this tour concept, WITHERFALL also recorded the widely acoustic “Vintage – EP”, which will be released on March 22nd, 2019.
Today, they are releasing the third single from this EP, "A Tale That Wasn't Right", which was originally recorded by Helloween and released on the classic “Keeper Of The Seven Keys Part I” album in 1987. You can watch the full video, produced by Don Adams, here: https://youtu.be/om5D2_9H4K0
WITHERFALL comments: “Right after the band landed in the ill-fated Panama City FL to begin recording "A Prelude to Sorrow" the idea of doing an 80s power ballad was drunkenly pondered by the band. On one of Steve Bolognese' IPA benders he came up with Helloween’s “A Tale That Wasn’t Right”. Though the band recorded the song during the APS sessions, the video was shot during the band’s recent tour of Japan as support for Kamelot. With Japanese tour manager Mia Steinhausen guiding our way, we were amazed and honored to be so welcomed by the fans and label(s) in Japan that we decided to create a little visual tribute as a gift to everyone who helped us out. Seen in the beginning is even a cameo by none other than Masa-Ito! Domo-Arigato”.
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.
Witherfall and Century Media Records/Sony Music have teamed up to offer a chance to win a Guitar(skype) lesson with Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth,Witherfall) or A Voice(skype) lesson with Joseph Michael (Sanctuary,Witherfall)!
Click here and Presave the latest release Vintage on Spotify or Apple Music for your chance to Win.
US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL is releasing an alternate arrangement of “Ode to Despair”. The original recording can be found on WITHERFALLs latest album “A Prelude To Sorrow” and is now going to be released as an acoustic version on the “Vintage EP”, which will be out on March 22nd and available during the group's upcoming European tour.
"Being invited as special guests on Sonata Arctica's Acoustic Adventures Tour we knew we had to re-imagine some of our songs to realize the vibe of the tour. Our partners at Century Media came up with a brilliant idea of recording a few of these and including them on the upcoming Vintage EP. Being our most successful single to date "Ode to Despair" was the first one thought of. The Track was recorded in a split session bookending a tour of Japan with Kamelot. Vocals and Guitars were literally followed by a 5am Flight to the Far East, then after the tour we headed straight from the airport to the studio. This is also the first song to incorporate new keyboardist; Alex Nasla. We also had the privilege of working with James "Timbali" Cornwell (Earth Wind & Fire, Janet Jackson) who provided the percussion that really makes this track standout."
WITHERFALL already released another single from the “Vintage EP”. Watch the official video to their version of Tom Pettys “I Won’t Back Down” here: https://youtu.be/lzxZ3DU_CoI
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.
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.
Hey there, just a quick message to remind you that we have new music coming out on February 8th! The first song may surprise you... Keep up to date by subscribing to Witherfall on various media
While your Waiting on the Witherfall Vintage release take a trip back with us to the first album "Nocturnes and Requiems"... We have had this in the pipeline for a while but with so much going on we have not been able to release it. So... Here is the "Nobody Sleeps Here" Score Video!
The artwork in the video is taken from the hand drawn "Score' done by Tattoo Artist Jessica Ann at the "Nevermore Tattoo Collective" where Joseph Michael Got his Witherfall Tattoo (see video Here)
In November 2018, US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL released its much-celebrated second studio album, “A Prelude to Sorrow”. Never resting on its laurels, the group led by the creative duo comprised of vocalist Joseph Michael (Sanctuary) and Jake Dreyer (Iced Earth) now announces the “Vintage” CD, LP, and digital release to be available during the upcoming acoustic tour with Sonata Arctica and released via Century Media Records on March 22nd, 2019. PRE-ORDER HERE:
WITHERFALL reveals:
“During the sessions for “A Prelude to Sorrow” two cover songs were recorded that showed a different side of WITHERFALL, originally intended to be bonus tracks. A dark and somber version of Tom Petty’s 'I Won’t Back Down' with vocals recorded with Michael Wagener (Metallica, Skid Row) and an epic version of the Helloween classic 'A Tale That Wasn’t Right'. With the announcement of the “Sonata Arctica Acoustic Adventures tour”, it was decided to release these covers along with a few acoustic renditions of favorite WITHERFALL tracks.
Along with new keyboardist Alex Nasla and session percussionist James “Timbali” Cornwell (Smokey Robinson, Earth Wind & Fire ), Joseph Michael, Jake Dreyer and Anthony Crawford retreated to Harmony Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA (Adele, Miley Cyrus) armed with acoustic guitars and bottles of wine to start working on acoustic arrangements for the tour. The sessions were fruitful and two acoustic versions of past WITHERFALL songs were recorded: a medley of 'Vintage' and 'Nobody Sleeps Here...' (originally on “Nocturnes and Requiems”) and an alternate arrangement of 'Ode to Despair'. Instead of keeping these as secrets and finally making the rare 'The Long Walk Home (December)' also available to an audience outside of Japan, the “Vintage” EP offers a collection of music that shows another dimension of the WITHERFALL sound.”
Mixed and mastered by Christopher “Zeuss” Harris and again featuring artwork by Kristian Wåhlin, “Vintage” will be released as strictly limited, hand-numbered CD digipak, on black and limited coloured vinyl as well as on all digital platforms.
Furthermore, the “Vintage” EP also features new keyboardist Alex Nasla who will join WITHERFALL on the group's upcoming European tour kicking off March 13th in Oslo, Norway.
Prior to the Acoustic Adventures Tour with Sonata Arctica, WITHERFALL will now perform at LA's Regent Theater on January 21st, supporting Ensiferum and Septic Flesh.
After releasing their much-celebrated second studio album “A Prelude To Sorrow” on November 2nd via Century Media Records, US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL presents a captivating and moving video for the album’s epic ‘Vintage’.
The band comments on the track:
“Vintage” is the most personal song WITHERFALL has ever written. The backstory for “Vintage” occurred in November of 2015 while Joseph Michael, Jake Dreyer and Anthony Crawford were waiting for Adam Sagan to arrive in Los Angeles for the first photoshoot for “Nocturnes and Requiems”. Joseph was on his way to pick up Adam from LAX when we received a call from Sagan on his way to the airport, he was having severe stomach pains and would need to head to the emergency room instead. At first he thought he was having appendicitis, it turned out he had Lymphoma. He was scheduled for Chemo immediately and could not come to Los Angeles. This was the reason there is not one full band photo of WITHERFALL with Adam.
To drown away their sorrows, Jake and Joseph headed over to a local Hollywood Wine Bar named “Vintage”. The bar having served its purpose is no longer there. There are three movements to this composition the last movement features our respective goodbyes to a fallen friend. Even if you did not know Adam Sagan this song should relate to anyone that has experienced the death of a loved one. “Travel on my Friend”
Carrying on in the spirit of their lost friend, WITHERFALL will travel the world to bring their tragic yet empowering songs to the masses and have now added Germany’s Keep It True festival to their growing 2019 schedule, which also includes an European Acoustic tour with Sonata Arctica and Californian gig with Ensiferum and Septic Flesh. More dates to be announced soon.
WITHERFALL’s “A Prelude to Sorrow” is available now as Limited Edition Digipak, jewelcase CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album.
WITHERFALL – Confirmed as Special Guests on SONATA ARCTICA’s “Acoustic Adventures” European Tour!
After releasing their much-celebrated second studio album “A Prelude To Sorrow” on November 2nd via Century Media Records, US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL now have been confirmed as special guest on SONATA ARCTICA’s “Acoustic Adventures” tour kicking off March 13th, 2019. This will the first chance to see WITHERFALL live in Europe!
“We are extremely pleased to finally announce our first European tour as support for the enigmatic SONATA ARCTICA. As with everything else WITHERFALL, this one will be a bit different. This tour will be featuring a special acoustic set to coincide with SONATA ARCTICA’s stripped down theme. There will be many surprises in store to make this a memorable tour. It is with pleasure that we can come bring “A Prelude to Sorrow” and “Nocturnes and Requiems” to the European audiences in this unique way.
WITHERFALL’s 2019 acoustic line-up will consist of:
Joseph Michael - Vocals/Guitar
Jake Dreyer - Guitar
Anthony Crawford - Bass
Steve Bolognese - Percussion
Alex Nasla - Keyboards
WITHERFALL In North America:
1/21/19: Los Angeles, CA @ The Regent W/Ensiferum and Septicflesh
SONATA ARCTICA
»Acoustic Adventures«
Presented by Rock Hard, Rocks, musix, Rock It!, metal.de
WITHERFALL’s “A Prelude to Sorrow” is available now as Limited Edition Digipak, jewelcase CD (US only), gatefold 2LP plus poster and etching on Side D as well as digital album.
With the wide theatrical release of the Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody coming tomorrow (November 2nd) and Witherfall’s new album A Prelude to Sorrow out the very same day (pre-order here), we figured it’d be the perfect opportunity to combine both into one! Queen (and Freddie) were always known for their dramatic theatricality and Witherfall’s music possesses a whole lot of that, so it’s not even a stretch; in fact, it was the band’s own idea! Below, vocalist Joseph Michael and guitarist Jake Dreyer list out their favorite Queen songs and tell us what makes each one special to them.
"I was a huge fan of The Highlander TV show with Adrian Paul. This song would come on and I would be mesmerized. In hindsight this song carries so much weight. The vocal in the outro crescendo hook is so emotive. Chills."
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.
On November 2nd, 2018, US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL will release “A Prelude to Sorrow”, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems”. Now, the band presents its new single ‘Shadows’!
WITHERFALL have this to say about the track:
‘Shadows’ was the final song written for “A Prelude to Sorrow”. Joseph Michael and Jake Dreyer finished composing it at Joseph’s studio in April of 2018. ‘Shadows’ along with four other tracks from "A Prelude to Sorrow" were set as part of a concept within a concept of the record known as the “Sagan Suite”, the five songs originally ran together. The song is about the empty lives that people lead and also a double entendre representing the remembrance of friends and family since past. ‘Shadows’ is also a metaphor; it represents the sad state of people in today's disconnected, technologically focused and socially awkward world. When someone walks by staring at their cell phone screen without acknowledging the world around them, we call them ‘Shadows’...
“A Prelude to Sorrow” comes with artwork created by Kristian Wåhlin and was mixed and mastered by Chris “Zeuss” Harris (Sanctuary, Queensryche, Iced Earth).
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:
Jake Dreyer & Anthony Crawford (WITHERFALL) release ‘Moment of Silence’ playthrough via Ultimate-Guitar.com
On November 2nd, 2018, US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL will release “A Prelude to Sorrow”, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems”. Now, the band presents a guitar & bass playthrough video of the previously released single ‘Moment Of Silence’.
Enjoy bassist Anthony Crawford and Jake Dreyer play through ‘Moment Of Silence’ here:
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) and the album’s track listing 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:
WITHERFALL – release “Moment of Silence” single/video!
On November 2nd, 2018, US dark melodic metal masters WITHERFALL will release “A Prelude to Sorrow”, the highly anticipated follow-up to 2017’s “Nocturnes and Requiems”. Now, the band is proud to reveal another glimpse at this gloomy opus:
“Like our first single off of “A Prelude to Sorrow”, ‘Ode to Despair’, ‘Moment of Silence’ continues on with our dark tale of the last days of WITHERFALL drummer Adam Sagan. This song deals with the anger we felt towards not being able to control what the eventual outcome could be. The chorus was the first thing that came during the writing of this song. Joseph had chorus melody and progression written and actually showed it to Adam during the last visit they shared. Though the dark irony was not lost on him he loved the idea. ‘Moment of Silence’ went through multiple demo iterations before the one that is found on "A Prelude to Sorrow" was officially arranged and finalized by Jake and Joseph in Florida during the recording of ‘The Long Walk Home (December)’ in November of 2017. In our recent poll you had asked for a track that is “violent with a big chorus” well, here it is.”
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) and the album’s track listing 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: