A sneak peak into the latest Witherfall Production can be watched here... Special guest producer announcement soon!
A special gift will be given to anyone that pre-orders the new album package from now until July 31st... Only 1000 will be available. Order now at
Hey there, Witherfall are hard at work isolating ourselves in a recording studio to produce the next epic release. We cannot divulge too many details at the moment but we can say that it will be the most epic recording to date, with some surprise guests.
For now until July 31st you can pre-order a couple of packages that will include a free gift that no-one else will receive after that date. Order Here:
Witherfall III Packages are Vinyl or CD...
Witherfall Shirts come in S-XXXL
order your bottles of Witherfall "Tempest Red Blend" Vintage 2020 here:
WITHERFALL ANNOUNCE EXCLUSIVE TEMPEST RED BLEND WINE
BAND IN THE STUDIO RECORDING NEW ALBUM
(Los Angeles, CA – March 30, 2020) – US dark melodic metal act WITHERFALL announce Tempest Red Blend wine. The band partnered up with one of their favorite California wineries, Carlie & Echo, to bring fans their very own limited edition red blend. The wine will be shipping starting May 1st and is available for purchase HERE.
“With the amount of red wine that various members of Witherfall consume on a daily basis, it is only fitting that we partnered up with one of our favorite California Wineries Charlie & Echo to introduce our very own Witherfall ‘Tempest Red Blend’. Witherfall vocalist Joseph Michael met with Charlie & Echo chief Eric Van Drunen during an event and sampled some of the wines,” states Witherfall about the announcement. During these apocalyptic times, with everyone now shuttered inside, the best way we can think of to cope and escape the madness is to become comfortably numb with a nice bottle of ‘Tempest Red Blend’ accompanied by attractive company and your favorite Witherfall tracks spinning in the background.”
"I was instantly in love with the dark variety of reds i sampled. They perfectly matched my palate. We spoke for a few months and finally we are able to bring you this collaboration,” states Witherfall frontman Joseph Michael.
"We were thrilled when Witherfall approached us about teaming up on a wine, and we're really pleased with the Tempest Red Blend that we've created. A blend of Petite Sirah, Syrah, Nebbiolo and Zinfandel, it exudes depth, complexity and richness, while maintaining a melodic vibrancy. The wine was made completely naturally from a vineyard farmed using only organic methods, so there's an honesty to it that I think reflects the values of the music,” states Charlie & Echo winemaker, Eric Van Drunen.
Witherfall is currently back in the studio working on their new album. Stay tuned for more details on the band’s forthcoming third full-length album by following the band on socials.
Vintage, Witherfall’s recent EP, was released Spring 2019 to much anticipation from the metal world. Vintage includes acoustic interpretations of tracks from the band’s previous acclaimed releases A Prelude to Sorrow and Nocturnes and Requiems. It also includes covers of Helloween’s “A Tale That Wasn’t Right” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”. Vintage is available to stream and purchase HERE.
WITHERFALL is Joseph Michael (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboards), Jake Dreyer (Guitars), Anthony Crawford (Bass), Alex Nasla (Keyboards), and Bruno Valverde (Live Drums).
Purchase/Stream A Prelude To Sorrow:
Purchase/Stream Nocturnes and Requiems
Today i learned that one of my oldest and dearest friends passed away from cancer. Paul was one a kind. Some how managing to be both curmudgeon yet good spirited at the same time. Paul was one of the first people i met when i came back to Los Angeles in the mid 2000's we played in a few ridiculous cover bands. In 2007 he joined my psuedo-goth prog band Midnight Reign...
I'm most proud of this song We wrote together while working on his 2nd Solo CD... His solo is really special on this one.
Anyone that knows me, knows that i have little time for friends and zero time for acquaintances... I can count on my left hand my great friends... Paul was one of them. I love and will miss him. Travel on...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaYNWI0p9nA
RIP Paul Sternquist
Paul is survived by his wife and co-curmudgeon Teresa Sternquist. Per his wishes she will have him cremated. If you'd like to contribute the Cancer fund is still up and taking donations to pay for this final expense.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/paul-sternquist-cancer-fund
His cremation expenses are due today and anything that you can do helps...
Photo by Neil Lim Sang
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”!
With special guests: Ghost Ship Octavius
July 11 Atlanta, GA - Basement
July 12 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 586
July 13 Frederick, MD – Cafe 611
July 14 Brooklyn, NY – Saint Vitus Bar
July 16 Somerville, MA – Once Ballroom
July 17 Pittsburgh, PA – Crafthouse
July 18 Cincinnati, OH – North Side Yacht Club
July 19 Indianapolis, IN – Black Circle Brewery
July 20 Detroit, MI – Sanctuary
July 21 Chicago, IL – Reggies
August 16 Portland, OR – Bossanova Ballroom *
August 17 Seattle, WA – El Corazon *
* only SANCTUARY performing
Tickets and merch available at https://www.sanctuaryofficial.com/home
2019 European festival shows:
25. - 27.07.2019 Brande-Hörnerkichen (DE) Headbangers Open Air
10.08.2019 Kortrijk (BE) Alcatraz Festival
Latest release:
SANCTUARY “Inception” (Remixed & Remastered 1986 Demos) http://smarturl.it/SanctuaryINCEPTION
Also check out:
WARREL DANE “Shadow Work” https://warreldane.lnk.to/ShadowWorkID
WITHERFALL “A Prelude To Sorrow” https://witherfallband.lnk.to/APreludeToSorrow
WITHERFALL “Vintage – EP” https://witherfallband.lnk.to/vintageID
It is with great pleasure that we can finally announce that Sanctuary are officially continuing on. This small string of US dates will serve as the starting point of many more things to come. To celebrate the deep history of the band and the connection the fans have with us, we will perform Refuge Denied in its entirety, along with other popular songs. Along for this journey, Ghost Ship Octavius (Van Williams former Nevermore) will be joining us. 2019 will be an exciting year.
For Show Tickets and Merch (We have new sizes in on shirts) VIsit http://www.SanctuaryOfficial.com
Sanctuary Lineup:
Joseph Michael (Witherfall) - Vocals
Lenny Rutledge - Guitar
Dave Budbill - Drums
George Hernandez - Bass
Joey Concepcion (Arch Enemy-Live) - Guitar
Happy New Years from all of us in WItherfall, we have exciting news to share with you within the next two weeks!
Here is a discount code good until the morning for 20% off enter NEWYEAR at checkout
Sanctuary founding guitarist/songwriter gives an interview with Decibel Magazine regarding the future of Sanctuary and new Vocalist Joseph Michael..
Watch a clip from the Iced Earth/Sanctuary tour earlier this year...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTBeW1-x3X0&start_radio=1&list=RDcTBeW1-x3X0&t=5
listen to more and get more info at:
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.
The following limited vinyl colors 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
• CD/LP plus t-shirt bundles available here: https://merchnow.com/catalogs/witherfall
View all “A Prelude To Sorrow” order options: https://witherfallband.lnk.to/APreludeToSorrow
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, Queensryche, Iced Earth).
An album artwork trailer can be seen here: https://youtu.be/-P18I1viXGA
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
All “A Prelude To Sorrow” pre-orders are available here: https://witherfallband.lnk.to/APreludeToSorrow
WITHERFALL is:
Jake Dreyer - Guitars
Joseph Michael - Vocals/Keyboards
Anthony Crawford - Bass
Fili Bibiano - Guitar
Steve Bolognese- Drums
WITHERFALL online:
https://www.facebook.com/witherfall
www.instagram.com/witherfallofficial
https://twitter.com/witherfall
