Reigning Phoenix Music proudly introduces PERCEPTION, its latest label imprint. Following the success of ROAR, a sub-label dedicated to emerging talents and artists, PERCEPTION is set to provide a strong foundation for regionally and stylistically leading bands with high growth potential.
Jochen Richert, managing director of RPM Europe, shares his vision for PERCEPTION: “My responsibilities at Reigning Phoenix Music have often taken me away from what I love most – working directly with bands, nurturing their growth, and helping them reach their full potential. With PERCEPTION, I now can dive back into artist development, which I’m truly excited about. Of course, my main mission remains unchanged: to help Reigning Phoenix Music to become one of the leading metal labels in the world.”
Follow PERCEPTION:
perception.music | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok
To celebrate the birth of RPM’s new sibling, PERCEPTION proudly announces its first signing – one that perfectly embodies the label’s core value of passion, professionalism, and ambition: SERIOUS BLACK.
More than 10 years of SERIOUS BLACK and highly melodic power metal with the license to create hymns: since 2014, the band led by bassist Mario Lochert, have been delighting fans not only by releasing six studio albums so far, but also by frequently playing much-lauded concerts and festival appearances, and that’s why PERCEPTION is even more proud to begin its journey by signing such a well-known act.
“We’re really happy, and we couldn’t have found a better partner than Reigning Phoenix Music as they greatly combine expertise and experience. We have a comfortable new surrounding, and re-connecting with old companions makes this new union even more special to us: Everything that belongs together comes together over and over again,” comments founding member Lochert.
Jochen Richert as PERCEPTION A&R adds: “Mario and Dominik [Sebastian; guitars] are incredibly passionate about SERIOUS BLACK, and that’s exactly what it takes to elevate this band even further. They are built for the top tier of power metal – with outstanding songwriting and an electrifying stage presence already in place. We’ll make sure they reach the level they truly belong to: the very top of the scene!”
On the heels of their latest albumRise Of Akhenaton [2024], SERIOUS BLACK are celebrating their 10th anniversary with an own headline tour this spring, following an enormously successful European run alongside SONATA ARCTICA, FIREWIND as well as TUNGSTEN. Special guests AUTUMN BRIDE, DRAGONY and RIGORIOUS will complete the line-up for the upcoming festivities.
Mario states: “10 years, 6 charting albums, over 250 concerts, festival shows and gigs worldwide. A look back that lets me indulge in many memories. Personally, I’m really looking forward to this tour, not only because it’s our birthday headline tour, but also because old friends like AUTUMN BRIDE, DRAGONY [Mar 18-30], and RIGORIOUS [Mar 11-18] will be joining us on this tour with new albums at their hands. Get your tickets and spend an unforgettable power metal party full of hard riffs and hymns with us!”
Watch the tour trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9-K0Xz26s0
SERIOUS BLACK live:
“Metalized” World Tour
w/ AUTUMN BRIDE, RIGORIOUS (*), DRAGONY (^)
11.03.2025 DE Berlin – ORWOhaus *
12.03.2025 DE Hamburg – Logo *
13.03.2025 DE Herford – KulturWerk *
14.03.2025 DE Monheim – Sojus 7 *
15.03.2025 CZ Prague – Storm Club *
16.03.2025 HU Budapest – Analog Music Hall *
18.03.2025 AT Vienna – Szene */^
19.03.2025 IT Bologna – Alchemica Music Club ^ (w/ STRANGER VISION)
20.03.2025 FR Lyon – Rock n’Eat ^
21.03.2025 ES Zaragoza – Sala Lo Intento ^
22.03.2025 ES Madrid – Revi Live ^
23.03.2025 ES Vitoria-Gasteiz – Urban Rock Concept ^
24.03.2025 ES Barcelona – Razzmatazz 3 ^
25.03.2025 FR Paris – La Boule Noire ^
26.03.2025 BE Kortrijk – CVG Club ^
27.03.2025 CH Lenzburg – Met-Bar ^
28.03.2025 DE Stuttgart – Im Wizemann (Club) ^
29.03.2025 DE Schirnding – Gemeindehalle ^ (w/ CHAPTER ELEVEN)
30.03.2025 DE Munich – Backstage (Halle) ^
01.04.2025 AT Mayrhofen – Full Metal Mayrhofen
26.06.2025 CH Grenchen – Summerside Festival
16.08.2025 CZ Moravský Krumlov – Rock Castle
Info & Tickets: https://www.serious-black.de/#tour
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About SERIOUS BLACK
Originally founded by bassist Mario Lochert and Roland Grapow (MASTERPLAN, ex-HELLOWEEN) in 2014 and completed by former members of BLIND GUARDIAN and TAD MAROSE among others, there simply wasn’t another option for SERIOUS BLACK than riding a wave of success. From their debut As Daylight Breaks [2015] to their current offering Rise Of Akhenaton [2024], the group continuously left their footprint in the scene by delivering six terrific studio albums plus an acoustic album, accompanied by extensive touring with established bands such as HAMMERFALL, GAMMA RAY and KAMELOT. Winning more and more fans over the years, SERIOUS BLACK have become a notable headline act themselves, cementing their music as an essential part of the power metal world through relentless touring and hitting the charts with their whole catalog (no. 22 of the official German album chart with Vengeance Is Mine [2022] to name their highest entry so far).
SERIOUS BLACK are:
Nikola Mijić | vocals
Dominik Sebastian | guitars
Bob Katsionis | guitars
Maurus Meyer | guitars, keyboards
Mario Lochert | bass
Christian Schichtl | drums
More on SERIOUS BLACK:
serious-black.com | Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube | Spotify | PERCEPTION