It has always been this feeling of great variety and total straightness at the same time that made heavy metal music so special. And it has always been this great amount of different powerful moods that Portuguese TARANTULA have established as their trademark.

It has already been in 1981 when the band got together. And it has been since then that they've united purest power, energy and a strong and striking dedication for their music. At that time this dream of being heard by an international crowd of Metal-people was still alive.

As years passed by the dream ' step by step ' changed into reality. When the first self-titled album came out in 1987 they could take their home country Portugal by storm. Everyone seemed to ride on this thunderstorm of powerful music - everyone seemed to be proud the guys were one of them. Within a couple of weeks, the debut album "Tarantula" sold out completely. In 1990, when the second release "Kingdom Of Lusitania" came out, the storm only got bigger, and putting the band's name in the international metal scene.

But TARANTULA didn't want to stay in the spotlight all of their time. Eager to share their powerful way of expressing music they founded the Rock 'n 'School, a school for rock and metal music teaching young talents how to rock the block properly.

The school project as well as setting up their own recording studio took a lot of time. So while the guys got pioneers in their own country the rest of the world had to wait. With that TARANTULA had to wait for their international breakthrough.

It was in 1993 with their third release "Tarantula III" and in 1995 with their fourth album "Freedom's Call" when other countries such as Spain, Japan and some South American nations caught fire. In 1995 on TARANTULA's 15th anniversary about 15,000 people saw a big show with several guests. In 1997 the band played in various concerts e.g. with MANOWAR, HAMMERFALL, GAMMA RAY and JAG PANZER.

And it was in 1999 when TARANTULA (about AFM Records) sent a flame into the rest of the world as well. "Light Beyond The Dark" the album was entitled. "Dream Maker" (produced by Tommy Newton (HELLOWEEN, CONCEPTION, VICTORY, ELEGY) the second one, which followed two years later, ready to turn the guys' dream a bit more into reality. A dream, that indeed became (a)live. Their "Tour Beyond The Dark" lead into more than 20 countries and let them play with bands such as MOTÖRHEAD, SQUEALER, STRATOVARIUS or DEEP PURPLE.
In 2005 they presented their seventh and last album "MetalMorphosis" about AFM Records.

Now - in 2012 - "Spiral Of Fear", produced by Luís Barros at Rec 'n' Roll Studios, Valadares (VN Gaia/Oporto), was licensed by IceWarrior Records.

TARANTULA's eighth album will be released as a Special Edition (incl. "Dark Age" video clip as a bonus) on 9.March 2012. "Spiral Of Fear" within their more than three decades lasting career. And it is still made of the great variety of powerful, energetic and emotional moods that TARANTULA-songs have always been made of.

The band may have gathered experiences over the years and they may have developed an even greater range of power due to that, but they've never lost themselves in all that. TARANTULA is still TARANTULA. The total straightness and the undying dedication to music is still present. The guys stayed ' what more can you expect from metal-guys ' true to themselves.

Fans of bands like MASTERPLAN, GAMMA RAY or BLACK MAJESTY will love this album!

Tracklist:

01.Dark Age
02.Open Your Eyes
03.Shadows
04.Who You Really Are
05.Among Us
06.Spiral Of Fear
07.Blind Ambition
08.Afterlife
09.Vultures
10.Hope
Bonus Video Clip: Dark Age