Fan-filmed video of ANTHRAX's April 17 concert at Club Pepper in San Jose, Costa Rica can be seen below.

The band's setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:

01. Among The Living
02. Caught In A Mosh
03. Madhouse
04. Metal Thrashing Mad
05. Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)
06. Keep It In The Family
07. Antisocial (TRUST cover)
08. I Am The Law
09. In The End
10. Medusa
11. A.I.R.
12. Got The Time (Joe Jackson cover)
13. Indians

Late last month, ANTHRAX announced that, due to personal reasons, bassist Frank Bello would not be able to accompany the band on its South American tour, which kicked off on Saturday, April 13 at MXMF The Metal Fest in Mexico City. Filling in on those dates, as well as two U.S. festival shows in May, is ANTHRAX founding member and original bassist Dan Lilker, marking his first appearance with the band in 40 years. Lilker, who co-wrote and played on ANTHRAX's debut album "Fistful Of Metal", was also a member of STORMTROOPERS OF DEATH with ANTHRAX drummer Charlie Benante and guitarist Scott Ian.

Asked in a recent interview with Metal Mayhem ROC when he was first approached about reuniting with ANTHRAX for the aforementioned shows, Lilker said: "I was actually contacted, I guess, about a month ago… I had a lot more advance notice than when everybody just found out a couple of days ago. It was just that's when the press release went public. So, yeah, about a month, 'cause I needed some time to learn some of the material, obviously, to play it correctly and play it with authority, too. You don't wanna just learn it; you wanna play it with confidence and look like you're up there being metal and not tentative. So, yeah, you could say late February, early March, something like that."

Pressed about whether there was a reason given as to why Bello isn't able to commit to these shows, Dan said: "Well, we're just saying personal reasons. I am not at liberty to say. But Frank is fine and the picture of health, and it's nothing like that. But [it's] nothing I can go into; it's not my place."

Regarding what his initial reaction was to being asked to play these ANTHRAX shows, Lilker said: "I got a text from Scott when he was in Japan on tour with MR. BUNGLE. And I was actually at work. I work in precision optics [at the Rochester, New York-based company called Sydor Optics], because I've realized that playing the type of music I played for the most part wasn't lucrative enough to not have a job. But point being that, yeah, I was just [having] a little smoke break at work at, like, 8:13 a.m. on a Monday or something, and I got a message from Scott going, 'Do you think yo'd be able to do some shows with us next month?' So, yeah, it would have been the very beginning of March. And it's funny. I just looked at my boss who's also a metalhead — that's that's how I ended up working for the company — and said, 'Hey, I just got asked to be do some ANTHRAX shows next month.' And he goes, 'You'd be fucking crazy not to.' And so I knew it would be cool there. And I said, 'Sure. Sounds like fun.' I looked at the tour dates and said, 'I've never been to Uruguay before,' so I can cross that off the list.' Everybody at [the] company [I work for] has been really super supportive about that. So I'm very lucky in that aspect."

On the topic of how long it took him to accept the invitation, Lilker said: "Oh, I just pretty much said, 'Sure, that sounds cool.' I informed my wife, but I can't imagine that she would have said, 'No, don't do that. That's crazy.' So, I'm pretty sure the order of things was replied and said, 'Yeah, that sounds cool.' And then I went about clearing it with the people I have to talk to here [at home and at work]."

Asked what he is most excited about when it comes to playing with ANTHRAX again, Lilker said: "Well, one thing that's cool is since we haven't done S.O.D. for a while, it was always fun jamming with Scott and Charlie, because the other guys are cool, but remember in 'Fistful Of Metal', that was pre-Joey [Belladonna, current ANTHRAX singer] and everything like that. So we were like the nucleus of the early, early ANTHRAX and, of course, S.O.D., which had one guitar, so in that aspect, jamming with those guys. But also the other dudes — I've never been on stage with Joey or anything like that. And, of course, Jon [Donais], the new [ANTHRAX guitarist], who's been very helpful with showing me riffs. So it'll be that. And also, some of the stuff on [ANTHRAX's third album, 1987's] 'Among The Living', it's real heavy, fast thrash metal — I actually have a couple of riffs I wrote on some of that stuff — so it'll be fun to actually play that stuff too. And, of course, the latter-day stuff from the '90s is fun because it was actually really easy to learn because it was more kind of slow. So, obviously, for me, playing grindcore and death metal and black metal, some of this stuff is going to be nice and easy. I have to make sure I don't start daydreaming."

Regarding what fans can expect from the setlist for the ANTHRAX shows that he will be a part of, Dan said: "I would just say that if you look at recent ANTHRAX setlists, subtract a song or two and add another song or two, that would be pretty close. And as far as subtracting songs, nobody's going to be rapping on stage too much."

After one of the interviewers expressed hope that ANTHRAX will play a "Fistful Of Metal" deep cut like "Subjugator", Dan said: "That's a pretty deep fucking cut, dude. You might get something else that ends with an 'R.'"

Lilker later confirmed that ANTHRAX will perform some material from "Fistful Of Metal" at the upcoming shows. "I mean, that's not many beans to spill there," he said. "They've always played 'Metal Thrashing Mad', and since I already [said] we'll be doing another song that ends in 'R', that would be the song before it ['Deathrider'] on 'Fistful Of Metal'. And, yeah, that's kind of our one thing toward acknowledging me doing the stuff, because that was a pretty primitive album for what ANTHRAX ended up progressing into, some of that having to do with my writing style."

Asked about his current relationship with Scott, Charlie and Frank, having attended Ian's 60th-birthday party this past New Year's Eve in Van Nuys, California, Dan said: "Well, we've always had a relationship. It's just been more kind of like one of those off-on things because you're not traveling in the same circles or whatever; they're out doing something and I'm doing something else. So [at Scott's birthday party], it was more just kind of like getting to see old friends again, catching up with them. Frank, I hadn't seen Frank for a long time; I've seen Scott more recently than that, I believe. And, yeah, it was a really good time going out there with my wife and celebrating his birthday and playing a few tunes."

He added: "But, in general, yeah, I'm looking forward to sharing a stage with those guys, helping them out and having some fun, playing some metal. 'Cause I'm not really playing in bands anymore, which is by choice, and so just getting to do occasional little forays like that are cool with me."

Asked if there are any long-term future plans for him to play with ANTHRAX again, Lilker said: "Well, as far as I know, I'm just doing the 10 shows that I was asked to do — the eight that are in Central and South America and then the two U.S. fests. It's just filling in for Frank — I wanna make sure and stress that. I am not [rejoining] the band, even though I formed it before. This isn't gonna be, 'Finally after 40 years, my plan…' I'm doing my friends a favor. And if that situation changes in the future, it will not have anything to do with me taking any steps to do so, let's put it that way."

Lilker has not been idle over the past four decades, having played in a wide variety of bands. He was the bassist for the thrash/metal band NUCLEAR ASSAULT and the grindcore band BRUTAL TRUTH. He also plays bass for EXIT-13, MALFORMED EARTHBORN, THE RAVENOUS, OVERLORD EXTERMINATOR, VENOMOUS CONCEPT, and more.

Remaining ANTHRAX shows with Lilker:

April 19 - The Metal Fest, Quito, Ecuador
April 21 - The Metal Fest, Santiago, Chile
April 23 - Sala de Museo, Montevideo, Uruguay
April 25 - El Teatro Flores, Buenos Aires, Argentina
April 28 - Summer Breeze Open Air, São Paulo, Brazil
May 09 - Welcome to Rockville, Daytona Beach, FL
May 17 - Sonic Temple Festival, Columbus, OH

To celebrate ANTHRAX's 40th anniversary in 2021, the band's social media accounts offered a series of video testimonials sent in by former bandmembers, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what ANTHRAX's legacy has meant all these years on. These videos honored each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, "Fistful Of Metal". The 11-week series included video contributions from former ANTHRAX bandmembers Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin and Rob Caggiano.

Lilker, who played bass on "Fistful Of Metal" and wrote most of the music for the record, told Knotfest about ANTHRAX's 40th anniversary: "I'm definitely proud of that whole thing. I think it's great that those guys are still going… That was real good memories back then. I know people go, 'Oh, they fucking threw you out after that,' and blah blah blah. But, obviously, I got over that and formed NUCLEAR ASSAULT. And next year we were doing S.O.D. So I'm not the kind of guy who stays bitter forever. But, yeah, the memories of those times, writing that record and recording it and everything was... 'Cause there was no blueprint or anything; we just had influences and just tried to put our own stamp on 'em back then. So, yeah, it kind of sucks being thrown out three days before [it got] released, but it gave me an excuse to do something else."

When interviewer Daniel Dekay noted that it was "really cool" of ANTHRAX to allow Lilker to tell his side of the story in the above-mentioned documentary series, Dan said: "There was times in the past where I might have been a little neglected on some of the stuff. So I think they wanted to make sure to just have a nice, inclusive vibe and not forget any particular details. Like the fact that I wrote 75 percent of 'Fistful Of Metal'. You know, a minor detail."

A number of years ago, Lilker told Voices From The Darkside that he was fired from ANTHRAX due to "a conflict" with the band's then-vocalist Neil Turbin. "He was an egotist (like most singers, haha) and it bothered him that I was taller than him," Lilker explained. "Also, he had no sense of humor, so if you busted his balls he took it seriously. So, he told the other members, 'I can't take Lilker anymore. It's him or me.' They decided he was more important as a familiar frontman to the fans, so they threw me out, even though I wrote 75 percent of the music on 'Fistful…'. Oh well. He was, of course, thrown out seven months later, and I played with Scott and Charlie in S.O.D. the next year."

In his 2014 autobiography "I'm The Man: The Story Of That Guy From Anthrax", Ian described Lilker's dismissal from ANTHRAX 30 years earlier as "the worst moment for me in the history" of the band. He went on to say that the decision to kick Dan out ANTHRAX was made by Turbin and not the other members of the group.

"The biggest dick move Neil ever pulled was when he fired Danny Lilker behind our backs after 'Fistful…' came out in January 1984," Ian wrote. "The main reason he did it, in my opinion, was because Danny is taller than him. He honestly didn't think someone should be taller than the frontman onstage. He thought it made him look bad, so he tried to stand as far away from Danny as possible, which was hard when we were playing stages the size of ping-pong tables."

In recent years, Ian has voiced his appreciation for the role "Fistful Of Metal" played in giving ANTHRAX its start, telling Metal Hammer: "Let's face it, 'Fistful Of Metal' gave us our career. It got the band some attention, made people all over the world aware of what we could do — and for that reason alone I have to be grateful to everyone involved. The record was vital in launching us, and everything we've done, and become, since stems from that debut record. I may be critical of it in some ways, but I could never do anything other than admit we owe it all to 'Fistful Of Metal'. If that had never happened… well, perhaps you would never have heard of ANTHRAX."

In a new interview with Andrew McKaysmith of the "Scars And Guitars" podcast, DEICIDE frontman Glen Benton was asked if he would ever consider writing an autobiography. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know, man. I'm a pretty private person. You know what I tell people… I would rather tell my stories in the backstage area and make people laugh at 'em than write it all down. I think it loses a lot in translation, man. So maybe a spoken book or something, I could do it."

When McKaysmith noted that Benton's book "would be a heck of a tale," Glen said: "Yeah, I get every ghostwriter out there [approaching me], man. Like this weekend, at [DEICIDE's] Philly show [at Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest], [legendary 1990s death metal producer] Scott Burns was there, and we were all telling stories and that. And I could just see the ears of the ghostwriters in the room. their ears were just standing straight up, man. [Laughs]

"Like I say, I'm just not… I don't know, man," he added. "If I could do the book tastefully and that, [have it] be about me and from my perspective, that's where it would have to be."

DEICIDE's new album, "Banished By Sin", will be released on April 26 via Reigning Phoenix Music.

This past February, DEICIDE released the second single from "Banished By Sin", a song called "Sever The Tongue". The track was recorded at Smoke & Mirrors with engineer Jeramie Kling, while the mixing and mastering was handed by Josh Wilbur.

DEICIDE collaborated with David Brodsky from My Good Eye: Music Visuals for a visually arresting video for "Sever The Tongue" that complements the track's blasphemous undertones.

To close out 2023, DEICIDE celebrated Christmas with another blasphemous song called "Bury The Cross...With Your Christ".

DEICIDE played its first show with new guitarist Taylor Nordberg (THE ABSENCE, INHUMAN CONDITION) on May 21, 2022 at the Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Previous DEICIDE guitarist Chris Cannella amicably left the band in January 2022 after a three-year run.

Chris joined DEICIDE in 2019 following the departure of guitarist Mark English.

English became a member of DEICIDE in 2016 after the exit of longtime guitarist Jack Owen.

Photo credit: Deidra Kling

Fan-filmed video of Bruce Dickinson's April 18 concert at Teatro Diana in Guadalajara, Mexico can be seen below.

The setlist for the show was as follows:

01. Accident Of Birth
02. Abduction
03. Laughing In The Hiding Bush
04. Afterglow Of Ragnarok
05. Chemical Wedding
06. Many Doors To Hell
07. Tears Of The Dragon
08. Resurrection Men
09. Rain On The Graves
10. Frankenstein (THE EDGAR WINTER GROUP cover)
11. Gods Of War
12. The Alchemist
13. Darkside Of Aquarius

Encore:

14. Navigate The Seas Of The Sun
15. Book Of Thel
16. The Tower

After playing two warm-up shows at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California, Dickinson officially kicked off his first solo tour in more than 20 years on Monday, April 15 at The Observatory in Santa Ana, California.

As was the case with the two Whisky A Go Go shows, the IRON MAIDEN singer was joined at The Observatory and Teatro Diana by his current backing band, featuring Dave Moreno (drums),Mistheria (keyboards) and Tanya O'Callaghan (bass),alongside the group's latest additions, Swedish guitarist, songwriter and multi-platinum-credited producer Philip Näslund and Swiss session and touring guitarist Chris Declercq (who played on Dickinson's "Rain On The Graves" single). Bruce's longtime guitarist and collaborator Roy "Z" Ramirez is not part of the touring lineup.

Prior to the April 12 Whisky A Go Go show, Bruce last performed with his solo band on in August 2002 at the legendary Wacken Open Air festival in Germany.

During an appearance on the April 16 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Bruce was asked if there are plans for him to stage a full U.S. tour in support of his recently released solo album "The Mandrake Project". He responded: "I brought the [booking] agents and the promoters, and everybody came down and saw the Whisky show [in West Hollywood, California over the weekend], and now they know what they've got to deal with in terms of doing a U.S. tour. So, we're looking at it, we're planning it.

"I absolutely wanna do a full U.S. tour with 'The Mandrake Project'," he added. "I obviously can't do one for the rest of this year [due to commitments in other parts of the world and MAIDEN's upcoming touring activities], but there's '25 and there's numerous opportunities that will crop up. So the answer to that is yes, of course, we wanna come and do the U.S."

Roy played guitar on Dickinson's 1994 album "Balls To Picasso" and went on to produce, co-write and perform multiple instruments on Bruce's subsequent three solo albums, "Accident At Birth" (1997),"The Chemical Wedding" (1998) and "Tyranny Of Souls" (2005).

O'Callaghan is an Irish musician who joined WHITESNAKE in 2021 and toured with the David Coverdale-fronted outfit the following year. She also hit the road with Dickinson last year as part of a performance of Jon Lord's "Concerto For Group And Orchestra" on nearly a dozen dates in Europe and South America.

Californian drummer Moreno previously played on "Tyranny Of Souls" and has worked with BODY COUNT, Jizzy Pearl, Dizzy Reed and Steve Stevens, among others.

Italian keyboard wizard Mistheria has collaborated with an array of artists live and in the studio, including Rob Rock, Mike Portnoy, Jeff Scott Soto and Joel Hoekstra.

"The Mandrake Project" arrived on March 1 via BMG.

Bruce and Roy recorded "The Mandrake Project" largely at Los Angeles's Doom Room, with Roy doubling up as both guitarist and bassist. The recording lineup for "The Mandrake Project" was rounded out by Mistheria and Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce's last solo studio album, "Tyranny Of Souls", in 2005.

Dickinson made his recording debut with IRON MAIDEN on the "Number Of The Beast" album in 1982. He quit the band in 1993 in order to pursue his solo career and was replaced by Blaze Bayley, who had previously been the lead singer of the metal band WOLFSBANE. After releasing two traditional metal albums with former MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith, Dickinson rejoined the band in 1999 along with Smith.

In a brand new interview with The Hook Rocks!, singer Michael Starr of California glam metal jokesters STEEL PANTHER spoke about the challenge of combining raucous comedy with undeniably catchy rock tunes. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That's the thing about our music, is we know we're poking fun and we're cracking jokes. We have to play good to be able to do that. You can't just like not be able to play and just be comedians. You have to be able to play. And then the other part that we think we're good at is making people laugh and have a good time."

Asked about the task of balancing comedic timing with putting on a high-energy rock show, the 58-year-old Starr, whose real name is Ralph Saenz, said: "I think for us, it really is just how we are as people. After doing this for so many years, we do have a set of jokes that we use a lot, but we also have stuff we haven't used in years and it just ends up popping up and we just say it. But a lot of it's really organic. I mean, we play off the crowd and we're able just to interact with them.

"When we were a cover band and doing the same type of show as a cover band, we learned that you still have to have some sort of structure to it," he explained. "You can't just talk the whole time. 'Cause we did that stuff, and people were throwing shit at us, like, 'Play some fucking music, man.' And so we learned, when you're a major touring act, you've gotta have some sort of structure. So, we structured it out and we have holes for improv and we have holes for whatever we wanna do. But at the same time there's curfews, there's people that are relying on you ending at a certain time and starting at a certain time, so it's a little bit different, but at the same time, it's still organic. And I think that's what makes us unique."

On the topic of whether he and his STEEL PANTHER bandmates work out the jokes in advance, Michael said: "We work them out while we're hanging out together, just in general. Even when we're offstage, we're still riffing. I don't know what that is, but we still just do it. We'll just riff the whole time, be different people and just fuck around with each other. And especially if we have people on the bus or we're hosting a backstage party, then we just start performing because we just can't help ourselves."

Formed in 2000, STEEL PANTHER specializes in imitating and exaggerating the less flattering aspects of 1980s hair metal, with unrepentantly crude, non-PC sexual content as a favorite lyrical theme.

The group's music has been described as "VAN HALEN meets MÖTLEY CRÜE meets RATT meets 'Wayne's World', complete with operatic shrieks, misogyny, shredding guitar solos and libidinal overdrive."

Sixteen years ago, STEEL PANTHER changed its name from METAL SKOOL to its current moniker and shifted the focus of its act from '80s metal covers to originals.

STEEL PANTHER's sixth studio album, "On The Prowl", was released in February 2023.

In September 2022, STEEL PANTHER announced the addition of Spyder as the band's new bassist.

Photo credit: David Jackson

In the Metal Injection clip below, In Flames / ex-Megadeth guitarist Chris Broderick takes you through all of the riffs that "schooled" him. He plays riffs from the following songs:


Ratt - "Lay It Down"
King Diamond - "Mother's Getting Weaker"
Yngwie Malmsteen - "I Am A Viking", "I'll See The Light"
Racer X - "Scarified"







In Flames are set to infiltrate the US for a spring headlining US tour with special guests Gatecreeper and Creeping Death. The skull crushing lineup will kick off the excursion on May 1 in Portland, ME and will wrap it up on May 26 in Dallas, TX.


Commenting on the tour, vocalist Anders Fridén says: "We are very excited to have these two killer bands, Gatecreeper and Creeping Death, on this run. I foresee a night of huge riffs, blast beats, head banging, mosh pitting, people loosing their minds and more. Come on down, lets have a good time!!!"


Gatecreeper frontman Chase Mason adds: "We are very excited to tour with In Flames. We have been fans for a long time and got the opportunity to meet and play with the band last summer. In Flames has been a huge influence on our newer material and hitting the road with them after working on our record is an ideal scenario for us."


Purchase tickets here.


Dates:


May
1 - Portland, ME - State Theatre
2 - Hampton Beach, NH - Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
3 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
4 - Wilmington, DE - The Queen
5 - Norfolk, VA - The Norva
7 - Charleston, SC - Charleston Music Hall
8 - Greensboro, NC - Piedmont Hall
9 - Atlanta, GA - Buckhead
10 - Daytona, FL - Rockville
12 - Huntsville, AL - Mars Music Hall
14 - Nashville, TN - Marathon Music Works
16 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mr. Small's Theatre
17 - Buffalo, NY - The Town Ballroom
18 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple
19 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metal Fest
21 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrews
22 - St. Louis, MO - The Hawthorn
23 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
24 - Austin, TX - Emo's
25 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
26 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues





In Flames are:


Anders Fridén - Vocals
Björn Gelotte - Guitar / Vocals
Chris Broderick - Guitar
Tanner Wayne - Drums
Liam Wilson - Bass

German metal legends Blind Guardian have shared a recap video of their April 14th show in Kentish Town, London, England. Check it out below along with fan-filmed video from the gig.










Blind Guardian kicked off The God Machine North American 2024 tour on April 18 at The Fillmore in Silver Springs. The tour will make its way to Dallas, Seattle, and Toronto before the final performance at Milwaukee Metal Fest on May 17. Joining the band as support is Night Demon.


Vocalist Hansi Kürsch states: "We heard your calls! We are more than just thrilled to finally announce that highly anticipated North American run of shows.  Let me tell you that the band will be on fire and that we are very grateful to have a fantastic opening band such as Night Demon on our side to bring the full Metal blast to your town. I recommend not to miss this chance, we will perform Beyond Imagination. You don’t want to see it, you have to see it! The God Machine is in sole and full magic mode."





Dates:


April
20 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground
21 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
23 - Dallas, TX - The Factory
24 - Austin, TX - Emo’s
26 - Phoenix, AZ - Cresent Ballroom
27 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
28 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency Ballroom
30 - Portland, OR - The Roseland Theater


May
1 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox Market
3 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
4 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall
6 - Minneapolis, MN - The Varsity Theater
7 - Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s
9 - Toronto, ON - Rebel
10 - Montreal, QC - L'Olympia
11 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
12 - New York, NY - The Palladium
14 - Harrisburg, PA - HMAC
16 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theater
17 - Milwaukee, WI - Milwaukee Metalfest

The cinematic progressive metal band Sunburst has released a music video for "Hollow Lies", the first single from their new album "Manifesto". The single contains the elements that Sunburst are known for, like impressive instrumental parts, intense guitar riffing, dramatic orchestrations, soaring melodic vocals and emotional and memorable melodies. "Hollow Lies" is available on all digital platforms and a music video is available below.


Manifesto will be released on CD, limited vinyl editions and digital via Inner Wound Recordings on June 14.


Sunburst was formed in 2010 and inspired by bands like Dream Theater, Nevermore, Conception and Symphony X they started to write songs and play shows. Their debut album Fragments Of Creation was released in 2016 by Inner Wound Recordings and received fantastic feedback from fans and media around the globe.




After the album came out Sunburst played a number of successful shows in Greece and Europe, and started to work on material for the follow up to "Fragments of Creation". During the following years the members of Sunburst kept busy touring and recording with other bands, but late 2023 they finally completed their sophomore album entitled Manifesto.


When you listen to the new album, it's clear that the band stepped up their game. The material is more progressive, heavy, complex and melodic compared to the debut album. The songs are more dramatic and there are more orchestral arrangements and parts on Manifesto, which gives the album a movie-like, cinematic vibe.


You will also find the elements that Sunburst are known for on the album, like impressive instrumental parts, intense guitar riffing, soaring melodic vocals and emotional and memorable melodies.


The album was produced by Sunburst and Steve Lado, who also mixed and mastered the album. Bob Katsionis performs all keyboards on the album and John K came up with the orchestral arrangements on the songs "The Flood", "Hollow Lies" and "Nocturne". The artwork was created by Sunburst vocalist Vasilis Georgiou (HALO Creative Design Lab).





Tracklisting:


“The Flood”
“Hollow Lies”
“Samaritan”
“Perpetual Descent”
“Inimicus Intus”
“From The Cradle To The Grave”
“Manifesto”
“Nocturne”


"Hollow Lies" video:

Following the successful release of "Never Dawn" (over two million streams),Italian goth metal veterans LACUNA COIL are back with their new single, "In The Mean Time", featuring Ash Costello of NEW YEARS DAY. The song’s title is a reference to the mean times the world is living in, as well as a reference to the state the band itself is in, between cycles.

LACUNA COIL states: "'In The Mean Time' is a reflection on how much our society has generally 'lost the plot'. We are living in really mean times filled with unhappy people: lonely, anxious, depressed, destructive. The pressure that crushes from the outside doesn't allow us to see things with the right clarity.

"This song is like group therapy: not a lamentation, but acceptance that once broken, it's hard to put oneself back together again.

"We need to take our minds off all the inescapable toxicity and find that there's so much more to this life… and know that in the meantime, everything cannot be aligned.

"We invited Ash Costello from NEW YEARS DAY to feature on the track and we're thrilled she came on board adding exactly what we needed for this song with her warm voice and charisma."

Costello said: "I am deeply honored to join LACUNA COIL on tour for the first time, to have the incredible opportunity to lend my guest vocals to a new track and appear in the music video. Working alongside the powerhouse vocalist Cristina has been a privilege, and I may be biased in saying that 'In The Mean Time' has quickly become my favorite by LACUNA COIL. Its message about embracing individuality and not conforming deeply resonates with me."

LACUNA COIL will embark on the "Ignite The Fire" U.S. tour next month with support from NEW YEARS DAY and OCEANS OF SLUMBER.

Last July, LACUNA COIL released the official lyric video for the band's single "Never Dawn". For the track, LACUNA COIL partnered with CMON, the renowned board game publisher behind the popular game "Zombicide".

LACUNA COIL has spent some of the last couple of years promoting "Comalies XX", the "deconstructed" and "transported" version of the band's third album, "Comalies".

"Comalies XX" was made available on October 14, 2022 via Century Media Records.

LACUNA COIL celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Comalies", by performing it in its entirety at a one-night-only concert on October 15, 2022 at Fabrique in Milano.

"Comalies" was originally released on October 29, 2002 through Century Media Records. The LP, which featured the band's breakthrough single "Heaven's A Lie", has reportedly gone on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States alone.

Photo credit: Patric Ullaeus

Epica's live Blu-Ray, Omega Alive, was released in 2021 via Nuclear Blast. The band has shared the full concert via their official YouTube channel, and you can check it out below.


Setlist:


"Alpha - Anteludium"
"Abyss of Time – Countdown to Singularity"
"The Skeleton Key"
"Unchain Utopia"
"The Obsessive Devotion"
"In All Conscience"
"Victims of Contingency"
"Kingdom of Heaven, Pt.1 – A New Age Dawns"
"Kingdom of Heaven, Pt.3 – The Antediluvian Universe"
"Rivers"
"Once Upon a Nightmare" 
"Freedom – The Wolves Within"
"Cry for the Moon - The Embrace That Smothers Part IV"
"Beyond the Matrix"
"Omega – Sovereign of the Sun Spheres"







Recorded in early 2023 at the band’s biggest Dutch headline show to date, Live At The AFAS Live captures the electrifying stage energy of Epica with some of their biggest hits.





Recently released on all digital platforms, this will be the final sign of life before the band returns to the studio to write their new album. Stream the full EP on all platforms now, here.


You can watch the live video for "Code Of Life" (Live At The AFAS Live) below.


Guitarist Isaac Delahaye comments: “It’s always a pleasure to play this fan-favorite track, and to take the crowd with us while we build up to the massive groove and have a headbang party together. Enjoy listening & watching 'Code Of Life' as performed earlier this year in Amsterdam!”





Watch "Beyond The Matrix" from the same show, below:

Former Sabaton guitarist / Majestica frontman Tommy Johansson has shared his weekly cover, this time taking on Beyoncé's recent hit, "Texas Hold 'Em". Check out the video below.





Johansson recently announced his departure from Sabaton and issued the following statement:




"My dear friends! After seven glorious years of heavy metal, I have decided to step down as the guitarist of Sabaton. This has been the hardest decision I’ve ever made in my entire life.


As many of you may know, I do a lot of things outside of Sabaton. I play with another band, perform with various artists, and have a career as a singer that I’ve put aside for years to focus on Sabaton. After doing this for seven years, I feel it’s time to start following my heart. This means I will no longer tour with my brothers in Sabaton and will not meet all you lovely Sabaton supporters on the upcoming tours with the band.


I will never quit playing music. I’ll still be touring with Majestica and other projects, but not on the same level as Sabaton, of course. I am sure I will meet you lovely fans on the road again in the future.


My brothers in Sabaton and the best crew in the world will forever be my second family, and I will miss spending time with all these wonderful people. We had so much fun together every day. I’ve come to learn so much about life, about music and about touring that I wouldn’t have learned anywhere else.


A massive thank you to all you lovely Sabaton fans for accepting me as the new guitarist in 2016. I am certain you will accept the person who takes over after me.


All the best to you all and I’ll see you again soon!"

Finnish metallers Wintersun have finally completed Time II. The album has been in the works since 2012’s Time I and has been delayed multiple times due to various reasons. Wintersun’s last full-length was 2017’s The Forest Seasons. Time II is due out on August 30.


Wintersun is offering the Time Package on Indiegogo.


Time Package:




• Time II NEW ALBUM
• Time II bonus versions: Instrumental, Isolated Tracks, Singles, and Dynamic
• Time II high-resolution 8K wide format album booklet
• Time I 2.0
• Time I 2.0 bonus versions: Instrumental, Isolated Tracks, Singles, and Dynamic
• Time I 2.0 enhanced album booklet
• The Forest Seasons Loud And Modern
• The Forest Seasons Loud And Modern Instrumental
• The Forest Seasons Loud And Modern 5K "Night Theme" album booklet
• Completely new mix and master of Loneliness (Winter) Acoustic
• Wintersun - Legendary Early Demos (5 hours of early unreleased Wintersun music, 56 tracks in five albums)
• Wintersun - Legendary Early Demos 4K album booklets
• SECRET SPECIAL ITEMS (Only revealed to those who will order the TIME PACKAGE)


The Legendary Early Demos contains 5 hours of early Wintersun music made by Jari and comes with five different hour-long albums. The songs were recorded around 1992-2000 and contain some the first demos of the debut Wintersun album and the first demo of “One With The Shadows” from Time II. All songs have been newly remastered for modern standards and contains 4K booklets for every album crafted by Cameron Gray and Jari Mäenpää.


Wintersun has released new song “Fountain Of Life” from the Legendary Early Demos.


"‘Fountain Of Life’ is a four-part epic song with some progressive elements. I wrote and recorded it around 2000 with a 16-track hard disc recorder, Roland VS-1680. While it would require a big orchestration and a massive production to fully bring it to life (maybe someday!), I hope you can feel the potential and magic of this demo. Let the song inspire you never to give up, no matter what you're going through in life. Never surrender! TO VICTORY!!!" - Jari





Check out previously released demo "The Steel Of The Gods":





"This album has been the biggest challenge in my life and I'm still kinda surprised it is finally done." – Jari Mäenpää


“The day finally came: Time II is done!! Couldn’t be happier!” – Jukka Koskinen (bassist)


"I thought this day would never arrive and when Jari sent me a message that Time II was ready I still couldn’t understand that we were finally done after all the obstacles and challenges. I am more than happy now. Cheers!" – Kai Hahto (drummer)


"Whoa, I think Jari surprised us all! I’m happy that after all these years the album is finally ready!" – Teemu Mäntysaari (guitarist)





Time II tracklisting:


“Fields Of Snow”
“The Way Of The Fire”
“One With The Shadows”
“Ominous Clouds”
“Storm”
“Silver Leaves”


Teaser:

In July 2022, guitarist Steve Morse officially left DEEP PURPLE to care for his wife, Janine, who was battling cancer. He was replaced by Simon McBride. Morse's announcement came four months after the guitarist said that he would be taking a hiatus from the band, in the hope of rejoining his bandmates once his wife's health improved.

Asked in a new interview with Pete Pardo of Sea Of Tranquility if he thinks it was time for him to leave DEEP PURPLE anyway, even if it hadn't been for his wife's cancer battle, and move on to other projects, Steve responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, that's a really impossible question to know the answer to. I think when you're close to a situation, you don't see it the same as when you're away from the situation. As I've been away for actually now a couple of years, I can see that my, I guess, natural inclination and talent and drawbacks and everything just fit the instrumental — well, the stuff I do with FLYING COLORS, [THE DIXIE] DREGS and STEVE MORSE BAND, all that fits me… It's an easy fit, that's what I'm saying. However, I don't think think I would have just quit because I thought we were going to go a little more, maybe one more album project and tour and be done. So I wanted to finish with the band. That was my mantra. And I thought by being part of the band for so long that I'd be able to, and welcome to be part of things, future events involving DEEP PURPLE, whether they be a celebration of all the little splinter groups that were associated with DEEP PURPLE — you know, family tree kind of thing. So, yeah, I wasn't saying, 'No, I'm glad I'm out of here.' But the situation happened the way it did, and having stepped back, I think I'm in a better place musically that fits me. And I think Simon, he's fitting them better than I was, as far as… They're churning out gigs. And I was always the guy that said, 'This is a really long tour. There's a point where tour fatigue comes in. We could make shorter legs. 'And nobody wanted to hear that, especially not management."

He added: "But I think they're exactly where they wanna be. And they're a great rock and roll band and will continue to make great music."

When Pardo noted that it's "kind of weird not seeing DEEP PURPLE with Steve Morse at this point in time", Steve said: "Well, because the band decided to go everywhere they hadn't been, as well as continue to play the places they had been, we met a lot of young people along the way that had never seen the band. So I was glad to be part of that, opening up the access of the world to the band. But I guess with the Internet, now that that in itself does that job. But back then there wasn't the instantaneous super access to full shows."

Last May, Morse told the Beaver County Times that he "quit PURPLE because the tours were too long and we had a health emergency in my family with my wife having Stage 4 cancer. I told those guys 'I can't do this' and they were upset for like three to four seconds and then moved on. That's life, I and I wish them well and they're doing great."

Morse effectively took over Ritchie Blackmore's DEEP PURPLE slot in 1994 and had been in the group longer than Ritchie.

Morse had written and recorded eight studio albums with DEEP PURPLE, including their latest and 21st full-length effort, 2021's covers collection "Turning To Crime".

McBride previously toured with DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan and keyboardist Don Airey, among many others.

Simon recounted the initial call he received to fill in for Morse in an October 2022 interview with Andrew Daly of Vinyl Writer Music. At the time, he said: "Well, there was talk of me stepping in for Steve temporarily towards the end of 2021, but I never really thought much of it. I never thought much of it because it was always a case of, 'It may happen or it may not happen,' because it depended on Steve's wife's condition as to whether he would be able to tour. But it just got to the stage where Steve decided enough was enough, and he needed to look after his wife, which is an amazing thing he's doing. So, I knew it was possible, but I didn't know for sure; I only really found out recently that I was being confirmed as a permanent replacement."

Chicago rock band The Outfit have released their new album, entitled Go. This is the band’s third studio album, following Viking in 2020. Go was engineered by Chicago music veteran Matt Mercado at Sonic Palace Studios in Oak Park, Illinois. Mixing was handled in Los Angeles by Grammy nominated, multi-Platinum producer and mixer Ulrich Wild (Pantera, Static-X, White Zombie, Deftones, and Breaking Benjamin).


Listen to Go here.


Guitarist Matt Nawara says, “What I like about the album is the diversity we put into it. Each song stands on its own. From the aesthetic feel of ‘The Arrival of Jane’ to the hard rock push of ‘Go,’ there is a song for everyone.”




Go features nine tracks, including the Billboard charting single “Monster,” as well as the standout tracks “Big Eyes” and “Arrival Of Jane.”


For fans of traditional media, The Outfit have physical CDs of Go available. There are also limited edition signed copies while supplies last.





Tracklisting:


“Monster”
“Arrival Of Jane”
“Big Eyes”
“Mountain”
“Elo Kiddies”
“Go”
“Fire Eye”
“You Say”
“God Save The Queen”


The Outfit live:


May
18 – Aurora, IL – Patriots Fest


August
3 – Carpentersville, IL – Rock The Fox Music Fest


More dates to be added.


The Outfit is:
Andy Mitchell - Vocals
Matt Nawara - Lead Guitar
Mark Nawara - Drums
Mike Gorman - Bass

In 2006, The Rolling Stones made their debut performance in mainland China, bringing one of the most renowned rock and roll live acts to the other side of the world.


Watch the band perform "It's Only Rock 'N' Roll" live at Shanghai Grand Stage:







Featuring interviews with long-time production manager Dale “Opie” Skjerseth and the godfather of Chinese rock, Cui Juan, the From London To Shanghai documentary explores behind the scenes of the historic concert. Watch below:

Last Temptation, the rock sensation known for their electrifying performances and timeless sound, is making a triumphant return with their latest single, "Get On Me". Stream/save the single here, and watch a music video below.


"Get On Me" showcases Last Temptation's commitment to reviving the essence of hard rock by blending the iconic sounds of the 70s and 80s, injecting a breath of fresh air into today's music scene. In an era where authenticity is cherished, it's inspiring to witness bands like Last Temptation strive to reignite the genuine joy of rock 'n' roll.


Led by the energetic vocals of frontman Loup Malevil, "Get On Me" instantly captivates with its rock-solid rhythm and infectious melody. Whether interpreted as a love song, an invitation to live, or a call to dance, each listener will find their own connection to the track's vibrant spirit.




Behind the mixing console stands the legendary Mike Fraser, renowned for his work with icons such as AC/DC and Van Halen. With an unparalleled track record, Fraser brings his expertise to "Get On Me," promising an authentic sonic experience that will satisfy even the most discerning hard rock enthusiasts.


Last Temptation has successfully evolved and explored new musical directions while remaining true to their roots. With "Get On Me," they deliver on their promise with an irresistible new single that is bound to leave a lasting impression on listeners.

Gene Simmons and his solo band will perform at the grand opening of the Rock & Brews restaurant at the Ilani dining and entertainment destination in Ridgefield, Washington on April 23. It will mark the KISS bassist/vocalist's first live appearance since the legendary rock act concluded its "End Of The Road" farewell tour at New York's Madison Square Garden in December.

The GENE SIMMONS BAND will take the stage at Rock & Brews at 8 p.m., with the ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place eight hours earlier.

Simmons and his KISS bandmate Paul Stanley co-founded Rock & Brews with a team that also includes entrepreneur, restaurateur and hotelier Michael Zislis, who is behind some of Southern California's most well-known establishments like The Stand House and Shade Hotel, as well as concert industry veteran Dave Furano and Dell Furano. The team opened the first Rock & Brews near LAX airport in Southern California in 2010. Since then, they have quickly expanded the growing franchise to include over 20 of locations in California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri and Texas, with more coming soon.

Simmons told ABC Audio about the upcoming show: "There are no rules, which is my favorite thing in life. Anything is bound to happen. I may jump off the stage and get into the audience. We may pull some folks out of the audience. You wanna sing 'I Was Made For Lovin' You'? Here's the mic. Good luck."

Regarding the setlist for the concert, he said: "We get a chance to play songs KISS has never played and some songs have never been recorded. So it's a very exciting event."

Located on the Cowlitz Reservation, Ilani, developed by the Cowlitz Tribe and Salishan-Mohegan, a partnership that includes Mohegan Sun, one of the world's foremost gaming and entertainment developers and operators, is the Pacific Northwest's premier gaming, dining, entertainment, and meeting destination. With nearly 400,000 total square feet, Ilani includes more than 100,000 square feet of gaming space with nearly 3,000 slots and 75 gaming tables; 18 different restaurants, bars and retail outlets; and a 2,500-seat meeting and entertainment venue hosting nationally recognized performances.

After the Ilani performance, GENE SIMMONS BAND will play the Summer Breeze Open Air festival in São Paulo, Brazil on April 26 before launching a European tour on July 27 in Kuopio, Finland.

In addition to Simmons, the GENE SIMMONS BAND members include guitarists Brent Woods (WILDSIDE, SEBASTIAN BACH, VINCE NEIL) and Zach Throne (COREY TAYLOR) alongside drummer Brian Tichy (LYNCH MOB, THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER, PRIDE & GLORY, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT).

Back in 2017 and 2018, the GENE SIMMONS BAND played a number of shows with a lineup that consisted of Simmons alongside guitarist/bassist Jeremy Asbrock, guitarist Ryan Cook, guitarist Phil Shouse and drummer Brent Fitz.

Six years ago, Simmons stated about his solo shows: "Doing these smaller concert halls, which hold a thousand to three thousand people, means they get filled up by real diehard fans. They don't want to hear the 'same old, same old.' They want to hear nuggets, as they say. It's a hoot for me because I've never really had a chance to do this stuff live. It's been a lot of fun." Gene told the Chicago Sun-Times: "By the end, I get the chance to bring as many people from the audience as we can fit on the stage to sing with me."

Regarding how the idea for a solo tour came about, Simmons told Australia's Advertiser in a 2018 interview: "The GENE SIMMONS BAND was not a plan or anything. About a year ago, a corporate event asked me to be keynote speaker … then they said, 'Won't you get up and sing a few tunes?' I explained that you can't just do that, you've got to have a band and rehearse and all that. They said, 'Well, we'll pay you X dollars more,' and I said, 'I like you!' "So I put together a band from Nashville — these guys back up Kid Rock and lots of other people — and without a single rehearsal, I just told them which songs I wanted to do and they learned them. It just sounded natural — there is such a thing called chemistry. They don't teach that anywhere — I mean, they do teach 'chemistry' but not the kind I'm talking about. It felt right and as soon as the videos went on YouTube and such, people were calling. This little GENE SIMMONS BAND never tried to be KISS… It was just a little bit of fun and stuff. Now all of a sudden, we're headlining festivals in the Czech Republic, Canada, Germany… It's crazy."

KISS played the final concert of its "End Of The Road" farewell tour on December 2, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Regarding why now was the right time for KISS to call it quits, Simmons told USA Today: "The touring band that is KISS with the makeup and the dragon boots and fire-breathing, that has to stop and that has to do with Mother Nature and Father Time. If we were a blues band or I was blessed to be Keith Richards in THE ROLLING STONES, I'd show up in my comfy sneakers and T-shirt and stand still and play. But we're different bands. Physically, we are the hardest-working band on the stage. We idolize [Mick] Jagger and Bono and the great showmen, but if you put those guys in my outfit, they would pass out in half an hour. It's 40 pounds of armor and studs and seven-inch dragon boots that are about the weight of a female bowling ball. So you've got 20 pounds on your feet and then you've got to spit fire, fly through the air and the entire band is doing that for two-plus hours. If you have any love for the fans, get off the stage before it's too late. How many boxers have stayed too long in the ring? We're doing the right thing."

Perfect in time for their performance at this year's Wacken Open Air, August 2, 2024 will see Swedish modern metal unit MISTER MISERY release their much-awaited, self-titled studio offering! The band's third album will be issued via AFM Records. Furthermore and in support of their upcoming release, MISTER MISERY will embark on a headlining tour in October 2024. Find all dates and ticket infos listed below!

Their brand new album single, "Erzsébet (The Countess)" is now streaming via
https://mistermisery.bfan.link/erzsebet-the-countess

The band comments:
Sometime during the writing process of last year we realized that we have a habit of writing songs about specific characters, and one that we had not done yet was the infamous blood countess known as Elizabeth Bathory. This was felt like a perfect choice since our bass player Alister had actually traveled to Slovakia to see her castle ruins!

Fun fact: The voice of ‘the Countess’ and some other sound effects such as laughter and walking was recorded in the actual castle ruins in Cachtice where Erzsébet Bathory allegedly resided during her reign of terror."

"Blacktop Mojo have been kicking ass for over a decade and their music catalog is insane, with a cover of Aerosmith's "Dream On" racking in over 22 million streams on Spotify alone," begins Matt Green from Southbound Sessions.


"They walk a thin genre blending line of hard rock and Texas country, and we're stoked to have featured them on the Southbound Sessions channel this week. 'Like Wild Horses' is a single from their latest album, Pollen. Big thanks to the folks at Victory Guns and Guitars in Lindale, Texas for letting us shoot at their spot."







Blacktop Mojo released their fifth studio album, Pollen, on April 5th. 


With inspirations ranging from Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bill Withers and Stone Temple Pilots. to Bob Seger and Etta James, Blacktop Mojo’s music has elements of heavy rock, grunge, soul, blues, and a little splash of southern twang.


Pollen artwork and tracklisting:





"The End Is Gonna Come"
"Weary I Roam"
"I Can't Tell"
"Please Don't Call"
"Red Enough"
"Rise"
"As The Light Fades"
"Something's Changed"
"Shoulda Just Gone To Sleep"
"Born To Lose"
"Like Wild Horses"














In live news, Clutch have announced their upcoming New World Samurai Tour 2024, with support from Blacktop Mojo and The Native Howl. The trek kicks off on April 26th in Richmond, VA, and concludes on May 19th in Columbus, OH.


“When you come see us, you’re seeing rock and roll the way it used to be. A group of people on stage playing their instruments right in front of your face. No laptops, no backing tracks. What you see is what you get,” says Matt James, lead singer of Blacktop Mojo.


Dates and a video trailer can be found below.





April
26 - Richmond, VA - The National
27 - Wilmington, DE - The Queen
29 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre


May
1 - Colorado Springs, CO - Black Sheep
2 - Estes Park, CO - Stanley Hotel
3 - Estes Park, CO - Stanley Hotel
4 - Aspen, CO - Belly Up Aspen
5 - Grand Junction, CO - Mesa Theater
7 - Lubbock, TX - The Garden
9 - Pelham, TN - The Caverns
10 - Columbia, SC - The Senate
11 - Daytona, FL - Welcome To Rockville
12 - Pensacola, FL - Vinyl Music Hall
14 - Columbia, MO - The Blue Note
15 - Fayetteville, AR - JJ's Live
17 - Sioux City, IA - Anthem at Hard Rock
18 - Belvidere - IL - The Apollo Theatre
19 - Columbus, OH - Sonic Temple





For further details, visit Blacktop Mojo on Facebook.


 

Calva Louise have revealed the extraordinary cinematic sci-fi video for their new song, "Under the Skin", and the news they have also signed to Mascot Records.


Feast your eyes on the video for "Under the Skin" below; stream the song here


Calva Louise are storming into 2024, playing Download Festival, 2000Trees, and Primordial General Mayhem. In May, they'll take on a 10-date co-headline tour of the US with Vukovi and play So What!? Festival, Welcome to Rockville, and Sonic Temple. They'll also perform at Vainstream Rockfest (Germany) and Dynamo MetalFest (Netherlands). Calva Louise are gearing up for an explosive 2024, with even more shows on the horizon.




The British based band is truly international with its members hailing from across the globe and has been ripping through the UK underground for the past few years, driven by the creative vision of the Venezuelan songwriter Jess Allanic (Vocals/Guitar/Keyboard) along with French bassist Alizon Taho (Bass/Backing Vocals) and New Zealander Ben Parker (Drums/Backing Vocals).


"Under the Skin" was co-written by Jess Allanic and Pendulum's Gareth McGrillen and is a mesmerizing blend of raging metal riffs, swirling electronica, and Jess' extraordinary ability to flit between ethereal vocals and demonic howls. It swoons in and out of a stunning narrative, with melodic twists along the way that are punctured by an attack of hypnotic assertiveness.


This first single release is accompanied by Calva Louise's most ambitious music video production, including a sci-fi movie-style short film, telling a story about intertwined dimensions where the characters are looking to perpetuate their consciousness beyond the real world.  


The lyrics of "Under the Skin" follow a complex sci-fi narrative and is the introduction of a conceptual storyline consisting of characters called "Travellers" and their counterparts called the "Doubles."


Allanic says, "The lyrics deal with the obstacles that arise in the human duality as one is looking for freedom and the other is looking to perpetuate their consciousness, but the expectations are not the same for both sides."


The music video shows the Travellers and their Doubles transporting energy capsules which they recovered from the Hybrids-Scorpions (the story's villains) to the Main Hologram Generator, the maker of the "Realworld."


The story focuses on one of the Doubles Vic, that betrayed Commander Jonnie, also a Double, and his crew composed of both Travellers and Doubles, after being infected (and therefore under the control) of a Hybrid-scorpion that sneaked into Jonnie's Hedron-Ship. Jonnie's plans had been interrupted due to the anticipated invasion of the Hybrids that kidnapped multiple Hedron-Ships back in the Mother-Hedron-Ship, where their city was built. Meanwhile, the infected Doubles began to abandon their counterpart Travellers and started to usurp their lives in the holographic "Realworld." The Hybrids then got a free pass to continue sucking the energy of the countless Travellers who had been getting trapped in the "Dreamworld."


The video is a feast for the eye and was directed, edited and with VFX by Allanic.

Mandoki Soulmates - the international and inter-generational supergroup consisting of rock and fusion grandmasters surrounding founder and mastermind Leslie Mandoki - release the third single, “We Stay Loud”, from the upcoming album, A Memory Of Our Future. The album will be released on May 10, and can be pre-ordered here.


Says the band, "'We Stay Loud'  is actually the most contemporary statement to say “let’s swim against the current” in this black-tie devil’s masquerade. This is no peaceful resistance, no love-parade. As Soulmates, we’re always trying to find a musical way to express ourselves, to give a comment to our world, and musically it’s probably the hardest rock song on the album. It’s a very clear statement, a revenge of analog in a digital world."







A Memory Of Our Future will be available in the following formats:


- 180g black 2LP wide spined Gatefold & extensive 12-page booklet
- Ltd. CD Edition PocketPac with noble matt/gloss finishing, Vinyl-look disc and extensive 24-page booklet
- Standard CD Jewel case (US Version)
- Digital album
- Dolby Atmos Version





Tracklisting:


"Blood In The Water"
"Enigma Of Reason"
"The Wanderer"
"The Big Quit"
"Devil's Encyclopedia"
"A Memory Of My Future"
"I Am Because You Are"
"My Share Of Your Life"
"Age Of Thought"
"Matchbox Racing"
"We Stay Loud"
"Melting Pot"


"The Big Quit" lyric video:





"Blood In The Water" lyric video:





After their successful 30 Years Anniversary Tour through Europe, the Soulmates will be performing a special open-air concert in the courtyard of the Munich Residenz on August 15, and play the new album live. Get tickets here.


Mandoki Soulmates are:


Leslie Mandoki
Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
Mike Stern
Al di Meola
Randy Brecker
Till Brönner
Bill Evans
John Helliwell (Supertramp)
Cory Henry
Richard Bona
Steve Bailey
Simon Phillips (Toto)
Tony Carey (Rainbow)
Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew)
Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp)
Mark Hart (Supertramp)


(Photo - Till Brönner)

New Heaven, Inter Arma’s new album (out April 26th on Relapse Records), is a compelling testament to perseverance, top to bottom. Its thicket of ever-dense layers of doom, death, and black metal occasionally let bits of light slip in, fleeting reminders to keep going amid the tumult. The record marks a sharp turn for Inter Arma, showcasing some of the most extreme and angular songwriting the band has ever laid bare. Known for their cinematic take on sludgy, extremely cavernous and borderline psychedelic Metal, the Richmond band broadens their dynamics by seesawing between piledriving momentum and swirling oblivion. New Heaven crushes and conquers, and illustrates what Inter Arma can truly be.


Listen to the new track, "Desolation's Harp", below:







Though New Heaven is indeed another triumph for the band, it is not a triumphant album, meant to offer some glib or naïve assurance that everything will be fine.


They call it the 'Inter Arma Curse': for nearly two decades, the band has emerged as one of the most inspired and fearless acts in or around American metal.  They’ve also endured an endless parade of complications, hurdles, and slights: visa problems in Russia, stolen passports in Europe, unexpected member turmoil in their ranks, accidents and near death experiences, and a pervasive paradoxical sense that they have either been too metal or not metal enough. It’s been forever Sisyphean, except that Inter Arma has sporadically crested the hill to make a series of visionary albums.


As New Heaven started to take shape, the curse roared to life. Worldwide pandemic that squashed tours and writing sessions aside, Inter Arma churned through four bassists before finding salvation in Joel Moore, a guitar-and-engineering whiz who had never before played bass in a band.  With the addition of Moore, drummer T.J. Childers admits that New Heaven features some of the kind of music Inter Arma could have never executed. Listen for the uncanny keyboards wedged between Paparo and the band, for the ways Steven Russell and Trey Dalton coil and collide with Moore, for Childers’ way of slipping some Southern soul into what borders on truly brutal prog.  Paparo’s keen and empathetic lyrics explore arduous facets of the human experience, from innocent victims of war, to addiction, and social apathy.  New Heaven is a record about enduring brambles and curses and lasting long enough to make something profound, honest, and even affirming about it all every now and again..


Childers comments, "New Heaven is the culmination of four years worth of adversity ranging from near death experiences, multiple member changes and of course a global pandemic. It marks a new chapter for us musically as we feel we've taken our songwriting to places we've never explored before. We're excited to have come out of the madness relatively unscathed and feel as though we've created something completely unique that will stand apart in the sometimes homogenous extreme music community."  Guitarist Trey Dalton continues, "This record, maybe more than our previous efforts, more fully represents what we're trying to accomplish. It's still very much us - you know, music made by dudes coming from disparate musical backgrounds and perspectives, but with a more collective and defined sense of purpose. Clarity in direction, maybe. Your mileage may vary, but we like it a lot, and we hope you do too."


Pre-order New Heaven at this location, or direct from Relapse Records here.





New Heaven tracklisting:


"New Heaven"
"Violet Seizures"
"Desolation’s Harp"
"Endless Grey"
"Gardens In The Dark"
"The Children The Bombs Overlooked"
"Concrete Cliffs"
"Forest Service Road Blues"


"Concrete Cliffs" video:





"New Heaven":





Catch Inter Arma on tour with Pallbearer and The Keening at the following shows:


July
11 - St. Louis, MI - Off Broadway
13 - Denver, CO - Gothic Theater
15 - Calgary, AB - Dickens
16 - Edmonton, AB - The Starlite Room
18 - Vancouver, WA - Rickshaw
19 - Seattle, WA - Substation
20 - Portland, OR - Star Theater
23 - Sacramento, CA - Harlows
24 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
26 - Santa Cruz - The Catalyst Atrium
27 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
28 - Los Angeles, CA - Terragram Ballroom
29 - Phoenix, AZ - Crescent Ballroom
30 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar


August
1 - Dallas, TX - Trees
2 - Austin, TX - The Parish
3 - Houston, TX - White Oak Music Hall


(Photo - Jonah Livingston)

Australian rock powerhouse The Dreadful Tides have unleashed their latest single, "Fire In The Hole," electrifying fans with a sound that harkens back to the golden age of '70s rock, combined with the raw power of today's heavy hitters. Known for their fierce riffs and captivating live performances, the Melbourne-based quartet is firing on all cylinders, promising to make 2024 a landmark year.


Since their debut in 2021, The Dreadful Tides have redefined the rock landscape, blending classic influences from Black Label Society and Black Sabbath with a modern twist that resonates with fans of heavy, compelling music. The band's dedication to the rich, dynamic sounds of the Les Paul and Marshall amp combo, coupled with deep, resonant drums and journey-like bass lines, creates an audio experience that's both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary.


"Fire In The Hole" showcases Jimmy Black's powerful vocals and the band’s knack for crafting songs that are as anthemic as they are gritty. The single captures the essence of The Dreadful Tides' unique sound, which has already earned them over 100,000 streams and a solid presence on Australian radio.







"The energy we bring to 'Fire In The Hole' is a testament to TDT’s journey so far and a preview of where we're headed," says The Dreadful Tides. "This track is for anyone who loves their rock loud, heavy, and full of soul."


"Fire In The Hole" is currently available on all major streaming platforms. Fans can also look forward to more single releases throughout the year, each promising to deliver the hard-hitting, heart-pounding rock that The Dreadful Tides are known for.





For further details, visit The Dreadful Tides on Facebook.


 

Future alternative metal greats Defences present their stunning new single "The Curse". The track follows up strong support in the form of millions of streams across their catalog, and the band from Hertfordshire, UK, is excited to be partnered with Long Branch Records. The release of "The Curse" includes a new music video, available below.


"'The Curse' is a song about feeling like the universe is against you, trying to sabotage your every endeavor despite your best efforts to achieve something," comments singer Cherry Duesbury. "The feeling of being just a little too late, or pipped to the post, and having to start over again. To demonstrate this, it references the individual struggles of trying to be creative in an oversaturated industry, focusing on the internal fortitude required to not only persevere but to enjoy creativity for its own sake. By making these fears and inadequacies into a character, we wanted to show how powerful this feeling of being cursed can seem, and the importance of recognizing and accepting it as part of yourself."







Singer Cherry Duesbury comments on the new video: "The video shoot was really fun - it was the first time Shadow Cherry was on set for anything. She's an idea I've had in my head for some time, so it felt quite surreal to have her come to fruition in front of the camera. A really liberating side of me comes out when I'm made up like that, which I think we've started to capture in this video."


"It was an exciting shoot for us; we hadn't shot a music video for a couple of years. It was our first official shoot with Owen on bass and Will on keys, and we were all stoked to finally bring the ideas we'd been working on to life!"


"We used more props and cool visual elements for this video than I think we ever had before. So many candles, which I really enjoyed! I always have candles lit at home. We're really leaning into the witchy aesthetic for this era, which is right up my street. I was sat in a circle of them for one of the shots, it felt like I was having a seance, I loved it!"





Defences has completed numerous UK tours with multiple sell-out headline shows, not to mention numerous festival appearances including Download, Takedown, Turbulence, and Burn It Down. These shows and releases, combined with the online community being cultivated in their #TheHeart fan page, ensure that the band remains connected with their constantly growing fanbase as they move into their upcoming release.


For further details, visit Defences on Facebook.


(Photo courtesy of Fordtography)


 

Heavy act Doomcrusher have just released their sophomore single "Reflect", out now worldwide via Arising Empire.


In the crucible of the apocalyptic atmosphere that envelopes our world, Doomcrusher were forged. Born out of the deepest desire to be the harbinger of change, the band emerged with a resolute mission: to defy the impending doom that looms on the horizon.







Founded by Andy Posdziech (Any Given Day), Jean Bormann (Rage), Marv Kinkel, and Rob Lee, Doomcrusher's sound is a powerful fusion of stomping and heavy mid-tempo industrial riffs, seamlessly intertwined with uncompromising gutturals that resolve into unfolding and uplifting hooks.


The band's sound is further enriched by sophisticated electronic elements, adding depth and complexity to their musical tapestry. The ambition is clear — to redefine modern core music while staying true to the roots of the metal genre. Their music is not merely an auditory experience; it's a journey through the realms of sound, a deliberate exploration of the boundaries of heavy music.


Doomcrusher stand as a defiant force against the inevitable, a rebellion that crushes the darkness of doom with an unwavering belief in the transformative power of music.





For further details, visit Doomcrusher on Facebook.