Swedish melodic black metal band, Mörk Gryning, are streaming their new album, Fasornas Tid, ahead of its official release tomorrow, Friday, December 13, via Season Of Mist. Listen to the full album below.


Fasornas Tid lands at #30 on our BravePicks 2024 list. Follow the countdown here.


Mörk Gryning was founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1993 by Goth Gorgon and Draakh Kimera. Two years later they released their debut album Tusen År Har Gått (1995), recorded and mixed at Unisound Studios, by legendary producer Dan Swanö and released by No Fashion. The album is one of the milestones of the ‘90s Swedish black metal scene.




The group returned to action in November 1996, working at Sunlight Studios together with Tomas Skogsberg and Dismember’s Fred Estby to craft the Return Fire album. Over the following years, three more albums were released, for example Maelstrom Chaos with new guitarist Avathar, a scene veteran, recorded at the legendary Grieghallen Studios Bergen, Norway.


Ever since the debut album, Tusen år har gått…, Mörk Gryning has refused to follow in the footsteps of others and walked their own paths – something which is made very clear on the 2003 release Pieces of Primal Expressionism, an experimental and heavy progressive release recorded at Dug Out, produced by Daniel Bergstrand. After a couple of years of touring and festival performances, the band was put on hold.


Returning to the scene again in 2017, the band performed an exclusive live show in Stockholm playing all the songs from the debut album and some other songs from the back catalogue. This ended in releasing the 4-song live record called Live at Kraken. During the pandemic the comeback album Hinsides Vrede was released to much critical acclaim with many of the songs today being the backbone of their live shows.


Now that they've returned,  Mörk Gryning are more active than ever. This year, the band announced their seventh album. Fasnornas Tid pays a brutal homage to the scene's raw ferocity and ageless spirit with a dystopian symphony that's driven by an insatiable hunger for self-destruction.


Available formats:


- Digital Download
- CD Digipak
- 1x12" Vinyl Gatefold - Black
- 1x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Transparent Red
- 1x12" Coloured Vinyl Gatefold - Crystal Clear & Silver Marbled


Pre-order/pre-save the album here.

During an appearance on "The Adam Carolla Show", KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons once again praised the upcoming KISS avatar show, calling it a "jaw-dropping, never-before-seen thing".

The technology being used for the KISS avatars, originally developed for ABBA's "Voyage" show in London, will allow KISS to stay "on the road" in retirement.

The KISS avatars were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and were financed and produced by the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment, which is behind "ABBA Voyage".

Using cutting-edge technology, Pophouse Entertainment Group, which was founded by ABBA's Björn Ulvaeus, will create digital versions of KISS. The project was previewed at the final KISS concert in New York in December 2023.

Regarding his vision for the KISS avatar show, Simmons said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "This thing that we're doing with Pophouse is a jaw-dropping, never-before-seen thing. And I can't get too specific except to let you know the following, 'cause it's out there. We flew up to George Lucas's ILM and we did motion capture, just to make sure that it feels and moves like us, 'cause it is us. The experience is gonna be beyond anything you can imagine. Because imagine a caveman goes to IMAX and beholds, experiences a 3D event. They just wouldn't understand. So, the only way I can describe what's gonna happen in the next two years or so… Most of us know what virtual glasses are. And all of a sudden, the room and the world you're in disappears. And if you look down, the floor that you're standing on is no longer the floor. You could be floating in space or on another planet. So no matter where you look, in back of you, forward, up, down, you're in this alternative universe. Now imagine that experience with sound and heat and all that kind of stuff without glasses.

"If you go to the [Las Vegas] Sphere or if you go to the ABBA show, and millions of folks have gone, you'll swear to God they're live on stage," Gene continued. "But if you look down, you can see your hand and some person next to you. So it's reality crossed with you can't believe your eyes. The technology has improved so much that reality will disappear. You're gonna be in an alternate… It's tough to describe it."

Asked if the KISS avatar show could be played at almost any venue or if it needs a special venue, Simmons said: "Initially, we're controlling every square foot of these huge places in the same way that IMAX 3D, they need special cameras, special lighting and all that. You can't take IMAX and go to an outdoor property… It's not linear. You're not looking at a screen. It's all around you. So if you pick your head up, your chair disappears. It's difficult to describe it because nobody has seen this."

Simmons previously talked about the KISS avatar show earlier in the month during an appearance on The Zak Kuhn Show podcast. He said at the time: "Well, you may have read or not, there's a terrific company called Pophouse who are responsible for that ABBA avatar show outside of London, which has pulled millions of tickets, actually, and is quite a thing. But even that technology is now yesterday's news.

"I don't know how to describe it, but so far we're just calling it KISS avatars," he continued. "It'll be seen around the world. And I'll try to describe it. When you put on virtual glasses, you get a 360-degree experience. Wherever you turn your head, you're in that universe; you're in a parallel universe, if you will. You could be in the land of dinosaurs or falling off a cliff or you pick your head up to the sky and you see the sky. And you lower your chin and you look like a chasm with your feet falling. So you actually believe, to the extent that you shut off your mind, that you're actually in that world. Now imagine not wearing glasses and having that experience."

Asked if the KISS avatar show will "totally blow away" "ABBA Voyage", Simmons said: "It already does, yeah. Uh-huh… Technology, I'm sure you keep up with it, is growing by leaps and bounds… The future is here. A.I. now fixes itself and teaches itself. And so the technology has advanced by leaps and bounds even where the ABBA show was. You could swear ABBA was live on stage, but you have to look straight forward. If you look to the left or right, you can see your neighbor sitting behind you or next to you. And so you have that kind of, 'Oh, this is reality. And what's on stage looks like reality.' But as you know, with 3D glasses, virtual glasses, your sense of what's real and what's not is skewed. So there's all that."

This past October, KISS frontman Paul Stanley told Steve-O's Wild Ride! podcast about the KISS avatar show: "What we'll be doing with these amazing avatars will take us to another place, another level. Now, those images [that were previewed at the end of KISS's final gig at] the Garden were really — I had mixed feelings about showing those because they're so early on, they look nothing like that. I mean, the avatars are identical. I mean, they look like us. And I think the idea was really just to show people that we're going to move on and continue, but it won't be like that. And what we're putting together with George Lucas and Pophouse, this amazing company out of Sweden, is an immersive experience that you'll come to, and there'll be heat and fire and wind and things flying around."

Stanley continued: "The idea of us making a recreation of a concert, I mean, how long can you look and go, 'Wow, that looks just like an amplifier'? That's not what we're doing. I would say it's Cirque Du Soleil meets 'Star Wars' and a KISS concert. So it's gonna be amazing."

Paul was also full of praise for "ABBA Voyage", which has been very lucrative since debuting in May 2022. In 2023, the holographic show's performances numbered 374 and attracted 1,097,597 attendees for an occupancy rate of 97.8%.

"Yeah, that lives in London, and that's sold out for four years now, I think — every night, eight shows a week," Stanley said. "And it's amazing because I've seen it twice and the audience is just thrilled and so much a part of it. It's not like, 'Oh, we're watching something that's not real.' It's real… I mean, you can see through the clothes. They move back and forth, they interact. It's unbelievable. And when I saw it the first time, at the end of the show, the curtain pulled back and [the] ABBA [members as they look] today, the four of them, came walking out. And I was, like, 'Wow, I'm here on this night to see [the four of them at the performance].' [But] it wasn't them. That's how good it is."

Paul also talked about KISS's decision to sell its entire music catalog, likeness and brand name to Pophouse. Asked if he and Simmons will remain involved in the way the KISS brand is promoted and marketed going forward, Stanley said: "They want us involved, which is smart. And also it's a way to ensure, I hate to say purity, but a focus.

"Look, we got it this far," he explained. "And, they had no intentions of just taking it and them riding off into the sunset. This is a collaboration, and [it's] never been done before. I mean, bands sell publishing, songwriters sell their song rights. I dare say that there's not a band I can think of where anybody wants to buy the band's likeness and the logos and everything that goes with it."

Paul added: "You have to imagine that for us to create something and nurture it through the good and the bad for 50 years and then give it to a [someone else], it's like leaving home. Yeah, it's leaving home. But I'm still who I was. If I was the Starchild before, I'm Starchild now. That doesn't change. I'm who I've been. And it's such a unique situation that I don't think anybody else can ever fathom the magnitude, because people have a hard time giving up their publishing; that's like their babies. Well, we gave up our babies and the house and the block."

When Steve-O noted that the deal with Pophouse is a way to really ensure that the KISS legacy continues the way that he and Gene want it to, Stanley concurred. "Exactly," he said. "And to keep it going, as you said, continuously. Bands — I don't wanna say shelf life, but bands only have a certain amount of lifespan. Certain bands certainly live on through their music. What are we listening to inside? [LED] ZEPPELIN or THE BEATLES. But KISS is so unique, to keep it at the level we want it to be and for the personas to live on, this was a great way to do it. I had no thoughts of selling publishing — that didn't appeal to me — but this is kind of like finding, I don't wanna say foster parents, but we researched and did our due diligence and our homework and spent a lot of time with Pophouse also, and they're great people and totally understand what we are and what we're doing and what we wanna be."

In September, Stanley was asked by Billboard's "Behind The Setlist" podcast about the reports that the KISS avatar show will debut in 2027 in Las Vegas. Paul said: "What I can tell you is that the technology that's being used, which is a furthering of the technology used on the ABBA show, has to be installed and basically a building has to be built around it. So this isn't something where you're in Kansas City today, and tomorrow you fly with your projector to do it. It demands an arena, so to speak that's really solely used for a show like this. But it's not something that can play on Wednesdays and Thursdays or Saturdays and Sundays, and then something else is in there during the week."

Regarding what other things KISS fans can expect to come out of the band's deal with Pophouse, Paul said: "Well, really with Pophouse, what we're doing is focusing on this show. That's really the main focus. Obviously, be it the music or the personas and all that goes along with KISS that's been there all along will continue and expand. I think at this point there's a lot more understanding of the possibilities, and there are people coming to the table, so to speak, who perhaps for a while saw a rock band in make-up, and clearly it's turning into so much more than that."

Asked if there is going to be a live music element to the KISS avatar show, like "ABBA Voyage" has, Paul said: "I really can't tell you the ultimate technology that we'll be using. We're sitting down in in the very near future just to start to fine-tune the show and the presentation. And then how we project the music or utilize the music, as far as technology, will be decided."

On the topic of how he feels that the KISS legacy has been treated over the years, Stanley said: "I think it's been treated — well, it runs the gamut. I think people who don't understand it or haven't understood it or for whatever self-serving reasons have looked down their nose at it have been far, far overwhelmed and eclipsed by the people who love what we do. So the people who dismissed it or haven't understood it, quite frankly, they've missed out. I find it puzzling that anybody could have a vehement response to a band or performer. It's just — that goes Psychology 101. 'Whoa, what's your problem?'"

In a recent interview with Henrique Inglez de Souza of Brazil's Rockast, Simmons discussed the band's decision to sell its music catalogue, brand name and likeness to Pophouse. A biopic, an avatar show, and a KISS-themed experience are already in the works, with Simmons and Stanley playing key roles in the development of all these projects, working closely with Pophouse.

"There will be movies, cartoon shows, all kinds of things, but the avatars are the future of KISS," Gene explained. "And to say they're concerts is too small. It's bigger than that. And I don't wanna say too much. I'm not allowed to. Not yet."

Regarding KISS's apparent willingness to fully embrace modern technology, Simmons told Rockast: "Well, everything evolves. We didn't always stand up on two legs. A few million years ago, we were on four legs. Everything evolves, and you either evolve or you become obsolete or you die. So technology is here. A.I. is here. Virtual reality is here. Everything is here. And we don't wanna be yesterday's news. So even the end of something can be the beginning of something. But we're very excited — and proud. I keep saying proud, because that's what it is."

This past April, Simmons told People magazine that KISS's decision to sell its entire music catalog, likeness and brand name to Pophouse was the "natural thing" to do. "Life happens while you're busy making important plans," he explained. "We were planning our respectful, proud walking off into the sunset, because we've been touring, we had been touring for half a century.

"If you take a look at Mother Nature, you either evolve or you become extinct," he added.

While terms of the Pophouse deal were not officially announced, Bloomberg and Associated Press said it was worth upwards of $300 million. However, Simmons insisted that financial gain is "not what [the sale is] about. It's about enjoying life," while adding, "I'm certainly blessed."

In a separate interview with TMZ, Simmons defended KISS's plans for an avatar concert similar to ABBA's with digital versions of the group.

"A.I. [artificial intelligence] is here to stay," he said. "Technology is here to stay. And you either join in and try to adapt and try to figure out how that works with you or you're just yesterday's news in a very real way.

"Truthfully, KISS has stopped touring," he continued. "We will never tour as KISS again. However, the end is also the beginning. We're gonna do things that will blow your socks off. But we couldn't do this without our new best friends for life Pophouse. They're really remarkable people."

When the interviewer asked if fans will embrace the concept of a concert that is A.I.-driven and consists of nothing but holograms, Gene said: "It's not just, 'Okay, they're gonna show up on stage just like they did before, but it's holograms. No. That's an archaic term. Technology has advanced so far, you won't believe it.

"We spent some time at George Lucas's place and did motion capture stuff secretly," he continued. "We didn't talk to anybody — media or anything — about it, because we wanted this to be like nothing anybody's ever seen. And I will tell you, if you've seen the ABBA show in London, which is phenomenal, this is gonna be beyond anything you've ever seen.

"So the future is here, and with our friends at Pophouse, who are visionaries, we're gonna be doing things that no band and no musical — nobody's ever done before," Gene added. "Our events are going to be multi, I wanna say multidimensional. You just won't believe your eyes. Things are gonna be so much larger than life in front of you. You won't believe it. We've already seen the first fragments of that. It's just jaw-droppingly amazing."

Working closely with KISS, Pophouse will follow its unique, value-add approach of drawing upon its world-class, in-house creative and storytelling expertise to unlock new audiences and revenue streams. Pophouse will use its proven, industry-defining playbook to create new content and experiences to enrich the KISS catalog for fans, old and new, actively seeking to enrich and add value to the brands and artists it partners with. Inclusivity and community have always been vital to the KISS experience, and Pophouse is committed to nurture the close relationship between KISS and its devoted fans moving forward.

Johan Lagerlöf, head of investment at Pophouse, said: "KISS is one of the most recognized and iconic bands in the history of music. They redefined the concept of rock shows and have always taken their artistry to new uncharted territories. The band has consistently been able to appeal to new generations of fans and our mission is to fulfill the band's vision to become immortal, and to let new generations discover and be part of the KISS journey and carry it forward. With the help of the fans' energy, the band, our expertise, and creativity we will make that vision happen."

Per Sundin, CEO at Pophouse Entertainment, said: "KISS has sold more than 100 million records worldwide and has throughout their 50-year career continued to push the boundaries in popular culture. The band's enigmatic personas, unparalleled band attributes, and iconic imagery have made them a cultural force and a legendary act with multigenerational appeal. We will safeguard and enrich this legacy through future global endeavors, by breathing new life into their characters and personas while also leveraging and elevating the visual world of KISS."

As part of the partnership, Pophouse will create digital versions of KISS that will allow the band and their unique personas to live forever. The project, already underway, was previewed at the final KISS show in Madison Square Garden, New York on December 2, 2023, when, to the audience's surprise, KISS avatars closed the night with a rendition of "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" (resulting in international headlines). Through a magical combination of cutting-edge technology and unrivalled creativity, Pophouse will bring the full, authentic KISS experience to both existing and new fans for years to come. The avatar show is planned to launch in 2027.

Stanley said in a statement: "Our journey with Pophouse is fueled by the desire to eternally resonate across diverse facets of global culture. As we embark on this venture, we aim to weave our legacy into the tapestry of different worlds, ensuring that the KISS experience continues to captivate both our devoted fans and those yet to discover the thrill. This partnership is not just a chapter; it's an eternal symphony of rock 'n' roll immortality."

Grammy Award-nominated act IN THIS MOMENT has thanked fans for their support during the band's just-completed headlining tour across North America, featuring special guests KIM DRACULA, NATHAN JAMES and MIKE'S DEAD. "The Godmode Tour Part 2", which continued the celebration of the release of IN THIS MOMENT's 2023 album "Godmode", saw the band perform at arenas and amphitheaters across the country.

Earlier today (Thursday, December 12),IN THIS MOMENT released the following message via social media: "ITM just wants to thank everybody for all of their overwhelming support for this last 'Godmode' album cycle. We appreciate you all more than words can even express.

"ITM will now be stepping away to take a break and create the next chapter of music."

"Godmode" arrived in October 2023 via BMG. The LP was produced by Kane Churko (ROB ZOMBIE, DISTURBED, PAPA ROACH) and Tyler Bates. Bates produced, wrote songs for, and played multiple instruments on albums by MARILYN MANSON, BUSH and ALICE IN CHAINS guitarist Jerry Cantrell. He is best known, however, for scoring the box office smash "300", the Emmy Award-winning Showtime series "Californication", the "Guardians Of The Galaxy" and "John Wick" film franchises. IN THIS MOMENT's song "I Would Die For You" appeared on the soundtrack for "John Wick: Chapter 4", for which Bates wrote the score.

With a Grammy nomination ("The In-Between", 2021),platinum and gold record sales, multiple Top 25 entries on the Billboard Top 200 ("Black Widow" and "Ritual"),hits including "Whore", "Blood" and "Adrenalize" and career streams of more than 1.3 billion, you'd think IN THIS MOMENT might rest on their laurels. Instead, they've created "Godmode", 10 dynamic songs that mark a new high for the quintet, further cementing their legacy in the heavy music world. Proof positive is in "Godmode"'s first single, the industrial-heavy yet ultra-melodic "The Purge", and its darkly cinematic video directed by Jensen Noen (BRING ME THE HORIZON, DEMI LOVATO). From the portentous start of the '90s-tinged "Godmode" with Maria Brink's powerful primal scream to the pitch-perfect cover of Bjork's 1995 "Army Of Me" to the impassioned pain to partnership in "Everything Starts And Ends With You", "Godmode" is a cut above.

IN THIS MOMENT, a touring juggernaut who've slayed stages worldwide at Ozzfest, Warped Tour, Download, Knotfest and Rocklahoma, put out "Mother" in 2020, during the pandemic, giving fans something to hold on in during that bleak time, and earning "The In-Between" the band's first Grammy nod. It was 2021 when Howorth and Brink first wrote with Bates on "I Would Die For You". Following that collaboration, the duo were writing organically, for pleasure, not focused on the next album. As the pandemic waxed and waned, Howorth learned programming, and created music around synthwave sounds, which Brink leaned into. Her lyrical ideas arose both from soul-searching and "humanity and so much crisis and so many heart-wrenching things in the world. That negativity and darkness is how songs like 'The Purge' came about," Brink explained.

Photo credit: Joe Cotela

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Former MEGADETH guitarist Marty Friedman has once again admitted that money was a major motivator for him when he was approached about taking part in a reunion of the band's "Rust In Peace" lineup nearly a decade ago.

The opportunity for MEGADETH's most celebrated lineup to regroup arose following the departures of guitarist Chris Broderick and drummer Shawn Drover in 2014.

Friedman had met with mainman Dave Mustaine and then-MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson at the 2015 NAMM show in Anaheim, California to discuss a reunion of the "Rust In Peace" lineup, which would have seen him and drummer Nick Menza back in the mix.

Friedman, who moved from America to Japan in 2003, opened up about his reasons for turning down the MEGADETH reunion in his autobiography, "Dreaming Japanese", which was released on December 3 via Permuted Press. Reflecting on the "salary offer" MEGADETH's then-manager Ron Lafitte made for him to rejoin the band, Friedman wrote: "Let's just say he wasn't even in the ballpark. Hell, he wasn't even in the parking lot for the ballpark. The amount they offered was right around the first salary I got when I joined MEGADETH in 1990. If I'd had any idea they would lowball me like this, I never would have met with them in Anaheim. Had I taken that offer, I would have been paid less in a week than I made in a normal day in Japan. I was stunned and angry and told them I couldn't even consider it. I made a counteroffer, which was the bare minimum I could accept, and far less than I have received from any of the artists I've toured with in Japan.'

Referencing the fact that Lafitte floated the possibility of a MEGADETH tour with IRON MAIDEN as the first order of business after the reunion of the "Rust In Peace" lineup, Marty continued: "I was willing to take the financial hit because a reunion tour with MEGADETH opening for IRON MAIDEN could open doors for me again in America. And what followed could be a bigger tour than anything we had previously done. Even if they met my rate, the tour would have been a huge windfall for them. They easily could have agreed to that, and the reunion would have been on, but they said I wanted too much money."

Friedman added: "I was happy with my career in Japan, doing what I loved, making real money without the kind of drama that comes with MEGADETH. They didn't even acknowledge they had just lost their guitarist and drummer and needed me more than I needed them. When I got over my initial anger, I was puzzled and sad."

Marty previously opened up about why the MEGADETH reunion failed to materialize in Mustaine's 2020 book, "Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece", which details the making of the iconic record "Rust In Peace".

"My main thing was I'd be happy to do it, but I'm not going to take less money than I'm already making to do it," Marty said in part.

"I'd been in Japan for more than ten years cultivating a career with solid rewards. I was making money not only for myself but also for my management and staff. My manager has been with me fifteen years.

"Everything was sound and solid professionally, and when the offer came up to all of a sudden join MEGADETH again, as long as I would not be making less money, I was ready to go," he said. "But I was certainly not going to take a loss to join a band that, frankly, at that point, didn't seem like they had too much to offer musically. A couple of members of the band had recently quit, and musically I hadn't heard anything that they've done in a long time. I didn't know about how relevant they continued to be in the music business. It wasn't like MEGADETH was on the tip of people's tongues, at least not in Japan. I had reached the point where people stopped immediately connecting me to MEGADETH and were talking about the things that I had done in Japan."

According to Friedman, part of the reason he turned down the MEGADETH reunion is the fact that the group is largely seen as Mustaine's solo project, with members coming and going every couple of albums.

"Had it been more of a band situation and not such a one-man, Dave Mustaine-main-man party, I might have considered doing it for a little less," Marty said. "But, at the end of the day, MEGADETH is so much Mustaine because that's the way he engineered it. I didn't feel that kind of camaraderie, the four-man diamond, THE BEATLES, KISS, METALLICA. I felt like I would be going out there and tour and it was going to be Mustaine's big success. If I'm going to do that, I'm certainly not going to lose money to do that; I was doing great on my own in Japan."

Mustaine told Loudwire that he was put off by Friedman's financial demands when the topic of a "Rust In Peace" reunion was broached.

"Marty has a really successful career in Japan where he makes quite a lot of money," Dave said. "And this is the part where I thought it was a little weird, where he said he said that he has to pay all his team while he's gone instead of just himself. 'Cause I thought we'll pay you what you're making so that's switching horses in the middle of the river — it's no big deal unless you fall off. And then when we found out that he wanted to sell his merch, his this, his that, his this, his that, then he wanted this crazy amount of money and he wanted to fly first class everywhere. I said to our management, 'I can't deal with this.'"

In a 2016 interview with the "Eddie Trunk Podcast", Mustaine confirmed that MEGADETH didn't hold any rehearsals with Friedman while attempting a reunion of the "Rust In Peace" lineup.

"Marty had sent some e-mails saying, 'Oh, man, you know, the fans have this self-inflated importance of 'Rust In Peace' beyond what it really is. And I was, like, 'Huh?'" Dave said. 'So I didn't know if that was a backhand to the face of the fans or not, but he had basically said that if we were gonna do anything, it had to be better than 'Rust In Peace'. And he sent me over some links to some songs that he thought should be the direction that we were going in, and one of it was this J-Pop band with some Japanese girl singing, and I was, like, 'Uh-uh. This ain't gonna work.' More power to [Marty for being into that stuff]. Do what you want, Marty. He's a great guitar player. But I'm not gonna sing like a Japanese girl."

Menza was approached by Mustaine and Ellefson to replace Drover at the end of 2014, and he started working out new tracks with the band. But the plan collapsed after he was offered a contract he described as "very unfair." A year and a half later, in May 2016, Nick died after suffering a heart attack during a concert with OHM: at The Baked Potato in Studio City, California.

To mark the release of the remixed, remastered and extended Queen 1 boxset, the band have released the fourth episode in their Queen The Greatest Special series.


A message states: "Queen's reputation for music videos is legendary, but that journey had to begin somewhere, and in this episode we head back to 1973 and revisit the band's first steps.  And in an exclusive interview, Roger Taylor and Brian May reveal that after a BBC TV show provided the inspiration, the introduction to life in front of the film cameras was far from an enjoyable and rewarding experience."







Watch the first three Queen The Greatest Special episodes below:


Episode 1:





Episode 2:





Episode 3:





The 6CD + 1 LP Queen I box set (out now) contains 63 tracks with 43 brand new mixes, comprising the original album with its intended running order restored, intimate fly-on-the-wall audio of Queen in the studio, demos, rare live tracks, and previously unheard recordings from Queen’s first ever live performance in London, August 1970. Absent from the 1973 release, the song “Mad the Swine” has been reinstated to its original place in the running order. A 108-page book containing handwritten lyrics and memorabilia accompanies the release.





“This is not just a remaster,” writes Brian May in the CD sleeve insert notes, “this is a brand new 2024 rebuild of the entire Queen debut album, which, with the benefit of hindsight, we have re-titled QUEEN I.”


May continues, “All the performances are exactly as they originally appeared in 1973, but every instrument has been revisited to produce the ‘live’ ambient sounds we would have liked to use originally. The result is “Queen“ as it would have sounded with today’s knowledge and technology – a first.”


“Queen I is the debut album we always dreamed of bringing to you.”


Go to Queen's off

Rival Sons' live concert album, Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island (Part 2). is out today on both YouTube and all audio streaming platforms. It features the performance of their 2010 self-titled EP which was recorded by 9x Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb and led to the band first being signed. It includes fan-favorite tracks such as “Get What’s Coming,” “Torture,” “Radio,” “Sacred Tongue,” and “Soul.”


The YouTube premiere will be followed by a live Q&A/afterparty with frontman Jay Buchanan and guitarist Scott Holiday. Watch the live concert premiere, and join in on the afterparty below. Stream the album on your preferred listening platform here.










In June 2021, Rival Sons, delivered two live performances from Catalina Island, CA. They were originally streamed via Veeps to fans at home across the world, many of whom were still in lockdown because of the Covid-19 pandemic.


Both performances are available to stream visually and digitally for the first time. Pair Of Aces: Live From Santa Catalina Island (Part 1) features the full performance of their 2009 album Before The Fire was released in November. Watch the YouTube performance below, and/or stream the album digitally here.


Drummer Michael Miley states: “Night two of our trip to Catalina Island! We set up in the historic Avalon theater and it was like we were transported to another era. The theater has insane old school acoustics. You can hear someone whisper from 90 feet away like they’re directly in your ear; it was nostalgic. And dusting off the EP, especially during a pandemic, was a respite as well as a funky good time!”


Holiday elaborates on both releases: “In recognition of the 10-year anniversary of our first 2 albums, we played each album in its entirety over 2 different nights. One night in the ballroom (in the round!) performing Before the Fire, and the n

Italian progressive death metal band, Sadist, will release their Jugular Bell EP on December 20 via Nadir Music. It's a limited edition box set, which is going to make all the fans of the band very happy. Inside the box, a 5-track Jewel Box CD, Band sticker, wool hat, and band patch.


While waiting for the release of the Sadist Christmas box set, you can find the official video for the title track below.


The Jugular Bells EP will anticipate the release of the band's new album, which is scheduled for spring 2025 via Agonia Records. The tracks on the mini-CD will not be included on the full-length album.

Swiss rock legend Marc Storace’s band, Storace, have reissued their first record, Live And Let Live, in a special edition including a bonus live album, available now via Frontiers Music Srl.


The focus track, “Midnite Maniac”, and the accompanying visualizer, are also available now.


Marc Storace describes the new single, by saying: “'Midnite Maniac' is a popular Krokus song from the 80’s that Krokus never play! It came off The Blitz album. Back in the 80’s, MTV had the video on full rotation! It talks about a female serial killer.”




Talking about the album release, Storace comments: “Krokus had stopped to exist because of Covid and no one really knew what the outcome of the pandemic would be, so not wasting time I started working on a solo album! Live And Let Live is rich in melodic vocals, colourful riffs, great guitar solos, many hooks and a solid driving rhythm section!!”


Watch the visualizer for "Midnite Maniac" below:





On the bonus album, Marc notes: “During the past three intensive years playing throughout Switzerland we recorded many gigs and the live album features the best of the crop, highlighting songs we recorded during hot performances in Zürich’s Hallenstadion as special guests of KISS, and The Scorpions, and whilst sharing the famous 'Rock The Ring Festival' stage with Alice Cooper and his notorious band.


“Included on the setlist are songs from Krokus which we never play, like 'Midnite Maniac' and 'To The Top'; also a beefed up version of 'Telephone Man' from my late seventies London band Eazy Money”, he continues.


Live And Let Live is Storace’s first official solo album. It was recorded during the 2021 lockdown of the Covid pandemic and was produced by Cyrill Camenzind and Massimo Buonanno at Powerplay Studios, near Zürich.


Cyrill, Massi, and Marc composed some of the songs together, and they played on the album which also features the talented musicians Marco Blöchlinger on bass, Christian Roffler on keys, Jean Pierre Von Dach on lead guitar, and Gee K, Micha Dettwyler and Céline Hales on backing vocals.


Live And Let Live was officially released in Switzerland on December 18, 2021, during a gig at the legendary Music-Club outside Bern called the “Mühle Hunziken." It was performed by the studio band, all except J.P. Von Dach, who had been replaced by Turi Wicki due to his heavy touring commitments with Joss Stone.


Order Live And Let Live here.





Live And Let Live tracklisting:


CD1:
"Live And Let Live"
"High On Love"
"Lady Of The Night"
"Carry The Burden"
"Broken Wings"
"No Place To Hide"
"Don't Wanna Go"
"Love Over Money"
"Time Waits For No One"
"Paradise"


CD2:
"Live And Let Live"
"High On Love"
"Midnite Maniac"
"Telephone Man"
"Lady Of The Night"
"Hellraiser"
"Broken Wings"
"To The Top"
"No Place To Hide"
"Don't Wanna Go"
"Carry The Burden"
"Love Over Money"


"Lady Of The Night" visualizer:





After an internationally streamed "Baloise Session" gig in the legendary Atlantis of Basel-City in January, the first edition of the Storace band embarked on a package tour of Switzerland with Megawatt and Coreleoni in March.


In May 2022, Storace embarked on a headliner club tour with a newly formed band. He wanted to deliver with an increased amount of that good old school hard rock feel, so in addition to Turi Wicki (lead guitar), Dom Favez (ex-Krokus rhythm guitar) and Patrick Aeby (ex-Krokus drummer) joined the band, together with Emi-Meyer (bass).


The new Storace band then went on to play at the Rock The Ring Festival near Zürich along with Alice Cooper and, on July 7, they opened for KISS at the Hallenstadion. Their headline tour continued further in 2022, with the new Storace team becoming even more solid, delivering with much charisma and a strong punch!


On June 2, 2023, Storace played at the Hallenstadion again, opening for Scorpions. Drummer Patrick Aeby managed to record a selection of material taken from these fresh touring years, included as a bonus disc in the reissue of Live And Let Live.


Maltese-born Swiss musician Marc Storace started his exceptional musical career in 1970, with the Swiss cult progressive band TEA, with whom he released 3 LPs and toured Europe and the UK. TEA also supported Queen during an early tour in Germany. Marc gained attention for his frontmanship and his high-pitched raunchy vocal tone.


Whilst in London in 1977, Marc formed Eazy Money whose song "Telephone Man" made it into the UK Metal Charts and is in the Storace set list today.


In 1979, Marc became the voice of Krokus, the most successful Hard Rock Band from Switzerland. After their first album with Marc, Metal Rendez-Vous, Krokus played several world tours, sold over 15 million records, and won many gold and platinum awards.


When the group disbanded, Marc formed the band Blue, who released their self-titled album in 1991, including the widely known hit “You Can't Stop The Rainfall”.

Today, Blue Öyster Cult is celebrating the release of 50th Anniversary Live - Third Night, the final instalment of the live album celebrating the band’s 50th anniversary.


In September of 2022, Blue Öyster Cult enthralled fans with a unique trilogy of sold-out shows, each dedicated to one of their first three albums. Founding member Albert Bouchard made a special appearance on all three nights, adding a nostalgic touch to the historic milestone.


For nearly three hours each night, the band delivered a spellbinding set, weaving through the entirety of their now-classic initial trilogy of albums and treating fans to a mix of favorites, deep cuts, and classic hits. The atmosphere was electric, and Frontiers Music captured the magic, releasing each night as a special individual package.




This electrifying performance, which includes the band’s third album Secret Treaties performed back-to-back, hits shelves today and promises to be a spectacular follow-up to the band's historic three-night stint at Sony Hall in NYC.


To help roll out the album's release, Blue Öyster Cult shares a new live performance video for "I Love The Night". Watch below:





Blue Öyster Cult's legacy spans over five decades, captivating fans with intelligent hard rock loaded with classic songs. Hailing from Long Island, NY, the band is renowned in the hard rock and heavy metal scene for their pioneering work, earning both critical acclaim and commercial success.


Cited as a major influence by acts like Metallica, Blue Öyster Cult boasts a timeless catalog, including iconic tracks like "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper," "Godzilla," and "Burnin’ for You." The creative vision of the original core duo, Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser and Eric Bloom, is complemented by Richie Castellano, Danny Miranda, and Jules Radino, forming a powerhouse lineup.


As the band embraces its status as a 'classic rock' phenomenon, they continue to create vibrant work, offering a refreshing alternative to mainstream trends. With a relentless touring schedule and the critically acclaimed album, The Symbol Remains released in 2020, Blue Öyster Cult remains an enduring force, ready to ignite the stage onc

Today, British rock icons, Magnum, release a new digital single and video, "Days Of No Trust" (Live), taken from the upcoming album, Live At KK's Steel Mill.


"Days Of No Trust" (Live) is available on all digital platforms here. Watch the video below.


Talking about the new single, Magnum frontman Bob Catley says: “As we all know, Tony wrote this song for our 1988 album Wings Of Heaven and it’s a political statement that is still valid today – that people worldwide deserve better than vagabonds, crooks and corrupt politicians.”







Live At KK's Steel Mill is Magnum's final live album with founder Tony Clarkin. Recorded December 10, 2022, Live At KK's Steel Mill was the memorable night when they played the final show of their European tour at KK’s Steel Mill in Wolverhampton and, as they had done on all previous nights, wowed their fans from the first to the last note.


The concert was recorded by state-of-the-art audio equipment, which later turned out to be a real blessing because it was – as we now know – the last official live recording starring Tony Clarkin. The guitarist and main songwriter died unexpectedly on January 7, 2024, just a few days before the release of Magnum’s studio album, Here Comes The Rain.


The album presents Magnum as an enthusiastically celebrated act whose repertoire of hits, classics, and newer material could hardly be more varied. “It was the perfect evening,” recalls singer Bob Catley. “We finished our The Monster Roars tour in Wolverhampton, KK’s Steel Mill was packed out and the promoter was a passionate Magnum fan. I couldn’t imagine a more worthy farewell to Tony than those recordings.”


Due to the huge demand and to mark the first anniversary of Clarkin’s passing, Live At KK's Steel Mill will be available via Steamhammer/SPV starting January 10, for the first time on double CD, triple LP, and for digital download (pre-order here).


Live At KK's Steel Mill will be released  in the following configurations:


- 2CD DigiPak incl. 24 pages booklet
- 3LP box bag, 140 g, solid viola vinyl, 6-page colored insert
- Download / Streaming


Pre-order here.


- Exclusive CD/LP Bundles with a shirt and exclusive vinyl color (solid baby blue) only at the Steamhammer shop


Pre-order here





Live At KK's Steel Mill tracklisting:


CD1
"Days Of No Trust"
"Lost On The Road To Eternity"
"The Monster Roars"
"The Archway Of Tears"
"Dance Of The Black Tattoo"
"Where Are You Eden? "
"The Flood "
"The Day after The Night Before"


CD2
"Wild Swan"
"Les Morts Dansant"
"Rocking Chair"
"All England's Eyes"
"Vigilante"
"Kingdom Of Madness"
"On A Storyteller's Night"
"Sacred Hour"


"Kingdom Of Madness" (Live) lyric video:

"Shadow Walker" is the second release from Gypsy Pistoleros' groundbreaking new album, Welcome To The Church Of The Pistoleros, set for release in early 2025 via Golden Robot Records (Australia, New Zealand) and Earache Records (Rest Of The World).


Check out the official video for "Shadow Walker" below. 


"Shadow Walker" explores how facing and embracing our inner shadows allows for a profound transformation. The Shadow Walker’s journey is ultimately one of acceptance—of their connection to the unseen, primal forces of nature and the acceptance of their true self. By navigating the labyrinth of their fears, they achieve unity with both the self and the natural world, embodying a timeless, mystical force. Impervious to the dark world that we live in.







Welcome To The Church Of The Pistoleros, recorded at the renowned Old Cider Press Studios in Pershore, is produced and co-written by the legendary Dave Draper, whose credits include work with Ginger Wildheart, Nickelback, The Professionals and Terrorvision, etc. Draper has described Church of the Pistoleros as "a total monster" and one of the best projects he's ever worked on.


 


This album is a rallying cry to the outcasts, the misunderstood, the shy, the quiet and disenfranchised of society. A place where they are welcome. Gypsy Pistoleros is a band that refuses to conform. Proudly walking their own path, their music is a rallying cry for misfits everywhere. With a sound that defies traditional genres, Gypsy Pistoleros stand as one of the most unique and innovative acts in the world of rock music today.  


Gypsy Pistoleros’ sound spans a vast musical landscape - from 1950s Phil Spector-esque ballads to high-energy glam punk and Latin-infused rock, creating a sonic experience that is truly unmatched. Fusing anthemic rock, Latin swagger, glam punk, and even elements of goth and emo, their music is a celebration of the unconventional. 


Gypsy Lee Pistolero states: "Welcome to the Church of the Pistoleros. Come and take my hand, al

The original lineup behind the G3 touring concept returns with Reunion Live, released January 31 worldwide on earMUSIC. The album captures the guitar magic of Joe Satriani, Eric Johnson, and Steve Vai on their sold-out 2024 US tour. This electrifying reunion features three guitar icons who first joined forces in 1996 and showcases boundary-pushing performances that define G3.


Fans will enjoy full sets from each guitarist, including hits like Satriani’s “Sahara,” Johnson’s “Cliffs Of Dover,” and Vai’s “For The Love Of God,” along with a thrilling encore jam of Hendrix, Clapton and Steppenwolf covers.


Vai has shared an unboxing video, which can be viewed below.







Reunion Live is much more than “just“ a live album. It’s a full album-length set from each artist, plus a collaborative supergroup LP and the first G3 release in 20 years.


The deluxe edition features a different coloured vinyl for each artist, a special splatter LP for the encore jam, and a 64-page photo book, divided into artist and jam chapters, with the full program also on 2 CDs. It is also available in a 2CD digipack with a 16-page photo booklet and, 4 LP gatefold and digital download.


Pre-order/pre-save the album here.


Satriani says, “This live album recorded at The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles captures all the energy of the live performances while shining a spotlight on the ever-evolving art of playing the electric guitar.”


Since its inception in 1996, the G3 tour has consistently brought together guitar legends for unforgettable performances. Each edition of the tour has featured guitar virtuosos performing solo sets that showcased their individual mastery, followed by electrifying jam sessions that highlighted their collaborative brilliance.


Over the years, G3 has seen iconic guitarists like Yngwie Malmsteen, John Petrucci, and Paul Gilbert, among others, joining the ranks. Expanding beyond the US, the tour has evolved into a global celebration of guitar excellence, uniting fans and artists from different generations and genres, making it a must-see event for guitar aficionados worldwide. The G3 experience represents more than just a series of performances—it has become a platform for creative collaboration and a testament to the enduring power of guitar music.


“A G3 tour is always an electrifying experience, and this particular G3 tour with Eric and Joe was a career highlight for me. To be able to hit the road with old friends and be in that lit-up environment of the stage and communicate on the deepest musical levels with friends is a privilege and honour, especially with such incredible players as Eric and Joe, who delivered magnificently at these shows.” – Steve Vai


“Playing with Joe and Steve was an affirmation that while we all want to push the envelope of musical boundaries; we also want to share our heart experience and a soulful communication of the music that we have been allowed to partake of in our own lives.” – Eric Johnson


“Reuniting with Eric and Steve this year, commemorating the very first G3 tour of ’96, was nothing short of glorious. They were the first two guitarists I called when planning G3’s maiden voyage, so, this reunion was a confirmation of our special connection. Storming the stage with two of my favourite musical giants, celebrating our shared roots as well as our unique differences, once again proved to be a winning formula.” – Joe Satriani





Tracklisting (all formats):


"Gravitas" (Vai)
"Avalancha" (Vai)
"Little Pretty Intro" (Vai)
"Little Pretty" (Vai)
"Tender Surrender" (Vai)
"Zeus In Chains" (Vai)
"Teeth of the Hydra" (Vai)
"For The Love Of God" (Vai)
"Land Of 1000 Dances" (Johnson)
"Righteous" (Johnson)
"Trail Of Tears" (Johnson)
"On-Ramp Improv" (Johnson)
"Freeway Jam" (Johnson)
"Desert Rose" (Johnson)
"Venus Reprise" (Johnson)
"Raspberry Jam Delta-V" (Satriani)
"Surfing With The Alien" (Satriani)
"Satch Boogie" (Satriani)
"Sahara" (Satriani)
"Nineteen Eighty" (Satriani)
"Big Bad Moon" (Satriani)
"Always With Me, Always With You" (Satriani)
"Sumer Song" (Satriani)
Introductions
"Crossroads" (Encore Jam)
"Spanish Castle Magic" (Encore Jam)
"Born To Be Wild" (Encore Jam)


"Crossroads" video:





About Joe Satriani:


For over three decades, the guitar virtuoso has travelled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star “G3” guitar extravaganza. Satriani’s studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them. He launched his annual “G4 Experience” in 2014 bringing aspiring guitarists together for four days of workshops, mentor sessions and live performances, providing an exclusive learning platform led by him and his accomplished peers. In 2021, he introduced the "Crystal Planet" comic series, a five-part opus interweaving the realms of music and art. The tour documentary "Beyond the Supernova," directed by ZZ Satriani and currently available for streaming, offers an intimate behind-the-scenes glimpse that intricately chronicles his life, illuminating the profound dedication that fuels his guitar mastery. His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former bassist Michael Anthony and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9. Satriani released his 19th studio album, The Elephants of Mars, in April 2022. In 2024 Satriani embarked on Sammy Hagar’s Best of All Worlds tour.


About Eric Johnson:


Among Johnson's many accolades are a Grammy award for "Cliffs of Dover " (from his Platinum certified album, Ah Via Musicom), ten more Grammy nominations, lifetime induction into the Guitar Player Gallery of Greats and his listing among the "100 Greatest Guitarists of the 20th Century" by Musician. In his hometown of Austin TX, a city full of guitarists, the readers of the Austin Chronicle have voted Eric Johnson the city'

Before the festive season starts, Sweden’s blackened thrash metal band Sarcator offers an early present for its fans with their newest single “Where The Void Begins”. The third track from the group’s upcoming album delivers a haunting exploration of despair and existential reflection. With vivid imagery, the lyrics delve into themes of isolation, loss, and the allure of the unknown. Dark and poetic, the song paints a picture of surrender to the infinite unknown - terrifying but liberating.


“Where The Void Begins” will be the last single before Sarcator’s third full length album, Swarming Angels & Flies, will be fully unleashed on January 17, 2025, via Century Media Records.


The band comments, “'Where The Void Begins' is the brother song of 'The Long Lost', off our 2022 album Alkahest - not in an obvious way but it felt like continuing on a story that wasn't complete. It's the heavy one on this album and ends up in a total rock n roll frenzy. Additionally, it is the first one we wrote that ended up on this album, so it still carries the spirit of the previous album in a way.”







Stream / download "Where The Void Begins" at this location. Pre-order Swarming Angels & Flies in various formats here.





Tracklisting:


“Burning Choir”
“Comet Of End Times”
“Swarming Angels & Flies”
“The Deep Ends”
“Where The Void Begins”
“The Undercurrent”
“Closure”
“Unto Sepulchres”
“Dogfight” (Anti Cimex cover)*
“The Black Vomit” (Sarcófago cover)

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of their "Mandylion" album, the lineup of Dutch rockers THE GATHERING that recorded the LP — including singer Anneke Van Giersbergen — will reunite for five exclusive sold-out shows at Doornroosje in Nijmegen, the Netherlands:

August 27 - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje
August 28 - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje
August 29 - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje
August 30 - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje
August 31 - Nijmegen, Netherlands @ Doornroosje

Fans can expect to hear all "Mandylion" tracks as well as more songs from the band's Anneke era.

THE GATHERING says: "After so many years, we are very excited to celebrate this anniversary together, an album that still means so much to us."

The lineup for the Nijmegen concerts will consist of the following musicians:

* Anneke Van Giersbergen - vocals
* Hugo Prinsen Geerligs - bass
* Frank Boeijen - keyboards, backing vocals
* Hans Rutten - drums
* René Rutten - guitar
* Jelmer Wiersma - guitar

In November 2014, THE GATHERING celebrated its 25th anniversary with a one-time special show at Doornroosje in Nijmegen. All past and present members of THE GATHERING — from 1989 until 2014 — appeared on stage and performed in this unique show together.

Van Giersbergen announced her departure from THE GATHERING in 2007. She has since released several albums on her own and with her AGUA DE ANNIQUE solo project.

In 2005, Century Media celebrated the 10th anniversary of "Mandylion" by releasing a special deluxe edition of the album. The double-CD set featured new artwork, a 16-page booklet with song-by-song liner notes from the band and never-before-seen photos from the album's recording sessions. CD2 contained the first demo recordings THE GATHERING did with Van Giersbergen in June 1994 and early 1995. "Solar Glider" was a previously unreleased instrumental while "Third Chance" appeared two years later in a different version on the "Nighttime Birds" album.

In a 2007 interview with PopMatters, Van Giersbergen stated about her decision to leave THE GATHERING and launch AGUA DE ANNIQUE: "I had been in THE GATHERING for 13 years, and I had never done anything for 13 years in my life. It's been my whole adult life, so to leave that, on one hand, was a very clear decision and a very strong feeling, and I was ready. In 13 years, things had changed in my personal and musical life. It was difficult as well, because the guys, they were like brothers, so to leave that and to change that relationship has been a long process and was probably one of the hardest things I did.

"I told them at the beginning of March, and so we really took some time to assess the situation," she continued. "Also, the guys, they wanted to see what their plans would be next. Of course they were not happy with my decision, but they are respectful and they have good spirits to continue. Of course, I put a big stamp on the sound and the look of THE GATHERING, but on the other hand I'm not the only singer in the world, so it's going to change, but it's not going to stop."

Regarding her reasons for leaving, Anneke said, "There were a lot of physical reasons, but they all came out of one big feeling in my heart that it was time to change. I was supposed to do this record besides THE GATHERING, and I was given time and it was all okay, but I like to do other small projects and work with other people a lot. I had some plans, and the feeling became stronger to develop that more seriously and also especially to be with my family a little bit more. Now, I can direct everything I do from this one agenda, and it feels very good to be the director of your own life. In a way THE GATHERING was officially a bigger band, and we were day and night constantly working with it, and it was quite intense, all the processes. So a lot of small things became one big feeling, like, 'Okay, I'm ready.'"

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who bought tickets! We’re truly amazed by the incredible response. All dates, including the...

Posted by theGathering on Friday, December 13, 2024

SHINEDOWN songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Eric Bass has today shared his new single "Azalia", taken from his forthcoming debut solo album "I Had A Name". Fans can watch the brand new music video below.

A concept album set within a sprawling new world, "I Had A Name" was written, recorded, and produced entirely by Bass.

"'Azalia' is one of the two main protagonists in our story," explains Eric. "She is a former warrior monk who has thrown off her religion to become an assassin. Dedicating her life to the insurgency against the WAL and Legion, and to killing every official who had anything to do with her mother's death."

He continues: "In the song 'Azalia', we find her on the run for her life with the government's demons close behind. She will have to rely on her tenacity in order to not give up, and on her natural abilities to survive. The keys to which are contained within a gift her mother gave her as a child. Eric Bass presents… 'Azalia'."

Fans can look forward to more new music as Eric prepares for the release of "I Had A Name" on February 28. The record is available for pre-save/pre-order now at this location.

When "I Had A Name" was first announced in November, Eric said in a statement: "We live in a world right now where music gets homogenized and maybe everything sounds and feels the same. I wanted to create something different and I hope listeners hear that. Lyrically and emotionally I hope it empowers them and they can see themselves in the characters and stories I sing about."

He continued: "We all go through dark times and hardships, but there's always a way out. I think that's what being a human being is about. I feel like Earth is a test and we're here to prove ourselves, go through things and come out better on the other side."

Regarding the LP's first single, "Mind Control", he said: "'Mind Control' is part of a larger story than I'm telling on this record and in the graphic novel that goes along with it. We're following this character Devaren as he's talking about his disdain for the population and how he can't stand them, but at the end of the song he has this reflective moment where he actually regrets everything he's been doing. The interesting thing about the characters in this story is that they represent a different part of my neurodivergence and mental health journey. In 'Mind Control' Devaren represents the depression that has crept into my life over the years that I didn't see coming. I just had to personify that in a character so in 'Mind Control' it has taken over, but ultimately in our story it will be defeated."

Bass is best known as the co-songwriter, producer, and bassist for multiplatinum rock institution SHINEDOWN, which holds the record for most No. 1 singles on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart.

"Eric Bass Presents: I Had A Name" is an immersive, expansive, and richly thematic work. As well versed in KISS and VAN HALEN as PEARL JAM and SOUNDGARDEN, Bass poured passion and creativity into "I Had A Name".

The initial storytelling spark behind "I Had A Name" ignited in a hotel room in Milan, Italy, as SHINEDOWN toured behind 2018's "Attention Attention". "I sat on the bed with a pen and paper and wrote for two hours," Eric explains. "It turned into a synopsis for a prequel to the story I'm telling on the album. When I started writing music, I thought about these characters. The album doesn't chronologically tell the story, but it depicts various scenes from it — bits and pieces that happen throughout it."

As with much of "Attention Attention" and "Planet Zero" (SHINEDOWN's first No. 1 on Billboard's Album Sales chart),"I Had A Name" looks both outward at society and inward, as darker emotions seep out from within the more significant metaphors and storylines on the surface.

"I've spoken about my struggles with depression and neurodivergent issues before," Bass points out. "When I finished writing this record, I looked back at these characters I've created and realized I'd written the most autobiographical record of my life, which wasn't conscious as I was writing it.

"The album is an epic odyssey. I don't want mental health to be an 'angle' that obscures that," he adds. "But I don't mind talking about it. Anytime I talk about it, I hope it's helpful to someone else."

With his SHINEDOWN bandmates' full support and encouragement, Eric challenged himself to write every lyric, compose every song, perform every instrument, and produce and mix the entire affair.

Ultimately, as with every endeavor of the South Carolina native's career, "Eric Bass Presents: I Had A Name" is about authenticity. "I'm always about honesty in art," he says. "When I listen to something, I want to hear that the person dug into the dirt and bled for it to happen. The truth always prevails."

"Eric Bass Presents: I Had A Name" track listing:

01. A World Unseen
02. The New Gods Of War
03. Azalia
04. We Can't Go Home
05. Goodnight Goodnight
06. Mind Control
07. New Graves
08. All Good Children - Our Guts
09. Modenhardt
10. Dead Inside
11. The Churches Of The Dead
12. Wanna Go To Hell

Photo credit: Sanjay Parikh

Australian hard rock band The Poor has just issued a video for their song, "Lies".





"Lies" appears on High Price Deed - the fourth studio from The Poor - released in 2023.







Tracklisting:


"Payback's A Bitch"
"Lover"
"Hurricane"
"This Is The Story"
"Take The World"
"Goin' Down"
"Cry Out"
"Lies"
"I Know It's Wrong"
"Love Shot"
"Let Me Go"
"Too Long"


"Payback's A Bitch":





"Lover":





"Cry Out":





"Let Me Go":





The Poor started out playing the pub circuit in Darwin nearly two decades ago. The plan was simple -, hard rockin’ hard drinkin’ and world domination. In 1992 the band cut their debut release, the EP Rude, Crude & Tattooed, produced by Rick Brewster and Bob Spencer from The Angels and from the opening line you knew it was going to be something great; Aussie pub rock, in your face, no bullsh*t, straight to the point, rock’n’f%&k’n’roll.


In mid 1993, the band recorded their

Tempe, Arizona-based deathgaze unit Kardashev performed at Germany's Euroblast 2024, and have released more professionally-filmed footage from the show. You can now watch video of the band performing "Between Sea And Sky", which joins the previously posted clips for "Snow Sleep" and "Cellar Of Ghosts". See all below.


Said the band: "Kardashev would like to extend a huge thank you to Euroblast and their team of volunteers, photographers, stage hands, FOH engineers, catering, kitchen, vendors and more! And an equally big THANK YOU to The Scream Dudes for their filming and audio work for this performance to be captured for all of you at home to witness! And finally, to our Stage Engineer, Jan Engstfeld, and FOH Engineer, Ramon Smith, for their help in capturing our live performance and making it sound as good as it does!


"Following 16 hours of individual travel by each band member, Jan allowed us 2 days to practice at his studio together with the equipment that we'd use at the Festival. Kardashev had never pra

Speaking with Music Radar, Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith looked back on making the band's 1986 album, Somewhere In Time, which saw him write three songs for the record ("Wasted Years", "Sea Of Madness" and "Stranger In A Strange Land") As Smith tells it, he never intended to share "Wasted Years" with band leader Steve Harris.


Smith: "We were also trying new ideas with that album. I always wanted to make an album that sounded really produced - as opposed to kind of live with a little bit of little bit of fairy dust on it.


I got this Roland guitar synth out of the box from Japan, and when I switched it on it started making this crazy noise - and I just played along to it. It was like a rhythmic thing. So it gave me a song straight away. I had a little four-track demo of it, and it sounded a little bit like U2. You have ideas that you think maybe wouldn't suit the band, so I wasn't even going to play it to Steve, but he heard me playing it in a rehearsal, and he said, 'That’s good. We should do that.'




Steve’s funny like that. You might think he wouldn’t go for it, but he was like, 'Let's try it!' And because Bruce (Dickinson) wasn't around, I just dashed off the words as well. So it was written really quickly. But if Steve hadn’t heard it by accident, I would never have played it to him."


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Iron Maiden's The Future Past World Tour 2024 wrapped up with their December 7 concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil. The band have released the new recap video below.


Says the band: "Thank you to everyone around the world for making The Future Past Tour one that we’ll never forget!"





Legendary Iron Maiden drummer, Nicko McBrain, has announced that he is stepping away from touring. He played his final show with the band on December 7 in São Paulo.


Iron Maiden shareed official video from the show, which can be viewed below.


Says Bruce Dickinson, addressing the audience, "Tonight is a very special night. As some of you, I think probably all of you will know, because this morning we announced, Nicko announced that he was stepping back from playing live with Iron Maiden. So, for 42 years Nicko's been in this band. He was a drummer before I was a singer, he was a pilot before I was a pilot, and now he's not leaving the band, but he's just not playing live with us anymore. If you do what you gotta do out there tonight, so let him know how much he's loved everybody. So, we have a lot more music to get to tonight, and I want the rest of the night to be a celebration of Nick, a celebration of the joy that he's brought to everybody around the world, not just here in Brazil, alright. And with that, on we go."





McBrain issued the following statement regarding his departure before the show:


"After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle. Today, Sat, Dec 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.


"I will, however, remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family working on a variety of projects, my long time managers, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have in mind for me. I’ll also be working on a variety of different personal projects and focusing on my existing businesses and ventures, including The British Drum Company, Nicko McBrain’s Drum One, Titanium Tart, and of course, Rock-N-Roll Ribs!


"What can I say? Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my devoted fan base, you made it all worthwhile and I love you! To my devoted wife, Rebecca, you made it infinitely easier and I love you! To my kids, Justin and Nicholas, thank you for understanding the absences and I love you! To my friends that are always there for me, I love you! To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you!


"I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! I’ll be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, “Up the Irons!”


Manager Rod Smallwood on behalf of Iron Maiden:


“And we all love you too!!


"Thank you for being an irrepressible force behind the drum kit for Maiden for 42 years and my friend for even longer. I speak on behalf of all the band when I say we will miss you immensely!


"Ever since Rock in Rio in 1985 we have had a special relationship with Brazil so to bow out of touring in front of 90,000 fans here in Sao Paulo over 2 nights is poetic and you are deserving of all the accolades I am sure these marvellous fans will give you on this last show.


"Phantom look forward to many more years of working with you on the projects yo