Crashing Wayward has re-invented their latest single, "Stranger Days", not once but twice for their new Digital 45 "Stranger Days" (Unplugged), which offers two very different takes on this modern alternative rock ballad.


The acoustic version (referred to here as the A-Side) allows lead singer Peter Summit to shine, both vocally and lyrically, accompanied by a haunting piano part (supplied by guitarist David Harris). When Summit delivers lines such as “Like a painting by Dali...a knockout from Ali, ‘Confessions’ by Bowie...you’re my poetry” it’s hard not to be captivated by the passion behind the melody and the message.


The B-Side, the “Snakes Of Russia” remix, provides a sonically cinematic treatment orchestrated by Joseph Holiday. Holiday creates and releases music under the name Snakes Of Russia; his arrangement of “Stranger Days” employs a unique blend of synthesized textures and beats that approaches the song from a very different perspective.




The new Crashing Wayward Digital 45 "Stranger Days" (Unplugged) is released via RKF Media and available on all digital & streaming platforms.





The band’s debut album, Listen!, has garnered global praise from radio and high profile media, and crashed onto a multitude of Apple, Spotify and YouTube Music playlists.


Crashing Wayward recently received the “Best New Vegas Rock Band” award from Vegas Rocks! Magazine and completed a successful road run from California to Nebraska, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota and back to their home base of Las Vegas. More tour dates are on the horizon, including an appearance at Summerfest 2024 in Milwaukee.


Two songs from the album (“Velvets Drawn” and “Disco Kills”) can also be heard in the new feature film Road To Terzetto, recently seen on the big screen at major film festivals and coming soon to Amazon Prime.

Bruce Dickinson’s brand-new album, The Mandrake Project, has become a global smash hit with huge chart success already announced across Europe and Latin America, with further major worldwide chart positions to follow this week.


In Germany and Sweden Bruce has topped the album charts, whilst in the UK the album has entered the Official Album Charts at #3, just behind Liam Gallagher & John Squire at #1, and narrowly pipped to the #2 spot by Rod Stewart and Jools Holland with a last-minute Mother’s Day surge of sales.


In the first week of sales in the US, The Mandrake Project enters the Billboard 200 and is Bruce Dickinson’s highest charting solo album, debuting at #5 on both the Top 200 Album Sales and Current Album Sales charts and #1 on both the Current Rock Album Sales and Current Hard Rock Album Sales charts. In Canada the album debuts at #1 on the Top Canadian Album Sales, Top Current Album Sales and Hard Music Album Sales charts concurrently.




Elsewhere the album is already a Top 10 success in many European countries’ national charts including Finland, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands and France. And in Latin America’s iTunes charts The Mandrake Project is Top 10 in both Brazil and Mexico, with many more countries following suit in the days to come.


Bruce – pictured above with his No.1 Award in Germany – comments; “I’m delighted that so many people love the record. It’s been incredible to hear directly from so many fans in the countries I’ve visited over the last week or so, and the chart positions are just icing on the cake to be honest. I can now focus on bringing The Mandrake Project & songs from my previous albums to life on the tour next month. See you on the road!”


Featuring the singles "Afterglow Of Ragnarok" and "Rain On The Graves", the ten-track collection has been receiving swathes of critical acclaim, with rave reviews running around the world.


As Bruce Dickinson and his band prepare for a massive headlining tour this spring and summer, with over 40 dates in Mexico, Brazil, the UK and Europe, The Mandrake Project continues to captivate audiences and solidify its place as a monumental release in the world of rock music.


The Mandrake Project is available worldwide on multiple formats. Across ten inventive, expansive and absorbing tracks, Dickinson and his long-term co-writer and producer Roy Z, have created one of 2024’s defining rock albums. Sonically heavy and rich in musical textures, The Mandrake Project sees Bruce bring to life a musical vision long-in-the-making, and features some of the finest vocal performances of his career.


Recorded largely at LA’s Doom Room with Roy Z doubling up as both guitarist and bassist, the lineup for The Mandrake Project was rounded out by keyboard maestro Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce’s last solo studio album, Tyranny Of Souls, in 2005.


Order The Mandrake Project here.





The Mandrake Project tracklisting:


"Afterglow Of Ragnarok"
"Many Doors To Hell"
"Rain On The Graves"
"Resurrection Men"
"Fingers In The Wounds"
"Eternity Has Failed"
"Mistress Of Mercy"
"Face In The Mirror"
"Shadow Of The Gods"
"Sonata (Immortal Beloved)"


"Rain On The Graves" video:





"Afterglow Of Ragnarok" video:

In a new interview with Greg Prato of Ultimate Guitar, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT guitarist Buck Dharma was once again asked about comparisons between GHOST's music to that of his own band. He said: "To the degree that there is a similarity, I think they're welcomed to it. I think GHOST is certainly paving their own way as far as how they've gone down their road. I wouldn't say they're really copying us. To the degree that there are some similarities, that's fine."

Back in 2019, Dharma said that he was aware that many rock fans had compared GHOST's music to that of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. "I've also read interviews with the leader of that band where he says he's not really trying to sound like BLUE ÖYSTER CULT," Buck told Ultimate Guitar in a new interview. "But I don't think that they really do sound like BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, but I guess you could see some similarities."

GHOST mastermind Tobias Forge addressed the BLUE ÖYSTER CULT comparisons during an interview with Loudwire. He said: "I love BLUE ÖYSTER CULT. They are nowhere near as much of an influence as people think they are for me. Especially not back [in GHOST's early days]. I'd say I probably listen to them more nowadays than I did back then. But never, ever were they as much of a big influence as… I can list so many more things that would be way more obvious, where I can say, 'That riff is from that. That riff is from that. That riff is from that. That vocal bit is from that.' It's just that the combination of, basically, slightly more confrontational rock and sort of AOR vocals that makes everybody think that it's, 'Oh, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT.' Just because a lot of the other, sort of, 'occult rock' bands usually have just one singer, like all the TROUBLEs and all the SAINT VITUSes and all those — it's just one singer, so you don't have that sort of multi-layered vocals."

With a history spanning five decades, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has sold more than 24 million records worldwide, including seven million in the United States alone. Songs like "Burnin' For You", "Godzilla", "Astronomy" and "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" are true classics and staples of the classic rock genre. Often cited as a major influence by some of the biggest names in hard rock and heavy metal (including IRON MAIDEN and METALLICA),BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's sound has evolved through the decades, touching hard rock, heavy metal, progressive, and psychedelic rock. BLUE ÖYSTER CULT is sometimes referred to as "the thinking man's heavy metal band," due to its often-cryptic lyrics, literate songwriting, and links to famous authors.

GHOST's latest album, "Impera", came out in 2022. GHOST leader Tobias Forge worked on the LP with producer Klas Åhlund and Swedish co-writers Salem Al Fakir and Vincent Pontare, whose credits include Madonna and Lady Gaga.

GHOST's two September 2023 shows at the Forum in Inglewood, California were professionally filmed and recorded and will be used as part of a future film project.

At the Forum shows, GHOST performed the song "Twenties" live for the very first time live. They also played their cover of Roky Erikson's "If You Have Ghosts", which was originally reimagined by GHOST for their 2013 EP "If You Have Ghost". The band's version of the track at the Forum featured two cellists with a piano playing, and it was performed on a separate stage from the rest of the set.

Verikalpa has released "Noijan Sauna", second single taken from the new album Tuomio to be released on April 19 by Scarlet Records.


Verikalpa says about the single: “‘Noijan Sauna’ is an educational tale why you probably shouldn't go to the sauna with a witch in the middle of the woods EVEN though beer is involved!”


Tuomio will be available in the following formats:




-jewel case CD
-vinyl LP
-digital


Presave / preorder here.


Tuomio is the most accessible record ever in Verikalpa's discography, and yet another intense and aggressive display of power. The new album showcases an exceptional guitar work and a pristine production, enhancing the majestic melodies for which they are known for and taking their songwriting to the next level.


Lyrically-wise, this is a mixed bag of fictional stories about drinking, partying, fighting, and of course a bunch of crazy Finnish folklore creatures setting up the stage. A very fun and easy collection of songs & tales to listen to, alongside rivers of beer and weird Northern liquors.


Artwork by Alvaro Valverde/AV Art Ilustracion (Unanimated, Night Crowned, Krilloan, Drown In Sulphur):





Tracklisting:


“Arvon Tuomari”
“Laulava Vainaja”
“Noijan Sauna”
“Sammalysnti”
“Tuhkakruunu”
“Tulimerten Taa”
“Hakkaa Hakkaa”
“Maat Hauraan Hautaa”
“Eksyneet”
“Veritonttu”
“Kaunan Valta”
“Tuomio”


"Noijan Sauna":





“Arvon Tuomari” video:





Verikalpa:
Jani Ikonen - vocals
Sami Ikonen - guitar
Janne Niva - guitar
Jussi Sauvola - keyboards
Sami Knuutinen - bass
Jari Huttunen - drums


(Photo – Jani Kakko / Kaja Films)

Japan’s Coffins return with their crushing new full-length album, Sinister Oath, out March 29 on Relapse Records. Third single “Things Infestation” is streaming below.


Preorder Sinister Oath on LP/CD/CS/Digital via Relapse.com.


Recorded ahead of the band's 25th anniversary in Tokyo, Sinister Oath further cements Coffins' legacy as one of the most putrid sounding and uncompromising old-school death metal bands in the world. 




From the chest-pounding, drudgy opening of "Spontaneous Rot" to the hammer-crushing riffage of "Things Infestation" thereafter, Sinister Oath creeps and crawls through a cavernous space firmly rooted in no-frills death metal. The band's signature sound is forever-present: equal parts bleak, doomy, crusty, disgusting, and wholly heavy. 


Featuring album art by Axel Hermann (Asphyx, Bloodbath, Demolition Hammer, Sodom, and more,) Sinister Oath is Coffins at their most vile.





Tracklisting:


“B.T.C.D.”
“Spontaneous Rot”
“Forced Disorder”
“Sinister Oath”
“Chain”
“Everlasting Spiral”
“Things Infestation”
“Headless Monarch”
“Domains Of Black Miasma” 


"Things Infestation":





"Forced Disorder":





“Spontaneous Rot”:





(Photo – Natsumi Okano)

With Deicide's special Decibel Magazine Metal & Beer Fest headlining set only a month away, Decibel is honored to reveal an exclusive beer collaboration between the Florida death metal legends and the Indiana craft beer institution, 3 Floyds.


The Light Defeated - named after the closing track from Deicide’s forthcoming new album, Banished By Sin (out April 26 via Reigning Phoenix Music) - will make its pouring debut on April 12-13 at the Philadelphia edition of Decibel’s long-running extreme metal and craft beer event.







“When I first heard the lambs bleating in the opening of ‘Satan Spawn, the Caco-Daemon’ I was hooked,” says 3 Floyds’ Brewmaster Chris Boggess. “Growing up in the buckle of the Bible Belt it was the sickest, scariest thing I'd ever heard. Deicide are one the classic American death metal bands. And The Light Defeated is brewed in their honor, our take on a classic American style stout with the ABV coming in at 6.66%.”


An extremely limited number of “Metal & Beer” tickets - a deluxe ticket that includes unlimited samples of all 15 of the breweries all weekend - granting access to The Light Defeated are still available. But unlike Glen Benton’s hatred of Christ, they won’t be around much longer, so grab yours now!


For a full list of ticket options, head here.


Banished By Sin looms on the horizon, ready to cement Deicide's legacy and influence in the death metal scene. The album is a testament to the band's unwavering commitment to their craft, promising a collection of tracks that are both ferocious and unapologetically blasphemous.


"I've been sitting in a dark corner for several years now," states Glen Benton. "A few things have come into my life that have shaken and changed me. I got inspired writing this new record—it was like flipping a switch. I no longer have the aggravation of other peoples' hangups interfering with what I have and want to do. I stopped chasing everybody else's happiness a long time ago. The guy who started this shit is back! And it's good to be back!"


"Musically, we're back to the 1990s style," Benton says. "There's modern stuff in there, too. It's Deicide the way it was meant to be. My hooky songs are there, Steve's prog-styled songs are there, and we got Kevin's theme-styled songs. Having Taylor in the band has impacted Deicide greatly. He's a fantastic songwriter and player. He can do anything. The four of us contributed three songs each. I'm back with the high screaming and layering. I'm just absolutely going off on this one. I've been told it's one of my best vocal performances. I'm like Rumpelstiltskin—here to spin your hay into gold. Everybody's going to be pleasantly surprised."


Deicide stands ready to challenge the faithful and reward the wicked. Join them in their blasphemous crusade and prepare to be Banished By Sin.


Banished By Sin will be available on:


- Limited edition vinyl, variants include:
- Opaque Red
- Opaque Gold
- Silver
- White & Black Marble
- Limited Edition Cassette
- Jewelcase CD
- Digital





Banished By Sin tracklisting:


"From Unknown Heights You Shall Fall"
"Doomed To Die"
"Sever The Tongue"
"Faithless"
"Bury The Cross…With Your Christ"
"Woke From God"
"Ritual Defied"
"Failures Of Your Dying Lord"
"Banished By Sin"
"Trinity Of None"
"I Am I…A Curse Of Death"
"The Light Defeated"


"Sever The Tongue" video:





"Bury The Cross…With Your Christ" video:





Originating from the depths of Tampa, Florida in 1989, Deicide were conjured by Steve Asheim and Glen Benton. Rising to infamy with their second album, Legion, they have since become a monolithic figure in the death metal universe. Their catalog of destruction includes twelve studio albums, a live album, two compilations, and two live DVD's. Notably, their first two albums, Deicide and Legion, stand as monumental achievements in death metal sales. Deicide, notorious for their relentless assault on the senses and unapologetic brutality, are on the verge of unleashing their thirteenth album - a testament to their undying legacy in crafting the most punishing soundscapes in death metal.


(Photo - Deidra King)

Rising hard rock outfit S.O.R.M has just dropped a powerful new single, featuring legendary Doug Blair of W.A.S.P. The track, titled "Under My Skin", showcases the band's signature blend of contemporary and traditional heavy music, with a touch of power ballad magic.


"I am very proud of a collaboration that began already 2 years ago, when Micke Holm asked if I'd contribute a lead to a track being recorded by his band S.O.R.M", says Doug Blair.
"I'd met Micke a while after he purchased the very last unsold 1990s Blair Mutant Twin double neck acoustic/electric guitar, which I delivered to his colleague in Stockholm. We've performed together quite a few times since then, in Sweden and Finland, as a duo and with the S.O.R.M Band. It's been great to know the guys, and be involved a bit in their growth!"







He continues:


"Cautiously agreeing to take a listen to a song (always being naturally skeptical), 'Under My Skin' enthralled on first listen! Micke's vocal delivery, the lyrics and dynamics of the arrangement all made me PUMPED UP to craft something cool for the emotional solo section. Last year, we finally found time to meet and mix the song in Stockholm - as I had requested (and demoed) a few effective overall arrangement/dynamics ideas, which I thought would improve the results! If you enjoy my leads on ‘Heaven's Hung’, ‘Miss You’, etc., you WILL enjoy this song and lead! Give these guys a listen, and soon I’ll announce an upcoming appearance with Micke again!"


Guitarist and vocalist Micke Holm about the track:


"This version of 'Under My Skin' was the original version of the song from the beginning. It was meant to be on the album but unfortunately was not finished in time. That's why we did a piano version for the record. In this power ballad version, we have the honor to work with Doug Blair from the legendary W.A.S.P and Anna Brygård from The Nightflight Orchestra."


Furthermore, this song in particular is a very special piece of music for guitarist and singer Micke Holm, as the band reveals: “‘Under My Skin’ is a very personal song to Micke. It’s about him battling with depression and suicidal anxiety for many years. And it’s also a reminder to all you who have anxiety or know someone who has, that you’re not alone! We are all brothers and sisters battling the same war!"

Phil Demmel, who is a member of Kerry King's solo band, says that he was caught off guard by the recent announcement that SLAYER was reuniting for several festival shows this year.

Five years after SLAYER played the last concert of what was being billed as the band's farewell tour and just weeks after the SLAYER guitarist unveiled the details of his solo project, Kerry and his longtime bandmates announced that they will play at the Aftershock, Riot Fest and Louder Than Life festivals in September and October.

Asked in a new interview with Good Company if it's "weird" for SLAYER to have announced the band's comeback so soon after King's solo project was first publicly revealed, Demmel said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Um, yeah, yeah… Yeah, it caught me off guard. I didn't know anything about it. To have a SLAYER gig announced before we've even played a show [with Kerry King's solo band] was really weird to me."

He added: "SLAYER's none of my business — the 'why's and the 'when's, it's none of my business. I had questions when I first heard [SLAYER was coming back], and they were answered. And I'm a hundred percent at peace and good with everything that's happening."

When Kerry's solo project was first announced, King told Rolling Stone that he was almost positive he and SLAYER bassist/vocalist Tom Araya would never resurrect the band. "I can pretty much a hundred percent say no because I have a new outlet, and it's not SLAYER, but it sounds like SLAYER," King said of a potential SLAYER reunion.

The lineup for SLAYER's comeback will be the same as the one which last toured in 2019: Araya and King, along with guitarist Gary Holt (also of EXODUS) and longtime drummer Paul Bostaph.

The SLAYER guitarist's debut solo album, "From Hell I Rise", will be released on May 17 via Reigning Phoenix Music. All material for the LP was written by the 59-year-old musician, who was accompanied during the recording sessions by Demmel, Bostaph, bassist Kyle Sanders (HELLYEAH) and vocalist Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL). Helming the sessions at Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles last year was producer Josh Wilbur, who has previously worked with KORN, LAMB OF GOD, AVENGED SEVENFOLD and BAD RELIGION, among others.

In an Instagram Live video, Demmel spoke about how he ended up being approached to join Kerry's new band. He said: "The way that this came about on my end was SLAYER was on its way through the [San Francisco] Bay Area [during the band's farewell tour] and they played San Jose. I think it was with maybe — NAPALM DEATH opened that one and LAMB OF GOD, and maybe even TESTAMENT played. I think it was maybe the last day of [that leg of] the tour. And this was maybe the summer of [20]18. And I knew that I was on my way out of MACHINE HEAD, and I had approached Kerry kind of, like, 'Hey, what are you doing after SLAYER ends? What do you got going?' And he was kind of, like, 'Ah, I'm sure I'm gonna keep playing with Paul. I'm probably gonna ask [then-SLAYER guitarist] Gary [Holt to play with me in my new band as well].' And that was about it. And so fast forward to my announcing that I was quitting MACHINE HEAD [in September 2018], and the same day Kerry shoots me a text, like, 'That's why you were asking me what I was doing next.' So it was no secret to Kerry that that's what I was interested in doing after. And when the call came to fill in for Gary [at several SLAYER shows in Europe in December 2018] and the way that I came through in that spot really showed those guys a lot. So, Kerry [and me], I remember we at a Raiders game against Denver, which was probably 2019, that he had said, 'Hey, this is what I'm thinking,' and where he committed to me being in the band. So it was pretty fucking awesome."

Phil continued: "So I've been waiting since August of 2019 to be able to announce [that I was in Kerry's new band]. A couple of people knew. [Kerry] wanted it to be a secret, so we didn't kind of share. So that was four and a half years of holding on to the secret. Some would say that it was the best worst-kept secret or the worst best-kept secret. But we're all pretty stoked to get this started."

Regarding how "From Hell I Rise" came together and his contributions to the album, Phil said: "Kerry wrote all the music. He wrote all the lyrics. They had pretty much all of it done for a while. Him and Paul worked on everything. He sent me parts. It was the slowest of the slowest rolls that I've ever been involved with, just due to the quarantine and the singer search. So it took a bit, and it's taken a bit for all of the reasons. I mean, there was a reason for all of it. So it got to a point to where all of us, the guys in the band, were, like, 'Have you heard anything?' 'No, I haven't heard anything.' It was almost like the swimming instructor when you're learning how to swim, and then the instructor keeps backing up. 'Come on, you can make it.' And you're swimming and you're swimming and you're swimming, and they keep backing up. And [it was] all worth it. They recorded the record. I was structuring solos at home. I have a home studio, and I was constructing my leads. And I had 'em done for a bit. And he'd give me a couple of more: 'Hey, why don't you see if you can come up with something over here?' And I wrote a couple of little harmony bits that you don't hear a lot in SLAYER. So I think that that's what sets this band apart, other than Mark's vocals, of course, is the melody in some of my solos. I wrote a few things and I sent 'em to him, and the solo you hear in 'Idle Hands' is the first one that I wrote. And so I had to ask him, I said, 'Are you gonna be okay with my style?' It's kind of different than from what [late SLAYER guitarist] Jeff [Hanneman] and Gary had done, and he was digging it. So I was glad that that was [the case], 'cause it's kind of what I am and what I can bring."

In the aforementioned interview with Rolling Stone, Kerry stated about how Phil came to his new project: "Demmel came out with SLAYER at the end of 2018 to fill in for Gary for four shows. What he did for us, I don't think I could do for any band on the planet. He had basically two days to watch [SLAYER] play so he could know where the pyro was and the tempo of our set. I couldn't do that for JUDAS PRIEST, and I'm a giant PRIEST guy. With this, Bostaph said, 'Hey, what about Demmel [for the new band]?' I texted him. He's like, 'Yeah, I just got done with MACHINE HEAD the day before yesterday.' I went, 'Well, that's kind of perfect.'"

Asked how he and Phil play off each other, Kerry said: "He's more technical than I thought he was. He comes from California thrash like I do. He'd be, like, 'Do you think this solo is too melodic?' I'm, like, 'It's your lead. Unless it's offensively lame, I'm not going to squash it.' I like what he brought to the record, even though it wasn't much, since I didn't let him play rhythm guitar."

KERRY KING will be special guest on the upcoming LAMB OF GOD/MASTODON North American "Ashes Of Leviathan" co-headline tour. The six-week run will launch on July 19 in Grand Prairie, Texas and will wrap on August 31 in Omaha, Nebraska. KERRY KING will make the band's 2024 concert debut in May, first at the Welcome To Rockville festival (May 9),followed by Sonic Temple Arts & Music Festival (May 16).

Polish heavy metal act, Crystal Viper, will release their new studio album, The Silver Key, on June 28 via Listenable Records. It will be available as a vinyl record, compact disc, cassette, and digitally.


As all the lyrics are once again inspired by the works of the father of cosmic horror, Howard Phillips Lovecraft, the album is a natural continuation of the previous full length release, The Cult, which came out on Listenable Records in 2021. In fact, working title of the new album was The Cult II. However, The Silver Key is an album with very own identity and character, and is without a doubt the most intense release that Crystal Viper ever recorded.


The new album is heavier, faster and darker, but at the same more epic and melodic than their previous works. In the past the band was very often balancing between power metal and heavy metal, but here, there’s no doubt that we are talking about pure heavy metal. The band had very unique approach to songwriting and production, which was almost like a tribute to classic Metal acts such as Iron Maiden or Judas Priest, but except that Crystal Viper decided to show their love for the metal culture, and incorporated in their songs several new elements, characteristic for other subgenres.




So don’t get fooled by the term “female-fronted” which is usually associated with softer genres: Crystal Viper, founded and led by the vocalist and bassist Marta Gabriel (who for the last few years played rhythm guitar for the band), is simply as that METAL, and very serious about it.


The Silver Key was produced and mastered by the heavy metal veteran Bart Gabriel, and was recorded and mixed by Rafal Kossakowski. Its cover artwork was painted by respected Guatemalan artist Mario Lopez, who was also responsible for the cover artwork of the previous album, The Cult.


Like before, CD and vinyl version of the album will include different bonus tracks. "I guess everyone expected us to record another classic heavy metal cover songs, but we have decided to do something unusual this time, and we recorded Bathory and Misfits covers," says Marta Gabriel. "Both bands had huge influence on me, Quorthon was an amazing composer, and I actually even named my horse after him! And as our new album has both this very in-your-face energy and horror vibes, we thought that the Misfits song will also be a very good choice" she adds.





The Silver Key tracklisting:


"Return To Providence"
"Fever Of The Gods"
"Old House In The Mist"
"The Key Is Lost"
"Heading Kadath"
"Book Of The Dead"
"The Silver Key"
"Wayfaring Dreamer"
"Escape From Yaddith"
"Cosmic Forces Overtake"
"Gods Of Thunder Of Wind And Of Rain" - CD bonus track
"Scream!" - LP bonus track


The album will be promoted on a European headlining tour, on which Crystal Viper will be joined by the US heavy metal act, Savage Master.





Tour dates:


September
21 - Zabrze, Poland - CK Wiatrak *


October
4 - Wurzburg, Germany - Keep It True Festival
6 - Salzburg, Austria - Rockhouse
8 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
9 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Beta
10 - Oldenburg, Germany - MTS
11 - Hamburg, Germany - Bambi Galore
12 - Selb, Germany - Rockclub Nordbayern
13 - Ostrava, Czech Republic - Barrak
15 - Munchen, Germany - Backstage
16 - Kassel, Germany - Goldgrube
17 - Mannheim, Germany - 7er
18 - Turin, Italy - Ziggy Club
19 - Colmar, France - Le Grillen
20 - Bilzen, Belgium - South Of Heaven


* no Savage Master


More tour dates and festival appearances to be announced shortly.


Crystal Viper is:


Marta Gabriel - vocals, bass guitar, guitar, piano
Lukasz ″Andy Wave″ Halczuch - lead and rhythm guitars
Kuba Galwas - drums and percussion
Eric Juris - lead and rhythm guitars

Rock legend Billy Idol is set to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his landmark album, Rebel Yell, with a deluxe expanded edition due April 26 via Capitol/UMe.


Available for pre-order here, the reissue includes a selection of previously unreleased songs and demos, the Poolside remix of Idols smash hit "Eyes Without A Face", and the never-before-heard Billy Idol/Steve Stevens original "Best Way Out Of Here" from the original sessions.


Idols never-before-released cover of the Rose Royce single "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" from the albums original recording sessions is available to download/stream now, and you can find a visualizer for the track below.




Originally released in November 1983, Rebel Yell is the twice-platinum follow-up to Idols self-titled debut. The album features the iconic singles "Eyes Without A Face", "Flesh For Fantasy", "Rebel Yell", and "Catch My Fall". The reissue is available in 2xLP, 2xCD, and digital formats. See below for complete tracklistings.


Idol recently released the concert film Billy Idol: State Line, a Vertigo Live concert film documenting his April 2023 show at the famed Hoover Dam the first-ever concert performed at the location on DVD and Blu-ray following a successful limited theatrical run. The film highlights the history and significance of Hoover Dam and includes performances from two unique sets of Billy Idols iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line. For both sets, Idol is joined by his longtime collaborator and guitar player Steve Stevens, as well as special guests Alison Mosshart (The Kills, The Dead Weather), Steve Jones (Sex Pistols, Generation Sex) and Tony Kanal (No Doubt).


For 46 years, Billy Idol has been one of the definitive faces and voices of rocknroll. Between 1977 and 1981, Idol released three albums with Generation X as their camera-ready frontman. In 1982, he embarked on a transatlantic/trans-genre solo career that integrated the bold and simple lines of punk and rock 'n' roll decadence. Touring consistently around the world for the last ten years and showing no signs of slowing down, Idol released both The Roadside EP in 2021 and The Cage EP in 2022 on Dark Horse Records, earning praise from fans and critics alike. In January, Idol cemented his name among Hollywood legends with the first Walk of Fame Star of 2023.


Rebel Yell (Expanded Edition) tracklistings:





2xLP:


Disc 1, Side A
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"


Disc 1, Side B
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"


Disc 2, Side A
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)


Disc 2, Side B
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)





2xCD/Digital Album:


Disc 1
"Rebel Yell"
"Daytime Drama"
"Eyes Without A Face"
"Blue Highway"
"Flesh For Fantasy"
"Catch My Fall"
"Crank Call"
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows"
"The Dead Next Door"


Disc 2
"Best Way Out Of Here"
"Love Don't Live Here Anymore"
"Daytime Drama" (Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Demo)
"Catch My Fall" (Early Version)
"Crank Call" (Demo)
"(Do Not) Stand In The Shadows" (Demo)
"Rebel Yell" (Session Take)
"Blue Highway" (Original Demo)
"Flesh For Fantasy" (Session Take)
"Catch My Fall" (Original Demo)
"Motorbikin" (Session Take)
"Eyes Without A Face" (Poolside remix)


"Love Don't Live Here Anymore" visualizer:

During an appearance on the March 11 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", CINDERELLA frontman Tom Keifer was asked if he has commenced work on material for the follow-up to his sophomore solo album, "Rise", which was released in September 2019 via Cleopatra Records. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah, at some point there'll be [a new album]. Inspiration hits at the oddest times. When the first solo record [2013's 'The Way Life Goes'] was released, we were so focused on touring that I just thought, 'Man, I'm never gonna write another song again. The inspiration's not coming, and I don't know when we're ever gonna get another record done.' And then, for some strange reason, when we got off the road in 2018. we just ended up in the studio and all these songs just fell out and we had 'Rise' in about six months' time, between the writing and the recording and mixing and all. So I feel that coming again."

He continued: "I think that we all want to make another record, and there's definitely some ideas for some songs starting to drift into the antenna. That's how it always starts for me, is you get ideas for songs and you sing them into a voice memo or you jot down a line. I don't usually finish them when they come to me that way; I just kind of store these ideas, and then at some point you've got a pile of them, you go, 'Let's go make a record.' And then you finish out the songs and you record them. So, yeah, that process is going on all the time, of just collecting the ideas. You get an inspiration driving down the road, and you pull out the voice and then when you sing a chorus line into something and then don't come back to it for who knows how long, but usually you come back to when you have a pile of those. And then you finish them out."

Keifer went on to say that he usually blocks everything else out and just focuses on finishing the songs when it's time to make an album. "Yeah, that's kind of when it gets serious," he explained. "And that comes when you feel like you've got a bunch of ideas, because you don't wanna go with the first 10 ideas you have. So then you feel, like 'Whoa, this is really starting to pile up.' Okay, then you go through and you pick, like, what are the best ideas here? And with the solo stuff, I write most of it with [my wife] Savannah, and she writes the same way, and she stockpiles ideas, and we just get to a point where we, like on 'Rise', we just started kicking ideas back and forth at each other, and then, before we knew it, they were finished. But, yeah, that's the point where you've got to block the rest of the world out. And that's what happened when we got off tour in 2018 and I had a ton of ideas and Savannah had some ideas and we kind of were going through 'em. And boom, it's, like, we just started finishing 'em. It was, like, 'Man, that's a great idea. Let's finish that one.' And then next thing I know, I'm up in the studio with the band and we're tracking them. And that record went really fast, compared to the first one, which was the better part of 10 years putting that one together, and it was recorded with session musicians and stuff. And there were a lot of obstacles that came into play with that record, but we eventually got it done and sounding the way we wanted it. And then, very pleasant surprise when we made 'Rise', it was the opposite experience. I mean, it was, like, no obstacles. It was, like, 'All right, we're making a record. Block the world out.' Boom, all of a sudden it's done. Every record's different."

Tom's #KEIFERBAND is rounded out by Savannah Keifer, Tony Higbee, Billy Mercer, Kendra Chantelle, Jarred Pope and Kory Myers.

Last year, Keifer told "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he hadn't "recorded anything" new since "Rise". "Some song ideas are starting to bubble," he said.

"The pandemic kind of threw a wrench in everything, obviously," he explained. "We were in the middle of working 'Rise'; we were on the second single, 'Hype', and were about to go out on that 'Big Rock Summer Tour' [with RATT, SKID ROW and SLAUGHTER]. And 'Hype' was kind of moving up the charts, and then everything got shut down. All the creative juices, all the energy during that couple of years just kind of… I know some people got creative; some people didn't. I didn't. [Laughs] So, it's starting to come back now. I think getting back out on the road last year kind of ignited that spark again. But, yeah, we definitely wanna do a follow-up to it.

"I would say records come in their time; I don't like to rush them," Keifer added. "But, yeah, there will for sure be a follow-up. And that antenna is starting to go up and song ideas are starting to kind of come in. Yeah, it's coming."

According to Tom, the pandemic-related break from touring came just at the right time. "I kind of needed it," he said. "We toured so much with this band leading right up to the last tour, right before the pandemic. We were actually out early that year, in 2020, 'cause the 'Rise' tour was still kind of continuing; we were still working the record. So it was 10 years straight for me — or not quite 10 years at that point. But there were three CINDERELLA tours prior to that. So I'd been on the road, like, 12 years straight. So I was crispy by the time that pandemic hit. None of us wanted that forced on us, obviously, but I guess it forced me to take a break, which I probably needed."

Although CINDERELLA hasn't released a new studio album since 1994's "Still Climbing", the band started playing sporadic shows again in 2010 but has been largely inactive for the last few years while Keifer focused on his solo career.

In March 2022, Keifer said that he was "not prepared" for the 2021 passing of CINDERELLA guitarist Jeff LaBar. Jeff was found dead by his wife in July 2021 inside his apartment in Nashville. He was 58 years old.

The Treatment, the quintessential rock band from the heart of Cambridge, UK, proudly unveils their sixth studio album, Wake Up The Neighbourhood. Set to release on May 10, this album marks a new pinnacle in the band's illustrious career.


The band’s new single and video, "Let’s Wake Up This Town", is out today, offering a tantalizing glimpse into the electrifying energy and unapologetic rock 'n roll spirit that defines the album.


"We wanted to create an album that pays homage to the golden era of rock 'n roll while infusing our own modern twist," says the band. "With 'Wake Up The Neighbourhood', we've pushed ourselves to new heights and crafted an album that we're truly proud of."




Watch the video below, and pre-order Wake Up The Neighbourhood here.


Since their inception in 2008, The Treatment has consistently delivered high-octane performances and infectious songwriting that sets them apart from the rest. Wake Up The Neighbourhood stands as a testament to their evolution as musicians and showcases their relentless drive and passion for rock music.


With influences ranging from the timeless melodies of Def Leppard to the raw energy of AC/DC and Thin Lizzy, Wake Up The Neighbourhood is a masterclass in classic rock revivalism. From blistering rock anthems to soul-stirring ballads, the album offers a diverse range of styles that will captivate audiences worldwide.





Tracklisting:


"Let’s Wake Up This Town"
"Back To The 1970's"
"When Thunder And Lightning Strikes"
"This Fire Still Burns"
"Man On The Highwire"
"I Can't Wait No Longer"
"Don't Make No Difference"
"Fire Me Up"
"Free Yourself"
"Kick You Around"
"I've Got My Mind Made Up"


"Let’s Wake Up This Town" video:





Lineup:


Vocals - Tom Rampton
Drums - Dhani Mansworth
Guitar - Tagore Grey
Guitar - Tao Grey
Bass - Andy Milburn

It’s been four years since American thrash metal band EvilDead unleashed their comeback album, United States Of Anarchy, much to the delight of their fans and the media. In those four years, the world has changed in many respects, while EvilDead - solid as a rock - has held on to their typical strengths and continuing to evolve their dynamic style in a controlled yet targeted manner.


The result is entitled Toxic Grace and will be available via Steamhammer/SPV as of May 24 on CD, LP, and for digital download. To ease their fans’ wait for the album’s arrival, two singles "Raising Fresh Hell" (see below) and "Subjugated Souls", along with lyric videos, will be released beforehand. Both tracks are heavy metal statements by a band with a wealth of experience who have never lost the zest and energy of their early years.


The new cover artwork for Toxic Grace was created by Dan Goldsworthy (Haken, Accept, Corpsegrinder, Alestrom).




Vocalist Phil Flores describes Toxic Grace as, "an album featuring a wide range of different styles and sounds, from doom to melodic metal, from traditional heavy metal to our characteristic old-school thrash style.”


Guitarist Juan Garcia (Body Count) adds: “We took our time with the new songs, really focusing on the arrangements, tempos, and how the riffs flowed together. There’s plenty of hyper moments; one of my favorite tracks is ‘Reverie.’ We wanted the new songs to be powerful, and not just fast for the sake of speed. I’m proud of everyone’s contribution; there’s lots of bangers on this album.”


Bassist Karlos Medina adds: “The songs came in with the guitars as a focus, giving me the room to record bass lines with a rhythmic-minded groove. Our recent 2023 summer European tour helped bring some of the live show vibe to inspire a musical union for your metal thrash ears. Enjoy!”


Drummer Rob Alaniz adds: "EvilDead has finally come full circle. Each of our influences is firmly laid out; from death to other extreme forms and of course requisite thrash, it's all on this new record. Very excited for this new release. We still have lots of gas in the tank!"


Toxic Grace will be available in the following formats:


- CD digipak
- LP
- Download and Stream


Pre-order Toxic Grace here.





Tracklisting:


"F.A.F.O." *
"Reverie" *
"Raising Fresh Hell" *
"Stupid On Parade" **
"Subjugated Souls" **
"Bathe In Fire" **
"Poetic Omen" *
"World ov Rats" *
"Fear Porn" *
"The Death & Resurrection Show 2024" ** (bonus track for vinyl and digital)


* Produced & mixed by: Dave Casey at Phase 66
** Produced & mixed by Rob Hill at X Music Studios
Mastered by: Dave Roman at 4130 Mastering


"Raising Fresh Hell" lyric video:





"Bathe In Fire":





EvilDead are:


Phil Flores - Lead Vocals
Albert Gonzales - Lead/Rhythm Guitars
Juan Garcia - Rhythm/Lead Guitars
Rob Alaniz - Drums
Karlos Medina - Bass

May 17 will see the release of Lucassen & Soeterboek's Plan Nine album, The Long-Lost Songs, via Music Theories Recordings / Mascot Label Group.


Arjen Lucassen has issued the following update: "Howdy y’all! I’m proud to present you the second Plan Nine videoclip and single, 'Ice On Fire'. It was very hard to pick a second single, because we love them all! And they are all so different from each other. So we had the label pick this one. As you can hear his track is quite different from the first bluesy song 'Before The Morning Comes'. I think you’ll agree that this track sounds quite 80’s. Which is no surprise…  because we wrote it about 35 years ago! The clip is illustrated by Elan Lopez and edited by Dionne Mokkenstorm at Mascot Label Group. We hope you will enjoy all the silliness, have a real good time and let us know what you think!"







It was the early nineties, and musical polymath Arjen Lucassen had begun working on several projects: a solo album, a progressive-rock opera and a rock album. Around this time, he watched singer Robert Soeterboek perform live with Bodine, his former early-eighties heavy metal band. "His vocals truly impressed me, a rarity!" Lucassen recalls. "He had the charisma and power of singers like David Coverdale and Robert Plant. Discovering that we really got along personally, we decided to collaborate on some songs, just for fun."


"We started writing songs together and found a natural flow, leading to a wealth of ideas," remembers Soeterboek. "Our friendship grew as we spent more time together, and I remember that there were lots of shenanigans and laughter."


Fast forward to 2022, and they revisited those recordings. The album encapsulates a glorious treasure trove of 11 original songs with a loving 70s and 80s nod. It's a blistering romp through the good time rolling rocker of "Let It Ride", the Beatles-esque "Doctor Robert's Medicine Show," the bluesy groove of "Annie Moore," the chugging glam stomp of "High-Speed Chase" to the 80s metal of "Ice On Fire”, whilst "The Preacher" would fit on a number of Arjen's back catalogue records. The bonus disc features all the demos and some more newly recorded tracks.


The Long-Lost Songs are lost no more. Plan Nine is reborn, giving the long-lost songs a second life!


Pre-order the album here.





Tracklisting:


Disc 1:
"Doctor Robert's Medicine Show"
"The Preacher"
"Annie Moore"
"Get Down To Bizniz"
"Before The Morning Comes"
"High Speed Chase"
"Let It Ride"
"Ice On Fire"
"Long Cold Night"
"Drunker Than Whiskey"
"Die With Your Shades On"


Disc 2:
"Stand Tall
"Gimme The Nighttime"
"Annie Moore" - Demo
"Get Down To Bizniz" - Demo
"High Speed Chase" - Demo
"Gimme The Nighttime" - Demo
"Magic Moments" - Demo
"Let It Ride" - Home Demo
"My Baby Loves Me" - Home Demo
"Stand Tall" - Home Demo
"Night On Fire" - Home Demo
"Life Goes On" - Home Demo
"Doctor Robert's Medicine Show" - Instrumental Demo
"Get Down To Bizniz" - Home Demo
"Magic Moments" - Home Demo
"Drunker Than Whiskey" - Instrumental Demo
"Long Cold Night" - Instrumental Demo
"Die With Your Shades On" - Instrumental Demo 1
"Die With Your Shades On" - Instrumental Demo 2
"Unnamed 1" - Instrumental Demo
"Unnamed 2" - Instrumental Demo


"Before The Morning Comes" video:

Norwegian black metal veterans DARKTHRONE will release a new album, "It Beckons Us All", on April 26 via Peaceville Records.

Pioneers of a sound that changed the world. Lifelong disciples of suspense and mystery. An enigmatic duo like no other, hell-bent on haunting souls through the eternities. There are many things DARKTHRONE have been called since forming in 1986 and these are but a few, having drawn from a creative well so potent and powerful it turned them into one of Norway's biggest musical exports. Following from their debut album "Soulside Journey", the next three full-lengths, often referred to as "the unholy three", set the benchmark for black metal in the early '90s, though in truth they've never been the kind to rest on such laurels — distilling elements of vintage punk, doom, thrash and death into their own sonic fingerprint and continuing to test that equation throughout the years. It's been quite the journey, having won cryptic pair Nocturno and Fenriz legions of loyal fans around the world. This tradition will only continue with latest masterpiece "It Beckons Us All".

The new music is an intense observation of the world around them — exciting and challenging the listener in equal measure, in the way only they can. Some of the riffs howl across a gallery of ice and snow while others crackle like a volcano awakening from its timeless slumber, Nocturno's demonic barks ricocheting across the intoxicating structures almost like it's beaming from long-distant galaxy. As DARKTHRONE have shown us so many times in the past, their music is as visual as it gets — evoking tangible imagery through the medium of sound. Whether the ideas are somber, reflective or incensed, they exist as emotional concepts you can see and feel as much as you hear.

"I am having difficulties putting into words my personal feelings around the existential title 'It Beckons Us All'. I can only hope others out there can feel the darkness that encompasses it," muses Fenriz.

Never afraid to venture beyond the confines of the extreme metal template they were paramount in creating, there are moments on "It Beckons Us All" that will dazzle and surprise, as well as satisfy fans of old. Nocturno comments: "We recorded in the manner we always do, live, meaning drums and guitar, with another guitar added later. We found a new twist during this process that surely benefited this album. Fenriz did stellar clean vocals on several songs, and his way of thinking creatively made it so good. We also shared the bass work this time around. We added a lot of extra layers like solo guitars… it was just a cauldron of ideas. Instead of finding a plug-in or choir synth patch, we both recorded four vocal tracks each. DARKTHRONE is an ever-evolving band, as many should know by now, and this album is touching a bit into the heavy genre. I have no idea what genre we are, and have really not cared much about it, but I know for sure it's metal."

In that sense, "It Beckons Us All" is very much demonstrative of two visionaries at their world-commanding best. They know what works but more importantly they choose to grow, throwing every ounce of their hearts and souls into evolving the jaw-dropping whirlpool of noise that could only ever have come from their collective minds. There are clean guitars, clean vocals and less typical instruments thrown into the mix, but the approach, intent and ethos at the heart of their fearless artistry remains very much the same. This is music for dreamers who find themselves paralyzed by the contrasting beauty and ugliness in the world surrounding them. Never ones to appease the faint-hearted, DARKTHRONE are as real and human as it gets.

"It Beckons Us All" was recorded in April and May 2023 at Chaka Khan Studios in Oslo, the same location used for the "Eternal Hails" and "Astral Fortress" albums, mastered by Jack Control at Enormous Door, with artwork courtesy of Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak.

"It Beckons Us All" track listing

01. Howling Primitive Colonies [06:30]
02. Eon 3 [05:43]
03. Black Dawn Affiliation [06:11]
04. And In That Moment I Knew The Answer [03:17]
05. The Bird People Of Nordland [07:27]
06. The Heavy Hand [04:18]
07. The Lone Pines Of The Lost Planet [10:03]

Nocturno Culto photo courtesy of Peer Olav Kittilsen

In a new interview with Paul Cashmere of Australia's Noise11.com, former SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg discussed his recent additions to both SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and INFECTIOUS GROOVES. Speaking about his hectic schedule in the coming weeks, Jay said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My first show with SUICIDAL will be a week from tomorrow, or I guess actually, with the time difference, it'll be in a week from today, in Osaka. We have two shows in Japan coming up next week, and then I'll be going right from that to Los Angeles where we'll be preparing for our first two INFECTIOUS GROOVES shows in Orange County, getting ready to then come down to Australia. So I've had my homework cut out for me, for sure. And it all kind of happened very quickly and a little bit unexpectedly, but I've been really enjoying this whole process of just getting up to speed with both bands, knowing that — they share members, but they're different in their subtleties and their nuances of things. And I'm really grateful that Mike [Muir, SUICIDAL and INFECTIOUS frontman] and the guys have seen something, I suppose, in my playing that will speak to both bands and that they're interested in having me on board. I'm absolutely honored and just want to give it everything I got. So it all kind of meshes into one big thing for me."

The 33-year-old Nashville-based musician continued: "We'll see — everybody's got such busy schedules that we'll just kind of see what happens from here. If it's just this Australian tour and our two shows in Orange County, that's great. I'm really looking forward to enjoying that. If it keeps going beyond that, I would love to continue it, if the guys would have me. We'll just see — we'll see what happens. But yeah, it's just one giant musical adventure that's divided between two bands that I'm enjoying right now. So it's an incredible opportunity. I'm just stoked to have it."

Asked about the possibility of recording new music with SUICIDAL, Jay said: "I would love that. I would be honored to do that. As of now, it's all happening so quickly. We're still figuring out visas to travel places and whatnot. So we'll see what's on the table. Right now I'm concentrated on these first shows going well and just getting integrated into you playing with my new bandmates and all that. But certainly, it's been my experience that when you naturally just kind of follow these wormholes, you ride the good energy that's in the room, you find those inspirations and those inspired moments that you're trying to create with a group and you just follow that and see what good stuff you can make out of that. So if that's on the table, I'm certainly — I'm ready to go. I'm into it."

Later in the chat, Weinberg addressed the "tabloid" coverage of his exit from SLIPKNOT. Asked if he was surprised at how newsworthy he was at the time, Jay said: "I kind of honestly just — I don't really pay attention to stuff like that. Whatever chatter there is around the world is kind of not really any of my concern. I just kind of do what I do. If people wanna talk about it, then that's fine by me. I'm just honored and excited that it's led me to this point and getting started with SUICIDAL."

Weinberg will make his live debut with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES with a two-date Japanese run of shows (March 14 in Osaka and March 16 in Chiba). The band is also slated to perform at the No Values festival on June 8 in Pomona, California, with a series of European festival dates scheduled for June and July.

In addition to Weinberg and Muir, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES' current lineup features lead guitarist Dean Pleasants, rhythm guitarist Ben Weinman (THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN) and bassist Tye Trujillo (son of METALLICA bassist Robert Trujillo).

Weinberg's pairing with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES comes less than two months after he was announced as the new drummer of INFECTIOUS GROOVES, the long-running outfit formed more than three decades ago by Robert Trujillo alongside Robert's then-SUICIDAL TENDENCIES bandmate Muir.

INFECTIOUS GROOVES has scheduled two U.S. shows this month — March 23 and March 24 at the Garden Grove Amphitheater in Garden Grove, California — before embarking on a short tour of Australia in late March and early April.

Weinberg was recruited by INFECTIOUS GROOVES for the band's first live appearances since a one-off show in 2019 due to longtime drummer Brooks Wackerman's commitment to AVENGED SEVENFOLD.

In addition to Weinberg, Muir and Trujillo, INFECTIOUS GROOVES' 2024 lineup includes guitarists Dean Pleasants (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) and Dave Kushner (ex-VELVET REVOLVER).

INFECTIOUS GROOVES was formed soon after Trujillo joined SUICIDAL TENDENCIES in 1989. Muir and Trujillo got together with some friends to write song that centered more around the bass, but with the intent of giving everyone else a whole lot of freedom.

On November 5, 2023, SLIPKNOT released a statement via social media in which it said it had "decided to make a creative decision and to part ways with Jay."

Six days later, Weinberg, who replaced Joey Jordison, SLIPKNOT's original drummer, in 2013, shared on Instagram that he "was heartbroken and blindsided to receive the phone call", "the news of which, most of you learned shortly after."

Jay played his final show with SLIPKNOT on November 3 at the Hell & Heaven festival in Toluca, Mexico.

When SLIPKNOT announced Weinberg's departure, the band thanked Jay "for his dedication and passion over the past ten years." The group added: "No one can ever replace Joey Jordison's original sound, style or energy, but Jay honored Joey's parts and contributed to the last three albums and we, the band, and the fans appreciate it. But as ever, SLIPKNOT is intent on evolving. We wish Jay all the best and are very excited for what the future holds."

Jay discovered SLIPKNOT when he was a pre-teen, through his father, Max Weinberg, of Bruce Springsteen's E STREET BAND, and leader of the house band on Conan O'Brien's talk show. He was hooked immediately and was a huge fan of SLIPKNOT by the time he was invited to Los Angeles to try out as replacement for Joey Jordison in 2013.

For the first few months after the release of 2014's ".5: The Gray Chapter", the members of SLIPKNOT had declined to name the musicians who were playing drums and bass on their tour, despite the fact that their identities were revealed as Weinberg and bassist Alessandro "Vman" Venturella by a disgruntled former drumtech for SLIPKNOT who posted a picture of a backstage call sheet on Instagram.

".5: The Gray Chapter" went on to score a trio of Grammy nominations, including two for "Best Metal Performance" and a nomination for "Best Rock Album".

Weinberg also played on 2019's "We Are Not Your Kind" and 2022's "The End, So Far", both of which topped Billboard's rock albums chart.

SLIPKNOT has yet to announce a replacement for Jay.

FOREIGNER bassist Jeff Pilson says that he and his bandmates are "very excited" about the group's nomination for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.

Last month, it was announced that FOREIGNER is among the nominees for the Rock Hall's Class Of 2024.

To be eligible for this year's ballot, each nominee's first single or album had to have been released in 1999 or earlier.

Eligible since 2002, FOREIGNER has had a huge number of rock hits, including "Cold As Ice", "Double Vision", "Hot Blooded", "I Want To Know What Love Is", "Juke Box Hero" and "Urgent", and has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, with no wins.

According to the Hall Of Fame, the FOREIGNER members that would get inducted include only the classic-era musicians Mick Jones, Lou Gramm, Dennis Elliott, Ed Gagliardi, Al Greenwood, Ian McDonald and Rick Wills.

Pilson, who has been a member of FOREIGNER since 2004, discussed the band's nomination in a new interview with Rockbandreviews.com. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're very excited about it. And we've gotta remind people they can go to the web site for the Rock Hall and they can vote [as part of the fan vote], and you can vote every day. So, please get on there and vote for FOREIGNER… It is looking good. I know we often do, like, number one or two — I guess number two most of the time — as far as the fan vote and that's great news. And that means the fans are continuing to call. So please do that, because I really think that original band deserved to be in the Rock Hall a long time ago. So it's amazing that it's happening, and we're very excited about it."

Asked for his opinion on the trend of the Rock Hall honoring non-rock artists including Eminem, Missy Elliott, Whitney Houston, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson in recent years, and whether he thinks those acts should be allowed into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, Jeff said: "Well, it depends on their body of work. I think certain hip-hop artists do deserve to be in there, because they sort of represent the rock and roll of their generation in many ways. It may not be music that I necessarily listen to or whatever, and I'm a rock and roll fan, but I respect what they do and I respect that it has kind of that rebellious nature that rock and roll has. So, yeah, I think it's okay. If it's somebody that doesn't have anything to do with [what the Rock Hall represents]… I can't think of examples offhand, but there are examples I've heard of people, like, 'Wow, they're in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? That seems odd to me.'"

Back in 2017, Gene Simmons made negative comments about the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inducting rap artists, saying that hip-hop acts do not belong in the institution. The KISS bassist/vocalist told CantonRep.com: "There are people from different genres that I don't believe belong in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. There's disco and rap and all kinds of stuff. And I highly respect rap, but on the day LED ZEPPELIN gets put into the Hip-Hop Hall Of Fame, is the day I will personally accept rap artists as being brought into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. It just ain't the same thing. You go to Apple Music, and you go to different genres and you type in 'rock,' you're not gonna find a single rap band in that category. Likewise, if you look at hip hop or rap, you're not gonna see AC/DC or KISS in the list in there."

Simmons originally took issue with hip-hop acts — and other non-rock artists — being inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame during a 2014 interview with Radio.com. He stated at the time: "It's really back-room politics, like Boss Tweed. A few people decide what's in and what's not. And the masses just scratch their heads. You've got Grandmaster Flash in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? RUN-D.M.C. in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame? You're killing me! That doesn't mean those aren't good artists. But they don't play guitar. They sample and they talk. Not even sing!"

He continued: "If you asked Donna [Summer], 'What kind of artist are you?', do you think she would say 'rock?' If you asked Madonna, 'What kind of artist are you?' do you think she would say, 'Oh, rock!' So what they hell are they doing in the Hall Of Fame? They can run their organization any way they'd like, but it ain't rock! It just isn't! If you don't play guitar and you don't write your own songs, you don't belong there."

In 2016, SLIPKNOT singer Corey Taylor was asked by Loudwire Nights for his opinion on Simmons's comments taking issue with hip-hop acts — and other non-rock artists — being inducted into the Rock Hall. He responded: "I see what Gene's saying, and, you know, I'm old-school guy as well; I get it. But at the same time, the more I look at what N.W.A. did, man, I mean, they influenced me, and I'm a rock and roll guy. So how do they not deserve to be in there? To me, bands like that, bands like RUN–D.M.C., it's a different type of band, but it's a band, man. I mean, that's straight up. So I can see both sides of it."

Modern Drummer magazine has scored an exclusive backstage peek into the rhythmic labyrinth that is Danny Carey's drum kingdom for TOOL's "Fear Inoculum" tour. Surrounded by instruments, Danny is joined by Modern Drummer CEO David Frangioni as they peel back the layers of Carey's one-of-a-kind drum arsenal. Check out the 23-minute video below.

In a recent interview with Metal Hammer, TOOL bassist Justin Chancellor said that fans won't have to wait another 13 years to hear a new studio album from him and his bandmates, referencing the gap between 2006's "10,000 Days" and 2019's "Fear Inoculum".

"Danny is 62 now, so there's no thought of taking 13 years if we're gonna do it," he explained. "We're gonna have to be more efficient, and we've been talking of ways that we can do that. Maybe taking a leaf out of how me and Peter [Mohamed, Justin's bandmate in side project MTVOID] work with MTVOID — instead of staring at each other going 'Come on! Get it out of ya!' maybe we could do a bit more at home. We'll see!"

Chancellor added that he and the rest of TOOL have begun working on music for a possible new LP. "We put a little work in before this tour," he said. "We gave it a stab for a couple of months. We ended up compiling all the ideas we had; normally when we do that we start writing pretty soon after, but we had a lot of stuff coming up, so we didn't dive all the way in. When we're done with Europe, we're gonna dive back in during the second half of the year."

In a separate interview with Revolver magazine, Chancellor and Carey talked about a possible follow-up to "Fear Inoculum". Addressing the fact that "Fear Inoculum" marked the band's first full-length effort in 13 years, due to creative, personal, and legal issues bandmembers encountered since the release of "10,000 Days", Justin said: "It'll be different this time. Everyone's life is different, and everyone's expectations are different. Time is precious now, so you try and look for ways to be more efficient with the process. We've had a lot of discussion about that and how we can bring a new record to fruition in a slightly different way."

Speaking about the TOOL songwriting process, Danny said: "Our filter system is pretty intense. If it gets by the four of us in the band, then we figure it's going to work. It's a really painstaking process that we go through to finish [an album], and get it where we are all completely convinced. It pays off in the long run because we never really get tired of performing our songs. It gives rise to a vehicle that we can all believe in."

As for a possible musical direction for TOOL's next LP, Carey said: "Who knows? It could flip-flop and we could just go back to doing an 'Undertow' [type of] record" of shorter songs. "That's kind of appealing to me. I always like change, whatever direction it goes."

Another possibility is a new EP rather a full-length release. The songwriting process has already begun, according to Carey, and "it's going well so far."

"We're free agents now," he added. "We aren't signed to a label anymore. We are free to do whatever we want."

Quite possibly the era's most highly anticipated album, "Fear Inoculum" arrived in August of 2019. Debuting at No. 1 on Billboard's Top 200, the album earned heaps of critical praise with NPR saying, "'Fear Inoculum' was worth the 13-year wait," Revolver proclaiming the album "a masterpiece to be dissected for years to come" and Consequence saying the release finds "TOOL in peak performance."

In 2022, TOOL released "Opiate2", a re-imagined and extended version of the 1992 EP's title track and an accompanying short film, marking the band's first new video in 15 years. The band also unveiled the first incarnation of "Fear Inoculum" vinyl, dubbed the Ultra Deluxe edition, the limited offering included five 180-gram vinyl discs emblazoned with a unique etching and accompanied by an elaborate pictorial booklet including never-before-seen artwork.

TOOL formed in 1990, releasing five studio albums: "Undertow" (1993),"Ænima" (1996),"Lateralus" (2001),"10,000 Days" (2006) and "Fear Inoculum" (2019); two EPs: "72826" (1991) and "Opiate" (1992),and the limited-edition boxset "Salival" (2000). The band has won four Grammy Awards: "Best Metal Performance" (1998, "Ænima"),"Best Metal Performance" (2002, "Schism"),"Best Recording Package" (2007, "10,000 Days") and "Best Metal Performance" (2020, "7empest").

TOOL is Danny Carey (drums),Justin Chancellor (bass),Adam Jones (guitar) and Maynard James Keenan (vocals).

Metal Hammer caught up with guitarist / producer Roy Z to discuss working with Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson on his new solo album, The Mandrake Project. Roy also talks about his relationship with the Maiden frontman and how things have changed over the years...


Q: What do you remember about meeting Bruce for the first time?


Roy: "It was 1993 and we were working in the same studio - him in the day, me (with the band Tribe Of Gypsies) at night. I’d told my engineer that I didn’t want anyone to hear my music, no exceptions. One day I came in and there was this guy at the desk, listening to my shit, long hair flying everywhere. I was ready to kill somebody. But then he turned around and went, 'Hey, I’m Bruce, I love your band, who are you?' He asked if I wanted to come to the UK and write with him. That fall, he announced he was leaving Maiden and it just went from there." 




Q: Bruce play guitar on the tracks "Resurrection Men" and "Face In The Mirror" (on The Mandrake Project). How did that come about?


Roy: "I just said, 'Hey, it’s your solo record, let’s have fun.' He’s written riffs, but we’ve never had him play guitar on a record of anything. With 'Resurrection Men', Bruce was like, 'Can you get us a (surf guitar pioneer) kind of sound?' I said, 'Here’s an amp that does that, so show me what you’re thinking.' He ended up doing really well ’cos he was inspired by us vibing on it. It was a no-pressure kind of thing."


Read the complete interview here.


Dickinson has shared the video below, in which talks about the making of his new album:





Dickinson has released The Mandrake Project worldwide on multiple formats. Across ten inventive, expansive and absorbing tracks, Dickinson and his long-term co-writer and producer Roy Z, have created one of 2024’s defining rock albums. Sonically heavy and rich in musical textures, The Mandrake Project sees Bruce bring to life a musical vision long-in-the-making, and features some of the finest vocal performances of his career.


Recorded largely at LA’s Doom Room with Roy Z doubling up as both guitarist and bassist, the lineup for The Mandrake Project was rounded out by keyboard maestro Mistheria and drummer Dave Moreno, both of whom also featured on Bruce’s last solo studio album, Tyranny Of Souls, in 2005.


The Mandrake Project is Dickinson’s seventh solo album. Order here.





The Mandrake Project tracklisting:


"Afterglow Of Ragnarok"
"Many Doors To Hell"
"Rain On The Graves"
"Resurrection Men"
"Fingers In The Wounds"
"Eternity Has Failed"
"Mistress Of Mercy"
"Face In The Mirror"
"Shadow Of The Gods"
"Sonata (Immortal Beloved)"


"Rain On The Graves" video:





"Afterglow Of Ragnarok" video:

CNTS, the Los Angeles-band featuring members of Dead Cross, Retox and Qui, have debuted a second song, "I Won’t Work For You”, from their forthcoming album, Thoughts & Prayers, out March 29.


Matt Cronk shares the story behind the song: “’I Won’t Work For You’ was inspired by the talking point being bandied about, mostly by conservatives, that ‘nobody wants to work anymore’ after having collected unemployment during the lockdown. I think a more accurate way to frame that is that nobody wants to work for people who treat them badly. Nobody wants to work without the expectation of fair pay and dignity. Nobody wants to work for the sole purpose of enriching someone else, and nor should they! Work sucks. I think a lot of people, myself included, are inspired to find more equitable means of supporting themselves or at least expect more from their employers.”


Michael Crain adds, very succinctly: “Bosses suck.”




The video, directed by Meriel O’Connell, who also crafted the band’s “Smart Mouth” clip, was filmed at a pizza joint where Michael Crain worked. During tough times, Crain occasionally treated Cronk to a free slice.


Watch the video below.





Thought & Prayers tracklisting:


"I Won’t Work For You"
"Thoughts & Prayers"
"Smart Mouth"
"Dear Sir"
"For A Good Time (Don’t Call Her)"
"Alone"
"Eating You Alive"
"Real Truth"
"Junkie"
"Drown"


"I Won’t Work For You" video:





"Smart Mouth" video:





CNTS is Mike Crain (Dead Cross, Retox, Festival of Dead Deer), drummer Kevin Avery (Retox, Planet B), and vocalist Matt Cronk (Qui). The Los Angeles-based band released their self-titled debut album in 2019.


(Photo - Anthony Mehlhaff)

In a new interview with "Paltrocast" host Darren Paltrowitz, Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, was asked if legendary VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen was an early musical influence on him. Gus responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "No, not really. Maybe because VAN HALEN, they were not that much into the rock culture here in Europe or maybe in Greece. I was just exposed to different kind of stuff. For me, it was more like Gary Moore or something — you know, British players. Of course, I knew of VAN HALEN — I saw the videos on MTV and things like that and I got into it — but I got into it a bit a little bit later. So it was not like the first thing I checked out and I was, like, 'Oh my god. I have to pick up all the records.' I found out [about them] as I was developing my guitar playing… I think I think they only had like one hit here — mainly 'Jump'; that was it. To my knowledge, that was the song that you would always see, and that was the keyboard song — that was a song that Eddie mainly did keyboards."

Back in May 2022, Gus was asked by BLABBERMOUTH.NET if he could play guitar at a hypothetical Eddie Van Halen tribute concert or tour of some kind. He replied: "That would be very difficult and challenging to do it justice. I don't know who could do it. [Laughs] It would be scary. Joe Satriani is one of the few guys who could pull it off because of who he is. He's such a unique guitar player. Plus, he's done it before with DEEP PURPLE. From a technical point of view, yeah, I don't think I would be the right player because I don't use the whammy bar. I'm playing a steady, fixed bridge. I don't do a lot of whammy bar tricks. I do tapping, but not as much as other guys. Could I do it? Could I learn the songs? Of course. I could do it, but I don't think I'd be the right guy for such a thing. It's scary as a guitar player walking into such a spotlight. It was scary for me 12 years ago when I did the Ozzy thing. I never thought of myself as that type of guitar player, but when Ozzy looked at me and said, 'You're the guy.' I started thinking about it differently: 'Well, if he sees that, then I should believe in myself more.' [Laughs]"

In November 2020, a month after Eddie's passing, Gus reflected on the VAN HALEN axeman's death, saying in a video posted on his official YouTube channel: "Obviously, it's been way over a month since [Eddie's] passing, and I've seen a lot of tributes online. Since he died, he's been all over the news all over the world, all the magazine covers, everything. You can see what a big of an impact this man has had in the music world, and, of course, for the guitar community. You don't need me to tell you that he was such a pioneer and an innovator. All these words, actually, they describe somebody like Eddie Van Halen perfectly. He has done so much, he has given us so much in music, and he has done so much for the guitar. From introducing the modern-age sort of hard rock/heavy metal guitar; the way he used whammy bar techniques; introducing tapping techniques to the world. There's no way you're playing hard rock or heavy metal and you're not using some stuff that he popularized — there's just no way.

"I was shocked when I read the news, obviously, and I was kind of lost for words," he continued. "Eventually, I wrote a few words for some magazines that have done some specials on him, some tributes. But I haven't posted anything on my own web sites, on my own social media or anything.

"I can go on and on about how Eddie has influenced me and millions of other guitar players. I just wanna take this chance to say thank you, Eddie, for all that you gave us. Unfortunately, and sadly, I never got to see VAN HALEN live. I'm not even go into about meeting them — I never to meet Eddie or anybody from the band — but I never got to see VAN HALEN live either, because I live in Greece, and VAN HALEN very rarely played in Europe; they mainly toured in America. And when I was spending a lot of time in America, I never got a chance to see them. Even when they did the last reunion a few years back, I was never in town to catch their show. So that's one thing that I regret; I wish I'd seen them on stage.

"But regardless, Eddie, thank you — thank you for all that you did for the music world and for the guitar community," Gus added. "Your legacy lives on."

FIREWIND will release a new studio album, "Stand United", on March 1 via AFM.

In a new clip from YouTuber Karl Rock, he takes us into and behind-the-scenes of India's Bangalore Open Air 2024, which took place on February 9th and 10th. Check it out below.


Karl Rock: "I travelled to India to experience their incredible 2-day heavy metal festival! Every year, the Bangalore Open Air Festival features big headliners like Kreator, Watain, Mayhem, and In Flames. Then, there are many great Indian metal bands like Godless, Kryptos, and Zygnema. Would you travel to India for a music festival?"







Rock's Everything You Need to Know rundown from Bangalore Open Air 2023 is available here.


For information and updates on the Bangalore Open Air go to this location.

In a new interview with the "Everblack" podcast, Robert Trujillo spoke about what it has been like to see his 19-year-old son Tye play with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, given that the longtime METALLICA bassist recorded and toured with the Mike Muir-fronted act at the start of his career. Asked if he gave Tye any tips or showed him any tricks when the younger Trujillo first got the ST gig, Robert said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It was funny because there was a couple songs from the 'Lights...Camera...Revolution!' album where he asked me a couple of questions. He generally doesn't ask too many questions. He's his own player. He plays guitar. He writes his own songs. He's really strong with a pick as well as his fingers. I play with a pick sometimes, but I'm not nearly as strong as he is. So he's really grounded in his own way as a writer and as a performer now. He's got two or three bands that he's in and, obviously, actively touring with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES."

Regarding how Tye landed the SUICIDAL TENDENCIES gig, Robert said: "How that happened, going back, for him — when he was, I feel like he was 16 or something, and [Roberto] 'Ra' Díaz, who was playing bass [for SUICIDAL TENDENCIES] at the time, had a visa situation that he was taking care of in Chile, and this gig that they were doing in L.A. happened to fall in around the same time. So Mike reached out to Tye, knowing what he was capable of. And also before that, years before that, Tye had done a full-on tour with KORN; he filled in for Fieldy in South America, and he was 12 years old at the time. So he knew he could trust Tye. And that was Tye's first experience with ST, and it was like Dave Lombardo on drums and all this pedigree, Dean [Pleasants] on guitar and Mike. And I remember, Tye went up on the drum riser to play, to get up there with Dave, and then when he jumped off, right when his feet hit the ground, Mike Muir had just turned around and bowled him over, accidental, but it was like a rugby scenario. And Mike gets into that kind of crazy headspace and he knocked him over, but I was, like, 'Welcome to ST.' He's been — how do you say? — christened, so to speak. And he's been with 'em pretty much ever since. At the same time, he has his band OTTTO and FEED THE BEAST. So he's always playing music."

Robert went on to say that he and Tye are not the only musicians in their family. "In our household, it's always a creative environment," he explained. "My wife, she does her music actively, and she's got more projects than I even know. She's doing a variety of original music-oriented projects, but she's also doing art and fashion. My daughter plays drums. She's practicing three to five hours a day. And it's just how it is in our household. Everybody plays instruments, everybody does art, music and plays piano, whatever. So I guess when you're driving by our place in [Topanga] Canyon and you hear all this going on, you probably think it's a crazy house."

Robert Trujillo played bass for SUICIDAL TENDENCIES at the Mike Muir-fronted outfit's October 26, 2023 concert at House Of Vans in Mexico City.

SUICIDAL TENDENCIES recruited Robert to play the gig after Tye was unable to make the show due to scheduling commitments with his other band OTTTO.

Robert previously rejoined his former bandmates on stage on September 9 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona to perform the song "I Saw Your Mommy...". SUICIDAL TENDENCIES played at State Farm Stadium as the support act for METALLICA at the latter band's rescheduled second concert in Arizona.

Trujillo was first invited to join SUICIDAL TENDENCIES for a European tour in 1989 supporting East Coast thrashers ANTHRAX. While with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, Robert appeared on some of the band's most successful albums: "Lights...Camera...Revolution!" (1990),"The Art Of Rebellion" (1992) and "Still Cyco After All These Years" (1993). During Trujillo's years with SUICIDAL, Muir heard some of Robert's homemade demos and they collaborated on a funkier, more progressive sound under the name INFECTIOUS GROOVES. They produced a number of albums such as "The Plague That Makes Your Booty Move..." (1991),"Sarsippius' Ark" (1993) and "Groove Family Cyco" (1994).

Back in 2021, Trujillo humorously revealed in an interview that before he signed on as the bass player for METALLICA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES would gobble up METALLICA's leftover dinners whenever they could during a joint 1993 tour. And even though the METALLICA members respected Trujillo's playing with SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield admitted that when Robert's name came up during bassist auditions, he thought, "there's no way he's going to join us. He's too amazing, he's too spectacular."

Creator-Destructor Records will release To Conquer Eternal Damnation, the incinerating debut album from Oakland, California-based melodic death metal outfit Darkness Everywhere, confirming the album for release May 10 alongside its cover art, tracklisting, and a video for the lead single, “Retaliation.”


Darkness Everywhere formed as a trio in late 2020 with the goal of writing songs heavily influenced by the classic mid-1990s Swedish melodic death metal sound. However, this isn’t the individual members’ first time around the block when it comes to melodic death metal. Founding vocalist/guitarist/drummer Ben Murray is a founding member of Bay Area band Light This City, as well as being the owner Creator-Destructor Records, and now also a member of A Wilhelm Scream. Guitarist Cameron Stucky is a member of symphonic melodic metal act Crepuscle. Bassist Zack Ohren recorded and produced all of Light This City’s albums throughout the past twenty years and continues to be one of the leading metal producers in the industry, having worked with Machine Head, All Shall Perish, Animosity, Decapitation, Suffocation, and many more. Drummer Garrett Garvey fleshes out the now four-piece lineup of Darkness Everywhere.


The glory years of early In Flames, At the Gates, and Dark Tranquillity are what largely inform the sound and aesthetic of Darkness Everywhere. The core of the band is built on the feel of those legendary records, while offering a refreshing take on the no frills melodic death metal sound akin to the output of modern outfits Horrendous, Majesties, and Upon Stone. The band wastes no time in getting to the point of melodic death metal riffing and driving, thrashing tempos. Preceded by their 2022 debut EP, The Seventh Circle, and 2023 standalone single “The Glow Of Haunted Existence,” To Conquer Eternal Damnation is the band’s first full-length venture.




Unstoppable and unflinching from the first note, To Conquer Eternal Damnation delivers ten volatile tracks, burning with the patented early-1990s Gothenburg sound, adrenalized with merciless high-tempo executions forged by the second wave bands of the style, citing The Haunted, Dimension Zero, Carcass, and Hypocrisy. With zero ballads or filler tracks, and no venturing off-course, through every minute of the album, Darkness Everywhere stays intensely focused on decimating their target: the listener.


To Conquer Eternal Damnation was produced, mixed, mastered by the band’s own Zack Ohren at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland and completed with artwork by Adam Burke and photography by Joe Calixto, and the track “The Architect of Misery” features guest vocals from Laura Nichol of Light This City.


The first public foretaste of the album is the crushing opening song, “Retaliation,” which is delivered through an intense video directed and edited by Alessandro Pulisci (Ugly Owl Films).


Ben Murray states, “We’re incredibly proud of this album, and really feel that it encompasses everything we set out to do with this band. The ten tracks that make up the record are a mixture of all our favorite elements of classic melodic death metal. To Conquer Eternal Damnation is a continuation of where we were headed with our debut EP but intensified in every way.”


To Conquer Eternal Damnation will be released May 10 on LP, CD, MC, and digital platforms. Digitally preorder on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“Retaliation”
“The Architect Of Misery”
“To Conquer Eternal Damnation”
“Cosmic Misfortune”
“A Dreaded Eclipse”
“Starving Eyes”
“The Final Descent”
“Into The Unknown”
“In Blood They Will Drown”
“The Tragedy Of Infinite Loss”


Live dates:


April
20 – Redwood City, CA – The Hub


May
25 – San Francisco, CA – Neck Of The Woods 


“Retaliation” video:





(Photo – Joe Calixto)