BON JOVI frontman Jon Bon Jovi addressed his recent vocal issues during a question-and-answer session at this week's Pollstar Live! conference, where he received the "Milestone" award for his band's 40th anniversary.

The 62-year-old rocker, who has never been known as a particularly technical singer, received scathing reviews for his performances during BON JOVI's 2022 U.S. tour. The trek was in support of the album "2020", which was released in October of that year.

"I've had it become public knowledge now, but I've had major reconstructive surgery in my vocal cords, and I never had anything like this ever," Jon said at Pollstar Live! when asked about his vocal problems. "So it's been a difficult road, but I found a doctor in Philadelphia who did something called a medialization [a procedure in which the paralyzed vocal fold (vocal cord) is pushed to the middle so that the functioning vocal fold can close properly to regain normal vocal function and swallowing ability] because one of my cords was literally atrophied. Sometimes people get nodules; that's a pretty common place. Sometimes deviated septums and things that they've done take its toll on the cords. The only thing that's ever been up my nose has been my finger. And so it was very difficult this last decade to have to contend with something that was out of my control, which was … the strong [vocal cord] was literally taking what was left of the weak one. So they put a plastic implant in it for the last almost two years now. I've been in this rehab, getting it back together, but I'm getting very close. Friday night [at the MusiCares 'Person Of The Year' gala] was my first live performance in two years. The new record's done. So now I just wanna get back to two and a half hours a night, four nights a week, before I'm gonna go out there on the road again. But I'm confident in my doctor."

Jon was also asked about BON JOVI's future plans, which include the release of the upcoming Hulu docuseries titled "Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story". He said: "My health has been the first and foremost topic of discussion, but I'm well on the road to recovery there. If I can't be great, I'm out. And I think that the documentary that we're about to put out addresses all of that. It's called 'Thank You, Goodnight' for a reason. And we'll determine what happens there. But we do have this incredible four-part doc to celebrate the 40th. We have a brand new record that I'm very excited about. And the hope is that I get to go out and celebrate it this time, because I'm so excited by it. But if I can't do it at the level at which I've become accustomed, then there's no harm in that. There's no foul there."

In his review of BON JOVI's April 3, 2022 concert at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Ross Raihala of the Pioneer Press called Jon's vocals "shockingly poor," adding that Bon Jovi "struggled throughout the two-plus-hour show. He wasn't just butchering the older stuff, which the band now plays in a lower key, but the fresh material as well… Quite frankly, it felt like he had forgotten how to sing."

Théoden Janes of The Charlotte Observer was a bit kinder in his assessment of Jon's voice at the fourth concert on the tour, which came to Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 8, 2022. In his review of the performance, Janes wrote: "Throughout the band's rendition of 2004 promo single 'The Radio Saved My Life Tonight', it felt like [Jon] was searching for the right note and only finding it 60 to 70% of the time. During every chorus of megahit 'You Give Love A Bad Name', he seemed to unintentionally be singing a little behind the beat, and on top of that, there wasn't much punch to his vocals — yet he inexplicably seemed somewhat out of breath in spots. On another big anthem — 'It's My Life' — he once again was quite clearly veering into and out of key. And those were just three out of the first five songs."

Kevin Coffey reviewed BON JOVI's tour kick-off concert for Omaha World-Herald and noted that "[Jon's] voice's heft, which carried choruses of songs like 'Livin' On a Prayer' and 'It's My Life' is now reedy. He sounds thin. There's not a lot of tone in his voice. He can't quite hit the notes… Luckily for Jon Bon Jovi, he had the help of six additional musicians and their considerable vocal abilities to keep him afloat."

Over an illustrious career spanning more than four decades since itsformation in 1983, BON JOVI has earned their place among global rock royalty and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as well as the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. With over 130 million albums sold worldwide, and extensive catalog of hit anthems, thousands of concerts performed in more than 50 countries for more than 35 million fans, and ticket grosses well over $1 billion around the world in the last decade alone, BON JOVI is the consummate rock and roll band.

Released via Island Records, "2020" was once again co-produced by John Shanks and Jon Bon Jovi. The record featured the entire BON JOVI touring band consisting of keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, bassist Hugh McDonald, guitarist Phil X, percussionist Everett Bradley, and guitarist John Shanks.

Jon in LA for the Pollstar interviews

Jon speaking at the @Pollstar live conference at the fairmount century plaza in LA - Feb 7, 2024 #pollstarlive
Credit: artistascreativos_aci on IG

Posted by Bon Jovi Updates on Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Thrash and groove trailblazers EXHORDER will release their fourth full-length album, "Defectum Omnium", on March 8 via Nuclear Blast Records. The official music video for the LP's second single, "Forever And Beyond Despair", a ripping and gripping pit thrasher with massive riffs and blistering solos, can be seen below.

EXHORDER vocalist/guitarist Kyle Thomas states: "Our second single, 'Forever And Beyond Despair', embraces many of the punk rock ingredients that we grew up on. EXHORDER got its start on the punk rock scene of New Orleans, so it only made sense to dig back into this part of our roots. With aggressive angst and sarcastic themes, this song is absolutely a middle finger to the hypocrisies of the establishment."

Featuring 12 crushing tracks and ominous cover artwork by Travis Smith (KATATONIA, OPETH),"Defectum Omnium" follows the band's critically revered 2019 release "Mourn The Southern Skies".

Thomas previously stated about the new album: "It's been quite a journey for EXHORDER since the 2019 release of 'Mourn The Southern Skies'. Lineup changes as well as the 2020-2021 pandemic and lockdown presented hurdles that weren't easy to overcome. But we persevered, kept our heads down and went to work with intense focus and real goals. One of those goals was to bring our fourth full-length album to our fanbase.

"'Defectum Omnium' is a collaborative effort in songwriting, much as it was in the early days of EXHORDER. We produced it ourselves, as we felt no need or desire to bring in anyone from the outside based upon our shared vision. It was also important to us not only to continue the natural progression this band has been in since the early '90s, but to put a foot back into our roots. The influence punk and hardcore had on this band from getting our start in the New Orleans punk rock scene has a strong presence. We've also made sure to keep plenty of our thrash roots as well in our songwriting process. But we have also managed to keep our doom roots alive, which first surfaced on the song '(Cadence Of) The Dirge' back in 1992. In fact, on one new song we have guest appearances by Rick Wartell and Bruce Franklin from TROUBLE, and they absolutely killed it!

"From the time that we began pre-production until the actual release date, we can promise you that every bit of 'Defectum Omnium' was crafted with great care, and we are really excited about it! Our goal was to make an album that WE loved and gives the experience of a journey, or maybe even a rollercoaster ride effect. We can't wait to share it with the world!"

EXHORDER's previously released single "Year Of The Goat" set the neck-snapping pace for the record to come. The song's official music video, which was directed by Brian "Bone" Thorburn and produced by Threshold Studios, can be seen below.

Thomas added: "Our debut single 'Year Of The Goat' is a fast-paced, chugging piece in the spirit of the influence that MOTÖRHEAD had on punk rock bands like DISCHARGE, GBH and THE EXPLOITED. The lyrical approach is a throwback to early EXHORDER attitude, and we had a ton of fun filming the video at a free show that we performed in the greater Cincinnati area. 2024 is the year of the goat!!!"

"Defectum Omnium" track listing:

01. Wrath Of Prophecies
02. Under The Gaslight
03. Forever And Beyond Despair
04. The Tale Of Unsound Minds
05. Divide And Conquer
06. Year Of The Goat
07. Taken By Flames
08. Defectum Omnium / Stolen Hope
09. Three Stages Of Truth / Lacing The Well
10. Sedition
11. Desensitized
12. Your Six

Following the release of "Defectum Omnium" in April, EXHORDER will kick off a U.S. tour with Bay Area thrash legends VIO-LENCE, Virginian extreme metalheads DECEASED and L.A. death metal band MORTAL WOUND. The brutality starts April 5 in Cambridge, Massachusetts and will wrap up on April 13 in Chicago, Illinois.

EXHORDER's new LP was recorded in part at Fat Track Studio in Cincinnati, Ohio with engineer Rob Nadler. The follow-up to "Mourn The Southern Skies" will be the group's first with former CANNIBAL CORPSE guitarist Pat O'Brien, who made his live debut with EXHORDER at the 2022 Maryland Deathfest.

The Maryland Deathfest gig took place three months after guitarist Marzi Montazeri left EXHORDER, explaining at the time in a statement that he "decided to no longer be a part of it."

In a June 2022 interview with BLABBERMOUTH.NET, Thomas spoke about O'Brien's first appearance with EXHORDER and how the crowd reacted upon seeing the guitarist re-emerge on stage more than three years after his arrest for burglary and assaulting a police officer while his Florida home was in flames.

"He was as apprehensive about it as anybody," Kyle said. "Having not been onstage for a while, he wondered, 'Are these people going to want me around?' We were, like, 'Come on, Pat. You're Pat O'Brien. These people want to see you.' I can appreciate how he felt about it after all he had been through. I could imagine there was an intimidation factor about it. We got up there and he said, 'I think I'm going to lay low in the back, get up and play and be done.' As soon as we got onstage and people saw him, the place went nuts. I said to the crowd, 'Hey, look, you all know Pat, right? Show Pat some love.' And they went nuts. They adore this man. Who wouldn't? If you ever met him, he's one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. He's one of the greatest at what he does, too. Then he started taking pictures with people and talking [after the gig]. He had a big smile on his face. That was so worth it. Here was a guy who needed a good break in his life and we needed help from him to get the show done. It couldn't have been any more perfect."

O'Brien made headlines in December 2018 when he was arrested for burglary and assaulting a police officer while his Florida home was in flames. At the time of the arrest, deputies said he burglarized a house and charged at a deputy with a knife.

In March 2021, O'Brien was sentenced to time served and five years of probation and ordered to pay $23,793.45 in restitution. He was also ordered to get drug and alcohol evaluations and render 150 hours of community service. In addition, O'Brien was ordered to abstain from using alcohol and controlled substances and to be subject to random testing.

In early 2021, it was announced that O'Brien had been replaced in CANNIBAL CORPSE by Erik Rutan, one of the death metal's most acclaimed guitarists who is known for his time as part of MORBID ANGEL throughout the '90s and early 2000s, as well as handling vocals/guitars for HATE ETERNAL.

Shortly after the Houston-based Montazeri announced his departure from EXHORDER, the remaining members of the band — Thomas, bassist Jason VieBrooks and drummer Sasha Horn — said that they and Marzi had been "moving in different directions" and assured fans that they would "continue to thrive"

Thomas is now the sole remaining founding member of EXHORDER, which released its debut album, "Slaughter In The Vatican", way back in 1990. In February 2020, EXHORDER parted ways with its original guitarist Vinnie LaBella, who wrote much of the material on "Mourn The Southern Skies". The remaining members of the group later issued a statement saying that they would fulfill their "touring and recording obligations for 2020 and beyond."

In December 2021, Thomas confirmed to the "Brutally Delicious" podcast that he and his bandmates had spent much of the coronavirus downtime working on material for the follow-up to "Mourn The Southern Skies".

EXHORDER released two albums in the early 1990s through the Roadrunner label — the aforementioned "Slaughter In The Vatican" and 1992's "The Law" — before breaking up, with Kyle going on to form FLOODGATE and also briefly appearing live as the vocalist for TROUBLE, which he later joined on a full-time basis (and is still a member of).

EXHORDER, which is cited by many as the originator of the riff-heavy power-groove approach popularized by PANTERA, completed a U.S. headlining tour in late 2021 during which it performed "Slaughter In The Vatican" in its entirety.

NEW YEARS DAY has shared "Half Black Heart", the title track of the band's upcoming fifth studio album. The LP will be out in on March 1.

"'Half Black Heart' is my anthem," shares vocalist Ash Costello. "The concept behind it is simple yet powerful — no one is purely one thing. Nobody is so flawless that they have the right to pass judgment on someone else's flaws. We all exist as a mix of good and bad, innocence and guilt, a bit angelic and a bit devilish."

She continues: "The message is rooted in the idea that 'he who is without sin can cast the first stone,' meaning that no one is in a position to judge because everyone makes mistakes. I don't believe in the idea of a flawless human being, and this song is my way of addressing those who may expect perfection from me. Essentially, it's a declaration that neither I nor anyone else will ever be perfect."

NEW YEARS DAY announced "Half Black Heart" in late 2023, following the release of "Vampyre" and "Secrets". The record also features the band's 2022 hit "Hurts Like Hell" and recent single "I Still Believe". Last fall they also embarked on the "Kiss Of Death" tour with IN THIS MOMENT and ICE NINE KILLS, in addition to being featured on WWE NXT's "Halloween Havoc".

"Half Black Heart" track listing:

01. Vampyre
02. Half Black Heart
03. Hurts Like Hell
04. Secrets
05. Fearless
06. Bullet Proof
07. Burn It All Down
08. Enemy
09. I Still Believe
10. Unbreak My Heart
11. So Sick
12. Creature Of Habit

Fans can catch NEW YEARS DAY back on the road this spring with LACUNA COIL. They'll also be performing at Welcome To Rockville and Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival.

Kerrang! magazine counts NEW YEARS DAY among an elite handful of bands inspiring the next generation. Led by "the vibrant force of nature that is frontwoman Ash Costello," NEW YEARS DAY unleash anthems of discontent and empowerment, delivered with gothic flair and theatrical bombast.

It's a sound that crashed into the Mainstream Rock Top 40 for the first time in 2019 with a top 15 rock radio charting single "Shut Up" followed up by the cathartic "Hurts Like Hell", which finished 2022 as one of SiriusXM Octane's Top 25 songs of the year. Each successive victory is a celebration of hard-fought creative freedom, unstoppable determination, and dedicated fans. Throngs of diehards and newcomers alike sing and sweat along with NEW YEARS DAY, at festivals, in clubs or on tours with HALESTORM, FALLING IN REVERSE, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, ICE NINE KILLS and IN THIS MOMENT.

Saints and sinners, victims and victors. In sound and vision, NEW YEARS DAY walk the line between darkness and light. The band's duality comes to fruition on "Half Black Heart", an unrepentant and unashamed album championing discovery, from the darkest secrets to one's inner strength.

Unrestrained fury collides with arena-ready glamor, confrontational DIY passion, and melodic hooks. "Hurts Like Hell", "Vampyre", "Bulletproof", "Fearless", the title track, and the rest of "Half Black Heart" join an already impressive catalog of songs, like "Come For Me", "Skeletons", "Kill Or Be Killed" and "Shut Up". Fans have streamed "Angel Eyes" more than 14 million times on Spotify alone.

"Victim To Villain" (2013),"Malevolence" (2015) and "Unbreakable" (2019) deeply resonate with listeners who cherish them as timeless keepsakes, marking different times in their own personal evolution. It's because Costello, who skillfully conjures horror and comic book aesthetics as allegory, is one of them.

In cinematic music videos, transcendent live performances, and daily interaction (virtual or in-person) with like-minded misfits, this band makes pleasure from pain. Even when it hurts like hell.

NEW YEARS DAY is:

Ash Costello - Vocals
Nikki Misery - Lead Guitar
Jeremy Valentyne - Guitar
Brandon Wolfe - Bass
Trixx - Drums

BREAKING BENJAMIN guitarist Keith Wallen will release his new solo album, "Infinity Now", on May 3 via Rise Records. The official music video for the new single from "Infinity Now", a song called "Headspace Holiday", can be seen below.

"Life can stress you out and there's a lot of bad news on the TV more often than not, so 'Headspace Holiday' is about just that, the need for a mental escape from all of life's noise," Wallen shares about the song's inspiration.

As for the video, he states: "It can be a challenge to find the right visual representation for your music sometimes, but we were able to get some cool performance and artsy silhouette shots. The director Jake Johnson was awesome to work with and I really like how it turned out. Plus, there was a Trans Am in it so that was cool!"

Last month, Wallen served as the support act on an acoustic tour with his main band BREAKING BENJAMIN.

Wallen is a prolific songwriter responsible for soaring melodies and hypnotic hooks heard across modern rock radio. The West Virginia-born troubadour uses his solo work as a vehicle to explore his multifaceted passions, moving seamlessly from the smart pop of '80s favorites like THE POLICE and DEPECHE MODE to the big moody riffs of '90s grunge heroes like ALICE IN CHAINS, SOUNDGARDEN and STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.

His co-writing collaborations include compositions with SAINT ASONIA, FUEL, WE CAME AS ROMANS, RED, DOROTHY and KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch's LOVE AND DEATH. Wallen bares his soul as a solo artist with earnest resolve, powering his honest anthems with commanding vocals.

A former member of ADELITAS WAY, Keith was among his first calls when Benjamin Burnley decided to reform and reconfigure his band. "Dark Before Dawn", BREAKING BENJAMIN's powerhouse comeback, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. "Ember" followed in 2018.

Keith's self-produced acoustic and piano-driven "Allies" EP arrived in 2014. His debut solo album, 2021's "This World Or The Next", featured "Dream Away", a song streamed 1.4 million times on Spotify alone. His second solo album, "Infinity Now", includes production and co-writing contributions from Kevin Thrasher (RIVALS, JELLY ROLL) and work with Dan Braunstein (SPIRITBOX, DAYSEEKER) and Andrew Baylis (SLEEPING WITH SIRENS, JELLY ROLL, BRANTLEY GILBERT).

As guitarist for BREAKING BENJAMIN, a solo artist or songwriting collaborator, the common threads through Wallen's work are honesty, authenticity, and heartfelt spirit.

"Infinity Now" track listing:

01. Infinity
02. Strings
03. Headspace Holiday
04. The Wolf
05. Don't Fall Asleep
06. Nemesis
07. Blackout
08. Crown Of Thorns
09. Crush Me
10. Dear Father

King Zebra will release their new album, Between The Shadows, on April 12. The band hailing from the picturesque city of Zurich, Switzerland, emerges as the new face of rock in a harmonious fusion of youthful exuberance and veteran wisdom.


Their lead single and video, "Dina", is out today and offers a tantalizing glimpse into the energy and creativity that defines the album. Watch below.


Between The Shadows promises to be a thrilling exploration of sound and emotion, encapsulating the essence of King Zebra's distinctive musical prowess. Pre-order the album here.




King Zebra burst into the music scene with their 2019 EP, a sonic voyage marked by the standout track "Firewalker," amassing over 2 million streams and firmly establishing the band in the hearts of rock enthusiasts globally. Their presence soared as they graced renowned festivals like Rock the Ring and Rock of Ages, sharing stages with iconic acts such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Uriah Heep, and Rose Tattoo.


In 2020, King Zebra embarked on a transformative journey to Crehate Studios in Gothenburg, Sweden, to craft their sophomore album, Survivors, under the skilled guidance of producer Oscar Nilsson. The collaboration with ex-Thundermother singer Guernica Mancini on "Wall Of Confusion" elevated their sound, resonating with fans and critics alike. The album found a home with Golden Robot Records, paving the way for extensive touring throughout Europe, sharing stages with notable acts like Crash Diet.


Now, signed to Frontiers Records, King Zebra is poised to deliver their next sonic masterpiece, Between The Shadows, meticulously produced once again by Oscar Nilsson. This highly anticipated album promises a musical journey three years in the making.


Between The Shadows is set to showcase the culmination of dedication, passion, and attention to detail that defines King Zebra's distinctive sound, characterized by former China vocalist Eric St. Michaels. As the band fills their schedule with live dates, the world eagerly anticipates the release of this new chapter in King Zebra's musical legacy.





Tracklisting:


"Starlight"
"Children Of The Night"
"Wicked"
"Dina"
"Love Lies"
"Cyanide"
"With You Forever"
"Love Me Tonight"
"Out In The Wild"
"Restless Revolution"


"Dina" video:

Ancient Settlers has signed a multi-album deal with Scarlet Records.


Founded in 2020 in Donostia/San Sebastián (Basque Country/Spain), Ancient Settlers is a divergent modern melodic death metal band composed of five musicians all sharing Venezuelan heritage.


Ancient Settlers aim to explore the boundaries of melodic death metal, incorporating catchy guitar riffs, melodies, synths, keyboards, and various sounds and rhythms to develop their own musical identity.




The band draws inspiration from the recent tragedies that have affected the human race and delves into the impact of these events on the Earth, spreading a message of rebellion, resilience and hope to those who are willing to listen.


Throughout their relatively short career, Ancient Settlers have collaborated with renowned music producers such as Fredrik Nordstrom (In Flames, Opeth, Architects, Bring Me The Horizon), Daniel Cardoso (Angelus Apatrida, Noctem, Anneke Van Grisbergen) and Pedro J. Monge (Rise To Fall, Feelingless, Vhaldemar).


Ancient Settlers have already embarked on three European tours: the Autumnus Europe Tour (France, Spain, Portugal), Our Last Eclipse Europe Tour (Spain, Portugal, France, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium) and the Transition Europe Tour (Spain, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic). They shared the stage with bands such as Infected Rain, Defacing God, Amberian Dawn, Sirenia, Lutharo and Elegant Weapons at various venues and festivals across Europe.


The new Ancient Settlers studio album is expected to be released in May.


Tour dates:


February
9 – Tarragona, Spain – Sala Zero
10 –Castellon de la Plana, Spain – Salatal Club
23 – Madrid, Spain – Sala Silikona
24 – Murcia, Spain – Garage Beat Club


March
16 – Andoain, Spain – Andoaingo Gaztetxean


July
5 – Lucerne, Switzerland – Brunch Brothers
7 – Prachatice, Czech Republic – South Of Heaven Open Air


September
7 – Bree, Belgium – Metal Babes & Queens Festival
8 – Paris, France – Le Klub 





(Photo – Juan Lopez)

This Friday, February 9, tAKiDA, one of Sweden’s largest and most successful rock bands, will finally reveal their massive ninth studio album and Napalm Records debut, The agony flame. In anticipation of the upcoming release, the quintet have unveiled their fourth single, “On the line”. The track presents fast-paced melody and intense vocals - building a highly-infectious hymn alongside its official music video.





tAKiDA on The agony flame: “The agony flame is our ‘now or never’-album and you’re free to interpret that however you want. Hope you’ll like it.”







The agony flame will be available in the following formats:


1LP Gatefold marbled orange red Die Hard Edition (Cotton Bag + Slipmat + Record Butler)
1LP Gatefold solid red           
1CD Digisleeve + Shirt Bundle   
1CD Digisleeve
1LP Gatefold black     
Digital Album


Pre-orders available at the Napalm Records webstore.





Tracklisting:


“Third strike”
“The other side”
“Sacred spell”
“In time”
“Your blood awaits you”
“Nothing but a misplace”
“The loneliest hour”
“Sickening”
“Isolated (smoke & mirrors)”
“On the line”
“Second fiddle”


"Sickening" lyric video:





"Third strike" video:





“The loneliest hour” video:





(Photo – Jonathan Perlmann)

Moncton, Canada’s Omnivide is a dynamic metal force formed in 2020 by members of the Sunbird project, and they are gearing up for the release of their debut album, A Tale Of Fire, scheduled for March 2024. Breaking away from paying homage to others to enter the realm of original music, Omnivide fuses progressive metal, death metal, and melodic/symphonic metal into a grandiose, brutal, beautiful, dark, and melancholic sonic experience. Their latest single “Opulence” comes with a band playthrough video and is sure to draw in metal fans with a wide range of backgrounds. 


The band comments:


“This song is one of the most in-your-face and brutal on the album, having much less of the orchestral elements present throughout most of the songs, as we wanted to have a song that stood in contrast to the rest of the album and provided variety in the pacing and sonic content of the tracks.”




The relentless energy of the music matches the lyrical content, which describes how humans came from the earth but are now polluting it and over-consuming its resources to the point of changing the global climate. It paints a metaphor of humans being gluttons that are taking pieces of the earth for themselves with no self-control or regard for the planet, and the earth shifting from being a fertile ground for human life to actively trying to eradicate a species that has essentially become a parasite.


Omnivide’s goal is to have their music illustrate the brutality and destructive power of nature, which can and will defend itself when threatened, and does so in a ruthless manner that is almost incomprehensible to our human minds. “Opulence” serves as a prime example of their musical diversity, with its relentless energy and thought-provoking lyrics. It is recommended for fans of The Black Dahlia Murder, Opeth, and Alkaloid.


Preorder here.





Tracklisting:


“Clarity”
“Opulence”
“Desolate”
“A Tale Of Fire”
“Cosmic Convergence”
“Holy Killer”
“Death Be Not Proud”
“Stoned Dragon”


“Opulence” playthrough:





(Photo – Deepti Suddul)

Serbian heavy / speed / thrash act Jenner released their second album, Prove Them Wrong, on January 24 on CD, vinyl, cassette, and digital formats via Fighter Records. Fourth single and video for “Not Even You” is streaming below:





Prove Them Wrong artwork and tracklisting:







"No Time For Prayer"
"Prove Them Wrong"
"Born For Something More"
"Down In The Pit"
"Not Even You"
"Eye For an Eye"
"I Saw It All Clear"
"Never Say Die"
"Laws Of The Weak"


"Never Say Die" video:





"No Time For Prayer":





"Prove Them Wrong":





For further details, visit Jenner on Facebook.


 

Swedish metal masters Sabaton recently checked in with the the following announcement:


"After seven amazing years in the band, our guitarist, Tommy, has decided to leave Sabaton to pursue his own path. We wish him nothing but the best on his journey. We have been a close family and we will continue to support him in the adventures that await him in the future.


Tommy joined the band in 2016 but he has been a close friend of Sabaton ever since our first meeting at the end of a concert in 2005. As a valued member of the band, he has contributed to countless immortal memories. Tommy’s departure from Sabaton will not be effective immediately. He will stay on to ensure that all goes smoothly with the handover to our next guitarist.




While a small part of his large heart will always remain within Sabaton, we all know that he must follow his dreams.


Even though we will not wake up daily in the tour bus next to him, we are sure that our paths will cross again many times in the future, both on and off the stage.


Fly on your wings and strings brother!"


Pär, Chris, Hannes and Joakim


Now, the band has checked in with the following update:


"We are beyond excited to announce that our former guitarist, Thobbe Englund, is rejoining the band and taking Tommy’s place!


Thobbe originally joined us in April 2012 and decided to leave Sabaton in July 2016 to focus on his personal life and expand his creativity. We, of course, respected his decision and we parted ways amicably. Since then, we have been in constant contact with him over the years - he’s a really good friend to all of us! Eight years later, he’s back and ready to hit the global stage with us once more and we couldn’t be happier about it!


Thobbe recorded two studio albums with us, namely Heroes (2014) and The Last Stand (2016), and assisted with the songwriting of some of our very popular songs including 'Shiroyama' and 'Fields Of Verdun', among others.


As always thank you all for your unending support. It means the world to us. Here’s to a new era for Sabaton!"

French black metallers Benighted will release their new album Ekbom on April 12 via Season Of Mist. First single and video “Scars” is streaming below.


The band states about Ekbom:


“Welcome our new schizophrenic baby Ekbom and take a trip into the depths of psychosis with hallucinations of insects and worms… A beautiful story born from the mind of our vocalist Julien inspired by his work as a nurse in psychiatry. Recorded at the famous Kohlekeller Studios in Germany, this album bleeds with darkness and brutality, destroys every limit of what we have done before…”




Ekbom also features two guest vocalists, Oli of the death-tech masters Archspire and Xavier of the grindcore legends Blockheads.


Preorder at the Season Of Mist webshop.





Tracklisting:


“Prodrome”
“Scars”
“Morgue”
“Le Vice des Entrailles”
“Nothing Left To Fear”
“Ekborn”
“Metastasis”
“A Reason For Treason”
“Fame Of The Grotesque”
“Scapegoat”
“Flesh Against Flesh”
“Mother Earth, Mother Whore”


“Scars” video:





Lineup:
Julien Truchan - Vocals
Emmanuel Dalle - Guitars
Pierre Arnoux - Bass
Kevin Paradis - Drums


(Photo - Anthony Dubois)

Israeli gothic doom metal band Tomorrow's Rain announces their second album, Ovdan, will be released on April 19 with AOP Records. The album features guest collaborators from Mayhem, Sol Invictus, Dark Funeral, Mercyful Fate and Sisters of Mercy to name a few.


Commenting on the impending record, the band states: 


"We are excited to announce our upcoming second full length album Ovdan to be released via A.O.P Records in April. Ovdan means Loss, the album was written and recorded during a dark period in our lives and the creative process was in fact our cure to get back to life after several traumatic events we faced, musically we pushed the boundaries and yet kept the vision started in our debut album Hollow (2020). We hope that Ovdan will light a candle at the edge of the tunnel for you as it did to us."




First single and video for “Sunrise” is streaming.


"Ovdan means loss, and ‘Sunrise’ is a song for hope in an hour of need, a kind of personal prayer for a better future, writing and recording this album was a healing process for us from many tragic events we been through, ‘Sunrise’ is the candle at the edge of the tunnel, a kind of force to keep us going along the road."
The band's sophomore album Ovdan, which is Hebrew for "Loss," marks the return of vocalist Yishai Swartz who suffered a near fatal heart attack and open heart surgery in early 2023. After nearly losing everything, Swartz and crew have emerged with resilient spirit and creative force on their most dynamic and ambitious record yet.


Preorder at the AOP Records webshop.





Tracklisting:


“Roads” (feat. Dark Funeral’s Andreas Vingback and Sol Invictus’ Tony Wakeford)
“Sunrise”
“Muaka” (feat. Mayhem’s Attila Csihar)
“Room 124”
“I Skuggornas Grav” (feat. Mickael Broberg of Unanimated and Anja Huwe of Xmal Deutschland)
“Burning Times” (feat. Depressive Age’s Jan Lubitzki)
“Turn Around” (feat. Mercyful Fate’s Michael Denner)
“Convalescence”
“Rainbow”
“Intensive C. U.”
“Turn Around” Gothic Rock Version (feat. Michael Denner of Mercyful Fate/King Diamond and Ben Christo of Sisters Of Mercy)


“Sunrise” video:





(Photo – Anne C. Swallow)

Hard rock outfit Kalamity Kills has dropped their potent new radio single, "The Chemistry Of Meant To Be" - a love song that transcends cliché and pulsates with raw emotion. The track features the powerhouse drumming of Korn's Ray Luzier, adding an undeniable depth and intensity to the mix.


Produced in Nashville by multi-instrumentalist Jamey Perrenot, “The Chemistry Of Meant To Be" throws out the tired tropes of saccharine serenades and instead embraces the complexities of real love. Soaring vocals, Perrenot’s exceptional guitars, and Luzier's thunderous beats create a soundscape that's both intimate and anthemic. It's a song that celebrates connection, vulnerability, and the electric spark that ignites between two souls.







"I wanted to write a hard rock love song for modern times that felt genuine, something that people could really connect with," says Kalamity Kills frontman Jamie Rowe. "It's not about cheesy lyrics or unrealistic expectations. It's about the raw energy, the unexplainable pull that draws two people together.”


The collaboration with Ray Luzier adds a new dimension to Kalamity Kills' sound. Luzier's unmistakable drumming style injects a dose of Korn's signature aggression, perfectly complementing the song's passionate core. "Having Ray on drums was an absolute dream come true," Rowe enthuses. "His energy and talent are undeniable, and he brought a whole new level of power to the song. I really don’t think another drummer would have brought this track to life in such a big way. We had such a blast with him and his engineer, Scott Bush. The studio hangs were always great.”


"The Chemistry Of Meant To Be" is more than just a love song; it's a statement. It's a testament to the power of genuine connection in a world that often feels cynical and disconnected. With its infectious melody, powerful vocals, and undeniable groove, this single is sure to resonate with anyone who's ever experienced the magic of true love. Rowe adds, “We were fortunate to have the band introduced at radio last October by SiriusXM’s Octane station. They added our cover of “I Still Believe”, a song that most people know from The Lost Boys film. Since then, many other stations have gotten on board with Kills. I’ve always felt that radio will be a key part of our success! I’m stoked to be able to release this song to them in 2024!”


"The Chemistry Of Meant To Be" is available now on all streaming platforms.





Kalamity Kills released their self-titled debut album on September 15, 2023. Funded by fans via Kickstarter and produced and engineered by multi-instrumentalist Jamey Perrenot in East Nashville, TN, the album features guest appearances from Ray Luzier (Korn), Kiarely Castillo (Conquer Divide), Ace Von Johnson (L.A. Guns), Greg Upchurch (3 Doors Down), Luke Easter (Tourniquet), Julia Lauren Bullock (The Foxies/The Dead Deads), as well as Jamie Rowe’s former Guardian bandmate, Tony Palacios.

Greta Van Fleet have released the new video below, featuring a performance of the Starcatcher album track, "The Falling Sky", live from RCA Studio A.





Watch “Meeting The Master” from the same performance:







Greta Van Fleet recently announced the extension of their Starcatcher World Tour with the addition of 12 new dates throughout the US this year. The 2024 leg, produced by Live Nation, kicks off on Saturday, April 27 in St. Louis, with stops in Kansas City, Austin, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee (full dates below).Tickets are on sale now.





Dates:


April
27 - St. Louis, MO -  Chaifetz Arena#
29 - Lincoln, NE - Pinnacle Bank Arena#


May
1 - Rogers, AR - Walmart Amp#
2 - Kansas City, MO - T-Mobile Center#
6 - Austin, TX - Moody Center#
8 - Huntsville, AL - Orion Amphitheater#
12 - North Charleston, SC - North Charleston Coliseum#
14 - Duluth, GA - Gas South Arena#
16 - Louisville, KY - KFC Yum! Center#
18 - Pittsburgh, PA - PPG Paints Arena#
19 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena#
21 - Milwaukee, WI - Fiserv Forum#


# with Geese

Wade Black’s Astronomica have released the video for the second single from their upcoming The Awakening album. Watch the clip for “Destiny” below.


The band comments on the song: “Everyone creates their own destiny.  As we travel through the wastelands of life, we come upon many people.  Some stay and share your life with you while others fade away in the distance and are forgotten.  Taking care of yourself first is key, then all will fall into place. You can think of the chorus as a love song, but I think the song is about a higher power that gives you the faith and the strength to conquer evil.”







For three decades, Wade Black has triumphed and stayed metal recording and touring internationally in bands such as Crimson Glory, Leatherwolf, Seven Witches, Leash Law, and Chalice of Sin. Neither a stranger to change nor afraid of being a catalyst for it, Wade is announcing both changes and some very enticing teasers of things to come in 2024.


Born out of over a decade of writing, recording and touring together: After working closely for over a decade, Wade and guitarist Rich Marks have developed a song writing style that is out of this world and the reason, they chose the name Astronomica. They believe it’s the best way to describe their sound.


Looking to the Future: They are looking forward to bringing music that captures the heart, mind and imagination of their fans, taking them on a journey to far off places and inspiring them to be their best!


The Awakening will be released on March 8th as Digipack CD, Curacao transparent vinyl limited to 300 copies worldwide, and digital streaming/download format. Pre-order here, pre-save here.





Tracklist:


"Deceiver"
"Protectors of the Realm"
"Destiny"
"Monsters"
"Hellwalker"
"Darkness Falls"
"Fate or Faith"
"Chasing After"
"Letter From Hell"
"Sirens"


"Darkness Falls" video:





Lineup:


Wade Black - Vocals
Rich Marks - Guitars, Bass and Additional Keyboards
Patrick Johansson - Drums
James Fox - Rhythm Guitars, Additional Guitars and Keyboards


Touring lineup:


Wade Black - Vocals
Rich Marks - Lead Guitars
Ryan Bales - Rhythm Guitars
Kyle Sokol - Bass
Luca Caracciolo - Drums

Finland’s Arion has returned with a new single and music video for “Wings Of Twilight” featuring Ad Infinitum singer Melissa Bonny.


The track was produced by Matias Kupiainen and Jacob Hansen.


The video was directed by André Rodriguez:







“Wings Of Twilight” is the band’s first piece of new music since 2021 full-length album Vultures Die Alone.

Nuclear Blast Records are proud to announce the signing of Leeds, UK-based alternative rock band, Higher Power. The quintet were birthed from the effervescent UK hardcore scene, and through blending elements of shoegaze, grunge, punk, thrash and more have managed to establish themselves as a wholly unique prospect in the world of modern heavy music.


To commemorate their signing to the label, the band have released a brilliantly tongue-in-cheek video for their new single, "Absolute Bloom". The track is a vibrant, hook-laden anthem that sees their penchant for 90's alternative music take the fore.







On "Absolute Bloom", vocalist Jimmy Wizard comments, "I’m super excited to release this song. It’s really personal to me in this transitional period of my life, about wanting a deeper more meaningful connection to the real world and not quite being equipped to do so, but finding hope and figuring it out. The music reflects that with a song that's so big and upbeat.”


Stream the single here, and watch the video below:





Higher Power are currently on tour across the US supporting Neck Deep. Catch the band live at one of the remaining dates for your first opportunity to hear "Absolute Bloom" live. The band also have appearances planned at both Northern Unfest and Outbreak Festival this year. All dates and remaining tickets can be found here.


(Photo - Nat Wood)

Last night, at the historic Wiltern in Los Angeles, comedian, actor, host, and author Tom Papa hosted the 35th Annual Pollstar Awards. Presented by Pollstar, the leading trade publication for the live entertainment industry, The Pollstar Awards hold a special place of honor as the only peer-voted awards in the live entertainment industry.


This year’s ceremony celebrated a who’s-who of A-list artists, tours, companies, venues, and executives, including award winners Taylor Swift, Metallica, Post Malone, Beyoncé, P!nk, Morgan Wallen, Karol G, Dave Chappelle, Brandi Carlile, U2, Jelly Roll, Brandi Carlile, The Sphere, The Hollywood Bowl, Austin City Limits Music Festival, The Ohana Festival, and more.


Celebrities in attendance to accept their awards included Metallica’s Lars Ulrich (Rock Tour Of The Year) and Dave Chapelle (Comedy Tour Of The Year), with artists including Jelly Roll and P!nk accepting via video.




At the ceremony, legendary agent Howard Rose, longtime agent for such artists as Jimmy Buffett and Elton John, was recognized with the inaugural Pollstar Lifetime Achievement Award, including a video congratulation from Elton.


James L. Dolan, executive chairman and CEO of Sphere Entertainment Co., received the first-ever Visionary Award for “innovation, inspiration, and vision that will have positive and lasting impact on the live entertainment industry.” Earlier in the day, Dolan spoke at the conference at “Fireside Chat: A Conversation Featuring James L. Dolan and Tim Leiweke.”


Also at the conference, Grammy-winner Jon Bon Jovi was a featured Keynote speaker where he was honoured with the Milestone Award, recognizing the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame-inducted band's 40th anniversary.  


35th Annual Pollstar Awards Winners:


Major Tour Of The Year
Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour


Rock Tour Of The Year
Metallica, M72 World Tour


Hip-Hop Tour Of The Year
Post Malone, If Y'all Weren't Here, I'd Be Crying Tour


R&B Tour Of The Year
Beyoncé, Renaissance World Tour


Pop Tour Of The Year
P!nk, Summer Carnival Tour


Country Tour Of The Year
Morgan Wallen, One Night At A Time Tour


Latin Tour Of The Year
Karol G, Mañana Será Bonito Tour


Comedy Tour Of The Year
Dave Chappelle, It's a Celebration Tour


Support/Special Guest Of The Year
Brandi Carlile, P!nk


Residency Of The Year
U2, Sphere


Family, Event or Non-Music Tour Of The Year
Cirque du Soleil - Corteo


New Headliner Of The Year
Jelly Roll


Music Festival Of The Year (Global; over 30K attendance)
Austin City Limits Music Festival, Austin, TX


Music Festival Of The Year (Global; under 30K attendance)
The Ohana Festival, Dana Point, CA


International Music Festival Of The Year
Glastonbury Music Festival, Somerset, UK


Nightclub Of The Year
9:30 Club, Washington, DC


Theatre Of The Year
Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN


Arena Of The Year
Moody Center, Austin, TX


Red Rocks Award - Outdoor Concert Venue Of The Year
Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA


Stadium Of The Year
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA


Casino/Resort Venue Of The Year
Mohegan Sun Arena, Uncasville, CT


New Concert Venue Of The Year (Over 5,000 Capacity)
Sphere, Las Vegas, NV


New Concert Venue Of The Year (Under 5,000 Capacity)
The Salt Shed, Chicago, IL


International Venue Of The Year
The O2 Arena, London, UK


Venue Executive Of The Year
Jeff Nickler, Moody Center, Austin, TX


Talent Buyer Of The Year
Amy Corbin, C3 Presents


Small Venue Talent Buyer Of The Year (Under 10,000 Capacity)
Donna Busch, Goldenvoice


Bill Graham Award / Promoter Of The Year
Louis Messina, Messina Touring Group


International Promoter Of The Year
Arthur Fogel, Live Nation Global Touring


Bobby Brooks Award - Agent Of The Year
Adam Kornfeld, Independent Artist Group


International Booking Agent Of The Year
Emma Banks, Creative Artists Agency


Booking Agency Of The Year
Wasserman Music


Independent Booking Agency Of The Year (Global)
High Road Touring


Rising Star Award
Molly Warren, Live Nation


Personal Manager Of The Year
John Silva, Silva Artist Management


Road Warrior Of The Year
Jerome Crooks, Tool, Duran Duran, Billie Eilish


Transportation Company Of The Year
Rock-It Cargo


Concert Visuals Company Of The Year
Bandit Lites


Concert Sound Company Of The Year
Clair Global


Tour Services Company Of The Year
Dega Catering


Brand Partnership/Live Campaign Of The Year
AMC, Taylor Swift Eras Tour Theatrical Exhibition


Marketing/PR Executive Of The Year
Allison McGregor, Creative Artists Agency


"The winners and nominees at the 35th annual Pollstar Awards, as well as the unprecedented attendance for Pollstar Live!, reflect the best of the best and a live entertainment industry that is clicking on all cylinders" said Ray Waddell, President of Media & Conferences for Oak View Group, Pollstar’s parent company. "Pollstar congratulates all the winers and nominees for their talent, hard work, and vision, as well as the fans that continue to support live entertainment in record numbers."

Billy Idol Rewind: A Twitch Livestream Event was held in July 2023, and today, Idol shares the official video for "Hot In The City" from the session. Watch below:





Check out "Come On, Come On" and "Eyes Without A Face" from the livestream:










MVD Entertainment released Billy Idol - State Line: Live At The Hoover Dam, on Blu-ray and DVD back in December.  


Kicking off his sell-out 2023 North American spring and summer tour, Billy Idol’s once in a lifetime performance, which illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon of the Colorado River and the Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, features a career-spanning run of chart-topping hits, including “Dancing With Myself,” “Eyes Without A Face,” “Rebel Yell” and “White Wedding”.  





Billy Idol – State Line: Live At The Hoover Dam highlights the history and significance of Hoover Dam and includes performances from two unique sets of Billy Idol’s iconic hits: a full band concert at sunset with special guests that electrified and illuminated the surrounding Black Canyon, and an acoustic duo set (with guitarist/collaborator of over 40 years, Steve Stevens) on the roof of the powerhouse at the foot of Hoover Dam straddling the Colorado River, directly on the Nevada/Arizona state line.


One of the most recognizable faces and voices of rock 'n' roll, with over 40 million albums sold and numerous platinum albums worldwide, the hell-raising rock star is joined on stage by his longtime band and special guest stars, including The Kills' Alison Mosshart, former Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones, and No Doubt bassist Tony Kanal.


The Blu-ray and DVD are loaded with bonus features, including an exclusive Q&A: Steve Stevens, Acoustic Dam performance: “To Be A Lover,” “Eyes Without A Face,” and “Rebel Yell,” and a 6-panel concert booklet.


Order the Blu-ray here, and the DVD here.

On March 15, Mark Knopfler will release a new, special recording of his anthemic "Going Home (Theme From Local Hero)" to raise funds for Teenage Cancer Trust and its American equivalent Teen Cancer America.

Performed by MARK KNOPFLER'S GUITAR HEROES, produced by his longtime collaborator Guy Fletcher (who has edited the contributions into a nine-minute piece),the track features an unprecedented lineup of some of the greatest guitarists in history. "Legendary" does not begin to cover it — David Gilmour to Ronnie Wood, Slash to Eric Clapton, Sting to Joan Armatrading, Bruce Springsteen to Pete Townshend, Nile Rodgers to Joan Jett, Brian May to Tony Iommi, Joe Walsh, Sam Fender and many more jaw-dropping names. And, in a great honor, the track opens with Jeff Beck's final recording.

Roger Daltrey, Teenage Cancer Trust's honorary patron and co-founder of Teen Cancer America (with Pete Townshend),added harmonica, and BEATLES icon Ringo Starr is on drums along with his son Zak Starkey, their two drum tracks switching from one to the other, revealing an unmistakable family style. Sting completes an extraordinary rhythm section on bass.

With artwork designed by Sir Peter Blake (THE BEATLES, THE WHO),this release is a landmark in rock music history.

"What I really want to do, more than anything else, is just to thank each and every one for this sterling response," says Knopfler, "I really had no idea that it was going to be like this. It hit Guy and I quite early on that we had to extend this piece somehow, to take in the number of people who joined in. Before I knew where I was, Pete Townshend had come into my studio armed with a guitar and an amp. And that first Pete power chord... man, I tell you. We were in that territory, and it was just fantastic. And it went on from there. Eric [Clapton] came in, played great, just one tasty lick after another. Then Jeff Beck's contribution arrived and that was spellbinding. I think what we've had is an embarrassment of riches, really. The whole thing was a high point."

Recorded at British Grove Studios in West London, often with the great musicians in person, sometimes sent from their own studios around the world, it started with Pete Townshend, Eric Clapton and Albert Lee.

"It was absolutely meant to be," says Guy Fletcher of the late Jeff Beck's contribution, "And what he did with it, it just brings you to tears."

The film "Local Hero" was released in 1983 and starred Burt Lancaster. It was Mark Knopfler's first credit as a film composer and earned him a BAFTA nomination. Much to Mark's delight, the track is played at every Newcastle United game before the team take the pitch.

Net proceeds will go to the charities and the project has been further supported by leading guitar makers, who have donated a total of eight guitars to be signed by the contributing artists. Four of the eight have already been sold in the U.S. for Teen Cancer America — the only U.S charity to provide specialist support to adolescent and young adults with cancer. This was in October 2022, before several of the most high-profile and rarest autographs were added to the four remaining guitars that will benefit Teenage Cancer Trust, the only U.K. charity providing 13-24-year-olds who are diagnosed with cancer, with age-appropriate specialist nursing care and support.

In January, Knopfler sold his guitar collection at Christie's for over £8 million, with the Gibson Les Paul "Gold Top" Standard, signed by many artists from the project, selling for over £403,000. Also offered for auction were exclusive items of music memorabilia — future coveted pieces of music history.

One of the guitars earmarked for Teenage Cancer Trust will be auctioned off by Knopfler at a private donor event in Newcastle on the evening of March 1, prior to Newcastle United taking the pitch on March 2 versus Wolverhampton Wanderers. A number of artists who performed on the song will attend the match, where a sneak peak of a portion of the song will be played for Newcastle United fans as the players enter the stadium.

In addition, an Ionic Original Disc of the master recording has been privately sold by NeoFidelity Recordings in advance of the single's release, enabling that company to make a six-figure donation to the charity. Ionic Original Discs are a new vinyl format, promising the highest fidelity sound and durability ever on an analogue record.

Physical formats of the single will be available on CD, 12-inch single with etched b-side and deluxe CD+BluRay, including sleeve notes by Paul Sexton, and digital formats include a Dolby Atmos mix.

Full list of contributors:

Joan Armatrading
Jeff Beck
Richard Bennett
Joe Bonamassa
Joe Brown
James Burton
Jonathan Cain
Paul Carrack
Eric Clapton
Ry Cooder
Jim Cox
Steve Cropper
Sheryl Crow
Danny Cummings
Roger Daltrey
Duane Eddy
Sam Fender
Guy Fletcher
Peter Frampton
Audley Freed
Vince Gill
David Gilmour
Buddy Guy
Keiji Haino
Tony Iommi
Joan Jett
John Jorgenson
Mark Knopfler
Sonny Landreth
Albert Lee
Greg Leisz
Alex Lifeson
Steve Lukather
Phil Manzanera
Dave Mason
Hank Marvin
Brian May
Robbie McIntosh
John McLaughlin
Tom Morello
Rick Nielsen
Orianthi
Brad Paisley
Nile Rodgers
Mike Rutherford
Joe Satriani
John Sebastian
Connor Selby
Slash
Bruce Springsteen
Ringo Starr
Zak Starkey
Sting
Andy Taylor
Susan Tedeschi
Derek Trucks
Ian Thomas
Pete Townshend
Keith Urban
Steve Vai
Waddy Wachtel
Joe Louis Walker
Joe Walsh
Ronnie Wood
Glenn Worf
Zucchero

Cancer kills more teenagers and young adults in the U.K. than any other disease. For those who survive, going through it without the right support can be devastating – physically and emotionally.

Cancer is different when you are younger: It can be harder to get a diagnosis, cancer treatments can be less effective for young people, and accessing clinical trials can be harder.

Teenage Cancer Trust funds specialist nurses and youth workers to be there for a young person when cancer has turned their world upside down and to help make sure cancer doesn't rob young people of the best years of their life.

A minimum of 50% of net proceeds received by BMG Rights Management (UK) Limited from the sale of this recording (with a minimum of £1 per CD single solely embodying the recording sold in the U.K. and a minimum of 25p per download of the recording sold in the U.K.) will be given to Teenage Cancer Trust which shall be shared equally with Teen Cancer America.

Images courtesy of The Outside Organisation

Legendary rock guitarist, Steve Hackett, will release his new studio album, The Circus And The Nightwhale, on February 16 via InsideOut Music. A rite-of-passage concept album with a young character called Travla at the centre of it, The Circus And The Nightwhales’ 13 tracks have an autobiographical angle for the musician who says about his 30th solo release: “I love this album. It says the things I’ve been wanting to say for a very long time.”


Today, Hackett shares the track "Circo Inferno", and you can watch a visualizer for the song below.


Steve said of the track: "'Circo Inferno' is the most frenzied point in this album’s narrative… A plea for rescue within the maelstrom of a Dantesque circus, involving swirling Phrygian runs, insistent sax, full on vocals and blistering guitar…”







The Circus And The Nightwhale is Steve’s first new music in over two years. It follows the beautiful acoustic LP Under A Mediterranean Sky from January 2021 - which rose to #2 in the UK Classical chart - and, in September of that year, his metallic masterpiece Surrender Of Silence, which hit the UK Top 40. His 2023 live album, Foxtrot At Fifty + Hackett Highlights: Live in Brighton, reached #2 in the Rock & Metal Chart. Steve’s new LP promises ballads, blues, blistering progressive rock… and healthy measures of theatre and fantasia.


Recorded between tours in 2022 and 2023 at Siren studio in the UK - with guest parts beamed in from Sweden, Austria, the US, Azerbaijan and Denmark, the lineup for The Circus And The Nightwhale includes some familiar faces alongside Steve on electric and acoustic guitars, 12-string, mandolin, harmonica, percussion, bass and vocals. Roger King (keyboards, programming and orchestral arrangements), Rob Townsend (sax), Jonas Reingold (bass), Nad Sylvan (vocals), Craig Blundell (drums) and Amanda Lehmann on vocals. Nick D’Virgilio and Hugo Degenhardt return as guests on the drumstool, engineer extraordinaire Benedict Fenner appears on keyboards and Malik Mansurov is back with the tar. Finally, Steve’s brother John Hackett is present once more on flute.


The new album is available to pre-order on several different formats, including a Limited CD+Blu-ray mediabook (including 5.1 Surround Sound & 24bit high resolution stereo mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 180g Vinyl LP & as Digital Album. All feature the stunning cover painting by Denise Marsh. Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"People Of The Smoke"
"These Passing Clouds"
"Taking You Down"
"Found And Lost"
"Enter The Ring"
"Get Me Out!"
"Ghost Moon And Living Love"
"Circo Inferno"
"Breakout"
"All At Sea"
"Into The Nightwhale"
"Wherever You Are"
"White Dove"


"People Of The Smoke" video:





"Wherever You Are" video:





The Circus And The Nightwhale interview series:


Part 1:





Part 2:





Summing up The Circus And The Nightwhale, Steve says: “It’s a lovely journey that starts dirty, scratchy and smoky and becomes heavenly and divine. How can you resist it?”


Steve Hackett & band will tour the world extensively in 2024, including a brand new UK tour Genesis Greats, Lamb Highlights & Solo, which will see him return to the legendary Royal Albert Hall. He will also return to North America early this year, with European shows booked in for the Summer. For the full list of dates, head here.


(Photo - Tina Korhonen)

Symphony X drummer Jason Rullo has shared a new performance video along with the following message:


"My tribute to my single biggest inspiration as I was growing up on drums! Neil's combination of precision, creativity, intensity and insight seemed unmatched to me. I chose 'Natural Science' as it is one of my favorite performances of his. I hope you enjoy!"







For Neil Peart, cars were a lifelong passion, and in his final literary creation, he writes about his beloved Silver Surfers collection; the joy of collecting these exquisite, rare, and important sports cars, and the myriad ways that they brought him great joy. Silver Surfers is an homage to these cars that meant so much to him, and to the passion of the road that fueled his life.


He first traces the roots of his auto obsession, taking us back to where it all began, with a 1969 Lotus Europa; through the cars he bought when the band first made it big, and even his first “family car,” before taking us on a tour of the Silver Surfers themselves—a rare collection of some of the most iconic sports cars from the 1960s. From a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 to a classic 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray, each is a gorgeous silver (with the exception of one: a black 1964 Shelby Cobra whose patina Neil loved so much that he wrote, “I am not going to paint it”).


“The title Silver Surfers for my collection of cars occurred to me while driving my DB5 up and down the Pacific Coast Highway. Because it felt right to me, I guess – the idea that I was just one of the wave riders…


In search of natural peace, I often drove out that way and up in to the Santa Monica Mountains. Out past Malibu to Ventura County, I’d weave along barren ridges of rock and vegetation, the ocean always on one big side…


The waves were slow and gentle, or churned out a powerful, rolling rhythm…” - Neil Peart





Silver Surfers is a stunning coffee table book which is a departure from Neil’s previous literary works. As with his previous writings, it contains a compelling, detailed and at times, humorous narrative, yet the images take center stage. These beautiful images, many of which Neil personally curated, accompany his warm, personal story of how he built the collection, the joy he felt when driving them, and the many friends he made along the way.


The foreword, written by Neil’s wife, Carrie Nuttall-Peart, provides an additional, personal perspective in to Neil’s passion for cars, and the extraordinary influence they had on his life.


Silver Surfers is the final work of Neil Peart’s prolific, legendary career, and is sure to become a cherished collector’s item for decades to come. It is Neil’s parting gift to those who loved him, but also for those who share a passion for automobiles.


Neil’s talent for the written word, passion for the open road, and desire to chronicle milestones in his life led to the publication of seven memoirs, including Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road, Roadshow: Landscape with Drums, and Traveling Music: Playing Back the Soundtrack to My Life and Times. Collaborating with Kevin J. Anderson, Neil also wrote the novel Clockwork Angels, a fictionalization of Rush’s 2012 album of the same name, and a sequel, Clockwork Lives.


Release is set for May 3, preorder from RushBackstage.com.


*A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to both the Neil Peart Memorial at Lakeside Park and to the American Brain Tumor Association from The Estate of Neil Peart.

After charting #1 on the Official German Album Charts with their latest two records, Germany’s top-notch force Feuerschwanz is now celebrating the band’s 20th anniversary by releasing some of their greatest hits rearranged in English for the first time, beginning with “Highlander”. Originally released on their latest studio album, Fegefeuer (2023), Feuerschwanz now present an English language version of the heavy track as a part of their first ever release with English lyrics, Warriors, out April 19 via Napalm Records.


In addition to English versions of “Highlander” and nine other big Feuerschwanz hits, Warriors also features the brand-new song "The Unholy Grail" and a cover of the Assassin's Creed classic "Valhalla Calling" by Miracle Of Sound, as well as many epic guest appearances, including Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost), Francesco Cavalieri (Wind Rose), Dominum, Orden Ogan and Patty Gurdy. Reigning in the German metal scene, Feuerschwanz played a nearly sold-out tour followed by premium and headline slots at main European summer festivals in 2023. Check out the official music video for “Highlander” below.


Feuerschwanz state: "’There can only be one!’ Immortal words from Immortal Men. Swords and epic tales with the sound of Queen. We pay tribute to our heroes from the world of fantasy and rock with the sound of roaring pipes and epic metal. Check out our rendition to the highlander and ask yourself: ‘Who wants to live forever?’“







Warriors looks back on a remarkable track record of tireless work and is further proof that Feuerschwanz not only welcome challenges with open arms, but actively seek them out. Newly recorded - and for the first time ever in English - songs like "Das Elfte Gebot” (“The Forgotten Commandment”), "Memento Mori", "Untot im Drachenboot" (“Death on the Dragonship”), "Bastard of Asgard" and "Fegefeuer" (“Purgatory”) take on a whole new character, but still sound familiar in Feuerschwanz style. With "The Unholy Grail", Feuerschwanz surprise their fans with a brand-new song and take them directly into a captivating world full of legends and heroic battles. The final track is a cover of the Assassin's Creed classic "Valhalla Calling” by Miracle Of Sound, which fits perfectly into the overall work and discography of Feuerschwanz. Warriors is a new milestone in Feuerschwanz's successful career, which only knows its way to the top!





Warriors will be available in the following formats:


- 1CD Jewelcase
- 1LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 1LP Gatefold Orange/Rot Marbled Vinyl – Napalm Records Webstore exclusive – strictly limited to 200 worldwide
- Music Cassette Red Transparent – Napalm Records Webstore exclusive – strictly limited to 100 worldwide
- 1CD Jewelcase + A Bottle of Mead (0,35l) Bundle – Napalm Records Webstore exclusive
- 1CD Jewelcase + A Bottle of Mead (0,35l) + Mug (0,5l) Bundle – Napalm Records Webstore exclusive
- Digital Album


Get your copy of Warriors here.





Warriors tracklisting:


"Highlander" (English Version)
"The Unholy Grail" (feat. Dominum, Orden Ogan)
"The Forgotten Commandment"
"Memento Mori" (English Version, feat. Lord of the Lost, Chris Harms)
"Death On The Dragonship"
"Wardwarf" (feat. Francesco Cavalieri of Wind Rose)
"Circlepit Of Hell"
"Song Of Ice And Fire" (feat. Patty Gurdy)
"Purgatory"
"Bastard Of Asgard"
"SGFRD Dragonslayer" (English Version)
"Valhalla Calling"


Founded in 2004, Feuerschwanz have evolved over the years from their roots in comedy medieval folk rock into a band to be taken seriously and are rightly regarded as one of the hottest acts on the scene. After they hit #1 in the Official German Album Charts for the first time with Memento Mori (2021), Germany's hottest band managed to repeat that great success with their latest studio album Fegefeuer (2023). With premium slots at numerous festivals, such as co-headline slots at the legendary Wacken and Summer Breeze Open Airs, as well as abroad, including at Masters Of Rock and on the 70,000 Tons Of Metal cruise in the Caribbean, and an almost completely sold-out headlining tour, Feuerschwanz underlined their outstanding position all the more last year. Many dates of the upcoming big Fegefeuer headline tour in 2024 are already completely sold out.


Fegefeuer Tour 2024:


April
10 - Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit 36
11 - Hamburg, Germany - Große Freiheit 36 (Sold Out)
12 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys
13 - Dresden, Germany - Alter Schlachthof
18 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage
19 - Erfurt, Germany - Club Central
20 - Munich, Germany - Backstage (Sold Out)
21 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
26 - Hanover, Germany - Capitol
27 - Osnabrück, Germany - Hyde Park


May
1 - Nuremberg, Germany - Löwensaal
2 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
3 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
4 - Cologne, Germany - Palladium


November
27 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Effenaar
28 - Haarlem, Netherlands - Patronaat
29 - Paris, France - Trabendo


December
3 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
6 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
 
Festivals:


May
10 - Rastede, Germany - MPS
11 - Bomal-Sur-Ourthe, Belgium - Durbuy Rock


June
1 - Fulda, Germany - Museumshof
2 - Pilsen, Czech Republic - Metalfest Open Air
14 - Nickelsdorf, Austria - Nove Rock
15 - Interlaken, Switzerland - Greenfield Festival


July
20 - Niedergörsdorf, Germany - Motorcycle Jamboree


August
2 - Wacken, Germany - Wacken Open Air
3 - Bückeburg, Germany - MPS
9 - Kortrijk, Belgium - Alcatraz Festival
16 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze
17 - Weil Am Rhein, Germany -  MPS
31 - Halle (Saale), Germany - In Extremo „Weckt Die Toten“ Festival


September
7 - Luhmühlen, Germany - MPS
10-15 - Kiel, Germany - Full Metal Cruise


December
14 - Essen, Germany - Grugahalle – 20 Jahre Feuerschwanz


Feuerschwanz are:


Johanna – violin, hurdy-gurdy
Hauptmann – vocals, guitar
Hodi – flutes, bagpipes, guitars, vocals
Hans – guitar
Jarne – bass
Rollo – drums
Musch Musch – dance & performance
Myu – dance & performance


(Photo - Stefan Heilemann)

The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced the nominees for The 53rd Annual JUNO Awards. This year’s winners will be revealed in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the JUNO Opening Night Awards Presented by Music Canada on Saturday, March 23 and The JUNO Awards Broadcast on Sunday, March 24, live on CBC.


Nominated in the "Metal/Hard Music Album Of The Year" category are:


As Gomorrah Burns - Cryptopsy (Nuclear Blast / AEC/Believe)
Electric Sounds - Danko Jones (Sonic Unyon / Universal)
Goliath - Kataklysm (Nuclear Blast / AEC/Believe)
Void - KEN mode (Artoffact / MVD/The Orchard)
Morgöth Tales - Voivod (Century Media / Sony)




Find a full list of nominees here.