Today, iconic German heavy metallers, U.D.O., strike back with their new 13-track studio album. But that's not all: Touchdown also marks the musical reunion of singer Udo Dirkschneider and bassist Peter Baltes (ex-Accept) who joined the U.D.O. ranks a few months ago, and to celebrate those happenings, the group have launched a lyric video for new song, "Fight For The Right", which can be found on their new offering.


It's an anti-war track that continues U.D.O.'s tradition of delivering heavy old-school riffing, this time garnished with a grand, classical music dominated guitar solo. Watch the visualisation by Ingo Spörl (Hard Media) below:







Order Touchdown in the physical format of your choice, psave it on your favourite DSP or order it digitally, here.





Tracklisting:


"Isolation Man"
"The Flood"
"The Double Dealer's Club"
"Fight For The Right"
"Forever Free"
"Punchline"
"Sad Man's Show"
"The Betrayer"
"Heroes Of Freedom"
"Better Start To Run"
"The Battle Understood"
"Living Hell"
"Touchdown"


"Touchdown" video:





"Forever Free" lyric video:





U.D.O. (also performing as Dirkschneider) are in the final stages of their 2023 summer festival tour and with the arrival of new studio album Touchdown, the band are pleased to announce the first more extensive leg of their upcoming 2023/24 world tour in support of the aforementioned record.


To not only bring new tunes to their fans' home audio systems but also to the "live fields" of the globe, U.D.O.'s forthcoming concert season will lead them to fourteen German clubs and cities, but also to Pratteln (Switzerland) and the Czech Republic (Prague, Brno & Ostrava) in February/March 2024. While appearances in other countries as well as special guests are in the works, tickets for the below mentioned shows can be purchased now. Info/tickets here.





Dates:


February
23 - Regensburg-Obertraubling, Germany - Eventhall Airport
24 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys Neue Welt
25 - Magdeburg, Germany - Factory
28 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
29 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle 2


March
1 - Markneukirchen, Germany - Musikhalle
2 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
3 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
6 - Mannheim, Germany - Capitol
7 - Stuttgart, Germany - Im Wizemann
8 - Memmingen, Germany - Kaminwerk
9 - Nuremberg, Germany - Löwensaal
10 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Konzertfabrik Z7
14 - Wilhelmshaven, Germany - Pumpwerk
16 - Marsberg, Germany - Metal Diver Festival
20 - Prague, Czech Republic - Roxy
22 - Brno, Czech Republic - Sono Centrum
23 - Ostrava, Czech Republic - Garage Club


U.D.O. / Dirkschneider are:


Udo Dirkschneider - vocals
Andrey Smirnov - guitar
Sven Dirkschneider - drums
Fabian Dee Dammers - guitar
Peter Baltes - bass

Four years after their last studio album No Halos in Hell, Cyhra haver released their new album “The Vertigo Trigger.” The Swedes' third full-length reflects exactly what the melodic metal band stands for: ear-splitting riffs, catchy choruses and plenty of melodies that make the band truly stand out.


They recently released the new single, "Ashlight", and have followed up with a playthrough of the songs courtesy of guitarists Euge Valovirta and  Marcus Sunesson. Check it out below.










Vocalist Jake E comments on the release of The Vertigo Trigger: 


“It feels amazing to FINALLY have new music to release again! We put a lot of effort into finding out what the future of Cyhra's music was to be and I must say I am overwhelmed with the result. Both with the album and also the songwriting!. I think that we have made a fantastic follow-up to both of our first two albums, but also at the same time we’ve managed to modernized the songwriting. I can assure you that no Cyhra fan will be disappointed!"


Drummer Alex Landenburg adds: 


“To me, this is a perfect successor to our first two records. It has all the Cyhra trademarks, but it’s a bit more Rock’n’Roll, more raw, in the way we recorded it. And on top of that, Euge’s great mix and Jacob Hansen’s mastering are a wicked combination!”


Guitarist Euge Valovirta about the new song: 


"This is the first album we produced by ourselves and it turned out to be just like I heard it in my head before we even started to record it. We still wanted to have (longtime producer) Jacob Hansen's input on it so he did the mastering and I did the mixing. I'm very proud of it. And us. Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue."


Marcus Sunesson adds:


“It’s the first of the three Cyhra albums that I played guitar on and also contributed to the songwriting. It was a fun and very creative process, but also challenging since we wanted to break new ground in order to make the best Cyhra album possible. I am so happy and proud of this beast of an album! This time we took a deep breath and dove down to explore a slightly darker, more progressive and modern side of ourselves. Yet still sounding like the Cyhra you all know and love. This album will definitely turn some heads. You will love it!”


Jesper Strömblad comments as well:


“It's so great to have a new album around the corner. We have kept the essential Cyhra sound, but at the same time upgraded and updated it a bit. I love what Euge has done to the mix and I know you are not gonna be disappointed!”


Recorded in the summer/autumn of 2022, The Vertigo Trigger is the band's darkest album to date. The album was entirely self-produced and mixed by guitarist Euge Valovirta, whilst the mastering was handled by long-term producer Jacob Hansen. This new album offers fans the classic Cyhra sound, full of the band's trademarks, but fresh and refined. The Swedes have modernised their song writing meaning that no Cyhra fan will be disappointed, making The Vertigo Trigger a more than worthy successor to their first two albums.


Order The Vertigo Trigger here.





The Vertigo Trigger tracklisting:


"Ready To Rumble"
"Let's Have My Story Told"
"Live A Little"
"1,000,000 Fahrenheit"
"Buried Alive"
"The Voice You Need To Hear"
"Life Is A Hurricane"
"If I"
"Fear Of Missing Out"
"Ashlight"
"Too Old For Fairy Tales"


"Ready To Rumble" video:





"Life Is A Hurricane" video:

Five-piece aggressive metalcore outfit Mouth For War have announced their union with MNRK Heavy for the release of their second full-length studio album, set for release late this fall.


Hailing from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Mouth For War focuses on manifesting crushing breakdowns laced with visceral grooves that echo somber melodies. 


Comments MNRK Heavy’s SVP of Rock & Metal, Scott Givens, of the band’s signing, “Mouth For War is a great addition to the label and they have delivered an amazing record for us. They create a lethal combination of metal/hardcore that we can't wait to unleash.”




In celebration of their singing, today Mouth For War drops their latest single, “Under The Gun,” and its companion video. Comments the band on the punishing new track, “Mouth For War is ecstatic to give you our new track ‘Under The Gun’ after such a long wait. We are undergoing a new era of sonic aggression and we chose our heaviest song yet to bring to you first. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.”





Later this week, Mouth For War will hit the road for a three-week run supporting No Bragging Rights. The Born Dead Tour commences on August 25 in Chicago, Illinois, runs through September 17 in Nashville, Tennessee, and includes a stop at Born Dead Festival in Albany, New York. Additional support will be provided by Downswing, as well as Mugshot and Your Spirit Dies, on select dates.





Dates:


August
25 – Chicago, IL – The WC Social Club
26 – Detroit, MI – The Sanctuary
27 – Cincinnati, OH – Legends Bar & Venue
29 – Columbus, OH – Ace Of Cups
30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Preserving Underground
31 – Erie, PA – Basement Transmissions


September
1 – Rochester, NY – Montage Music Hall
2 – Albany, NY – Born Dead Fest
3 – Manchester, NY – Jewel Music Venue
5 – Brooklyn, NY – The Kingsland
6 – Asbury Park, NJ – House Of Independents
7 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s
8 – Philadelphia, PA – Kung Fu Necktie
9 – Norfolk, VA – Norfolk Taphouse
10 – Chapel, Hill, NC – Local 506
11 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room
12 – Orlando, FL – Conduit
13 – Lake Worth, FL – Propaganda 
14 – Tampa, FL – Crowbar
15 – Atlanta, GA – The Earl
17 – Nashville, TN – The End 


(Photo – Errick Easterday)

Elegy Of Madness will release the new album XI on October 20 through Scarlet Records. First single and video for "Broken Soul" is streaming below.


Recorded and produced by Simone Mularoni and Simone Bertozzi; mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni at Domination Studio; beautifully illustrated by Diogo Soares/Gargantula Creations (Witchcraft, EyeHateGod, Stoned Jesus); 'XI' will be released in the following formats:


- digipack CD
- digital




Preorder at the Scarlet Records webshop.


Modern, occult, epic symphonic metal at its best: XI represents a splendid rebirth for Elegy Of Madness, thanks to a redefined sound, a more concise songwriting and the enchanting soprano vocals of new frontwoman Kyrah Aylin.


Conceived in the post-pandemic time, the mood of XI tends towards obscure and melancholic atmospheres; the main topic revolves around the symbolic meaning of the number eleven. Each song actually involves some aspects of it, such as spiritual awakening and growth, strength, intuition, new beginning, disorder and chaos, and the sinful nature of man.


A sun ray can always break through the darker clouds: it's time to rise again from your own ashes.





Tracklisting:


“11:11”
“Broken Soul” (orchestral arrangements by Fleshgod Apocalypse’s Francesco Ferrini)
“Hybrid Love”
“Revelation”
“Insanity”
“Goddess”
“Moon”
“Portrait Of A Ghost”
“A.I. Slavery”
“Crawling”
“Legion”


"Broken Soul" video:





Elegy Of Madness:
Kyrah Aylin - vocals
Tony Tomasicchio - guitar
Marco Monno - guitar
Larry Ozen - bass
Francesco Caputo - drums


(Photo – KINOrama Studio)

Horror Pain Gore Death Productions are set to release the debut album from Denmark's vicious thrash assassins Destabilizer. Violence Is The Answer! is up now for preorder and will be released September 22 on CD and Digital formats along with merch.


Formed in 2020 in Denmark, Destabilizer perform vicious and uncompromising chaotic Thrash metal. With lyrics that provoke and challenge, Violence Is The Answer! delves into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, with a fast-paced and guitar-driven sound that is a furious storm of intensity, accompanied by blistering solos that ignite the senses. Destabilizer deliver a relentless sonic assault that pushes the boundaries of aggression...  a chilling atmosphere that transports listeners to a darker realm. Violence Is The Answer! showcases ten tracks of explosive thrash complimented by the gory and satanic imagery of renowned artist Mario Lopez, which adds a visually striking dimension to the work. 







Tracklisting:


“Violence Is The Answer!”
“Iconoclast”
“The Road To Hell”
“Progress”
“Matchday”
“King Paimon”
“Ex Inferis”
“Panic’
“Terrorist”


“Progress”:

Blackened heavy metal band Faethom from South Florida have released the cover art, album title, and tracklisting for their new album, Chaosmorphogoria.


Chaosmorphogoria is the band's third conceptual full-length album, a sci-fi blackened heavy metal tale about an extraterrestrial witch-warrior named Tien-nen-thal traveling to hellish planets on her spacecraft, Blackfire Star. Throughout her galactic journey, she battles loathsome monsters, such as the giant king, Goregantuan. After her final battle, she embraces the chaos of the cosmos, and transforms triumphant into her truest, most powerful self. 


Faethom has been bringing their unique blend of traditional heavy metal, extreme metal, ‘80s horror/sci-fi and classic ‘70s rock soundscapes since 2008. The band is based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and their two founding members, Mariela Muerte and David Diacrono, hail from Cochabamba, Bolivia. They were joined by Floridian bassist, Evie Austin, in 2022. Drummer Brian Wilson of Night Demon, Hellwitch, and Midnight Spell has been performing with them live and recorded drums on the new album. 




Chaosmorphogoria was recorded at Derek Roddy's Studio and David Diacrono's home studio in Florida and mixed and mastered by Jörg Uken at Soundlodge Studios in Germany.


The album artwork was created by California-based artist, Fernando Saavedra. The album is scheduled to be released in the fall of 2023.





Tracklisting:


“Rise Of Tien-nen-thal”
“Blackfire Star”
“Ancient Powers That Be”
“Goregantuan”
“Sangre Mala Sangre”
“Untraversable Force”
“Feral”
“Final Cosmic Warcry”
“Strike Thunder, Rebel!”
“Chaosmorphogoria”


Album lineup:
Mariela Muerte - Vocals/keyboards
David Diacrono - Guitars
Evil Evie - Bass
Brutal Brian - Drums

With the excitement continuing about the return of vocalist Jared Weeks and their latest single impacting rock radio, rockers Saving Abel are releasing the music video for the song “Fire.” The new single by the band comprised of Jared Weeks (vocals), Jason Null (guitars), Scott Bartlett (guitars), Scott Wilson (bass), and Dave Moraata (drums) is the follow up to the April 2023 track “Baptize Me” - which marked the first official song since Weeks returned to the band.  


The latest track “Fire” talks about overcoming your personal demons and coming out on the other side from them. The video expands on that messaging with a chained-up vocalist Jared Weeks pleading to different versions of himself until he realizes he has always had the key to free himself and get past what was holding him back. The video was produced and directed by J. Austin Dellamano in conjunction with Weems Creative and can be seen below.







Saving Abel is hitting the road in support of the new single on the recently announced Into The Fire tour. The 32-city headline tour kicks off on October 20 in St. Charles, IL and wraps up on December 10 in Urbana, IL. Along the way, the tour will make stops in Lansing, MI (October 24); Syracuse, NY (October 30); Dallas, TX (November 15) and Las Vegas, NV (November 24). Autumn Kings, Harmless Habit and King Falcon will each be making appearances in support on select dates of the tour. Tickets for all shows are on-sale to the public on August 25 and information on all shows can be found at savingabel.com.


“We can’t wait to get out on the road and bring these new songs - and of course some fan favorites – to everyone on the Into The Fire tour. There is nothing we enjoy more than performing in front of our fans who have supported us through everything for the last 19 years. It is also exciting for us to bring some new talent out with us and having the Autumn Kings, Harmless Habit and King Falcon play with us is going to be a blast. These bands were handpicked by us and we can’t wait to bring this tour to you,” explains Jared Weeks.


Dates:


October
20 – St. Charles, IL – The Arcada Theatre *
21 – Ft. Wayne, IN – Piere’s Entertainment Center *
22 – Mount Vernon, IL – Granada Theatre *
24 – Lansing, MI – Grewal Hall at 224 *
25 – Chesterfield, MI – Diesel Concert Lounge *
27 – Saginaw, MI – The Vault *
30 – Syracuse, NY – The Lost Horizon #


November
1 – Manchester, NH – Angel City Music Hall #
3 – Erie, PA – Basement Transmissions +
4 – Ashland, KY – Paramount Arts Center +
5 – Jacksonville, NC – Hooligans Live +
7 – Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend +
8 – Greenville, SC – Radio Room +
9 – Fernandina Beach, FL – Sadler Ranch +
11 – Corinth, MS – Crossroads Arena 
14 – Houston, TX – Bronze Peacock @ House Of Blues +
15 – Dallas, TX – Sundown at Granada +
16 – Buda, TX – Buck’s Backyard +
19 – Colorado Springs, CO – Sunshine Studios Live +
20 – Denver, CO – HQ Live Denver +
22 – Tucson, AZ -191 Toole #
24 – Las Vegas, NV – The Sand Dollar #
25 – Tempe, AZ – The Marquee #


Nov 27 – San Diego, CA – The Casbah #
29 – Reno, NV – Virginia Street Brewhouse #
30 – Roseville, CA – Goldfield Trading Post #


December
1 – Chico, CA – Senator Theatre #
3 – Portland, OR – Mission Theater #
4 – Boise, ID – KQXR Radio Show #
8 – Sioux City, IA – The Marquee #
9 – Iowa City, IA – First Avenue Club #
10 – Urbana, IL – Canopy Club #


* Autumn Kings
+ Harmless Habit
# King Falcon


Previously Announced Saving Abel Dates:


August
 26 – Bonner Springs, KS – Tiblow Days Festival


September 
4 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall


October
6 – Hurricane, UT – Trial Hero Music Fest
7 – Madison, AL – Toyota Field
14 – Middlesboro, KY – Cumberland Mountain Fall Fest
28 – Lorain, OH – The Lorain Palace Theatre


(Photo – J. Austin Dellamano)

German thrash metal band Traitor is set to release their new live disc Teutonic Slaughter on September 22, 2023. The album was recorded by Iridum Stream at the Schlichtenfest 2022. This will be the band's first release since their last album, which featured guest vocals by Sodom’s Tom Angelripper and was well-received by critics and fans alike, receiving positive reviews from us at BraveWords and being featured in Banger TV's Best Metal Albums Of 2022. 


Check out the BraveWords premiered live video for “Reactor IV” – taken from 2015’s Venomizer:


 




The band has also been making waves outside of music, with a cameo appearance in the new film Total Thrash - The Teutonic Story. Fans of the band and the genre can look forward to the release of Teutonic Slaughter in just a few months' time.


The live disc from Traitor called Teutonic Slaughter is available exclusively from the band on both physical and digital format.


There is also a chic T-shirt and a "Teutonic Bundle" limited to 99 sets, consisting of the CD, an exclusive shirt with a print on the back, an exclusive and signed A1 poster and exclusive stickers. The first 25 orders will also receive a limited edition diamond-shaped Exiled To The Surface patch with either a blue or red border.





The whole record was recorded by Iridum Stream at the Schlichtenfest 2022, both the sound and the image. The great cover is by Irvan Yudap.


And best of all: in every CD booklet you will find a QR code with which you can watch the video recordings.


Preorder at Traitor’s webshop.

Lotus Unfolding, out October 20 via KScope, is the new release from UK-based instrumental intergalactic travellers, Ozric Tentacles. Six new tunes have been added to the Ozric universe, conceived, written and recorded in their own ‘Blue Bubble’ studio in Fife.


The album was recorded, written and produced during 2022 - 2023 by Ed Wynne with a little sonic help from Silas. Mastered by Adam Goodlet and illustrated with some nicely detailed ethereal artwork by Steve McKeown and Sally Clark.


Lotus Unfolding is another sonically illustrated excursion through the musical realms the band has explored in their latest chapter. Album opener “Storm In A Teacup” kicks the album off in spectacular style traversing the realms of time and space with flair and virtuosic poise. It’s followed by the groove driven “Deep Blue Shade”, whose melodies are vividly brought to life by Ed Wynne exquisite trademark guitar playing. This is swiftly accompanied by the serene title track - as close to a musical yoga session at the center of the hippocampus you’ll ever experience.




Ozric Tentacles’ aural synapses buzz throughout the album to channel the band’s limitless creativity, making Lotus Unfolding the perfect conduit of the spiritual and the physical. It’s an essential addition to the band’s catalogue.   


Ed Wynne comments: The concept is, as usual, wide & open to interpretation but basically is a sonically illustrated excursion through some of the musical realms we found ourselves in this time around. Designed to elevate and delight the senses, should that be required, because if the day feels like an unfolding lotus, it’s probably going to be a good one!





Lotus Unfolding will be available on CD Digipak, Limited Marble LP with limited die cut sleeve, Blue LP also with limited die cut sleeve, Black LP and available digitally.


Pre-order here.





Lotus Unfolding tracklisting:


"Storm In A Teacup"
"Deep Blue Shade"
"Lotus Unfolding"
"Crumplepenny "
"Green Carnation"
"Burundi Spaceport"


The Lotus Unfolding lineup consists of Ed Wynne (Guitars, Synth and Bass) and Silas Wynne (Modular Synth and Keyboards). Alongside Ed and Silas is Brandi Wynne (bass), Saskia Maxwell (Flute), Tim Wallander (Drums) and Paul Hankin (Percussion).


One of the most influential bands to emerge from the UK’s festival scene, Ozric Tentacles formed during the solstice at Stonehenge Free Festival 1983, going on to become psychedelic staples at Glastonbury and other festivals. The creative vision of multi-instrumentalist Ed Wynne, the Ozrics’ uniquely trippy soundscapes connect fans of progressive rock, psychedelia and dance music culture.


(Photo - Glenn Povey)

With just over one week until Oxbow kicks off their European tour, the band shares a video for "The Night The Room Started Burning," which was directed by Chris Purdie. The song appears on their new album, Love's Holiday, out now via Ipecac Recordings.


“Lyrically it’s a purposeful take on Johnny Hartman’s ‘The Day the World Stopped Turning’ but instead of the power of love to alter our proximal relationships it’s, in my mind, all about the incendiary nature of suchlike love," explains Eugene Robinson. "It fulfills specifically because it fills you with that which burns. And that’s something that absolutely no one slow walks.”


Niko Wenner adds: "I began the music for 'The Night The Room Started Burning' on my fathers old folk/classical nylon string guitar, a tune to amuse my young son. My mother played clarinet in high school but it was my father who took me to see my first string quartet concert in Seattle when I was a kid, and who inspired my love for classical music. Including, as an influence heard in this song, baroque period music. “What’s not to like about baroque music? You can dance to it, it’s got a beat!”




And you can hear the steady dance rhythm in Room Burning. And a bit of baroque style in the way the guitar line sounds like two voices in a call and response, first higher “bah bah dee bah dee dee,” and the second, lower, answering the first and going down “BAH BAH BAH.” And of course the choir. The elephant in the room here is the guy whose name we should never speak in the same breath as our own, from humility, and respect. I’ll only say that the devine music of baroque composer J.S. Bach would by itself seem to prove the existence of what for lack of a better word, we call God. Q.E.D.? FIIK."





Oxbow is:


Dan Adams (electrical/acoustic bass)
Greg David (drums/percussion)
Eugene S. Robinson (vocals)
Niko Wenner (guitars/pianos)


(Photo - Phil Sharp)

ARTE Concert has uploaded footage of Powerwolf's full performance from Summer Breeze 2023. Watch below.


The German power metallers performed the following setlist on August 18:


"Faster Than The Flame"
"Incense & Iron"
"Army Of The Night"
"Dancing With The Dead"
"Armata Strigoi"
"Amen & Attack"
"Sainted By The Storm"
"Stossgebet"
"Beast Of Gévaudan"
"Demons Are A Girl's Best Friend"
"Where The Wild Wolves Have Gone"
"Resurrection By Erection"
"Fire And Forgive"
"Blood For Blood (Faoladh)"
"Sanctified With Dynamite"
"We Drink Your Blood"
"Werewolves Of Armenia"







Powerwolf recently announced four shows in Germany from October 31 to November 5. The holy heavy metal mass will be brought to Düsseldorf, Ravensburg, Bamberg and Leipzig. The wolves will get support from special guests Lord Of The Lost, Beyond The Black And Serenity.





Dates:


October
31 - Düsseldorf, Germany - Mitsubishi Electric Halle (with Lord Of The Lost, Serenity)


November
2 - Ravensburg, Germany - Oberschwabenhalle (with Lord Of The Lost, Serenity)
3 - Bamberg, Germany - Brose Arena (with Lord Of The Lost, Serenity)
5 - Leipzig, Germany - Quarterback Immobilien Arena (with Beyond The Black, Serenity)


Powerwolf tickets and more information can be found at Powerwolf.net/tickets.


Powerwolf are:


Attila Dorn - vocals
Falk Maria Schlegel - organ
Charles Greywolf - guitar
Matthew Greywolf - guitar
Roel van Helden - drums

Multi-platinum hard rock icons Extreme - Gary Cherone (vocals), Nuno Bettencourt (guitar), Pat Badger (bass), and Kevin Figueiredo (drums) - have released a static video for "Hurricane", a track from their new album, SIX, out now via earMusic. Check it out below:





SIX was recorded at Nuno Bettencourt’s home studio in Los Angeles. The album swings between unapologetic fits of fret-burning hard rock and intimately introspective balladry. Order SIX here.







SIX tracklisting:


"Rise"
"#Rebel"
"Banshee"
"Other Side Of The Rainbow"
"Small Town Beautiful"
"The Mask"
"Thicker Than Blood"
"Save Me"
"Hurricane"
"X Out"
"Beautiful Girls"
"Here's To The Losers"


"Save Me":





"The Mask:





"Small Town Beautiful":





“Other Side Of The Rainbow” video:





"Banshee" video:





"#Rebel" video:





"Rise" video:





Extreme's headlining “Thicker Than Blood” world tour is underway. It will be followed by stops in Australia and Japan in September and has already sold-out dates in cities including Detroit, Hampton Beach, Tokyo and Yokohama. The band also announced an additional jaunt beginning November 27 in Newcastle, UK and wrapping December 16 in Milan, IT.


Special guests Living Colour (who will also be supporting Extreme on their US and Australian shows) will appear on the UK leg and The Last Internationale will appear across Europe. Tickets  at extreme-band.com.





Tour dates:


August
24 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues #
26 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency #
28 - Portland, OR - TBD #
29 - Seattle, WA - The Showbox #


September
6 - Perth, AU - Regal Theatre #
8 - Adelaide, AU - Hindley Street Music Hall #
10 - Melbourne, AU - Forum #
12 - Sydney, AU - Enmore Theatre #
13 - Brisbane, AU - Fortitude Music Hall #
17 - Sendai, JP - Sendai Gigs
19 - Yokohama, JP - KT Zepp Yokohama
21 - Tokyo, JP - Hitomi Memorial Hall
25 - Nagoya, JP - Shimin Kaikan Hall
26 - Osaka, JP - Zepp Namba





November
27 - Newcastle, UK - O2 City Hall #
28 - Glasgow, UK - O2 Academy #
30 - Manchester, UK - O2 Academy #


December
1 - Wolverhampton, UK - Civic Hall #
3 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy #
4 - London, UK - O2 Forum #
8 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7 Konzertfabrik *
10 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys *
11 - Cologne, Germany - Live Music Hall *
12 - Amsterdam, Netherlands - Melkweg Max *
14 - Antwerp, Belgium - Trix *
16 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz *


# with Living Colour
* with The Last Internationale

Welsh rock juggernauts, Those Damn Crows, have released a video for "Find A Way", filmed last month at the Steelhouse Live Festival in South Wales. Watch below:





"Find A Way" is featured on the band's latest album, Inhale/Exhale, available for order worldwide now at earache.com/thosedamncrows.







Inhale/Exhale tracklisting:


"Fill The Void"
"Takedown"
"Man On Fire"
"Wake Up (Sleepwalker)"
"This Time I'm Ready"
"I Am"
"See You Again"
"Lay It All On Me"
"Find A Way"
"Waiting For Me"


"Takedown" video:





"See You Again" video:





"Man On Fire" video:





"Wake Up (Sleepwalker)" video:





Those Damn Crows recently announced a string of headline shows in October. Tickets are available here.





Dates:


October
7 - Oxford, UK - O2 Academy
8 - Bournemouth, UK - O2 Academy
9 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
11 - Glasgow, UK - SWG3
12 - Leeds, UK - Stylus
13 - Wolverhampton, UK - Wulfrun Hall
14 - Manchester, UK - O2 Ritz
16 - Brighton, UK - Chalk
17- London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town

Rockers Of Limbo has premiered the music video for their new single “California Demon” through BraveWords!





Of Limbo’s Luke Davies says “The song explores the concept of “selling your soul for fame and fortune”, but in a literal sense. As if the devil was real - and young, innocent, corruptible people are actually coming to Hollywood and selling their soul to become a star.  There’s a large section of the population, like our conspiracy theory loving uncle, who believe this to be 100% fact/reality. He sends us videos of stars in interviews implying they sold their souls, or clips from the latest award show performances from Sam smith or mumble rappers dressed up as Satan. He doesn’t believe this is just pageantry. He thinks it’s all some kind of televised satanic ritual.




He continues “I don’t know where I stand on it all honestly, but it’s always been interesting to us. One thing is for sure, “the elite” get up to some pretty weird Eyes Wide Shut style shit behind closed doors. Like that bohemian grove party all the politicians go to in Northern California every year, that shit is WILD!   Burning mock human sacrifices under that huge demon owl effigy?!   Total freak show. 


“But yeah, it’s a concept we always felt was perfect for a rock song. Innocent girl comes to Hollywood with wide eyes and high hopes, only to find she has to sacrifice a lot more than she bargained for... HER SOUL.” 😉 





The song was produced by Mike Pepe (Taking Back Sunday, Plain White T’s, Cassadee Pope) at Fab Factory studios in Hollywood, and mastered by Grammy Winning Jett Galindo.


The band’s Jake Davies adds, “The video was directed by Tony Vercelli and filmed at Baur Films in Long Beach and Nuvisions Studios in Santa Ana. It was produced by Todd Grilli of 4th Street Productions. Yes, we DID actually set Luke’s guitar on fire while he played it at the end. We had to douse Luke in flame retardant spray and pray to sweet baby Jesus that he didn’t get 3rd degree burns. It was definitely super sketchy at times! On a few takes I had to run in with a wet blanket to extinguish the flames.”


Check out Of Limbo online here.

Italian maestros of modern melodic/symphonic metal, Temperance, will unleash their new concept album, Hermitage - Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2, on October 20 via Napalm Records. During their successful European tour with Tarja (ex-Nightwish) this spring, the band introduced its new lineup and proved once and for all that this new arrangement is more than just convincing.


Expanding the characteristic sound of the band with a new member - professional opera/metal singer and vocal coach Kristin Starkey - the essence of charismatic singer Michele Guaitoli (Visions of Atlantis) and mastermind singer/guitarist Marco Pastorino (Serenity) reaches a higher level. Guest musicians like Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon), Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, Illumishade), Laura Fella (Faun) and Alessandro Conti (Twilight Force) complement the exciting journey of the new album.


Today, the five-piece have finally released their new single, “Daruma”, together with a colorful official music video that perfectly introduces the mood and exciting story of the multifaceted album. Galloping guitar passages open the single while the album narrator and multitalented Arjen Lucassen guides through the catchy melodies. The dark timbre of singer Kristin Starkey introduces the villain Anningan, who will turn the life of the album’s protagonist Viktor upside down.




Singer Kristin Starkey on “Daruma”: "I'm so excited for you to hear our new single called "Daruma". It not only sets the stage for the dramatic storytelling of our new album, Hermitage: Daruma's Eyes Pt. II, but also marks the beginning of my chapter with Temperance. I really believe our new sound will be loved by fans new and old, and I am looking forward to your feedback. See you on the road."


Watch the official music video for “Daruma” below.


Catapulted into another era by finding the Japanese doll, Daruma, protagonist Viktor wakes up in a magical village called Hermitage, exploring its secrets track by track. Getting into a fight between the siblings Anningan and Irin, only Viktor’s destiny is the key to their conflict. “Welcome To Hermitage” presents the magical world of Hermitage with fairytale-like flutes, twinkling chime elements, and the vocal arrangements of singers Fabienne Erni (Eluveitie, Illumishade) and Laura Fella (Faun). “No Return” glances with the band's characteristic sing-along refrain and operatic fragments while the track “Join Me” ranges from marvelous vocal harmonies to grand compositions. The spellbinding “Darkness is just a Drawing” and uplifting “Full Of Memories” gather the atmosphere of Hermitage - Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2 once again, before “Cliff” closes the album with rising melodies, epic orchestration arrangements, and inimitable vocal spotlights. The concept album was produced by Temperance guitarist and singer Marco Pastorino and mixed and mastered by Simone Mularoni (Luca Turilli, Michael Romeo, Twilight Force) at Domination Studio in San Marino. Come explore Viktor’s legacy.


Guitarist and singer Marco Pastorino on the upcoming album, Hermitage - Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2: “We are so excited about this new chapter called Hermitage. Personally, I’ve dreamed of writing a real concept album like this since the release of the suite called Daruma’s Eyes Pt 1 on the album Of Jupiter and Moons, and finally, we made it - a complete story with six characters (represented by six singers) plus such a great narrator. We decided to change the production team, 100% from Italy; we worked together with Simone Mularoni on the mixing, as we did in the first three albums of the band, plus for the very first time, I worked together with someone else for the orchestrations: Daniele Mazza, the mastermind of Ancient Bards. The artwork also was made by the talented artist Giada Belviso. Get ready for a journey through magic and dreams, and welcome to Hermitage.”





Hermitage - Daruma's Eyes Pt. 2 will be available in the following formats:


- 2LP Gatefold Solid Red - ltd. to 300 copies worldwide
- 1CD Digipak
- Digital Album     


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Daruma"
"Glorious"
"A Hero Reborn"
"Welcome To Hermitage"
"No Return"
"In Search Of Gold"
"Join Me"
"Trust No One But You"
"Darkness Is Just A Drawing"
"Into The Void"
"Brand New Start"
"Where We Belong"
"Full Of Memories"
"Cliff"


"Daruma" video:





Temperance are:


Kristin Starkey - Vocals
Michele Guaitoli - Vocals
Marco Pastorino - Guitars & Vocals
Luca Negro - Bass Guitar
Marco Sacchetto - Drums


(Photo - Andrea Falaschi)

In the new video below, EMG artist Paul Masvidal of Cynic performs "Mythical Serpents", from the album Ascension Codes. Paul demonstrates the seemingly endless tone possibilities for the EMG 57 paired with the EMG VMC (variable mid control).


Best known for fronting the critically acclaimed progressive rock group Cynic, Paul Masvidal is a renowned guitarist, songwriter, composer and international touring artist. Masvidal's professional recording career began in 1991 when he and fellow Cynic founder, drummer Sean Reinert, were recruited by Death to record Human, Death’s most critically acclaimed album. 1993 saw the release of Cynic's debut, Focus, on RoadRunner Records, regarded as a landmark work in the field of progressive rock and metal.

Killswitch Engage performed on the main stage at Sumnmer Breeze 2023 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany on August 19th. Pro-shot video of the band's entire show can be viewed below.


The setlist was as follows:


"My Curse"
"Rise Inside"
"This Fire"
"Reckoning"
"Arms of Sorrow"
"In Due Time"
"A Bid Farewell"
"Beyond the Flames"
"Signal Fire"
"Unleashed"
"Hate by Design" 
"The Crownless King" 
"Rose of Sharyn"
"Fixation on the Darkness" 
"Strength of the Mind"
"This is Absolution"
"End of Heartache"
"My Last Serenade"
"Holy Diver"

German singer, guitarist, producer, Michael Voss, has announced the release of his upcoming album, Rockers Rollin' (A Tribute To Rick Parfitt), due out on October 13 via Massacre Records. The album will be available as CD Digipak, Ltd. Vinyl LP and Digital formats, the pre-sale has just started, here.


Today, Voss is premiering a music video for the first album single. "That's the title track of the album and features all the ingredients that made me a Status Quo addict," he comments. "A stomping beat, driving guitars, hammering piano and road movie lyrics that keep that ole train a'drivin on. I especially love the breaks of the chorus with its fine chord changes. Co-writer Jackie Lynton told me it was composed after Rick gave Jackie a white metal framed Harrods piano as a present! … Yeah, they had to catch that train... What a great tune to kick off with… it simply rawwksss!"


The clip for "Rockers Rollin'" can be viewed below.




From almost year one, Michael Voss has been a huge Status Quo fan after attending his first live concert in a big arena in 1979 at Halle Münsterland, where dumbstruck and starstruck he witnessed the mighty Status Quo on their "If You Can’t Stand The Heat" tour.
 
Rick Parfitt stepped into the spotlight and fired his intro riff of "Caroline" into the crowd, and Michael Voss was suddenly infected with his hard hitting, take-no-prisoners rhythm. Filled with an irrepressible desire to embrace all that is Status Quo, he greedily snapped up all their albums and became an ardent soldier in the Quo Army fan club as well.


Furthermore, Status Quo gave this impressionable 14-year-old the great inspiration to follow in their footsteps by learning to sing play and compose. Many years later he found himself with the skill to render Parfitt's great contribution to rock music in this tribute to his first all-time hero.


Voss has carefully chosen ten songs, that Parfitt sang and wrote, and now proudly presents them in this glorious rock tribute. "Rockers Rollin' (A Tribute To Rick Parfitt)" features severals high class guests, who shared the music and stage with Rick, such as longtime tour manager and co-writer of many super hits, Bob Young, original founding member of the Frantic Four, John Coghlan, Rick's son, Rick Parfitt Jr., actual bass player Rhino Edwards, original band member Andy Bown, Mat Sinner of Primal Fear, among many more!





Rockers Rollin' (A Tribute To Rick Parfitt) tracklisting:


"Again And Again"
"Rain"
"Don't Drive My Car"
"For You"
"Rockers Rollin'"
"Oh! What A Night"
"Something 'Bout You Baby I Like"
"Reason For Living"
"Coming And Going"
"Living On An Island"


"Rockers Rollin'" video:





(Photo - Eva von der Forst)

Austrian heavy metal outfit, Roadwolf, have unleashed a lyric video for the track, "Mark Of The Devil", taken from their electrifying second full-length, Midnight Lightning, released back in May via Napalm Records. Roadwolf’s new offering again confirms the band’s standing as one of the current metal bands that keep the true spirit of heavy metal alive and honours the legacy of old school heavy metal legends such as Judas Priest and Saxon. Exciting their fans in Brazil, the band will release Midnight Lightning for the first time as a physical copy on August 22 via Hellion.


Riveting “Mark Of The Devil” showcases Roadwolf‘s songwriting abilities, with multiple Iron Maiden-inspired solos and dynamic changes throughout the track, and takes the listener on an exhilarating heavy metal journey. The accompanying lyric video comes with vigorous visuals.


Roadwolf on “Mark Of The Devil”: "Prepare yourself for one of the heaviest tracks of our latest album Midnight Lightning! Bang your head to this foot stomping, headbanging worship of old school heavy music, swirling in a cauldron of screaming guitars, searing hot vocals and a fist pumping drum and bass onslaught! Don't you turn your backs... on the ‘Mark Of The Devil’!”







Roadwolf sold their souls to traditional heavy metal - showcased on title track “Midnight Lightning”, which brings out their power with soaring vocals and scorching guitar solos, reminiscent of Judas Priest. “Mark Of The Devil” presents the band’s songwriting abilities, with multiple Iron Maiden-inspired solos and dynamic changes throughout the track. “Supernatural” offers a softer side of the band with ballad-like verses, but then explodes into heavy metal power during the choruses. “High Under Pressure” races along with a blistering pace that is further enhanced with great dueling guitar and saxophone solos. “Sons Of The Golden Horde” showcases another powerful song with lyrics of historic wars, reminiscent of Iron Maiden’s great historical anthems. “Don’t Deliver Us From Evil” uplifts with pure energy and catchy choruses that will have the whole crowd singing along. Roadwolf keeps on rolling with another grooving track in “Running Out Of Time”. Bringing out their Motörhead influence on “Savage Child”, the song showcases the band’s speed metal skills, as well as catchy choruses with small alterations to keep it interesting with each repeat. Last but not least, the album concludes with the slow but beautiful ballad “Isolated Hearts”, featuring clean guitar reverb and soft piano underscoring powerful vocals singing of fading of hearts in the face of warfare. With Midnight Lightning, Roadwolf turns the intensity up to 11 and beyond, taking no time to rest and delivering a more explosive and dynamic sound than ever before.


Order your copy of Midnight Lightning now at this location.





Tracklisting:


"On The Run"
"Midnight Lightning"
"Mark Of The Devil"
"Supernatural"
"High Under Pressure"
"Sons Of The Golden Horde"
"Don’t Deliver Us From Evil"
"Running Out Of Time"
"Savage Child"
"Isolated Hearts"


"Midnight Lightning" video:





"Supernatural" lyric video:





"On The Run" video:





Roadwolf lineup:


Franz 'Franky' Bauer - Vocals
Valentin 'Vali' Strasser - Guitars
Christoph 'Aigy' Aigner - Bass
Emanoel 'Mano' Bruckmüller - Drums


(Photo - Izaquiel Tomé)

On July 26, GODSMACK frontman Sully Erna took "Chronicle" on WCVB Channel 5 behind the scenes when he and his bandmates performed at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. Check out the two-part report below.

Last month, GODSMACK announced additional North American tour dates in continued support of its eighth studio album, "Lighting Up The Sky" (BMG). The band will kick off their headlining fall tour, produced by Live Nation and FPC Live, on September 3 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The tour will have stops in Tampa, Florida; Salt Lake City, Utah; Calgary, Alberta; Quebec City, Quebec; and more. The tour will feature direct support from ATREYU September 3-10 and I PREVAIL September 24-October 4, and October 10-22. Also appearing on the bill will be FLAT BLACK, the new band featuring former FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Jason Hook.

GODSMACK kicked off its 2023 U.S. tour on May 4 at the 107.9 KBPI Birthday Bash at Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre in Denver, Colorado.

"Lighting Up The Sky" was released in February via BMG. The LP was co-produced by Erna and Andrew "Mudrock" Murdock (AVENGED SEVENFOLD, ALICE COOPER).

The first single from "Lighting Up The Sky", "Surrender", which arrived in September 2022, marked the first release from GODSMACK in four years, following their globally acclaimed and gold-certified 2018 album "When Legends Rise", which earned the Erna-fronted outfit a No. 1 spot across U.S. Hard Rock, Rock, and Alternative album charts.

In a recent interview with Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette, GODSMACK drummer Shannon Larkin was asked which kind of show — arena or smaller theater — is more challenging, more rewarding, more fun. He responded: "Each one of us has a fave environment, and the different energies from, say, 50,000 people at a festival as opposed to 2,000 in a theater are two different highs, each bringing unique feelings to us individually, but both just as satisfying as a performer. I personally prefer amphitheaters; my fave venue ever is Red Rocks Amphitheater."

Long-running Massachusetts-based metallers SHADOWS FALL have shared the first taste of the new material they are currently recording with Chris "Zeuss" Harris. Check out the clip, featuring the band's guitarist Jon Donais, in the Instagram post below.

In July, SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner told the "Nothing Shocking Podcast" about the band's decision to work with Zeuss again: "[Zeuss] did all of our records except for… Well, he had a hand in all of them except for [2012's] 'Fire From The Sky'… So he's always been involved with SHADOWS FALL in some way, shape or form. Once this whole reunion thing kind of morphed from being just a one-show thing, we started talking with him, 'cause he still lives two minutes away from Paul [Romanko, bass]. So, it's, like, 'All right. Well, if you guys are getting back together, what's the next step? Are we making another record?' We're, like, 'Well, we don't know.' And he was, like, 'Whatever we're doing, let's get on it.' So kind of, like, we just sort of figured, 'We don't have any money to pay you, because we don't have any money because we don't have a record label or anything.' But he was just, like, 'Well, let's just start doing this and let's do it together.' So that's pretty much where we're at right now. We're just gonna start recording some material that we have and we're gonna keep working at that as the year goes on."

During an appearance on a recent episode of "The Jasta Show" podcast, SHADOWS FALL singer Brian Fair spoke about the possibility of new music from him and his bandmates. He said: "I will finally say there are riffs that are turning into skeletons that might become songs. Now, what happens with them, where they go, we'll see. But once we started jamming [for the recent reunion shows], we were, like, 'What's the point of doing this without writing new riffs?' And we had to make sure they were gonna sound like SHADOWS FALL; we didn't wanna come out of nowhere with something different, out of left field. But so far, they're coming together, man, and I'm stoked on what I'm hearing. So hopefully that'll continue, that'll continue on. But as far as dropping a whole record… Who knows? These days it's different anyway. Shit, we can just drop a few random singles and then see where it goes. But I'm excited that we're writing, that we're doing things. And so far what I've heard has been amazing… I haven't really committed, but we are finally getting our shit together and getting some riffs together."

Fair went on to say that SHADOWS FALL is not currently signed to any record label. "We're free and clear," he explained. "We were luckily free and clear for a while, so even our last couple of records were done kind of on our own terms."

SHADOWS FALL played its first reunion show in December 2021 at The Palladium in Worcester in the band's native Massachusetts. Fair and his bandmates also performed at Blue Ridge Rock Festival in Alton, Virginia, at the Furnace Fest in Birmingham, Alabama, and at the Milwaukee Metal Fest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Asked by host Jamey Jasta if SHADOWS FALL would be open to going out on a more extensive tour, possibly as the support act for an arena band, Fair said: "We're not averse to that. It takes a lot of logistics now, with the rest of my guys being in legendary thrash bands, like ANTHRAX and OVERKILL and whatnot. But if we can do it, we would love to. Right now, festivals have been something we can pull off. But I would love to do short tours or even a month-long tour. Or at least some long weekends where we hit each coast or do New England and then Midwest and then a West Coast thing. But we'll see. We're not saying 'no' to anything. We're gonna listen. So we'll see, if things make sense and if we can make it work."

He added: "I've been in dad mode, just working nine to five for a while, so getting back on the pirate ship is pretty enticing at this point."

SHADOWS FALL released a statement in August 2014 in which the bandmembers explained that financial difficulties made it virtually impossible for the group to continue as a full-time concern.

In August 2015, SHADOWS FALL played a few reunion shows on the U.S. East Coast, one year after completing what was being billed at the time as the band's "final" European tour.

SHADOWS FALL's latest album, "Fire From The Sky", was released in May 2012 via Razor & Tie. The CD sold around 10,000 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 38 on The Billboard 200 chart.

SHADOWS FALL drummer Jason Bittner is currently playing with OVERKILL, while guitarist Jon Donais is a member of ANTHRAX.

Donais and SHADOWS FALL guitarist Matt Bachand recently launched a new project called LIVING WRECKAGE, in which they are joined by guitarist Matt LeBreton (DOWNPOUR),drummer Jon Morency (LET US PREY) and vocalist Jeff GardDEATH RAY VISION.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shadows Fall (@shadowsfallband)

Long-running Italian post-black metal outfit Deadly Carnage has unveiled their new video for “Moans, Grief, And Wails.” The track comes off of the band’s Endless Blue full-length, set for release this Fall via ATMF’s sublabel, A Sad Sadness Song.


A concept album based on Japanese folklore, Endless Blue is inspired by the legend of Urashima Tarō and is a journey into this abysmal world. It’s the story of descent and ascent, Deadly Carnage aims to create a crepuscular sound made of lights and shadows, between the marine surface and the abyss, where each song represents a chapter of a single story and the voice is free to tell.


Comments the band on “Moans, Grief, And Wails,” “Umibozu (literally: monk of the sea) is a spirit whose apparition is a terrible sight: a titanic, black-cloaked figure that stands among the waves of the stormy sea. Umibozu is a vengeful spirit that capsizes the ships it encounters in its path killing everyone on board. ‘Moans, Grief, And Wails’ draws inspiration from this legend. it is a song which, through its heavy and cadenced gait, tells of desperation and blind anger; the loss of hope among the waves of the sea. The animation of the video is inspired by the aesthetics of the Kabuki Theater.”




Endless Blue was recorded at Domination Studio by Simone Mularoni (guitarist of DGM) using mainly ‘70s tube amps and analog effects, and avoiding any type of drum sampling.


Endless Blue will be available digitally on September 15, on Digipack A5 on September 29 and on LP on December 15. Find US preorders at Metal Odyssey and rest of world at this location.





Tracklisting:


“Dying Sun”
“Sublime Connection”
“The Clue”
“Blue Womb”
“Mononoke”
“Swan Season”
“Moans, Grief And Wails”
“Unknown Shores” 


"Moans, Grief, And Wails" video:





“Swan Season” video:

Thrash metal fans rejoice, as Israeli thrash metallers Sinnery have released their latest single “Somber”, taken from their latest EP Below The Summit.


Across five tracks, they harness the essence of true thrash, delivering a sonic storm that will leave fans and critics alike gasping for breath.


The band comments: "'Somber' was the first song we wrote for the EP. Lyrically, it’s about growing & emerging out of the soil and dirt that life can be for so many. It's about dealing with some of the toughest issues in our lives. The track combines all the things we love about metal - fast-paced riffs and drum licks take a bit from every genre that Sinnery admires and make it something unique to us. The initial concept behind 'Somber' was taken from the book The Subtle Art of Not Giving A Fuck by Mark Manson, which talks about making the best out of the cards you are dealt in life."




Sinnery believes that all of their existing fans will find that these five tracks implement what they are all about in the most concise way yet. From catchy choruses to parts heavier than ever before they feel this is their most complete work yet. Below The Summit is recommended for fans of Metallica, Power Trip, and Trivium.


Below The Summit is due out on September 29, 2023, via Exitus Stratagem Records. In additional news, Sinnery will be touring the UK later this year with Sworn Amongst along with performing at this year's Metal Gates Festival in Bucharest, Romania with Katatonia and Rotting Christ.





Tracklisting:


“Somber”
“An Ode (Knife Of Erato)”
“We Just Want You To”
“Share This”
“Serene”


"Somber" video:





“Share This”:





Tour dates:


September
18 – Bridgewater, UK – The Cobblestones
19 – Camden, UK – The Black Heart
20 – Derby, UK – The Hairy Dog
21 – Cardiff, UK – Fuel Rock Club
22 – Bristol, UK – The Gryphon
23 – Exeter, UK – The Cavern
28 – Bucharest, RO – Metal Gates Festival 


(Photo – Or Shenkerman)

As musical trends come and go, The Hangmen have remained uncompromising since their formation in 1986. From big money major label deals to debilitating drug addiction, lead singer
Bryan Small has continued to charge forward with the headlong momentum of a runaway train.


Bridging the gap somewhere between The Gun Club and the Rolling Stones, the band’s latest offering, Stories To Tell smashes together Small's lurid love songs with unsparing, unsentimental blasts that shine a penetrating light into the dark and seedy corners of life. From the melodic “Midnight Riders” to the haunting “On The Outside”, Small delivers an album with a simplicity and depth of songwriting reminiscent of Neil Young and Tom Petty.


“'Midnight Riders' is a rite of passage song. It’s the way my friends and I lived in our early days navigating life, being in bands and coping with everything as kids in Hollywood. We didn’t have boundaries. We didn’t have mentors. We were notoriously fucked up geniuses in our eyes. I’m not surprised by the path we took for ourselves - some made it, some moved home and some died.” Small himself recently relocated after 38 years in Los Angeles, California, to his hometown of Missoula, Montana, so his kids could grow up around family.







“We recorded in different studios over the course of about a year and a half, which is the way some of my favorite albums were made,” reveals Small, “This is the first record since Mike Ness (Social Distortion) produced In The City that I’ve kinda let go of the production and mixing to get a different view of these songs.”


Longtime Hangmen fan Rob Schnapf (Elliot Smith, Beck, X) also stepped in to produce two tracks on Stories: “On The Outside” and “Last Time I Saw You”, a tribute to “Rontrose” Heathman, the former Hangmen and Supersuckers guitar player who passed away in 2020.


Stories To Tell also includes a raucous cover of Credence Clearwater Revival’s “Sinister Purpose”. “CCR has always been a part of The Hangmen’s DNA to some extent. It was a bit of an overlooked song that spoke to us. Jimmy James (guitarist) brought it to the band and it was a natural fit.”


Stories To Tell will be released September 8, 2023 on Acetate Records. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location. The artwork and tracklisting are as follows:





"Broken Heartland"
"Midnight Riders"
"Last Time I Saw You"
"On The Outside"
"Sinister Purpose"
"Bayou Moon"
"Behind The Wheel"
"Stories To Tell"
"Hard Luck Jim"
"Runnin' Kind"


“Welp, Bryan Small has done it again. This record is so Hangmen, it hurts - this may just be the best record they’ve ever made. I’ve listened to it 35 times already and I can’t get enough. The hits just keep on coming! 6 stars out of five!!” - Eddie Spaghetti (Supersuckers)


Catch The Hangmen live at the following shows across Europe in 2023:


September
13 - La Dame de Canton - Paris, France
14 - Noktambul - Rennes, France
15 - RockSea Bar Restaurant Club - Saint Gilles Croix De Vie, France
16 - Moulin Du Rousseau - Périgueux, France
17 - Sala Zeta - Zaragoza, Spain
19 - Whisky Bar - Los Pinos, Spain
20 - Mardi Gras - La Coruña, Spain
21 - Sala Clamores - Madrid, Spain
22 - Amb - Burgos, Spaon
23 - Blow Up Fest at Kafe Antzokia - Bilbao, Spain
24 - Sala Pícaro - Toledo, Spain
26 - Lemon Rock Bar & Hostel - Granada, Spain
27 - Rockstar Benidorm - Benidorm, Spain
28 - Loco Club - Valencia, Spain
29 - Sidecar - Barcelona, Spain
30 - Secret Place - Saint Jean De Védas, France


October
1 - Joshua Blues Club - Como, Italy
3 - Hard Place - Zagreb, Croatia
4 - Cultural Center of Belgrade - Beograd, Serbia
5 - Vagon Music Pub & Club - Praha, Czech Republic
6 - Wild At Heart - Berlin, Germany
11 - Apollo Club - Hamburgh, Germany
12 - Sonic Ballroom - Cologne, Germany
14 - Back To The Pipeline - Messancy, Belgium


“If you haven’t seen The Hangmen live, you should kick yourself in the ass!” - Mike Ness (Social Distortion)


Formed in 1986, The Hangmen immediately caught the eye of Circle Jerks frontman Keith Morris, who began managing the band and produced the demos that landed them a deal with Capitol Records. In 1989 they released their self-titled debut produced by Vic Maile, (Motörhead, The Who - Live At Leeds) before switching to the newly formed DGC Records whose roster included The Nymphs and Nirvana to name a few. That seemed like the perfect landing spot for the band, but unfortunately the Rob Younger (Radio Birdman) produced album Suicide Doors was never released and the band dissolved into addiction.


Not one to be down for long, a newly sober Small started writing again, the result was 2000’s Metallic I.O.U. released on the Los Angeles-based indie, Acetate Records. The Hangmen found a willing accomplice and partner in crime in label owner Rick Ballard, who produced their follow-up, We’ve Got Blood On The Toes Of Our Boots, a live recording of their OOP Capitol Records debut and 2019’s Cactusville. Tours with longtime fans Social Distortion and the Supersuckers followed. Mike Ness would later produce The Hangmen’s 2007 release In The City. “I totally feel like we're kindred spirits,” Small says looking back, adding that both bands emphasize “simplicity, and doing what you do and staying true to that.”


In 2010, the popular Finnish record label Hype Records released Lost Rocks, an 18-song Hangmen retrospective. Shortly thereafter, former Supersucker Ron Heathmen joined the band for 2012’s critically acclaimed East Of Western. 2019 marked the release of Cactusville as well as a performance on legendary European television show, Rockpalast.


 

Tarja has released the video for "The Living End", featured on Rocking Heels: Live At Metal Church, out now via earMUSIC. Watch the clip below:





In front of just 300 hand-picked fans, this one-time-only event opened the Wacken Open Air Festival in 2016. Tarja presents unique arrangements of rock and heavy metal classics by her favorite artists including Metallica's "The Unforgiven," songs by Joe Satriani and Slipknot, as well as a Nightwish song and Tarja originals.




With its captivating performances of well-known songs paired with Tarja's iconic voice, this live album is a treasure for fans, as well as a discovery for Tarja-newcomers and all those who missed the chance to attend this exclusive concert. Rocking Heels: Live At Metal Church will be released as a Ltd. 2LP Vinyl Edition, CD Digipak in LP-replica design and on Digital.


Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Always With Me, Always With You" (Joe Satriani)
"Numb" (Linkin Park)
"Alias" (In Flames)
"Vermillion Pt. 2" (Slipknot)
"Trust" (Megadeth)
"Ohne Dich" (Rammstein)
"Afterlife" (Avenged Sevenfold)
"The Living End" (Tarja)
"The Unforgiven" (Metallica)
"Sleeping Sun" (Nightwish)
"I Walk Alone" (Tarja)
"Ave Maria" (Tarja)


"Trust" video:





"I Walk Alone" video:





"Afterlife" video:





"Vermillion Pt. 2" video:





"The Unforgiven" video:





"Alias" video:





"Numb" video: