In a new interview with "The Project", an Australian news-current affairs and talk show television panel program, airing weeknights across Australia on Network 10, METALLICA frontman James Hetfield was asked how it feels to be credited — along with bands like SLAYER, MEGADETH and ANTHRAX — with inventing a whole new subgenre of heavy metal music. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'd love to take credit for it, but it was just how it worked out. We were playing music that we wanted to hear. [It's] as simple as that. People don't understand how important things are in the moment, when you're doing them, until later on, which is great. 'Cause if we thought it was that important, we would have screwed it up, probably. [Laughs]"

James also talked about the ongoing "rock is dead" debate and why he thinks heavy metal has survived through all the different changes in the musical climate over the course of the last few decades. He said: "Gosh, [heavy metal is] a misfit music. It's an underground feeling still. It's like a rebel music. It's a thing you need to fight for. Every decade, [they say] 'rock is dead'. That is fuel for a hard rock band. Absolutely."

Hetfield is currently promoting METALLICA's latest album, "72 Seasons", which was released on Friday (April 14) via METALLICA's own Blackened Recordings. Produced by Greg Fidelman with Hetfield and drummer Lars Ulrich, it is METALLICA's first full-length collection of new material since 2016's "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct".

In the seven years since the arrival of "Hardwired… To Self-Destruct", METALLICA has reissued some of its classic albums, released a second live album with the San Francisco Symphony, commissioned a covers album featuring the likes of GHOST, VOLBEAT, WEEZER, Corey Taylor and THE HU, and landed on the Billboard songs chart with "Master Of Puppets" after a prominent placement in the hit Netflix show "Stranger Things".

METALLICA's "M72" world tour will feature two-night stops in nearly two dozen cities. Presented worldwide by Liquid Death and Blackened American Whiskey (in North America only) and promoted by Live Nation, the 46-show trek will launch in Amsterdam on April 27 and will include shows all over Europe and North America through 2024. Each "No Repeat Weekend" on "M72" will feature two completely different setlists and support lineups. The "M72" tour will feature a bold new in-the-round stage design that relocates the famed METALLICA Snake Pit to center stage, as well as the "I Disappear" full-tour pass and the debut of discounted tickets for fans under 16 years of age. Opening acts for the tour include PANTERA, MAMMOTH WVH, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, ICE NINE KILLS, ARCHITECTS, VOLBEAT and GRETA VAN FLEET.

AVENGED SEVENFOLD has announced the "Life Is But A Dream…" 360-degree immersive album experience at AREA15 in Las Vegas, Nevada from May 11 through May 14.

Experience the band's first full-length album in seven years three weeks before its official release, exclusively at this once-in-a-lifetime event. Dive into 11 new songs from the multi-platinum headliners and famed heavy metal rock band with grand, immersive visuals and an exclusive curated merch pop-up shop celebrating their genre-bending new album set to release on June 2, 2023.

Says AVENGED SEVENFOLD: "We're excited to announce our #LifeIsButADream… 360º Immersive Album Experience at @AREA15official in Las Vegas from May 11-14. Be the first to experience our new record, three weeks before its official release, as it's meant to be heard - in its entirety from start to finish."

Tickets are available now at Area15.com.

Last week, AVENGED SEVENFOLD announced the second leg of its extensive "Life is But A Dream…" North American tour featuring support from FALLING IN REVERSE. Produced by Live Nation, leg two includes stops in Nashville, Denver, Austin, and more before concluding at Fort Worth's Dickies Arena on October 15. Fans will have the opportunity to hear the group's first single in seven years, "Nobody", and their new album "Life Is But A Dream…" for the first time live during the 30-show outing.

The first leg with support from ALEXISONFIRE includes thirteen cities across the U.S. and Canada, such as Mansfield, Québec City, Tinley Park, Calgary, and more. The group kicks off their 2023 solo touring run with two unique one-night-only arena shows in New York and Los Angeles this June.

To date, AVENGED SEVENFOLD has sold over 10 million albums worldwide and earned two consecutive No. 1 albums on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart (2010's "Nightmare" and 2013's "Hail To The King") to go along with over a billion video views and a billion-plus Spotify streams, as well as multiple No. 1 singles on rock radio. The band is equally known for their spectacular live shows, selling out arenas and headlining the world's most prestigious rock festivals.
We’re excited to announce our #LifeIsButADream… 360º Immersive Album Experience at @AREA15official in Las Vegas from May 11-14. Be the first to experience our new record, three weeks before its official release, as it’s meant to be heard - in its entirety from start to finish.… pic.twitter.com/W1SgeZWgje

— Avenged Sevenfold (@TheOfficialA7X) April 20, 2023

Times are hard, we know. And while Tina Turner may have declared some time ago that, “We don't need another hero,” the opposite seems to be true. We need heroes, we need anthems, we need perseverance. And fast! Luckily for us, Eleine has heard the call with their newest single “Never Forget”.


Beginning with a heavy, thrashy riff which instantly drives the song forward and leads to a mighty chorus, the song is the perfect paradigm of the speed and epic vibe of their new album, We Shall Remain, set for release on July 14th via Atomic Fire Records.


The band comments, "Have you ever met someone who has scarred you? Made you doubt yourself? Maybe even made your life a living hell? We all have, in one way or another. But the most important part of experiencing something inevitable like this is to remember your own worth. It's not about you, but you can evolve and learn from the situation itself."




“Rise up. Accept what has been. Move forward and cut the strings attached to anyone who really doesn't give you anything else but a headache. In the end, we're all facing the same fate. Make sure your life along the way has as less toxic people as possible and make sure you are in charge of your own life." 





We Shall Remain was written and produced by guitarist/vocalist Rikard Ekberg and lead vocalist Madeleine Liljestam while Thomas "Plec" Johansson took care of co-recording, mixing ,and mastering at The Panic Room Studio in Skövde, Sweden. Its fiery artwork was designed by Nestor Avalos (nestoravalosofficial.com) and Madeleine Liljestam.


We Shall Remain will be available as a digibook CD, digibook CD + signed photo card (limited edition; EMP & Sound Pollution excl.), jewel case CD, LP (Orange/White), and digitally.


Preorder the album in the physical format of your choice, pre-save it on your favorite DSP, or preorder it digitally to receive “We Are Legion” instantly at this location.





Tracklisting:


“Never Forget”
“Stand By The Flame”
“We Are Legion”
“Promise Of Apocalypse”
“Blood In Their Eyes”
“Vemod”
“Through The Mist”
“Suffering”
“War Das Alles”
“We Shall Remain”


“We Are Legion”:





Besides recently welcoming long-time live bass player Filip Stålberg as a new permanent member, Eleine will embark on their very first North American tour next month. Accompanying legendary Portuguese dark metallers Moonspell on their 30th anniversary tour across the US and Canada, the band will play twenty-three shows from April 29 through May 23 with additional support coming from Oceans Of Slumber and Vintersea on select dates. To help the band on their journey, head to gofundme.com.





Tour dates:


April
29 - Brooklyn, NY - The Monarch
30 - Philadelphia, PA - Warehouse on Watts


May
1 - Greensboro, NC - Hangar 1819
2 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
3 - Orlando, FL - Conduit
5 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar*
7 - Dallas, TX - Trees*
8 - Santa Fe, NM - Tumbleroot Brewing*
9 - Phoenix, AZ - Last Exit Live*
10 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720*
11 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick*
12 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge*
13 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom*
14 - Vancouver, BC - The Cobalt*
16 - Denver, Co - Oriental Theater
17 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater
18 - Joliet, IL - The Forge #
19 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere’s #
20 - Pittsburgh, PA - Preserving Underground #
21 - Montreal, QC - Petit Campus #
22 - Quebec, QC - Source De La Martiniere #
25 - Boston, MA - Sonia #


* with Vintersea
# no Oceans of Slumbers


(Photo: Madeleine Lijestam/Rikard Ekberg)


 

AXS TV has reissued the video below, in which Don Felder, formerly of the Eagles, and Sammy Hagar perform "Hotel California" in Las Vegas. Felder was the lead guitarist for The Eagles from 1974 to 2001.





Sammy Hagar and Bob Weir recently announced the lineup for the eighth annual Acoustic-4-A-Cure benefit concert on Saturday, May 13.




In celebration of the event's return home to the Fillmore in San Francisco for the first time post-Covid, Sammy's brought together a star-studded lineup that's heavy on music icons from The City by the Bay (in alphabetical order): Michael Anthony, Sammy Hagar, Chris Isaak, Vic Johnson, Taj Mahal, Don Was, Bob Weir, Nancy Wilson + surprise guests.


Sammy and Bob will reteam to host the event for a third time, in addition to performing. Benefiting the Pediatric Cancer Program at UCSF's Benioff Children's Hospital, Acoustic-4-A-Cure 2023 is set to deliver true once-in-a-lifetime musical moments and collaborative jams that the concert event has become synonymous with.


Tickets on sale via livenation.com.





Sammy Hagar said: "I'm thrilled that we're back for an eighth year and back home at the Fillmore in San Francisco where it all began. Most of all I'm so grateful to my friends and partners who lend their unconditional support year after year. We're able to produce an arena level show at an intimate venue and keep the ticket prices affordable because these incredible artists donate their time and deliver unbelievable performances so all of the profits can go directly to an incredible cause. That's my kind of philanthropy!"


Now in its eighth year, Acoustic-4-A-Cure has quickly become one of the year's hottest tickets, with legendary artists performing acoustic sets, epic collaborations, and impromptu jams from the stages of intimate and storied San Francisco venues like The Fillmore. The benefit was created by Bay Area rock legends Sammy Hagar and James Hetfield, whose vision was to raise needed funds and awareness for the pediatric cancer research by throwing a must-see concert for fans and donating all the proceeds to UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. In past years, artists including Michael Anthony, Billie Joe Armstrong, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Jerry Cantrell, Kevin Cronin, Melissa Etheridge, Mick Fleetwood, Dave Grohl, Sammy Hagar, Taylor Hawkins, James Hetfield, Vic Johnson, Kris Kristofferson, Tommy Lee, Taj Mahal, John Mayer, Sarah McLachlan, Pat Monahan, Linda Perry, Chad Smith, Adam Sandler, Joe Satriani, Joe Satriani, Rick Springfield, Bob Weir, Nancy Wilson have lent their support with truly remarkable performances.


UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital creates an environment where children and their families find compassionate care at the forefront of scientific discovery, with more than 150 experts in 50 medical specialties serving patients throughout Northern California and beyond. The hospital admits about 5,000 children each year, including 2,000 babies born in the hospital.


UCSF Medical Center is recognized throughout the world as a leading academic medical center that provides innovative treatments, uses advanced technology, fosters collaboration among clinicians and scientists, and employs a highly compassionate team of doctors, nurses and staff.

After the very recent release of their fifth studio album, Sweet Poison, as well as their subsequent tour, the relentless rockers of The New Roses aren’t about to slow down. The band is proud to announce the extension of their worldwide contract with Napalm Records - continuing their impressive success story.


The New Roses on their contract extension: “After already releasing 4 albums together, we are happy about the extension of our partnership with Napalm Records and are glad to have such an experienced and reliable partner at our side, now and in the future. Especially in times of many changes in the music business, it is important for us to work with a globally networked label that has the necessary skills to adapt to and take advantage of new market conditions and technical innovations. We are looking forward to the continuation of our partnership and further joint successes.”


Napalm Records managing director Thomas Caser adds: "It gives me and Napalm Records great pleasure to continue down the road with The New Roses. Together we will push the international expansion of The New Roses and make it one of the most exciting rock acts in the world."




Boarding completed… The New Roses are in the takeoff position for their next trip.


In more exciting news, The New Roses are thrilled to announce the return of guitarist Norman Bites. Up until 2019, Norman and the band toured the world together - playing at shows from Europe to Miami and even in Afghanistan, but then, at the beginning of 2020, it was suddenly over. Norman first experienced a several-month hiatus due to a cervical spine injury. Then, after a career change due to the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, he realized intensive touring would be impossible with his new position, and was forced to finally announce his departure from the band in 2021. Founding member Dizzy Daniels, who had filled in for him in 2020, became a permanent member of the band again. Norman Bites concentrated on his job from then on, and was active in various studio projects, as well as his own solo project, Thunder/Bites, in addition to his home office work.


Now that the pandemic is fading, The New Roses announce the return of the guitarist. Singer Timmy Rough will concentrate on vocals, and Norman Bites and Dizzy Daniels will share guitar duties from now on. Norman Bites will already be back on stage with the band for the upcoming second leg of the Sweet Poison German Tour, which starts on April 22. Rehearsals are already in full swing and The New Roses are happy to be back on stage together again. Norman’s return will give the live program an additional drive, and fans can look forward to an energetic rock`n roll show.


Get your tickets here.





The band's lates album, Sweet Poison, is available via Napalm Records. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"My Kinda Crazy"
"Playing With Fire"
"All I Ever Needed"
"The Usual Suspects"
"Warpaint"
"Dead Of Night"
"True Love"
"1st Time For Everything"
"Sweet Gloria"
"The Lion In You"
"Veins Of This Town"


“My Kinda Crazy” video:





“1st Time For Everything” lyric video:



 
"The Usual Suspects" video:





Lineup:


Timmy Rough - vocals
Dizzy Daniels - guitar
Norman Bites - guitar
Hardy - bass
Urban Berz - drums


(Photo - The New Roses)

In a new interview with Thomas S. Orwat, Jr. of Rock Interview Series, L.A. GUNS frontman Phil Lewis weighed in on Mick Mars's recent lawsuit against MÖTLEY CRÜE in which the 71-year-old musician claimed that he was the only bandmember to play 100 percent live on CRÜE's 2022 tour, alleging that bassist Nikki Sixx "did not play a single note on bass during the entire U.S. tour." Phil said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's incorrigible, isn't it? It really is. It's such a swindle. But it's probably a lot better. I mean, they'd probably sound like utter shit if they were live, with the big stadium and the big lights and Vince [Neil] singing in the way that we've come to know and love.

"They really are a fucking atrocious band; they always have been," Phil continued. "And the only good player, the only good one in the band, has been very unceremoniously dismissed.

"I never liked them. I never did. I never bought one of their records. I loathed 'Girls, Girls, Girls'; I hated all of it. Occasionally I caught the attention of Nikki, and he doesn't like me. I'm a sad little pumpkin as to what he thinks about me. I just find him to be a big fraud.

"It's a punishment of luxury — somebody that became a millionaire at such an early age that they never really developed social skills," Lewis added. "It's like taking a bird out of a nest when it's not ready to fly; it won't develop. And I don't think, really, that any of them… The three of them aren't very well socially developed. They're not very good. And Mick's a different category entirely because he was so much older before success.

"Success can be a punishment quite often. And in their case it must just be so painful right now having been idolized for so long and now to called out as frauds, essentially as instrument-holding MILLI VANILLI, as a disgrace. They've gotta be hurting real bad."

Wondering loudly if MÖTLEY CRÜE deserves all the criticism it has gotten in the wake of Mick's lawsuit, Phil said: "I don't know. They make a lot of people happy. A lot of people couldn't care less. They just wanna go there, have a good time, drink beer and be with their buddies. We're just not that kind of a band."

Asked if would join MÖTLEY CRÜE if he was offered $50 million to step in for Vince Neil, Lewis said: "I would never get that offer. But they really fucked up when they went with John 5 [as Mick's replacement] and not [L.A. GUNS guitarist] Tracii Guns. And I'm glad they did, obviously. [John 5] is not the right fucking fit at all. And Tracii would just be so perfect. He's, like, Hollywood; he's a brat like them. He's just like the next generation down, and it would have been such an incredibly good fit. But Tracii's not trendy. It's gotta be fucking Rob Zombie's guy or it's gotta be Lenny Kravitz's wife or ex-girlfriend. It's gotta be trendy. It's gotta be somebody incredibly important. It gives them a sense of importance. And, as I said, I'm glad they fucked up and they didn't [hire Tracii]. They should have got Tracii.

"And would I take it? Hell yeah. I'd take it," Phil admitted. "I'd do it in a heartbeat. [Laughs] All I've gotta do is get on stage and mime and wiggle my ass and wear whatever I want. Yeah. 50 mil? C'mon. Let's go."

Last October, Guns, who played with Sixx in a band called BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION two decades ago, said that John 5 was "a great choice" to replace Mars in MÖTLEY CRÜE.

Mars suffers from Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS),a chronic and inflammatory form of arthritis that mainly affects the spine and pelvis. After years of performing through the pain, he informed the other members of MÖTLEY CRÜE last summer that he could no longer tour with them but would still be open to recording new music or performing at residencies that did not require much travel.

Regarding Mick's claim that he was the only CRÜE member to play 100 percent live on their most recent tour, CRÜE's manager of 29 years, Allen Kovac, told Variety: "Everything is live with Nikki's bass playing and Tommy's [Lee] drum playing. When they've used loops, they're still playing. There are augmented vocals, which were (recorded) in the studio and are backgrounds behind the two ladies who are singing and (other background vocals by) John 5 and Nikki Sixx, and before that Mick and Nikki." He described the pre-recorded vocal layering as where "you multi-track and you do gang vocals with, like, 20 people, just like all the other bands do with background vocals. They've got background vocals in the mix. That's the truth.

"But Nikki played his bass and always has," Kovac continued. "Vince was singing better than he was before (on the latest tour). That was in reviews. Now, John 5 is playing like who John 5 is. I've heard John 5 perform and I heard Mick perform. Both are great guitar players. Unfortunately, Mick is not the same. He hasn't been the same for a long time. Which was in reviews! You see that the professionals knew. DEF LEPPARD (which alternated headlining spots on tour) knew. And (Mars) caused a train wreck up there, because he would play the wrong songs and the wrong parts, even with the guide tracks. When he played the wrong song, it wasn't Nikki Sixx that had a tape; it was the soundman bringing it into the mix so the audience could hear a song, even though the guitar player was playing a different song." He says audiences "would hear it at first, but (sound engineers) would fix it so that we could keep the song going. I heard it. I'd go to the sound board."

Back in 2016, Tracii told Philadelphia's 93.3 WMMR radio station that BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION fell apart after MÖTLEY CRÜE "got back together." But he went on to say that working with Nikki was "an amazing experience." He added: "I was the biggest MÖTLEY CRÜE fan; I loved 'Too Fast For Love' and 'Shout At The Devil' — they were really influential records in my life. When the BRIDES played live, we would do a few songs from each of those records at the end. We'd do the BRIDES album, 'cause it was only eight songs, so that set was thirty minutes, and then we'd do a mini L.A. GUNS set and a mini MÖTLEY CRÜE set. When we played [U.K.'s] Donington, playing [MÖTLEY CRÜE's] 'Live Wire' in front of ten, fifteen thousand people — or way more than that; whatever it was — it was the biggest adrenaline rush I've ever had in my life. It was wild, man — so cool."

Pennsylvania progressive death metal band Rivers Of Nihil had quite a year in 2022. After the release of their fourth album, The Work, towards the end of 2021, the group spent the majority of their time burning the candle at both ends with a frenzied tour schedule including headline runs of the U.S. and Europe and in support of The Contortionist, but once the latter tour wrapped up, they were short a band member. 


For personal reasons, founding member and lead vocalist Jake Dieffenbach and the band went their separate ways. The split took place just three days after the recording of a live video and audio session for Audiotree’s new 'From Nothing' series. And while initially the band wasn't sure how to approach the release with the departure of a founding member and lead singer — or whether to release it at all — they decided to move forward with it to honor Dieffenbach's contributions to the group over the years and mark the beginning of a new chapter. 


So, for Audiotree’s second installment of 'From Nothing', presented to you is the end of an era and the beginning of something new for Rivers Of Nihil. The session features live performances and interviews diving into the band's creative process and recent work. Check it out now here. 







Guitarist Brody Uttley comments; "We’ve been big fans of the Audiotree catalog for many years now, so when Austin from Audiotree asked us if we’d be interested in being part of a new series they were doing we said ‘yes' immediately." 


"Additionally, you will notice that Jake is performing with us. This shoot took place just a few days before our split with him as our vocalist, so rather than burying this project (since we are now no longer working together), we decided to release it as a finale to the chapter of the band that he spent with us."


"The time when this was filmed was one of the most strenuous in our band, both from a personal standpoint and simply because we were playing so many shows at that time nonstop. The morning that we filmed the Audiotree piece we had driven through the night from the previous gig to arrive in Chicago early enough to film with Audiotree in the morning and still make it to our show later that day with The Contortionist."


"This is the most accurate picture of our band working ourselves to the bone. A lot of what is said in the documentary still applies to where things are going, but this video definitely captures the essence of where the band was at, in late September of 2022."


"Finally, we just wrapped up a recording session that birthed a ton a new music that you will be hearing much sooner than you think, featuring our previous bassist / backup vocalist Adam Biggs as the new lead vocalist (and bassist) as well as Andy Thomas’ first appearance on record with us as a member of Rivers Of Nihil. We will be continuing as a four piece and we simply cannot wait to show you what this sounds like."





Catch Rivers Of Nihil live this summer when they hit the road with Between The Buried And Me and Thank You Scientist. Tour kicks off on June 16th in Charleston, SC at Music Farm and wraps up on July 31st in Winston-Salem, NC at The Ramkat. Tour dates below. 


"We’re super honored and excited to be a part of the upcoming Parallax II 10th anniversary tour! BTBAM are one of my all-time favorite bands so you know the Rivers boys and I will be bringing our A-game and a setlist full of our best material (maybe even some new stuff). We’re also stoked to share the stage with the uber-talented Thank You Scientist, so I think it’s safe to say this will easily be one of the best prog-metal shows of the year, so don’t miss out," says vocalist / bassist Adam Biggs.


Rivers Of Nihil with Between The Buried And Me and Thank You Scientist:


June
16 - Charleston, SC - Music Farm 
17 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage 
18 - Philadelphia, PA - Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia 
20 - New York, NY - Irving Plaza 
21 - Albany, NY - Empire Live 
22 - Burlington, VT - Higher Ground *Rivers Of Nihil only
23 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium 
24 - Montreal, QC - Club Soda 
25 - Toronto, ON - Danforth Music Hall 
27 - Millvale, PA - Mr Smalls Theatre 
28 - Detroit, MI - The Majestic 
29 - Columbus, OH - Newport Music Hall 
30 - Chicago, IL - House Of Blues 


July
1 - Minneapolis, MN - The Lyric at Skyway Theatre
2 - Kansas City, MO - The Truman 
3 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre 
5 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex 
6 - Billings, MT - Pub Station (Taproom) *Rivers of Nihil only
7 - Calgary, AB - MacEwan Hall 
8 - Edmonton, AB - Union Hall 
10 - Vancouver, BC - The Vogue Theatre 
11 - Seattle, WA - The Crocodile 
12 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater 
13 - Sacramento, CA - Ace Of Spades 
14 - Bakersfield, CA - 1933 *Rivers Of Nihil only
15 - Anaheim, CA - House Of Blues 
16 - San Diego, CA - The Observatory - North Park 
17 - Mesa, AZ - The Nile Theatre 
19 - Odessa, TX - The Ector Theatre *Rivers Of Nihil only
20 - San Antonio, TX - Vibes Event Center 
21 - Dallas, TX The Factory in Deep Ellum 
22 - Houston, TX Warehouse Live 
23 - New Orleans, LA - House Of Blues 
25 - St. Louis, MO - Red Flag 
26 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl Nashville 
28 - St Petersburg, FL - Jannus Live 
29 - Orlando, FL - The Beacham 
30 - Atlanta, GA - Heaven at The Masquerade
31 - Winston-Salem, NC - The Ramkat 





 

Finnish melodic death metal band Before The Dawn return after a decade-long hiatus and announce their new album, Stormbringers, to be released on June 30, 2023 via Napalm Records. Today, the band serves up a first taste of their upcoming album with the massive single, “Destroyer”, together with a captivating official music video. 


“Destroyer” takes no prisoners - relentless drumming and ever-changing guitar lines build up a wall of sound that sets the tone for the album perfectly. Harsh sounds interfere with calmer parts, the intense clean vocals of Paavo Laapotti, and an astonishing guitar solo. Before The Dawn prove that even after their absence, they haven’t lost a glimpse of their power and unleash a storm - paving their way to reconquer the scene!


Before The Dawn on “Destroyer”: “'Destroyer' was the first song written for the new album, and being the spark that ignited the whole writing process, it deserves to be the first single as well. The song also reflects really well the rediscovered fire inside the band, and our determination and strength we have gathered during the ten years of hibernation.”







After a long ten-year hiatus, Finnish melodic death metal band Before The Dawn proudly returns! Formed in 1999, chart-cracking Before The Dawn reigned as one of the most successful Finnish metal bands of the early 2000’s, and since their burial in 2013, hundreds of thousands of new fans have discovered their music on streaming platforms, entirely without promotion or labels involved. Did the music find the people, or the people find the music - one can’t be sure, but after being inactive for almost a decade, Before The Dawn now returns with their first new full length studio album since their hiatus - and stronger than ever!


The band originated as Finnish Metal Award winning Tuomas Saukkonen’s (Wolfheart) solo project, but throughout the years, there have been several lineup changes. With the exciting new lineup, the band introduces its biggest changes so far. Previous guitarist and vocalist Saukkonen has moved behind the drums, and talented Voice Of Finland 2022 finalist Paavo Laapotti has taken on all vocalist duties, while Swallow The Sun’s Juho Räihä - who has been with Before The Dawn since 2006 - performs lead guitar duties. Now, the Finns have fully transformed into their new power and are ready to reconquer the scene!

Before The Dawn on Stormbringers: “Stormbringers breaks a silence that lasted over ten years and brings Before The Dawn back stronger than ever. A decade of gathering strength, growing the hunger and building determination and now it is time for our eighth album to see the light of the day and bring the band back on the road.”





Tracklisting:


"The Dawn"
"Destroyer"
"Reveries"
"Downhearted"
"Chains"
"Divided"
"The Dark"
"Chaos Star"
"The Weight"


Stormbringers will be available in the following formats:

• 1-LP Colored Vinyl


• 6-page Digisleeve


• CD + Shirt Bundle


• Digital Album

Pre-orders can be placed now at this location.


(Photo credit: Teppo Ristola)


 

The Acacia Strain — vocalist Vincent Bennett; guitarists Devin Shidaker and Mike Mulholland; bassist Griffin Landa; and drummer Kevin Boutot — recently surprised fans again by announcing two new albums arriving on May 12 via Rise Records: Step Into The Light and failure will follow 


Today, they share "Chain" (featuring Chamber's Jacob Lilly) from Step Into The Light. "'Chain' is possibly the hardest song we have ever written," says Bennett. "Shout out to Jacob Lilly." Listen here.










Step Into The Light tracklisting:


"Flourishing"
"Calf's Blood"
"Chain" (feat. Jacob Lilly)
"Fresh Bones"
"Teeth Of The Cursed Dog"
"Open Wound"
"Sinkhole" (feat. Josef Alfonso)
"Is This Really Happening?"
"Untended Graves"
"None Of Us Asked To Be Here"


"Fresh Bones" visualizer:





"Untended Graves" visualizer:








failure will follow tracklisting:


“pillar of ” (feat. Dylan Walker + iRiS.exe)
“bog walker”
“basin of vows” (feat. Ethan McCarthy)


The Acacia Strain On Tour:


May
5 — Atlantic City, NJ — Bamboozle


Record Release Shows:
Featuring Escuela Grind, Vomit Forth, Chained To The Bottom Of The Ocean:


May
19 — Syracuse, NY — The Lost Horizon
20 — Albany, NY — Empire Underground
21 — Portland, ME — The Cavern


With Integrity, Tribal Gaze:


June
13 — Cleveland, OH — Beachland Ballroom
14 — Pittsburgh, PA — Preserving Underground
15 — Louisville, KY — Portal
16 — Cincinnati, OH — Legends
17 —  Birmingham, AL — Sloss Furnaces (No Tribal Gaze)
18 —  Durham, NC — Motorco Music Hall





 


 

Mighty Austrian heavy metal unit Roadwolf is tearing up the heavy metal scene again with their epic second single entitled “Supernatural”. Following their first album, Unchain The Wolf (2020), now Roadwolf are ready to reveal their thrilling sophomore effort and Napalm Records debut, Midnight Lightning, on May 19, 2023.


With the new single, "Supernatural", Roadwolf showcase their versatility, delivering a touching ballad-like verse before unleashing a full-blown metal extravaganza during the chorus. The accompanying official music video lets their rock n roll superpowers loose - get ready to rock out with Roadwolf.


Roadwolf on “Supernatural”: “Deliver yourself to the infectious tunes of our new song and make yourself comfortable. At the same time, you get hypnotized by the pounding rhythm of the music. Under the influence of a new moon rising, you shall worship ‘Supernatural’ - the new single of the upcoming album Midnight Lightning."







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.


Pre-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"


"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)