The Acacia Strain have dropped their new single "Untended Graves". Watch a visualizer below. It's just over two minutes of metallic maelstrom - including a tectonic plate-shifting breakdown and the blood-chilling declaration "I don't want to die!"


"'Untended Graves' is a good example of our current collective writing, with some added perspective that was injected into the band recently, as well," says the band. "It will be a fun one to play live next spring. However, as usual with us, it's no indication of what’s to come."







The Acacia Strain, Fit For An Autopsy, and Full Of Hell will hit the road on a co-headliner with special guest Primitive Man for one of the most extreme packages in recent memory.


The tour kicks off on March 8 in Brooklyn and runs through April 1 in Worcester, MA. Tickets on sale here.





Dates:


March
8 - Brooklyn, NY - The Monarch
9 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Art
10 -  Columbus, OH - The King of Clubs
11 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
12 - Chicago, IL - Metro
14 - Denver, CO - The Gothic
15 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
17 - Seattle, WA - El Corazon
18 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
19 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
20 - Santa Ana, CA - The Observatory
21 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
22 - Mesa, AZ - Nile Theater
24 - Dallas, TX - Amplified Live
25 - Austin, TX - Come and Take It Live
26 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
28 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
29 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade (Heaven)
30 - Greensboro, NC - Arizona Pete's
31 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage


April
1 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium

Greek metal legends, Rotting Christ, have dropped a surprise EP, The Apocryphal Spells Vol. I, via Century Media Records. This first volume of songs is a collection of studio and live bonus tracks that were previously only available on select physical products; now, fans can stream these rarities for the first time online here.


Rotting Christ's Sakis Tolis (vocals, guitars) comments: "My dear friends, I can proudly announce a compilation of rare Rotting Christ tracks that have never been released on digital platforms before. We have now the opportunity to release them via the first part of a compilation: The Apocryphal Spells. Thanks for your attention, and I hope you will enjoy them, as we also did, recording them back in the days. Spirit Up!"







The Apocryphal Spells Vol. I tracklisting:


"Astral Embodiment"
"Moonlight"
"Phobia"
"Tormentor" (Kreator cover)
"Flag Of Hate/Pleasure to Kill" (Kreator cover)


Rotting Christ was founded by Sakis Tolis (vocals, guitars) and his brother Themis Tolis (drums) in 1987. Starting out as death/grind, the Greeks embarked on a darker musical journey by the time their debut full-length, Thy Mighty Contract (1993), was released.


On the following seven albums [spanning a ten-year period from Non Serviam (1994) to Sanctus Diavolos (2004)], Rotting Christ steadily defined their own distinct style by experimenting with elements from death, heavy, and gothic metal without betraying their black roots. At the same time, the band went from underground heroes to headliner status.


With their highly acclaimed ninth album, Theogonia (2007), the Greek stalwarts added an unmistakable native element to their sound, which has remained with them as a signature trademark ever since.


(Photo - David Parham)

The addressesYouTube channel has uploaded 4K video of JUDAS PRIEST's entire October 21, 2022 concert at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Featured songs:

* Electric Eye 0:00
* Riding On The Wind 5:15
* You've Got Another Thing Comin' 9:33
* Jawbreaker 15:31
* Firepower 19:21
* Never The Heroes 23:00
* Beyond The Realms Of Death 27:44
* Judas Rising 34:53
* Heading Out To The Highway 39:12
* Genocide 44:15
* Steeler 52:37
* Between The Hammer And The Anvil 57:54
* Halls Of Valhalla 1:02:36
* The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) 1:11:44
* Screaming For Vengeance 1:16:42
* Hell Bent For Leather 1:22:46
* Breaking The Law 1:26:47
* Living After Midnight 1:29:24

JUDAS PRIEST was recently presented with a special plaque commemorating an incredible 50 years in music and over 50 million album sales worldwide. The presentation was made on the eve of the band's induction in to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in Los Angeles last month.

There are few heavy metal bands that have managed to scale the heights that JUDAS PRIEST have during their 50-year career. Their presence and influence remains at an all-time high as evidenced by 2018's "Firepower" being the highest-charting album of their career, a 2010 Grammy Award win for "Best Metal Performance", plus being a 2006 VH1 Rock Honors recipient. JUDAS PRIEST originally formed in 1969 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing and Ian Hill would be the nucleus of musicians (along with several different drummers over the years) that would go on to change the face of heavy metal. The current lineup, which changed in 2011, consists of Halford, Tipton, Hill, Richie Faulkner and Scott Travis.

Following early albums such as "Rocka Rolla", "Sin After Sin" and "Sad Wings Of Destiny", JUDAS PRIEST redefined heavy music forever with the 1980 release of iconic album "British Steel". Subsequent albums such as "Screaming For Vengeance" and "Painkiller" established the band as "Metal Gods", identified by charismatic Halford's characteristic soaring high-pitched vocals.

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at this year's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

The JUDAS PRIEST members who got inducted include current members Halford, Hill, Tipton and Travis, along with former members Downing, Les Binks (drums) and late drummer Dave Holland.

Halford, Hill, Tipton and Travis were joined by Binks, Downing and Faulkner for a three-song medley consisting of "You've Got Another Thing Comin'", "Breaking The Law" and "Living After Midnight".

PRIEST was inducted into the Rock Hall by fellow rock legend Cooper, who described them as "the definitive metal band." He added: "They defined the sound we know of heavy metal and their sound is unmistakable. And what can you say about Rob Halford's voice? Never have screams covered such a range. Is there any emotion that he can't express?

"They're electrifying on stage and one of the hardest-hitting live bands in the history of rock and roll. PRIEST has carried the flag of hard rock and heavy metal proudly for something like 50 years, never wavering or following trends or pretending to be anything but exactly what they are," Cooper said. "They are flying high tonight. Much deserved and long overdue."

In his acceptance speech, Halford told the crowd: "I'm the gay guy in the band. We call ourselves the heavy metal community which is all-inclusive, no matter what your sexual identity is, what you look like, or what you believe in or don't believe in. Everybody's welcome."

Halford also addressed the fact that PRIEST recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, saying: "We should get out another 50 years, but the joy about music is that it lives forever. And that's the reason why we're here. We live for heavy metal. We live for music. And we're living for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."

The members of PRIEST have dealt with various health setbacks in recent years. Halford recently publicly revealed that he battled prostate cancer during the pandemic. He previously mentioned his cancer battle in the new chapter added to the updated paperback edition of his autobiography, "Confess". In "Confess", Halford revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer after experiencing symptoms for at least a couple of years.

Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during the band's performance at the Louder Than Life festival in September 2021. Faulkner was rushed to the UofL Health - Jewish Hospital where the cardiothoracic surgery team needed approximately 10 hours to complete a life-saving surgery.

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease eight years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower". He was replaced by "Firepower" producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

In the Premier Guitar clip below, the once Strapping Young Lad, Devin Townsend, chronicles the "pinnacle moment" with the Glenn Tipton and K.K. Downing riff that helped him earn "social collateral" and he became "moderately accepted" with schoolmates. 


Warning: Devin Townsend says he hasn’t played the riff in Judas Priest’s "The Sentinel" "for enough years that it may be dubious." But that’s hard to believe when he delivers the soaring line that’s the hook from this Defenders Of The Faith (1984) track. Townsend describes his initial discovery of the song as "one of those pinnacle moments." He also opens up about being a misfit kid, and tells a great story about overhearing older kids in band class talking about guitar—and how that riff suddenly made him one of those "cool kids" … almost. 


It’s the guitar, he says, "that made me at least moderately accepted, and that still holds true to this day." He also takes a lick at Fastway’s "Say What You Will", a hard-strutting blues-based riff, and Priest’s "You’ve Got Another Thing Comin'". But perhaps the biggest revelation is that the first riff he fell in love with was from Johnny Cash’s "Folsom Prison Blues". And yes, he does play it, plus the galloping rhythm. His next biggie was Motörhead’s "Motörhead". 




"But none of that, my friends," he adds, "compared to the social collateral or being able to impress a bunch of goofy 16-year-old with a Judas Priest riff, so I will be eternally indebted to this riff."





On the heels of the release of his new album, Lightwork, musical mastermind Devin Townsend has released another music video from the album, for the song “Heartbreaker”. The video follows four different versions of Devin compiling the track in his home studio. Watch below:





This past weekend, Devin presented a special streaming event to commemorate the release of his new album. Watch him perform tracks & answer fan questions below:





After a few exceptionally long years full of personal change and near manic levels of creative activity, Canadian musician Devin Townsend releases his follow up to 2019’s well received Empath in the form of his new release, Lightwork. Assembled from a barrage of material written during the pandemic, Lightwork (and its companion album of B-sides and demos; Nightwork) represents Devin at this stage of his life, post pandemic, and his reflections on what he (and many of us) have all gone through.


For Lightwork, Devin decided to see what would happen if he included a producer (an experiment he has been excited to attempt for some time) to help guide this selection of material. He chose long-time friend Garth “GGGarth” Richardson to help bring this idea to fruition, and through a difficult (but wonderful) process, the next Devin album have been delivered. The name Lightwork represents the music, as well as the act of creating music, as a kind of ‘light in the dark’ while trying to navigate the seemingly endless challenges that life can often present. When things seem like there’s “no way out” or that a situation becomes seemingly insurmountable, the connection to music, family, and creativity became a light in the dark that is the bedrock of this wonderful album.


Featuring artwork by frequent collaborator Travis Smith, Lightwork arrives in several editions including a Limited Deluxe Orange 3LP+2CD+Blu-ray boxset that includes both Lightwork & its companion album Nightwork on both CD & Vinyl, as well as a Blu-ray including 5.1 surround sound, album commentary & visuals, art-cards & extensive perfect-bound booklet, all contained in a lift-off lid box. There will also be a Limited 2CD+Blu-ray Artbook, Limited 2CD Digipak, Gatefold 180g 2LP+CD, Standard CD Jewelcase and Digital Album.


Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Moonpeople"
"Lightworker"
"Equinox"
"Call Of The Void"
"Heartbreaker"
"Dimensions"
"Celestial Signals"
"Heavy Burden"
"Vacation"
"Children Of God"


"Call Of The Void" video:





"Moonpeople" video:

U.D.O., the long-running German metal band fronted by former ACCEPT singer Udo Dirkschneider, has parted ways with bassist Tilen Hudrap.

Earlier today, Hudrap released the following statement via U.D.O.'s social media: "Dear fans, I want to inform you that I decided to leave the U.D.O. band on my own accord. This is completely my decision, I came to it after weeks of careful consideration.

"After 4 albums (2 studio albums and 1 live album/DVD and studio compilation) and worldwide live tours and performances with both U.D.O. and DIRKSCHNEIDER I decided that it's time for me to pursue other interests in the metal world.

"Thanks to all the fans all over the world for the massive support and good luck to the band on all future endeavors.

"There is SO much more to come!

"Thanks to everyone again, Tilen."

Added U.D.O.: "We wish you all the best for the future Tilen! We see you somewhere on the road!"

Former ACCEPT bassist Peter Baltes played bass for U.D.O. on the group's recent European tour. Baltes was filling in for Hudrap who was hospitalized after nearly collapsing on stage during the band's show in Munich, Germany on September 4.

Baltes made his live debut with U.D.O. on September 9 in Berlin, Germany.

Tilen later said that he was suffering from "respiratory alkalosis, total hyperventilation, uncontrollable tremors, momentary collapse of body functions and complete burnout."

U.D.O.'s latest album, "Game Over", was released in October 2021 via AFM Records.

U.D.O.'s current lineup includes Udo's son and drummer Sven Dirkschneider, and guitarists Andrey Smirnov and Dee Dammers.

Dear fans,

we want to inform you that Tilen Hudrap decided to leave the band on his own accord.

Tilen states: After...

Posted by U.D.O. on Thursday, December 15, 2022

BATTLE BEAST singer Noora Louhimo has opened up about struggling with generalized anxiety disorder and weight.

Louhimo, who last year released her debut solo album, "Eternal Wheel Of Time And Space", under the NOORA LOUHIMO EXPERIENCE banner, joined BATTLE BEAST in 2012 with no previous experience as a metal vocalist but quickly acclimated herself as the replacement for Nitte Valo (a.k.a. Nitte Vänskä).

Earlier today (Monday, December 12),the 34-year-old Finnish-born vocalist took to her Instagram to write: "Have you ever thought of losing weight? Are you depressed or anxious? I have, ALL MY LIFE.

"I have been struggling with eating disorders and my weight since I was a little child and still trying to find a balance. I have been depressed and anxious sometimes 'without a reason'. Just resently it appeared, most of this was caused by the imbalance in my body that was caused by life without routines and bad decisions. I wanted to start a journey to myself and what I COULD DO to make myself feel better in my skin and in my head.

"SO HERE, this method is worth trying:

"1. Go to sleep and wake up everyday the same time (for example: I wake up at 7 am and go to sleep 11 pm) AND sleep everyday at least 8 hours. There can be exceptions like when I have late shows. But 90% of the time my goal is to keep the same sleeping rhythm.

2. Eat at least 3 times a day, 3-4 hours between the meals. (For example I eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening snack) Your blood sugar stays steady throughout the day and there are less cravings.

3. Move your ass - Find your sport and do it at least 3 times a week. (For example I love dancing, gymnastics and running (with Bobby my dog.) The most important thing is that you have fun.

4. Talk nicely to yourself and avoid judging - if you keep talking to yourself as you would talk to your best friend (supporting, loving, kind way) this will make your thinking into doing eventually and you have more believe in yourself and what you are doing. It is important to be the kind parent to yourself - Sometimes it is okay to have a sweet snack or lay on couch and watch a movie. But sometimes it is time to say to yourself: Enough is enough, now go and seize the day, enjoy life. After all, we all are here trying to do our thing, trying to succeed in life, enjoy life, make life, be inventive, be something, BE HUMAN.

"Today is a good day for thinking - What kind of life I WANT and HOW DO I GET IT. OR I am part of life on this Earth, what kind of part do I want to play in it?

"Have a nice thinkful Monday".

In an interview with Metal Divas, Noora explained how she ended up fronting BATTLE BEAST: "[In] September [2012], I got a call from [then-BATTLE BEAST guitarist] Anton [Kabanen] that they want me to join BATTLE BEAST. I had heard their music and loved the sound and the vocals, so the next day I called Anton and said I'm in.

"Anton found me by accident on YouTube when he was searching for the new vocalist," she continued. "He had been looking for a vocalist — male or female; [it did not] matter. The only thing that mattered was can that [he or she could] sing his songs without compromises.

"I've been singing since I was four years old," Noora added. "While being a huge fan of heavy metal of '80s and a teenager, I had some classical singing lessons when I was 16 years old. Then at the age of 19, I started studying music in pop/jazz line. At the same time, I started doing some jam sessions at bars. There I found my first band (ADMIRAL OCTOPUS) in the blues bar. We used to play rock and blues music from '60s-'70s and Janis Joplin was the reason I got the rasp in my voice. After ADMIRAL OCTOPUS, in 2011, I took part in a singing competition ('Wanna Be A Rock 'N' Roll Star') at Henry's Pub of Tampere and won it with Janis Joplin's 'Piece Of My Heart'. That's how my single 'Relax' was born."

Photo credit: Terhi Ylimainen

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Noora Louhimo (OFFICIAL) (@nooralouhimoofficial)

Former WHITE ZOMBIE bassist Sean Yseult has shared a photo and video of a "PANTERA secret rehearsal" she attended last month in New Orleans, Louisiana. She wrote in an accompanying message: "PANTERA secret rehearsal! I promised Phil [Anselmo, PANTERA singer] I wouldn't share this until they started touring - so amazing. Great to see Phil and Rex [Brown, PANTERA bassist], and I could not imagine two better musicians to fill in for Dime and Vinnie than Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante.

"Swipe to see Zakk nailing Darrell's solo in 'Respect'," she continued, apparently referring to the song "Walk". "I've heard Darrell play that hundreds of times, and it made me smile to hear it played so flawlessly. They are truly showing respect to Darrell and anyone who is a fan. And the stage show and pyro are out of control!!! @panteraofficial @philiphanselmo @charbenante @zakkwyldebls #metal #badass #90s".

One of the other people who attended the above-mentioned rehearsal on November 21 was longtime PANTERA producer Sterling Winfield, who called the experience "something very special" and said that his doubts were "silenced." He wrote in part: "I wasn't prepared for how classy, thoughtful and honorable it was presented to me and the other fine folks in attendance.

"I don't think other people, the general public, are going to be prepared for it," he added. "All of these people that have been talking negatively about it either online or in the media, without knowing a single thing about it. I honestly hope it either knocks them on their collective asses and that they eat their words, or that they simply regret not going as it passes them by."

More photos of the same New Orleans rehearsal, courtesy of local videographer Mike Holderbeast, can be found below.

As previously reported, PANTERA performed yesterday (Monday, December 12) at Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile and on Sunday (December 11) at Knotfest Chile in Santiago without Brown. Filling in for him were CATTLE DECAPITATION bassist Derek Engemann, who also plays with Anselmo in both PHILIP H. ANSELMO & THE ILLEGALS and SCOUR, and Bobby Landgraf, who previously played with Anselmo in DOWN.

Earlier on Monday, Brown released the following statement via PANTERA's social media: "I caught a very mild strain of Covid, but because of our own protocols, I simply do not wanna risk getting my brothers or the crew sick!! I'm feeling better & am on my way to a speedy recovery. Merry Fckn Christmas & see you all next year!"

On Sunday, Chilean radio station Futuro reported that Brown flew from Bogotá, Colombia, where PANTERA performed at Knotfest Colombia on Friday (December 9),back home to the United States to quarantine, thereby missing the remainder of the PANTERA shows in South America.

PANTERA is next scheduled to play two shows in São Paulo, Brazil — on Thursday, December with JUDAS PRIEST and on Sunday, December 18 at Knotfest Brasil.

The new PANTERA lineup made its live debut on December 2 at Mexico's Hell & Heaven Metal Fest and also performed on December 6 at Monterrey Metal Fest in Monterrey, Mexico.

It was first reported in July that Anselmo and Brown would unite with Wylde and Benante for a world tour under the PANTERA banner.

The band will headline a number of major festivals across North America and Europe and stage some of their own headline concerts. They will also support METALLICA on a massive North American stadium tour in 2023 and 2024.

According to Billboard, the lineup has been given a green light by the estates of the band's founders, drummer Vincent "Vinnie Paul" Abbott and guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, as well as Brown, who last year said Wylde wouldn't tour with PANTERA if a reunion were to happen. It's unclear what changed his mind.

In a brand new interview with the "Everblack" podcast, FEAR FACTORY guitarist Dino Cazares once again opened up about his band's search for a new vocalist following the departure of Burton C. Bell more than two years ago. Regarding the decision to keep the new singer's identity a secret for so long, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The thing about it is everybody's expecting it to be this massive rock star dude coming in. But it's not that at all. The guy is basically kind of unknown. There are some FEAR FACTORY fans that kind of know who it is, but they don't really know yet. He's a super-talented guy. He sounds like the classic Burton from the 'Demanufacture'/'Obsolete' era. He's a younger guy — 36 years old. Compared to me, he's younger."

In a separate chat with the "Fantasm" podcast, Dino reflected on the FEAR FACTORY singer search, saying: "It's very challenging to try to find somebody. It took me a year. People think that the minute that [Burton] was out of the band that I found somebody right away. No — it took a good year or so to find somebody. And I auditioned a lot of people. A lot of people submitted their vocals, video tryouts for me to check out. There was a lot of great singers, there was a lot of good guys, so it was hard to find somebody… Very challenging. And I know there's gonna be a lot of challenges coming up. It always is that way. But, yeah, I'm looking forward to it. I think we found a really good guy. I can't wait for the world to see who he is and move forward."

Last month, Dino told the "Everblack" podcast about the qualities he was looking for in the new FEAR FACTORY singer: "You want a person who's gonna be able to respect the legacy that we started 32 years ago. And so you want that person to be able to sing those parts as they were meant to be. But moving forward with newer stuff, he's gotta somewhat have his own identity."

Cazares also confirmed that he and the new FEAR FACTORY vocalist have begun work on material for the follow-up to 2021's "Aggression Continuum" album.

"It's going great," he said. "We just started pre-production, so we just started writing. We're about four songs in. So it's great. Everything's flowing really good. We've been working on it for about two and a half weeks. This writing so far has been pretty exciting. The four tracks that we do have… I don't know how to say it — it's classic stuff."

In September, Cazares told "The Jasta Show" that FEAR FACTORY fans will have to wait a few more months to find out the identity of his band's new singer.

"FEAR FACTORY singer and music will be coming just before the [group's North American] tour with STATIC-X," he said. "End of February is the first show, so just before that we'll be releasing the single and the singer. And then boom — right on the road."

This past February, former NIGHTRAGE singer Antony Hämäläinen, who unsuccessfully auditioned for the vocalist slot in FEAR FACTORY, claimed in an interview that the new FF frontman is "a person from Italy."

In April, Dino told "The Garza Podcast" that the new FEAR FACTORY singer is emotionally ready to handle the inevitable pushback from some fans that he will get once his identity has been revealed. "I think that they're ready," he said. "When it comes to talent, they're very ready. But 'tour ready' is completely different. Let's hope that… Well, the person that we have has done some touring, but not touring like we do touring. Like, a full U.S. tour can be anywhere from four weeks to six weeks to whatever, then you fly over to Europe and do another four to five weeks, come back to the States, do another tour, then you go to South America and do another few weeks there, then you go to Australia and do another few weeks there, and then you plan for next year. I think one of the other things, too, is when this person is announced, they're gonna have to be able to handle all the criticism. That's gonna be the hard part. 'Well, it didn't sound like Burt.' Well, of course not. I want this person… They do actually sound like Burt — they can handle all the old stuff like Burt — but as far as moving forward, I would like them to have their own identity. We're still gonna have the formula of what makes FEAR FACTORY — for sure — but I want this person to somewhat have his own identity as well."

Dino also addressed his statement from last year that he wanted to give an "unknown guy a shot" at fronting FEAR FACTORY. He said: "Well, it wasn't like I was only looking for somebody that nobody knew. I was looking for all different [types of singers]. Sure, if the guy turned out to be, or the girl turned out to be, someone that nobody knew and I gave 'em that shot, yeah, great. I was open to all of it, is what I'm saying. Male, female, whatever, known, unknown — I was open to all of that."

In September 2020, Bell issued a statement officially announcing his departure from FEAR FACTORY, saying that he "cannot align" himself with someone whom he does not trust or respect.

"Aggression Continuum" was released in June 2021 via Nuclear Blast Records. The LP, which was recorded primarily in 2017, features Cazares and Bell alongside drummer Mike Heller.

Two years ago, Swiss hard rock legends KROKUS postponed their last-ever concerts in USA and Canada due to the coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the globe. The 13-date trek was originally scheduled to kick off at Canton Hall in Dallas, Texas on September 18, 2020 and conclude at Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on October 10, 2020. Asked in a new interview with the "Mike Nelson Show" if the North American dates will ever happen, KROKUS singer Marc Storace said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "If it was up to us, we'd be there in a shot. But look what happened in the meantime with COVID. I mean, COVID was a huge slap in the face. In 2019, in Europe, we were over. We played our last gig in Hallenstadion [in Zürich], which is like the holy ground of rock for Switzerland — for the German-speaking part anyway. [During] the COVID lockdown we stayed at home, and that's when I decided, 'I'm gonna start working on songs for my solo album.' 'Cause I don't like sitting on my ass doing nothing. So, in the meantime, time passed. People's tickets [for the U.S. tour] — I don't even know what happened to their tickets… In the meantime, the whole economy stuff, and now with [the economic fallout from Russia’s invasion of] Ukraine… Ukraine is a real big punch in the face to show business. Already with the lockdown, lots businesses [of] every kind went bankrupt and had to close. And it's the same with bus companies, production companies and stuff. And the ones left, they feel kind of free they can ask for more. Whereas the price of gasoline is up there, and that's only one thing. If you count everything together, it's, like, do we wanna pay to tour? [Laughs] Nobody wants to do that. And we're not LED ZEPPELIN."

Three months ago, KROKUS played a special concert on the steps of the St. Ursus Cathedral in Solothurn, Switzerland (see video below). In addition, Solothurn honored the band with a "Stone Of Honor" on its 2000th anniversary. KROKUS has also announced a return to the "holy ground of rock" in Switzerland, the Hallenstadion in Zürich, where the group will perform on May 6, 2023.

Speaking about KROKUS's future plans, Storace told the "Mike Nelson Show": "We suddenly decided, 'Well, are we done? We're still alive.' And after the break we had from 2019, which was the last gig in Europe and the whole lockdown thing and 'Adios Amigos', we were asked to [perform at a celebration of] 2000 years of Solothurn. This is the hometown of the band. And it's 2000 years ago; it's a hell of a long time. The Romans were living in Solothurn. So it was great. We accepted to do that. And then we were thinking, like, 'Let's do one more.' And we decided we're gonna do this. And I feel great about that. Even though I've got my own [solo] band and everything, but for me it's, like, 'Beam me up, Scotty.' I wanna get back to the mothership, spend some time with the boys again. I even enjoy the rehearsals. I drive to Solothurn and back — it's only an hour from here — and spend some time with the boys. 'Cause, hey, I joined [the band] in '79. That's a hell of a long time. What's that? 40 years ago? Holy moly. So that's it. It's like a human thing, and it's a musical thing, and it's a spiritual thing. 'Cause it's in your blood. And we're looking forward to it."

Earlier this year, Storace explained to Rock Show Critique why he and his bandmates toured America so infrequently over the course of the last 20 years. The 71-year-old musician said: "Well, it starts with the work permits. And they cost money. Then the tax. Then the booking fees, the percentages, the renting out of equipment, buses, hotels and everything. So if you've gotta do a club tour, you can't even pay for all that. We haven't been there for a long while, so we don't expect to come over and do a headliner tour in stadiums; we're far from that again. Because in the meantime, there's a lot of water under the bridge. And that's how it is. The status sinks because there's no longer promoters who believe that you're gonna bring in the money back for that. I guess that's the way it is. It's like a vicious circle. You have to come over one day and get the ball rolling again and then come back the next year and the next year to reach the status that you are used to. And you have to also release a new album to accompany that. And the new album isn't enough. Albums don't sell anymore. There's Spotify — all these parasites around — streaming, which don't give you your money's worth."

When KROKUS first announced its decision to embark on a farewell tour in September 2019, the band explained in a statement: "KROKUS shows have always been special and should stay that way. That's why we decided to stop when it's still really good. That's how the fans should remember us."

Formed in 1975, KROKUS has sold over 15 million records, toured the world, and received gold and platinum discs in the USA and Canada. KROKUS was also the first Swiss band to sell out Hallenstadion and has received a diamond disc for selling one million albums in Switzerland alone.

In the course of its career, KROKUS has rocked over 2,000 shows on five continents, countless cities, unique locations, crazy gigs, and loyal fans.

English rock journalist Malcolm Dome quite rightly said: "If you look at the long-term output of this band, KROKUS is clearly one of the best hard rock bands of the last 40 years."

San Diego, California raw blues hard rock / metal band Seventrain have released their new lyric video "Save My Soul" from their new upcoming EP.





The band comments:




“‘Save My Soul’ is a song about a man's struggle with substance abuse, as he lives in an environment of excess and temptations. Knowing that his life style and habits will be his demise, he cries out for help because he needs assistance to fend off a substance abuse problem he knows will end his life.


“The upcoming EP was written and recorded by Seventrain at our facility in San Diego, Ca. The EP was self-produced, and features the first four songs that were completed for the forth coming full CD.”


Seventrain released their second album, Back On Track, in 2019.


Lineup:


Eric Koonze - Vocals
Dave Odegaard - Guitars
Eric Horton - Guitars (Ex-Cage)
Greg Rupp - Bass
Calvin Lakin - Drums

Rockers Of Limbo have released a tire-screeching video for “Let’s Go”. Known for high energy, on the brink of out-of-control live shows, they create an electric atmosphere that is infectious - making it impossible not to have a good time. The band is racing forward to new heights in 2023.





The “Let’s Go” video was filmed at Baur Films Studio in Long Beach, CA - Directed by Tony Vercelli. They continue “Luke came up with the initial idea to shoot a video in what we call “the Metallicar”, our beat up 2013 Hyundai hatchback that we use to fart us across Long Beach when we aren’t touring. We were just going to put a 360 videocam up in the middle of the car and decided to just drive around being crazy. From there, the idea took on a life of its own and Jake made an Animatic/Story board that took it to another level. When we realized how much cooler hanging upside down and riding on the roof and shit like that would be, we knew the only option would be to shoot it on green screen. Our friend Juan and his son from Arts Break service, who tend to our tour vans mechanical needs, came down to the studio and jacked the car up so we could simulate the wheels spinning and overall supervise that we weren’t gonna do anything stupid…  Well, anything too stupid!  We knew it wasn’t going to end up looking like some Disney/Marvel quality shit. But that almost gives it more charm, honestly. Makes it feel like vintage B grade movie style from the golden era of American cinema.”







Of Limbo says “The song started with the riff and everything just fell into place around that. ‘Let’s Go’ just felt like the right sentiment for the energy of that riff. Then lyrically it’s, ‘What is a song called ‘Let’s Go’ about?’ It’s about saying ‘f*ck it’ and leaping before you look, rather than waiting around for this or that excuse you have created for your inaction. It’s also that the safe option is always to stay with what you know. But getting out of your comfort zone is even if it’s scary or harder at first is ultimately much more rewarding. Just go for it and make things happen!”


The band has previously released songs that include “Happened Again, Nothing But Now”; “Nicotine”; and “Fight For Your Right” (Beastie Boys cover).


Performance wise, Of Limbo pride themselves on making every show a party. They have toured with Wolfmother, Hinder, Candlebox, Buckcherry, Joyous Wolf, and Blue Oyster Cult, among others.


Of Limbo will be playing select live dates in the 4th quarter of 2022, with plans for more new music releases and tour dates starting in early 2023.


(Photo – Paul Winner)

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, Nihilist Death Cult has recently released its debut album Death To All Tyrants. They are now releasing a video for the track “Obey & Consume”, which is about just following blindly and not questioning anything, and being a good consumer. The time to fight is always now, not later and it was inspired by John Carpenter’s “They Live”.





Death To All Tyrants is in-your-face punk rock that combines angry riffs and hate-fuel lyrics about how the corporate-sponsored news media feeds you the stories and ideas they are paid to push. This record is about the victims standing up to the tyrants, it’s about choosing your own path and not blindly following norms if they don’t suit you. Bassist/vocalist Nick Sagias writes most of the music, but takes in input from his brother, drummer John Sagias and guitarist Ethan Bolduc. 




He shares their writing process:


“When I started writing for NDC, I knew that I wanted it to be aggressive, relentless, savage, no breakdowns, short songs, angry hardcore punk, the fact that my brother’s drumming fit perfectly in that and he was into it was a bonus for this otherwise it probably never would have happened. We just wanted to do this relentless style that we love and miss. Poison Idea, early DRI, early Bad Brains, the early dbeat bands, Discharge and GBH, that stuff gets the blood pumping and that’s the kinda stuff we wanna hear and see live.”


Those that get to witness Nihilist Death Cult play live can expect seasoned veterans going up on stage and putting on a show to match the energy of the music. There are no shoegazers here, just three passionate guys that want people to get into their music. They may be from Toronto but they are not a typical attitude Toronto band, they are the antithesis of that attitude.


Recommended for fans of Poison Idea, early DRI, early Bad Brains, Nails, Terrorizer and CroMags, Nihilist Death Cult's album Death To All Tyrants was released on December 2, 2022.


Order on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“Follow The Money”
“Hunting For Prey”
“Obey & Consume”
“Wake Up!”
“Death To All Tyrants”
“Ready For War”
“Imperium”
“Is This Progress?”
“You Get What You Deserve”


“Death To All Tyrants”:





(Photo – Ron Sumners)

Regression is the short but powerful debut full-length album from Barcelona based melodic death outfit Archetype X. The album is a blistering 28 minutes long– a lean experience focusing on providing nonstop energy and a sound that is perpetually moving forward and is filled with catchy and dynamic soundscapes, resulting in a journey that will reward multiple playthroughs to reveal each textured layer of this release.





Archetype X formed in 2016 and take their influences from several different styles of metal. While they are overall melodic death at their core, these other influences can be heard in their songs that incorporate a range of styles including metalcore, djent, and even blackened and progressive tendencies. Their variety isn’t distracting but rather confident and sterling for such a young band.  




"Mighty Karma" video:





Lineup:
Mark Segarra - Drums
Lluis Puigvert - Guitars
Lizkiller Queen - Vocals
Niv Ben-Yosef  - Bass
Jordi Monfulleda - Guitars

Brutal Spanish death metallers, Bonecarver, recently released their new album, Carnage Funeral, via Unique Leader Records. Today, the band debut a music video for the track, "Thorned". Check it out below.





"Carnage Funeral"
"Ancient Atrocity"
"The Reckoning"
"Thorned"
"Pillars Of Tragedy"
"Morgue Desecrator"
"The Red Wake"
"Horror Disorder"
"Bereavement"




"Thorned" video:





"The Reckoning" video:





"Carnage Funeral" video:





"Ancient Atrocity" video:

Finland's Silver Bullet are back with a new studio album. Shadowfall will be released on January 20 via Reaper Entertainment.


 Silver Bullet’s inception dates back to the year 2008 when the band was founded under the name of Dirge Eternal. Former Dreamtale vocalist Nils Nordling and ex-Turisas bass player Hannes Horma completed the pack and helped forging the full-length debut Screamworks that was released in mid-2016. The album’s guiding theme – classic horror movies – was masterfully transferred to the stage, with actors serving as zombie nurses, possessed little girls and even as a chainsaw-wielding lunatic, making Silver Bullet’s entertaining live shows an audiovisual experience. After a highly successful stretch of touring, the Finns returned with their second offering of powerfully orchestrated, riff-infused symphonic heavy metal in 2019. Though the backdrop of horror flicks was left behind, Mooncult nevertheless served as a real spine-chiller, offering a thrilling plot set in the vastnesses of Scotland.


With a new singer, Bruno Proveschi, at helm, Silver Bullet evolved into a versatile metal monster. Conquering festival stages like Rockfest, Saarihelvetti and Metal Capital Festival, brought them recognition they truly deserve. At the same time they were writing a new opus, this time without any limiting theme.




Working again with the metal powerhouse Reaper Entertainment Europe, Shadowfall truly solidifies Silver Bullet's status in the metal scene as one of the most promising melodic metal acts of the decade. With the new album, they are also launching Overtour To Armageddon, a full-fledged European tour consisting of 31 shows around Europe and in Finland.





Tracklisting:


"Overture To Armageddon"
"Shadow Of A Curse"
"The Ones To Fall"
"Creatures Of The Night"
"Soul Reaver"
"…And Then Comes Oblivion"
"Nighthunter"
"Dusk Of Dawn"
"Falling Dawn"
"The Thirteen Nails"


"The Ones To Fall" video:





Lineup:


Bruno Proveschi - Vocals
Hannes Horma - Guitars, Vocals
Henri Asikainen - Guitars, Vocals
Ossi Elonen - Bass, Vocals
Patrik Albrecht - Drums


(Photo - Pierre-Alain D./3mmi Design)

Blaze Bayley, who was Iron Maiden's frontman from 1994 until 1999, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his joining the band on his current tour. Footage of Bayley's entire November 12 concert at Gagarin 205 in Athens, Greece has been uploaded by the Lord Elric YouTube channel. Watch a couple of clips below, and the remainder of the show at Lord Elric.


Blaze performed the following setlist:


"Lord Of The Flies" (Iron Maiden song)
"Sign Of The Cross" (Iron Maiden song)
"Judgement Of Heaven" (Iron Maiden song)
"War Within Me"
"Pull Yourself Up"
"Warrior"
"Fortunes Of War" (Iron Maiden song)
"Virus" (Iron Maiden song)
"When Two Worlds Collide" (Iron Maiden song)
"The Clansman" (Iron Maiden song)
"Como Estais Amigos" (Iron Maiden song)
"Man On The Edge" (Iron Maiden song)
"Futureal" (Iron Maiden song)
"The Angel And The Gambler" (Iron Maiden song)

In the video below from AXS TV, Sammy Hagar meets up with Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen and the two perform "I Want You To Want Me". Later, Sammy takes the stage at Red Rocks Ampitheatre and performs a "Mile High" rendition of his classic hit, "Heavy Metal".





Back in September, Sammy Hagar & The Circle performed at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. Footage of the band performing "Funky Feng Shui", from their new album Crazy Times, can be viewed below.




Says Hagar: "Like I said, at the beginning of the video, a real rock 'n' roll band can play a brand new song without rehearsing it ha ha ha. I would consider The Circle a real rock 'n' roll band."





Crazy Times is available via UMe. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"Intro: The Beginning Of The End"
"Slow Drain"
"Feed Your Head"
"Pump It Up"
"Be Still"
"You Get What You Pay For"
"Crazy Times"
"Funky Feng Shui"
"Father Time"
"Childhoods End"
"2120" (bonus track)
"Father Time" - Acoustic Demo (bonus track)


"Father Time" video:





"Funky Feng Shui" video:





"Crazy Times" video:





"Pump It Up" video:

In a new interview with RadioactiveMike Z, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM radio program "Wired In The Empire", vocalist Johan Hegg of Swedish death metallers AMON AMARTH was asked to name the METALLICA song he would like to cover with his bandmates. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Oh, wow. I think one of my absolute favorite songs that I would love to do that I think would make an awesome death metal song as well is 'The Thing That Should Not Be'. I love that song. But otherwise… 'Trapped Under Ice' — awesome song as well. 'Fight Fire With Fire' — also a brilliant song. My favorite [METALLICA] album is 'Ride The Lightning' through and through, so that would probably be one of the songs from there. But I think 'The Thing That Should Not Be' could be an awesome death metal song, actually, because it's so heavy."

When RadioactiveMike Z pointed out that some modern metal musicians consider "The Thing That Should Not Be" to be a precursor to the early death metal sound, Johan said: "Maybe. I guess DEATH was doing what they were doing when that album came out, or at least they started, I think, really early with that kind of heavy stuff, really.

"It's interesting 'cause I think METALLICA did a tour — I forget when that was, but it's gotta be almost 25 years ago or something — where they asked the fans what they wanted to hear," he added. "And in Sweden that song came up really, really high, so they actually played it live in Sweden, and I loved it. So that was awesome."

Back in November 2012, Hegg joined members of ARMORED SAINT on stage at Metal Blade Records' 30th-anniversary concert in Los Angeles to perform a cover version of METALLICA's "Hit The Lights". Video of that performance can be seen below.

AMON AMARTH's twelfth studio album, "The Great Heathen Army", was released in August via Metal Blade Records. The LP was recorded with acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap, who previously worked with the band on 2013's "Deceiver Of The Gods" and 2016's "Jomsviking" albums.

AMON AMARTH teamed up with MACHINE HEAD for the "Vikings And Lionhearts" co-headlining European arena tour in September and October.

AMON AMARTH is currently touring North America with CARCASS, OBITUARY and CATTLE DECAPITATION.

Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the second album from Sweden's Crowne, Operation Phoenix will be released on January 27. Watch a video for the song "In The Name Of The Fallen" below, and pre-order/save the new album here.


Once again produced by Jona Tee (H.E.A.T., New Horizon), Operation Phoenix sees the collective delivering a stunning tour-de-force of melodic hard rock with hints of metal influence mixed in.


Comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), keyboardist/rhythm guitarist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe), drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles), and new full-time member, guitarist Love Magnusson (Dynazty), Crowne is a true force to be reckoned with. Operation Phoenix builds upon the rock solid foundation of their debut and takes it to a new level.







Operation Phoenix tracklisting:


"Operation Phoenix"
"Champions"
"In The Name Of The Fallen"
"Super Trooper"
"Ready To Run"
"Juliette"
"The Last Of Us"
"Just Believe"
"Roar"
"Victorious"
"Northern Lights"


"In The Name Of The Fallen" video:





"Champions" video:





Crowne lineup:


Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Love Magnusson – Guitar
Jona Tee – Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums


- Produced by: Jona Tee
- Executive Producer/A&R: Serafino Perugino

Italian cult progressive metallers, Athena, are ready to write a new chapter of their glorious history along with their new label, Atomic Fire Records. But that's not all: the band now known as Athena XIX have also reunited with their frontman and founding member Fabio Lione (Turilli/Lione Rhapsody, Angra, ex-Rhapsody Of Fire, ex-Vision Divine).


"As nowadays there are many bands called Athena, we decided to add 'XIX' to our monicker. It perfectly fits because it was the year of the reunion of all the original members, when we started to collect and record all the ideas we had," explains the singer.


Originating in 1991, Athena released their most successful album to date, A New Religion?, in 1998 - still recognised and appropriately rewarded as the best prog metal album of an Italian band ever. The original band members finally re-united in 2019 - after several line-up changes and a hiatus - writing new songs which will be released next year via Atomic Fire Records.




Atomic Fire Records A&R/founder Markus Wosgien comments, "When Fabio Lione reached out to tell us about the comeback of his '90s band Athena alongside a new album, of course our interest was there immediately. Their sophomore album, A New Religion? (1998) is nothing but an outstanding prog metal record, but after its release, Fabio went through the roof with Rhapsody instead. Looking back at their three great albums, the second era of Athena is just about to begin with these new tunes that won't only inspire fans of the band but also of acts such as Kamelot, Conception and Angra. Fabio's voice on Athena's new songs is a sheer revelation, and will make every metalhead's heart beat faster."


Fabio Lione adds, "I've known the people of Atomic Fire Records for many years. We were talking about other stuff when I suddenly asked them to listen to some demo versions of our new songs to simply get an opinion from them. But their reaction after checking those out was so positive that they quickly approached us in order to collaborate and even sign us. I really think we created something which people will talk a lot about, and Atomic Fire Records is the best team and label to work with. We're really happy and proud to collaborate with them and I'm sure we'll have some great surprises for all of you soon!"


About the musical direction of Athena XIX, he concludes, "It's a massive evolution of our original sound. We touch many styles, and the result is very interesting, featuring a lot of details, ideas connected to the concept etc... I'm sure people will be surprised listening to these songs and I really can't think of any similar sounding band at the moment. If I had to describe our sound in just one word, I would say 'unique'!"





Athena XIX are:


Fabio Lione - vocals
Simone Pellegrini - guitars
Gabriele Guidi - keyboards
Alessio Sabella - bass
Matteo Amoroso - drums


(Photo - Damiano Tarantino)