Vancouver’s Thirteen Goats are inspired by classic American death metal acts like Deicide and Cannibal Corpse, and they have their feast of a debut album ready for discerning metalheads the world over. Servants Of The Outer Dark is a sonic trip that winds down the most twisted sections of extreme metal’s memory lane on a journey to wicked new horizons. The band weaves together conventions from numerous extreme metal subgenres on songs that range from topical to tongue-in-cheek—some are overtly political, while others are about things like cooking and eating your enemies. The first single off the album is “Return To Ruin”, which vocalist/guitarist Graham K. Miles explains in detail:


“‘Return To Ruin’ came from a place of deep anger with a number of institutions and systems that I feel are failing the current generation—predominantly governments and large corporations that are waging war, both literally and economically, against everyday people around the world. From the widespread mismanagement of a global pandemic to increasing wealth inequality, an ongoing environmental crisis, a rising tide of political extremism, and now a new Cold War with Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, we are living in the midst of extremely dark times—and the people who are supposed to shepherd us through them seem to be leading us to the slaughterhouse instead of towards greener pastures.


“All of the current live band members have roots in Eastern Europe—we have one Ukrainian (me), two Russians, and an Armenian. But all of us are against the war and against people who use power unjustly. This song is intended to be a call to arms—a protest anthem that invites listeners to question authority figures and the systems they’ve set up, and to burn those systems down if they’re not working so we can start over with something better. Like we say in the lyrics: ‘Sacrifice the ones you’re serving; ask yourself what they’re preserving.’”




Heavy, hooky, theatrical, and over-the-top, Thirteen Goats takes the standard death metal recipe and turns it on its head without sacrificing raw power. They liberally add flavours from a wide range of other metal subgenres including tech death, melodeath, brutal death metal, groove metal, thrash metal, black metal, and even grindcore, resulting in a well-blended and tasty layered sound that is approachable for any metalhead.


The album was produced by the band, mixed and mastered by Diego Fernandez-Trujillo, and the album artwork was done by Jeremy Famir. It is suggested for fans of Carcass, Cannibal Corpse, and Deicide.


Servants Of The Outer Dark will be served up on July 1, 2022. Preorder on Bandcamp.





Tracklisting:


“Servant Of The Outer Dark”
“Challenge The Executioner”
“Return To Ruin”
“Prisoner’s Anthem”
“Sub-Being”
“Unholy Mass”
“Constant Torment”
“Vacuum-Induced Head Explosion”
“Through The Meat Grinder…The Recipe”


“Return To Ruin” lyric video:





(Photo – Caitlin Delaplace)

Storied New York hardcore frontman, Tim Williams, is back in the studio with his new outfit, Rollin’ Coffin, who released two new songs in 2021, “Runaway” and “Sister Misery”.


The band is collaborating with producer Jon Markson who worked on the first two songs, and recently produced the critically acclaimed Drug Church release, Hygiene. Rollin’ Coffin are currently recording at Animal Farm in New Jersey, which is a unique location complete with rescue animals and a restored barn built in the 1800s.







“I could not have been happier with the experience at Animal Farm,” says Williams. “Working with Markson was worth the wait and, without a doubt, he is bringing RC to another level. Fans… get ready to be happy.”


“The next chapter in Rollin’ Coffin’s musical journey is ambitious, focused and some of Tim’s best work yet,” says Jay Reason, founder of Static Era Records. “Watching these demos evolve into the songs listeners are about to hear has been extremely exciting.”





Plans are to record three new songs which will be combined with the first two singles for an upcoming vinyl release, due before the end of this year. Expect the songs to be released on streaming outlets leading into the vinyl.


For more on Rollin’ Coffin, including behind the scenes and in-studio updates, head here.

PEARL JAM's Mike McCready has paid tribute to Eddie Van Halen by performing the legendary VAN HALEN guitarist's classic instrumental "Eruption".

The performance took place on May 9 during PEARL JAM's concert at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Arizona. McCready played the song after frontman Eddie Vedder gave a short speech on musicians and friends he and his PEARL JAM had lost in recent years, saying: "I don't think we've played a show since Eddie Van Halen passed away, and he was another legend that we miss. And so we've been wanting to play one for him."

McCready discussed Eddie Van Halen's passing during an appearance on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" in October 2020. At the time, he said: "I started playing guitar a year after that first [VAN HALEN] record came out, and he was just the most untouchable, unreachable guitar player I've ever heard — besides [Jimi] Hendrix. But it was even more, in a way, because it was right then I was becoming a new guitar player. And Eddie Van Halen kind of turned everything upside down. And he was the most exciting thing to come out. And they had cool songs. It always felt like the summer was coming on. It was a great party band. They also were amazing musicians and great songwriters."

Asked what his first exposure to VAN HALEN's music was, Mike said: "I heard the first record [through] my guitar teacher. He played me 'Eruption'. And when you're a kid learning about Ritchie Blackmore and Ace Frehley and things like that… He played that for me, and it sounded like it was from another planet. Subsequently, VAN HALEN came [to Seattle] about a year, on the second record, and I saw them for that tour, and then three more times after that with David Lee Roth. So seeing them live on the second tour was unbelievable. Eddie did 'Eruption' live, and he ran into his amps and they almost fell over, and they came back. Everything about them was perfect as a rock band. Seeing them live on the second tour was one of the best shows I've ever seen. And it changed my life, for sure. And because of Eddie's playing, for sure."

According to McCready, he is not the only member of PEARL JAM who has a deep appreciation for VAN HALEN's music.

"Everybody in PEARL JAM has a VAN HALEN thing," he said. "I think Eddie [Vedder, vocals] saw 'em open for [BLACK] SABBATH in San Diego, as I think Matt [Cameron, drums] did. And Jeff [Ament, bass] saw 'em on the first tour in Montana. So there's a VAN HALEN connection throughout PEARL JAM — it's there. I mean, I do 'Eruption' sometimes, because I wanna learn how he did that. And it's such an amazing thing, I had to learn it note by note. And I still don't have it down, but it's one of those things that was just always this high-water mark, and it still continues to be for me. 'Cause when he does that, he has such a feeling behind his playing that no one else can really get when you try to tap and all that kind of stuff — at least in my mind."

Eddie and his brother Alex Van Halen formed a band called MAMMOTH in Pasadena, California in 1972, then renamed it VAN HALEN when singer David Lee Roth joined the group and, later, bassist Michael Anthony.

VAN HALEN was one of the biggest rock bands in the country in the 1980s, with hits like "Runnin' With The Devil", "Dance The Night Away", "Hot For Teacher", "Panama" and "Jump". The group, which later featured Sammy Hagar on vocals, was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2007.

The Van Halen family moved to Pasadena after emigrating to the U.S. from the Netherlands in 1962.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked Eddie Van Halen No. 8 in its list of the 100 greatest guitarists.

GWAR has released a new song called "Berserker Mode". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "The New Dark Ages", which will arrive on CD/digital June 3 and vinyl and cassette on September 16 via GWAR's own Pit Records. The visualizer for the song features the first animated art cells from the band's upcoming graphic novel "GWAR In The Duoverse Of Absurdity".

GWAR vocalist Blöthar The Berserker states: "This is my origin story, about transforming into a drug-jacked unpredictable liability on the battlefield. But like me, it has a softer side, a tale of the struggle of becoming my authentic self…a sexy, multi-donged, vajazzzled, Viking cow beast known as… The Berserker Blóthar!!"

"The New Dark Ages" chronicles GWAR's adventures in the Duoverse, where the band rediscovers old powers such as Blöthar's terrifying Berserker Mode, and encounter new allies, such as the murderous maven known as The Cutter. Along the way, they battle the living monuments of a lost cause and armies of undead soldiers who rise again to fight a new civil war.

"The New Dark Ages" track listing:

01. New Dark Age
02. Blood Libel
03. Berserker Mode
04. Mother Fucking Liar
05. Unto the Breach
06. Completely Fucked
07. The Cutter
08. Rise Again
09. The Beast Will Eat Itself
10. The Venom Of The Platypus
11. Ratcatcher
12. Bored to Death
13. Death Whistle Suite:
- Temple Ascent
- Starving Gods
- Deus Ex Monstrum

Art by Alex Horley

The album concept is tied to a companion graphic novel "GWAR In The Duoverse Of Absurdity", which will also be released by Z2 Comics on June 3. In the graphic novel, the bandmembers are sucked off into an alternate universe to do battle with their evil twins and the specter of rogue technology.

In support of the album, GWAR will return to the road this spring on "The Black Death Rager World Tour". The trek starts May 19 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana and runs through June 17 in Reading, Pennsylvania. Support will be provided by GOATWHORE, THE NATIVE HOWL and NEKROGOBLIKON.

Following the U.S. leg of the tour, GWAR will return to Europe this summer, including appearances at the Bloodstock Open Air and Wacken Open Air festivals.

"GWAR In The Duoverse Of Absurdity" chronicles the epic battle between GWAR and their doppelgangers from an alternate universe the band discovers behind their treasured Magic Mirror. The book uses an innovative storytelling technique that combines words and pictures printed on paper (made from real trees!) in a seamless format we are calling a "graphic novel." The tale is illustrated by the masterful talents of Andy MacDonald ("Wolverine", "Dr Strange", "Wonder Woman"),Shane White ("Things Undone", "Braun", "Endless Summer"),Matt Maguire (GWAR) and Bob Gorman (GWAR).

Dave Brockie, who fronted GWAR under the name Oderus Urungus, was found dead in his home in Richmond, Virginia in March 2014. According to Virginia's State Medical Examiner's Office, he died from acute heroin toxicity by accidental means.

Brockie was last remaining original member of GWAR, which was founded 38 years ago. He was 50 years old.

The satirical metal band earned a following for its macabre, over-the-top costumes, offensive lyrics and graphic, gore-soaked shows, in which the bandmembers performed as the descendants of alien warriors who arrived on Earth to enslave and slaughter the human race.

In a new interview with Italy's "Heavy Demons" radio show, GHOST mastermind Tobias Forge spoke about his continued collaboration with Vargas & Lagola, the Swedish songwriting and production duo of Vincent Pontare and Salem Al Fakir. Vargas & Lagola co-wrote six songs on GHOST's latest album, "Impera", and previously worked with Forge on GHOST's "Seven Inches Of Satanic Panic" and "Prequelle" releases.

Tobias said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "With the people that I have worked with, it's very much a chemistry thing. You work well. You have fun together. Collaboration with people is not to be taken for granted. Because you can't really look at someone's resume and just, like, 'Oh, I'm gonna work well with this person.' It's like saying, 'Oh, that's a beautiful girl,' in my case then. 'If I get together with her, we will have a wonderful child.' It doesn't work like that. It's all about chemistry; it's all about building something.

"I've had meetings. I've tried to work with some people that are just, like, it doesn't work — it doesn't work," he explained. "But with Vargas & Lagola, it works really well. Every time we get into a room, we have a lot of fun. Anytime I bring an idea to them, I know we're gonna mold it into something really good. So I feel always good about working with them."

Forge worked on "Impera" with producer Klas Åhlund, who also sat behind the desk for 2015's acclaimed "Meliora" effort. Asked why he chose to end his streak of working with a different producer on each new GHOST LP, Tobias told El Paso Inc.: "The thing is you need to keep moving so that you don't get stuck in friendly comfortable mode. 'Meliora', the record I made with Klas, was really good, but the recording and the production itself left a few things to be improved. When time came to record 'Impera', the writing and demoing had been done in 2020. But in early 2021, the American producer who was supposed to make the record couldn't come because of the travel restrictions, and I couldn't go to America. And because Klas is also a very scheduled person, he had a project lined up that fell through. All of a sudden, he had a few months off, and I was, like, 'That is well-timed, because I don't have a producer. Would you like to produce the record?'"

GHOST will embark on the next North American leg of its "Imperatour" this summer. The trek will see the Grammy Award-winning Swedish theatrical rock band headlining 19 arenas across the U.S. and Canada (plus an appearance at Virginia's Blue Ridge Rock Fest),kicking off August 26 at San Diego's Pechanga Arena and running through September 23 at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Support on all dates (with the exception of Green Bay which will feature support from CARCASS, and the Blue Ridge Rock Fest) will come from Grammy Award-winning band MASTODON and SPIRITBOX.

"Impera" sold 70,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release to land at position No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked the third top 10 album — and fifth top 40-charting set — for the Swedish act.

"Impera" landed at position No. 1 in Germany and Sweden, No. 2 in the U.K., Netherlands, Belgium and Norway, No. 3 in Australia, No. 5 in France and Ireland, and No. 20 in Italy.

"Impera" was released on March 11. The 12-song effort was produced by Åhlund and mixed by Andy Wallace.

In March 2020, at final show of GHOST's "Prequelle" tour in Mexico City, Mexico, the band officially introduced Papa Emeritus IV, the new character who is fronting the act for its "Impera" album phase.

Forge performed as a "new" Papa Emeritus on each of the band's first three LPs, with each version of Papa replacing the one that came before it. Papa Emeritus III was retired in favor of Cardinal Copia before the release of "Prequelle".

In November 2021, Slik Toxik's full length debut album, Doin' The Nasty, was released digitally for the first time. In a follow-up interview, former frontman Nick Walsh revealed there were plans to have the band's Smooth & Deadly EP released digitally this year. 


An official release date has now been confirmed for May 27th.







Tracklist:


"B.F.D."
"Riff Raff"
"Mass Confusion"
"Rachel's Breathing"





Following is an excerpt from the BraveWords interview with Nick Walsh:


"This was never about this being a big Slik Toxik re-release will all kinds of bells and whistles or a box set," Walsh says of the Doin' The Nasty reissue. "It was about making the album available digitally and that was it. First and foremost, it's something I've been thinking about for a long time and obviously talked about here and there with various members of the band over the years. I've also spoken with people over the years who were previously involved with EMI, and it didn't really get me anywhere until I reached out to some people who put me in touch with Universal. Universal had absorbed the EMI catalogue, and believe it or not they didn't know Doin' The Nasty wasn't out in the digital world."


"There's absolutely no money in doing this re-release. The money that was invested in Doin' The Nasty was never paid back, and that's just how the industry used to work. You'd get a deal, put out a record, and all the profits you were perceived to receive percentage-wise went to paying back the recoupables. That's why it's pretty funny to hear an artist say 'Oh, we've signed with a record label...' which is to some extent a marketing company."


To finally have this stuff come out and see the light of day is awesome. My wife and I were listening to the album on Spotify and I thought 'You know what, I'm damn proud of this record.' It was a good record and we gave it our all, we had some great times. It couldn't have been a Nick Walsh record or a Rob Bruce record or a Neal Busby record. All the hugs, the shows, fist fights, getting drunk together, being pissed off at each other... all of that stuff made Doin' The Nasty."


Read the entire BraveWords interview here.

On May 7th, former Cinderella frontman Tom Keifer performed at the M3 Rock festival in Columbia, MD. It was his first show in two years due to the Covid pandemic. Fan-filmed video of his entire show, which featured several Cinderella classics, is available below.


"Touching The Divine"
"Night Songs" (Cinderella)
"Coming Home" (Cinderella)
"It’s Not Enough" 
"Somebody Save Me" (Cinderella)
"Rise"
"Nobody’s Fool" (Cinderella)
"Solid Ground"
"Fallin' Apart At The Seams" (Cinderella)
"The Last Mile" (Cinderella)
"Don’t Know What You Got (Till It’s Gone)" (Cinderella)
"Shake Me" (Cinderella)
"Shelter Me" (Cinderella)
"Long Cold Winter" (Cinderella)
"The Death Of Me"
"Gypsy Road" (Cinderella)

The Haunted guitarist Ola Englund has shared a new video to his YouTube channel, this time featuring himself learning how to play the Children Of Bodom classic, "Are You Dead Yet?".


Englund takes you the whole process, from learning the riffs, chorus, solo, and bringing it up to speed on the spot.


"Are You Dead Yet?" is taken from the COB album of the same namem, released in 2005.










Englund released his second solo album, Starzinger, earlier this year. Mixed and mastered by Clawfinger’s Jocke Skog, Starzinger follows-up Englund’s debut solo album, Master Of The Universe, released in early 2018 and features Delta Empire on drums along with a number of guest appearances, including guitar virtuoso Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, Nevermore).


Check out a playthrough video of "Balegmah" from the album featuring Loomis in action.





Portraying the artwork of Costin Chioreanu (Paradise Lost, At The Gates, Emperor), Starzinger sees Englund merging influences of prog with '80s rock and metal.





Tracklist:


"Stars & Ponies"
"Cringy AF"
"Space Invaders"
"Demon(etized)"
"Bane of Skeletor"
"Bluesy McBluesface"
"Balegmah"
"Sun & The Moon"
"A Bid Farewell"


Stream Starzinger in full below:





"I’m extremely excited to see the release of my second solo album Starzinger, this album being a little bit more metal oriented than my first Master Of The Universe album. It’s a weird feeling because it’s basically just showing the current state of me and where I am in life. Hoping that the people that follow what I do can see the parallels. This one is for you," says Englund about this new effort.


With over 300K subscribers on his tech/music Youtube channel, over the last few years, Ola Englund has also built a strong reputation in the music scene by playing in several bands, most prominently in Feared and The Haunted. Just recently Englund also founded his own guitar company called Solar Guitars, which was meet with great success and currently sponsors artists like Exhorder, The Haunted and At The Gates.

Metallica has revealed that new and exclusive coloured vinyl will be hitting Walmart shelves on June 17th. The album on tap are Load (1996), Reload (1997), Garage Inc. (1998), St. Anger (2003) and Death Magnetic (2008). 


Pre-order the five album bundle now at this location. All albums are also available separately.







Metallica recently released footage from their concert in Porto Alegre, Brazil on May 5. Watch the band perform "No Remorse" and "Blackened" below:

New Orleans' band Cane Hill have shared the video for the new song "A Form Of Protest," which will be live on DSPs tonight at midnight ET.





"'A Form Of Protest' is our first release of a new era for Cane Hill," the band says. "It marks the transition between what we've been to what we will become. Poised in rage and frustration caused by 'the powers that be,' this song welcomes you into our relentless and uncompromising future."







Speaking of the future, the band has announced its signing to Out Of Line.


"We're excited to be partnered with Out Of Line for our future releases," the band states. "After releasing music independently with great success during the pandemic, finding a team that's as excited about Cane Hill as the band is should help open some new doors for us to release our art creatively."


Cane Hill will also embark on a headline tour this spring.


Dates:


May
27 — New Orleans, LA — Parish @ House Of Blues
31 — Scottsdale, AZ — Pub Rock


June
1 — Anaheim, CA — Chain Reaction
2 — Reno, NV — Cypress Reno
3 — Salt Lake City, UT — The Urban Lounge
4 — Grand Junction, CO — Mesa Theater
5 — Denver, CO — HQ
7 — Minneapolis, MN — 7th Street Entry
8 — Chicago, IL — Reggie's Rock Club
9 — Detroit, MI — The Sanctuary
10 — Louisville, KY — Zanzabar
11 — Cleveland, OH — The Foundry
12 — Pittsburgh, PA — Preserving Underground
14 — Hartford, CT — Webster Theater
15 — Brooklyn, NY — Kingsland Bar & Grill
16 — Baltimore, MD — Metro Gallery
17 — Richmond, VA — Canal Club
18 — Greensboro, NC — Blind Tiger
19 — Atlanta, GA — The Masquerade
20 — Nashville, TN — The End

Tempe, Arizona-based deathgaze unit Kardashev have unveiled “Glass Phantoms,” the latest single from their stirring new full-length Liminal Rite set for release June 10 via Metal Blade Records.


Liminal Rite boasts eleven deeply rousing, poignant, and musically grandiose tracks. Opening with the gorgeous drones of “The Approaching Of Atonement” before launching into the densely layered, surging “Silvered Shadows,” an air of tragedy looms over much of the record’s proceedings demanding an emotional response at every musical turn. The record follows a narrative laid out by drummer Sean Lang’s spoken word parts. Elaborates guitarist Nico Mirolla of the record’s weighty theme, “Liminal Rite explores how the past can both wound and seduce, leading us down a path of self-destruction. It’s an anecdotal tale from a fictional man’s perspective late in life on how perception and reality do not always coalesce. His experience tells a larger message of how our minds often create a false view of the past. Sean’s narration is him expressing the man’s perception and recollection of life. The failure of his memory, the nature of dementia, and how it plays into his experience are all encapsulated by the narrative sections.”


Relays Mirolla of “Glass Phantoms,” “The Lost Man’s addiction to control fails him. He ascends the stairs, exits the house, and finds himself standing in the spot where his father knelt so many years ago. Guilt masked by anger grabs him by the chest and he curses the earth beneath him. The death of his brother rises to the surface of his mind like a cloud of locusts swarms a field, ripping and tearing until hunger is satiated. He clutches a stone and sees the ghostly effigy of his father’s hand doing the same. Images of the tragedy that took his brother away flood The Lost Man, and he remembers the fury of his father as the truth was laid bare. But what was it that grave mistake that manifested by his own actions? The memory is too far in the ground, buried under broken glass and isolation. But this time will be different. This time he will not be cast aside. He is home, and he would rather die than suffer the loss of his past for a second time.”




With drums tracked in Lang's home studio, Kardashev returned to Endless Gate Audio in Arizona to track guitar, bass, and vocals. They then gathered at The Sound Lair in Tennessee - the first time this lineup has ever been in the same room together - to work with producer/mixer Miah Lajeunesse. The album was mastered by Ryan Williams. The band also brought in Bohren & Der Club Of Gore's saxophonist Christoph Clöser -- which was a life goal checked off for Mirolla - to add an extra flavor to haunting, epic closer "Beyond The Passage Of Embers," and Christopher Blaney added some piano parts alongside those of Rieth. The members also pushed themselves into new territory: Garrett recorded his own vocal harmonies rather than relying on a vocoder as on previous releases, Rieth recorded some piano parts, and Lang penned and recorded the spoken word story that haunts the record. The album comes cloaked in the cover art of Faith Veloro.





Liminal Rite be available on CD, digitally, and LP on the following color variants:


• Misty Rose Marble (US exclusive)
• Light Gray Marbled (US exclusive)
• Pale Blue Grey Marbled (EU exclusive)
• Crimson Marbled Marbled (EU exclusive - ltd to 300 copies)
• Clear Ochre Brown Marbled (EU exclusive - ltd to 200 copies)
• Pastel Blue Marbled (EU exclusive - ltd to 200 copies)
• Clear Lilac Marbled (EU exclusive - ltd to 200 copies)


Find pre-order options here.





Liminal Rite tracklisting:


"The Approaching Of Atonement"
"Silvered Shadows"
"Apparitions In Candlelight"
"Dissever"
"Lavender Calligraphy"
"The Blinding Threshold"
"Compost Grave-Song"
"Cellar Of Ghosts"
"Glass Phantoms"
"A Vagabond's Lament"
"Beyond The Passage Of Embers"


"Glass Phantoms":





"Compost Grave-Song" video:





Kardashev lineup:


Nico Mirolla - guitars
Mark Garrett - vocals
Alex Rieth - bass
Sean Lang - drums

Arizona sludge/desert metallers Healing Magic has unveiled their alluring new video for “Wolf Coven.” The track comes by way of the band’s Volume I: Fire full-length, scheduled to drop on May 27 via Blood Blast.





Healing Magic are a natural force of raw sludge, splicing fuzzed-out riffage, ritualistic rhythms, and colossal heaviness amidst drifts of smoke and psychedelics. The duo, hailing from the deserts of Arizona, take influence from the majesty of the mountains, mesas, and spirit of the Canyon State, imparting the music with a blazing desert vibe. Each song is like a trip into a dark fantasy world, a world teeming with a sense of despair, urgency, and unknown dangers. Truly a unique sound, rife with crunching overdrive that is only complimented by subtle melodies and epic song structuring. 




Notes band riff-writer and storyteller Igor Amadeus Cavalera of Healing Magic’s latest single, “Join the ‘Wolf Coven!’ Blast this heavy track off of our newest album Volume 1: Fire. An awesome journey into the mystic desert accompanied by the jaw-dropping illustrations of Costin Chioreanu. Howl at the full moon!”


Lyrically, the band is centered around the story of The Healer and The Tyrant, in an ever-constant struggle between light and dark. Volume 1: Fire is the first album in the epic saga which will unfold in the years to come. Dealing heavily in mysticism, adventure and pain, the words are sure to strike a chord with you as much as the music.


Comments Cavalera, "Volume 1: Fire was as spectacular to create as it is to listen to now. It truly showcases what Johnny and I are capable of and sets the stage for our four-album saga. Immerse yourself into the story of The Healer; a tale of adventure, knowledge, spirituality and loss, accompanied by a roaring soundscape. As fiery and blazing as the barren Arizona wastes, it will leave you scorched!"


Adds Valles, “The writing of this album is something I’ll cherish forever. The hard work and dedication that went into this shines from beginning to end and it sets the perfect, aural atmosphere for this triumphant tale.”


Volume 1: Fire was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Today Is The Day’s Steve Austin and will be released digitally with physical editions to follow at a later date. Find digital pre-orders at this location.





Tracklisting:


"Mystic Desert"
"Smoke Horns"
"Resting Beside Embers"
"A Guiding Flame (In A Dim Corridor)"
"Wolf Coven"
"The Lion’s Throne"
"Solar Valley"
"Volcanic"
"Leaving Ashes"


"A Guiding Flame (In A Dim Corridor)":





Coinciding with the release of Volume I: Fire, Healing Magic will appear on Max And Iggor Cavalera’s 2022 Return Beneath Arise US Tour. The month-long journey runs from May 22nd in Albuquerque, New Mexico and runs through June 25th in Tempe, Arizona. Additional support will be provided by Destruction, Warbringer, and Cephalic Carnage on select dates. As an added bonus, the CD version of Healing Magic’s Volume I: Fire will be available for purchase throughout the tour. See all confirmed dates below.





May
22 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
23 - Lubbock, TX - Jake's
24 - Dallas, TX - Amplified Live
25 - Little Rock, AR - Little Rock Music Hall
26 - Nashville, TN - Brooklyn Bowl
27 - Huntington, WV - The Loud
28 - Baltimore, MD - Maryland Deathfest
31 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre


June
1 - New Haven, CT - Toad's Place
2 - Harrisburg, PA - XL Live
3 - Columbus, OH - The King Of Clubs
4 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
5 - Ft. Wayne, IN - Piere's Event Center
6 - Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue
8 - Lincoln, NE - Royal Grove
10 - Denver, CO - The Oriental Theater
11 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
13 - Tacoma, WA - Elks Temple at Spanish Ballroom
14 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theater
16 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
17 - San Francisco, CA - Great American Music Hall
18 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
21 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
22 - Houston, TX - Scout Bar
23 - San Antonio, TX - The Rock Box
24 - El Paso, TX - Rockhouse Outside
25 - Tempe, AZ - The Marquee


(Photo by Joey Nugent)


 

Black Stone Cherry have revealed “Again”, the new live song taken from their upcoming release Live From The Royal Albert Hall… Y'All, out on June 24 via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group. You can watch the video below.


On Wednesday, September 29, 2021 - the year of the band's 20th anniversary - Kentucky's favourite sons, Black Stone Cherry, realized their childhood dream of playing at the legendary Royal Albert Hall, London. Sat on the stage at the iconic Victorian building, singer-guitarist Chris Robertson pauses, looks around and says, "When you're a kid, and you see your heroes' playing places, and then all of a sudden you find yourself sitting on the stage, it's pretty emotional. But we're gonna royally rock it this evening. You better believe that."


The song is taken from their 2020 album The Human Condition and talking about it they say, “When we wrote 'Again' at the twelfth hour in the studio, we never imagined hearing that first chorus being sung by so many voices inside the hallowed RAH. It’s one of our favorite songs to play live, and this is a memory that will last a lifetime.”







Throughout the set they tear through an impressive back catalogue, playing songs from their most recent studio album 'The Human Condition – "In Love with the Pain," "Again", and the previously released live track "Ringin' in My Head" - through to their biggest hits and fan favourites. "Blind Man," "Hell and High Water," "Blame it on the Boom Boom," and "White Trash Millionaire" rock the building alongside moments of tenderness such as the touching rendition and emotional performance of "Things My Father Said."


Talking about playing the iconic venue, drummer John-Fred Young said, "To be honest, I was terrified. It was heavy walking in there. You think about how many great acts have played this place. The prestige behind it. We've wanted to play the Royal Albert Hall since the first UK tour in 2007. Dudes from the middle of the country in Kentucky to go out here and have built an amazing group of people that we care about and come to our shows and support us. To know that with all that hard work and dedication we have put into Black Stone Cherry, we've accomplished something here. Walking in that place, it's just breath-taking. You walk on that stage, and you say, we did it, and it's a feeling that I will cherish for the rest of my life."


On the Blu-Ray, the live footage is dotted with behind-the-scenes interviews, fly on the wall footage and archival insights into the band as kids first starting out, snippets of their first ever UK tour and heartfelt moments of reflection. But ultimately Live From The Royal Albert Hall… Y'All was about bringing rock 'n' roll to London, Kentucky style, and they tore the roof off that mother.


The release is available to pre-order here in various formats: digital, CD & BluRay, double vinyl and an online exclusive double vinyl in transparent red.





Tracklisting:


"Me And Mary Jane"
"Burnin'"
"Again"
"Yeah Man"
"In My Blood/Island Jam"
"Ringin' In My Head"
"Like I Roll"
"Cheaper To Drink Alone"
"Hell And High Water"
"Soulcreek"
"Devil's Queen"
Drum Solo"
"Things My Father Said"
"In Love With The Pain"
"Blind Man"
"Blame It On The Boom Boom"
"White Trash Millionaire"
"Lonely Train"
"Peace Is Free"


"Ringin' In My Head" video:

Prosthetic Records has announced the signing of Louisville, Kentucky based progressive black metal group Volcandra. Alongside the signing announcement, Volcandra have announced a new EP titled Border World - their first release on the Los Angeles label - with the lead single "Tallon IV", which can be heard below .


Border World will be released on June 24 and is available to pre-order here. 


Speaking on their signing and EP announcement, Volcandra comments: "We are thrilled to announce that we have signed to Prosthetic Records for the unveiling of our new EP, Border World, and future releases on the horizon. This EP was written and recorded during the thick of the COVID-19 lockdown. It picks up where we left off with our previous full-length, Into The Azure, while simultaneously exploring uncharted musical territory for the band. With a more collaborative and focused dynamic, we are very excited to see years of work come to fruition."




On "Tallon IV", the band adds: "'Tallon IV' is the opening track to the EP showcasing a balance between melodic passages and bursts of relentless ferocity accompanied by lyrics that will send the listener on a death-defying, futuristic science fiction adventure."


Since their 2019 inception and a well-received 2020 debut full-length, Into The Azure, Volcandra have steadfastly been honing their craft on both the live-circuit and in the recording studio. Across Border World’s runtime, Volcandra offers a distinctively futuristic vision of melodic black metal - with lyrical tales of possessed mythical beasts, draconic cyborgs and mystical border worlds inspired by a deep love for video games and futuristic storytelling. All of these thematic elements are brought to life in stunning fashion by Varises Otak (Cattle Decapitation, Cryptopsy and Amon Amarth)’s cover art.


Produced in its entirety by Devin Harper at Nocturnal Audio in the band’s home city of Louisville, Border World’s amalgam of sonic extremity and melodious sheen compliments the band’s lofty musicianship - with guitar duo Jamie DeMar and River Jordan alternating between contorted rhythms and luculent leads. Volcandra’s propelling force of Mike Hargrave (drums) and Dyer Keathley (bass) provide a resolute backbone to the EP’s more excoriating passages of black metal, allowing Dave Palenske’s vocals to sit commandingly atop Border World’s barrage of sound.


Disinterested in theatrics and forced mystique, Volcandra’s latest slice of fantasy world building is a byproduct of the band members lifelong reverence for science fiction - which serves as a vibrant alternative to some of metal’s darker corners. The group have officially opened the portal to their border world, and the invite remains open for all dreamers and wide eyed escapists who wish to enter.





Tracklisting:


"Tallon IV"
"Resonance Cascade"
"Colossi"
"Guardian"





Catch Volcandra live at the following venues:


June 
24 - Whirling Tiger - Louisville, KY
25 - JJ’s Bohemia - Chattanooga, TN
26 - Santo’s - New Orleans, LA
27 - The Nick - Birmingham, AL
28 - Boggs - Atlanta, GA 
29 - Odditorium - Asheville, NC 


July 
1 - Black Forge Coffee - Pittsburgh, PA
2 - Brimming Horn Meadery - Milton, DE


August 
31 - Yellow Cab Tavern - Dayton, OH


September 
1 - Squirrel Hill Sports Bar - Pittsburgh, PA
2 - RPM Fest - Mantague, MA
5 - The Depot - Baltimore, MD
6 - The Loud - Huntington, WV


(Photographer: Shaun Christopher)


 

Alexisonfire have released the latest single from Otherness, their first full-length album in over 13 years. “Sans Soleil” features earnest and deeply heartfelt lyrics penned by Wade MacNeil, with an impeccable vocal performance from Dallas Green.


Says George Pettit, “Wade came in with the lyrics for this song around the same time he had been working on the Dooms Children record and I feel like it shows. The Dooms Children album touched on a lot of things extremely personal to Wade and this song is definitely in that vein.” MacNeil elaborates, "This song is about hanging onto hope during the heaviest times. Healing and letting go. Dreaming of a future where all this hurt is behind you."


Stream “Sans Soleil” here, and below:







Fans can watch Dallas and Wade discussing the track in more detail, alongside some in-studio clips:





Otherness will be released on June 24 via Dine Alone Records. The album features 10 new songs including the explosive first single, “Sweet Dreams Of Otherness” (see video below). The album is produced by AOF and mixed by punk stalwart Jonah Falco (Fucked Up, Chubby and the Gang).


Pre-orders for physical variants are available here. Each vinyl variant is 2x12” with a gatefold jacket and printed inner sleeves. A limited deluxe edition variant, with an alternate lenticular cover will also be available alongside curated Otherness merchandise.





A continuous thread through the fabric of Alexisonfire is the state of otherness. Otherness drew us all to spaces where a band like this could be formed. We attract the type of individuals that have all felt the sensation of being strange or unique. Perceived or otherwise, otherness has followed us through childhood, adolescence, and into our adult lives. It drives our tastes and proclivities. It bonds us with ourselves and others. And make no mistake, even at our most domestic and mundane moments, we are true outliers. - Otherness mission statement


Alexisonfire produced Otherness themselves in roughly a week. They kept it a “family affair,” working closely with folks who’ve been with them for years. Writing took place at the Dine Alone Records clubhouse. The album includes organ, keys, and pedal steel from Green’s longtime collaborator Matt Kelly. Jill Zimmerman and Darren “Jeter” Magierowski (who is also Steele’s cousin) engineered, at Jukasa Recording Studios.


“The biggest difference is the space we are all in. We were all really thrilled to make a record, and it was such a respite from what was going on in the world. It felt like life could be beautiful,” MacNeil says. “We were supportive of one another. Everyone was in such a good mood. It was such a treat to be able to do it again.”





Tracklisting:


"Committed To The Con"
"Sweet Dreams Of Otherness"
"Sans Soleil"
"Conditional Love"
"Blue Spade"
"Dark Night OF The Soul"
"Mistaken Information"
"Survivor's Guilt"
"Reverse The Curse"
"World Stops Turning"


“Reverse The Curse”:





"Sweet Dreams Of Otherness" video:





(Photo - Vanessa Heins @vanessaheins)

Brooklyn native Johnny Kelly and New Jersey guitarist Dan Lorenzo have both played in more than a handful of bands.


Lorenzo was the founding member of both Hades and Non-Fiction and most recently Vessel Of Light and Cassius King. He even wrote the music with Bobby Blitz' first foray outside of Overkill in 2007 with The Cursed.


Kelly first came into prominence with Type O Negative and has also sat behind the kit for Danzig for nearly two decades. Kelly has also performed with Black Label Society, and currently Quiet Riot and Silvertomb.




Before now the two have never recorded anything together. "I honestly don't remember how I first got in contact with Johnny," Lorenzo stated. "I know we've had some email contact together for a while, and I remember originally being flattered that Johnny even knew who I was."


Kelly stated, "I liked the riffs that Dan sent me and it's a great opportunity to get to play with different people." When Kelly was asked what he brings to the table for Patriarchs In Black he came back with, " I'm not really sure. I consider myself to be an average drummer at best. It must be my charming personality!"


The duo have named this project Patriarchs In Black. Lorenzo wrote the music and plays guitar, Kelly is behind the kit.


Patriarchs In Black will have multiple vocalists. Karl Agell (Corrosion Of Conformity Blind), Dewey Bragg (Kill Devil Hill), Jimmy Gnecco (Ours) and John Kosco (Dropbox) have each sang a song. When pressed for a description of how the music sounds Kelly said, "All roads lead to Black Sabbath!"





Germany's MDD Records will release Patriarchs In Black's debut release, Reach For The Scars, on July 1. Album art by Ruben Barahona.


Demon of Regret by Patriarchs In Black

"The Swordsman" is the latest single from the forthcoming album, “he Uncertain Hour (out July 15) from Sacramento-based quintet, Graveshadow.


“The Swordsman", available for streaming/download on all digital platforms, is also special as it features guest vocals from Chelsea Murphy (Dawn Of Ouroboros, Cailleach Calling, Tegmentum).


“I’m really excited to release ‘The Swordsmen’ which has kind of snuck up on me as another favorite off the record, explains Graveshadow vocalist Rachl “Raxx” Quinn. “The interplay of the clean and harsh vocals was something I was thrilled with the outcome on. The way they support each other really adds a great dynamic to the song. As a band it was great to have Chelsea guest on the track, her performance is absolutely incredible!”




Watch a visualizer for the track below.


The Uncertain Hour was produced by Miss May I guitarist Justin Aufdemkampe (Clutch, War of Ages), mastered by Roman Ismaylov (Crobot, Zoe’s Extraordinary Playlist) and features artwork by Roman Ismaylov (Battle Beast, Beast In Black).


Pre-orders for CD and limited-edition (200) vinyl copies are available here.





Tracklisting:


"Soldier Of 34"
"Gwynnbleidd"
"Sea Of Apparitions"
"The Swordsman"
"Vengeance Of Envy"
"Beautiful End"
"The Betrayer"
"Shadow Battles"
"The Two Lived"
"Damsel's Finesse"


"The Swordsman" visualizer:





"Soldier Of 34" video:





The Uncertain Hour sees the new lineup for Graveshadow continue to refine the enticing mix of symphonic, gothic, doom, and epic progressive-metal elements, now augmented by the newfound energy that has been brought into the band by the soaring melodic vocals of Quinn and the rumbling rhythm section of Rae and Bones. The duo of Walker and Robitsch once again deliver a beautiful display of guitar histrionics that tastefully mix searing shred with warm melody. Graveshadow are back on the scene with a story to tell. Intertwining melodic highs and crushing lows to sweep listeners away on a journey of self-discovery, loss and the will to carry on.

Vangelis, the Greek composer whose rousing electronic theme music for the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots Of Fire became one of the most loved movie scores, has died at the age of 79, reports Reuters.


The Athens News Agency quoted an announcement from his lawyers’ office as saying the composer died late on Tuesday, without giving a cause of death.


In a post on Twitter, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis called Vangelis “a pioneer of the electronic sound.”




“He began his long journey on the Chariots of Fire,” Mitsotakis wrote. “From there he will always send us his notes.”


Born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou in 1943, the young Vangelis developed an early interest in music and experiments with sounds produced by banging pots and pans or fixing nails, glasses and other objects to the strings of his parents’ piano. He absorbed the tones of Greek folk songs and Orthodox Christian choral music, but he had no formal musical training, which he later said had helped save his sense of creativity.


After a start with local rock bands, Vangelis left for Paris at the age of 25, joining an exodus of young artists following a 1967 coup that installed a military junta in Greece. Away from home, he was attracted by the then-new field of electronic synthesizers that allowed him to create the lush melodic colours that became his trademark sound.


Despite enjoying success in the European “prog rock” scene of the early 1970s with Aphrodite’s Child, a band he formed with fellow Greek musician Demis Roussos, Vangelis was uncomfortable with the expectations on a commercial performing artist and largely retreated to the recording studio he created for himself in London. It was there that he wrote the score for Chariots Of Fire, the story of the triumph of a group of British runners at the 1924 Olympic Games.


Unashamedly non-contemporary, its pulsating synthesizer beats and soaring melody made the slow motion opening sequence of a group of athletes running along a beach a model for the way the cinema portrayed sport.


Vangelis once said the score, which earned him an Academy Award and topped the charts for weeks, was in part a tribute to his father, who had been a keen amateur runner. But he was also slightly dismissive of the enormous popularity it enjoyed. “It’s only another piece of music,” he told an interviewer.


The success of Chariots Of Fire overshadowed his other scores, but he wrote the music for a number of major films including Missing, directed by his compatriot Costa-Gavras, and Ridley Scott’s futuristic thriller Blade Runner.


He was a prolific composer over many decades, his work ranging from advertising music and film scores to elaborate symphonic-style compositions and Jon And Vangelis, his duo with Jon Anderson, lead singer of the prog rock group Yes.


But he remained wary of commercial success, once telling an interviewer he never saw music as just an entertainment.