In a new four-minute video from SiriusXM, Mark Tremonti listens to 10-second clips of songs from CREED, TREMONTI, ALTER BRIDGE and more of his projects played backwards. Then he tries to guess which track was just played. Check out the results below.

In a recent interview with the 97.7 QLZ radio station, Tremonti revealed that ALTER BRIDGE's seventh album will be titled "Pawns & Kings". The follow-up to 2019's "Walk The Sky" — which is once again being recorded at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with SEVENDUST, MAMMOTH WVH and SLASH, among others — will arrive on October 14 via Napalm Records.

ALTER BRIDGE will embark on an extensive European tour this winter. The "Pawns & Kings" trek will hit 25 cities over 18 countries, kicking off on November 1 in Hamburg, Germany and wrapping up on December 12 in London, England. Supporting ALTER BRIDGE will be Grammy-winning rockers HALESTORM and MAMMOTH WVH, the new band fronted by ex-VAN HALEN bassist Wolfgang Van Halen.

ALTER BRIDGE released a seven-song EP, "Walk The Sky 2.0", in November 2020 via Napalm Records. The effort contained live versions of a few of the band's favorites from "Walk The Sky" — "Wouldn't You Rather", "Pay No Mind", "Native Son", "Godspeed", "In The Deep" and "Dying Light" — as well as one new studio track, "Last Rites", which was written, recorded and completed entirely during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Tremonti issued the fifth album from his solo band TREMONTI, titled "Marching In Time", last September via Napalm Records.

ALTER BRIDGE frontman Myles Kennedy released his sophomore solo album, "The Ides Of March", in May 2021 via Napalm Records.

Tremonti recently partnered with National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) to release an album of Frank Sinatra covers titled "Tremonti Sings Sinatra". The LP of selections from Frank Sinatra's catalog will be made available as part of a new charity initiative created by Tremonti called Take A Chance For Charity. Proceeds from the album — scheduled for release on May 27 — will go to support NDSS and the work they do to advocate for and support individuals with Down syndrome and their families.

On May 6th, veteran rockers KIX performed at the M3 Rock Festival in Columbia, MD. Fan-filmed video of the band's entire set is available below.


The setlist was as follows:


"Get It While It's Hot"
"No Ring Around Rosie"
"Midnite Dynamite"
"Lie Like a Rug"
"Scarlet Fever"
"Cold Shower"
"Girl Money"
"The Itch"
"Love Me With Your Top Down"
"Don't Close Your Eyes"
- guitar solo -
"Cold Blood"
- drum solo -
"Blow My Fuse"

DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie, who recently said that it was "great" to be back on good terms with the band's former drummer Mike Portnoy, was asked in a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio if there is any chance of the two musicians working together again. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think anything is possible. Listen, Mike and I are in a great place. We've been texting back and forth from time to time. I wished him a happy birthday; he wished me a happy birthday… So we're staying in touch.

"Listen, Mike's a great musician," LaBrie continued. "Put it this way… Who knows what the future holds? Maybe there'll be a day and I'll go, 'Holy shit. This track would be perfect to have Mike do this.' Or it might be something that comes from him, from his side. So we'll see. You know what? I'm open. And that's the thing, is that we're in a really good place now. And yeah, it should have happened a long time ago. But human beings, we have a tendency to… our pride gets the best of us."

Portnoy attended DREAM THEATER's concert on March 4 at Beacon Theatre in New York City. It was the first time he witnessed his former bandmates perform live since his exit from the iconic progressive metal outfit more than 11 years ago.

According to DREAM THEATER fans who attended the show, LaBrie gave Portnoy a shoutout from the stage and Mike waved. Several fans also took pictures of Portnoy at the venue, with Mike and his wife reportedly watching the performance from near the Beacon Theatre soundboard.

The next day, Portnoy shared a few backstage photos from the concert and he included the following message: "After 36 years, I finally got to see my 1st DREAM THEATER show last night! It was a wonderful evening and it was such a pleasure to spend time with my old friends again".

LaBrie discussed his renewed friendship with Portnoy in a recent interview with Rodrigo Altaf of Sonic Perspectives. Speaking about how Mike's backstage reunion with his former bandmates came about, James said: "What happened was my manager… This is, like, two hours before the show… So, you know the history with Mike and I. The thing is what was sad about that whole duration where Mike and I didn't see eye to eye is that when DREAM THEATER started, 'Images And Words' [1992] and 'Awake' [1994], Mike and I were best friends — way back — and then we started to fall apart, for several reasons. It doesn't matter — the details don't matter — it's just that we started to have a problem with one another. And so about two hours before the New York show, my manager texts me and he said, 'Listen, Mike's gonna be there tonight. He wants to come back and see you. He wants to make amends. I don't mean to do this...' And I said, 'Frank' — to my manager, I said — 'you're putting this in my lap two hours before I play in front of how many thousands of people in New York. Are you kidding me?' So, I thought about it. You know what? I went for a walk, believe it or not. I went incognito and I went for a walk in New York. And I walked the streets and I started thinking about it, and I said to myself, 'You know what? Enough is enough. There's enough hate in this world; there's enough frickin' negativity in this world. If Mike wants to come and see me and make amends, then I should be receptive.' And I got in touch… And John Petrucci [DREAM THEATER guitarist] was also there. So he said, 'Mike wants to know if he can come back and say hi to you,' like I just said. And I said, 'You know what? Yeah. Let him know. For sure. Tell him to come back and see me after the show.' And that's what we did. We chatted. We had a good, long discussion. We made up and gave each other a hug and did a picture together.

"When I was out on stage before all that, I just said, 'Hey, I just wanna let you guys know, Mike Portnoy's here. Hey, welcome, brother, to the show.' And that was it.

"The thing is that you get to a point in life where you've gotta… You can't carry around that. Don't carry around hate; don't carry around negativity," LaBrie continued. "We carried it around far too long, as far as I'm concerned, and it didn't serve any purpose; it just served frickin' division. It was very divisive and very damaging.

"Hey, listen, just the other day Mike texts me, and he was, like, 'Hey, James, I just wanna congratulate you on [DREAM THEATER's first-ever] Grammy. You frickin' well deserve this — you and the band. Awesome. Kudos. Bravo,' all this stuff. And I text Mike back, and I said, 'Frick, man. Mike, that's very admirable of you.' I said, 'In my book, that's pretty damn cool for you to say these things.' And he said, 'Awesome, man. Love it.'

"So, it's great to be back," James added. "We're talking to one another, we're chatting and all that stuff. And that's the kind of world that I wanna live in as opposed to negativity, hate and frickin'… It's just not worth it. It's not worth it."

Portnoy, who co-founded DREAM THEATER 37 years ago, abruptly quit the band in September 2010 while on tour with AVENGED SEVENFOLD. He has since been replaced by Mangini (ANNIHILATOR, EXTREME, STEVE VAI).

Portnoy was a guest on Petrucci's second solo album, "Terminal Velocity", which was released in August 2020 via Sound Mind Music/The Orchard. The effort marked the first time Petrucci and Portnoy recorded together in over a decade, as well as their first time playing together since Portnoy departed DREAM THEATER. John later shot down speculation among DREAM THEATER fans that it's only a matter of time before Portnoy returns to the band, telling Spain's Metal Hammer: "I think it's really important for everybody's sake — for fans to understand this. I think it's important, out of respect for both drummers — for Mike Mangini and Mike Portnoy — that there's no misconstrued thing: 'Oh, this means something else.' This is [Portnoy] playing on my solo album, which is a really happy moment for me… I don't want people to get the wrong idea. I don't wanna create any drama or weirdness, because it's all positive. I made a solo album — finally, after 15 years — and I got my friend to play drums on it, who I haven't played with in 10 years. So that's the vibe."

In a 2017 interview with Rockhok, Portnoy insisted that had "no longing to reunite" with DREAM THEATER but said that he would return to his former band "for the fans." He explained: "The ball's in their court, to be honest. I have no longing to reunite with them; it's not something I necessarily am looking to do or want to do. I'm very content with all the eighty-seven bands I currently have going, so it's something I need. But I would do it for the fans, because I'm a very sentimental person and I have a lot of great, fond memories of those guys and the times. I'm a sentimental guy, so I would never close the door on it. So, really, the ball's in their court, honestly. [But] if you're asking me the odds [of a reunion happening], I would say, don't bet on it, because I know their personalities as well and I don't think they're the type that are looking backwards."

A couple of years ago, Portnoy told Loud that he left DREAM THEATER because he wanted to expand his musical horizons. "[I didn't] want to go to my grave and just be the drummer from DREAM THEATER," he said. "I knew there was way more to what I had to offer."

Since the 2010 departure of Portnoy, Petrucci, along with keyboardist Jordan Rudess, has taken on much of the songwriting load for DREAM THEATER, including 2016's controversial double concept album, "The Astonishing", 2019's "Distance Over Time" and the band's latest LP, 2021's "A View From The Top Of The World".

LaBrie previously discussed his relationship with Portnoy in a November 2021 interview with Radio Forrest. He said at the time: "I haven't spoken to Mike, to be quite honest, since he left the band. So I think that pretty much says it all."

LaBrie had previously seemingly closed the door on the possibility of a DREAM THEATER reunion with Portnoy, telling Chile's Radio Futuro in an August 2013 interview: "That possibility, I don't see it ever happening; it's not gonna happen. Because, first and foremost, Mike Mangini is a full-fledged member of the band now, he's a phenomenal drummer and he's doing everything that we could possibly want as a drummer in a band. He's helping us realize exactly what we wanna do right now musically. And he will be our drummer until the day that we finish doing this, when we conclude. Mike Portnoy was a big part of our past, but I think that's where it's going to remain. He was a drummer from the past. And as far as presently and into the future, it will be Mike Mangini, and we all feel very strongly about that. He's an incredible drummer, he's an incredible asset to the band, and he is fulfilling our wildest dreams as far as what we're doing musically and what we're doing with each album. So that's the way it stands."

Madman's Lullaby have released their brand new EP, Nocturnal Overdrive Part 2, via Australia's MR Records. Order here, and watch a video for the first single, "Falling", below.


"Falling" is picking up action at radio, debuting at #207 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and the #7 Most Added track on the Metal Contraband chart. Top 20 specialty radio shows are charting "Falling" as well, WORT in Madison, WI (#19), The Foundry online (#20) and Metal Authority Radio online (#20).
 
Madman's Lullaby's EJ talks about his battle with COVID which presented a new set of hurdles in getting the new EP release: "As some of you know I was hospitalized with the Delta Variant. At one point I wasn’t sure I was going to make it, let alone ever be able to play music again. It was honestly two of the hardest months I’ve ever experienced. Today I’m beyond thankful for my health and my family that got me through it, and of course to finally be back on my drums. It’s gifted me with a bigger appreciation for everything like making music for all of you. I hope these songs will bring some good vibes in the midst of this crazy world we live in."


"This EP contains five cracking tracks that is sure to extend their fan base world wide. The band have received excellent reviews for Part 1 and we know this release will see an increase of interest and demand in 2022. Once again, the overall package is complimented by some incredible cover artwork by world renown graphic designer, ‘Nello Dell’Omo’. - Peter Naylor, MR Records.







Tracklisting:


"Thick And Thin"
"Inside Out"
"Falling"
"Tell Me I'm Right"
"Ask For Nothing"


"Falling" video:





All songs written and recorded by Madman’s Lullaby. Recorded at Suspect studios in San Jose, Ca and Blue Room Studios in Brentwood, CA. Produced by Eric Hill and Madman’s Lullaby.

Currently on their sold out Tekkno European tour, Germany's Electric Callboy have shared live POV stage footage of the band performing their hit "Pump It" in Hannover. Check out the official clip below.


Previously shared POV footage of "We Got The Moves" live in Hamburg is also available.










Electric Callboy officially announced the release of their brand new studio album, Tekkno, out on September 9 via Century Media Records. This announcement comes after the band hits the Top 40 of the German single charts with their newest single “Spaceman” (#31 single charts).


After the band released their previous album in 2019, it's time again for an energy-charged musical firework. The ten track album includes the previously released fan favorite tracks "We Got The Moves", "Pump It" and Electric Callboy's current single, "Spaceman".


Electric Callboy vocalist and keyboardist, Kevin, states, “It feels so unbelievably good to finally present our new album Tekkno to the world. Created in a time without any live shows we put all our passion, energy and craziness into this one record. Never felt it more intense to write new music. With this announcement we celebrate the liberation from our daily studio routine back to many awesome live shows with you guys! We can’t wait to see you again soon!”





Tekkno will be released on September 9 in several formats such as Ltd. CD Digipak, Deluxe CD Box Set, 180-gram LP+CD incl. poster in various vinyl colors and on all digital platforms. The Deluxe Box Set will come along with the CD Digipak, bottle opener with different sounds, signature card game and 6-piece coaster set.


Tekkno is available to pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Pump It"
"We Got The Moves"
"Fuckboi" (feat. Conquer Divide)
"Spaceman" (feat. Finch)
"Mindreader"
"Arrow Of Love"
"Parasite"
"Tekkno Train"
"Hurrikan"
"Neon"


"Spaceman" video:





Electric Callboy is:


David (drums)
Daniel (bass)
Kevin (vocals, keys)
Nico (vocals)
Daniel (guitar)
Pascal (guitar)

Tempe, Arizona-based deathgaze outfit, Kardashev, will release their sophomore full-length, Liminal Rite, on June 10 via Metal Blade Records. The band have released a bass playthrough video for the first single, "Compost Grave-Song". Watch below:





Forged in 2012, Kardashev's mission statement could best be described as, "Attempting to create the most beautiful, heavy music through themes of love, loss, and altruism in the metal spectrum." The band dropped their debut full-length Peripety in 2015 and has since focused on short form concept records, most recently 2021's stirring The Baring Of Shadows. Rarely approaching the creation of a record with any preconceptions or plans as to what form it will take, they work until what they generally envisaged manifests itself. The result is this year's Liminal Rite featuring 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. Liminal Rite is lyrically deep and complex, focusing on mood above all else. Guitarist Nico Mirolla aptly describes the songs as musically bearing resemblance to freeform jazz or a progressive record, because, "The story is the focus. There is an overtly important narrative taking place that is facilitated by the sonic textures and qualities intentionally designed for it."


The record follows a narrative laid out by drummer Sean Lang's spoken word parts. Elaborates Mirolla, "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."


While Lang simply speaks his parts, vocalist Mark Garrett possesses a phenomenal vocal range, branching from the heavenly and frail to multiple different extreme metal styles, and he follows his gut instincts when it comes to deciding which to employ. "Nico, [bassist] Alex [Reith], and Sean write music that is heavily focused on emotional storytelling, Garrett notes. Because of this, and since I write vocals once the rest of the song is complete, I find myself both swept away in the emotion of the song and wanting to help further the cathartic experience of the listener even more."


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"


"Compost Grave-Song" video:





Kardashev lineup:


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

Black Stone Cherry restored the party in front of the Faster Stage at Wacken Open Air 2019, right after the crowd returned from a storm caused evacuation of the festival's infield. Watch the band perform "White Trash Millionaire" 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. Now, Black Stone Cherry are set to release a live album/BluRay from that epic evening, titled Live From The Royal Albert Hall… Y'All on June 24 via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group. Watch the first taste, via the video for "Ringin' In My Head" below.




Sat on the stage at the iconic Victorian building, singer-guitarist Chris Robertson paused, looked around and said; "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 four piece don't disappoint as they open with the explosive "Me and Mary Jane". From clubs to arenas and festival headline performances, no one puts on the kind of show that these boys do. Hit after hit - it's all killer - the rapturous crowd roar back. Black Stone Cherry was one of the first international bands to tour the UK following the Covid19 lockdown restrictions being eased, and they gave every single fan in there that night a euphoric dose of happiness.


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 "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."


The band have always belonged to the fans and vice versa, which is why when you hear those songs emanate from the stage and then sung back, every fan in the world can close their eyes and remember either being there or imagine being there and the sheer joy and pride in the boys for realizing a dream.


New band member Steve Jewell Jr replaces founding bass player Jon Lawhon and criss-crosses the stage with Ben Wells and Robertson projecting boundless enthusiasm. This is a band absolutely revelling in playing together, and it comes across in each song.


Robertsons reflects: "We've headlined Wembley Arena, we've headlined festivals, but you walk into this place, and it's different. I remember watching footage of Zeppelin here, and now we're here."


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:

Rockshots Records has announced their latest signing of Italian melancholic metallers SilentLie for the release of their sophomore full-length Equilibrium this coming September to follow 2015's Layers Of Nothing. Pre-save here.


Always drawn to the dark side of emotions, Equilibrium proceeds along this path. It stands on modern heavy tones and an obscure mood that can be compared to bands like Ghost, Ozzy Osbourne, and The Cure. Spreading their dark wings, drums, and bass, SilentLie builds a wall of sound on which the guitars dance with tombstone keys while a powerful female voice embraces the listener with gritty, but catchy melodies. Many of the songs on the album, thematically, deal with the eternal struggle between good and evil, with lyrics introspective and personal. There’s a maturity to the music that acts as a pendulum swinging between ‘80s liquid verses and gloomy, almost doomy, parts.







"Our first EP, Blood Under Snow was a collection of five obscure and atmospheric tracks, while our first full-length Layers Of Nothing featured dark/gothic influences with some old fashioned Sabbath riffing. The new material on Equilibrium reveals a more focused sound with a blasting production. It's deep, heavy, and gritty with a dark outline. It's a collection of ten heavy songs, a journey in the dark without fear," adds the band.


Equilibrium was mixed in the U.S.A. by Grammy Award winner Dave Hagen at Dark Horse Studios (Mastodon, Evanescence, Alice in Chains). The album is due out on September 30.

At the end of 2021 the Chilean metal band Parasyche presented Sons Of Violence, a double album, in English and Spanish, which features the participation of international artists such as Aquiles Priester (ex-Angra), Diva Satanica (Nervosa), Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords Of Black), among others.


After their previous single, the powerful "Black Mamba” feat. Aquiles Priester, now the band led by YouTuber Nico Borie (1.35 M subscribers) shows a more melodic song with progressive influences. This one features another renowned YouTube musician: Anthony Vincent (3.45 M subscribers).


The video was produced and directed by Nico Borie himself along with the artist Milena Bralic. About this audiovisual work, the vocalist comments: "It is a song that seeks to motivate people not to waste their hidden or repressed talents, since in them lies the possibility of transcending one's own existence. It was a challenge to make the video for this song, but fortunately we found the right people to capture the story we came up with.




Regarding the participation of his American colleague, Borie adds: "Having Anthony Vincent was awesome because he has been a great reference for me on youtube. He really liked the idea of participating, even though it's an original song of ours instead what would have been the logic which is to invite him to a cover that aims to go viral."


You can check out the video for “Born To Transcend” and “Trascender” (Spanish version) below:

Swedish Gothenburg-based melodic death metal band Sailor Hunter have released their self-titled debut EP via Inverse Records. To celebrate the release, a new music video for "Life" can be viewed below.


The band has issued the following biography:


"We are Sailor Hunter. Swedish metal band that started as a one-man online project by our guitarist Al Rinald. Sailor Hunter's influences are among others the mighty metal Gothenburg sound. With a touch of symphonic orchestra and American groove metal together with inspiration from the Mediterranean sea, Sailor Hunter delivers metal from the heart.
 
In 2018, Al joined force with drummer Kutte Gashi were began their journey to where they stand today, as co-founders to Sailor Hunter. The band grew in 2019 in pursuit of musicians suited for the vision and quality of the band.
 
Today, Sailor Hunter's official lineup is a four-man band formed by the talented bass player Filip Jovanov and the charismatic Stellan Berndtsson, which delivers powerful and emotional vocals. The heart of the band is four members giving their passion in songwriting and soul in every production. Together we are Sailor Hunter."







Tracklist:


"Commence"
"Scarred"
"Life"
"Alone"
"Icon"


"Life"





"Scarred"





Photo by Al Rinald

Guitarist Toby Knapp has issued the following update on the forthcoming Onward album, Of Epoch And Inferno, the first official studio album of new music since Reawaken, released in 2002


Knapp: "The album is currently being mastered at Audio Art Studio in Las Vegas, NV by world renowned engineer, Brett Hansen. I'm starting to get excited about it, it was a long process with some unexpected hurdles, but we made it through and the album is really strong.


Vocalist Robert Van War got the job because he actually stepped forward and introduced himself and wanted to help with the vocal situation. The vocalists I was talking to, or rather, attempted to speak with, just blew me off. You'd think a Michael Grant clone would jump at the chance of doing an Onward album. So, to the Onward fans who wanted that sound, I tried. Everyone's a rock star and everyone's an asshole.




I listened to the Attika albums Rob sang on, I started to become enthused about a completely different vocal approach than found on previous Onward albums. Robert hadn't heard of Onward, he was aware of me through my Shrapnel Records album. I said to him 'I hear Bobby Blitz Ellsworth and Udo Dirkschneider in your voice,' I asked him to bring that style forth a bit more. The music is more aggressive this time around and calls for slightly more abrasive vocals. I'm really happy. The guitar playing is Akira Takasaki influenced and the vocals spit venom. A nice combination."


Of Epoch And Inferno will be released via Cruz Del Sur Music later this year. 


Knapp recently added additional dates to a string of previously announced solo shows, turning things into more of a tour.


 


 


Knapp: "I'm getting to four states and six different towns, things are coming along nicely. I do hope to do a much bigger tour next year. As soon as the Onward album is mastered and turned into Cruz Del Sur Music, I'll follow up with another instrumental solo album for Moribund Records."


 


 


Knapp's eighth solo album, From The Aether, was issued on Moribund Records earlier this year.


 


 


Knapp continues: "I'm thrilled and a little shocked I haven't lost any of the fire and desire to play and make music after 30 years in the professional music business. If anything, I'm more focused and productive than I've been in a very long time."


 


 


Knapp's live schedule is available below.


 


 





 

A lethal dose of Southern Nihilism in the vein of Rock 'n Roll's greatest outlaws, comes in the form of Eyehategod's cover of "Motörhead", off Waxx 001 - Löve Me Förever: A Tribute To Motörhead, courtesy of Psycho Waxx. Secure your 2-LP pre-order on lavish Oxblood vinyl now at PsychoWaxx.com before they sell out and ship this August. Don't forget to get your fix of Eyehategod at Psycho Swim on August 18th at Ayu Day Club as the pool stage turns into a Psycho sludge party.





The artwork and tracklisting for Löve Me Förever: A Tribute To Motörhead are as follows:







King Dude - "Killed By Death"
Stöner - "R.A.M.O.N.E.S."
High On Fire - "Iron Fist"
Cephalic Carnage - "Order / Fade To Black"
Eyehategod - "Motörhead"
Lord Buffalo - "God Was Never On Your Side"
Howling Giant w/ Chuck Garric & Calico Cooper - "Love Me Like A Reptile"
Mothership - "Bomber"
Foie Gras - "Born To Lose"
Psychlona - "Iron Horse"
Blackwater Holylight w/ Matt Pike - "Please Don't Touch"
Creeping Death - "In The Name Of Tragedy"
The Bridge City Sinners - "Go To Hell"
Exhorder - "Sacrifice"
Death By Stereo - "Born To Raise Hell"
Midnight - "Dirty Love"
Relaxer - "America"
Phil Anselmo / Gary Holt / Kelley Juett / Sacha Dunable / Tom Polzine / Nick Oliveri / Dwid Hellion / Kyle Juett / Chuck Garric / Zach Wheeler - "Ace Of Spades"


(Photo - Travis Shinn)


 

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.