In a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station, HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale spoke about what it has been like for her and her bandmates to perform live again during the pandemic. She said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We did a quote-unquote secret show here in Nashville [in July 2021] at a local club as our first show back. It had been the longest I've ever gone without doing a live show, and my panic mode started at soundcheck. It wasn't just, like, 10 minutes before we go on, 'Oh, God.' It was just all day of, like, 'Oh my Gosh. We're really doing this.'

"It feels so good to be doing shows again and it feels great to just see everybody in the audience really living in the moment," she continued. "I feel like it's different now in a strange way. Everything is a little elevated. No one's chatting on their phone. Everyone's going to a show like it's gonna be their last show. It's pretty incredible."

HALESTORM will release its fifth studio album, "Back From The Dead", on May 6 via Atlantic. The follow-up to 2018's "Vicious" was produced by Nick Raskulinecz (FOO FIGHTERS, MASTODON, ALICE IN CHAINS) with co-production by Scott Stevens (SHINEDOWN, DAUGHTRY, NEW YEARS DAY).

According to a press release, "Back From The Dead" quickly evolved from songwriting exercises into a matter of survival for HALESTORM. Lzzy said: "We started writing this album about three months B.C. (Before COVID). Once we went into lockdown and were unable to perform and tour, I fell into a dark place and something of an identity crisis. This album is the story of me carving myself out of that abyss. It is a journey of navigating mental health, debauchery, survival, redemption, rediscovery and still maintaining faith in humanity."

Last November, Lzzy told the 105.7 The Point radio station about the musical direction of the new HALESTORM material: "This album is absolutely a banger. It's on eleven. We have really just kind of exceeded all of the energy that has come before on these albums, both technically, music-wise, vocally, drum, lyric-wise. I think because of the roller-coaster ride when we were making this record, and just through the pandemic and all the different phases of that, we just kind of looked at each other, like, if the future is unknown and we don't know whether we're actually going to be out and playing these things, everything has to be, like I said, at eleven. It's HALESTORM elevated."

According to Lzzy, she and her bandmates recorded the new HALESTORM album in a different way. "This is the first time that we've ever had dual producers," she explained. "We went back with Nick Raskulinecz [who helmed 'Vicious']. And then I ended up doing my vocals with Scott Stevens from THE EXIES. He's like a brother from another mother with me. We've written together before, and we've known each other for probably just shy of a decade now. He and I, we produced and did all the vocals for [HALESTORM's recently released single] 'Back From The Dead' with each other, because I went out to L.A. And then we ended up sending it to Nick, and Nick's, like, 'This is just absolutely amazing. We have to do every song this way.' So we kind of did it differently. We ended up with the bare bones of a demo. I ended up finishing all of my vocals — like dunzo — before we ended up building the track musically. So it's kind of like building a pyramid upside down. But it ended up really just having this different energy, because what we were able to do with the lyrics and melody and all the vocals being done would really accentuate all of that — matching the theme to whatever I was singing about, but also just kind of really supporting the vocals musically when we went in to do the guitars and drums and bass. It's so crazy — it definitely has this very forward, very aggressive nature to it because of the way that we did that."

The "Back From The Dead" title track was released in August. The official music video for the song, directed by Dustin Haney (Noah Cyrus, Luke Combs) and produced by Revolution Pictures, featured Lzzy and the rest of the band in a morgue and cemetery somewhere between life and death.

Lzzy and her brother Arejay formed the band in 1998 while in middle school. Guitarist Joe Hottinger joined the group in 2003, followed by bassist Josh Smith in 2004.

In December 2018, HALESTORM was nominated for a "Best Rock Performance" Grammy Award for its song "Uncomfortable". Six years earlier, the band won its first Grammy in the category of "Best Hard Rock/ Metal Performance" for "Love Bites (So Do I)".

Ever since 2014, Junkyard Drive has been across half the world. With more than 100 concerts played, over five million streams and two records, they’ve solidly planted their flag on the international rock scene, playing the big stages such as the one in Sweden Rock Festival and doing the big tours with, for instance, Eclipse. After the success of their most recent album, Black Coffee, with new faces and ten new razor sharp songs, the band is now ready with their next record, Electric Love. 


Electric Love marks a newfound maturity in the group’s universe. Armed with solid and ferocious riffs, the album exposes a hitherto unseen sincerity in the lyrical themes. The teenage days are over in favour of stories about self development, inner tensions and love. 


The album was recorded in the legendary Medley Studios, produced by Soren Andersen (Glenn Hughes, Jesper Binzer, Electric Guitars) and mixed/mastered by Erik Martensson (Eclipse). 




Electric Love will be released in Digital, CD and LP formats (two colours, each limited to 300 units) by Mighty Music on May 13th, 2022. Pre-orders are available here.





Tracklisting:


"Let It Burn"
"Electric Love"
"Mr. Rock N’ Roll"
"Home"
"Let Me Love You"
"Tomorrow I Will Be Gone"
"Mind Eraser"
"The Wonderland Of Temptations"
"Mama"
"Free Your Mind"











(Photo by Mikkel Krogsholm)


 

Swedish black / death metal titans In Aphelion have shared their new video "Requiem", which can be seen below. The track is the third to be revealed from the band's debut album, Moribund, set for international release on March 11th via Edged Circle Productions.


"The song 'Requiem' is all about letting the dead in," says the band. "To embrace the memory of those we have lost. To listen to their voices that echo through time. To never forget. It's about letting life go and death come. We will ring the bells, we will mourn, and eventually we will follow."


Commenting on the video, "To make a clip for such a somber and serious song, we could think of no other way than filming our yearly visit to Skogskyrkogården in Stockholm where most of our relatives and friends rest. The video led us to Quorthon and L.G. Petrov's final resting place, among others. It's a tribute to those we hail and those we will never forget."







A veritable treasure trove of Swedish black / death metal royalty, In Aphelion are a power-trio originally formed in 2020 by longtime Necrophobic guitarist Sebastian Ramstedt on vocals, guitar, and bass with prolific drummer Marco Prij. In 2021, with the advent of their debut demo, fellow Necrophobic guitarist Johan Bergebäck joined, making the unholy trinity complete. An impossibly auspicious first start, In Aphelion's first demo - despite being limited to a mere 50 copies - landed the band a deal with Edged Circle, first resulting in the teaser-length EP Luciferian Age and now a grandiose hour-long debut album, Moribund.


Indeed, while the spectre of classic blackened death metal for which Sweden is known looms large over In Aphelion, it must be stressed that these gentlemen are THE grand architects of that incredibly influential and ever-enduring sound. And not ones to rest on their laurels, with In Aphelion do both Ramstedt and Bergebäck unfurl new vistas of the imagination whilst respectably remaining within that noble tradition. Simply put, this is timeless heavy metal might painted in purple-blue hues but beaming with brilliant colors beyond.


Point proof is In Aphelion's first full-length recording, Moribund. While two tracks - "Luciferian Age" and "Draugr" - were forecasted on the aforementioned Luciferian Age EP, Moribund majestically displays the full bounty of In Aphelion's seemingly infinite powers. Longer, stronger, more deathly, more blackened, more metal, more of literally everything: Moribund is a veritable monolith of awe-inspiring songwriting and impassioned performance. Breathtaking opener "World Serpent (Devourer Of Dreams)" lives up to its namesake - and then some - and duly sets the stage for all that follows for the next 59 minutes.


Rise, fall, rise even higher, marching and racing and spiraling and dazzling with every step: In Aphelion exercise a wealth of texture and nuance across these ten tracks, all whilst remaining razor-sharp and as finessed as it comes. It's not hyperbole here to suggest that In Aphelion in general and Moribund in particular handily challenge the sacred tomes of the '90s - again, it must be reiterated that two of those architects are in this band - but the epic-yet-effervescent manner in which this timeless black/death is rendered puts both in rarefied territory, and refreshingly so. And, just like the swift & satisfying Luciferian Age, Moribund is likewise given a grippingly powerful mix & mastering by Unleashed's Frederik Folkare.





Tracklisting:


"World Serpent (Devourer Of Dreams)"
"Draugr"
"Let The Beast Run Wild"
"Luciferian Age"
"This Night Seems Endless"
"He Who Saw The Abyss"
"Moribund"
"The Origin"
"Sorrow, Fire & Hate"
"Requiem"










 

Drummer Donald Tardy of Florida death metallers OBITUARY has confirmed to Finland's Chaoszine that the band has completed work on its long-awaited new studio album. Regarding the musical direction of the follow-up to 2017's self-titled effort, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It is fucking awesome. It is OBITUARY, absolutely 100 percent, meat and potatoes, but with Ken's [Andrews, lead guitar] influence and him being able to write a few songs with me on this one, he brings a much more old-school thrash metal feel. So it's fresh, it's killer, it's exciting on some of those songs, but then also the meat and potatoes, there are some songs that are so heavy on this record, man. I'm so proud of it. I can't wait for people to hear it. And the production — we recorded it at our studio and then we sent it off to Joe Cincotta, my boy who's done the last four albums with us. He did an amazing job; the sound of this record is fantastic. I can't wait for everybody to hear it. We're working on the album cover right now. And we are now just waiting for the target date that we're gonna release it."

As for when fans can expect to get the new OBITUARY LP, Donald said: "Until this pandemic opens up Europe, we will not release this album until we are invited back to Europe. Because the only thing that albums are good for now, and some people won't agree with this, especially fans, is that it's there to get people talking about the band so when we get ready to go tour, we can make a living because nobody — and I don't mean nobody as in zero percent — but the percentage of people actually walking to a Best Buy or walking to a store and physically buying one of my albums compared to 18 years ago, as you can imagine, is nil. So we have to wait for the prime opportunity to release this thing so everybody wants to go and get it. And the prime opportunity is when Europe is open, when America is open, we can release it and we can be in Europe and we can go bust our asses and hope that people go and buy the new album. 'Cause everyone is listening to it, but we're all listening to it on Spotify and on these streaming sites, and that doesn't do musicians like myself, it doesn't do us any good because we don't get royalties from those companies."

He continued: "The reality is we haven't been to Europe in four years and they're deserving of it as well. So we're gonna wait so all of us around the whole world can celebrate this album with us properly where we can go do a world tour and promote it. So, you guys are gonna have to have patience. We're gonna wait until Europe opens up."

As previously reported, OBITUARY will embark on the "RedNeck Run III" spring 2022 U.S. tour with GRUESOME and 200 STABS WOUNDS. The trek will kick off on March 18 in Jacksonville, Florida and conclude on April 10 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Last March, OBITUARY frontman John Tardy told France's United Rock Nations that the band had used some of the downtime during the coronavirus pandemic to work on material for a new studio album. "We've definitely been working on new tunes, and we've been taking our time," he said. "We didn't feel like releasing [a new album] now in the middle of the pandemic when you can't go on tour and support it is not what we wanted to do, so we're in no hurry. But by the time next year comes around, we're gonna be hitting the road again. We're getting tours set up, and we will be releasing another album next year before we hit the road and start touring again. So we are currently working on new material."

Asked what fans can expect from the new LP, John said: "I think it's just gonna sound like OBITUARY. [Laughs] You know us — we're kind of cavemen; we don't like to evolve too much. We like to change it up and do a little here and there, but we're getting too old to change too much, I think. So as long as it's heavy and pounding, then that's what you can expect."

Decibel Books has just released "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary", the fully authorized biography of OBITUARY. In the book, David E. Gehlke — author of "Damn The Machine: The Story Of Noise Records" and "No Celebration: The Official Story Of Paradise Lost" — provides an unprecedented look at the death metal legends through all-new, in-depth interviews with bandmembers past and present, recording engineers, scene contemporaries and music industry veterans who've worked directly with the band throughout OBITUARY's nearly four-decade career. Packed with hundreds of rare and never-before-seen photos, as well as a foreword from Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, SEPULTURA), the 328-page hardcover "Turned Inside Out: The Official Story Of Obituary" is exclusively available for order now via decibelmagazine.com.

Singer / songwriter John Corabi (The Scream, Mötley Crüe, Union, The Dead Daisies) has released a brand new solo song, "Your Own Worst Enemy". It's currently available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Check it out now:





Catch John Corabi live in concert at the following shows:




March 
19 - Versailles, OH - BMI Speedway (with Molly Hatchet and Zebra)


April
8 - Hobart, IN - Hobart Art Theater (with Donnie Vie)
9 - Arlington Heights, IL - Hey Nonny (with Donnie Vie)


May 
27 - Nashville, TN - Sonesta Nashville Airport Hotel - Ceatures Fest (with Ace Frehley, Vinnie Vincent and Bruce Kulick)


John Corabi will have his autobiography, Horseshoes And Hand Grenades, published by Rare Bird on June 14, 2022.


Copies of the hardcover book, signed by Corabi and co-author Paul Miles, are available to pre-order now at this location. 



Books will be signed on the front tip-in page preceding the title page. (Vinyl will not be signed.)
 
All signed book only preorders include:
—Signed hardcover
—Stickers and swag
 
All signed Book + Vinyl preorders also include:
—Monthly while-you-wait preorder bonuses, including chapter excerpts, audiobook samples, instrumental mixes, and behind-the-scenes content not available elsewhere
—A digital download code of the full vinyl audiobook included in the sealed vinyl jacket
—Stickers and swag

Vinyl variants include:
Deluxe Gatefold w/ Standard Black Vinyl—available through Rare Bird and Distribution
Deluxe Gatefold w/ Limited Edition Orange + Black/Gold Splatter—only available through Rare Bird
Deluxe Gatefold w/ Limited Edition Gold—only available through Experience Vinyl
 
In Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, John Corabi recounts his life from the mean streets of Philadelphia to the Sunset Strip. Take a look behind the scenes at Corabi’s time fronting Mötley Crüe, Union, and The Dead Daisies, as well as his time playing rhythm guitar with Ratt and even his stint as a long-haul trucker. Whether it’s detailing his parents difficult divorce, his family’s dark history of abuse, his run-in with a serial killer, or simply the best way to arrive at a wedding—which maybe is by helicopter and maybe it isn’t—he pulls no punches and outlines the good and bad of it all in this raucous autobiography. 





 


 

Conjurer performed upon the Ronnie James Dio Stage at the 2021 edition of Bloodstock Open Air at Catton Hall and Gardens in Walton-on-Trent, England last August. You can now watch video of the band's full set below.


Setlist:


"Dwells"
"Thankless"
"Scorn"
"Retch"
"Choke"
"Hadal"

After eight years of silence, Silesian band Bottlekopf is back with new studio album, The Jokes Are Over. This record consists of 12 brand new tracks including intro and outro. Part of this material was recorded with Nihil at Czyściec studio (Furia, Kły, Morowe). Listen to "My Breath" from the release below.


Cover design was done by band member Artur Masternak, Marek "Puzon" Nowakowski (Snake Eyes "Utarczka") and Krzysztof Źrałek (Paranoia "Paranoia"). Mix & mater by Marek "Chłosta" Szefer and Radosław Surówka.


Physical version will be available on digipak CD via Wydawnictwo Muzyczne Psycho, pre-order is available through Allegro and mailorder (wydawnictwopsycho@gmail.com). Digital version will be available on February 28 via all digital platforms.







Tracklisting:


Intro
"Justice"
"Seven And A Half"
"My Breath"
"Silent"
"Way To Decapitation"
"Molecule Of Life"
"Six Six"
"Guest"
"The Creeper"
"Brainwash"
"Dead Blues"
"Supplementary"


"My Breath":


­


Lineup:


Marek "Chłosta" Szefer - guitar, vocal
Marcin "Martino" Glanda - drums
Radosław Surówka - bass

Mark Lanegan, former SCREAMING TREES frontman and erstwhile member of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, has died at the age of 57. Lanegan's passing was confirmed by his publicist earlier today (Tuesday, February 22).

"Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning at his home in Killarney, Ireland," the publicist's statement read. "A beloved singer, songwriter, author and musician, he was 57 and is survived by his wife Shelley. No other information is available at this time. The family asks everyone to respect their privacy at this time."

Born November 25, 1964 in Ellensburg, Washington, Lanegan began his music career in the 1980s. In 1985, he became the vocalist for grunge group SCREAMING TREES; the group broke up in 2000. Lanegan would start a low-key solo career, but in 2004 Lanegan released his big breakthrough album "Bubblegum". In addition to leading the THE GUTTER TWINS, Lanegan was also involved in other musical projects, including hard rock band QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, long-term collaborations with Isobel Campbell; and undertaken some surprisingly eclectic collaborations, such as co-writing and providing vocals for "Black River" by the electronic outfit BOMB THE BASS. He also lent his vocal talent to the highly regarded album "Above" by supergroup MAD SEASON and penned the theme song for Anthony Bourdain's award-winning TV show "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" with QOTSA frontman Josh Homme.

Lanegan is featured on five of QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's last six albums — 2000's "Rated R", 2002's "Songs For The Deaf", 2005's "Lullabies To Paralyze", 2007's "Era Vulgaris" and 2013's "...Like Clockwork".

Last December, Lanegan released a memoir titled "Devil In A Coma" via U.K. publisher White Rabbit. The book detailed a "terrifying account" of his battle with COVID-19 which left him "slipping in and out of a coma."

Lanegan's previous memoir, "Sing Backwards And Weep", was published in 2020 by White Rabbit.

Photo by Steve Gullick




Our beloved friend Mark Lanegan passed away this morning at his home in Killarney, Ireland. A beloved singer, songwriter, author and musician he was 57 and is survived by his wife Shelley. No other information is available at this time. We ask Please respect the family privacy

— mark lanegan (@marklanegan) February 22, 2022

King Crimson founder Robert Fripp and his singer wife Toyah Willcox are back with another episode in their "Toyah & Robert’s Sunday Lunch" series. This time they take on The Smashing Pumpkins' "Bullet With Butterfly Wings". Watch below:





A selection of Robert & Toyah's previous Sunday Lunch videos can be seen below:

Slam death metallers, Analepsy, have released a lyric video for their new single, "Spasmodic Dissonance", feat. Suffocation's Ricky Myers on guest vocals. The song appears on the band's forthcoming album, Quiescence. Watch the clip below.


The vinyl version of Quiescence will be issued on May 27 via Agonia Records. The album will be released on CD, MC and digital formats on April 15 via Miasma Records and Vomit Your Shirt. Pre-orders can be placed now at this location.


Quiescence continues the space motif from Analepsy’s previous releases, but from a different perspective. There are no living creatures, only the deserted cosmos awaiting its own demise. The album features guest appearances from Ricky Myers (Suffocation, Disgorge), Angel Ochoa (Cephalotripsy, Disgorge, Abominable Putridity, Condemned) and Wilson Ng (Facelift Deformation, Vermicular Incubation).




The band commented: "We are delighted to present our most recent work: Quiescence! This has been a tight process, and despite all the changes the band went through, everything worked like clockwork. The essence of our music lives on!"


The recordings of Quiescence took three months (August - October, 2021), entailing the skills of guitarist/co-founder Marco Martins, guitarist/vocalist Calin Paraschiv (ex-Pestilence), bassist João Jacinto and ex-drummer Tiago Correia. The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Miguel Tereso at Demigod Recordings studio in Caxarias, Portugal. The cover artwork was created by Pedro Sena - Lordigan.





Tracklisting:


"Locus Of Dawning"
"Impending Subversion"
"Elapsing Permanence" (featuring Wilson Ng)
"Accretion Collision"
"Stretched And Devoured" (featuring Angel Ochoa)
"Converse Condition"
"Fractured Continuum"
"Spasmodic Dissonance" (featuring Ricky Myers)
"Edge Of Chaos"
"Quiescence" (Instrumental)


"Spasmodic Dissonance" lyric video:





"Locus Of Dawning" video:





Analepsy's sound can be described as a crossover between old-school brutal death metal and modern melodic elements. The correct pronunciation of the name of the band is "uh-nuh-leh-psy" [ʌnʌlepsy], and it was chosen due to its (now obsolete) meaning: recovery of strength after an illness.


(Photo - Joël Martins)

has died at the age of 76. He passed away at his home on Saturday, February 19 after a battle with cancer.

PROCOL HARUM announced Brooker's death in a group statement, writing: "From his earliest onstage duets with his musician father, through his youthful recording career with Southend's THE PARAMOUNTS, Gary exhibited and developed a highly-individual talent. His first single with PROCOL HARUM, 1967's 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale', is widely regarded as defining 'The Summer of Love', yet it could scarcely have been more different from the characteristic records of that era. Nor was it characteristic of his own writing. Over thirteen albums PROCOL HARUM never sought to replicate it, preferring to forge a restlessly progressive path, committed to looking forward, and making each record a 'unique entertainment'. Gary's voice and piano were the single defining constant of PROCOL's fifty-year international concert career. Without any stage antics or other gimmicks he was invariably the most watchable musician in the show (he played several other instruments in the studio).

"Though sometimes regarded as 'classical', his roots were in the blues, Ray Charles and Little Richard. His voice was soulful, without vibrato, and his piano-playing robustly inventive. Blessed with hungry ears, he enjoyed and absorbed all kinds of musical styles, taking a Postmodernist's delight in weaving unexpected threads into the fabric of his own compositions. Never prolific, he did not care to write to order, preferring to wait for inspiration to strike. His masterpiece, 1969's 'A Salty Dog', derived its instantly-recognisable opening chord from a Swiss locomotive siren; yet as with all his finest pieces its harmonic structure evolves with intriguing, unpredictable logic, and carries its listeners on a thrilling emotional voyage.

"His influence far exceeds his output. PROCOL's long suite, 1968's 'In Held 'Twas in I', is an acknowledged inspiration to many artists, not least THE WHO and QUEEN. PROCOL was the first rock band to perform live with its own choral and orchestral arrangements. Entirely self-taught, Brooker's beguiling scores bristle with melodic interest, always serving the songs and never — as with so many later imitators — treating the contrasting resources as oppositional. The last of some forty PROCOL gigs involving the world's most renowned orchestras and concert-halls was at the London Palladium; its predecessor was a notable live BBC Radio presentation. It was intriguing, as Gary pointed out, how PROCOL HARUM's popularity, across the world, kept on growing. But music not written at the dictates of fashion has no cause to fall from favour.

"Brooker was much in demand as a collaborator: he played, wrote and sang for Eric Clapton's band and with Bill Wyman's RHYTHM KINGS. He toured with Ringo's ALL-STARRS, and contributed to solo projects for Paul McCartney and for George Harrison, who guested on one of Gary's four solo albums. Gary played and sang at the Albert Hall in 2003's Concert for George. He also accepted commissions — a Danish Royal Ballet score, a piece for massed brass bands in Switzerland — and sang by invitation in Sir Alan Parker's 'Evita' film.

"Musical celebrities from Gary's bulging address book flocked to play at his own all-star presentations, always raising money for charity (work recognised by his 2003 MBE). He also fundraised with 'No Stiletto Shoes', a high-energy side-band that delivered the music of his earliest influences with raucous commitment. His last charity project raised over a million pounds for the Royal Marsden Hospital with a single concert — days before 2020's first Covid lockdown — at London's O2 arena.

"Gary's charisma was by no means confined to the stage. He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary. He was notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity. His mordant wit, and appetite for the ridiculous, made him a priceless raconteur (and his surreal inter-song banter made a fascinating contrast with the gravitas of PROCOL HARUM's performances).

"But for all his other interests and skills — prize-winning angler, pub-owner, lyricist, painter, inventor — he was above all a devoted and loyal husband to Franky, whom he met in 1965 and married in 1968. Our thoughts must be with her, their families and friends at this extremely sad time."

Frontiers Music Srl recently announced the release of Finnish hard rockers Rust N' Rage's new album, One For The Road. Produced by Jimmy Westerlund (One Desire), One For The Road will be released on March 11.


Today, the band has released a lyric video for the song, "The Future Is For The Strong". Watch the video below, and pre-order/save One For The Road here.


Through lots of hard work and gigging, Rust N' Rage have been starting to make a name for themselves in their home country of Finland. With energetic live shows and anthemic songwriting, this rock n’ roll-quartet is ready to introduce themselves to the world more than ever before. Be sure to stay tuned for their Jimmy Westerlund produced debut album, which will be chock full of anthemic, hard rocking, melodic tunes.




Coming from a small town in Finland called Pori, Rust N’ Rage is made up of four guys who all live for a similar cause: Rock n’ Roll. While individually practicing a lifestyle of hard rockin’ and playing their hearts out around their small town, it didn’t take long for Vince, Johnny, Jezzie, and Eddy to meet and realize they had a shared musical vision. Their musical influences originate from the '80s, with their idols being such legends as Guns N’ Roses, Judas Priest, Mötley Crüe, Dokken, and the like. Rather than merely be the sum of their influences though, Rust n' Rage concentrates their songwriting on being separate from their influences, while still maintaining those awesome hard rock riffs and high-pitched vocal screams.


In 2020, things started rolling for the band, having found a new manager and a new producer to help them get their musical vision properly recorded. Based on the strength of their newly created/recorded singles, the band caught the interest of Frontiers Music Srl, who have signed them to a worldwide deal. Signing with Frontiers is an opportunity to release their music to a global audience and to show the world what they are made of. Stay tuned for more exciting things to come from these Finnish rockers in 2022.





Tracklisting:


"Prisoner"
"Ghost Town"
"One For The Road"
"The Future Is For The Strong"
"Heartbreaker"
"Hang ‘Em High"
"Ride On"
"I've Had Enough"
"Unbreakable"
"The Throne"
"Moving On"


"The Future Is For The Strong" lyric video:





"Prisoner" video:





Lineup:


Vince - Vocals
Johnny - Guitar
Eddy - Bass
Jezzie - Drums

Kiss My Wax Records has announced the second in their series of Slaughter "Definitive Edition" LP box sets and standard vinyl releases.


Slaughter’s 1992 sophomore effort, The Wild Life, will be available for the first time on vinyl in over 30 years. The title will be available in two different versions.







The Wild Life: The Definitive Edition 4-LP Box Set:


• Four LPs (The Wild Life on two LPs + live record + bonus record)
• 48 page book containing unseen images and band photos
• Reproduction press kit
• Slip mat
• Button & sticker set
• Signed by all 3 surviving members
• Each set hand numbered, limited to 750 pieces
• Housed in a stunning custom box with foil elements
• One box will contain an authentic, period-correct photo signed by the entire band including the late Tim Kelly


The Wild Life: Standard Edition:


• Slaughter’s 1992 record presented on vinyl for the first time since its initial release
• Audio taken from the band’s original analog masters
• Two 33 RPM, half-speed-mastered LPs on red & white opaque vinyl
• Mastered specifically for vinyl by Maor Appelbaum (Dream Theater, Faith No More)
• Housed in a gatefold sleeve
• Hype sticker exclusive to this release


Pre-order here.


Kiss My Wax Records is a small-press boutique record label that specializes in high-end audiophile and collectible releases and includes previous projects by Ace Frehley and Slaughter.


(Photo - Neil Zlozower)

American based progressive metal group, Guild Of Others, have released CD and digital editions of their self-titled debut album. To celebrate the release, the group just has put out another video, this time for the track “Spirit Host”. Watch the lyric video below.


Guild Of Others, begun by Tom Wallace (drums) and Steve Potts (guitar), is a collection of musicians from various bands and backgrounds making progressive metal music. As songs between the two began taking shape, questions of whom else to bring into the fold arose. Considering the style of music the two were creating, the keyboardist most desired was easy. Derek Sherinian (Sons of Apollo, Dream Theater, BCC, etc.) was top of the list. Upon hearing the demos, Derek's response was perfect. He described the music as, "Aggressive and adventurous. Without being too proggy." He liked it and would add his talents.


Among the material were two songs Steve and Tom both felt needed fretless bass. For that they reached out to well-known bassist, Tony Franklin (The Firm, Blue Murder, etc.). Steve and Tom were floored by Tony's playing. His style and tone offered everything needed to complete the bottom end. His counter melodies and bass fills were superb. The guys requested he record the six remaining songs and he obliged.




For vocals, local singer Mark Hammond was tapped for six of the songs. Michael Sadler (Saga) and Henrik Bath (Darkwater) lend their talents for the remaining two. The three vocalists offer three unique sounds and styles. All of which work perfectly for the material.


In addition to the musicians already mentioned, guitar shredder Craig Goldy (Dio, Resurrection Kings) offers a blistering solo on "Veil Of Insanity". As an added treat, Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Michael Bruce (Alice Cooper) and wife Lynette contribute the doting parents voice-over for "Memento".


The "Others" part of Guild of Others suggests future recordings will always involve other musicians. Tom and Steve are the driving force behind Guild of Others. They will remain. While always appreciating those who have participated in this debut effort and welcoming their return, there is already material for a second album. with hopes of bringing in new names and making new friends.





Tracklisting:


"Other Side"
"Balance"
"Always There"
"Memento"
"New World Disorder"
"Elysium"
"Veil Of Insanity"
"Spirit Ghost"


"Spirit Ghost" lyric video:





"Veil Of Insanity" lyric video:





Lineup:


Tom Wallace - drums
Steve Ray Potts - guitars
Derek Sherinian - keys
Tony Franklin - bass
Mark Hammond - vocals


- “Balance” vocals by Henrik Bath (Darkwater)
- “Elysium” – vocals by Michael Sadler (Saga)
- "Veil Of Insanity” guitar solo by Craig Goldy (Dio)

Tygers Of Pan Tang have released a video for "A New Heartbeat", the title track of their new four track EP, out on February 25 via Mighty Music. View the clip below.


The EP features two re-recorded tracks from their first album, Wild Cat, plus two new tracks. "Fireclown" and "Killers" from Wild Cat now firmly bear guitarist Francesco Marras' musical stamp and new tracks "A New Heartbeat" and "Red Mist" demonstrate what might be expected from the next Tygers album - the Tygers signature sound of heavy as hell riffs, finger knotting solos and Jack Meille’s vocals extraordinaire. The mix was executed by Marco Angioni at Angioni Studios and, as with all recent Tygers releases, the mastering was completed by Harry Hess (Harem Scarem).


Guitarist Robb Weir commented: "'Fireclown' and 'Killers' are much neglected Tygers gems. They are rarely played live but often requested so we thought it would be interesting to hear a modern take on them. Visiting the past brings back so many memories for us and, I’m guessing, for Tygers followers."




Vocalist Jack Meille added: "Lockdown may have prevented us from playing live but it couldn’t curtail the creative spirt that has resulted in the creation of 'A New Heartbeat' and 'Red Mist' for this single."


A New Heartbeat EP will be released on digital, and digipack CD, and vinyl via Mighty Music. It’s on sale exclusively now in Targetshop.dk and in the band’s webshop.





Tracklisting:


"A New Heartbeat"
"Red Mist"
"Fireclown"
"Killers"


"A New Heartbeat" video:

Sabaton have released a new lyric video for "Soldier Of 3 Armies", originally featured on the band's 2014 album, Heroes.


Historical fact: The story of Lauri Törni is quite captivating. During his career as a soldier he served in 3 different armies, reached the rank of officer and was awarded with medals in all of them. Sometimes described as inhuman while superior in battle, this man started out in his homeland Finland, fought his way through WW2 on both the Finnish and German side, and then ended up dead in Vietnam, but then as a special operations soldier among the Green Berets bearing the name of Larry Thorne.







Sabaton recently released their new single, "The Unkillable Soldier". A new lyric video for the track can be viewed below.





"The Unkillable Soldier" tells the story of Sir Adrian Carton De Wiart. He was of Belgian heritage but fought for the British Empire during WW1. Being injured multiple times he became known as the “Man who could not be killed”. This is the third single from the band's upcoming album, The War To End All Wars. The song is available for streaming on all digital music platforms.


"The Unkillable Soldier" lyric video:





Find the official music video for "The Unkillable Soldier" below.


Sabaton’s tenth album, The War To End All Wars, will be released on March 4 via Nuclear Blast Records. Once again, Sabaton will dive deep into the atrocities, miracles, and happenings around WWI and take the listener on an emotional and exciting 11-track ride.


Pre-order the album here.





The War To End All Wars will be available in the following formats:


- Jewelcase CD
- Limited Gold CD [Supporter Edition - various versions with translated booklets]
- History Edition
- NB Mailorder Exclusive Edition [ltd. to 1500 copies]
- Earbook [limited to 6000 copies]
- Black Vinyl
- Azure Blue Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 300 copies]
- Inca Gold Vinyl [bandshop exclusive, ltd. to 500 copies]
- Copper Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]
- Fluorescent Orange Vinyl [ltd. to 500 copies]
- Leaf Green Vinyl [Sweden exclusive]
- Fluorescent Yellow Vinyl [Ginza exclusive]
- Dusk Vinyl [Levik exclusive]
- Soft Grey Vinyl [Nordics exclusive]
- Lavender Vinyl [FNAC exclusive]
- Rosewood Vinyl [Mystic exclusive]
- Fluorescent Green Vinyl [UK exclusive]
- Pacific Blue Vinyl
- Polar White Vinyl [limited to 300 copies]
- Dewdrop Vinyl [limited to 500 copies, EMP exclusive]
- Blue cassette [limited to 100 copies, bandshop exclusive]
- Green cassette [limited to 100 copies]
- Grey cassette [limited to 300 copies]
- Red cassette [limited to 500 copies]
- Black cassette [limited to 250 copies]
- Smokey cassette [limited to 200 copies]
- White cassette [limited 100 copies]





The War To End All Wars tracklisting:


"Sarajevo"
"Stormtroopers"
"Dreadnought"
"The Unkillable Soldier"
"Soldier Of Heaven"
"Hellfighters"
"Race To The Sea"
"Lady Of The Dark"
"The Valley Of Death"
"Christmas Truce"
"Versailles"


"The Unkillable Soldier" video:





"Soldier Of Heaven" lyric video:





"Soldier Of Heaven" video:





"Christmas Truce" animated story video:





"Christmas Truce" lyric video:





"Christmas Truce" music video:





Following a 29-date headline tour of Sweden, Sabaton will mark the March 4 release of the new album with The Tour To End All Tours, a massive five-week European trek supported by The Hu and Lordi. Complete dates and ticket information are available here.


(Photo - Tim Tronckoe)

Following their German chart entry at #1, the new Feuerschwanz album, Memento Mori, has already landed its seventh consecutive week on the official German album charts. Today, the band has released a video for "Skaldenmet", recorded during the livestream for the album release on New Year's Eve, December 31, 2021. It is already the seventh video the German group has released from their successful album.


Feuerschwanz on “Skaldenmet”: "From our legendary album release livestream for Memento Mori - 'Skaldenmet' live from the Tavern! Join us and let Hauptmann Feuerschwanz take you into the epic world of Norse mythology over mead and firelight!"


Feuerschwanz on the background of "Skaldenmet" in Norse mythology: "After the war (Æsir– Vanir Var) between the two peoples of the gods, all the gods spat into a barrel to seal peace. From this saliva an extraordinarily wise being named Kvasir was born. This was murdered by the two black elves Fjallarr and Galarr and its blood was collected in one mighty and two small cauldrons. From the blood, with the addition of honey, they brewed a mead, through the consumption of which anyone could become a poet.




After that, the two dwarves killed the giant Gillingr and his wife, but were caught by the giant's son, Suttungr, and could only save their lives by offering him the mead. Suttungr accepted the offer and kept the Skaldenmet in Mount Hnitbjörg, where his daughter Gunnlöð guarded it.
In order to get the Skaldenmet, Odin slipped into Mount Hnitbjörg in the form of a snake. After spending three nights with the giant daughter Gunnlöð, she gave him three sips of the mead in thanks. Thereupon Odin turned into an eagle and flew to Asgard. There he spewed the mead into the bowls of the Aesir..."





Memento Mori continues the success story of the medieval rockers from Germany / Franconia! On the new album, Feuerschwanz finally take a step away from the simpler humor of earlier days to become one of the most important bands in German folk rock.


With chanting violin playing, Memento Mori starts its heroic journey with its eponymous opener. The song turns out to be a melodic rock anthem with a well-known medieval character, a blazing guitar riff and life-affirming lyrics. On "Untot im Drachenboot", the squad around Captain Feuerschwanz sets off for new musical shores in a Viking ship full of undead warriors. "Rausch der Barberei", on the other hand delivers a violent, raw voice and driving drumming that send its listeners into unbridled frenzy. On "Krampus", Feuerschwanz sing in a canon of vocals and instruments about the ancient legend of the demonic companion of St. Nicholas, who is dressed in fur and a horned mask. On the ballad "Das Herz eines Drachen" (The Heart of a Dragon), the medieval folk rockers show their sensible side. In a fire lit by burning guitar sounds and flute melodies, a warrior mourns his fallen father with his head held high. "Hannibal" on the other hand embarks on a raging battle of powerful choirs, swirling violin and guitar solos and driving drums, led by army commander Hannibal. The crowning finale of the almost 40-minute adventure is provided by "Skaldenmet" with its proudly advancing bass.


In typical Feuerschwanz manner, Memento Mori is about great adventures, past battles and outstanding heroic deeds. Feuerschwanz manage to stay true to their trademarks and at the same time venture into new musical realms. Fans of the band can look forward to an extensive deluxe edition of the album, which extends the running time of Memento Moriby almost double! Two additional CDs feature instrumental versions of all eleven tracks as well as the cover CD Die Glorreichen Sieben (The Magnificent Seven), which includes seven epic reissues from Amon Amarth to Die Ärzte and The Weeknd.


Feuerschwanz on the new album: “You take nothing with you to your grave, except your coffin... Memento Mori is the direct successor to Die Letzte Schlacht! The world of Hauptmann Feuerschwanz is in flames, overrun by the living dead and scourged by religious zealots... All of this sounds frighteningly real, even in Anno Domini 2021, so it's time to defy the storm once again and celebrate life. Let's live here, let's live now - until death sharpens his knife!”


As a special highlight, some versions of Memento Mori feature a bonus CD with seven cover songs by Manowar, Amon Amarth, but also O-Zone, among others.


Memento Mori is available in the following formats:


- 2CD Mediabook + 40 pages booklet
- 1CD Jewel Case + 20 pages booklet
- Digital Album
- Digital Deluxe Album


Order here.





2CD tracklsiting:


Disc 1:
"Memento Mori"
"Untot im Drachenboot"
"Ultima Nocte"
"Rausch der Barbarei"
"Krampus"
"Feuer & Schwert"
"Das Herz eines Drachen"
"Rohirrim"
"Am Galgen"
"Hannibal"
"Skaldenmet"


Disc 2:
"Blinding Lights"
"Warriors of the World United"
"Twilight of the Thunder God"
"The Bad Touch"
"Dragostea Din Tei"
"Square Hammer"
"Der Graf"


"Dragostea Din Tei" video:





"Ultima Nocte":





"Memento Mori" video:





“Untot im Drachenboot” video:





"Warriors Of The World United" video:





Feuerschwanz are:


Hauptmann Feuerschwanz - vocals, guitar
Johanna von der Vögelweide - violin, hurdy-gurdy
Rollo - drums
Jarne Hodinsson - bass
Prinz Hodenherz - flutes, bagpipe, vocals, guitar
Hans der Aufrechte – guitar

Rob Halford says that he is "stoked" about the possibility of working on his debut blues solo album. The JUDAS PRIEST singer is collaborating with the same team that assisted him during the making of his 2019 Christmas LP "Celestial", including his brother Nigel and his nephew Alex (son of PRIEST bassist Ian Hill).

Speaking to Joe Rock of Long Island, New York's 102.3 WBAB radio station, Halford said about his upcoming blues record (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I love the blues. Without the blues, we wouldn't have rock and roll. The blues was born here in the United States and then slowly mutated into all these incredible styles and different dynamics and variations. Man, I think back to those originators, like Little Richard, Bill Haley, the anchor of the blues like Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bessie Smith, all these great people. So I was listening to those great performers as I was growing up as a kid. I love the blues, man. And I think most metal musicians would acknowledge the blues for playing such an important role."

Halford continued: "So, here's the deal. I made a Christmas album with my brother and my nephew and some friends recently called 'Celestial', and while we were there, I was saying to the guys, 'I've got this thing about knocking around some blues ideas.' And that's all the guys needed. So they went away while I've been busy with PRIEST and we put together a substantial amount of material. And when I find time, we're gonna bang it out. I'd love us to play in a room live together, 'cause they're really talented. My brother is a drummer. My nephew is a bass player; he's the son of the great bass god, Ian Hill [of JUDAS PRIEST]. And then we've got J.B. [Jon Blakey] on guitar, who was with us on 'Celestial'. So we're gonna keep it simple. But I'm excited. I've got all the stuff on my phone, like we do — that's a danger — and I listen to it, and I get stoked about the possibility. So it'll happen eventually, I'm sure."

Last May, Halford told Kyle Meredith that he already had "enough material to make a [blues] record." He added: "The only thing that I threw at the guys was do what you feel you wanna do in terms of ideas. I did give 'em a list of some of my favorite blues styles and blues performers as a little bit of a template for the guys to bounce off of."

Rob reiterated that his upcoming blues album will be a varied effort covering a host of different styles and sounds. "You could go into one specific area and stay in that place and focus [on that and make] little subtle changes here and there, but much like the 'Celestial' album, I think this effort should just be a little texture of every taste of all these different blues flavors," he explained to Kyle Meredith.

As for how his lyrical approach will be different for his blues album compared to the songs he writes for PRIEST, Halford said: "The blues is the blues. We all feel the blues, but you can have the happy blues as well as the sad blues, and you can have all of these characters in blues. The opportunities for stories for some of them, similar to the PRIEST inventions of fantasy, like the Sentinel or the Painkiller or any of those great characters that were created. You can throw your lyrics wherever you wanna throw them if they're connecting with the music.

"Messages in music are vital, 'cause we like to hear stories that we can relate to or attach ourselves to, in reality or in fantasy," he continued. "So that's gonna be an adventure for me. I love to sit down with a pencil and a piece of paper, 'cause that's how I do it, and just think. I have an idea, and I just throw some bullet words down instantly, and that's how the seeds start to grow."

A few years ago, Rob stated about his interest in making a blues record: "When I first became a musician in my late teens, I started to hear the extraordinary roots of the blues — Bessie Smith, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters. They gave me the buzz… It's something I want to do because I want to explore what my voice can do in that wonderful world. That's how I learned to do a lot of that soaring, sweeping, and screeching. And also I discovered that I've got a voice that can go in different octaves, directions, and different kinds of projections. It's a combination of a sense of adventure and just being inspired by those guys, those wonderful singers. It's a mixture of everything but mainly a discovery of what the voice can do."

Back in 2015, Halford told Newsday.com that he was interested in recording a blues album and pursuing other non-heavy metal projects because he wanted to find out what his voice can do. He said: "I've always felt that [the blues is] very much a part of my background and musical roots. I don't know what kind of blues album I could do because there are so many different facets [to explore]. Maybe I'll just mix it up. As far as stuff out of the metal world, I'm a fan of people like Michael Bublé and Michael Feinstein. I've always been a fan of [Frank] Sinatra and Tony Bennett and Elvis [Presley]. I'd love to hear what my voice would sound like in that kind of musical mix, with wind instruments, trumpets and sax, piano, just that big-band sound."

Halford credited his vocal versatility and ability to take his voice in "different directions" as the main reason he was "so interested in trying these other opportunities." He said: I think if I had a voice that was different to what it is and was a little more in one focus, maybe I wouldn't be as adventurous about my ideas. But because my voice is able to do those different things, it's instinctive and natural to see what else I can do."

Halford released his autobiography, "Confess", in September 2020 via Hachette Books

In a new interview with the WMSC radio station, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash paid tribute to classic AEROSMITH, saying: "There's an AEROSMITH song called 'Nobody's Fault' off the 'Rocks' record… It was one of the songs that when I first picked up the guitar, that was the record, that particular album, the timing of me hearing that record at the time when I heard it had a lot to do with how I ended up where I am. And [that song] was probably one of the most heavy hard rock songs — very indicative of the '70s and very indicative of AEROSMITH at this certain time. And it wasn't BLACK SABBATH heavy, it wasn't 'heavy metal, heavy metal,' but it was still this really hardcore hard rock song. And so I always loved it."

Slash previously discussed his love of early AEROSMITH more than a decade and a half ago in the special "Immortals" issue of Rolling Stone magazine chronicling "The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time". At the time, he said: "I don't think this generation has a clue what classic AEROSMITH was all about. But they were the template for what I do, as well as plenty of bands that came after GUNS N' ROSES: SOUNDGARDEN, NIRVANA, ALICE IN CHAINS and PEARL JAM all owed a serious debt to old-school AEROSMITH.

"My big awakening happened when I was fourteen. I'd been trying to get into this older girl's pants for a while, and she finally let me come over to her house. We hung out, smoked some pot and listened to AEROSMITH's 'Rocks'. It hit me like a fucking ton of bricks. I sat there listening to it over and over, and totally blew off this girl. I remember riding my bike back to my grandma's house knowing that my life had changed. Now I identified with something.

"The key to 'Rocks' is the first two songs — 'Back in the Saddle' and 'Last Child'. That combination just ripped my head off. But my favorite song on the record has always been 'Nobody's Fault', which is the second song on the B side. AEROSMITH had an aggressive, psychotic, drugged-out vibe, but at the same time they had a STONES-y blues thing going on. There was just nothing cooler than AEROSMITH coming out of America at that point. What else was there? FOGHAT?

"When I was learning to play the guitar, AEROSMITH gave me the shove. I identified with Joe Perry's image, both visually and soundwise. He was streamlined in a way that reminded me of Keith Richards, was always wasted and had a careless guitar style that was really cool. But I was also totally into Brad Whitford's guitar solos, and he had a more direct influence on the way I play than anybody realizes. And anyone who sings needs to be exposed to Steven Tyler.

"My first AEROSMITH concert was in 1978. They were playing at a festival with VAN HALEN — they were incredibly loud and I barely recognized a note, but it was still the most bitchin' thing I'd ever seen. Soon after that they broke up, which to me marked the end of Seventies rock. The next time I saw them was when they got back together six years later, and they were amazing. When AEROSMITH are in the groove, they're just rock-solid. Not too long after that GUNS N' ROSES were asked to open for AEROSMITH on their 'Permanent Vacation' tour. We went to their manager's hotel room, and while he was in the bathroom we ordered $1,500 worth of room service and trashed the place. But they must have liked us a lot, because they put us on the bill anyway, and I've known them ever since."

Slash is promoting the new album from SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, titled "4", which was released on February 11 via Gibson Records in partnership with BMG. "4" is Slash's fifth solo album and fourth overall with his band featuring Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass, vocals) and Frank Sidoris (guitar, vocals).

SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS kicked off a North American headlining tour on February 8, in Portland, Oregon. The trek will hit 28 major cities, including Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Nashville, Dallas, Austin, Houston, and more, before wrapping up March 26 in Orlando, Florida.