Adrian Smith and Richie Kotzen's project SMITH/KOTZEN will kick off its U.S. West Coast tour on Thursday, January 20 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. Joining Smith and Kotzen as part of their touring band is Richie's wife, internationally acclaimed bass player Julia Lage, formerly of the Latin Grammy-nominated Brazilian rock band BARRA DE SAIA. With a strong pedigree in rock, Lage has played alongside the likes of Pat Travers, Elliot Easton (THE CARS), Nuno Bettencourt (EXTREME) and Mark McGrath (SUGAR RAY). In addition, SMITH/KOTZEN has enlisted drummer Bruno Valverde of ANGRA for the U.S. West Coast dates.

In a brand new interview with Metal Edge magazine's "Another FN Podcast With Izzy Presley", Richie stated about how the short tour came together (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "What happened was it was all just by timing. Nathalie [Dufresne-Smith, Adrian's wife] and Adrian came into town, and Adrian said, 'Hey, we're gonna be there for a couple of months. You wanna write some more songs?' And we did get together and we did about seven things that are in the works; we have some demo stuff that are in the works. And then we started thinking, 'Man, we're here. Why don't we play?' Julia was in the house and we were talking about it. And it just kind of — boom. It just made sense. 'Let's go. Call Bruno.' And we put it together. It was real easy."

Adrian added that fans can definitely expect to hear more music from SMITH/KOTZEN, which released a full-length album and an EP during 2021.

"We started writing with a view to doing another album, and then we got sidetracked on dates," Smith said. "Like Richie said, we've got six or seven things. It's just taking where we left off with the EP — just writing as we do.

"I don't wanna change the world," he added. "I just wanna make good rock music. It's n there, and you've just gotta do it. You just have to do it, really. It's one of those things."

SMITH/KOTZEN West Coast tour dates:

Jan. 20 - Whisky A Go Go - West Hollywood, CA

Jan. 22 - Count's Vamp'd - Las Vegas, NV

Jan. 23 - Brick By Brick - San Diego, CA

Jan. 26 - Goldfield Trading Post - Roseville, CA

Jan. 27 - The Siren - Morro Bay, CA

Jan. 28 - Ventura Theatre - Ventura, CA (postponed from Jan. 15)

There will be local support for each show in the U.S.

For all on sales and ticketing information, go here.

SMITH/KOTZEN's eponymous debut album was released globally through BMG in March 2021 to media and fan acclaim, charting No. 10 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart in the U.S., Top 20 in the U.K. as well as in other major markets such as Germany, Japan and Canada. A follow-up EP, "Better Days", featuring four new tracks was released on November 26 in conjunction with international Record Store Day's Black Friday event.

Smith is best known as one of IRON MAIDEN's principal guitarists, having also enjoyed success as a solo artist. Kotzen is the frontman for THE WINERY DOGS as well as having been the guitarist for both MR. BIG and POISON during his long and acclaimed career, which has to date seen him release more than 20 solo albums. Both artists are also prolific songwriters.

Fan-filmed video of Lita Ford's January 17 performance at RokIsland Fest in Key West, Florida can be seen below.

Lita recently completed recording her long-awaited new solo album. The follow-up to 2012's "Living Like A Runaway" was once again helmed by guitarist/producer Gary Hoey, who contributes some guitar playing to the disc, alongside the rest of Ford's backing band, which continues to consist of guitarist Patrick Kennison, drummer Bobby Rock and bassist Marty O'Brien.

In January 2021, Lita told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that her new album contains "some of the best guitar playing" she has heard "in decades." She added: "And I'm not blowing smoke up my own ass, but Gary and I just nailed it with the guitar playing on this record.

"I'm a huge fan of people like Dick Wagner and Steve Hunter from Alice Cooper's 'Welcome To My Nightmare'. I mean, there's some really great duo guitar players — [JUDAS PRIEST's] Glenn Tipton, K.K. Downing… Those guitar players don't exist anymore — they just don't exist. If you wanna hear them, you have to go back in time a little bit and dig them up into your favorite library, favorite music catalog. But I think Gary and I really nailed it on this next record. It's, like, oh my God. I'm crying — I'm just, like, crying listening to this stuff. It's so badass."

Ford's last release was 2016's "Time Capsule", a collection of songs that were recorded by Lita in the past, but never before made available.

Six years ago, Lita released an autobiography, "Living Like A Runaway: A Memoir", via Dey Street Books (formerly It Books), an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

The 64th annual Grammy Awards, originally scheduled for late January in Los Angeles, have been rescheduled and will now be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3.

The following is a statement from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr.: "I'm so pleased to let you know that the 64th annual Grammy Awards have been rescheduled and will now be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/5:00-8:30 PM, live PT) on the CBS Television Network and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Trevor Noah, the Emmy Award-winning host of 'The Daily Show', will return as master of ceremonies for Music's Biggest Night.

"Additional details about the dates and locations of other official Grammy Week events, including the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, MusiCares' Person of the Year, and the Pre-Grammy Gala, will be announced soon.

"We are excited to take the Grammys to Las Vegas for the very first time, and to put on a world-class show. From the moment we announced the postponement of the original show date, we have been inundated with heartfelt messages of support and solidarity from the artist community. We are humbled by their generosity and grateful for their unwavering commitment to the Grammy Awards and the Academy's mission. We appreciate the leadership CBS and our production partners at Fulwell 73 have shown during these challenging weeks and the flexibility of everyone who worked toward this solution."

This year's Grammy nominations were announced on November 23, 2021. The nominations were announced during a livestream from the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, which featured Mason and Board Of Trustees chair Tammy Hurt, as well as some special guests.

Up for the the "Best Metal Performance" award at the 64th annual Grammy Awards are DEFTONES, DREAM THEATER, GOJIRA, MASTODON and ROB ZOMBIE.

The eligibility period for the 64th annual Grammy Awards was September 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021.

The 2022 ceremony will be the first since The Recording Academy announced that it has made significant changes to its awards process to ensure that the Grammy Awards rules and guidelines are transparent and equitable. The show no longer uses anonymous review committees to determine its nominees. Now, all nominees are based solely on thousands of votes from the Academy's voting members. They also changed the number of categories in which Academy members can vote and added two new awards.

In January 2020, former Recording Academy CEO Deborah Dugan filed a discrimination charge against the Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences, alleging she was being retaliated against for reporting misconduct within the Academy. In the 46-page complaint, Dugan further alleged that "the Grammy voting process is ripe with corruption," detailing secret committees the group used to "push forward artists with whom it has relationships." She said that as many as 30 artists who were not selected by the 12,000 voting members were added to the possible nomination l

Steve Vai has postponed his planned tour of North America until the fall. The first U.S. leg of dates will now begin on Wednesday, September 28 in El Cajon, California and wrap the first week of December. The itinerary will now feature performances in 52 markets as opposed to the initial plan of staging 54 shows. All ticket and VIP purchases will be honored for the rescheduled date. Vai's performance in Atlanta, Georgia will now take place at the Variety Playhouse instead of The Eastern and due to scheduling conflicts, the Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Billings, Montana shows will no longer be a part of the tour.

Approximately one year ago, Vai underwent shoulder surgery to repair an injury. That procedure was successful, enabling him to record the upcoming studio album release of "Inviolate" (Favored Nations / Mascot Label Group). In preparing for the tour, it became clear that a new injury emerged that requires another surgery, prohibiting the tour to be staged as previously announced.

Vai shares: "I'm gutted that we have to move this tour, but I also know it's in the best interests for us and the fans that we do."

The following appearances are confirmed:

Sep. 28 - El Cajon, CA @ The Magnolia

Sep. 30 - Riverside, CA @ Fox Performing Arts Center

Oct. 01 - Las Vegas, NV @ House Of Blues

Oct. 02 - Phoenix, AZ @ Celebrity Theatre

Oct. 04 - Salt Lake City, UT @ The Rockwell at The Complex

Oct. 05 - Boulder, CO @ Boulder Theater

Oct. 07 - Oklahoma City, OK @ Tower Theatre

Oct. 08 - Dallas, TX @ House Of Blues

Oct. 09 - San Antonio, TX @ The Aztec Theatre

Oct. 11 - Austin, TX @ Paramount Theatre

Oct. 12 - Houston, TX @ House Of Blues

Oct. 14 - Birmingham, AL @ Lyric Theatre

Oct. 15 - Macon, GA @ Hargray Capitol Theatre

Oct. 16 - Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse

Oct. 18 - Clearwater, FL @ Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

Oct. 19 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL @ The Parker

Oct. 20 - Orlando, FL @ The Plaza Live

Oct. 21 - Ponte Vedra Beach, FL @ Ponte Vedra Concert Hall

Oct. 22 - Charleston, SC @ Charleston Music Hall

Oct. 23 - Charlotte, NC @ The Fillmore Charlotte

Oct. 25 - Alexandria, VA @ The Birchmere

Oct. 26 - Harrisburg, PA @ [to be determined]

Oct. 27 - Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre

Oct. 28 - Glenside, PA @ Keswick Theatre

Oct. 29 - Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre

Oct. 30 - Huntington, NY @ The Paramount

Nov. 01 - New Haven, CT @ College Street Music Hall

Nov. 02 - Providence, RI @ The Strand

Nov. 03 - Boston, MA @ The Wilbur

Nov. 04 - Rochester, NY @ Kodak Center

Nov. 05 - Albany, NY @ The Egg

Nov. 07 - Greensburg, PA @ Palace Theatre

Nov. 08 - Warren, OH @ Packard Music Hall

Nov. 10 - Detroit, MI @ Masonic Cathedral Theatre

Nov. 11 - Morgantown, WV @ Metropolitan Theatre

Nov. 12 - Nashville, TN @ CMA Theatre

Nov. 13 - Louisville, KY @ Old Forester’s Paristown Hall

Nov. 14 - St. Louis, MO @ The Pageant

Nov. 16 - Chicago, IL @ Copernicus Center

Nov. 18 - St. Paul, MN @ Fitzgerald Theater

Nov. 19 - Lincoln, NE @ Bourbon Theatre

Nov. 20 - Kansas City, MO @ The Uptown Theater

Nov. 21 - Sioux Falls, SD @ The District

Nov. 22 - Des Moines, IA @ Hoyt Sherman Place

Nov. 23 - Fargo, ND @ Fargo Theatre

Nov. 25 - Bozeman, MT @ The ELM

Nov. 26 - Missoula, MT @ The Wilma

Nov. 27 - Seattle, WA @ Moore Theatre

Nov. 28 - Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater

Nov. 30 - Turlock, CA @ Turlock Community Theatre

Dec. 02 - Napa, CA @ Uptown Theatre Napa

Dec. 03 - Los Angeles, CA @ Theatre at Ace Hotel

Last February, Vai revealed that he had undergone shoulder and trigger finger surgeries, explaining that his shoulder had been "screwed up."

During an appearance on Tyler Larson's "Guitar Villains" podcast, Vai said that he sustained the finger injury by holding a tough chord for too long.

"I was doing this fun thing, and I had to put my thumb in this really weird position," he said. "And I had to kind of hold this chord really for a long time — I was meditating on it. And I knew it was a hard position, and I just kept sitting there and playing it and playing and playing, and 20 minutes later, I'd kind of come out, and I [felt pain in my hand]. So I kind of sprained this, and then, all of a sudden, I developed trigger finger. My wife said, 'Don't show anybody,' 'cause they did that operation and they cut in there, and the guy's fooling around with everything in there, and it's really bizarre. But it's all fine — it's something very simple that they can fix. But I won't be able to play for a while."

The U.S. government requested and was granted permission to share sealed materials from the case involving ICED EARTH guitarist Jon Schaffer's role in the U.S. Capitol riot case as discovery to the three main Oath Keepers cases.

Discovery is the legal term used to describe the different processes that require parties in a lawsuit to exchange information that each side possesses.

In their January 13 court filing related to Schaffer, government attorneys wrote: "The United States of America respectfully moves for entry by this Court of an order permitting the disclosure in discovery of materials protected by Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 6(e). The United States also requests permission to provide in discovery in United States, Thomas Caldwell, et. al., sealed materials related to the above-captioned case, pursuant to the previously entered protective order governing discovery. Finally, the United States requests that any order granting this motion be made applicable to co-defendants who may later be joined. The United States is authorized to represent to the Court that Defendant [Schaffer] does not oppose this motion or the entry of the attached order. Wherefore, the United States respectfully requests an order authorizing the disclosure in discovery of the materials described above."

A day later, U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta granted the motion to disclose materials from the Schaffer case in the case against Stewart Rhodes, the founder and leader of the right-wing Oath Keepers extremist group, and several of his deputies, who were charged with seditious conspiracy for their role in the U.S. Capitol Riot. That indictment, which was unsealed last week, alleges Rhodes and his co-defendants brought small arms to the Washington, D.C. area; engaged in combat training to prepare for the attack; and made plans to stage quick-reaction forces to support insurrectionists.

Last month, a lawsuit was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. accusing 31 members of Oath Keepers and the Proud Boys — including Schaffer — of "conspiring to terrorize the District" on January 6, 2021, calling their actions "a coordinated act of domestic terrorism." According to CNN, the lawsuit cites the Ku Klux Klan Act of 1871, a federal law created after the Civil War to protect civil rights and, as Racine noted, "to protect against vigilantes and insurrectionists."

"I think the damages are substantial," Racine told The Washington Post. "If it so happens that it bankrupts or puts these individuals and entities in financial peril, so be it."

The 84-page complaint, which can be found at this location, describes Schaffer as "a founding, lifetime member of the Oath Keepers." It goes on to say: "Schaffer was criminally charged and indicted for his role in perpetrating the January 6th Attack. In connection with a promise to cooperate with investigators and potentially testify in criminal cases related to the conspiracy to commit the January 6th Attack, Schaffer pleaded guilty to the entire Statement of Offense in the criminal action brought against him, which included two felony offenses: (1) trespass of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon and (2) obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress. The Criminal Complaint filed against Schaffer—as well as Schaffer's Plea Agreement and the accompanying Statement of Offense describing his conduct—are publicly available documents that are hereby incorporated into the Complaint by reference."

"No one bore the brunt of this gutless attack more than the courageous law enforcement officers including the men and women of the DC Metropolitan Police Department who went into the fire and violence with one objective in mind: remove the violent mob and restore our country's fragile democracy," Racine said at a news conference.

"The defendants, as you know, were not tourists, nor were they acting patriotically," he added. "They were vigilantes, members of a mob, insurrectionists who sought to crush our country's freedoms."

As part of his April 2021 plea deal, Jon entered into a cooperation agreement with the government.

Although Schaffer was initially charged with six crimes, including engaging in an act of physical violence and targeting police with bear spray, he pleaded guilty to only two charges: obstruction of an official proceeding of Congress; and trespassing on restricted grounds of the Capitol while armed with a deadly or dangerous weapon. The first charge is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, while the second carries up to a 10-year prison term.

In his plea agreement, Schaffer acknowledged that on January 6, 2021 he was in Washington to attend the "Stop The Steal" rally at the Ellipse in Washington, D.C. to protest the results of the presidential election, which he believed were fraudulent. Schaffer wore a tactical vest and carried bear spray, a dangerous weapon and chemical irritant used to ward off bears. When the rally finished, Schaffer joined a large crowd that marched from the Ellipse to the Capitol, where a joint session of Congress, presided over by Vice President Michael Pence, was in session to certify the electoral college vote results. Shortly after 2:00 p.m., members of the mob forced entry into the Capitol building, disrupting the joint session and causing members of Congress and the Vice President to be evacuated from the House and Senate chambers.

In his plea agreement, Schaffer admitted that after arriving on Capitol grounds, he walked past barriers intended to restrict access to the public and to a set of locked doors on the Capitol's west side. At approximately 2:40 p.m., Schaffer positioned himself at the front of a crowd that broke open a set of doors being guarded by four U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) officers wearing riot gear. Schaffer admitted to being among the first individuals to push past the damaged doors and into the Capitol building, forcing officers to retreat. Schaffer and others advanced toward five or six backpedaling USCP officers while members of the mob swelled inside of the Capitol and overwhelmed the officers. The officers ultimately deployed a chemical irritant to disperse the mob. Schaffer was among the people who were sprayed in the face, after which he exited while holding his own bear spray in his hands.

As part of the plea deal, Schaffer agreed to cooperate with investigators and potentially testify in related criminal cases, according to CNN. In return for Schaffer's assistance, the Justice Department might later urge the judge to show leniency during his sentencing.

Also as part of the agreement, the Justice Department has offered to sponsor Schaffer for the witness protection program.

The 53-year-old musician was the first Capitol riot defendant to reach a plea deal.

The Indiana chapter of the Oath Keepers distanced itself from Schaffer after his arrest, claiming he was not a member of the local group. But the national organization, which sells lifetime memberships for $1,200, has not commented on his alleged affiliation with the group.

At a November 2020 Donald Trump rally in Washington, D.C., Schaffer was videotaped walking behind a Florida couple, Kelly Meggs and Connie Meggs, who were accused of being among 10 members of the Oath Keepers to have played a leading role in the Capitol assault. According to federal authorities, Kelly and Connie Meggs plotted for weeks ahead of the attack, attended training sessions and recruited others. Kelly Meggs is the head of the Oath Keepers' chapter in Florida.

Following the initial reports that Schaffer was involved in the riot, his ICED EARTH bandmates distanced themselves from his actions. Singer Stu Block and bassist Luke Appleton later posted separate statements on social media announcing their resignations. BLIND GUARDIAN frontman Hansi Kürsch also quit DEMONS & WIZARDS, his long-running project with Schaffer. The allegations also apparently affected Schaffer's relationship with his longtime record label Century Media, which had released albums from both ICED EARTH and DEMONS & WIZARDS. As of mid-January, the Century Media artist roster page did not list either band.

Fan-filmed video of SKID ROW's January 15 performance at RokIsland Fest in Key West, Florida can be seen below.

As previously reported, SKID ROW has replaced QUEENSRŸCHE as the support act on the rescheduled dates for SCORPIONS' "Sin City Nights" Las Vegas residency. The run of shows, which was originally slated to take place in July 2020 and was later pushed back to May 2021, will now happen in March-April, 2022 at Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

SKID ROW is continuing work on its long-awaited new album for a tentative early 2022 release. The band is recording its new album in Nashville, Tennessee with producer Nick Raskulinecz, who has previously worked with FOO FIGHTERS, STONE SOUR, HALESTORM, EVANESCENCE, RUSH and ALICE IN CHAINS, among many others.

SKID ROW's new LP will mark its first release with South African-born, British-based vocalist ZP Theart (DRAGONFORCE, TANK, I AM I), who joined the band in 2016 following the departure of Tony Harnell (TNT, STARBREAKER).

Unlike 2014's "Rise Of The Damnation Army - United World Rebellion: Chapter Two" and 2013's "United World Rebellion: Chapter One", SKID ROW's forthcoming release will be a full-length record.

SKID ROW's new LP will be released via earMUSIC, the recorded music label of German entertainment group Edel AG which boasts a roster of global artists including DEEP PURPLE, Alice Cooper, BABYMETAL, THUNDER, STATUS QUO and many more.

SKID ROW previously collaborated with several outside songwriters on its new material, including Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) and Lzzy Hale and Joe Hottinger of HALESTORM, a group that covered the title track of "Slave To The Grind" on its "ReAniMate: The CoVeRs eP" in 2011. SKID ROW also worked with songwriter-for-hire Marti Frederiksen, who has previously collaborated with AEROSMITH, DEF LEPPARD, Jonny Lang and Sheryl Crow.

Last August, SKID ROW celebrated the 30th anniversary of its classic second album, "Slave To The Grind", by performing it in its entirety at The Amphitheater at Rolling Hills Casino And Resort in Corning, California.

Spikerot Records is stoked to announce the reissue of this timeless classic of Avantgarde Metal. 20 years after its recordings, Solefald's fourth album, In Harmonia Universali, will be finally available on vinyl for the first time ever.


Solefald are a wilful and truly unapologetical one-of-a-kind band, defying all known genre definitions with each release. In Harmonia Universaliis one of their most complex works to date, layered and eclectic, it stems from the band’s obsession with Progressive Rock, making its way through art, history and philosophy with lyrics touching five different languages. An unheard-of blend of extreme metal with bombastic passages, Gothic mystique, acoustic interludes, and the fearless use of instruments like saxophone, hammond and piano, make this album a crucial step in the band’s career.


Lazare: "In Harmonia Universali is one of the most ambitious albums we have created together. And more than anything it’s a statement of what happens when ambition meets possibility. The world has changed since its release, but In Harmonia… still rises above convention and keeps on being itself."




This long awaited release comes on double vinyl in two different color variants, housed in a deluxe gatefold sleeve with exclusive and extensive liner notes by Cornelius and Lazare, and including a 4-panel insert with lyrics.


Pre-order the album here. Release date is April 8th, 2022.





Tracklist:


"Nutrisco et Extinguo"
"Mont Blanc Providence Crow"
"Christiania (Edvard Munch Commemoration)"
"Epictetus & Irreversibility"
"Dionysify This Night of Spring"
"Red Music Diabolos"
"Buy My Sperm"
"Fraternité de la grande lumière"
"The Liberation of Destiny"
"Sonnenuntergang im Weltraum"

Korpiklaani violinist, composer and ethnomusicologist Tuomas Rounakari has finished recording his next solo album, Bear Awakener. he has issued a brief studio recap:


"January 13th. The midpoint of hybernation and winter. A perfect day to finish recording the Bear Awakener album. Most grateful for everything! Working at Verde Studio with Mika Rintala, a legend in audio engineering, was exactly what I was looking after: effortless, fun, inspiring and explorative.


We lost a day from the schedule as the raw-gut violin strings arrived in the very last minute. These strings took the violin modifications to a next level and the sound was a perfect match with the custom equipment by Verde Audio."




The planned release date of Bear Awakener is on March 13th. According to an ancient Finnish bear calendar, this date marked the end of winter hibernation and awakening of the bears. 





Back in December 2021, Rounakari shared two videos. The first episode tells about the first explorers in Siberia from the 17th century onwards and what made the Finnish explorers different from others. The second episode gives an example of archive studies and what makes the archived materials inspiring. In the middle of it all we learn about bear- related myths and ceremonies of the indigenous Khanty and Mansi people as well as the pre-christian Finns.


Episode 1





Episode 2





Pre-Order the Bear Awakener album here.


Korpiklaani released their 11th studio album, Jylhä, back in February 2021. The album was hailed by critics and fans alike as the most elaborate and mature Korpiklaani album to date. While this might be true, it doesn't mean the band forgot how to party: during the Jylhä sessions they took the classic Anthrax banger "Got The Time" (a song originally released in 1978 by British musician Joe Jackson) and converted it into a typical Korpiklaani tune called "Ennen" ("Before"). But that's not all - they've filmed a wild and very entertaining video, shot by Markku Kirves and again starring actor Yrjänä Ermala, which is being released along with the cover song.


“This was the first time a video producer encouraged us to drink while on a video shoot and we were very happy to do as directed!” - Jonne (Korpiklaani)


Says video director Markku Kirves: "Our old man wakes up and feels dizzy after last nights party. Suddenly, a knock on the door. Memory is weak and because he sees only blurry figures walking around the house, he decides to hide. But is there anything to drink…"


Watch the video below, and stream the song here.








Jylhä tracklisting:


"Verikoira"
"Niemi"
"Leväluhta"
"Mylly"
"Tuuleton"
"Sanaton Maa"
"Kiuru"
"Miero"
"Pohja"
"Huolettomat"
"Anolan Aukeat"
"Pidot"
"Juuret"


"Tuuleton" video:





"Niemi" video:





"Mylly" video:





"Leväluhta" video:

With two well-received singles out already, Circa Arcana are putting out a lyric video for “The Tower” off their upcoming EP entitled Bridget Vīgintī. The five tracks on the record take inspiration from the occult and tarot, exemplified in the track names. The “arena metal” track “The Tower” is no exception, and tells one hell of a story as you listen closely to its lyrics. Guitarist Johny Serna explains it in further detail:


“The song ties in clean ambient hooks with a melodic chorus, a plethora of synth and string production and finishes with a death punch of a breakdown. It really shows off the multitude of influences based within our music and captures a little of everything for the listener to enjoy! The song started off with the opening lead. Originally all I had written was probably the first 30 seconds to the track and after I showed the rest of the guys we quickly figured out a pattern for it and knocked it out. Frankie actually came up with that breakdown for it, still one of my favorites. The entire song is a headbanger from start to finish. Personally, my favorite thing about this song is when we play it live people can easily catch on to the chorus and sing along.”


Over the course of Circa Arcana's forthcoming EP Bridget Vīgintī, there is a bit of everything, from groovy melodic parts to catchy choruses and hard-hitting breakdowns, definitely something for everyone. Circa Arcana works well together, having had a similar musical vision from the start and quickly getting used to writing and doing things online because of the Covid pandemic. They look to keep their breakdowns heavy and aggressive and contrast that with catchy clean vocals that are easy to pick up and sing along to.




Being five seasoned musicians, Circa Arcana are dedicated to putting on a tight and engaging live show and have already been getting out on stages. They always try to up the ante and throw in different things for each show so no other is like the next.


A little bit melodic to offset the heavy, Circa Arcana is recommended for fans of Blessthefall, Wage War and Like Moths To Flames.


The EP Bridget Viginti will be available on all digital platforms on February 18, 2022.





Tracklisting:


“Ten Of Swords”
“The Tower”
“The Chariot”
“Luna”
“Esoteric”


“The Tower” lyric video:





(Photo – Bryan Castro)

The debut of the Italian esoteric/Mediterranean metal project Dramanduhr has finally come with "Ixaltirud", the first single of a long series leading up to the release of Dramanduhr's debut full-length.





"Ixaltirud" is the first emanation of the project: a song with an esoteric and Mediterranean sound, sung in a glossolalia-driven evocative language. A remarkable fresh style, hardly definable within the main metal genres but unusual, transcendental and avant-garde.

Austrian heavy metallers Venator have revealed the new track "Manic Man." The track is the second to be revealed from the band's debut album, Echoes From The Gutter, set for international release on February 25 via Dying Victims Productions. 


Despite forming in 2016, it was not until 2020 when Venator made their recorded debut with the EP Paradiser. Nevertheless, the three songs contained therein were an incredibly auspicious first start, showing Venator as a band seemingly thawed out from 1983, so authentic and skyward was their songwriting. Wrapped in a uniquely retro-futuristic production, Paradiser pointed the way forward for Venator, and the buzz began to build.


Graced with yet another amazingly era-authentic artwork courtesy of frontman Hans Huemer, Echoes From The Gutter takes the melody and moodiness of its no-less-inconsiderable predecessor to uncharted heights (and depths!) of glory, both grimy and gleaming. Right from the record’s very first seconds, Venator burst and bristle with an electricity that’s positively, stunningly addicting; anthem after anthem is doled out with almost laissez-faireease, each hook hoisted heavenly and then brought back down to – yes – the gutter. It’s the kind of album that walks that fine line between street-level and upwardly-mobile, much like heavy metal’s forerunning bands of the early 1980s, when the landscape of conquest from club to stadium was still a special dream. 




Anyone pining for the 1983/’84 peak of the likes of Tokyo Blade, Grim Reaper, OZ, Witch Cross, Heavy Load, and even Judas Priest but adding to that hallowed lineage rather than plagiarizing it, you’ve found your new modern classic in Venator’s Echoes From The Gutter.





Tracklisting:


“Howl At The Rain”
“Seventh Seal”
“Red And Black”
“Nightrider”
“Manic Man”
“Made Of Light”
“The Rising”
“The Hexx”
“Streets Of Gold”


“Manic Man”:

Prog ensemble Vast Conduit, featuring keyboardist/vocalist Bill Jenkins, best known for his work with Enchant and Thought Chamber, will be releasing their debut album, Always Be Therem on February 16.


This album is dedicated to the notion of doing whatever we can to build and cherish all parent/child relationships, regardless of circumstance. There are so many different ways these can suffer – death, divorce, illness, self-centeredness, etc. – yet they are so vital to our happiness and well-being. Every moment we have to support each other and make each other's lives better is precious.


Says Bill, “The songs ‘Always Be There’ and also ‘Early Eclipse’ convey the main message of the album. The release date is the 40th anniversary of my father’s passing, which set in motion a path through life and philosophy described by the songs on the album. I had the basic song ideas in place for almost all of these songs sitting around for years and it was simply time to finally make it all happen.”




The Fates conspired and a fortuitous set of circumstances created a vast conduit, galvanizing what might have otherwise been a run-of-the-mill progressive rock project with an abundance of musical talent and prowess. Keyboardist Bill Jenkins (Enchant, Thought Chamber), musing over some material near to heart, enlisted the talents of these amazing musicians to bring that material to light: Adding everything from scorching leads to subtle emoting is virtuosic guitarist Michael Harris (Arch Rival, Thought Chamber, Darkology, Michael Harris Tranz-Fusion). Laying the foundation with solid grooves and making odd time signatures seem effortless and feel natural is drummer Will Jenkins (Ghost and the City, Great Wall). The venerable Jeff Plant solidifies that foundation with electric and fretless bass (also from Thought Chamber and whose pedigree otherwise is too long to list here and whose amazing bass playing simply speaks for itself). Adding just the right amount of smoke and fire off his rosined bow is violinist Jim Hurley (who has performed with the likes of Ritchie Blackmore, Trans Siberian Orchestra, Ancient Future, and Queen Ida’s Grammy-winning Bon Temps Zydeco Band, among many others). Rounding out the list are the satiny vocals of Friel (a truly rare gem of vocal talent to have somehow, somewhere, out of the blue, been found for this project).


With the players in place, a cross-country recording project began, finishing with Vast Conduit’s initial studio album release Always Be There - a centrally themed album that explores several musical genres. Although progressive rock in nature, when pressed for a singular genre, Michael jokingly suggested “smooth prog.” After the requisite laughter, the recognition of how apropos of a description it was settled in, and laughter shifted to nods of approval as it was fully embraced by the band.


The album started as just an EP project, and recording of 3 of the songs with demo vocals started several years ago. Then covid happened and opened up the opportunity and availability to expand it to a full album.


Along with the core ensemble, the album features some guest artists. Having known the California Guitar Trio guys for some time, and loving their sound, Bill had always hoped to get them involved in a song. Bert Lams agreed to add his acoustic guitar to “Early Eclipse,” and helped in adjusting the arrangement to work even better with the addition of his parts.


Bill’s brother Tom Abraira plays the lead on trumpet on the track “Philly Etymology.” There were two spots for a female voice on this album. Says Bill, “I heard Manon’s singing in High Hopes Acapella, and invited her to sing the female part in ‘Barrier.’ Having worked with Betsy Walter previously, I already had an earlier demo of ‘Early Eclipse’ with her voice in it and used her part from under the solo in that song and it fit perfectly.”


Finally, there was an old recording of the instrumental idea that became “Wesley Save Us” that had Jessica Jenkins’ voice when they were a toddler. “With Jess’s voice being my association with that song for so many years, and given the theme of the album, working a few of those samples in just had to happen.”


Work has already begun on writing for the next album. After the release, the band will look into opportunities for live performances. In closing Bill has this to say, “If our listeners enjoy the music even half as much as we enjoyed creating it, that would be amazing!”


Watch the trailer for Vast Conduit’s Always Be There below. Order at Bandcamp or the Vast Conduit website.





Tracklisting:


"Barrier" (with lyrics)
"Soul Tuck" (instrumental)
"Always Be There" (with lyrics)
"Endless Days"(with lyrics)
"Too Busy" (instrumental)
"Odessa" (with lyrics)
"500 Miles" (with lyrics)
"Philly Etymology" (instrumental)
"Early Eclipse" (with lyrics)
"Of A Feather" (instrumental)
"Wesley Save Us" (with lyrics)


Trailer:





Band members:


Friel: Vocals
Bill Jenkins: Keys, backing vocals
Will Jenkins: Drums
Michael Harris: Guitars
Jeff Plant: Bass
Jim Hurley: Violin


Guest artists:


Tom Abraira - Trumpet on “Philly Etymology”
Bert Lams - Acoustic Guitar on “Early Eclipse”
Manon Roem -Vocals on “Barrier”  
Betsy Walter - Vocals on “Early Eclipse”

Last summer Cassius King (Jason McMaster - vocals, Dan Lorenzo - guitars, Ron Lipnicki - drums, and Jimmy Schulman - bass) released their debut album Field Trip on California's Nomad Eel Records. 


A mere six months later and Cassius King grace us with a brand new single and lyric video for easily their catchiest song yet; "Bad Man Down". Guitarist Dan Lorenzo co-wrote the single with vocalist Jason McMaster. 


"I remember how long it took me to write the music to the first two Hades albums in the '80s. I literally had no music left after each album. Songwriting started to get much easier for me when I started Non-Fiction in the summer of '89, but it's never been this easy," Lorenzo said. "I'm not doing this for the money, but it's as fun or more fun than it ever was honestly. "




When asked what the lyrics to Bad Man Down mean, McMaster said, "This takes me to a place where we don't have much control. We can get cozy and feel good, because we did it all 'safe', and politically correct, etc... but, you cannot stop the bus just because you pull the chain. I am not a young man anymore, I am not trying to be, so these things we do to try and live longer, healthy diet, etc. they work, but still... the bus won't stop. Bullets fly by that were not meant for you... your doctor misses things in your visits, next thing you know... This lyric is about who's 'round the corner. I have triedto make friends with him, and the black cat crossing my path."


Cassius King plans to release ten new songs (plus you can always expect a fun cover song or two) later this year Nomad Eel in America / MDD Records in Europe. The world is in a very strangle place right now, but it's hard to keep these bad men down. Jay Bones from Space Based created the video.





 

Sabaton have released a new lyric video for "Night Witches", originally featured on the bonus version of the band's 2014 album, Heroes.


Historical fact: The story of the Russian female pilots of the 588th bomber regiment. Their nickname “Night Witches” comes from the characteristic sound of their bomb planes that was all that could be heard during their nightly raids since they set their engines to idle and would glide through the night to their target. This sound brought the enemies thoughts to the broomsticks of witches, and they called them “Nachthexen”.







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"


"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 launch the March 4, 2022 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)

German melodic death metal trio, Deserted Fear, have released the second single, “Reborn Paradise”, from their upcoming release, Doomsday, out March 4 via Century Media Records. Once again Mirko Witzki took over the duties for filming, directing and editing the new music video.


The video shoot was supported by Deutsch-Deutsches Museum Mödlareuth, providing the perfect scenery for a song that deals with a serious issue of the German past. Watch the clip below.


“Today we release ‘Reborn Paradise’, another new song from our album Doomsday, which will be released on March 4th, 2022. For the video shoot we went to a time that seems to be long forgotten, but should never be forgotten,” states Deserted Fear.




Deserted Fear drummer Simon Mengs adds, “We grew up in a small town in rural Thuringia. Even though we didn't consciously experience the peaceful revolution and the fall of the inner-German Wall, our socialization took place here. With the stories of the older generation, we also absorbed the spirit of the GDR and the frustration about an authoritarian state in which one thing was thought and something else had to be said.”


“For the video shoot, we delved into the history of the GDR dictatorship once again. Unbelievable how small the events were always kept in consideration of many hundreds of killed and thousands of imprisoned people. Minefields and spring guns against the own citizens, this has not been discussed enough with our generation. Moreover, a part of our society seems to have already forgotten what freedom of speech and the freedom to travel meant in the GDR...”, Fabian continued.


Mahne further states, “What happens in wars and at borders seems far away to many people in our country and it is alarming how people talk about refugees without empathy. People die at borders, on the run and in the hope of a better life, then as now!”





Deserted Fear’s brand-new masterpiece was recorded, mixed and mastered by the band’s very own Fabian Hildebrandt at Eisensound Studio.


The album’s first pressing Ltd. CD Digipak edition comes with a special drink coaster and the previously released singles “Funeral Of The Earth” and “Artifacts Of The Black Rain” as bonus tracks. The album’s LP editions comes on 180g vinyl, with a Gatefold sleeve and including an A2-sized poster. These are the available variants and limitations for the LP format:


- Ltd. Gatefold black LP & Poster - Unlimited
- Ltd. Gatefold dark green LP & Poster - 300x copies via CM Distro & Webshop Europe
- Ltd. Gatefold transp. light blue LP & Poster - 300x copies via EMP      
- Ltd. Gatefold Colored Re-Vinyl LP & Poster – 300x copies via Band


The pre-order for “Doomsday” is underway, so make sure to get your copy of the album and also listen to the digital version of the new song/s here.





Tracklisting:


"Intro"
"Part Of The End"
"Idols Of Triumph"
"Follow The Light That Blinds"
"Fall From Grace"
"At Its End"
"Reborn Paradise"
"The One Desire"
"Call Of Emptiness"
"Voices Of Fire"
"Doomsday"


"Part Of The End" video:





Starting with the release of Doomsday in March, Deserted Fear will play a run of exclusive album release shows throughout Germany.





Dates:


March
3 - Hamburg, Germany - Logo (with Nyktophobia)
4 - Cottbus, Germany - Gladhouse (with Nyktophobia)
5 - Jena, Germany - F-Haus (with Nyktophobia)
6 - Essen, Germany - Turock (with Nyktophobia)
10 - Nürnberg, Germany - Z-Bau (with Hailstone)
11 - Göttingen, Germany - Exil (with Hailstone)
12 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof (with Hailstone)
13 - Köln, Germany - Volta (with Hailstone)
18 - Lörrach, Germany - Altes Wasserwerk
19 - Aalen, Germany - Rock It








Lineup:


Manuel “Mahne” Glatter – Vocals/Guitar
Simon Mengs – Drums
Fabian Hildebrandt – Guitar


(Photo - Manuel Glatter)