British Lion, the ‘up close and personal’ side project band of Iron Maiden bassist & founder Steve Harris, conclude their UK headline club & pub tour tonight in Colchester.


The band have released this new video, stating: "Thanks to all the fans for making this winter tour one to remember! Merry Christmas and a happy new year!"







Previous recap videos can be seen below:








British Lion have announced a European club tour for summer 2022.


Says the band: "We're thrilled to announce a nine date European headline club tour in summer 2022, in addition to the three festival shows already announced for Finland, England and Belgium, working in conjunction with the routing for Maiden’s 2022 Legacy Of The Beast tour. Five of the cities are there to make up for the shows that were cancelled back in 2020."


Tickets are on-sale now, here.





Dates:


June
3 - Hyvinkaa, Finland - Rockfest Festival
10 - Donington, England - Download Festival
17 - Dessel, Belgium - Graspop Festival
19 - Prague, Czech Republic - Lucerna Theatre
25 - Paris, France - Trabendo


July
1 - Cologne, Germany - Kantine
3 - Berlin, Germany - Hole 44
8 - Stuttgart, Germany - LKA Longhorn
19 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin
23 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
25 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp
30 - Lisbon, Portugal - LAV Lisboa ao Vivo


The support for each show will be advised shortly.


British Lion's official video for "Bible Black", the fifth single from their 2020 album, The Burning, can be seen below:

Danish black/heavy metal outfit, Slaegt (aka Slægt, meaning "lineage” / “heritage" in Danish language and pronounced /slɛɡt/), one of the most vital and exciting bands to come out of the Scandinavian metal scene, announce that they’ve signed a new deal with Century Media Records. The first studio offering with their new label, and fourth full-length overall, is entitled Goddess and is set for a worldwide release on March 18.


“It is with utmost pleasure we can announce that we have signed a deal with Century Media. Century Media is a huge force within the metal world - their history speaks for itself and their roster of current and former acts is a sight to behold. The label is made up of passionate and professional people, whose work is very impressive in regards to how they maintain to be such a successful label while still understanding and respecting their artists’ creative process and work. So it would be an understatement to say, that we are truly looking forward to where this collaboration will take us, our music, and our listeners,” states Slægt about signing to Century Media.


Century Media Records Vice President Phillipp Schulte adds, “We are happy to announce a worldwide partnership with Slaegt. The band’s vision, their passion and courage to create dark and timeless music as well as their breathtaking live performances have made a huge impression on us. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome this great band to Century Media Records.”




The first single and video, as well as further details for the Goddess album, will be launched on January 14, with the start of the album’s pre-order. Stay tuned for more details.


Additionally, Slaegt have just announced their European tour with fellow Danish group Demon Head, to promote the new album. Tickets are available to purchase, here.





Slaegt is:


Adam “Ccsquele” Nielsen (Drums)
Oskar J. Frederiksen (Lead Vocals & Guitar)
Anders M. Jørgensen (Guitar)
Olle Bergholz (Bass Guitar & Backing Vocals)


(Photo - Peter Troest)

The Temperance Movement have released an unheard live version of their song “Modern Massacre”, featured on the upcoming collection Caught On Stage: Live & Acoustic, and recorded at the legendary Metropolis Studios in London. You can listen to "Modern Massacre" (Live At Metropolis) below, and on your favourite streaming service.


The Temperance Movement are one of Britain’s finest rock bands of the last 10 years. Formed in London but with a Glaswegian singer, The Temperance Movement are simultaneously anthemic, defiant and cathartic. It bears echoes of the great rock ‘n’ roll icons of the ’60s and ’70s – The Faces and Led Zeppelin, Free and The Rolling Stones. The band have released three studio albums since 2012 each one registering on the UK album charts Top 20 with a higher and higher position each time, culminating in #6 Official UK Chart position for their 2018 album A Deeper Cut.


This special release, Caught On Stage: Live & Acoustic, features a collection of rare live tracks recorded from various locations including intimate acoustic live shows, radio sessions with Planet Rock and rehearsal room recordings, compiled with the help of founding member and guitarist Paul Sayer. Simply a must-have for any fan of The Temperance Movement.




Get four tracks instantly, including "Modern Massacre" (Live At Metropolis), when you pre- order your copy here.





Tracklisting:


"Magnify" (Live Bear)
"Modern Massacre" (Live Bear)
"The Sun and Moon Roll around Too Soon" (Live Bear)
"I Hope I'm Not Losing My Mind" (Live Bear)
"Midnight Black" (Amazon Session)
"Only Friend" (Amazon Session)
"Ain't No Telling" (Live at Kore)
"Modern Massacre" (Live at Metropolis)
"Smouldering" (Planet Rock Session)
"Stay With Me" (Planet Rock Session)
"Take It Back"
"Lovers And Fighters" (Live in the Living Room)
"Only Friend" (Rehearsal Session)
"Battle Lines" (Acoustic)
"Do The Revelation" (Acoustic)
"Get Yourself Free" (Acoustic)
"Three Bulleits" (Acoustic)
"Time Won't Leave" (Acoustic)
"White Bear" (Acoustic)


"Modern Massacre" (Live at Metropolis):

Bruck Kulick recently announced: "Each week I will be sharing a video of the second set at the Stardust Theater, filmed by my wife Lisa from the balcony. It's a great way to 'be there.' Enjoy!"


Today he releases "Tears Are Falling" from the show, which can be viewed below:







Kulick and his band have performed on the last three KISS Kruises: KKXIII, KKIX, and KKX. His band plays songs from the '80s and '90s that aren't usually performed by KISS. Joining guitarist Bruce Kulick in his band are: Todd Kerns - lead vocals / guitar, Zach Throne - vocals / bass, and Brent Fitz - drums / vocals.


Watch previous videos from the Kruise:











"December 30th, I will be live at Vamp'd in Las Vegas with my amazing KKX band," states a recent message from Bruce. "Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz and Zach Throne will join me for an exciting set of music. Tickets are on sale, and VIP packages are limited, so visit the links on my site. It will be a special Bruce Kulick set of great music!"

Swedish progressive metal juggernauts, Evergrey, have released an official live video for "Weightless", taken from the album Before The Aftermath - Live In Gothenburg, out on January 28 on Digpak BluRay/2CD and vinyl editions via AFM Records.


Watch the video below, and pre-order Before The Aftermath - Live In Gothenburg here.


Evergrey, like every other artist, suffered heavily from the pandemic in 2020 and after much deliberation decided to stream a concert live from Gothenburg.




"We want to bring some music and positivity back into our lives, because we miss playing live, and we miss playing music for YOU. Playing is our life, and it has been for quite some time," says Tom Englund.


The result is now almost two hours of pristine live material with classics and treasures that in great Dolby 5.1. Surround quality pull the listener directly deep into a great concert experience.





Tracklisting:


BluRay
"A Silent Ark"
"Weightless"
"Distance"
"Passing Through"
"The Fire"
"Leave It Behind Us"
"Mark Of The Triangle"
"The Masterplan"
"Solitude Within"
"Black Undertow"
"My Allied Ocean"
"All I Have"
"The Grand Collapse"
"Recreation Day"
"A Touch Of Blessing"
"King Of Errors"


CD1
"A Silent Ark"
"Weightless"
"Distance"
"Passing Through"
"The Fire"
"Leave It Behind Us"
"Mark Of The Triangle"
"The Masterplan"
"Solitude Within"


CD2
"Black Undertow"
"My Allied Ocean"
"All I Have"
"The Grand Collapse"
"Recreation Day"
"A Touch Of Blessing"
"King Of Errors"  


"Weightless" live video:

The story of Tankard’s rise to one of the most revered thrash metal bands from their humble beginnings in Frankfurt Germany, began under their first name of Avenger in the early 1982. It was their Heavy Metal Vanguard and Alcoholic Metal demos changing hands in the era’s bustling underground tape-trading network that exposed them to the international metal community.


Positive word of mouth soon attracted the attention of Germany’s own metal start-up, Noise Records, which signed the newly re-christened Tankard (beer mug) to a deal. Tankard’s tenure at the label spawned seven studio albums, one live record, a live video and a compilation and established them as one of the most enduring on the thrash scene. One they still tour globally to this day, to their hordes of maniac forces fans.


Never taking themselves too seriously and fuelled by a love of beer, their unique take on ‘fast thrash-punk’ is pure anarchy with lots of fun. Their ’86 debut Zombie Attack was fast, furious and chaotic fun which set the table of what was to come. Following hot on the heels of their debut, 1987’s Chemical Invasion sealed their thrash chops, with 1988’s The Morning After cementing the band on the global scene. The Alien EP kept momentum in ’89 until the 1990’s dawned with the reflective, The Meaning Of Life. 1991 saw their live fury documented in Fat, Ugly & Live and also a legendary thrash fest in East Berlin was committed to film in the form of Open All Night. Tankard remained prolific through the tough times for thrash of the 1990’s, keeping the faith with the introspective Stone Cold Sober (1992), Two-Faced (1993) saw them bare their teeth against social injustice and The Tankard’(1995) took them back to the familiar surroundings of the pub.







For A Thousand Beers is a deluxe 40th anniversary celebration of Tankard’s Noise Records discography and is the definitive collection of their decade of recorded work and contains :


- Zombie Attack (splatter vinyl)
- Chemical Invasion (swirl vinyl)
- The Morning After (including Alien EP) (splatter vinyl)
- The Meaning Of Life (paint drop vinyl)
- Stone Cold Sober (splatter vinyl)
- Two-Faced (half/half colour vinyl)
- The Tankard (including Tankwart EP) (splatter vinyl)
- Fat, Ugly & Live DVD – containing ‘Open All Night’ concert film, ‘Fat, Ugly & Live’ album plus previously unreleased video concert from the Dynamo, Eindhoven 1987 and audio concert from Frankfurt 1988.
- 12” x 12”, 40 page hardback book of photography, quotes and lyrics from the first decade of the band’s existence. Contains rare and previously unseen photos from the era.


All housed in a case of beer box.





For A Thousand Beers will also be available as a 7xCDs and DVD clamshell box set containing all the studio albums, EP’s and the DVD with all the live concert bonus material.


Available on February 25, you can pre-order here, and watch a new video for "(Empty) Tankard" below.





(Photo - Axel Jusseits)

Conquest the Pure Breed of Modern Heavy Metal have announced Lee Skyles as their new drummer to the band’s current lineup.





Lead singer / guitarist Derrick Brumley on Lee Skyles joining Conquest, "Tim Fleetwood has left the band Conquest due to some personal choices. Tim will always be a brother of the band Conquest. We've done great things together and he will always be a part of the Conquest legacy; at this time Conquest welcomes Lee Skyles to the band, Lee brings in his powerful style of heavy metal drumming and we are looking forward to the new record next year, Lee is a veteran of the St Louis music scene. Mike, Rob and myself look forward to many good shows and a great record with Lee Skyles on drums."




Conquest is:
Derrick Brumley
Mike Crook
Rob Boyer
Lee Skyles

Metal Assault Records has announced the signing of North Carolina based melodic hard rock/metal band Infinity Dream. Their forthcoming debut album, Memories, will be released in early 2022. 


The band features past and present members of traditional metal band Widow, alongside a classically trained keyboardist and vocalist. The album has a dark, melodic atmosphere, with harmony guitars and vocals layered with lush classical passages. It is inspired by the likes of Fates Warning, Candlemass, Warlord, Tony Martin era Black Sabbath, Paradise Lost, Dio and Savatage all while creating a unique sound and expression.


Guitarist and frontman Chris Bennett said this about the signing: "I am so excited that after two years of hard work, Memories will see the light of day in 2022. Metal Assault Records is a like-minded label that wants the same thing we do, to reach everyone who appreciates this type of music. It's the perfect label for us. These songs expose some trauma and vulnerability we have survived in life and the fear and questions that surround it. The music is dark, but it has hope. These songs are totally from the heart."




Album art by Chris Harris:





Metal Assault Records owner Aniruddh "Andrew" Bansal has this to say about signing Infinity Dream: "It feels great to finally break this news to the world. I've had this signing in the bag for quite a while now, because Infinity Dream is a band I wanted to sign before anyone else could. This band brings something fresh, unique and beautiful to the table, while still being reminiscent of some of my favorite melodic metal and classic doom metal bands. I have no doubt that the Dream will prove to be an 'instant classic' and will quickly capture the imagination of listeners everywhere. Get ready for the Dream to come alive!" 


Infinity Dream's debut single, "The Future Past", will be released in January 2022. Upon the release of the single, the album will be available for pre-order through Metal Assault Records. Check out a short teaser of what to expect from the album:





(Photo by: David Rodgers)

New York death metal veterans IMMOLATION will release their new album, "Acts Of God", on February 18, 2022 via Nuclear Blast.

With five long years passed since "Atonement", "Acts Of God" showcases IMMOLATION's ability to consistently create fascinating sounds while still keeping its feet firmly rooted in the old-school New York death metal for which it is renowned.

The official music video for the first single from "Acts Of God", a song called "Apostle", produced, directed, and edited by the band's own Robert Vigna, can be seen below.

IMMOLATION vocalist/ bassist Ross Dolan comments: "After five long years, we are very excited to finally announce the arrival of our 11th full-length album, 'Acts Of God', on February 18th, 2022!

"This time around, we have 15 tracks of some of the darkest and most haunting IMMOLATION material to date!

"For the first single, we chose the song 'Apostle' because it's a very dark song that offers the listener all the elements of the IMMOLATION sound. It's a heavy and explosive track that ebbs and flows from start to finish, with dark and creepy soundscapes and extreme bursts of dark energy that will take the listener on a dark journey that is just a small glimpse of what the album has to offer. Enjoy!"

"Acts Of God" saw the return of longtime friend and recording counterpart Paul Orofino of Millbrook Studios while final touches were brought about on the mixing and mastering by Zack Ohren of Castle Ultimate Studios. For the cover artwork, the band enlisted Eliran Kantor to create the haunting new masterpiece that featured the muted colors and ethereal images that are hallmarks for IMMOLATION's artwork. The artwork pieces inside the booklet were created by Santiago Jaramillo of Triple Seis Design.

"Acts Of God" track listing:

01. Abandoned

02. An Act Of God

03. The Age Of No Light

04. Noose Of Thorns

05. Shed The Light

06. Blooded

07. Overtures Of The Wicked

08. Immoral Stain

09. Incineration Procession

10. Broken Prey

11. Derelict Of Spirit

12. When Halos Burn

13. Let The Darkness In

14. And The Flames Wept

15. Apostle

IMMOLATION is:

Ross Dolan - bass/vocals

Robert Vigna - guitar

Steve Shalaty - drums

Alex Bouks - guitar

U.K. grindcore pioneers NAPALM DEATH will release a new mini-album, "Resentment Is Always Seismic - A Final Throw Of Throes", on February 11, 2022 via Century Media Records.

"Resentment Is Always Seismic - A Final Throw Of Throes" is a partner recording to NAPALM DEATH's latest album, 2020's "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism", concluding matters through vital, tumultuous grindcore and shockwave ambience.

NAPALM DEATH frontman Mark "Barney" Greenway says: "You can certainly consider 'Resentment Is Always...' as an extension of — or partner recording to — the 'Throes…' album. We had long since wanted to put a mini-album out — in the spirit of the old days — and found we had enough quality tracks even after all the 'Throes...' bonus tracks to do that. Hopefully, this mini holds some nice twists in its own right for people, and certainly covering 'People Pie' by SLAB! made us really stretch ourselves, which feels great artistically. In the end, resentment is certainly seismic — it can trigger the complete erosion of humanity in many situations. That was the point that I really wanted to hammer home overall."

"Narcissus", the furious opening track of the release, is being launched today as small foretaste of the mini-album.

Greenway comments: "'Narcissus' just seemed to fit the bill as one of those rampaging tracks that we always seem to gravitate towards as an album opener. The low-slung concrete mixer bassline at the start really ushers it in nicely. It was written at a time when the 'alt-right' was parading itself around, so, lyrically, I like to think it exposes the vanity and personality cult of that whole thing."

The eight-song "Resentment Is Always Seismic – A Final Throw Of Throes" comes with a total playing time of 29 minutes and will be available as a limited CD digipak, vinyl as well as in the digital album format with the following track listing:

01. Narcissus

02. Resentment Always Simmers

03. By Proxy

04. People Pie (SLAB! cover)

05. Man Bites Dogged

06. Slaver Through A Repeat Performance

07. Don't Need It (BAD BRAINS cover)

08. Resentment Is Always Seismic (Dark Sky Burial Dirge)

NAPALM DEATH is currently on the road in North America with GWAR and EYEHATEGOD for the "Scumdogs 30th Anniversary Tour". The band also recently announced the next edition of its "Campaign For Musical Destruction" tour in Europe this February and March 2022. This run will feature support from DOOM, SIBERIAN MEATGRINDER and SHOW ME THE BODY.

NAPALM DEATH is continuing to promote "Throes Of Joy In The Jaws Of Defeatism", which came out in September 2020 via Century Media Records. The band's 16th studio LP was recorded with longtime producer Russ Russell and features artwork by Frode Sylthe.

Greek black metal purveyors, Lucifer's Child, have debuted a new song, "Satan's Wrath", from their upcoming split album with Brazil's Mystifier. The split, titled Under Satan's Wrath, will have its release on March 25 via Agonia Records. Listen to the song via the lyric video below.


Put together despite an ocean's distance, Under Satan's Warth displays the borderlessness of black metal in the strict sense. The collision of Brazilian occultism & Hellenic blasphemy ensues blistering sonic impressions in a hellish dance of cultures, robed in a gold black garment from Mitchell Nolte (Aborted, Baest).


George Emmanuel (ex-Rotting Christ), who co-launched Lucifer's Child in 2013, commented: "After almost a year and half of isolation and profound research, we gave birth to a new seed of evil, Under Satan's Wrath' This deep rooted journey contains three new songs from each band, with some special revelations where conspiracies between Mystifier and Lucifer's Child divulge. A further step beyond the borders of safety, a further step into the abyss where our freedom to craft and sculpt our sound liberates."




On behalf of Mystifier, whose been around since 1989, founder Beelzeebubth commented: "It's a pleasure taking part on this monumental split EP with our Greek comrades. It was the right moment to reveal our new band members: Kaverna on lead guitar and Apophys on drums. We met George during a long European tour in 2016. Nice to see him conquer the world with Lucifer's Child. Hope in the next days, after this pandemic lockdown, we can share the stage together again."


All Mystifier tracks where recorded and mixed at Usb Studio (rhythm guitars) and Darkside Studio (drums, lead guitars, bass, keyboards and vocals). All Lucifer's Child tracks where recorded and mixed at Pentagram Studio (Rotting Christ, Septicflesh). The latter mastered the split.





Tracklisting:


"Death Beyond Holy Creation"
"Under Inhumane Evil Spells"
"Worship Her" (Samael cover)
"Satan's Wrath"
"Nova Tenebris"
"Enter The Eternal Fire" (Bathory cover)


"Satan's Wrath" lyric video:





(Photo - Stamos Abatis)

Today sees the release of the animated video for "Proper Jack Froster", the latest single from Big Big Train, taken from the forthcoming Welcome To The Planet album. "Proper Jack Froster" is based on a story from Gregory Spawton's childhood in the Midlands in the UK in the 1970s.


Work on the video by Swedish animator Love Andreas Gson Fagerstedt began before the untimely, tragic passing of Big Big Train’s singer David Longdon on November 20. David's partner and the band have decided that the video should still be released to help to promote the forthcoming album to the fullest extent possible.


Watch the video below:







Big Big Train’s March 2022 UK tour will now not take place; ticket holders should contact their point of purchase for information on refunds. Prior to David’s death the band had been on the verge of announcing a North American tour consisting of over 20 shows in May and June 2022. This projected North American tour will also not be taking place.


The band will be making an announcement next year about its future, including regarding the September 2022 shows that are scheduled to take place in the UK. Ticket holders for these September shows are encouraged to retain their tickets for the time being pending that further announcement. No further comment will be made about the band’s future before next year.


The release of Welcome To The Planet will continue on January 28, six months after the band’s Top 40 album, Common Ground


The new album sees Big Big Train retain their progressive roots but also take influence from all spheres of music. The four recent singles "Proper Jack Froster", "Made Of Sunshine", "The Connection Plan" and "Lanterna" are also included along with keyboard player Carly Bryant's first Big Big Train writing credit and lead vocal on the captivating title track.





Tracklisting:


Part One
"Made From Sunshine"
"The Connection Plan"
"Lanterna"
"Capitoline Venus"
"A Room With No Ceiling"


Part Two
"Proper Jack Froster"
"Bats In The Belfry"
"Oak And Stone"
"Welcome To The Planet"


"Lanterna":





"The Connection Plan":





"Made From Sunshine":

Black River, the Polish blackened rock ‘n’ roll band, have signed a worldwide (ex. Poland) deal with Crusader Records (part of the Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group). Black River features Tomasz 'Orion' Wróblewski (Behemoth) and Dariusz 'Daray' Brzozowski (Dimmu Borgir) and they are joined by Piotr 'Kay' Wtulich and Artur 'Art' Kempa (Guitars) and vocalist Maciej Taff. Black River are set to release their new album Generation aXe in early 2021.


The band has released a new single, "Crossover Love". Check out the official video below.







Black River is another music band export product from Poland. The band consists of musicians from bands such as Behemoth, Dimmu Borgir, Vesania, Rootwater and Neolithic. Playing mean rock/metal with each new release the band gains a lot of new fans. They debuted in 2008 with the album Black River, which gained a lot of positive reviews and firmly established the band's position on the market, and not just in Poland.


After the success with their first album, they entered the studio once again in 2009 and the world saw another album entitled Black 'N' Roll. The album was released all over the world and received only positive reviews that brought the band to ever wider waters. Unfortunately, at that moment, the singer's health problems stopped Black River's activities for several years. They came back with a big bang in 2019 with their new album Humanoid and proved that they still know how one should use instruments to play Metal, the music that flows in their veins. Their music is a true and unbridled tribute to the tradition of heavy playing, on which Black River musicians grew up. Playing live concerts is their true strength where the band's professionalism and skills puts them at the top of the performers in its genre.2020 brings their new product Generation aXe that will get to know the world thanks to cooperation with Golden Robot Records.


Vocalist Maciej Taff about Generation aXe: "... one night I woke up very F***ing angry and couldn't sleep anymore, I realised that the level of this absurdity that surrounds us has exceeded all boundaries, that it is already unbearable, that this is not a world where we, our families and friends want to live. Half the world is starving, 70% of the population of known species have died out in the last 50 years, in many places there is nothing to breathe and the so-called civilisation does not deal with anything other than earning money at all costs. We met together and it was clear we all had the same anger, the same disagreement, the same fucking anger. We decided to express it in our music, to record a 3-4-track EP, vomit all this venom. We met for the first time during the rehearsal, we started talking, playing and ... after 2 weeks we were already in the studio, instead of 3 songs we wrote 11 without calculation, in full anger. I thought when we recorded it, it would "pass".... it hasn't passed...!"


Black River are:


Dariusz 'Daray' Brzozowski (drums)
Tomasz 'Orion' Wróblewski (bass)
Artur 'Art' Kempa (guitar)
Piotr 'Kay' Wtulich (guitar)
Maciej Taff (vocals)

Canadian progressive sci-fi metal innovators VOIVOD will release their new studio album, "Synchro Anarchy", on February 11, 2022 via Century Media Records. The follow-up to 2018's "The Wake" was produced by Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio and features cover artwork created by VOIVOD drummer Michel "Away" Langevin.

The first single from "Synchro Anarchy", a song called "Planet Eaters", can be streamed below.

Langevin comments: "We are eager to present our latest work, a real collaborative effort. The new album represents countless hours of writing, demoing, recording, mixing and so on. The band and Francis Perron at RadicArt Studio gave their very best to make it happen under unusual circumstances, which led us to call it 'Synchro Anarchy'. We feel that the sound and music are 100% VOIVOD, and we hope everyone will enjoy it as much as we had fun making it. We certainly can't wait to play it live."

"Synchro Anarchy" track listing:

01. Paranormalium

02. Synchro Anarchy

03. Planet Eaters

04. Mind Clock

05. Sleeves Off

06. Holographic Thinking

07. The World Today

08. Quest For Nothing

09. Memory Failure

Seven months ago, VOIVOD guitarist Daniel "Chewy" Mongrain told The Metal Voice that he and his bandmates were "still in the writing process" for follow-up to 2018's "The Wake". He said: "We're still sharing files and trying to catch up and put more time into it. I think the situation will get better and maybe we'll have a chance to meet more often and jam together; that's where the magic happens, usually. But we've learned to work in this context as well. And that's cool, because I received a bunch of tracks from Away [drummer Michel Langevin], who is programming drums in Logic [audio software] with his computer, and it sounded exactly like Away's playing. I was super impressed, because sometimes when you use a computer, it kind of sounds square. But everything was perfect. So it's really fun to do. It's a different way. So it's gonna bring it different ideas, I think, if we welcome it in a creative way."

Regarding the musical direction of the new VOIVOD material, Mongrain said: "[It's] hard to tell at the moment, but personally, I feel like [injecting] a little bit more thrashy [elements and] some dirtiness, so to speak, to the sound. Compexity has always been part of my influence in songwriting — I don't know what's the problem with me, but it's always there, so I'm not worrying about that side. But maybe [make it] a bit less polished and more rock and roll, I guess."

VOIVOD released a new live album, "Lost Machine - Live", in November 2020 via Century Media Records. The disc was recorded in Québec City during the worldwide touring cycle for "The Wake".

In the summer of 2020, VOIVOD released a new three-track 12-inch vinyl and digital EP titled "The End Of Dormancy" via Century Media Records. The EP is centered around a special "Metal Section" version of the title track (off VOIVOD's latest album, "The Wake") with added trumpets, saxophone and trombones. The complementary songs on this release are exclusive live versions of "The End Of Dormancy (Metal Section)" and the group's classic "The Unknown Knows", recorded at Montreal Jazz Fest 2019.

"The End Of Dormancy" EP came with artwork by Langevin and is available on 180-fram 12-inch vinyl.

EYE OF MELIAN is the brainchild of Dutch songwriter and producer Martijn Westerholt, known for DELAIN and WITHIN TEMPTATION. As the main songwriter of the metal band DELAIN, Martijn wanted an outlet to create lush orchestral fantasy music. In 2017, he teamed up with American lyricist Robin La Joy, a life-long fantasy enthusiast who spends much of her time immersed in books, particularly the works of Tolkien. Their mutual passion for fantasy-inspired music led them to the creation of EYE OF MELIAN.

EYE OF MELIAN's ethereal and symphonic music has been described as movie score-like — unfolding epic and elegant storyscapes in the listener's mind. Successful Finnish solo artist Johanna Kurkela's angelic voice quickens the fantasy to full life. She is also known for her work in AURI, ALTAMULLAN ROAD and her husband Tuomas Holopainen's (NIGHTWISH) album "Music Inspired By The Life And Times Of Scrooge". Also contributing to the project is Finnish orchestral arranger and producer Mikko P. Mustonen who has worked on many successful releases in various genres. It is his incredible talent in classical arranging that adds the final magical touch to the music.

The EYE OF MELIAN crew — Martijn the heartbeat, Robin the soul, Johanna the voice, and Mikko the skeleton — aim to craft music which takes the listener away to sojourn dreamy landscapes and otherworldly realms. Their debut album is expected to be released in 2022, with the first single now available for streaming below. Guest musicians on EYE OF MELIAN's debut album include multi-instrumentalist Troy Donockley (NIGHTWISH, AURI) on pipes and flutes and Celtic metal artist Leah with her signature ethereal vocals.

EYE OF MELIAN said: "We are EYE OF MELIAN, comprised of a Fellowship of four different people from three different countries — The Netherlands, United States, and Finland. All four of us are life-long, nerdy fantasy fans and share a passion for ethereal and symphonic music. So we have had an incredibly exciting experience setting out on this journey to create fantasy-inspired music to share with all you kindred spirits out there.

"In the meantime… here are some facts about us: We are independent music (no record label is calling the shots) and because of this, we rely heavily on people sharing our music with others (hint, hint); our music is crafted to sound like it came right out of a fantasy movie score; our lyrics contain poetic fantasy/Tolkien-type themes (though not ALWAYS direct Tolkien references…there are definitely some though!"

Powerhouse rockers Fozzy have announced their new album Boombox – their first album in five years - which will be released on April 15th via Mascot Records / Mascot Label Group (ex-NA). The album, which includes the US top 10 singles, "Nowhere To Run" and "Sane", was once again produced by Johnny Andrews.
 
Talking about the album, Fozzy frontman Chris Jericho says; "Judas…both the album and the song was a HUGE breakthrough for Fozzy.  It took us to the next level and positioned us as legit players at rock radio and as a live draw.  As a result, we knew that we had to follow up with the album of a lifetime. Boombox is that album!!  You’ve already heard the top ten singles 'Nowhere To Run' and 'Sane'- kick ass, hooky songs that set the tone for this record.   But it’s 'I Still Burn', 'Army Of One' and 'Relax', that in my opinion are going to take this album and this band even further up the rock n roll ladder!
 
“I firmly believe this is the third best album of our entire career!!  (Of course I think it’s our best…but I always wanted to hear a band say that). So crank the volume and hold the Boombox up to your earholes!!  It’s gonna be a wild ride."
  
Rich Ward leads the band and is one of the most versatile, talented riff machines and songwriters in rock n roll today. Chris Jericho’s skills as a frontman are second to none and his vocal style and range are both unique and instantly recognizable. The powerhouse drumming of Frank Fontsere, the blazing solos of Billy Grey and the electric star presence of bass player, PJ Farley, round out the current line up. 
 
These are five legit rock stars, whose energy and charisma light up every stage they play on and every crowd they perform for. It’s no surprise that Fozzy has skyrocketed into one of the hottest rock acts in years. 






 




Fozzy will launch their Save The World Tour 2022 on March 31 in Detroit, MI. The trek is currently scheduled to conclude on May 16 in Sauget, IL. For tickets and VIPs, visit FozzyRock.com.





Tour dates:


March
31 - St Andrew's Hall - Detroit, MI


April
1 - Piere's - Ft Wayne, IN
2 - The Piazza - Aurora, IL
3 - Epic Event Center - Ashwaubenon, WI
4 - 1175 - Kansasville, WI
7 - Toad's Place - New Haven, CT
8 - Aura - Portland, ME
9 - Wally's - Hampton Beach, NH
10 - Fete Ballroom - Providence, RI
11 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
14 - Stone Pony - Asbury Park, NJ
15 - Sherman Theater - Stroudsburg, PA
16 - The Queen - Wilmington, DE
17 - The Chance - Poughkeepsie, NY
18 - Tally Ho Theater - Leesburg, VA
28 - The Hub- Monroe, LA
29 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX
30 - The Rock Box - San Antonio, TX


May
1 - Come And Take It Live - Austin, TX
2 - Amplified Live - Dallas, TX
5 - The Whisky A Go Go - Los Angeles, CA
6 - Garden Grove Amphitheater - Garden Grove, CA
7 - Goldfield Trading Post - Roseville, CA
8 - Great American Music Hall - San Francisco, CA
9 - Virgnia Street Brewhouse - Reno, NV
12 - Sunshine Studios - Colorado Springs, CO
13 - Oriental Theater - Denver, CO
14 - Temple Live - Wichita, KS
15 - Temple Live - Ft Smith, AR
16 - Pop's - Sauget, IL





(Photo - Adrienne Beacco)

After recently postponing their planned Too Mean To Die Tour to January / February 2023, Accept is celebrating Wolf Hoffmann's birthday today (December 10th) and his present to you is a live version of "Overnight Sensation". Check it out below. 





Accept were getting ready to rock Europe together with their many loyal fans from January 15 on. But now the virus-related circumstances still do not allow it. Against all expectations and hopes the Metal Teutons have to postpone their planned Too Mean To Die Tour to January/February 2023.




“As much as we want to, the current Covid situation just doesn’t allow us to go forward with this 2022 tour“, explained Accept guitarist Wolf Hoffmann. “It’s a super tough call, but we have no choice but to postpone once again. We wanted to play this tour badly. We had a killer setlist prepared with lots of new songs from the Too Mean to Die album. I’m very sorry for the fans and of course everybody in the band is very disappointed. But hey, life goes on… Please stay safe, stay metal and stay “too mean to die"! We’ll see you soonest!”


Promoter Gerald Wilkes of Continental Concerts added: “The Accept tour was planned through a total of 16 countries with very different regional infection situations, which are currently changing very quickly and therefore are incalculable for all involved. The legal requirements vary from country to country - even often from city to city. It all looked so promising a few months ago, but the situation right now simply doesn't allow it! The tour is confirmed for 2023 and tickets remain valid.”


The 2023 tour schedule is as follows:


January
14 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle       
15 - Brussels, Belgium - La Madeleine
17 - Frankfurt, Germany - Batschkapp  
18 - Paris, France - Bataclan
20 - Pamplona, Spain - Totem         
21 - Madrid, Spain - La Riviera         
22 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 1           
24 - Toulouse, France - Bikini             
25 - Lyon, France - Transbordeur       
27 - Zürich, Switzerland - Komplex             
28 - Telfs, Austria - Rathaussaal         
29 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
31 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Hala Euronics        


February
1 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja        
3 - Tallinn, Estonia - Helitehas          
4 - Helsinki, Finland - House Of Culture        
5 - Tampere, Finland - Pakkahuone 
7 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fryshuset   
8 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller           
10 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Tradgarn 
11 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Vega       
12 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin              
14 - Berlin, Germany - Huxley’s              
16 - Ulm, Germany - Ratiopharm Arena             
17 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle         
18 - Filderstadt, Germany - FILharmonie            
19 - Geiselwind, Germany- Eventzentrum         
21 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee 
22 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Garage   
24 - Moscow, Russia - Glavclub         
25 - St. Petersburg, Russia - Cosmonaut       
27 - Kiev, Ukraine - Stereoplaza       


   

Arjen Anthony Lucassen (Ayreon) is back with a new Star One album, titled Revel In Time. The new album comes more than 10 years since the previous release and is due out on February 18 via InsideOutMusic.


An update from Arjen, introducing vocalist Micheal Mills (Toehider, Ayreon), states: "Micheal sings in the track 'Prescient' (with Ross Jennings) and he also wrote the amazing lyrics for this song. Check out this video to hear part of the vocals and don’t miss his hilarious message at the end. As I said many times before, you can always expect Micheal to surface in my projects because he’s simply the best!"







The album will be available for pre-order on December 17, and it will come as Ltd. 2CD Digipak, Ltd. Deluxe 3CD+Blu-Ray Artbook (incl. a poster of the cover artwork), and as 180g Gatefold 2LP (incl. the album on CD & an LP-Booklet).


CD2 features alternate versions of the same songs as CD1, but with different vocalists. Also available will be a 5.1 mix, a high-res audio version, and an exclusive, hour-long Behind The Scenes video, on the Blu-ray included in the Artbook.





Revel In Time tracklisting:


CD1:


"Fate Of Man"
"28 Days (Till The End Of Time)"
"Prescient"
"Back From The Past"
"Revel In Time"
"The Year Of ’41"
"Bridge Of Life"
"Today Is Yesterday"
"A Hand On The Clock"
"Beyond The Edge Of It All"
"Lost Children Of The Universe"


CD 2 features the same songs as CD 1, but with different vocalists.


"Fate Of Man" video:





"Lost Children Of The Universe" lyric video:

Toxpack are an institution. For 20 years, the Berliners have been blasting the purest streetcore out into the republic, playing countless shows from the most borderline hellhole to the country's mightiest festival stages, from the toughest asphalt to high up in the charts. Two decades of pure dedication - doing their own thing, going their own path and grabbing more and more followers along the way.


After releasing “Bastarde für alle Zeit”, Toxpack continue to show that they don’t mince words on ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT (out January 28 via Napalm Records). Packed with doubt, frustration and energy, they critique divine powers on their new single, “Ozean voll Scheiße”.


The single offers another powerful taste of what to expect from their upcoming album, ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT. Watch the video for “Ozean voll Scheiße” below:







ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT is a flare of expulsion - anger, hate and despair, raw and unfiltered. It's the tone Toxpack has been setting for 20 years. They can't do and they don't want anything else: from the streets for the street.


ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT is also a gift to all old and new fans. Toxpack is 20 years of streetcore, force, intensity and unconditional honesty, felt by many. The connection between band and fans is unique - and ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT is the energy boost for everything that is yet to come.


Guitarist and lyricist Tommi Tox about the new album: "All the energy, perseverance, what we have experienced and the constant will to always give everything, simply everything that has accumulated over the past 20 years, inevitably comes together on this album and that has to be sent to this world. We probably couldn't have given ourselves a better birthday present."





Varying in select territories, ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT will be released digitally and via CD, as a bundle with T-shirt as well as a 2-CD bundle with flag and exclusive demos, in black as well as limited yellow-black vinyl (100 pieces worldwide) and as an impressive earbook with 60 pages + hand-numbered autograph card. ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT belongs in every collection of punk rock, hard rock and metal fans, and friends of German-language rock.


Pre-order the new album here.





Tracklisting:


"Gekommen um zu bleiben"
"ZWANZIG.TAUSEND VOLT"
"Wecke den Kampfgeist"
"Ozean voll Scheiße"
"Bastarde für alle Zeit"
"Totgeglaubt, doch neugeboren"
"Kopf durch die Wand"
"Zusammen einsam"
"Letzte Warnung"
"Noch einmal so wie früher"
"Schweinehund"
"Wehe, wenn wir losgelassen"
"Nur für Dich"
"Wir kommen wieder irgendwann"
"Himmelwärts"


"Bastarde für alle Zeit" video:





Toxpack are:


Schulle - vocals
Tommi Tox - lead guitar, backing vocals
Erik - guitar, backing vocals
Stephan - bass
Zoppel - drums


(Photo - Christian Thiele)

CROWBAR will release its new album, "Zero And Below", on March 4, 2022 via MNRK Heavy (formerly eOne Music). The LP's first single, "Chemical Godz", can be streamed below.

Produced, mixed, and mastered by Duane Simoneaux at OCD Recording And Production in Metairie, Louisiana, "Zero And Below" is reverently old school, counterbalanced by a resonant melodicism that's stunningly mature. Songs like "Chemical Godz", "Bleeding From Every Hole" and "It's Always Worth The Gain" demonstrate what CROWBAR does better than any other band: powerful, evocative, and crushingly heavy music. Celebrating a recent 30th anniversary, CROWBAR is led by one of the most beloved figures in heavy metal, riff overlord Kirk Windstein, whose menacing bellow and smooth drawl put resilient, unrepentant strength behind even the most somber odes to suffering.

Comments Windstein: "We are all so excited to release the song and video for 'Chemical Godz'! It's been nearly two years since the album was completed. It was such a sad time for so many people going through the COVID-19 epidemic and we felt it wasn't a good time to release any new material. Get ready because the heavy is coming! We hope y'all enjoy the song and video. Stay safe out there!"

CROWBAR songs are unapologetic emotional outpourings, with a bare-knuckle resolve alongside its soul-searching vulnerability, reliably delivered with crushing heaviness. "Zero And Below", which cements the band's dense catalog as exactly one dozen studio albums deep, is the most unforgivably doomy CROWBAR record since the group's landmark 1998 effort "Odd Fellows Rest".

"Zero And Below" track listing:

01. The Fear That Binds You

02. Her Evil Is Sacred

03. Confess To Nothing

04. Chemical Godz

05. Denial Of The Truth

06. Bleeding From Every Hole

07. It's Always Worth The Gain

08. Crush Negativity

09. Reanimating A Lie

10. Zero And Below

A year and a half ago, Windstein told the "Does It Doom?" podcast that he was really happy with the band's then-just-completed new album. "It's really a killer record — I love it," he said. "It's got a lot of [guitar] harmonies and it's got a lot more doomy riffs. We only had one proper fast song — one of our more upbeat, hardcore-type, MOTÖRHEAD speed, I call it, type tunes; we've only got one like that. Out of all 10 tracks, besides that one tune, there's only maybe two other fast, what I would consider fast, songs on the whole record. So it's kind of a throwback but a modern, more mature touch on it."

He continued: "We're all super, super happy with the way it came out. The production's amazing, again from Duane Simoneaux. The guitar tone's amazing. The songs themselves are great; I'm really happy. It's really one of the only CROWBAR records that I'm really happy with everything — every riff, I'm happy with the tones, with the production, with the lyrics, with the way I sang; the whole nine yards. So I'm really just loving it, to be honest — I really am."

Earlier in 2020, Windstein told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show that he got "a lot of help" from guitarist Matt Brunson and bassist Shane Wesley during the songwriting process for CROWBAR's new album.

CROWBAR's last LP, "The Serpent Only Lies", was released in 2016 via eOne.

Windstein issued his debut solo album, "Dream In Motion", in January 2020.

“The Lighthouse Pathetic” is the new single and video, from upcoming seventh album of Italian melodic heavy metal band Mastercastle. The video has been released by Morbid Vision. Audio work made by Pier Gonella.


The release date of The Lighthouse Pathetic is scheduled on January 10, 2022. Various special guests joined Mastercastle in this new album, such as Fabio Lione (Rhapsody Of Fire, Angra), Flegias (Necrodeath, Cadaveria), Andrea De Paoli (Labyrinth, ex-Vision Divine), Mattia Stancioiu (Athlantis, ex-Labyrinth, ex-Vision Divine), Alessandro Bissa (ex-Labyrinth, ex-Vision Divine), and Francesco La Rosa (Extrema).


Tracklisting:




“Who Cares For The Moon” (feat. Fabio Lione)
“The Lighthouse Pathetic”
“That’s All”
“Rosso Profondo”
“Call Your Wings” (feat. Fabio Lione)
“Monster Whispers”
“Diamonds”
“Fantastic Planet”
“Space”
“Fast As A Shark” (Accept cover feat. Flegias)
“Princess Of Love” (Demo 2008)


“The Lighthouse Pathetic” video: