German death metal outfit Atrocity will release their new EP, Unspoken Names (Demo 1991), on January 7, 2022 via Massacre Records.


The four-track EP will contain demo versions of songs that were later featured on the band's successful album Todessehnsucht; three of them are previously unreleased.


Atrocity vocalist Alex Krull mastered the demo songs, that were originally mixed by Falk Gruber and himself back in 1991. Unspoken Names (Demo 1991) will be available as a Digipak CD, as well as strictly limited 12" vinyl. Pre-order the EP now at this location.




Unspoken Names (Demo 1991) artwork, created by Stefan Heilemann, and tracklisting:





"Sky Turned Red"
"Unspoken Names"
"Defiance"
"A Prison Called Earth"


 


 

Finland's Apocalyptica has issued the following unfortunate announcement in regard to their Epic Apocalypse Tour with Epica, which was supposed to run from January to March 2022:


"We are more than sad realizing we have to move ‘The Epic Apocalypse’ Tour once more. But looking at the worsening situation of Covid all around Europe, we simply cannot play these shows. We are very much looking forward to play these shows in 2023 when we hopefully can go back playing shows like we did before these shaky times! We hope to see you soon! Stay safe!"







(Photo - Ville Juurikkala)


 


 

Svart Records is set to release A Nocturnal Crossing, the new album from rising French occult doom rock band, Deathbell.


Deathbell is a five-piece band from Toulouse/France, that create eerie and heavy fuzz-laden doom. Having released their debut album With The Beyond in 2018 that garnered underground attention, Deathbell have been lying in wait, taking their time to craft and hone their new juggernaut, A Nocturnal Crossing. Incanting her melancholic and haunting vocals, Lauren Gaynor calls through cavernous walls of funeral organ and distorted slabs of riff-witchery to shepherd A Nocturnal Crossing into a hypnotic otherworld. With morbid clanging trips of psychedelic rhythms and shadowy atmospheres, Deathbell’s brand of mystical Doom is both transcendent and sombre.


Written and recorded between 2018 and 2021 in the French Pyrenees, A Nocturnal Crossing’s lyrics reflect on the metaphysical forces of life and spiritual introspection. Recorded live in April 2021, Deathbell have summoned a demon of occult rock to rival the classic greats of Coven and Pentagram and modern legends such as Jex Thoth and The Devil’s Blood.




For inner journeys alone, or live group ritual worship, Deathbell’s A Nocturnal Crossing works as a gateway or ticket into a wider initiation of doom rock’s inherent ancient power of black magic. Songs like “Silent She Comes” and “The Ladder” are anthemic, and wistful, beautiful gravestones of heavy incantation that deliver the listener into a blissful sonic salvation, with the guitar duo of Bolzan and Commelongue riffing as though oblivion depended on it.


The first single, “The Stronghold And The Archer”, will be released digitally on November 26. A lyric video can be found below.





A Nocturnal Crossing vinyl and CD available worldwide in February. Physical editions available for pre-order here. Pre-order the digital edition here.





Lineup:


Lauren Gaynor - vocals & keys
Bastien Commelongue - guitars & keys
Frederic Bolzan - guitars
Valentin Troï - bass
Robin Draye - drums

Bulgarian death metal combo, Bestia Ater, have signed a licensing deal with Wormholedeath Records for the reissue of their debut album, Anno.Bestia.Chrysallis, due for re-release on December 17.


Anno.Bestia.Chrysallis is the first album from the band Bestia Ater: eight ferocious death metal tracks with a healthy dose of black metal melodies. The lyrics are conceptually linked together, touching on the relationships between humans and demons, both beneficial and detrimental.







Tracklisting:


"Div E Sefid"
"Emma O"
"Forneus"
"Gusion"
"Haures"
"Ipos"
"Jezebeth"
"Krampus"


"Forneus" visualizer:





The project Bestia Ater is the work of Kiril Kirilov (vocals and lyrics) and Dinko Dimov (songwriting, musical arrangements, bass, additional vocals). Kiril Kirilov is known for being the founder and main vocalist of Hyperborea (1997-2016) and featuring as a vocalist for the bands Past Redemption and Terravore. The album's artwork, both the cover and the imposing images of the demonic entities included in CD Edition's special booklet, are the work of Dinko Dimov, who is also a professional artist.


The band has already debuted the album live, at the Sea of Black festival, alongside the two additional musicians who have taken part in the studio recordings – guitars by Villy Neshev (Project Arcadia), Ivo "The Jeep' Ivanov at the drums (Enthrallment) and as second guitar for the live Deyan Videv (Ciroza) joined also. The album will be re-released via Wormholedeath worldwide.

BORN THROUGH FIRE, the new project featuring AS I LAY DYING frontman Tim Lambesis, has released the official music video for a song called "Blood Fire Pain".

Lambesis stated about the track, which features Devin Attard on drums and Taylor Adsit on additional vocals: "'Blood Fire Pain' is inspired by someone I met while incarcerated. After hearing his story, I couldn't help but be moved by his positivity despite the fact that all he had known his entire life was hardship and suffering. He had grown up in one of California's toughest neighborhoods and fought to survive the gang life he was born into. When he was 15, he was ordered to commit an armed robbery. In that moment, he had to decide if he was more scared of the police or older gang leaders who he'd have to answer to if he didn't do it. Though he forever regrets his decision that day, he was given an adult sentence back in an era when the prosecuting attorney (rather than judge or jury) decided that.

"I met him around age 32 when he'd spent almost two decades in prison. He had endured level four prison yards, gang wars, isolation, riots, and countless lockdowns. Despite the struggles of his childhood followed by fighting to survive as an adult, he believed there was hope.

"This song is dedicated to people who feel their pain goes unseen or that they are forgotten and swept aside."

Earlier in the month, BORN THROUGH FIRE released its first two songs, "Reintroduction" and "Bone By Bone", via Modern Music Empire.

Lambesis stated about the musical direction of the group, on which he has apparently collaborated with WOLVES AT THE GATE guitarist Joey Alarcon: "The best description of the material that I've heard from a close friend who has heard it is this… It's cinematic, heavy, and modern, but it still has classic metal throwback elements at the same time."

The BORN THROUGH FIRE launch came six months after Lambesis was sued by a woman who claimed she suffered second-degree burns when he sprayed a flammable liquid into a fire pit at his parents' house at the end of last year. Tim himself sustained burns to 25 percent of his body in the incident, which he first revealed in an Instagram post on December 16, 2020. At the time, the 40-year-old singer claimed that he was pouring gas into a bonfire when the top slipped off and the liquid ended up getting all over his clothes. He later said that he lost 20 pounds from being bedridden for almost three weeks and suffered some nerve damage. He also assured fans that his "man parts" were not harmed during the incident.

Tim was famously convicted in 2014 for his role in a murder-for-hire plot against his estranged wife.

In May 2014, Lambesis was sentenced to six years in jail after pleading guilty to paying a San Diego police officer posing as a hitman $1,000 to kill his wife. Approximately two and a half years later — on December 17, 2016 — he was discharged from a California detention facility and was transferred to the Division of Adult Parole Operations.

In June 2018, AS I LAY DYING played its first show with Lambesis in five years and released a new single. Lambesis also owned up to his crimes in a long apology on the band's Facebook page after his release.

In September 2019, AS I LAY DYING released its seventh full-length album, "Shaped By Fire", via Nuclear Blast.

Season Of Mist will release Death On A Pale Horse, the sophomore album from epic horror metal act, Opera Diabolicus, on Friday, November 26. An advanced album stream can be found below.


The album features appearances from Mats Levén (Candlemass, Therion, Skyblood, etc.), Snowy Shaw (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Therion, Notre Dame, etc.), Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) and Michael Denner (King Diamond, Mercyful Fate).


You can pre-order the new album here.




With Death On A Pale Horse, the Swedes bring you the epic tale witchcraft, the black death and revenge. Artwork by Gyula Havancsák.





Tracklisting:


"Listen Everybody"
"Bring Out Your Dead"
"Second Coming"
"Siren’s Call"
"Darkest Doom On The Brightest Of Days"
"A Song Of Detestation"
"Little Sister"
"Night Demon"
"At Nighttime"


Album stream:





"Bring Out Your Dead" video:





"Siren’s Call" lyric video:





"Darkest Doom On The Brightest Of Days" video:





(Photo - Johan Carlén Photography)

Rockshots Records will release Amoth's third album, The Hour Of The Wolf, on January 28. A lyric video for the new single, "It Ain't Over Yet", can be found below.


Says the band: "This is a full-scale thrash attack with no mercy! The song is about school bullying or bullying in general. We are totally against bullying. Unfortunately, it’s a thing that’s going on all around the world. If you're a bully, remember that it may be over for you but it's never over for the victim. Things might get ugly if the bullied person decides to retaliate…"







Amoth is a melodic progressive heavy metal band with progressive elements from Helsinki, Finland. Their upcoming album The Hour Of The Wolf is a huge leap forward compared to their previous recordings Revenge (2016), Crossing Over (2011), and Wounded Faith (EP) (2008).


"This is by far our best album yet! Superior performances from all of the musicians. Much better production and songwriting. It’s not a fast-food album. Some of the songs are quite complex so it takes probably more than one listen to really get into!” comments Amoth guitarist and main songwriter Tomi Ihanamäki.


Amoth’s roots are strongly founded on ‘80s heavy metal, but branch out in different directions with elements from progressive rock, thrash, and even jazz brought to the table.


The new album features Pekka Montin of Ensiferum once again as the lead vocalist and for the first time, there are also keyboards on an Amoth recording. Fans can expect insane vocals and virtuoso-like playing from all members of the band. The nine songs are very diverse, taking sudden twists and turns into unexplored territory. Amoth even offers up two Steve Vai / Joe Satriani-style instrumentals on this new full-length with tracks "Wind Serenade Part I" and "Wind Serenade Part II".


Pre-order at Rockshots Records.





Tracklisting:


“Alice”
“The Man Who Watches The World Burn”
“Wounded Faith”
“Wind Serenade Part I”
“Wind Serenade Part II”
“We Own The Night”
“It Ain’t Over Yet”
“Traces In The Snow”
“The Hour Of The Wolf”


“The Man Who Watches The World Burn” video:





(Photo - Mia Bergius Photography)

Texas-based “mythological occult metal” act Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû is streaming its self-titled debut album, in advance of its November 26 release via Agonia Records. Listen below.


Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû constitutes a new incarnation and direct continuation of Absu’s legacy. Touted as one of the most important bands in the history of American Black Metal, Absu was dissolved by drummer/vocalist Proscriptor McGovern (Russ R. Givens) on January 27th, 2020, after 30 years of existence. Since the band’s last, unreleased album was to be penned as “Apsû,” McGovern fused the title with his name to form this new group, Proscriptor McGovern’s Apsû. Securing the ranks, alongside McGovern, are continuing bassist Ezezu (Absu: 2008-2020), new guitar virtuoso Vaggreaz (Possessed, Gruesome) and keyboardist Vorskaath (Zemial, Agatus). With this much anticipated, self-titled album, McGovern’s objective was to append the signature sound of “mythological occult metal,” but to convolute it with bouts of psychedelia, fusion and vintage electronics.


When asked about the album’s final outcome, McGovern stated the following: “Having the opportunity to assemble these band members, in the development of this album, was a remarkable honour and I strongly feel this album captures the band’s true, yet frenzied potential.” McGovern, who also produced and co–engineered the album, added: “I specifically appointed these three to augment and heighten the overall sound portrait of these recordings, hoping that our emphasis on ‘mythological occult metal,’ coupled with progressive and psychedelic elements, clutches the listener’s momentum. Most importantly, I highly commend Agonia Records for migrating our musical and arcane foresight onto the next level.”




The album was chronicled at studios around the world with final mixing handled in Dallas, Texas by both McGovern and J.T. Longoria (Absu, King Diamond, Solitude Aeternus) and mastering by Swedish Grammy nominee Karl Daniel Lidén in Sweden. The album also features guest appearances from Ross Friedman (Ross The Boss, ex-Manowar), Rune Eriksen (Aura Noir, Vltimas, ex-Mayhem), Alex Colin-Tocquaine (Agressor) and The Dark (Agatus).


In assembling the album’s packaging, the band re-commissioned the expertise of renowned Polish artist Zbigniew Bielak (Darkthrone, Portal, Watain). Not only did he administer the front cover, but also was assigned to create eight separate “plate illustrations” tailored around the lyrical conceptions. Regarding Bielak’s work, McGovern stated: “With incredible rapidity, he was able to resuscitate the artistic pulse after I presented the album’s subject speculations and lyrical themes. Some plate illustrations are affiliated with multiple songs; others integrated to only one song, yet Zbigniew perfectly surmounted each piece reflecting my oblique and ‘in–betweeness’ motifs.”


McGovern continues regarding the album’s lyrical approach: “This album was written for those who are curious and unwearied in their quest of arcane knowledge. I have (with vast exertion and detriment of time and space) collected knowledge deemed, in regard to my subject theories of ‘mythological occult metal:’ from Thelemic Magick and The Zos Vel Thanatos Formula to Fractal Ontology and (obviously) Near East Mythology.”





Formats:


- Jewelcase CD
- Digi Slipcase CD
- Clam–Shell Box CD (Limited To 1000 Numbered Copies With Pin & Front Cover Flag)
- Black LP
- Swamp Green LP
- Gold LP
- Mercurial Silver LP
- Ultra Clear LP
- Picture LP
- Mephitic Vapour Splatter LP
- Cassette
- Digital


Clothing:
- T-shirt 1 – Quasaric Pestilence (White On Black)
- T-shirt 2 – Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû (Black On Gray)
- T-shirt 3 – Logo With Sleeve Prints (Red On Black)
- Black HSW Zipper


Pre-order here





Tracklisting:


"Amenta: Accelerando: Azyn including Hierophantasmal Expounder"
"Esoterically Excoriating The Exoteric"
"Quasaric Pestilence"
"Mirroracles"
"In-Betweeness Gateway Commuters"
"Jupiter In Capricornus"
"Dedicated To Thoth, But Azathoth Wasn’t Listening (A Necroloquy)"
"Caliginous Whorl"
"The Coagulating Respite"
"Prana: Therion: Akasha"
"Tantrums Of Azag-Kkû"
"Every Watchtower Within Is The Axis Of A Watchtower Without including Totemic Thresholds"


Album stream:





Lineup:


Proscriptor McGovern – Drums/Percussion, Lyricism, Maestro Echoplex, Papago Flute, Digital Synthesizers & Voices (Protagonist/Dramatic Monologue Versus Omniscient/Interior Monologue)
Vorskaath – (Analogue & Digital) Synthesizers, Classical/Acoustic Guitar, Mellotron & Signal Generator
Vaggreaz – Electric Lead, Rhythm, Acoustic & Bass Guitar
Ezezû – Electric Bass Guitar & Implements





(Photo - Scott Kincade & M. Zvyagina)

Australian  powerhouse, Be'lakor, will release their new album, Coherence, on Friday, October 29 via Napalm Records. Ahead of the release, the band are streaming the entire record. Listen below.


The eight tracks on Coherence display Be'lakor’s impressive spectrum of musical abilities, ranging from the 12-minute-long journey of “Much More Was Lost” to the atmospheric, fully instrumental “Sweep of Days”. Be'lakor are not afraid to focus on extensive, cohesive songwriting, and Coherence is full of details that reveal more and more with every listen of the album. Thanks to the marvelous, larger-than-life mix by none other than Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Leprous, At The Gates among others), Be'lakor are as bold and majestic as ever on Coherence!







Coherence will be available on black 2LP gatefold with etching, as well as limited 2LP gatefolds in gold, silver and white. The exclusive Die Hard Edition of the album will feature a metal plate with the lyrics and a slipmat, and a deluxe wooden box (jewel case) limited edition will include a collector’s coin, wall flag, wrist band and pick set.


Pre-order here.





Coherence tracklisting:


"Locus"
"The Dispersion"
"Foothold"
"Valence"
"Sweep Of Days"
"Hidden Window"
"Indelible"
"Much More Was Lost"


Album stream:





“Valence” video:





“Foothold” video:





"Hidden Window" video:





Lineup:


George Kosmas - Vocals, Guitar
Shaun Sykes - Guitar
John Richardson - Bass
Elliott Sansom - Drums
Steven Merry - Piano and synths


(Photo - Oli Sansom / olisansom.com)

Thomas Zwijsen has released the new video below, featuring an acoustic cover of Iron Maiden's "Darkest Hour". The song is featured on Iron Maiden's new album, Senjutsu.





Zwijsen previously released the video below, in which he performs an acoustic cover of Iron Maiden's "Heaven Can Wait". The song originally appeared on Maiden's 1986 album, Somewhere In Time.

Guitarist Gus G. (Firewind, Ozzy Osbourne) recently got together with his friends Strutter (bass) and Achilles (drums) to rehearse some of the tracks off his new album, Quantum Leap.


"We set up a few cameras and pushed the 'record' button," says Gus G. "We approached this as if it was a livestream. The video edit is done on the spot and the audio is raw with no overdubs. Engineered, recorded and mixed by Strutter at Valve Studio in Thessaloniki, Greece. Camera edit operation by Jimmy Tott."


Watch "Quantum Leap" from the session below:







"Force Majeure" and "Into The Unknown" from the same session can be seen below:








Quantum Leap artwork and tracklisting:





"Into The Unknown"
"Exosphere"
"Quantum Leap"
"Chronesthesia"
"Enigma Of Life"
"Judgement Day"
"Fierce"
"Demon Stomp"
"Night Driver"
"Not Forgotten"
"Force Majeure" (feat. Vinnie Moore)


"Into The Unknown" video:





"Enigma Of Life" video:





"Fierce" video:





"Exosphere" video:

British Lion, the ‘up close and personal’ side project band of Iron Maiden bassist & founder Steve Harris, launched their UK headline club & pub tour on November 18 at The Crown in Hornchurch. The band have released this new recap video:





A previous recap can be seen below:







The dates listed below are confirmed for November/December.





November
22 - Bristol, UK - The Fleece
23 - Southampton, UK - Engine Rooms
25 - Leeds, UK - Warehouse
26 - Buckley, UK - Tivoli
28 - Nuneaton, UK - Queens Hall
29 - Manchester, UK - Rebellion
30 - Newcastle, UK - Riverside


December
2 - Grimsby, UK - Yardbirds
3 - Wolverhampton, UK - KK’s Steel Mill
4 - London, UK - Underworld **
6 - Reading, UK - Sub 89
7 - Milton Keynes, UK - The Craufurd Arms
8 - Colchester, UK - Arts Centre


Support act for the tour is Airforce. There will be no support in London. Tickets are on-sale now and available here.


British Lion previously 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:

German thrash metallers, Bonded, recently released their sophomore album, Into Blackness, via Century Media Records. The album entered the official sales charts in Germany at #77 in the first week of release.


In order to continue promoting the album, Bonded have launched a new video, directed by Nico Schiesewitz / VIZO Films, for the track “Watch (While The World Burns)”.


Says the band: “Today, we are excited to launch the new Bonded video, which was once again directed by Nico Schiesewitz / VIZO Films. This might be our best clip yet and we created it for the track 'Watch (While The World Burns)', which is the powerful first full song on our second album Into Blackness. And yes, we just heard the good news that Into Blackness entered the official album sales charts in Germany on #77, so thanks to everyone who supported us and our music so far. We hope you will continue to enjoy Into Blackness and hopefully see you all on the road soon!”







Bonded, the group formed by former Sodom members Bernd “Bernemann” Kost (Guitars) and Markus “Makka” Freiwald (Drums) alongside second guitarist Chris Tsitsis (ex-Suicidal Angels), bassist Marc Hauschild and vocalist Ingo Bajonczak (Assassin), have decided to stick to their guns and once again collaborated with producer Cornelius Rambadt (Sodom, Disbelief, Onkel Tom) at the Rambado Recording Studio in Essen, Germany and also had Björn Gooßes / Killustrations (Aborted, The Crown, Carnal Forge) create the album’s artwork, just like on their Rest In Violence debut album from 2020.


The album’s limited first-pressing CD edition comes with O-Card packaging, a sticker and two bonus tracks: "Humanity On Sale" and "Will To Survive". Into Blackness is also available as 180g black vinyl on the LP format. Order here.





Into Blackness tracklisting:


"The Arsonist"
"Watch (While The World Burns)"
"Lilith (Queen Of Blood)"
"The Holy Whore"
"Division Of The Damned"
"Into The Blackness Of A Wartime Night"
"Destroy The Things I Love"
"Final Stand"
"Ill-Minded Freak"
"Way Of The Knife"
"The Eyes Of Madness"
"Humanity On Sale (First pressing CD bonus track)
"Will To Survive" (First pressing CD bonus track)


"Lilith (Queen Of Blood)" video:





"Into The Blackness Of A Wartime Night" lyric video:





Bonded lineup (from left to right on photo by Sebastian “Konz” Konopka):


Markus “Makka” Freiwald – Drums
Chris Tsitsis – Guitar
Ingo Bajonczak – Vocals
Marc Hauschild – Bass
Bernd “Bernemann” Kost – Guitar


(Photo - Sebastian “Konz” Konopka)

New York death metal giants, Immolation, have released a music video for "Rise The Heretics", featured on their 2017 studio album, Atonement. The clip, created and directed by Robert Vigna, can be found below.


Says the band: "We want to thank all our fans for their tremendous support and patience during the last few years. We have one last offering from the Atonement album that we would like to share with everyone before we begin the next chapter for Immolation. We have more news on the way and look forward to seeing everyone again real soon! Stay safe and stay well!!"







Immolation will perform at Irving Plaza in New York, NY on March 19 with Demolition Hammer, Mortician, Black Anvil and Funeral Leech. Get tickets here.

BLACK SABBATH guitarist Tony Iommi has released "Scent Of Dark", his first musical composition since writing a classical piece for the Birmingham Cathedral in 2017 and his first rock song since SABBATH's "13" album in 2013.

To coincide with "Scent Of Dark"'s arrival, Iommi has announced that he will also release a fragrance, designed in collaboration with luxury Italian perfume house Xerjoff and Sergio Momo.

Written by Iommi, "Scent Of Dark" features Tony alongside Momo on guitar, Jimmy Crutchley on bass, Ash Sheehan on drums, Rebecca Rose on cello and Julianne Bourne on the violin.

"I've had the riff for quite a while and I'd never done anything with it,” Iommi commented, "but it gave us a base to start from. We built up the track with programmed drums at first and then Mike Exeter demoed bass and keyboards on it, and I added my guitar solos, just to give us an idea of how it was going to sound. Then we added the strings. I'd worked with string sections on SABBATH albums before, but this was a whole new experience."

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Iommi spoke in more detail about how "Scent Of Dark came together. "I've recorded a lot of riffs and tracks [in recent years] with Mike Exeter," he said. "And with this one, I couldn't imagine who would sing on it; it just seemed ideal to put it down as an instrumental. I've had the main part for a while, and I just added some new parts to it. Then I added these other gloomier riffs to make it blend in with this perfume idea. I really liked the idea of using some violins and cellos and stuff, and so we did on this track."

As for Iommi's involvement in the aforementioned fragrance, he said that it was the result of his friendship with Momo. "It's something I've always been interested in, ever since the early days of products like Brut and Old Spice, which I'd always get given for Christmas," Iommi said. "Once I started touring the world with SABBATH though, I started discovering different sorts of fragrances from other countries and began collecting them. I met Sergio through another friend of mine, and Sergio kindly sent me a box of his fragrances and asked if I'd be interested in creating my own, which I certainly wasn't expecting. Sergio suggested I come up with a list of things I like the smell of. He developed some different samples made up from my suggestions and I picked the one I like."

Iommi's signature scent will be available from November 29 from selected retailers or the official Xerjoff web site.

Iommi + Momo photo credit: Max Sticca






TotalRock interviewed Sabbath legend Tony Iommi earlier this week about his new song and accompanying fragrance ‘Scent of Dark’.

Hear the full interview on Monday’s ‘The Collective’. #blacksabbath #tonyiommi

Posted by TotalRock on Thursday, November 25, 2021



Posted by TotalRock on Thursday, November 25, 2021

During an appearance on MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn's "No Fuckin' Regrets With Robb Flynn" podcast, founding JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing, who turned 70 last month, discussed the fact that he has never been married. He said: "I've kind of made a mess of the whole thing, really. I've gotta take the blame. 'Cause they can't all be wrong," he explained, referring to his former girlfriends.

Downing went on to say that he found it especially difficult to settle down during PRIEST's heyday in the late 1980s.

"It was hard to make a commitment when you go to the next town and you meet some nice girls," he said. "And then you get to a certain age, and things change [laughs] — things change a lot."

Back in 2003, one of K.K.'s ex-girlfriends, who once lived with the rocker at Astbury Hall in Astbury, near Bridgnorth, U.K., had made a claim for around £200,000 compensation after splitting up with the star because she said she had quit a promising career in pharmacy to look after his £2 million country home near Bridgnorth. She claimed she had run the estate while K.K. was touring with PRIEST and was therefore entitled to part of his fortune for investing time and skill in Astbury Hall instead of her career. But a Birmingham County Court judge dismissed her claim and also ordered her to pay costs.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's upcoming 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Last year, Downing announced the formation of KK'S PRIEST, in which he is joined by former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens, guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

KK'S PRIEST's debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", was released on October 1 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Indian folk metal rising stars, Bloodywood, will release their debut full-length, Rakshak, on February 18, 2022. They have checked in with the following message to their fans:


"This body of work embodies who we are and what we believe in. While we did have interest from multiple labels, we decided to stay independent and portray our music in its truest, most honest form. We're very lucky to have support from all of you and hope to justify all you have done for us through this album. It was written with you in mind and all the stories you have shared with us through DMs, emails and, when we were lucky enough, in person. It is our deepest desire that the songs in this album resonate with you on a personal level, help you get through your day, and strengthen you for what lies beyond."


Bloodywood recently released the first single off of the upcoming album, "Gaddaar". Check out the video below




Bloodywood is a Folk Metal band from India known for pioneering a sound that seamlessly fuses Indian Folk instruments with Metal to devastating effect. Expect to hear the percussive power of the mighty Dhol, the melancholic Flute, the single stringed Tumbi and several other uncommon yet distinctively characteristic sounds from India. A combination of thunderous Hindi/Punjabi Choruses and meaningful yet unforgiving Rap verses along with the ethnic instrumentation, makes Bloodywood a truly unique experience.


The band comments on the new single: "It's been a while since our last song, so we wanted to come back heavy with 'Gaddaar'! It's a song that's aimed at a complete separation of religion and politics across the world. Everyone deserves equal rights and equal treatment at the hands of their governments no matter who and how they worship. We've seen the use of religious and divisive politics globally in recent years and it needs to be spoken about.


It's the first single we're releasing in the build up to the album because musically speaking you'll hear something familiar, but there's also enough to hint at the evolution of our sound. That'll become evident across the release of the next couple of singles and the album itself. We gave the album everything we had and can't wait to unleash it all."





And on the album: "Rakshak means 'protector' or 'guardian' in Hindi. We've always been as passionate about the message of our music as much as the music itself, and our goal has and always will be to make a positive impact in people's lives and on the planet. 


You'll hear songs that talk about combating mental illness, overcoming divisive politics, battling the poverty crisis, crushing corruption, eliminating sexual assault, hope, belief and undying determination. Musically we've taken more than a few risks and pushed the limits of our sound both vocally and instrumentally. Besides having a few songs with our signature sound, we have also experimented heavily by writing our fastest, heaviest and angriest music yet while also incorporating elements and instruments from genres that lie on the other end of the musical spectrum.


We were lucky enough to be in a position to do something positive with our time at home during the pandemic, now we're ready to explode outwards. Rakshak being our debut album, we've strived to deliver one with no fillers."





Tracklist:


"Gaddaar"
"Aaj"
"Zanjeero Se"
"Machi Bhasad" (Album Version)
"Dana-Dan"
"Jee Veerey" (Album Version)
"Endurant" (Album Version)
"Yaad" (Album Version)
"BSDK.exe"
"Chakh Le"


Rakshak will be released on February 18, 2022. Copies can be pre-ordered at the following locations:


- US
Europe / International

Christmas romanticism with a twist: "Merry Blah Blah Blah" is a different kind of X-mas carol. Check out Lordi's official video for the new single below.


Musically packaged in an absolutely catchy tune, the Finns deliver a wonderfully sarcastic, outraged look at the holiday of all holidays – and simply turn the tables. What if the pigs and turkeys that we normally eat on the holidays each sent their wish to Santa Claus asking to be entitled to prepare people as a scrumptious holiday menu this year? And what if we were the Christmas trees for once? 


The release of “Merry Blah Blah Blah” not only fits the quiet, contemplative Christmas season, but is also in time with the release of the new, seven-album Lordiversity. 







The idea behind Killection, Lordi's 2020 studio album, was to make a compilation album that imagines that Lordi has existed since the early-‘70s. It delivers all the hit singles from the different decades and as they would have sounded if Lordi had made music at that time. The accompanying back catalogue will finally appear in the form of "Lordiversity" – two years after its Best Of and simply from beyond time and space.


Mr. Lordi explains: “In the week of March 2020, after our tour had to be cancelled due to Corona, I thought that I must use the extra time that was available to me. It quickly became clear that the time was perfect to start planning another album, even though “Killection” wasn't even three months old at the time. But then I realised that there couldn't be anything more boring than making another regular LORDI album. I really enjoyed writing, recording and producing the different styles for “Killection”, but the idea of simply composing a second part of it also struck me as extremely boring. And since "Killection" is a fictional album based on a previously non-existent, fictional back catalogue of music, I had an idea: The only thing that could top Killection would be to record and publish the back catalogue. "


Skeletric Dinosaur, Superflytrap, The Masterbeast, Abusement Park, Humanimals, Abracadaver and Spooky Sextravaganza Spectacular will all be released on November 26 as physical products (7-CD Box or 7-LP Box in various colours). The complete work is called Lordiversity.

Former Delain vocalist Charlotte Wessels has shared another new solo single via her official Patreon page. A teaser is available below.


Charlotte: "A song about the magic of the stage and how it makes off stage concerns fade to background noise; 'Tonight' is the Song Of The Month #19 on Patreon. I wrote it a looong time ago and the release timing is bittersweet with the new Covid measures, but I'm still glad it's out today."







Unable to perform live due to the pandemic, Wessels spent most of last year buried in her Six Feet Under home studio, writing, performing and producing an eclectic wealth of songs. Tales From Six Feet Under offers her favorites out of the bunch. All instruments and vocals on these ten intimate and honest songs were performed or programmed by Wessels herself - except for the exciting collaboration with Alissa White-Gluz on the haunting track "Lizzie" - showcasing the multifaceted nature of Wessels, including her exceptional ability to express the most sincere feelings and emotions within her art.


Charlotte Wessels states: “In May 2020, I started releasing a song every month on Patreon as an outlet for my surplus of music, and tracks I wrote that didn't fit my band. The year that followed was an absolute roller coaster, from living through a global pandemic to closing a chapter so dear to me. It shows through these songs, made right here in my Six Feet Under home studio. Producing these songs with the support of a wonderful community has been a lifesaver during such turbulent times, and I'm happy to bring them out of the basement and into the world with this release. Let me tell you the Tales From Six Feet Under.”


Tales From Six Feet Under is an electrifying collection with gems ranging from melancholic indie pop to synth-infused rock. The record features Wessels’ rendition of Goth classic “Cry Little Sister”, as well as a beautiful synergy of the stunning voices of Charlotte Wessels and Alissa White-Gluz on “Lizzie”. It also debuts a song in Wessels’ native language with the Dutch rocker “Afkicken”. The mesmerizing and haunting “Victor” was released in April this year along with a visually palpable music video. “Soft Revolution” showcases the artist right where the magic happens; in her Six Feet Under studio. The song - part sweet sorrow, part soaring call to action - is quickly becoming a fan favorite.





Tales From Six Feet Under is available in the following formats:


- 1 LP Gatefold Black
- 1 LP Gatefold orange/cream marbled
- 1 LP Gatefold viola/cream marbled (Patreon exclusive)


Get your copy of Tales From Six Feet Under here.





Vinyl tracklisting:


Side A
"Superhuman"
"Afkicken"
"Masterpiece"
"Victor"
"New Mythology"
"Source Of The Flame"


Side B
"Cry Little Sister"
"Lizzie" - A Duet with Alissa White-Gluz
"FSU (2020)"
"Soft Revolution"


"Superhuman" video:





“Soft Revolution” video:





"Victor" video:

After their successful second album Due, Blue Hour Ghosts return with a powerful and classy cover of the dark and experimental Queen masterpiece “I’m Going Slightly Mad”. The track is once again produced by Giuseppe “Dualized” Bassi (Fear Factory) and features a guest appearance of the talented multi-instrumentalist Jørgen Munkeby of Shining on saxophone. The cover song is meant to honor the great Freddie Mercury on the 30th anniversary of his passing (November 24, 1991).





The band comments:




“Despite our influences drawing from a very wide spectrum of metal, rock and pop subgenres, Queen has always been a major influence for all of us, and fully embody the spirit with which we make music: no boundaries, no clichés, total freedom, eclectic and elegant, while keeping themselves extremely effective, enjoyable and accessible. We wanted to honor the 30th anniversary of Freddie’s passing with something special, so we dared to give our take on one of the darkest, most sophisticated, and enigmatic songs of Queen's discography. We were joined in this endeavor by none less than the great Jørgen Munkeby of Shining (Nor), who graced the song with a stellar performance on saxophone. And, more than ever before, this time our producer Giuseppe Bassi acted as our seventh Ghost and helped us give the track its unique, twisted, and modern feel. We hope that all of our fans and all Queen fans all over the world will enjoy our tribute to the One and Only.”

Sabïre's debut full-length album, Jätt, is finally being completed after a long, hard two year tumultuous journey, and is scheduled for a 2022 release via Listenable records .


Band leader Scarlett Monastyrski (guitars/vocals) comments :"Jätt is what we are calling a “half-concept album,” which means there is a strong theme in the title, cover, colour, and overall vibe, but none of the songs, bar three, have been written to the concept; they just simply touch upon the theme in one way or another, to greater and lesser degrees.


Jätt is a “blue” sounding album; the colour. You may understand that more when listening to the album yourself. The cover of Jätt, “Dante and Virgil in the Ninth Circle of Hell” - Gustave Doré, 1861, could be seen through a symbolic lens in which the listener is symbolized as Dante, the artist as Virgil, and the bodies locked within the ice of a frozen lake as the music surrounding them; We as the artist are shepherding the listener through the mire. This could be perceived like this, or you may just see it as an attractive album cover.




Essentially, we cannot wait for you to enjoy this album. This is it. This IS the definition. This is the true unveiling. You are sure to be at the complete mercy of this beautiful display of ACID METAL!."


The new digital single, "Ice Cold Lust" is out now. You can watch a music video for the song below.


“This song was written in November of 2018, and the spark of which I turned into the basis of Jätt as an album. It immediately gave me that ‘blue’ sound that I discovered in pre-production. I knew immediately to name the album Jätt, and keep to the sound; it was a pivotal moment. I could have never expected that 2 years later I would still be putting together what has turned into a massive ‘half-concept album.’ The song itself though, is about putting one’s feelings on the cold burner and not entertain or act on them. I wrote this, like I do most songs, to get oppressive emotions and thoughts off my chest and out of my mind. ‘Ice Cold’ deals with one particular aspect of some complex and tumultuous thoughts and feelings towards a woman close to me. I think anyone can find their own parallels with the lyrics in whatever way they speak to you.”





Tracklisting:


"The Doorway - (Entry)"
"P.F.H."
"Ice Cold Lust"
"I'm A Rock"
"Just A Touch Of Acid"
"Alone Again"
"Call Me Bastard"
"The River - (Centre)"
"The Last Day"
"Toxic Man"
"Your Rending Hands"
"Chained Down"
"Shadow In My Heart"
"Rip, Rip, KILL!!!"
"The Stairs - (Exit)"


"Ice Cold Lust" video:

Rockshots Records announces their latest signing, Italy's The Human Tornado, for the release of their upcoming album, Love Is Démodé, out on March 11.


Offering a slab of smashing knock-out heavy groove rock, The Human Tornado has been making shockwaves since forming in 2014 in Bologna, Italy. The band made their debut in 2016 with their first full-length Storm In A Ketchup on Hidden Stone Records along with supporting touring bands such as Twelve Foot Ninja, Destrage, and Crazy Town.


The band comments on their signing: "We are absolutely thrilled to release our new album "Love Is Démodé" with Rockshots Records. They are one of the most influential and active Italian labels dedicated to rock, metal, and all things heavy."




The Human Tornado's sophomore follow-up Love Is Démodé was self-produced by the band with mixing and mastering done by Marco Paradisi at Boat Studio. The album will feature ten hurricane tour de force tracks that will leave fans breathless and eager to set the track listing on repeat from beginning to end.


"Every song is played with heart and soul and we wanted to explore new sounds, but without forgetting our heavy rock imprint, so we produced an intense groovy album with more melodic openings," adds the band.


The lyrical concept behind the album is love, one of the strongest feelings of deep affection. It has different aspects and it can be addressed to another person, an animal, or a passion. But, if it’s pure, this doesn’t matter.


The band explains further: "For some years this feeling of love has been declining, going out of fashion. In fact, in our society finding people loving what they do is increasingly difficult and often image, power, success are the most important aspects of life. Moreover, these goals are more and more often achieved by means of questionable actions and negative feelings. In this album we want to express our idea of love in particular towards music, showing in every single song even the dark and negative sides coming from love in our life."


The Human Tornado will be revealing tracklisting, album artwork, singles and videos in lead up to the release of Love Is Démodé.

Swedish heavy metal veterans, Stalker, have signed a licensing deal with Wormholedeath Records for their self-titled album, Stalker, due for release on February 11.


Says the band: "We are so excited over this deal with Wormholedeath, and hope to get this machine going as soon as possible. we can't wait! The album is about everything. To describe the concept of it all would be very hard. Live your life to the fullest every day. To morrow it might be to late. The music is a blend of what we grew up with Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Van Halen, KISS, Pantera just to name a couple of bands that made an impact on us. We just write and record what comes out with no other agenda but having fun."


To celebrate the occasion, Stalker have released the single & video for "Black Room". The song is available on all digital platforms here, and you can watch the video below.







Tracklisting:


"Black Room"
"Dance"
"Alone"
"Shred"
"Liar"
"Lost Not Found"
"My Mind"
"Pain"
"Missing The Point"
"Instrumental Jam"


"Black Room" video:

In the new episode of Jackson Guitars' Behind The Riff, Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy, ex-Nevermore) dives into the chorus riff of "Born" by Nevermore. Be sure to check out his signature series here.





In a previous clip, Loomis teaches us how to play "Born", the lead-off track of Nevermore's 2005 album, This Godless Endeavor:

Helloween have released a lyric video for the song "Robot King", featured on their new self-titled album, available via Nuclear Blast. Watch the clip below, and head here to order Helloween in your format of choice.





Tracklisting:




"Out For The Glory"
"Fear Of The Fallen"
"Best Time"
"Mass Pollution"
"Angels"
"Rise Without Chains"
"Indestructible"
"Robot King"
"Cyanide"
"Down In The Dumps"
"Orbit"
"Skyfall"


Bonus tracks Mediabook & Vinyl:
"Golden Times"
"Save My Hide"


Bonus tracks Earbook:
"Golden Times"
"Save My Hide"
"Pumpkins United"


"Robot King" lyric video:





"Indestructible" lyric video:





"Rise Without Chains" lyric video:





"Angels" lyric video:





"Mass Pollution" lyric video:


   


"Best Time lyric video:





"Fear Of The Fallen" lyric video:





"Skyfall" video:





(Photo - Martin Häusler)

MEGADETH's Dave Mustaine was asked by a fan on Cameo if "Youthanasia" is lyrically his most personal album. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I don't know. There's a lot of personal songs that I have. But as far as most personal? Each song, they have their degree on how deep I go with what I reveal with myself. Some songs aren't about me, and some of the songs that have been really deep personally, if they're not about me, it's about someone else, then it's not really that personal to me, but it's probably a more endearing song, if you know what I mean."

MEGADETH's sixth album, "Youthanasia" was released on November 1, 1994 through Capitol Records. The single "Train Of Consequences" hit No. 29 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart while "À Tout Le Monde" reached No. 31.

In 2004, to celebrate the tenth anniversary of "Youthanasia", MEGADETH released a remixed and remastered version of the album which included four bonus tracks: the previously unreleased "Millennium Of The Blind" and "Absolution" (an instrumental) and demos of "New World Order" and "À Tout Le Monde".

Cameo is the online platform that allows fans to buy personalized video messages from celebrities. The 60-year-old Mustaine is charging purchasers $299 per "personal use" video and is charging $2,093 for a video for business use.

The brainchild of founder Steven Galanis, Chicago-based Cameo has been around since 2017. It reportedly features more than 40,000 celebrities — from musicians and actors to drag queens and from YouTubers to Olympic gold medallists — who, for fees from $1 to $2,500, will offer video messages that mention another person by name. Happy birthday messages are common, as are baby announcements, but some celebrities have also recorded messages for Cameo users looking to quit their jobs or ask a potential date to a prom. The price for a video is determined by the celebrity. In 2020 alone, the company fulfilled more Cameos than throughout its four-year history, with Cameos delivered on every continent in the world and it raised over $1 million for worthy nonprofits and causes through its Cameo Cares program.