Cello metal band Leecher have released a reimagined version of one of Beast In Black’s fan favourite songs. “Blind And Frozen” - originally released on Berserker (2017) - has now been turned into a quite different song, performed with cellos and female vocals in Leecher’s remarkable rendition.





"I've always appreciated when a band doesn't simply copy another song, but shape it to their own sound and put something from their very essence into it. This is what makes a cover song interesting for me, because it creates a totally distinct spirit and feeling to it. Moreover, it takes a lot more time and creativity to make such a cover. With might and main, Leecher has truly given this song everything they are, but the original composition is still strongly recognizable, so their task was accomplished flawlessly! I'm especially happy they chose our song, because a good cover opens up the possibility to reach new people for the original performer as well - maybe someone in the future will become a Beast In Black fan because of this cover! Congratulations to the front lady and the gentlemen!" - commented Beast In Black bass guitarist Máté Molnár.


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Leecher are one of the most unusual aspiring metal bands of Hungary, playing their melodic, uplifting, catchy symphonic metal with cellos only. Frontwoman Anett Horváth’s graceful, powerful vocals also give this cover a nice, refreshing touch that surely makes it a pleasant surprise to the fans of the original song as well. Just like their latest album, Deviant (2020), “Blind And Frozen” was recorded at Miracle Sound Studio (Szeged, Hungary) by Gábor Vári. The music video was directed, filmed, and edited by Gergő Farkas and the band members.


“We prefer making cover songs that we don’t simply perform the way they were written, but the ones we can entwine with our personalities and we can give a little extra to its original message,” said lead singer Anett Horváth about choosing Beast In Black’s song. “We’re pretty sure this cover will be a bit controversial to some of the fans, and it wasn’t easy to touch this song. I constantly had to expand my boundaries, had to try and learn new singing techniques and it took a lot of ideas from each of us to form this final version. We’re very proud of how it turned out!”





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Death metallers The Blood Of Christ brutalized their way onto the Canadian scene in the mid-1990s. Even with various line-up changes, mainly vocalists, the band has been a consistent tour de force, supporting bands such as Cryptopsy, Incantation, Morbid Angel, Kataklysm, Necronomicon, Killitorous and many more local and international acts.


Two of their earlier demos were 1994’s Frozen Dreams and 1995’s The Lonely Flowers Of Autumn, which were both highly praised on the underground cassette trading circuit.


Teaming up with Canadian extreme metal label CDN Records, The Blood of Christ will unleash on August 21 for old and new fans the reissuing of both Frozen Dreams and The Lonely Flowers Of Autumn on cassette along with a CD edition, which will feature bonus tracks from 1996’s Torture Records 7″ single. Both are remixed along with remastering done by Dan Swano (Incantation, Jungle Rot, Asphyx).


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The band comments:


“This was the beginning of our natural journey that began rooted in straight-up death-grind metal around 1995 with added dark elements from black metal and doom. These songs became epic with varied time signatures and tempo changes, often shifting from chugging death metal riffs to droning black metal riffs in the blink of an eye – and incorporated more vocal styles than the average death metal band would. We have always called it epic dark metal since our inception in 1995 with our the Lonely Flowers of Autumn demo… and that has stuck with us.”


In celebration of the reissues, The Blood Of Christ sharing their latest lyric video for their track “Moonshroud... The Crescent Glow”, which appears on both The Lonely Flowers Of Autumn cassette and CD.


The band adds:


"‘Moonshroud… The Crescent Glow’ was one of the first two songs written for the The Lonely Flowers Of Autumn demo, back in early 1995. It was almost exclusively our opening song in live performances back then. Moonshroud represents the more extreme side of our songwriting both musically and with vocal delivery and is my personal favourite Blood Of Christ song. We chose this song to release as a video single because the original had a rough mix where you could barely hear the riffs and we felt that the remixed/remastered version gave a more clear and defined spread to the instruments: allowing the listener to really hear how sick this tune is."


Cassette and CD pre-order here.





Cassette tracklisting - The Lonely Flowers Of Autumn (1995) - Reissue:
"Autumns Twilight"
"In The Distance"
"Moonshroud"
"As the Roses Wither"


Cassette tracklisting - Frozen Dreams (1994) - Reissue:
"Frozen Dreams"
"Divine Gift"
"Christ Crucified"
"Dawn"
"Bleed For Me"


CD tracklisting:
"Autumns Twilight"
"In The Distance"
"Moonshroud"
"As The Roses Wither"


CD bonus tracks:
"The Raven’s Song"
"Winter Tree …A Forest Of Tragedy"
"Frozen Dreams"
"Divine Gift"
"Christ Crucified"
"Dawn"
"Bleed For Me"


"Moonshroud...The Crescent Glow" video:





"In The Distance" lyric video:





The Blood of Christ reissue lineup:


Jason Longo - Drums, Cymbals & Sawblade
Jason Deaville - Vocals
Marek Kopala - Bass, Keyboards & Classical Guitar
Jeff Longo - Electric & Classical Guitar


(Photo - Shawn Pritchard)





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Finland's Oceanhoarse are about to get set for the release of their debut studio album, entitled Dead Reckoning, out this Friday on Noble Demon.


With former and current members of well-known acts like Amoral, Warmen and others, the foursome delivers exactly that kind of album you would hope to get from such experienced people. Featuring 13 tracks, loaded with crushing riffs, vocal harmonies and high voltage arrangements, Dead Reckoning shows a band willing to explore things in their very own style, instead of sticking to any kind of average formula.


In support of the new album and to celebrate the upcoming release in glorious style, Oceanhoarse have unleashed a brand new video clip for the melodic and groove-laden heavy metal anthem "From Hell To Oblivion".


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The band comments: “‘From Hell To Oblivion’ represents Oceanhoarse at its most melodic, and it just might feature the biggest chorus on the album. The lyrics talk about false lighthouses, the inability to see warning signs in advance and how history keeps repeating itself, usually in pretty depressing ways.”


Oceanhoarse have amassed an impressive two million plus streams on Spotify alone, and all this before their first studio album has even been released. The band's previous single "One With the Gun" was released in late February, and has already hit the 100,000 stream mark.


Dead Reckoning will be released on August 20 through Noble Demon and is now available for pre-save and pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Headfirst"
"Locks"
"Betrayed By Light"
"One With The Gun"
"Reaching Skywards"
"Fields Of Severed Dreams"
"Submersed"
"The Intruder"
"Fight For Tomorrow"
"From Hell To Oblivion"
"REW"
"Dead Reckoning"
"The Damage"
"Fading Neons"


"From Hell To Oblivion":





"The Damage" lyric video:





"One With The Gun":





(Photo - Jony Karlsson)





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Portland dark rock duo Hoaxed sign to Relapse Records. Hoaxed first unveiled their self-titled debut EP at the beginning of 2021 and will release their debut full-length album in 2022. Stay tuned for more information in the near future.


Watch the “Candle Master” music video from their self-titled EP below:





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Like all the greatest revelations, Hoaxed have emerged, seemingly from nowhere: an idiosyncratic and enigmatic two-woman force. With a sound that defies traditional description, vocalist/guitarist Kat Keo and percussive powerhouse Kim Coffel have used their lockdown months as a golden opportunity to pursue their true creative desires, instigating something exhilarating, new and brilliantly creepy in the process.


First unveiled on their self-titled debut EP at the beginning of 2021, Hoaxed appear to exist in a sonic world entirely of their own design. With musical references as disparate as crunchy modern metal, ghoulish gothic rock, twanging Americana and shimmering shoegaze, songs like the menacing melodrama of Dark Altar Magic and the windswept ‘n’ ghostly drone rock grit of Candle Master ooze shadowy charisma and disarming originality.


Once again, observe the power of two. As Kat Keo’s ethereal melodies and spiky poetry provide a mesmerising focal point, Kim Coffel’s thunderous grooves and turbocharged pulse provide the muscle, spine and beating heart of Hoaxed. Fundamental to the band’s gleeful dismantling of traditional genre boundaries, Kim’s metallic attack and precision ensure that even the more elegant parts of songs like Riders and Cold River connect with jaw-juddering impact.


Having selected a suitably beguiling and sinister name (“It struck me that people love a magic trick,” says Kim. “But if you put that in a darker setting, it becomes something from the heart of evil. It’s malevolent.”), Hoaxed have made it plain that they have a natural instinct for the dark side of music and its attendant culture. Fittingly, there is something wonderfully subversive about the way the duo’s insidious hymns to nefarious spirits so effortlessly straddle multiple genres. Newly signed with the eternally open-minded Relapse Records, Hoaxed have conjured something with self-evident cult potential.


As the dust settles and the clouds disperse, Hoaxed are preparing their first full-length album and a full-scale assault on hearts and minds. Meanwhile, the spell has been officially cast. This is heavy music for heavy times, but with a lightness of touch and ferocious intelligence that sets Hoaxed apart from just about every other band out there right now. That, in itself, is some kind of dark magic.


(Photo: Peter Beste)





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D.D. Verni & The Cadillac Band have unveiled “Olivia…That’s Who!” the second single and video from their debut album Let’s Rattle, due out September 17 (via MVD). As with the album’s lead single and video “Cadillac Man,” the new single underlines the high-energy original swingin’ and rockin’ big-band sound from D.D. Verni, the songwriter/founding member/bassist for heavy metal pioneers Overkill who’ve sold millions of records worldwide and have released 19 studio albums dating back to their 1985 debut album. Watch the video below.


“While the song is about my daughter, I think it speaks to anyone who has a bubbly outgoing spirited girl in their life,” says D.D. “It could be your mom, wife or girlfriend. And I think the drawings capture the spirit of the song. The song lyric says “There’s always enough love to go round” and I think that’s the spirit of the song and the drawings. It’s about how a girl like that in your life can brighten your day and make things always seem OK.” 


Pre-order the album here or pre-save the album here Read a Q&A with Verni below.


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Verni has always dreamed of recording a big band album, as his love for the sound dates back many years. The New Jersey-based artist began by writing a fantastic collection of soon-to-be big band classics. Next he recruited longtime Brian Setzer Orchestra upright bassist, John “Spazz” Hatton, to do horn arrangements and play upright bass, while bass player D.D. switched things up playing some guitar on the album. Then D.D. brought in the LA based horn section from Phat Cat Swinger to play the horns and added Brian Setzer Orchestra drummer and current Doobie Brothers member, Tony Pia. Add jazz pianist Dave Moscoe and Hot Rod guitarist Damian Bacci, and you have a star-studded line-up of big band greatness that made this album shake and swing.


With songs like “Cadillac Man,” “Shake It Swing It” and “Olivia…that’s Who!” the album features 13 tracks (nine originals and four covers), was produced by Verni and mixed by Greg Reely (Coldplay, Sarah McLachlan, Overkill), and recorded in Los Angeles and New Jersey.


In addition, D.D. Verni & The Cadillac Band have confirmed their first-ever live show, Saturday, October 30 show at the Vogel (Count Basie Center for the Arts) in Red Bank, NJ, the same venue where they filmed the video for “Cadillac Man,” the album’s first single. Tickets available here .





Let's Rattle tracklisting:


"Cadillac Man"
"Shake It Swing It"
"Give Me Your Number"
"Olivia...That's Who!"
"Powerhouse"
"Cold Hearted Woman"
"School Of Rock n' Roll"
"L-O-V-E"
"Just Say U Love Me"
"Manhattan Baby"
"Close Your Eyes and Dream"
"Ain't That A Kick In The Head"
"The One Who Loves You"


"Olivia...That's Who":





"Cadillac Man" video:





Q&A With D.D. Verni:
 
Q: A lot of people are going to be really surprised that you’ve recorded an album fully embracing a big band sound with rockabilly and other early rock + pop stylings, particularly since you’re known as songwriter/founding member and bassist for OVERKILL. What inspired you to take this musical direction, sing lead vocals, and play guitar?
 
A: "Yeah, I think it will be a bit of a shock to some people, but I have been a fan of this kind of music for a long time. The old Big Band standards were playing at my house when I was a kid. My dad was a big Sinatra fan, so I’m sure some of it’s from growing up with that and AM radio. And I always loved 50’s music and Doo Wop-- Fats Domino, Jerry Lee, etc. And loved the crooners too--Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, Tom Jones--and even in metal and rock: Jim Morrison, Ian Astbury, Glenn Danzig…all of the crooning type of vocalists I’ve always loved. And then I don’t know how long ago it was now, but when Brian Setzer put his big, band orchestra together the first time I thought, “this is amazing.” I never really understood why no one else was trying their hand at that. I mean there’s a thousand blues bands all in the same genre and doing their own thing with it, but almost no swing/jump blues/rock n roll type of bands. I had collected a lot of riffs and material through the years--I just put it aside thinking one day I’ll get to this and so with that in mind I just started writing the types of songs I liked best. High energy, tap your toes, get up outta your seat kind of songs. I’m not one for jazz really or even a country twang as some bands in the genre touch on, so I kept it moving and jumping even on the standards we recorded, because that’s really what I love best. I am a songwriter at heart; I have done all these records with Overkill, and also some side projects and was involved in writing a musical for a few years, so changing my head space is not such a big deal to me. I like what I like and as long as the energy is good, I can roll with it. Even with Overkill I’m not trying to be ultra-heavy, or ultra-punk…the only real line I follow is, “am I digging it?” and if the answer is “yes,” then I jump in. And I think the singing and playing guitar throws people a bit as well as I’m known as a bassist. But that’s part of the fun to stepping out and trying new stuff. I had been the vocalist on my solo album and was not such a stretch doing this. Although I learned a lot and have to say singing is not as easy as I once thought… hahaha. And I am not really an upright bass player, which I knew I wanted for this, so it just made sense to stay with the guitar."
 
Q: As a songwriter having written nine of the 13 songs, this musical sound required a different mindset. How did you get yourself psyched up for it? It’s a different language of course than metal.
 
A: "Ya know it is and it isn’t. Metal is about energy. Although a lot of the times it’s angry energy (hahaha)! But that’s why it is so great--to scream and yell and get it out. This music is about energy as well but really about joy and fun. All the lyrics are fun and upbeat. Some little stories--nothing politically motivated or ripped from the headlines. Just fun. Even when writing and shooting the video, you can see people are smiling and bouncing around. So that’s a cool headspace to be in when writing. That’s actually cool to be around anytime! Part of what I love about this record is that it’s fun! Especially after the last year that everyone has had, it would be easy to do an angry-as-hell record, but for me this is refreshing, like comfort food (hahaha)!"
 
Q: Of the album’s 13 songs, which ones are personal highlights for you and why?


A: "Some of these songs have a long history, like the song “Manhattan Baby,” which is a kinda Louis Prima type of thing. I wrote and recorded that song 26 years ago when my first daughter was born--for her and my wife as a present. Then on my wife’s 50th birthday, I wrote and recorded “Just Say You Love Me,” and gave her that as a present. And of course my second daughter Olivia was like, “where’s my song!” and then on her 16th birthday I wrote and recorded “Olivia…that’s who!” So I had been toying with these kinds of songs for a very long time. Then when I started to see I had enough material to do a record, I started writing more material. And that’s where a song like “Cadillac Man” came from. Definitely one of my favorites and maybe the first one I specifically wrote for the album. It kind of encompasses all the different things I wanted for the record. Upbeat, a little rock n’ roll and little swing. “Shake It Swing It” I really love as well. Again, the energy in the song is great, really exactly what I was looking for as a foundation for the band. And “Close Your Eyes and Dream” was fun because it’s a bit different. Has that old 50’s tear-jerker vibe that the Ramones used to do too."
 
Q: The performance video for “Cadillac Man” is instantly striking. Can you talk about the filming of it?


A: "That was a really fun day! We did it right around when Covid was loosening up a bit. It was my first time on a stage and inside a venue in over a year, and even though it wasn’t a show, it felt like it some. I think you see that in the video and from everyone that was part of it. There’s a lot of smiling and fun and energy from the song itself, but I think the fact that we all were feeling so good about performing and having the band vibe again, it was great! When we were talking about doing the video, I really felt like it had to be a band performance thing. We could have come up with a great concept kind of video, but I think people needed to see the band playing to know that it’s a real band. That this is what they can expect to see when they come to a show. It was a challenge some because of all the Covid protocols. We weren’t sure which venue we could use, and with the mask mandates and all. Plus the band that played on the record was all over the country and we couldn’t bring them all in. First person I reached out to was John because he had been such a part of the whole album; I really felt like he needed to be there and he was up for it. Then I reached out to the girls who are local and they were up for it as well. I asked my friend Angus Clark who plays in Trans-Siberian Orchestra to be part of it; he was psyched and came down for the day. Then I spent a lot of time searching and calling local guys to be part of it. Funny how horn players are kind of a herd. One knows the other and then knows the other etc. Little by little, we filled in the band but you never know how the chemistry is till you start doing it. It was kind of amazing how everyone did gel. The director for the video thought we had been a band that had done a lot of touring, and I think it does come across that way. I had done a video for my solo record with a director Leigh Brooks from the UK and reached out to him about local directors etc. and he hooked us up with a team he had worked with from Brooklyn that he thought might be good. That was the thing; because of Covid, there was not going to be a lot of flying or bringing people in, the whole thing had to be local. But I spoke with Adam Steven and Ricky who were the team that did the video and they immediately got the vibe. Again, like the album and songs, I wanted a blend of things and some of the guys were metalheads so they understood the energy, and some were not, so they understood having it be more fun and upbeat. The whole band/album/songs etc. had been about the blend of swing and rock n roll and energy and fun. I told them that’s what I wanted to come across as the main ingredient. I like when things feel like a family atmosphere. That’s the way it’s been for me my whole life; I come from a very big Italian family. That’s the way it is with Overkill internally and with the fans and that’s the way I would want this to be as well. It’s just an extension of who I am."


Q: Might there be possible shows from DD Verni & the Cadillac Band in 2021 or 2022?


A: "I’m very excited to do some touring. We’re looking at possibilities now. Whether it be a support slot, headline shows, or even festivals, I think would be great. How about Paul Stanley and his Soul Band and DD Verni and his Swing Band on the same bill…hahahaha…awesome!!!"


Q: Have your bandmates in Overkill heard the album and what have they said about it?


A: "A few have…they think I’m nuts!"





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Extreme metal brutes, Feed The Corpses To The Pigs, have signed with Horror Pain Gore Death Productions and will release their full-length debut album, This Insidious Horror, on October 15. The official video for “Ghost Of Winter” (ft. Rick Rozz from Death, Massacre) can be found below.


This Insidious Horror is a hook-forward LP with tales of technocratic rulers, murderous cults, and otherworldly terrors. Horror comes in many forms; the Pigs revel in them all. Feed The Corpses To The Pigs (FTCTTP) pummels and brutalizes their listeners with their mix of old-school and new-school metal styles including grindcore, crossover, black, and death metal. Featuring guest musicians Rick Rozz (Death,Massacre) and Miasma Recording artist Daniel Torgal (Analepsy/Enblood) as well as mastering done by one of the most sought after engineers today, Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy), This Insidious Horror captures the chaotic nature of the world today in song form and the outlook is bleak.





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When FTCTTP hits the stage, the performance is nothing short of memorable. It is a raucous live show that combines dark humor and thrown body parts, FTCTTP brings the slaughterhouse to the stage. FTCTTP mix extreme metal styles and long-form horror stories to the “delight” of audiences everywhere.


Shawn “Death Pig” Fink comments on the recording...


On the new album, “When we formed in the middle of 2019, we individually had taken some time off from the metal industry. We wanted to create some music quickly so we went in and made an EP that was really rough around the edges. We hadn’t taken the time to become comfortable with each other, but we wanted something to show so we could get gigs. Over a year later, we’ve become much more in sync with each other and have perfected the type of metal we want to make.


Death Pig continues, “For me, this album is a mix-tape to all the different genres I love. When I listen to music at home, I like to hit that random button. I’ll get a black metal track, then a punk track, then a thrash band, and so on. I think when you switch up the styles, it makes each of them pop more than just listening to an album of just one thing. I think all of our songs have our signature Pigs sound and sensibility, but I’ll follow a good song wherever the riffs and lyrics may lead me and not worry about sticking to one metal style.”








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Legendary Dutch rock band, Golden Earring, performed at the Rockpalast Classic Rock Night on June 10, 2007 at Palladium in Cologne, Germany. Rockpalast has posted pro-shot footage of the band's full performance, which can be seen below.


Setlist:


"Skyscraper Hell Of A Town"
"When The Levy Breaks"
"Twilight Zone"
"Long Blond Animal"
"Going To The Run"
"She Flies On Strange Wings"
"Gambler's Blues"
"Radar Love"
"Back Home"
"Holy Holy Life"


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Sweden's Seventh Crystal recently released their debut album, Delirium, via Frontiers Music Srl. Order the new album here, and watch a new video for the song "Time To Let It Go" below.





Tracklisting:


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"Say What You Need To Say"
"When We Were Young"
"Broken Mirror"
"Delirium"
"When I'm Gone"
"Should've Known Better"
"So Beautiful"
"Time To Let It Go"
"Déjà Vu"
"Bright And Clear"
"Hope It Will Be Alright"


"Time To Let It Go" video:





"Broken Mirror" video:





"Déjà Vu" video:





"Say What You Need To Say" video:





Lineup:


Kristian Fyhr - Lead Vocals
Johan Älvsång - Keyboard/Backing Vocals
Emil Dornerus - Guitar/Backing Vocals
Olof Gadd - Bass/Backing Vocals
Anton Roos - Drums/Percussion


Additional Musicians:
Hampus Linderholm - Cello
Emelie Alm - Backing Vocals





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Virtuosic extreme metallers, Obscura, will release their sixth studio album, A Valediction, on November 19. The band have released a video for the second single and title track. Watch "A Valediction" below:





Thematically dealing with final farewells, the new album will be a very personal record, as founder & mastermind Steffen Kummerer reveals: A Valediction unfolds Obscura in its purest form and showcases the band at new heights and offers immediacy with a rather personal touch. We cannot wait to perform this album on stage and celebrate each and every song live with our loyal fans around the globe. This record goes to eleven, so watch out for the first single dropping in July and worldwide tour dates to be announced soon."


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The album, graced by a cover artwork painted by internationally renowned artist Eliran Kantor, will consist of 11 new studio tracks. Pre-order various formats here.





Tracklisting:


"Forsaken"
"Solaris"
"A Valediction"
"When Stars Collide" (feat. Björn 'Speed' Strid)
"In Unity"
"Devoured Usurper"
"The Beyond"
"Orbital Elements II"
"The Neuromancer"
"In Adversity"
"Heritage"


"Solaris" video:





Lineup:


Steffen Kummerer - Vocals & Guitars
Christian Münzner - Guitars
Jeroen Paul Thesseling - Bass
David Diepold - Drums





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NMB (Neal Morse Band) will release their fourth studio album, Innocence & Danger, on August 27. Watch a video for the song, "Your Place In The Sun", below:





With NMB’s previous two releases being concept albums, it’s perhaps remarkable that Innocence & Danger is a series of unrelated songs, but drummer Mike Portnoy says, “After two sprawling back to back double concept albums in a row, it was refreshing to get back to writing a collection of unrelated individual songs in the vein of our first album.”


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Indeed, making this album came easy to the band; while the initial inspiration came particularly from Bill Hubauer (keyboards) and Randy George (bass), the ideas flowed from everybody from there on, as George recalls: “I am excited about the level of collaboration that we achieved on this one. We even went in with a lot of ideas that weren’t necessarily developed, and I think in the end we have something that represents the best of everybody in the band.”


In fact - like its two acclaimed predecessors - Innocence & Danger is a double album by inspiration, rather than design, as Portnoy explains: “As much as we wanted to try and keep it to a single album after having just done two double albums, we wrote so much material that we found ourselves with our third double album in a row! That’s pretty prog!”


There is also plenty in Innocence & Danger to excite those prog fans who have a thirst for epics, as Neal Morse explains: “There's one half hour epic and another that's about 20 minutes long. I really didn't realise that they were that long when we were recording them, which I guess is great because if a movie is really good, you don't realise that it's three hours long! But there are also some shorter songs: some have poppier elements, some are heavier and some have three part acoustic sections. I’m excited about all of it, really.”


The album will be released as a Limited 2CD+DVD Digipak (featuring a Making Of documentary), 3LP+2CD Boxset, Standard 2CD Jewelcase & Digital Album, featuring artwork by Thomas Ewerhard (Transatlantic). Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


CD 1 (Innocence):
"Do It All Again"
"Bird On A Wire"
"Your Place In The Sun"
"Another Story To Tell"
"The Way It Had To Be"
"Emergence"
"Not Afraid Pt. 1"
"Bridge Over Troubled Water"


CD 2 (Danger):
"Not Afraid Pt. 2"
"Beyond The Years"


"Bird On A Wire" video:





"Do It All Again" video:





Innocence & Danger documentary "making of" trailer:





The Neal Morse Band (now NMB) was formed in 2012, featuring long-time collaborators Neal Morse (vocals, keyboards and guitars), Mike Portnoy (drums, vocals) and Randy George (bass), as well as Bill Hubauer (keyboards, vocals) and Eric Gillette (guitars, vocals). The band’s first album, The Grand Experiment, showed both a freshness and maturity that was further developed in 2016’s The Similitude Of A Dream, 2019’s The Great Adventure and 2021’s Innocence & Danger.





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Warkings Warriors beware! The mighty kings return to the battlefield, armed with glorious weapons made of pure heavy metal - the time for Revolution is close.


With their next battle hymn and album opener “We Are The Fire” the Warkings prepare their return to Earth and call for Revolution! “We Are The Fire” bursts in with full power and sets a statement with driving drums, catchy choruses, and fanfare on the beat.


“We Are The Fire!
We Are The Light!
We Are The Hammer!
We Will Fight!”


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The Viking on the album release: “The time has come, the world needs a Revolution. Raise your banners, fly our colors and join us on our way. We are the fire!”


Get ready for Revolution and watch the new video for “We Are The Fire”:





The third part of the Warkings saga will be unleashed on August 20 via Napalm Records, so sharpen your weapons and join the Warkings Revolution.


After their rebirth and the fight against the armies of the underworld, it's time for Revolution under the flag of the Warkings. The four ancient kings, a Roman Tribune, a wild Viking, a noble Crusader and a martial Spartan, raise the red flag and gather their warriors for the next battle.


The Viking on the new album: “The time has come, the world needs a Revolution. Raise your banners, fly our colors and join us on our way. We are the fire!”





Revolution will be available in the following formats:


- Digital album
- 1 CD Digipack
- 1 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- Die Hard Edition: 1 LP Gatefold Marbled Crystal Clear & Sky - Blue Vinyl with Slipmat (strictly limited to 300)
- Deluxe Box, including 1 CD Digipack, leather wristband, exclusive Lanyard & pass, 4 Autograph cards and a special signed autograph card in every 5th Box (strictly limited to 500)


Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"We Are The Fire"
"Sparta - Part II"
"Fight"
"Spartacus"
"Kill For The King"
"Deus lo Vult"
"Ave Roma"
"Ragnar"
"By The Blade"
"Where Dreams Die"


“Spartacus” lyric video:





"Fight" video:





Warkings are:


Tribune - Vocals
Crusader - Guitars
Spartan - Drums
Viking - Bass





(Photo - Schwaighofer Art)





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After Lucifer's first taste of their new album Lucifer V last month with the single "Wild Hearses", the group now reveals the cover artwork and tracklisting for their new long player. Lucifer V will be released on October 29 via Century Media.


Inspired by the expressiveness of classic albums of the 70's, the timeless provocative cover art of Lucifer's new album perfectly captures the group's defiant stance and sonic presence.


Johanna Sadonis finds the following words about the creation of the album artwork: "As a kid I was fascinated by Madonna's 'Like A Prayer'. A sexually liberated and very powerful business woman dancing in front of burning crosses. But that was considered self indulgent and blasphemous to many men, and unfortunately also some women. It was the ultimate provocation of "the whore". To me figures like her and so many other women that try to express themselves freely and the backlash that follows, are symbolized by the eternal witch that gets put up on the stake and must be burnt to death. As a female in this world and in the business I've had my own share of emotional and physical abuse. It has not made me bitter but very defiant. The artwork, as well as some of the lyrical content of this album is my personal "Fuck You" to the patriarchy, to the men and their codependent women that have or have tried to belittle, gaslight,  emotionally assault and spread untruths about me - the ones that tried to keep me from making music. Did I have to sign a contract to keep me silent in the past? Yes I have. But, here I am, continuing to make one album after the next with my great peers in Lucifer. Try to put me on the stake and I'll laugh in your face. You can't hold down my spirit. You can also look at the cover this way; the woman gets the role assigned of the ever so maternal holy Mary or the whore but not Jesus? So I decided I'm gonna get up on that damn cross myself then. Time to move over. I drew a sketch and we had it built by our cross carpenter general. Unfortunately not by Jesus, the carpenter, himself. One of my favorite photographers, Ester Segarra, masterfully captured the real life scene after my mock idea, that consisted of a wooden Jesus on a crucifix set aglow from below to symbolise the burning fire of the stake. If you see this cover as a mockery of Christianity - great - whatever tickles you! But it is so much more than that. And that is just the cover. I cannot wait to let the music speak, come album release!"


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Tracklisting:


"Archangel Of Death"
"Wild Hearses"
"Crucifix (I Burn For You)"
"Bring Me His Head"
"Mausoleum"
"The Funeral Pyre"
"Cold As A Tombstone"
"Louise"
"Nightmare"
"Orion"
"Phobos"


“Wild Hearses” lyric video:





Lineup:


Johanna Platow Andersson – Vocals
Nicke Platow Andersson – Drums
Linus Björklund – Guitar
Martin Nordin – Guitar
Harald Göthblad - Bass


(Photo - Ester Segarra)





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Hungary’s finest sonic-shifting punk/metal upstarts, The Hellfreaks, just signed an official record deal with Napalm Records.


The Hellfreaks on the signing: "We’re thrilled and proud that we can reveal one of the biggest news in our history - our signing to Napalm Records! The last decade was a hell of a ride for us and especially the pandemic right after our latest album release hit us pretty hard. Who’d have thought that this could turn into such a happy end? But you can be sure that this is not the end, this is just the START! We can’t imagine a better partner of supporting our vision of music, of mixing metal aggression with the attitude of punk ✊ We always stood for strength and were the voice for those who are done with collecting more scars, but now we’re stoked on a whole new level and are ready to make all our freaks and our new label proud!”


With a stellar discography and millions of streams, The Hellfreaks have been on the insider tip for many fans around the globe. The band recorded their first demo in 2009, followed by the massive psychobilly-punk hit "Boogie Man" (the video has over six million streams on YouTube) and their debut album, Hell Sweet Hell. In 2014, it was time for change, and the band switched up its lineup, leaving their accustomed sound behind them for good. With more of a focus on punk-meets-metal, The Hellfreaks continued to hone their songwriting chops and grow their fanbase at the same time, culminating in the release of their critically acclaimed, fan favorite album, God On The Run (2020).


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And The Hellfreaks wouldn't be themselves if they weren't equally hungry for more - immediately releasing a brand new single/video to announce the signing. “Old Tomorrows” is the perfect introduction with singer Shakey Sue's trademark catchy sing-along-screams and cleans with the band's high paced alt metal groove as the backbone, and is destined to become a punk rock anthem for new and longtime fans alike.


Watch the video for “Old Tomorrows” below.


The Hellfreaks on the new single: “With 'Old Tomorrows' we would like to welcome you in our new era! If 'Old Tomorrows' would get manifested, you would face an ageless architect who is planning an indestructible bridge between generations. Most of us grew up being told to respect our elders in any case. The box was ticked. But it’s just not working like that. As the world is changing quickly the gap between all generations is constantly growing. While elders are expecting respect for their experiences, youngsters feel unvalued, as their potential seems to be ignored. We’re pointing out each other's differences, while not seeing that the disrespect comes from the same root - we’re not doing things the same way. It’s time to accept that we’re not better than the other, but that we can get a better version of ourselves if we open our minds. “Young mistakers, old days chasers, let’s become generation breakers!””





The Hellfreaks are:


Zsuzsa Radnóti - Vocals
József Takács - Guitar
Gábor Domján - Bass
Béla Budai - Drums


(Photo - Dávid Bodnár)





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Earache Records announces their first release from The Temperance Movement in over three years. Put together with the help of guitarist and founding member Paul Sayer, Covers & Rarities is a treasured collection of rare and unheard gems, some of which have never been available before on CD or vinyl.


Alongside The Temperance Movement's enchanting songwriting, from waltzing rock lullabies to sunbursting rock 'n' roll anthems, Covers & Rarities features an irresistible rendition of Deep Purple's "You Fool No One", featuring Deep Purple's very own drum virtuoso Ian Paice. Watch the video below.


This compilation journeys through various special tributes to some of Britain's all-time favourite bands and artists, including Led Zeppelin and David Bowie, all performed with the vibrant, hip-charming energy that The Temperance Movement are known and loved for.


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Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"You Fool No One" (feat. Ian Paice) (Deep Purple cover)
"Up In The Sky" (Oasis cover)
"Tender" (Blur cover)
"Houses Of The Holy" (Led Zeppelin cover)
"Ziggy Stardust" (Live) (David Bowie cover)
"Already Know"
"Mother's Eyes"
"Turn"
"Centrefold"
"Do The Revelation"
"Time Won't Leave"


"You Fool No One" video:








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Rock icon and Queen drummer, Roger Taylor, has released the first single from his upcoming solo album, Outsider, due for release October 1. The video for the single, "We’re All Just Trying to Get By" featuring KT Tunstall, was filmed during lockdown between Roger and KT’s studios in the UK and the US respectively. Find the clip below.


Outsider is Taylor’s first album of new material since 2013’s Fun On Earth. Over the last decade, the drummer has also released the occasional solo track reflecting on his worldview and observations in songs like Journey’s End, Gangsters Are Running This World. His most recent was Isolation, which was written and recorded in response to the first lockdown last year.


With much of Outsider recorded during lockdown, this new album finds Taylor in reflective mood. Across the record, he conveys a palpable sense of seclusion, concerns over the passing of time, and tellingly, dedicates it  “to all the outsiders, those who feel left on the sidelines”.


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On recording the Outsider album after Isolation Taylor says: “I’ve had a bit of a creative spurt and suddenly found myself with an album, which was lovely. It was a surprise!


“I just found myself in the studio and they came out one after the other. It was a pleasure really.”


Outsider is released by Universal on October 1. Click here to pre-order.





Tracklisting:


"Tides"     
"I Know, I Know, I Know"     
"More Kicks"     
"Absolutely Anything"     
"Gangsters Are Running This World"     
"We’re All Just Trying To Get By" – Featuring K T Tunstall     
"Gangsters Are Running This World" – Purple Version     
"Isolation"     
"The Clapping Song"     
"Outsider"    
"Foreign Sand" – English Mix     
"Journey’s End"


"We’re All Just Trying to Get By" video:





Outsider tour dates:


October
2 - Newcastle, UK - O2 Academy
3 - Manchester, UK - Academy
5 - York, UK - Barbican
6 - Cardiff, UK - St. David’s Hall
8 - Liverpool, UK - O2 Academy
9 - Norwich, UK - University East Anglia (Uea)
11 - Bath, UK - Forum
12 - Bournemouth, UK - O2 Academy
14 - Plymouth, UK - Pavilions
15 - Nottingham, UK - Rock City
17 - Bexhill, UK - De La Warr Pavilion
19 - Guildford, UK - G Live
20 - Coventry, UK - HMV Empire
22 - London, UK - O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire








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"Stratego", a brand new song from IRON MAIDEN, can be streamed below. The track, which was written by guitarist Janick Gers and founder member/bassist Steve Harris, is taken from the band's 17th studio album, "Senjutsu", will be released on September 3 via BMG.

IRON MAIDEN's first LP in six years was recorded in Paris with longstanding producer Kevin Shirley and co-produced by Harris. It was preceded last month by a highly acclaimed animated video for the first single "The Writing On The Wall" made by BlinkInk based on a concept by singer Bruce Dickinson with two former Pixar executives. It followed a month-long teaser campaign and global "treasure hunt" for clues about the track title and concept.

For "Senjutsu" — loosely translated as "tactics and strategy" — the band once again enlisted the services of Mark Wilkinson to create the spectacular Samurai themed cover artwork, based on an idea by bassist Steve Harris. With a running time of a little under 82 minutes, "Senjutsu", like their previous record "The Book Of Souls", will be a double CD/Triple vinyl album.

Steve says: "We chose to record at Guillaume Tell Studio in France again as the place has such a relaxed vibe. The setup there is perfect for our needs; the building used to be a cinema and has a really high ceiling so there's a great acoustic sound. We recorded this album in the same way we did 'The Book Of Souls' in that we'd write a song, rehearse it and then put it down together straight away while it was all fresh in our minds. There's some very complex songs on this album which took a lot of hard work to get them exactly as we wanted them to sound, so the process was at times very challenging, but Kevin is great at capturing the essence of the band and I think it was worth the effort! I'm very proud of the result and can't wait for fans to hear it."

Dickinson adds: "We're all really excited about this album. We recorded it back in early 2019 during a break in the 'Legacy' tour so we could maximize our touring yet still have a long set up period before release to prepare great album art and something special as a video. Of course, the pandemic delayed things more — so much for the best-laid plans — or should that be 'strategies'!? The songs are very varied, and some of them are quite long. There's also one or two songs which sound pretty different to our usual style, and I think MAIDEN fans will be surprised — in a good way, I hope!"

The full track listing is:

01. Senjutsu (8:20) (Smith/Harris)

02. Stratego (4:59) (Gers/Harris)

03. The Writing On The Wall (6:13) (Smith/Dickinson)

04. Lost In A Lost World (9:31) (Harris)

05. Days Of Future Past (4:03) (Smith/Dickinson)

06. The Time Machine (7:09) (Gers/Harris)

07. Darkest Hour (7:20) (Smith/Dickinson)

08. Death Of The Celts (10:20) (Harris)

09. The Parchment (12:39) (Harris)

10. Hell On Earth (11:19) (Harris)

"Senjutsu" will be released on the following formats and available to pre-order/pre-save at www.ironmaiden.com:

* Standard 2CD Digipak

* Deluxe 2CD Book Format

* Deluxe heavyweight 180G Triple Black Vinyl

* Special Edition Triple Silver And Black Marble Vinyl (Details to follow)

* Special Edition Triple Red and Black Marble Vinyl (Details to follow)

* Super Deluxe Boxset featuring CD, Blu Ray and Exclusive Memorabilia

* Digital album [streaming and download]

IRON MAIDEN hadn't released any fresh music since 2015's "The Book Of Souls" LP, which was recorded in late 2014 in Paris, France with Shirley.

"The Book Of Souls" was the longest MAIDEN album, clocking in at 92 minutes, with lyrics heavily based in the themes of death, reincarnation, the soul and mortality.

Back in May 2019, Italian web site Maiden Concerts first speculated that IRON MAIDEN was putting the finishing touches on a new album. The site concluded that the LP was nearing completion after gathering social media evidence that all six members of the band, their wives and Shirley were in Paris at the same time. The producer even posted new pictures of Guillaume Tell Studios, where MAIDEN recorded "Brave New World" (2000) and "The Book Of Souls", saying he was finalizing a major project.

During MAIDEN's summer 2019 North American tour, Dickinson hinted at new material, telling the crowd at the group's Oakland, California concert: "New IRON MAIDEN songs — sooner than you think." At MAIDEN's Nashville show in August 2019, Dickinson said that fresh music from the band wasn't "beyond the bounds of possibility," adding that a new MAIDEN record was essentially a "certainty."

"Senjutsu" marks MAIDEN's sixth album to be produced by Shirley, who has worked with MAIDEN for the past two decades.

In addition to MAIDEN, Shirley has collaborated with dozens of notable acts, including Joe Bonamassa, JOURNEY, DREAM THEATER and LED ZEPPELIN.

During the making of "The Book Of Souls", Dickinson was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor at the back of his tongue. He recorded all the vocals for the album with the tumor before undergoing treatment and making a full recovery in time for the LP's release in September 2015.

German thrash metal veterans DESTRUCTION have officially parted ways with founding guitarist Michael "Mike" Sifringer and have replaced him with Martin Furia. The Argentinian-born, Belgian-based Furia is best known for his work as sound engineer and producer for such bands as NERVOSA and EVIL INVADERS.

DESTRUCTION frontman Schmier commented: "The last two years have been testing times for all of us. We are all sad to announce that Mike has left DESTRUCTION. It all was a shock and hit us hard but nevertheless there was never any doubt that we will continue as a band. We are a strong unit and are proud to welcome our new guitarist, Martin Furia, to the band! Our chemistry is great since Martin has been a part of the DESTRUCTION family for many years now. He is the perfect new man on the axe — the first shows have been a fucking blast!"

Sifringer said: "It's hard to leave a band after 39 years. DESTRUCTION is my life and something like my baby. But sometimes you have to take decisions that hurt. I'm very sad at the moment, but if something doesn't feel right anymore, better stop doing it. Thanks to all former bandmates. I'm very proud about the music we have created together. Cheers to all thrashers out there. Without your support and your passion, DESTRUCTION would not exist. Peace."

Furia stated: "The news is finally out and I have mixed emotions. I'm extremely proud to be part of this legendary band since 2016 as sound technician and tour manager. I've been all over the world with the DESTRUCTION family and they have always treated me like another member of the band.

"I'm sad to see Mike go because I love him and respect him as a person and guitarist, but when I was asked if I would like to be the new guitarist of DESTRUCTION, I didn't hesitate for a second. I feel ready to honor Mike's legacy, to add my own touch and I will give my best to keep the flame of DESTRUCTION burning strong forever, with deep respect and devotion for the past and with full energy and commitment for the future. THRASH TILL DEATH!"

Sifringer was the only member of DESTRUCTION to have remained constant throughout the band's career. Schmier appeared on DESTRUCTION's first three albums before leaving the band and being replaced by POLTERGEIST vocalist André Grieder. André's sole recorded appearance with DESTRUCTION was on the "Cracked Brain" album, which came out in 1990. Schmier rejoined DESTRUCTION in 1999.

In other news, DESTRUCTION has released a new single and video, "State Of Apathy", featuring Furia's first recorded appearance with the band.

Schmier stated about the track: "'State Of Apathy' shows the direction DESTRUCTION will go with the new record: more 'back to the roots,' more guitars, more in your face!

"This band is my life and we will always give 100% to keep the spirit alive.

"I hope you love the new single as much as we do. Thanks for all the support!

"We are wishing Mike the best for his future. For us, there is only one way to go THRASH TILL DEATH!"

"State Of Apathy" is available as a digital single, as well as on limited 12-inch slipcase vinyl together with a live-version of "Sign Of Fear" from "Live Attack", with etching in neon green or purple on the B-side.

DESTRUCTION released a new Blu-ray and CD, "Live Attack", on August 13 via Napalm Records. The 22-song release includes footage of the band's nearly two-hour livestream concert from January 2021 at the legendary Z7 venue in Pratteln, Switzerland.

DESTRUCTION's latest studio album, "Born To Perish", was released in August 2019 via Nuclear Blast. The disc was DESTRUCTION's first to feature Randy Black on drums and second guitarist Damir Eskić.

Damir is a Swiss guitar player of Bosnian decent who works as a guitar teacher, himself being a former pupil of Tommy Vetterli (CORONER). He also plays in a heavy metal band called GOMORRA and previously contributed three solos to DESTRUCTION's 2016 album "Under Attack".

DESTRUCTION 2021 is:

Schmier - Bass, Vocals

Martin Furia - Guitars

Randy Black - Drums

Damir Eskić - Guitars

Photo credit: Hexphotography / Edit: Gyula Havancsák

KISS kicked off the summer 2021 leg of its "End Of The Road" farewell tour last night (Wednesday, August 18) at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Massachusetts. The concert marked the band's first full-length live appearance in front of an audience since March 2020.

KISS frontman Paul Stanley tweeted after the show: "FIFTEEN THOUSAND PEOPLE TONIGHT! Mansfield, You left me humbled. Thank you. My deepest attitude of gratitude."

The band's setlist was as follows:

01. Detroit Rock City

02. Shout It Out Loud

03. War Machine

04. Heaven's On Fire

05. I Love It Loud

06. Lick It Up

07. Calling Dr. Love

08. Say Yeah

09. Cold Gin

10. Tears Are Falling

11. Psycho Circus

12. 100,000 Years

13. God Of Thunder

14. Deuce

15. Love Gun

16. I Was Made For Lovin' You

17. Black Diamond

18. Beth

19. Do You Love Me

20. Rock And Roll All Nite

KISS's farewell trek was launched in January 2019 and was originally scheduled to conclude on July 17, 2021 in New York City but is now expected to last well into 2022.

KISS's current lineup consists of original members Stanley and bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons, alongside later band additions, guitarist Tommy Thayer (since 2002) and drummer Eric Singer (on and off since 1991).

Formed in 1973 by Stanley, Simmons, Peter Criss (drums) and Ace Frehley (guitar), KISS staged its first "farewell" tour in 2000, the last to feature the group's original lineup.

This past June, Simmons told Philadelphia's 6 ABC Action News why "End Of The Road" is KISS's last-ever tour: "I'm 71, although I'm in great shape. The hand doesn't shake. I never got high or drunk in my life. I never smoked cigarettes; I never did anything of that… So, we're in great shape and we can't wait to get out there and do what we do. But there is such a thing as getting off the stage while the getting's good.

"I was a massive Muhammad Ali fan. He stayed in the ring too long," he continued. "Go out on top. If you're gonna go surfing, ride that tsunami — that's a hundred-foot wave — and then don't get back out there when there's a little baby [wave]. Go out on top.

"So, we are going out one last time. We started off the New Year New Year's Eve in Dubai, where it was completely safe, with the largest pyro show of any entity other than the military, and the Guinness book of [world] records was there to capture it. Hundreds of millions of people on earth recorded it, and so on. It was streamed. I hate streaming. I want people to witness it live. You don't wanna watch a Godzilla movie; you wanna be in the city as it's being destroyed when Godzilla's coming down. That's what you want.

"So, we're gonna go out on top," Gene added. "I don't wanna stay on stage too long. You don't wanna ruin the legacy. So you can go to Las Vegas, play golf at the KISS golf course at the Rio hotel. You can go on the Kiss Kruises… You wanna have some pride in what you do, and don't wait too long. It's like picking fruit — pick that fruit when it's ripe. Don't wait too long; it'll get rotten. There's a point of diminishing returns. This is the right time. And we're gonna do a hundred and 10 more cities around the world, and then we're gonna hang up our boots. But that doesn't mean there can't be KISS in other forms. There's a Netflix movie coming, our four-hour documentary, there's gonna be a KISS cartoon. It's gonna be Planet KISS — and by the way, that's trademarked too — and you're just all living in it."

In its 48-year career, KISS has accumulated 23 gold and platinum albums — more than any other U.S. band.

Capital Chaos TV has uploaded video footage of DEICIDE's August 16 performance at Holy Diver in Sacramento, California. Check it out below.

Two months ago, DEICIDE guitarist Chris Cannella spoke to Jason Saulnier about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to the band's 2018 album "Overtures Of Blasphemy". He said: "Since I moved out [to Florida from Arizona] a year ago, we were writing a lot of music, and then we kind of started over when I got out here and I was able to rehearse all the time rather than just meeting up when I was commuting for work. [Editor's note: Cannella works as a product manager for Dean Guitars.] So we've been really focusing and writing just really — in my opinion — some amazing stuff. And when we do record it, you will definitely hear a different vibe with the band, because the camaraderie is so strong. I mean, the four of us in a room, we just have a great time. We love being around each other, [and] we like writing music together. You're gonna hear a lot of that. It's just a really strong, aggressive… A lot of guitar work, a lot of cool drumming. Glen's [Benton, bass/vocals] stuff that he is working on — it's great. It's exciting. I couldn't be happier."

In 2019, DEICIDE parted ways with guitarist Mark English and replaced him with Cannella.

English joined DEICIDE in 2016 following the departure of longtime guitarist Jack Owen.

In a 2018 interview with Revolver, Benton stated about "Overtures Of Blasphemy"'s slightly more diverse musical direction: "You know what works best for me? Whenever I develop this soured-ass I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude — whenever that's intensified for whatever reason — I just have a tendency to come up with my best stuff. Say you're at a casino and you've spent your whole night losing. You're like, What the fuck? So you put in your last quarter in the machine and you win all your money back and then some. That kind of fluke is, in a way, why this worked out. I kind of look at it like, "Hey, what the hell do we have to lose anymore? We know it's not going to go anywhere. So let's just do it for us and focus on what we like. Let's take the music we grew up on and just have fun with it."

Frontiers Music Srl will release the self-titled debut album from the new melodic metal project, Between Worlds, on September 10. The band is a vehicle for vocalist Ronny Munroe (ex-Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Metal Church) and highlights his incredible vocal talents.

Listen to "No Escape" featuring Chris Caffery (Savatage, Spirits Of Fire) and Johnny Lee Middleton (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) below:

Written and produced in partnership with Alessandro Del Vecchio, the Between World album is a must hear for fans of classic American heavy/power metal. Pre-order/save Between Worlds here.

Ronny Munroe first came to prominence in the metal world when he stepped into the role of frontman for the legendary band Metal Church. During an audition for a project principal Metal Church member Kurdt Vanderhoof was working on, Ronny was first put on Kurdt's radar. After watching Munroe's performance, Vanderhoof decided to resurrect Metal Church with Ronny on lead vocals. He would go on to sing four albums with the band, The Weight Of The World (2004), A Light In The Dark (2006), This Present Wasteland (2008), and Generation Nothing (2013). Ronny would also wind up singing for Vanderhoof's progressive rock project, Presto Ballet, further showcasing his vocal talents.  

In another sign of the power of his voice, in 2011, Ronny was asked to join the mighty Trans-Siberian Orchestra, which further highlighted his vocal talents and showcased his voice to the popular act's audience.

After a break from music for personal reasons, Ronny joined Steve Smyth’s (Forbidden, Nevermore) band One Machine in 2019 before starting work on the, at the time, as yet untitled Between Worlds project with Alessandro Del Vecchio. Munroe and Del Vecchio got in touch at the end of 2019 with the idea of writing some songs together and creating a musical project centered around Ronny's vocal abilities and songwriting. Alessandro invited his longtime songwriting partner Pete Alpenborg to join forces with them and sent the first four demos to Frontiers, who moved quickly to sign them to the label. Between Worlds was thus formally born.

Ronny and Alessandro wanted to involve people in the project that would resonate with Ronny's history in music and put their mark on this incredible set of songs, so Johnny Lee Middleton (Trans-Siberian Orchestra), Chris Caffery (TSO, Savatage, Spirits Of Fire), Jack Frost (Seven Witches, Savatage), and Joel Hoekstra (also of Whitesnake) all contributed.  Fans of Crimson Glory, Metal Church, and Classic American power metal will revel in hearing Ronny deliver some of his best vocal performances to date, while telling the story of his rebirth in music. Ronny poured his soul into the performance, with musical power and melody lifting him up during the process.

Tracklisting:

"Between Worlds"
"These Walls"
"Life Enough For Me"
"Times Of Change"
"No Escape"
"Soul Chaser"
"Scent Of An Angel"
"Beautiful Disaster"
"Flip The Script"
"Beneath The Surface"
"Calm Before The Storm"

"Soul Chaser":

"Between Worlds" video:

Lineup:

Ronny Munroe - Vocals
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Pete Alpenborg - Rhythm Guitars
Jack Frost - Lead Guitars
Alex Jansen - Bass
Michele Sanna - Drums

John Lee Middleton -  Bass On “No Escape”
Joel Hoekstra - Lead Guitar On “Soul Chaser”
Chris Caffery  - Lead Guitars On “Angel” And “No Escape”




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To commemorate the 30th anniversary of METALLICA's self-titled album, the Grammy-winning, 16-times-platinum-certified LP is receiving its definitive re-release on September 10 via the band's own Blackened Recordings. Remastered for ultimate sound quality, The Black Album remaster will be available in multiple configurations including 180-gram double vinyl LP, standard CD and 3 CD expanded edition, digital, and limited-edition deluxe box set (containing the album remastered on 180-gram 2LP, a picture disc, three live LPs, 14 CDs (containing rough mixes, demos, interviews, live shows), 6 DVDs (containing outtakes, behind the scenes, official videos, live shows), a 120-page hardcover book, four tour laminates, three lithos, three guitar picks, a METALLICA lanyard, a folder with lyric sheets, and a download card).

Much more than a mere tribute album, "The Metallica Blacklist" celebrates the enduring influence of this musical milestone with one of the most ambitious projects ever conceived by the METALLICA team: An unprecedented 50+ artists spanning an unbelievably vast range of genres, generations, cultures, continents and more, each contributing a unique interpretation of their favorite Black Album cut.

"The Metallica Blacklist" offers up new dimensions of the record whose gravitational pull first drew the mainstream to METALLICA — and provides new insights into the universal and timeless appeal that kept it there: the boundary-smashing influence these 12 songs have had on fans and musicians of all stripes. "The Metallica Blacklist"'s 53 tracks find singer songwriters, country artists, electronic and hip hop artists sharing their love of these songs alongside punk rockers, indie darlings, icons of rock, metal, world music and many, many more… and for 50+ good causes: Profits will be divided evenly between charities of the artist's choice and METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation.

"The Metallica Blacklist" is a fitting and limitless homage, one that features bands who've shared stages with METALLICA alongside artists who are younger than the original album. It's a truly staggering, at times mystifying assemblage of musicians, dozens of whom have little to nothing in common other than the shared passion for the music that's united them for this album: 1 Album. 12 Songs. 53 Artists. Unlimited Possibilities.

"The Metallica Blacklist" will be available in formats including digital, four-CD and a limited-edition seven-LP vinyl pressing.

All profits from "The Metallica Blacklist" will be split evenly between the All Within My Hands foundation and 50+ charities chosen by the artists who play on the album. All Within My Hands was founded by the band in 2017 as a way for the entire METALLICA family to give back to communities that have supported the band by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.

"The Metallica Blacklist" features the following tracks:

* ALESSIA CARA & THE WARNING - Enter Sandman

* MAC DEMARCO - Enter Sandman

* GHOST - Enter Sandman

* JUANES - Enter Sandman

* RINA SAWAYAMA - Enter Sandman

* WEEZER - Enter Sandman

* SAM FENDER - Sad But True (Live)

* JASON ISBELL - Sad But True

* MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND FEAT. LA PERLA & GERA MX - Sad But True

* ROYAL BLOOD - Sad But True

* ST. VINCENT - Sad But True

* WHITE REAPER - Sad But True

* YB - Sad But True

* BIFFY CLYRO - Holier Than Thou

* THE CHATS - Holier Than Thou

* OFF! - Holier Than Thou

* PUP - Holier Than Thou

* COREY TAYLOR - Holier Than Thou

* CAGE THE ELEPHANT - The Unforgiven

* VISHAL DADLANI, DIVINE, SHOR POLICE - The Unforgiven

* DIET CIG - The Unforgiven

* FLATBUSH ZOMBIES FEAT. DJ SCRATCH - The Unforgiven

* HA*ASH - The Unforgiven

* JOSÉ MADERO - The Unforgiven

* MOSES SUMNEY - The Unforgiven

* J BALVIN - Wherever I May Roam

* CHASE & STATUS FEAT. BACKROAD GEE - Wherever I May Roam

* THE NEPTUNES - Wherever I May Roam

* JON PARDI - Wherever I May Roam

* SEBASTIAN - Don't Tread On Else Matters

* PORTUGAL. THE MAN FEAT. AARON BEAM - Don't Tread On Me

* VOLBEAT - Don't Tread On Me

* THE HU - Through The Never

* TOMI OWÓ - Through The Never

* PHOEBE BRIDGERS - Nothing Else Matters

* MILEY CYRUS FEAT. WATT, ELTON JOHN, YO-YO MA, ROBERT TRUJILLO, CHAD SMITH - Nothing Else Matters

* DAVE GAHAN - Nothing Else Matters

* MICKEY GUYTON - Nothing Else Matters

* DERMOT KENNEDY - Nothing Else Matters

* MON LAFERTE - Nothing Else Matters

* IGOR LEVIT - Nothing Else Matters

* MY MORNING JACKET - Nothing Else Matters

* PG ROXETTE - Nothing Else Matters

* DARIUS RUCKER - Nothing Else Matters

* CHRIS STAPLETON - Nothing Else Matters

* TRESOR - Nothing Else Matters

* GOODNIGHT, TEXAS - Of Wolf And Man

* IDLES - The God That Failed

* IMELDA MAY - the god that failed

* CHERRY GLAZERR - My Friend Of Misery

* IZÏA - My Friend Of Misery

* KAMASI WASHINGTON - My Friend Of Misery

* RODRIGO Y GABRIELA - The Struggle Within

Two new instant-gratification tracks now available with "The Metallica Blacklist" album pre-orders: "Sad But True" cover by ROYAL BLOOD and "Of Wolf And Man" by GOODNIGHT, TEXAS. They can be heard below.

Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing, who is currently promoting the debut album from his new band KK'S PRIEST, discussed the future of the heavy metal genre during a brand new interview with Chile's Radio Futuro. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "The album 'Sermons Of The Sinner' is a big kind of message. There's things in there. We need to heed the warning that us dinosaurs… I'm actually gonna be 70 years old this year. And you never know what's gonna happen in life. And one thing's for sure, that we've had so many great decades of so many great bands with so much great music. And hopefully 'Sermons Of The Sinner', the album, can encourage young and old musicians alike to continue to write and play songs and play music like that. And hopefully we can go forward into the future and keep the music alive. Because one day all the people that played their very important parts in the '60s, the '70s and the '80s, we will no longer be here. And hopefully our music won't just be a page in the history book in the future; hopefully there'll be lots of bands. So let's see other bands, a new wave of heavy metal bands. I know there's lots of good bands down there in South America, Central America. So hopefully when the COVID disappears we'll have a new energy with lots of new bands and lots of great tours, making lots of great albums. And we can continue on from there and be as strong as ever."

KK'S PRIEST also features former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens, along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE).

"Sermons Of The Sinner" will be released on October 1 (postponed from the previously announced August 20) via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

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.

In a brand new chat with Rockin' Interviews, former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal was asked if he has heard the "new" GN'R song "Absurd". He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I have. I remember the song from when I was laying guitar parts for the ['Chinese Democracy'] album. I laid some parts for it back then. And, of course, they've all been replaced — I'm not in the band. Slash should be on there, of course, doing all the leads and stuff. So, yeah, I heard it. And it was pretty cool hearing him on there doing his thing. It definitely made it feel more like what it is — like a band."

The studio version of "Absurd" — which is a reworked version of a previously unreleased GN'R track called "Silkworms" — arrived on August 6, three days after the band performed the tune live for the first time during its concert at Boston's Fenway Park.

GUNS N' ROSES last performed "Silkworms", which was reportedly written during the "Chinese Democracy" sessions, in 2001.

Thal joined GUNS N' ROSES in 2006 and appeared on "Chinese Democracy", an effort which contained music that had been written before he came into the group. The disc took 13 years to make and was only a modest seller, moving just around half a million copies.

Thal never officially announced his departure from the GN'R, but a source confirmed to Detroit music writer Gary Graff back in 2015 that the guitarist had been out since the end of the band's second Las Vegas residency in 2014.

Thal later revealed that he was focusing on his solo career and other projects after spending eight years playing in GUNS.

Thal is currently a member of SONS OF APOLLO, which also features drummer Mike Portnoy, keyboardist Derek Sherinian and bassist Billy Sheehan. SONS OF APOLLO released its second studio album, "MMXX" (pronounced: 20/20), in January 2020 via InsideOut Music/Sony.

Former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens discussed his vocal influences during a recent interview with Akron Beacon Journal's "Now You Know Akron" podcast. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Vocally, I sing whatever I wanna sound like. My voice is all over the place. I mean, I can sing like SEPULTURA, I can sing like PANTERA, I can sing like whatever, 'cause I could just do it all. But when I sing, there's gonna be similarities to JUDAS PRIEST 'cause I have high notes. Anytime somebody has a high note, it's gonna be, like, 'Oh, listen. He sounds like Rob Halford.' And it's, like, I can get away from him. But probably more influence on me vocally is from Ronnie [James Dio].

"I'm inspired by Chris Cornell, I have inspiration from Jon Oliva [SAVATAGE], from David Wayne from METAL CHURCH, from David Bowie," he continued. "If people hear a lot of my newer stuff — I've been writing for a band called PYRAMID. When I write songs, you can hear so much David Bowie come out, because it's a really heavy prog band, so all of a sudden I've got these David Bowie parts.

"Inspiration comes from all of it — anything," he added.

Asked if he had any secrets to keeping his voice in shape through all these years, Owens said: "Well, if you find one, let me know. That's why I'm even sitting out here in the middle of interviews trying to drink water… I just hope and pray that it's gonna be good. I think mentally things hurt me more than anything nowadays. I think I tell myself I'm not gonna be as good, and I think it clams up when I go to do shows; it dries my voice. I very, very seldomly even drink alcohol anymore. Listen, the last time I drank is onstage where I had the crowd buy me a beer and I opened it and cheers to the crowd. Offstage, I haven't had a beer in my house in — I can't tell you [how long] — months. But sleep and drinking water. But it's not the same voice as it was, that's for sure. I've gotta work a lot harder and pray a lot more every day that I'm gonna sing good. [I can't] just roll out of bed and start singing."

The Akron, Ohio-based Owens created two studio LPs with JUDAS PRIEST — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before the group reunited with Rob Halford.

Back in 2019, Owens told "Talking Metal" that JUDAS PRIEST's management requested that he stop using artwork related to his time with the group to promote his solo shows.

More than two years ago, Tim defended Kenneth "K.K." Downing over the comments the ex-PRIEST guitarist made about his former bandmates in his autobiography, explaining that Downing is "just telling the truth."

Owens and Downing are currently in a new band called KK'S PRIEST with 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", will be released on October 1 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Former members of Quiet Riot and W.A.S.P. have joined forces in the reformation of Steel Mountain Crossing. The new band consists of lead vocalist Mark Huff, guitarist Dennis Dinunzio, bassist Johnny Rod and drummer Kevin Grisso.

Dinunzio revealed the new band last week in a private message writing: "We welcome Johnny Rod to Steel Mountain Crossing. We look forward to playing cover songs from W.A.S.P. and Quiet Riot and a few others until we finish writing the third Steel Mountain Crossing album. For too many reasons to list, a few old friends and bandmates have decided to unite and form something unique for you (and us)! Our aim is to bring you the very best of both worlds! So if you're a fan of the music of one or both the bands, W.A.S.P. or Quiet Riot, you win!"




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