A.D. 2020 have released their new album, Lockdown Diaries, to all major platforms today.

Lockdown Diaries is available to stream and download on ITunes, Amazon, Spotify and all major digital platforms and is also available for purchase here .

“Mark McNelley and I had discussed the album the album that would become Lockdown Diaries a year earlier when were at Red Rocks in Colorado. If you can’t be inspired at Red Rocks, I give up. We began collaboration on the songs that would eventually make up the album in June of 2020 at the height of the pandemic. We wanted to create songs with a positive message and work with friends who we felt would bring positive energy to the project. I had known Dan Reed and Melvin Brannon from Dan Reed Network for a very long time and was a fan of their music and each of them personally. In May of 2020 I told Dan Reed of the idea to do an album with musicians who were home from touring and he asked me who I was going to get to play guitar and bass and I mentioned Greg Smith and Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal as possibilities. I had met Greg Smith from Ted Nugent’s band the year before and had called him to tell him of the idea and he thought it was something he was interested in so we stayed in touch as I assembled the rest of the musicians. I had been listening to Ron ‘Bumblefoot’ Thal’s latest acoustic album Barefoot 3 and was blown away by his arrangements. I had met Ron also the year before and knew he was an amazing guitar player and also a nice guy so I really wanted him involved if there was a way," says Todd Thanhauser, the band's drummer.

A.D.2020 recently released a new video for their cover of the song “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” by the band WAR. 

The video features the members of A.D.2020 playing the track in the studio and their home studios. The track is fresh and fun with each member taking a swing at lead vocals as well.

Recorded on two continents during the pandemic A.D.2020 is a collective studio project featuring in order of appearance in the video.

“We discussed doing a remake of this song early in the conversations that lead to the A.D.2020 project. I think the video is great because it shows us all during the lockdown playing and having fun and there are also some moments of humor and fantasy. It’s also a bit of a mantra we all live by “ Why Can’t We (All Just) Be Friends? “ the world would be a better place if we could all be friends.

Our version of the song is the only song I can think of that has 6 lead vocal parts which also makes it a really unique cover. We hope the guys in WAR like the cover of their great song," says Todd Thanhauser.

The video features the following musicians:

Mark McNelley -Lead Vocals
Melvin Brannon Jr. – Bass Guitar, Upright Bass, Harmonica, Vocals
Todd Thanhauser- Drums, Vocals
Dan Reed, Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal- Lead Guitar, Vocals
Greg Smith- Bass Guitar, Vocals




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Gearing up the engines for their third studio album, Finnish modern metallers As I May have released their new music video for the lead single “Breaking Myself Away” from their forthcoming album Karu due out in 2022 via Uprising! Records.

The band comments about the track:

"In ‘Breaking Myself Away’ we are using more vocal power with our three vocalists. We have found our place and space better than before. Also, this song has more rhythm than any song we have ever done."

As I May is a four-piece modern melodic metal band from Mikkeli, Finland - formed in 2016. The band combines modern elements, yet keeps focus on the heavier side of the music, and they sound like a modern-day US mixture of In Flames and Amorphis, so almost any metal fan would get a treat from listening to the music of these Finns! It’s a mature band, displaying a truly professional attitude towards the modern sound of heavy metal. The soul of the music lies within the catchy melodies and the big choruses.

The band released their debut album “Speak No Evil” in 2017, and got the attention of lots of fans and from the record label Rockshots Records, who decided to sign As I May for the 2019 release of their 2nd album My Own Creations. In Asia, the album was released through the label Spiritual Beast.
 
As I May played a wide array of local Finnish shows and were booked for a European tour, as support for the Brazilian powerhouse-metal act Semblant... and then Covid-19 reared its ugly face, postponing everything for everyone.

The tour is postponed until the spring of 2022 and in the lock-down period, As I May have spent the time, composing and recording their brand-new opus Karu, a venture into more modern and direct in-your-face songs. The full-length will be released worldwide by Uprising! Records in 2022.

Lineup:

Tipi Nokelainen - Bass and clean vocals
Lasse Hiltunen - Guitars and scream vocals
Jani Valhola - Guitars and backing vocals
Leevi Räsänen - Drums




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Dutch symphonic black-metal project Golden Ashes, created by Maurice de Jong of Gnaw Their Tongues, is now sharing their entire third album A Lightless Christ Shuns The Crown Of Divinity ahead of its release August 23 via Improved Sequence Records.

A Lightless Christ Shuns The Crown Of Divinity (IMP055) by Golden Ashes

Created by the incredibly prolific Maurice de Jong, largely known for Gnaw Their Tongues, but also involved in projects like De Magia Veterum, Cloak of Altering, Hagetisse, Caput Mortuum, and Pyriphlegeton among many others, Golden Ashes signaled its birth in 2018 with The Desolation EP.

Following that first EP came the full-length Gold Are the Ashes of the Restorer, during the spring of 2019. The title itself suggested a unique take on familiar black metal themes, and the music duly followed suit: recognizably atmospheric/synth-inclined black metal, but with a blitzed sensibility that was unmistakably the work of Mories. An EP tellingly titled The Golden Path of Death Acceptance followed at the end of 2019, drawing the year to a close and expounding upon the illumination he laid forth as Golden Ashes. The climax of that creation arrived in 2020 with his second album In the Lugubrious Silence of Eternal Night.

One year later, A Lightless Christ Shuns The Crown Of Divinity bursts forth from the void like an all-consuming blackness. Built on the foundation of raw black-metal and symphonic orchestrations, this third album finds Golden Ashes redefining its core sound into a clearer sounding malicious vortex of grotesque orchestration. Thematically A Lightless Christ Shuns The Crown Of Divinity builds on the previous album’s approaching Christian myths and apocryphal texts.




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Hailing from Vancouver, Canada, Rebel Priest is the denim and leather-clad trio that has been whipping across stages and pushing out bangin’ albums since 2014. This year they are putting out a new EP called Lost In Tokyo, which will be available on August 13 via Batcave Records.  

As the name of the EP hints, most of these tracks were written in Japan in 2019 before the closure, the band has been sitting on them for a year, and the time is finally right for them to come out. The third single off this record is “Vulgar Romance”, a dark groover about people’s interests in serial killers and trying to see behind the mind of the hunter. The band explains the track in more depth:

“This song came across with our interest in other people's interest in serial killers and what would happen if someone took fandom too far or they actually got to see in the eyes behind the mind. It’s a commentary on what people's hungers are and the deprivation that one can get if they take their interest to the next level. It’s a bittersweet take on a dark topic, we tried to capture the atmosphere with more of a swing to the song as if you were stalking down the street.”

Not only did Japan leave its mark on the band, but the boys left theirs as well. Every place mentioned in Lost In Tokyo is an actual place that has Rebel Priest stuff on the walls, this was due to drummer Nate Pole and roadie Jerry “Pred S. Thompson” leaving the hotel the first night without any translator or ideas where they were going. To this day they don’t know how they got back or how people knew them in bars they had never been to.

 The EP releases on August 13 via Batcave Records. 

Tracklisting:

"Lost In Tokyo"
"Back Alley Blues"
"Vulgar Romance"
"When The Whip Comes Down" (Slash Puppet Cover)

"Vulgar Romance":

"Back Alley Blues":

"Lost In Tokyo" lyric video:

EP and live band lineup:

Jayme Black - Vocals/Bass
Benny Kemp - Guitars/Vocals
Nate Pole - Drums/Vocals




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Swedish AOR band, Houston, has announced that their new studio album, IV, will be released on October 8. IV was produced under the direction of former member and AOR guru Ricky Delin, who also co-wrote with the band.

Today, fans get their first listen to music from the album with the release of the single and video, "You're Still The Woman".  Watch the video below, and pre-order/save IV here.

“It felt good to have Ricky back behind the wheel on this album. He is an incredible songwriter and we all know the great work he’s done on our previous albums. This is the Houston album above all others,” says singer Hank Erix. “We’re truly excited about the new music on Houston IV. We knew right from the start that we wanted to go back to our roots and make a classic AOR sounding album again. After all, this was the sound that put us on the map in the first place and what we do best. Sonically, this album is the more refined sibling to our first two albums. We’ve had a decade to grow as songwriters, musicians, and most importantly as a band and I think this really shows,” adds Carl Hammar, the band’s guitarist.

"This album and the songs are one big homage to our favourite AOR heroes such as Survivor, Foreigner and Journey, but also influences from John O´Banion, Meatloaf, John Farnham, and many more. We wanted to make a great AOR album and make it big, fresh, and truly bombastic. And if you want to make a bombastic AOR album, Ricky Delin is the go to producer. Ricky, who played a big part in creating the Houston sound on our first albums, was as excited as us about the idea of working together again and jumped at the opportunity,” continues Carl.

Tracklisting:

"She Is The Night"
" You're Still The Woman"
"Hero"
"A Lifetime In A Moment"
"Heartbreaker"
"Storyteller"
"Heart Of A Warrior"
"Until The Morning Comes"
"I Will Not Give In To Despair"
"Such Is Love"
"Into Thin Air"

"You're Still The Woman" video:

Lineup:

Lead Vocals - Hank Erix
Guitar - Carl Hammar
Bass - Soufian Ma'Aoui
Keyboards - Rickard Hamilton
Drums - Oscar Lundström




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Society 1 founder and lead vocalist, Matt Zane, has released a trailer for the documentary about recently deceased former bassist, DV Karloff, entitled The Altered Noise. The short film, which will be comprised of archived footage from the band’s history as well as new interviews with band members and friends, will focus on Karloff's 15 years in Hollywood.

"His life really was interesting, regardless if you're a fan or not. He was this young guy from the cornfields of Indiana that came out to Hollywood and within eight months he's touring the world and that was just the beginning of the story," said Zane.

The movie follows Karloff through various phases of his career, which spanned between his two main bands, Society 1 and Sin Quirin's 3 Headed Snake. It also touches upon his incredibly successful profession as a tattoo artist that saw him inking up celebrities such as Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and Steve-O.

"Probably the most interesting thing about the film is that a subplot emerged about the band KISS. DV absolutely loved KISS, and as I pieced together all the different portions of his life, KISS was there from the beginning to the end in one interesting way or another."

The film will debut at Karloff's Hollywood tribute memorial and then be made available to view online the next day. The date of the premiere showing has yet to be announced, but is expected to be within the next two months.

Follow @lordzane on Instagram for updates and information regarding a release date.




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Portland’s extreme metal force, Vitriol, announce the re-release of their previously limitedly released and rare demo EP, Antichrist. The record will be available on all digital platforms on Friday, August 13. The pre-sale for the exclusive vinyl version will launch on the same day.

“Vitriol's first introduction to the public was in 2012 by way of a three song digital release entitled Antichrist EP. Nearly a decade later we have decided to reach back and offer our most formative material with a proper look and sound. Remixed, remastered, and featuring newly recorded vocals, our goal was to let our fans see what we were through the lens of what we are now,” states vocalist Kyle Rasmussen.  

Antichrist EP tracklisting:

"The Sun Named Moon"
"Antichrist"
"Death, Become Me"

Next weekend, Vitriol is scheduled to play at the Psycho Las Vegas Festival (August 20 – 22) and will continue to headline four additional shows in August. Vitriol will be supporting death metal legends Dying Fetus on their US tour in October accompanied by Terror and Brand Of Sacrifice.

Vitriol tour dates:

August
25 - Phoenix, AZ - Rebel Lounge
26 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick (Psycho Las Vegas with Vio-lence and Cephalic Carnage)
27- Los Angeles CA- Don Quixote (Psycho Presents with Vio-Lence and Cephalic Carnage)
28 - Oakland, CA - Golden
29 - Sacramento, CA - Cafe Colonial

October (with Dying Fetus)
26 - Louisville, KY - Diamond Pub Concert Hall
27 - Nashville, TN - Exit/In
28 - Birmingham, AL - Saturn
29 - Columbia, SC - The Senate
30 - Greensboro, NC - Arizona Pete’s

November (with Dying Fetus)
1 - Jacksonville, FL - 1904 Music Hall
2 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
4 - Asheville, NC - Asheville Music Hall
5 - Indianapolis, IN - Emerson Theater
6 - Fort Wayne, IN - Piere’s
7 - Joliet, IL - The Forge
9 - Grand Rapids, MI - Elevation
10 - Columbus, OH - Skully’s Music Diner
11 - Pittsburgh, PA - Spirit Hall
12 - Reading, PA - Reverb
13 - Rochester, NY - Anthology
14 - Albany, NY - Empire
16 - Manchester, NH - Jewel Music Venue
17 - Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom
18 - Hartford, CT - The Webster
19 - Patchogue, NY - Stereo Garden
20 - Asbury Park, NJ - House of Independents




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Queen guitar legend, Brian May, has re-released his classic single and video, "Resurrection", featured on the remastered Back To The Light album, out now.

A live showstopper and a hard rock juggernaut, "Resurrection" is also a seismic testament to the combined power of determination and restorative, collaborative friendship. With its ferocious momentum, full force drums, multi-stacked harmonies and soaring guitar heroics, "Resurrection" is considered by some fans THE standout cut from May’s 1992 solo album, Back To The Light. Performed live by The Brian May Band, "Resurrection" would feature as the centrepiece of May’s epic ‘Guitar Extravagance’ sequence, holding its own alongside the explosive rock climax of Queen’s revered "Bohemian Rhapsody". Issued as a single in 1993, "Resurrection" arrived in the UK Singles Chart accompanied by a video of notably – in May’s words – “biblical intensity”.

Back To The Light will be available in a Collector’s Edition box set featuring an exclusive white-vinyl LP, two CDs, a 32-page book, a 12” art print, a download card and an enamel badge all presented in a lift-lid box. A limited-edition (x1,000) of the same box-set is available exclusively on Queen Online Store with a signed 12” art print.

The album is also released on 1LP black 180g vinyl, 1CD, Deluxe 2CD, Cassette and digital formats, with Out Of The Light available in the box set, on the 2CD and digital formats. A limited-edition 1LP Picture Disc is also be available exclusively on Queen Online Store.

Order here.

Tracklistings:

Back To The Light

"The Dark"
"Back To The Light"
"Love Token"
"Resurrection"
"Too Much Love Will Kill You"
"Driven By You"
"Nothin’ But Blue"
"I’m Scared"
"Last Horizon"
"Let Your Heart Rule Your Head"
"Just One Life"
"Rollin’ Over"

- Produced by Brian May.
- Co-produced and engineered by Justin Shirley-Smith.
- All vocals, backing vocals, guitars, keyboards and anything else around – by Brian May unless otherwise stated.

Out Of The Light

"Nothin’ But Blue" - Guitar Version
"Too Much Love Will Kill You" – Guitar Version
"Just One Life" – Guitar Version
"Driven By You Two"
"Driven By You" – Ford Ad Version
"Tie Your Mother Down" (Featuring Slash) - Live on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, 5th April 1993
"Too Much Love Will Kill You" - Live at the Palace Theatre, Los Angeles, 6th April 1993
"’39 / Let Your Heart Rule Your Head" - Live at the Brixton Academy, 15th June 1993
"Last Horizon" - Live at the Brixton Academy, 15th June 1993
"We Will Rock You" - Live at the Brixton Academy 15 June 1993
"Driven By You" - Cozy and Neil Version ’93

- The Live tracks are played by The Brian May Band from the ‘Back To The Light’ Tour 1993.
- Brian May: Vocals/Guitar, Cozy Powell: Drums. Neil Murray: Bass, Spike Edney: Keyboards, Jamie Moses: Guitar/Vocals, Cathy Porter: Vocals, Shelley Preston: Vocals.
- “And a special thank you to Slash”.

- Audio Supervised by Justin Shirley-Smith and Kris Fredriksson.
- Mastered by Bob Ludwig & Adam Ayan, Gateway Mastering Studios, Portland, ME.
- Audio Restoration Kris Fredriksson.
- Half Speed vinyl mastering Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios.




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Birmingham, UK-based death metal legends, Benediction, have released a video for "Tear Off These Wings", featured on their eighth full-length studio album, Scriptures, available via Nuclear Blast. Watch below:

A new picture vinyl edition of Scriptures is available now.

Order the album in various formats here.

Tracklisting:

"Iterations Of I"
"Scriptures In Scarlet"
"The Crooked Man"
"Stormcrow"
"Progenitors Of A New Paradigm"
"Rabid Carnality"
"In Our Hands, The Scars"
"Tear Off These Wings"
"Embrace The Kill"
"Neverwhen"
"The Blight At The End"
"We Are Legion"

"Stormcrow" video:

Benediction lineup:

Darren Brookes - guitar
Peter Rew - guitar
Dave Ingram - vocals
Dan Bate - bass
Giovanni Durst - drums




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TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider has once again dismissed the notion that rock is dead.

While rock and roll has been king of the music world for decades, in the past few years, it's been unseated by the growing popularity of hip-hop. This has caused many pundits to proclaim the genre "dead" from an industry perspective, noting that it has been eclipsed in all measures by pop, hip-hop, and EDM.

A few years ago, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons told Esquire magazine that "rock did not die of old age. It was murdered. Some brilliance, somewhere, was going to be expressed and now it won't because it's that much harder to earn a living playing and writing songs. No one will pay you to do it."

A number of hard rock and heavy metal musicians have weighed in on the topic in a variety of interviews over the last several years, with some digging a little deeper into Simmons's full remarks and others just glossing over the headline.

Snider, who is currently promoting his new solo album, "Leave A Scar", spoke about rock's supposed diminishing status during a recent interview with Metal Wani. Addressing Gene's "rock is dead" comment, Dee said: "Look, these people who say 'rock and roll is dead' are self-absorbed, self-centered. The statement is self-serving. It's this, 'I'm taking my ball and I'm going home, because if it can't be my way, it doesn't exist.' And because it's changed and it's mutated, which it has changed and mutated; it is not the same thing. And if they opened their ears, they opened their eyes, they got out of their damn mansions and went to a smaller venue or a festival that plays newer stuff, they would know this is not their heavy metal rock and roll anymore. It has changed dramatically.

"As far as the idea that these [newer bands] are just recycling old ideas, well what were they doing?" he continued. "What was KISS doing? And I say KISS because everybody knows Gene Simmons is one of the biggest 'rock is dead' guys. They were recycling. They were doing SLADE and they were copying all the bands they grew up on, THE ROLLING STONES. So if the bands today are recycling the bands they grew up on, that's just continuing the tradition. We're all just basically computers. We only can output what was input. An when it's at its best, it's a nice creative mix of things. Some of my favorite bands… I don't like bands that sound exactly like a band from yesteryear. I won't name names — you know who I'm talking about — they sound like LED ZEPPELIN. Sounding like LED ZEPPELIN is not new and creative. But take VOLBEAT. I love the fact that, yeah, I can hear METALLICA, and I can hear ska, and I can hear punk, and I can hear spaghetti westerns, but I never heard it mixed up like that before… It's not replication. It's honoring the past and it's creating something original out of mixing those pieces.

"This is something I'm passionate about. You wanna talk about passion? Okay, one thing is dead: rock stars. Rock stars need ubiquity. Break out your dictionaries, people. In order to be a rock star, you have to get beyond the realm of just your genre. And you got that from being on MTV, you got that from being on billboards and in magazine ads and sides of buses — the way it was advertised in the old days. That gave people a broader awareness. And believe me, when 'Appetite For Destruction' [GUNS 'N' ROSES] sold 20 million copies or 'Back In Black' [AC/DC] sold 45 million copies, those aren't only just metal fans buying it. That's when it crosses over into a broader appeal. That comes from ubiquity. Now, everything is target marketed. You only hear about a band if it's a music form that an algorithm says this person likes. Then you'll be notified in a little banner on top of your Facebook page: 'Oh, by the way, so-and-so has an album out.', And they feed you what they think you like.

"So we've lost rock stars," Dee added. "But as far as passion goes? It's never been purer. It's never been more honest, because money is not even in the minds of these young artists. They don't think they're gonna get rich doing it. They're doing it because they have no choice. As I said in [my new single] 'I Gotta Rock (Again)', it's not something… I don't choose, it's what I gotta do.

"I go to these concerts with my kids and it breaks my heart to see that level of passion coming from bands who are just hoping to make enough in CD and merch sales after the show to get them to the next gig. And I see the passion from the audience who know every frickin' word, but it never gets that massive, broad, where it's out there on the tube show, like it used to be back in the old days. And that's the sadness — that it doesn't get the exposure it once got. But as far as passion? As far as talent? As far as song quality, originality? It's there. Period."

"Leave A Scar" was released on July 30 via Napalm Records. The album was once again produced by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta, with co-production, mixing and mastering by drummer Nick Bellmore.

In a new interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons offered his thoughts on touring during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"My druthers would be that everybody is mandated to get vaccines," he said. "I hope everybody is going to be wearing their masks. But we can only control what we can control and different states and different countries have different rules."

Gene also blasted one of the most common arguments raised by dissenters — that vaccine mandates infringe upon unvaccinated people's human rights and civil liberties.

"'I have my rights, don't tell me what to do,'" he said. "Which is curious, because you do not have the right to drive down the highway in a car without a seatbelt. You must stop at a red light. That's not a right you have. And you don't have the right to walk naked down the street. These are not life-threatening ideas. We're talking about a fuckin' pandemic and people are fighting it.

"I blame our former president," Simmons added, referring to Donald Trump, on whose "The Celebrity Apprentice" show he was once a contestant. "I knew the man before he entered politics. But he got vaccinated and so have most of the other party."

In the past, Simmons has criticized people who refused to wear a mask in public spaces to protect others from possible infection. Last December, he told the "Jeremy White Podcast": "Believe what you want, but don't hang out around me. Okay? If you're a denier, stay in the shadows. I don't wanna be around you. 'Cause I don't wanna catch what you've got. It's not about you. It's not whether you believe it or not." He added: "When you sneeze, you put your hand over your mouth. If your dog poops on the ground, you'll pick it up. But you won't pick up a mask?"

That same month, Gene's KISS bandmate Paul Stanley took to his Twitter to write: "Frankly, I've had enough of the self-serving & politically motivated mask misinformation & BS about this pandemic. I don't want to hear about 'my freedom' & 'my rights' that then infringe on so many other's. Those 'rights' & choosing to gather at Thanksgiving got us here. Wake up". Three months earlier, Paul tweeted out a CNN article about an Idaho pastor who was hospitalized with COVID-19 after calling himself a "no-masker" during a service and repeatedly questioning the veracity of coronavirus case reporting. Stanley added in a message: "YOU figure this one out. I can't. A hoax and non-existent virus has put this guy in the ICU. If you're so concerned with a loss of your freedom , Why do you stop at red lights? Don't let the government control you!! Drive right through!!! PUT YOUR MASK

An Olympic White 1971 Fender Stratocaster owned and played by Jimmy Page during the early 1990s has just hit the auction block at Gotta Have Rock and Roll.

The LED ZEPPELIN guitarist first came in contact with this guitar in 1991, when Page moved to Lake Tahoe to record the COVERDALE/PAGE album with David Coverdale. Coverdale lived there and thought it would be best to be together to record the album. At this time of Page's life, he did not perform at many concerts and liked to jam out at small venues and bars.

On Friday, May 24, 1991, Page walked into the famous Legends bar without telling anyone. That night the band PUBLIC EYE was performing, a staple in Lake Tahoe. Jimmy wanted to jam with them but he did not bring any guitars with him during his stay at Lake Tahoe. Lead guitarist Robbie Cade of PUBLIC EYE offered several guitars, including a Les Paul to Jimmy, but Jimmy said, "I only like playing Stratocasters." Robbie Cade offered Page his 1971 Olympic White Strat and Page instantly fell in love. Page had one in his ZEPPELIN years but it got stolen, making this a "reunion" of sorts. They jammed throughout the night and as a token of thanks, he let Jimmy keep the guitar. Jimmy returned again that Saturday to jam and on June 1, 1991, all while using this guitar. Robbie thought this was the last he'd see of this guitar, and when he went on vacation to Hawaii and returned at the end of June, he was surprised to see Jimmy brought the guitar back to Legends and gave it back as a thanks. Page was "recording" the COVERDALE/PAGE album during his time in Lake Tahoe, but left to record in a proper studio.

The guitar, which is worth around $15,000 as an instrument, can be exactly matched to the cigarette burn on the bottom of the guitar neck. It comes with the original case, a letter of provenance from Robbie Cade and a Gotta Have Rock And Roll certificate of authentic

Former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke performed with NIGHT RANGER during their August 9 concert at Buffalo Chip in Sturgis, South Dakota. Clarke was filling in for regular NIGHT RANGER guitarist Keri Kelli, who was unable to make the gig due to a knee injury.

A short time after the show, NIGHT RANGER shared a clip from the concert and included the following message: "Huge thank you tonight to Sturgis and to @gilbygtr for playing with us! Keri was out tonight due to a knee injury (feel better brother!) but it was awesome to have you up there with us, Gilby! As always, Sturgis - YOU ROCK!" Gilby responded in the comments below the video: "so great… really enjoyed myself, thanks".

NIGHT RANGER released its 12th studio album, "ATBPO", on August 6 via Frontiers Music Srl. "ATBPO" stands for "And The Band Played On", an ode to making music during the COVID-19 era.

NIGHT RANGER began writing the album in early 2020, amid the onset of the global pandemic. After narrowing down the song selection and tightening them up to their well-known rock and roll sound, the band hit the studio, although separately, due to the times we are in.

"With 'ATBPO', I really feel like we've gone back to our roots of who we are as a band," bassist and vocalist Jack Blades told the Sinclair Broadcast Group. "Even though this album was a challenge to make, it was all us together. Every song is all our heart and soul and what's coming from us. These songs are directly who we are. That's why we're so stoked to get this album out to the fans so they can experience the whole picture and not just a few singles. They get to experience what NIGHT RANGER is all about."




Huge thank you tonight to Sturgis and to Gilby Clarke for playing with us! ?

Keri was out tonight due to a knee injury (feel better brother!) but it was awesome to have you up there with us, Gilby! As always, Sturgis - YOU ROCK! ?

#livemusic #sturgis #buffalochip #gilbyclarke #nightranger

Posted by Night Ranger on Monday, August 9, 2021





Buffalo Chip 2021

Night Ranger w/ guest guitarist Gilby Clarke...Don't Tell Me You Love Me

#sturgis2021

Posted by Amy Letcher on Monday, August 9, 2021

On December 4, 2020, MACHINE HEAD's debut album, 1994's "Burn My Eyes", was certified gold by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) for sales in excess of 100,000 copies in the United Kingdom. Three of the musicians who played on the LP — guitarist/vocalist Robb Flynn, drummer Chris Kontos and guitarist Logan Mader — along with the band's current bassist, Jared MacEachern, were presented with gold plaques for the effort after their "Burn My Eyes" "album play-thru" on Friday, August 6. You can now watch video of the presentation below.

Released worldwide on August 9, 1994, "Burn My Eyes" was and still is considered to be one of the most important albums of its genre, garnering the band an unprecedented level of recognition and spawning a myriad of imitators — all from just MACHINE HEAD's first record.

In 2019, Flynn, Kontos and Mader reunited — along with MacEachern — to celebrate the LP's 25th anniversary on tours in Europe and the U.S.

Asked by Metal Hammer if it bothers him that some fans still regard "Burn My Eyes" as MACHINE HEAD's best album, Flynn said: "No. The clincher for me, and this rarely happens, is when someone says, 'You should write 'Burn My Eyes' again,' but it'd be so phony! I'm not 24, fuckin' running around on the streets. It was real and that's why it came out the way it did. If I tried to do it now, it wouldn't be real. Those times made me who I am and affected me forever and I'm fearless because of them, but I'd like to think that I've aged gracefully and I hope to continue to do that. How dumb would it be for some [50]-something dude to be acting like some teenage gangster? It'd be ridiculous."

Kontos left MACHINE HEAD before the release of the band's second album, 1997's "The More Things Change", and was replaced by Dave McClain.

McClain and guitarist Phil Demmel exited MACHINE HEAD in the fall of 2018.

Adam Duce, who played bass on "Burn My Eyes", was fired from MACHINE HEAD in February 2013. He was replaced four months later by MacEachern. Adam later sued MACHINE HEAD, claiming that the other bandmembers "simply kicked him out of the band and presumed he would forget about over two decades of hard work, dedication, and effort" he put into the group. Duce also said his likeness was used on the band's web site and in promotions without his authorization. The lawsuit was settled out of court in July 2014.

Photo courtesy of MACHINE HEAD

Legendary progressive rock band URIAH HEEP will release a new box set, "Choices", on September 24. A six-CD boxset, "Choices" features a personal selection of URIAH HEEP songs from across the band's 50-year and 24-album career.

Created with the full collaboration of the HEEP themselves and curated by guitarist and founder member Mick Box, the six discs include personal selections from Mick, Bernie Shaw, Phil Lanzon, Paul Newton and the recently deceased and much-missed Ken Hensley and Lee Kerslake.

The collection is of 77 tracks is completed with six art cards which carry personal notations from each band member and their reproduced signature.

Said Box: "Who would have guessed it, 50 years of HEEP and counting! Our music has continued to stand the test of time, and the fans are the reason we are still here doing it. There is no better feeling than knowing our music has endured, and that our live shows continue to rock people in 62 countries worldwide."

"Choices" track listing:

CD1 - Ken Hensley

01. Paradise

02. The Spell

03. Weep In Silence

04. Rain

05. Circle Of Hands

06. July Morning

07. The Park

08. Echoes In The Dark

09. Misty Eyes

10. Fallen Angel

11. The Easy Road

12. Falling In Love

13. Sunrise

14. Sweet Freedom

CD2 - Lee Kerslake

01. July Morning

02. The Magician's Birthday

03. Traveller In Time

04. Sweet Lorraine

05. Circus

06. Rainbow Demon

07. Come Back To Me

08. Shady Lady

09. All My Life

10. The Other Side Of Midnight

11. Who Needs Me

12. That's The Way That It Is

13. Free Me

14. Stealin'

CD3 – Mick Box

01. The Park

02. Tears In My Eyes

03. Sweet Lorraine

04. Circus

05. Free N' Easy

06. Woman Of The Night

07. Hot Persuasion

08. The Other Side Of Midnight

09. Straight Through The Heart

10. Cross That Line

11. Love In Silence

12. What Kind Of God

13. Trail Of Diamonds

14. The Outsider

15. Falling Under Your Spell

CD4 – Paul Newton

01. Lady In Black

02. Tales

03. Easy Livin'

04. Tears In My Eyes

05. If I Had The Time

06. Real Turned On

07. Come Away Melinda

08. What Should Be Done

09. Why (Alternate Version)

10. Sympathy

11. Free N' Easy

12. I'm Alive

13. One Minute

14. Grazed By Heaven

CD5 - Phil Lanzon

01. A Year Or A Day

02. The Magician's Birthday

03. Wonderworld

04. Circus

05. Bad Bad Man

06. Question

07. Between Two Worlds

08. Voice On My TV

09. Universal Wheels

10. Waters Flowin'

CD6 - Bernie Shaw

01. July Morning

02. What Kind Of God

03. Mistress Of All Time

04. Wise Man

05. One Minute

06. Corridors Of Madness

07. Tales

08. Take Away My Soul

09. Heaven's Pain

10. Heartless Land

URIAH HEEP's latest album, "Living The Dream". was released in September 2018 via Frontiers Music Srl. The LP was helmed by famed Canadian producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STONE SOUR and STEEL PANTHER, among others.

Box is the original guitarist and sole remaining founding member of URIAH HEEP. He, vocalist Bernie Shaw and keyboardist/vocalist Phil Lanzon have formed the nucleus of the band for more than 34 years and released 17 albums together.

URIAH HEEP debuted in 1970 with the release of one of hard rock's milestones, "Very 'Eavy, Very 'Umble", and has since sold in excess of 40 million albums worldwide. They constantly tour the world, playing up to 125 shows a year to more than 500,000 fans. The band's live set features the classic tracks from the '70s and is a musical journey from the band's beginnings to the present day.

URIAH HEEP is:

Mick Box - Lead Guitar/Vocals

Phil Lanzon - Keyboards/Vocals

Bernie Shaw - Lead Vocals

Dave Rimmer - Bass Guitar/Vocals

Russell Gilbrook - Drums, Percussion

HEART singer Ann Wilson and her solo band THE AMAZING DAWGS have released a live EP called "Howlen Live". Joining Ann in the group are Tom Bukovac on lead guitar, Tony Lucido on bass, Paul Moak on guitar and keyboards, and Sean Lane on drums.

Ann explained the decision to release the EP: "As we finished up the leg in June, it became clear to me that we made some real magic out there, so I've decided to release a number of those performances on an EP called 'Howlen Live'.

"Please enjoy that taste! There's much more where that came from."

"Howlen Live" track listing:

01. Crazy On You (live from Orlando June 24, 2021)

02. Black Wing (live from Orlando June 24, 2021)

03. Love Of My Life (live from Clearwater June 25, 2021)

04. Barracuda (live from Ft Myers June 22, 2021)

Wilson will embark on a short solo tour later this month. The trek will kick off on August 14 in Alexandria, Virginia and will include dates in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and New Hampshire, before wrapping up with a two-night stand at City Winery New York City.

Wilson's tour will also see her appear at at concert at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. All proceeds from the August 21 event will benefit the Tunnel To Towers Foundation, which has been providing mortgage-free homes to families of first responders for several years. Also scheduled to appear are JOURNEY, STEVE MILLER BAND, Wyclef Jean and John Fogerty, among others.

Tunnel To Towers Foundation will donate tickets to first responders, military personnel and Gold Star families.

This past April, Ann released another new single, "Black Wing". It is one of several songs the HEART frontwoman recorded last fall in Seattle with the help of local musicians, including current HEART bassist Andy Stoller and keyboardist Dan Walker. In addition to "Black Wing", Wilson recorded "Tender Heart" as well as covers of Steve Earle's "The Revolution Starts Now" and ALICE IN CHAINS' "Rooster", all three of which have already been released as singles, plus another original, "The Hammer", which came out in February.

Earlier in the year, Ann said in an interview that there are no plans for HEART to work on new music in the immediate future.

HEART toured North America in the summer of 2019 after a nasty split that kept the Wilson sisters estranged for three years.

Ann and Nancy had a falling out during HEART's 2016 tour, when Ann's husband Dean Welter was arrested for assaulting Nancy's then-16-year-old twin sons in a backstage altercation at a gig near their hometown of Seattle. He pleaded guilty to two lesser assault charges to avoid jail time.

Ann's 2018 solo album, "Immortal", contained cover versions of classic songs by artists who have passed away.

Howlen Live by Ann Wilson

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford and his "beer aficionado" brother Nigel have teamed up with Backyard Brewhouse from their hometown of Walsall, a large industrial town in West Midlands County in England, U.K., to make the Hails & Horns modern English bitter Halford ale. The beer will premiere exclusively at this coming weekend's Bloodstock Open Air festival.

Halford, who celebrated the 35th anniversary of his getting sober in January, spoke to "Across The Board", the podcast series hosted by songwriter/producer Emiko and producer Mike Exeter (JUDAS PRIEST, BLACK SABBATH), about how he manages to stay clean on the road. "It's not easy," he said. It's very much a day at a time. You're given all the tools and resources from your rehab experience. I use 'em every day. A lot of it is just like mental notes — talking things through. Sometimes I speak 'em out; a lot of it is internal. So that's really vital on a day-to-day level of sobriety.

"When I was in rehab [in 1986], there's anonymity in rehab, but at the same time, you have to tell everybody your life story, so everybody knew what I did. And I remember we talked about the fact that I'm gonna go back to this world of sex and drugs and rock and roll and booze. I don't know how I'm gonna be able to cope, because it won't be a gradual reimmersion into society, so to speak. I won't be able to go tiny steps; I'm just gonna go straight into the deep end. I cannot go to work and say to my bandmates, 'You can't drink. You can't do this. You can't do that,' because it's control. Accept your powerlessness.

"I don't think we ever in the band had a sit-down conversation about this, but I think that there was caring and understanding — as there still is," Halford continued. "But I'd be the last person to say that I have to set a set of rules, because then this whole business of living my life on my terms [turns into something] you push on to other people: 'Well, now, you can't do this,' 'You can't do that.' That's just hypocrisy on the highest level.

"Even now, when we're flying after a show, and the guys are having a beer or a cocktail or whatever, man, I would love that cold beer. I would love a slug of Jack and Coke. I can smell it, 'cause we're in a plane together. It's like this little angel on one side and the devil on the other side. My instant thought is I never wanna be sick again. I never, ever wanna feel that bad ever again. I never want to be in that terrible, dark, lonely place ever again. So it's fleeting. But, again, it's always there.

"When I'm home, especially [during] this COVID thing, [my longtime partner] Thomas doesn't drink. When I first met Thomas, he quit drinking. So that's a support to me. I'm never really around alcohol that much, or drugs, when I'm not working. But, yeah, when my fans, or when PRIEST fans come to see us, yeah, they're gonna have some drinks; they might have a couple of spliffs [and] do whatever else recreationally. They're entitled to. And they are living their lives and they are partying and they are having the time of their lives, as they should. They don't have an alcohol problem; they don't have a drug addiction. There are people that can enjoy these things in life and it [has] no effect on them, in a physical sense and in a mental sense.

"So, it's an absolute miracle," Halford added. "I can only say it's a miracle that I've got that far from January the 6th, 1986 to December the 1st, 2020 without slipping once. And I'm not boasting, because it's all the past — that's the past; it's gone. I live in the moment. I don't think about yesterday or tomorrow; I'm living now. But I'm grateful that I've been able to get this far without failing. Not failing — that's the wrong word. Without a slip off the wagon — whatever the term is. I'm grateful that I've been able to get this far and stay clean and sober. Because if I didn't, who knows where I would have gone and where I would have ended up?"

Halford previously credited his belief in a higher power for helping him in his recovery. "When I got clean and sober, that was a major change in my life," he said during an appearance on HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta's official podcast, "The Jasta Show". "And part of my recovery is just having this higher-power belief. And it works. It works, man. It really, really is important."

Halford added: "There probably will be people listening to [this] podcast who don't have anything like that in their life, and that's great; it's all about acceptance. But I always say to people, if you're thinking about it, the simplest thing I do is I pray. I pray quite a bit, actually. And even if you don't believe in prayer, just have a go. Pray for a good day, or just pray for your friend, or whatever it might be. And it's amazing, man, 'cause it absolutely works. I guarantee, it genuinely does work. And now I'm sounding like [American evangelical Christian evangelist] Billy Graham, but I'm just trying to express some of the things that are important to me on a day-to-day basis that make me able to walk out on that stage each night and do my work."

In an interview with Classic Rock Revisited, Halford said that he quit using substances because he "was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. I will always remember the first show I did clean and sober… It was in New Mexico, in Albuquerque," he recalled. "I literally felt elevated, as everything was coming with such clarity. I was able to really… enjoy the performance of JUDAS PRIEST without having all of the other things in front of it. Since that day, it has been a miracle."

Halford added, "Everybody has to face things in their lives at some point. It [doesn't have to] be booze and drugs. You can eat too much, or you can not exercise, or whatever… It is not easy staying clean and sober in rock and roll. There are temptations galore from the moment you wake up to the moment you go to sleep, especially when you're on the road. [But] I think we're some of the strongest people, my friends and my sober brothers in metal."

Rob's autobiography, "Confess", arrived last September via Hachette Books. It was written with Ian Gittins, co-writer of "The Heroin Diaries" by Nikki Sixx.
























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Tygers Of Pan Tang recently released their new album, Majors And Minors, which continues the band’s legacy with a fine selection of songs that were written and recorded over the last eight years. Not just a "best of" compilation because the band wanted to offer something special to both loyal fans, collectors and those who have missed our latest records. “It’s like your best Tygers tracks, but all in one place!” - Robb Weir

Watch a new lyric video for the song "Let It Burn" below:

The band chose songs on the album which they believed to be classics and to represent the renaissance of the Tygers boosted by having a Florentine on vocals! Partially written on the road, the tracks not only have killer riffs, balls and power pushing performances to the limit, but express the band’s creativity and musical chemistry for songwriting. Not afraid to even add Spanish Guitars and castanets if a track demands it this band are never boring.

Party songs, heavy songs, rock anthems, groovy rock n rollers, catchy songs cleverly constructed with accessible melodies, the band has packed all of this in to this meaty package. The contribution of Chris Tsangarides able to pull the best out of the band was instrumental. The band feel that this ‘new’ period of the band which has in fact lasted longer than the original lineup has produced songs which are indispensable to the history of the band. “It’s been a lot of fun putting this together, so get yourself comfy, press play and let the Tygers do the rockin.” - Robb Weir

The compilation includes "Plug Me In", never released on CD, a new orchestral version of "Spoils of War", "What You Say’" never released in an album format before and a live version of "Keeping Me Alive", recorded in 2018.

Known for their incendiary hit version of "Love Potion No.9" from The Cage album in 1982 which sold over 200,000 copies and gave the band two top 50 songs in the UK, Tygers remain a much loved hard rock band with their NWOBHM legacy and many loyal fans.

Order here.

Tracklisting:

"Only The Brave"
"Destiny"
"She"
"Never Give In"
"Worlds Apart"
"Glad Rags"
"Let It Burn"
"White Lines"
"The Devil You Know"
"Keeping Me Alive"
"Hot Blooded"
"Damn You!"
"Spoils Of War" (Orchestral Mix)
"What You Say"
"Plug Me In"




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Legendary German thrash metal powerhouse, Destruction, is smashing an all devastating, neck-breaking Live Attack onto the masses. The new BluRay/CD live event, including some pre- and after-show bonus content, will be released on August 13 via Napalm Records.

Today, Destruction strike their listeners with another glimpse of Live Attack, releasing the third single and video for “Death Trap”. Cut from their first full-length, Infernal Overkill (1985), the fabulous foursome implores incredibly honest riffing and rumbling thrash inferno straight to their loyal fans at home.

Schmier states: “This is a true 80s jewel and a fan demand. I still love to play this song live, even after all these years! The great mix of classics and new anthems is the big plus of Live Attack - and of course the playing time of nearly two hours!”

Founded back in 1982 and since their first demo, followed by debut EP, Sentence Of Death (1984) and first full-length, Infernal Overkill (1985), the German foursome Destruction has turned heads and broken necks with their incredibly honest and uncompromising thrash metal power. Now, 39 years into their unstoppable rampage of a career, Destruction bring the power of hard-hitting drums, speedy riffs and punishing vocals to the comfort of your home on the new Blu-Ray & 2 Audio CD’s, Live Attack.

Destruction on their first release with Napalm Records: “This show at our fave club, the Z7 in Switzerland, was a really special one in the middle of this dreadful pandemic! When we recorded it as a live stream on the 1st of January, it gave us hope back and connected us with the fans worldwide! Many supporters demanded to release it in physical form, so we had to make it happen. The setlist reflects four decades of Destruction with an almost two hour best-of setlist, which includes some really rare live tracks! It was for sure a night to remember… we hope you all enjoy it as much as we did!"

When the music world was forced to shut down venues and cancel tours for an indefinite period of time, Destruction came through to deliver their outstanding power via live stream to their loyal fans at home – now available for you to enjoy on high-definition Blu-Ray! Witness Destruction ripping through their live set of 22 songs, including beloved classics like “Mad Butcher”, “Thrash Till Death”, “Born To Perish” and many more! Filmed and recorded at the legendary Z7 venue in Pratteln (Switzerland), Destruction spare no expense or effort to bring you a live show experience that will make you bang your head like you’re in the front row at the show, getting your ear drums penetrated by rumbling double-bass grooves! The Blu-Ray is filled with exclusive pre- and aftershow insights and behind the scenes footage from Destruction’s live show – a must-have for fans of true thrash metal!

Live Attack will be available in North America the following formats:

- 8 Page Digipack Blu-Ray & 2 Audio CD´s
- 3LP Gatefold Marbled GOLD/BLACK - limited to 200 copies with Etching
- 3LP Gatefold Marbled BLUE/BLACK - limited to 300 copies with Etching
- 3LP Gatefold BLACK with Etching
- Full digital album

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Born To Perish"
"Death Trap"
"Nailed To The Cross"
"Armageddonizer"
"Tormentor"
"Rotten"
"Mad Butcher"
"Reject Emotions"
"Thrash Till Death"
"Betrayal"
"Sign Of Fear"
"Damir’s Shred"
"Inspired By Death"
"Release From Agony"
"Life Without Sense"
"Antichrist"
"Invincible Force"
"Under Attack"
"Bestial Invasion"
"The Butcher Strikes Back"
"Curse The Gods"
"Total Desaster"

Live Attack Blu-Ray bonus content:

- Pre-Show
- After Show

"Mad Butcher" live video:

“Reject Emotions” live video:

Destruction frontman Schmier checked in via Facebook on July 30 with an update, revealing that original guitarist Mike Sifringer has left the band:

"Yes, Corona goes weird ways. I have received several messages (asking) why we have played with a different guitarist in Austria at Area 53 Festival and I understand your concern. As much as I know, Mike (Sifringer is doing ok. Thanks for writing and asking! Well, he is not really answering my emails; communication is difficult at this point, so I'm not sure how he is doing. There was a problem that led to the decision to carry on without him for now and there will be a statement in August explaining the situation.

"I am in this weird situation to lead the band in difficult Covid times. We have been very productive and have already recorded the new album and are fully confident & ready for the festivals coming up. Please understand that this is a super difficult situation for me and we will release the statement when all things are sorted and clear (planned is August 19th for this). Nevertheless, Destruction will continue to Thrash till Death.

"Sorry about these uncomfortable news, it was not my decision. He decided to leave the band. Please stay tuned for the official statement ASAP!"

Speaking with Metal Pilgrim on August 3, Schmier addressed the situation as best he could.

Schmier: "He disconnected from the band some months ago already. It means we went to the studio and recorded a new album, and he just didn't come. We did demo sessions, writing new songs, and he didn't come to write songs with us. After I tried to face him with the problems, he disappeared and he kind of disconnected with us. There's definitely some deeper problems I don't know (about) yet. We'll still give him a little time, until August 19th, until we have the press release.

"We're not gonna stop. Mike is a founding member, and he was always important for the band, but if he doesn't wanna do this anymore I cannot help him. And I also cannot look behind the curtain. Nobody can be forced to do what you wanna do. For me, it's disappointing in one way. It's also shocking, but I've been in this business for too long. I know those things can happen. I always told him we're not gonna close the door on him. It's his decision and we'll see what happens."

Fan flmed video of Destruction performing at Area 53 Festival 2021 in Leoben, Austria without Sifringer can be viewed below.

(Photo - Gorka Photography)




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California rock band THRICE has shared its newest single "Robot Soft Exorcism" off the band's upcoming album "Horizons/East". The song grows and lures listeners in with a unique robotic beat that almost seems to be breathing, creating a living rhythm.

The track's title may sound familiar to those who are aware of David Dark. The American author and teacher coined the term in a twitter thread, exploring a metaphor in an attempt to help us distinguish between harmful and destructive systems and those that inhabit and benefit from them. THRICE's singer and lyricist Dustin Kensrue picks up the image and breathes life into it throughout the newly released track. Months back Kensrue and Dark spoke at length on the subject, as well as other topics, on Kensrue's podcast.

"Horizons/East" is available for pre-order now and will be released September 17 digitally and October 8 physically via Epitaph Records. The album exemplifies art as a work of recognition — the human task of perceiving oneself amid details, disasters, and blessings as a relentlessly relational phenomenon among others. In this, "Horizons/East" is the rare rock album on which interrelatedness is a theme, painting an adventurous and lush landscape mixed by Scott Evans that the band produced and recorded at their own New Grass Studio.

With the new album, THRICE addresses, with candor and courage, the fragile and awkward arrangements that pass for civilization, while inviting us to dwell more knowingly within our own lives. Without surrendering any of the energy and hard edge of their previous albums, they've given us a profoundly meditative work, which serves as a musical summons to everyday attentiveness.

Some of the writing even began with open-ended challenges that the band laid on themselves like building a song using the quartal chords they found in much of the jazz they loved, or taking the Fibonacci sequence and turning it into a guitar riff.

"Horizons/East" track listing:

01. The Color Of The Sky

02. Scavengers

03. Buried In The Sun

04. Northern Lights

05. Summer Set Fire To The Rain

06. Still Life

07. The Dreamer

08. Robot Soft Exorcism

09. Dandelion Wine

10. Unitive/East

Formed in 1998, the Orange County-based four-piece is widely regarded as one of the most innovative rock bands of its generation.

THRICE features frontman Dustin Kensrue, guitarist Teppei Teranishi, bassist Eddie Breckenridge and drummer Riley Breckenridge.

THRICE will be touring this fall with special guests TOUCHÉ AMORÉ, JIM WARD (appearing at select dates only) and SELF DEFENSE FAMILY.

Photo credit: Matt Vogel

QUEENSRŸCHE has confirmed that guitarist Mike Stone will continue playing with the band at least for the remainder of 2021.

Since late May, Stone has been handling second-guitar duties in QUEENSRŸCHE, which announced last month that longtime guitarist Parker Lundgren was exiting the group to focus on "other business ventures."

Asked by a fan in the comments section below an Instagram photo of Stone if Mike has officially rejoined QUEENSRŸCHE, the band replied: "Filling in for the rest of this year and then we'll see..."

Stone originally joined QUEENSRŸCHE for the 2003 album "Tribe" and stayed with the band for six years.

Lundgren, a former member of original QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate's solo group who was also briefly married to Geoff's stepdaughter Miranda, announced his departure from QUEENSRŸCHE in a social media post on July 2.

The 34-year-old musician wrote: "For several years, I have been deeply immersed in collecting and selling guitars, as well as rare and fascinating musical instruments. This passion led to the opening of my guitar store Diablo Guitars in 2019. Since then, my business has grown and I recently acquired a storefront with a full-service repair shop. In 2020, my wife and I opened Lucky Devil Latte, which has quickly expanded to multiple locations. With these new endeavors and ensuing responsibilities, my time to devote to QUEENSRŸCHE has become increasingly strained, and I no longer am able to commit the time and focus it deserves. For these reasons, I have made the difficult decision to step down from my role as guitarist in QUEENSRŸCHE.

"I want to thank my friends, family, and fans for making the past 13 years an amazing journey. I wish nothing but the best for my fellow band members, crew and everyone who has supported us.

"I hope to have your continued support as I pursue new ventures."

The remaining members of QUEENSRŸCHE added in a separate statement: "For over a decade, it has been a great pleasure watching [Parker] evolve and flourish as a guitarist, songwriter, and most importantly, a wonderful human being. Parker will always be family to us and we wish him all the success in the world with his new endeavors. Take hold, brother!"

Lundgren, who joined QUEENSRŸCHE in 2009, previously sat out some of QUEENSRŸCHE's U.S. shows in September 2018 when the band was on tour as the support act for SCORPIONS.

Guitarist Michael Wilton and bassist Eddie Jackson are the sole remaining original members of QUEENSRŸCHE, which split with Tate in 2012 and replaced him with ex-CRIMSON GLORY frontman Todd La Torre.

QUEENSRŸCHE has released three albums thus far with La Torre — 2013's "Queensrÿche", 2015's "Condition Hüman" and 2019's "The Verdict".

In April 2014, Tate and QUEENSRŸCHE announced that a settlement had been reached after a nearly two-year legal battle where the singer sued over the rights to the QUEENSRŸCHE name. Original QUEENSRŸCHE members Wilton, Jackson and Scott Rockenfield (drums) responded with a countersuit. The settlement included an agreement that Wilton, Rockenfield and Jackson would continue as QUEENSRŸCHE, while Tate would have the sole right to perform the albums "Operation: Mindcrime" and "Operation: Mindcrime II" in their entirety live.

Rockenfield hasn't performed with QUEENSRŸCHE in more than four years. The band has used former KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo for touring purposes since April 2017.

The drum tracks on "The Verdict" were laid down by La Torre.


























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Sinergy vocalist Kimberly Goss has checked in with the following update for the fans:

"Many of you have asked me over the last few months why Sinergy’s music was no longer available on streaming platforms in certain parts of the world. I kept answering you with, 'They’ll be back again soon...' but I wasn’t sure of the exact date. Well, the wait is over and thanks to Nuclear Blast Records our music has now returned to Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Tidal and every other major streaming platform across the globe. I know we were still listenable in some territories, but for those of you who have been patiently waiting, the day is now here! To our fans new and old, thanks for all the continued love and support. I hope you enjoy."

Sinergy was launched in 1997 by Goss and former In Flames guitarist Jesper Strömblad. The original line-up features Goss, Strömblad, guitarist Alexi Laiho (Children Of Bodom), bassist Sharlee D'Angelo (Arch Enemy) and drummer Ronny Milianowicz. The band released their debut album, Beware The Heavens, in 199 returning a year later with a new album, To Hell And Back, and a new line-up featuring Goss, Laiho, guitarist Roope Latvala (Children Of Bodom, Stone), bassist Marko Hietala (Tarot, Nightwish) and drummer Tonmi Lillman (Lordi).

Sinergy released their third and final album, Suicide By My Side, in 2002.




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On August 14, 2021, exactly 20 years after the rock band Beautiful Creatures released their self-titled debut album on Warner Bros. Records, the band will release a live concert video to celebrate the anniversary with their fans.

The sold out show, filmed April 24, 2003 at the Keyclub on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, CA, features original members Joe Leste, Dj Ashba, Anthony Focx, Kenny Kweens and Glen Sobel. The video, entitled Unapologetic Rock-N-Roll, can be viewed on the band's YouTube Channel; a preview can be seen below.

 




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Former KISS guitarist Bruce Kulick recently appeared on Tales Of A Kiss Geek. His chat with host Glen Walker can be seen below; an excerpt has been transcribed as follows:

Kulick: "The Vegas M.O.B.B. (Members of Bruce's Band featuring Todd Kerns, Brent Fitz, and Zach Throne), I want it to be more of a band effort... we have two songs that we need to finish. We plan on finishing them this summer, so we could offer at least an EP of a couple of tunes come the fall, with the events coming up with the Kruise, and the Kruise Fest that happens right before the Kruise; but that could develop into something more."

KISS Kruise X will sail from Miami, Florida to Harvest Caye, Belize & Roatan, Honduras from October 29 - November 3, 2021 aboard Norwegian Pearl.

Scheduled to perform aboard Kiss Kruise X: KISS, Night Ranger, Queensrÿche, Sebastian Bach, Bruce Kulick, Black 'N Blue, Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts, Jared James Nichols, Liliac, and more. Complete details can be found at TheKissKruise.com.

(Photo by Lisa Lane Kulick)






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Seeking Sirens have released their new single "Splinter" on all streaming platforms, alongside a high energy video.

The band comments: “Folks can expect a much more aggressive composition than our recent debut. Heavy, scathing, with some serious groove and a lyrical direction focused on the innate capacity within us all to flourish in spite of struggle and tribulations. We hope listeners enjoy the high energy and dialed up heaviness, and we also hope the lyrical content resonates with those who have had to stand up to their friends, which can be infinitely harder than standing up to their enemies.”

 




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German death metallers Atrocity will release 30th Anniversary a limited gatefold vinyl edition of their Hallucinations album on October 8th. It will be available in ox blood red, white, or clear vinyl. It is available for pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

Side A:
"Deep In Your Subconscious"
"Life Is A Long And Silent River"
"Fatal Step"
"Hallucinations"

Side B:
"Defeated Intellect"
"Abyss Of Addiction"
"Hold Out (To The End)"
"Last Temptation"




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Manchester-based biker streetwear brand, Boda Skins, has nw announced their latest collection, one that sees them team up with rock music legends, Metallica. Comprising of t-shirts, a hoodie, and an iconic adjustment to their world-famous leather jackets, Boda Skins has labeled this as their "biggest collaboration yet."

Tapping into some of Metallica's most iconic graphics, selections spread across the album artwork from the Ride The Lightening album, the famous electric chair imagery, the 'Love 'Til Leather' tape deck design, and a reimagined 'Soon You'll Please Their Appetite' design.

Using the Metallica prints across their T-shirts and hoodie, Boda's classic jersey is 170gms, as well as being GOTS certified as 100% organic cotton.  The hoodie only features the iconic electric chair graphic, but while also featuring 100% organic cotton on the linings, this oversized look goes through a rigorous washing process to prevent shrinkage, while the V-stitched reinforcement ensures the neckline doesn't lose its shape over time.

Introducing the latest Kay Michaels leather, Boda has added two new linings to the world-famous silhouette. Featuring the Ride The Lightning and the tape deck graphics, each lining is made from 100% premium satin.

For the rest of the jacket, the same distinctive details still remain. The jacket is handcrafted from premium sheep leather, with gunmetal hardware and two internal pockets that are made for phones and cardholders. Each jacket has ribbed detailing on the shoulders and is available in the Original and Tall ranges.

Purchase your Boda Skins x Metallica items from BodaSkins.com from August 28.




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Damian Wilson (Arena, Headspace, Ayreon) will release a new album, Limehouse To Lechlade, on November 12 on LP, CD and download/streaming format. The album, produced by Andrew Holdsworth, is Damian’s first full-length solo album since 2016’s Built For Fighting. It contains 13 original songs and might be Damian's most eclectic work yet. Known for his exploration into different genres, the songs on the album range from folk-rock to power pop, with the occasional Floydian guitar solo.

The title, Limehouse To Lechlade, refers to the navigable length of the River Thames heading upstream from central London to the Cotswolds. Damian loved his many years living on river boats, and traveling the River Thames is particularly special to him. Limehouse To Lechlade was recorded during one of the most challenging periods for the music industry. Damian believes that music is about connecting with people, and after this period of separation from each other he is looking forward to reconnecting with his audience on the road; starting with shows through Europe in November/December 2021.

The album is mastered by Tony Lindgren (Sepultura, Opeth, Katatonia) and features a wide range of musicians, 17 in total, including Alex Reeves
(Elbow), Lee Pomeroy (ELO), Michael Buckley (Glen Hansard) and Chris Hill (Jamie Cullum). Available for pre-order here.

The opening track, "Once We're Gone", is streaming on all digital platforms now. Watch a lyric video below.

Tracklisting:

"Once We’re Gone"
"Limehouse To Lechlade"
" Climbing Frame"
"Let Me Down Slowly"
"Fire & Ashes"
"Picture"
"No Money"
"Key To Life"
"Hard To Keep Faith"
"Must We Say Goodnight"
"It Ends Here"
"Women On My Mind"
"Cornerstone"
"Seek For Adventure" (band version) - CD/Digital bonus track

"Once We’re Gone" lyric video:




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ROAR! Rock Of Angels Records announce the signing of a multi-album deal with hard rockers Sainted Sinners and welcome the band to the label roster.

In 2016 Frank Pané, known for his work as guitar player for Bonfire, Dark Blue Inc. amongst others, formed the international group Sainted Sinners under the theme "The Essence of Rock'n Roll" to present the fans with the ultimate classic hard rock show.

Sainted Sinners' first lineup included, along with Frank Pané’s long-time colleague Berci Hirleman from Budapest, Hungary on drums, international experienced musicians. In 2020 the lineup got strengthened by the addition of Jack Meille (Tygers Of Pan Tang) on vocals, Ernesto Ghezzi (Gotthard) on keys and Rico Bowen on bass. With their third album Unlocked & Reloaded in 2020 the “new” lineup proved to be the strongest and most creative incarnation of the band yet.

Now, not even a year later Sainted Sinners further evolved their great working chemistry and will return with the band’s fourth soon to be announced album, which is scheduled for a late 2021 release.

This time with a highly experienced and powerful partner in forms of their new label Rock of Angels Records. The plans are set on behalf of the band and their strong new label to attack -in a very positive way- the world with a healthy dose of their essence of rock ‘n roll consisting of 10 new songs and a surprise cover done Sainted Sinners style.

The Sinners will continue to deliver what they are known for: a musical journey through all facets of 70s & 80s inspired heavy rock. Powerful, blues & soul-soaked vocals, virtuoso guitar & hammond duels, groovy & pumping rhythm section. All presented to you with a rockin‘ package of diversity and musicality emphazised by the individual styles of the band members.

Stay tuned and experience “The Essence of Rock ’n Roll”!

Lineup:

Jacopo Meille - Vocal
Frank Pané - Guitar
Ernesto Ghezzi - Keyboards
Berci Hirleman - Drums
Rico Bowen - Bass




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Relapse welcomes Bay Area death metal legion, Ripped To Shreds, to the roster.

Founded in 2016 as a one man band by Andrew Lee, the 2018 release of debut album 埋葬 (Mai-Zang) was met with success across the death metal underground. Their most recent album, 亂 (Luan) landed across several year end lists. Ripped To Shreds was recently revealed to play at this year’s upcoming Decibel Metal and Beer Fest LA.

Ripped To Shreds will release their Relapse debut and third full-length album in 2022. The band are currently streaming a brand new song, “燒冥紙 (Sacrificial Fire),” via the Decibel Flexi Series here. Decibel says “this exclusive new track showcases the now signature brutal-yet-melodic take on the old school style from this upstart international death metal machine.”

Regarding the signing, Ripped To Shreds comment: “We're all very excited to be a part of Relapse's roster, since Relapse has meant so much to our early journeys through extreme music. We're also excited to be one of the first all Asian-American bands signed to Relapse, since the Asian-American experience informs the entire concept of Ripped To Shreds. The Bay Area is rich with Asian talent in the hardcore scene, with massive bands like Sunami and Gulch drawing droves of other Asian Americans to shows; we hope to do the same for death metal in the Bay. Our new record will showcase the same chainsaw death metal/grind as we've always done, with a bit of a Finndeath twist this time around, as well as the fastest blasting we've ever managed to extract out of our drummer. We'll work him until his hands fall off.”




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