International all-female metal collective, Chaos Rising, have release their fourteenth single and video, "Normalize". Watch the new clip below.

Founded by French multi-instrumentalist Stéphanie Nolf (Unsafe, Syrinx), Chaos Rising is a unique project that brings together female metal musicians from across the globe. The collaboration is going from strength to strength, attracting some of the biggest names in metal.

"Normalize" is a high-energy industrial metal track written by Catherine Fearns (guitar, synthesizer) and Stéphanie Nolf (vocals, bass). The song is a celebration of the achievements of women, and a reminder that while these achievements have been overlooked or suppressed by the history books, women are now being written back into history, and the true story is being told.

Chaos Rising is blazing a trail, and not only by providing opportunities for women and gender minorities to become involved in all aspects of metal music. These girls are innovating fast, exemplifying how musicians are networking to adapt and create amidst current challenges.




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The Rolling Stones have released a new lyric video for their iconic 1968 single, "Jumpin’ Jack Flash". To commemorate 53 years of rock ‘n’ roll perfection, both "Jumpin' Jack Flash"and its B-Side, "Child Of The Moon", have been given a visual revamp.

The pair of videos were conceived and created by Yes Please Productions, the design studio responsible for all of the Stones’ lyric videos since the reissue of Their Satanic Majesties Request in 2017.

The "Jumpin' Jack Flash" visualizer opens with red, white and black geometric shapes whirring to that unmistakable Keith Richards riff, different objects moving in and out of the screen to every bar of music - diamonds, circles and clean lines soon make way for a kaleidoscopic whir just in time for the maracas to make themselves at home.

The primary colour palette, paired with the brush script lyrics, sets out to convey the raw, stripped back nature of the Stones hit. A vintage grain and film texture is laid over the video, adding to the retro feel.

Tom Readdy,  creative director at Yes Please Productions, adds: “Lyric videos are an integral part of the marketing mix in the music industry, especially for catalogue artists, but they’re so often treated as an afterthought. The excitement and rush of the song is something that should be conveyed in the lyric video, just as it would in traditional promo - no music fan is going wild over something they could’ve done themselves. Our videos will be the visual representation of these iconic songs for the foreseeable future, and that's a huge honour as well as a great responsibility!”

"Child Of The Moon" opts for a more subdued feel, inspired by the natural landscape and elements from the track’s original, acid-tinged 1968 promo video, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg. Yes Please Productions lifted the typeface for the new lyric video from the original 7” single, ensuring the song’s psychedelic, retro tones were conveyed faithfully in 2021. This ‘60s-inspired theme is furthered with bespoke illustrations of flowers, leaves and patterns that grow in and around the typeface.

"Jumpin' Jack Flash" was released as a non-album 7” single on May 24, 1968. Yes Please Productions’ lyric videos for The Rolling Stones have helped support a reignited interest in the legendary band’s work within younger generations, thanks to millions of YouTube views and Spotify visualizers.

Lucy Dawkins, creative director at Yes Please Productions, adds: “Over the last four years, we’ve made more than 100 lyric videos for the Stones - it’s always a joy to dig back into the catalogue and find new ways of interpreting the classics. 'Jumpin’ Jack Flash'’s rock ‘n’ roll danger and 'Child Of The Moon'’s psychedelic undertones always played well off one another on the 7”, and putting that dichotomy to film was one of the more rewarding moments we’ve had with the Stones’ work.”




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The world’s favourite Pirate Metal Drinking Crew, Alestorm, are taking you on a wild, wet ride across the seven seas with their new live album/DVD/BluRay, Live In Tilburg, out today via Napalm Records.

In finest Alestorm manner, the group gathered 3,000 people in Tilburg's sold out Poppodium to all sing along to their eloquent smash hit "Fucked With An Anchor". With dozens of millions of streams across all streaming platforms, "Fucked With An Anchor" is an absolute fan favorite - as the Tilburg's crowd impressively demonstrates.

Watch “Fucked With An Anchor” from Live In Tilburg:

Excellently produced and mixed by the renowned Lasse Lammert, who has already been involved in Alestorm’s studio albums Curse Of The Crystal Coconut, No Grave But The Sea, Sunset On The Golden Age and many more, Live In Tilburg features an amazing mix of Alestorm’s most beloved hits like “Drink“, “Mexico”, “Alestorm”, “Hangover”, “The Sunk’n Norwegian” and of course, “Fucked With An Anchor”.

The live album is available in various colored vinyl formats, and the special edition of Live In Tilburg comes in a wooden box, along with a CD+DVD, a mediabook and a 7-inch vinyl featuring two new acoustic Alestorm cover songs. Live In Tilburg’s immersive experience is the true definition of what Alestorm is all about - an endless fountain of foot-stomping, riff-busting, piratical singalong fun. A must-have for all the filthy landlubbers out there.

Live In Tilburg is available in the following formats:

- Deluxe Wooden Box: Mediabook, 7" Single (2 Acoustic Cover Songs), Lanyard + Pass, Alestorm Flag
- 2-LP Gatefold (Mint) + DVD
- 2-LP Gatefold (Yellow) + DVD, Slipmat & Patch
- 2-LP Gatefold Vinyl (Black) + DVD
- BluRay/DVD/CD Mediabook
- Digital Album

Order here.

Tracklisting:

Intro
"Keelhauled"
"Alestorm"
"Magnetic North"
"Mexico"
"Over The Seas"
"The Sunk'n Norwegian"
"No Grave But The Sea"
"Nancy The Tavern Wench"
"Rumpelkombo"
"1741 (The Battle Of Cartagena)"
"Drunken Sailor"
"Hangover"
"Pegleg Potion"
"Bar ünd Imbiss"
"Captain Morgan's Revenge"
"Shipwrecked"
"Drink"
"Wolves Of The Sea"
"Fucked With An Anchor"

Lineup:

Christopher Bowes - vocals, keytar
Gareth Murdock - bass
Mate Bodor - guitar
Peter Alcorn - drums
Elliot Vernon - keyboard

(Photo - Robert Zembrzycki)




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The debut album from Silver Lake By Esa Holopainen is now available via Nuclear Blast, and comes not only with the legendary guitar riffs of Esa Holopainen from Amorphis, one of Finland's biggest guitarists and metal songwriters, but also seven famous rock and metal vocalists such as Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Einar Solberg (Leprous), Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork), Anneke Van Giersbergen and many more, that dive you into a world of catchy, progressive metal masterpieces that breathe the beauty and melancholy of Finland.

Watch a video for "Alkusointu" feat. Vesa-Matti Loiri below, and order here.

With moody cover artwork created by Metastazis, the album was recorded at Sonic Pump, produced and mixed by Nino Laurenne & Esa Holopainen, and mastered by Svante Forsbäck.

Tracklisting:

"Silver Lake" (instrumental)
"Sentiment" (feat. Jonas Renkse of Katatonia)
"Storm" (feat. Håkan Hemlin of Nordman)
"Ray Of Light" (feat. Einar Solberg of Leprous)
"Alkusointu" (feat. Vesa-Matti Loiri)
"In Her Solitude" (feat Tomi Joutsen of Amorphis)
"Promising Sun" (feat. Björn 'Speed' Strid of Soilwork / The Night Flight Orchestra)
"Fading Moon" (feat. Anneke Van Giersbergen)
"Apprentice" (feat. Jonas Renkse of Katatonia)

"Alkusointu" video:

"Ray Of Light" video:

"Storm" video:




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Tygers Of Pan Tang have 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 "What You Say" 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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Lee Aaron will release her new album, Radio On!, on July 23 via Metalville Records. Today, Lee reveals the official video for "Cmon", the first single taken from the album.

The video was authored and edited by the multi-talented Canadian engineer/producer/mixer and video genius Frank Gryner. Frank has recently done videos for Alice Cooper and Def Leppard and also was the video editor for Lee's Power, Soul, Rock'n'Roll - Live in Germany DVD, released in 2019 via Metalville. He has also done production and sound recordings for Rob Zombie, Trent Reznor, and A Perfect Circle.

Lee Aaron is back with a collection of 12 brand-new originals that invite you to tune into the heartbeat of your personal radio dial and hear the best of what this rock 'n' roll legend has to offer.

Like the FM stations that once ruled the airwaves, Radio On! is full of classic, melodic rock hooks, nasty guitar riffs, big harmonies, and inspired songwriting. Themes explored on the album include: mortality ("Radio On," "Twenty One"), materialism ("Devil's Gold"), empowerment ("Vampin'"), addiction ("Wasted"), love ("Cmon," "Had Me At Hello"), and society ("Soul Breaker," "Russian Doll").

Lee Aaron delivers these messages with memorable, soaring melodies and her extraordinary, versatile voice that has remained powerful and consistent throughout her career.

Like your favorite radio DJ coming over the airwaves on a hot summer night, Lee Aaron invites you to set your dial for a genuine rock 'n' roll listening experience… 12 tracks of melodic rock at its BEST!

Radio On! tracklisting:

"Vampin’"
"Soul Breaker"
"Cmon"
"Mama Don’t Remember"
"Radio On"
"Soho Crawl"
"Devil’s Gold"
"Russian Doll"
"Great Big Love"
"Wasted"
"Had Me At Hello"
"Twenty One"

Lineup:

Lee Aaron - lead vocals
Sean Kelly - guitar
Dave Reimer - bass
John Cody - drums




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Brazilian powerhouse, Eminence, have released a video for "Burn It Again", the latest single from the band's new album, Dark Echoes, out now via Blood Blast Distribution. Watch the clip below, and get the album here.

Produced by Alan Wallace and mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (Meshuggah, Heaven Shall Burn, Suicide Silence), Dark Echoes consists of twelve solidly crafted songs speaking to themes of resisting bigotry, frustration, and perseverance.

Tracklisting:

"Dark Echoes"
"Burn It Again"
"B.Y.O.G"
"Wake Up The Blind"
"Into The Ashes"
"The Vanishing"
"Inner Suffering"
"Death Of A Nation"
"The Hologram"
"N3mbers"
"Not Hating, Just Saying"
"Parasite Planet"

"Burn It Again" video:

"Wake Up The Blind" video:

"BYOG" video:

"Dark Echoes" featuring guest vocals from Bjorn Strid of Soilwork:

(Photo - Henrique Gualtieri)




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Finnish doom stars, Swallow The Sun, have announced their first ever live album, 20 Years Of Gloom, Beauty And Despair - Live In Helsinki. It will be released on July 30 via Century Media Records.

"Finally some good news after a year of cancellations and shitshow! We managed to play only 10 of these special 20th anniversary gigs before the whole world shut down in March 2020 and the rest of the tour got cancelled. Luckily we filmed and recorded one of the gigs, which we now release as our very first live album as we wait to be able to get back on stages again. Enjoy!," comments Mikko Kotamäki

About the production he states, “We played the whole Songs From The North II with a string quartet - comprised of very professional musicians, two of whom played on our previous album and appeared with us on the 70000 Tons of Metal cruise in 2018. For the first time, we also asked our fans on social media to vote for their favorite songs from each album. We then played the most-voted songs from every album."

20 Years Of Gloom, Beauty And Despair - Live In Helsinki“ will be available as Ltd. 2CD+DVD Digipak, Gatefold 3LP+DVD and as digital album. All physical formats can be pre-ordered here.

The vinyl version will be available in the following colours:

- Black vinyl, unlimited
- Golden vinyl, limited to 200 copies worldwide, only available at Levykauppa Äx
- Dark green vinyl, limited to 200 copies worldwide, available at CMDistro
- Deep blood red vinyl, limited to 200 copies worldwide, only available at EMP
- Mint colored vinyl, limited to 200 copies worldwide, only available Nuclear Blast
- Glow in the dark vinyl, limited to 200 copies worldwide, only available at the official band store

Swallow The Sun are:

Juha Raivio - guitars
Matti Honkonen - bass
Mikko Kotamäki - vocals
Juuso Raatikainen - drums
Juho Räihä - guitars
Jaani Peuhu - keyboards/backing vocals

(Photo - Jussi Ratilainen)




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Left-field metal luminaries Enslaved have revealed the next audiovisual gem taken from their forthcoming Cinematic Tour 2020 live releases. As part of their 30th anniversary revelries, the band has today premiered a live video for their single "Fenris". A classic track from their early arsenal - though black metal to its core, "Fenris" nevertheless hinted at their kosmische obsessions that lurked behind the curtain.

This performance of 'Fenris' is taken from their upcoming live release Chronicles of the Northbound (Cinematic Tour 2020), which sees Enslaved fly through a career spanning entirely fan-voted set of favourites. It is one part of their four new live album/DVD Cinematic Tour 2020 collection due to be released on June 25th.

Enslaved's Grutle Kjellson comments: "'Fenris' was perhaps the first song we wrote that got a massive encore demand, and before we actually had a lot of songs to pick from, we even played it twice during a set… haha. So, since all the songs on the Chronicles of the Northbound set was handpicked and voted for by our fans, it wasn’t a big shock that the grand old wolf was among the chosen ones.

'Fenris' has been present on many of our setlists for pretty close to 30 years now, and it is still a great song for both ourselves to perform and for the audience to absorb. It’s a very energetic song, and its lyrical concept deals with letting the energy flow naturally without trying to enslave (bish!) it. The consequences can be fatal if you keep the wolf in captivity for too long. Let loose your inner wolf, the inevitable tide, and enjoy!"

The Cinematic Tour 2020 release features four new live albums/DVDs with audio and visuals taken from their digital performances in 2020.

- The Rise Of Ymir (Verftet Online Festival 2020)
- Chronicles of the Northbound (Cinematic Tour 2020)
- Below The Lights (Cinematic Tour 2020)
- Utgard - The Journey Within (Cinematic Tour 2020)

The releases will be available via the following formats:

- Wooden Boxset (limited edition 300 copies - handcrafted, personally named & numbered)
- Splatter Vinyl (limited edition 300 copies)
- 4x CD/DVD boxset (limited edition 1000 copies)
- 4x DVD (limited edition 1000 copies)
- digital albums

All formats include a 4 movies download card.

Says the band: "Our will to keep moving regardless of weather and surroundings could be our Norwegian West-coast heritage (you know, from when there was only potatoes and no oil and certainly no reality-TV; Norwegians were once quite tough people), and is perhaps our greatest forte. That; and being surrounded by professionals that genuinely care about this old ship of a band. Put that together and you get the unlikely success of the Cinematic Tour of 2020. To see it materialize further into these wonderfully sounding and magically packaged releases is the Multiverse’s way of telling us to keep moving, creating and performing. No matter what idiotic state the world might be in. So be it.

"We are so stoked about how these Cinematic Tour 2020 releases turned out. The crown jewel for old vinyl collectors like ourselves has got to be the wooden box - handmade, numbered and named individually. That is simply... metal!"

Collectors Wooden Boxset - Handcrafted, Handnumbered, Personalized

Limited to 300 copies worldwide. Sold exclusively in the band's online store.

Featuring:

- Download card for all 4 movies
- All albums on black vinyl
-  Each vinyl includes the show poster and the movies download card
- Original illustration by Tor Ola Svennevig on the inner-sleeve
- The 4 streams on DVD (PAL)
- Woven patch, enamel pin, poster flag and printed A2 poster
- Handcrafted and Autenticity Certificate

Splatter Vinyl Editions

1st pressing of each album on Clear with Splatter vinyl, limited to 300 copies each.

Featuring:

- Download card for all 4 movies
- Original illustration by Tor Ola Svennevig on the inner-sleeve
- All songs lyrics

4x CDs + 4x DVDs Boxset

Limited 1st press of 1000 copies, featuring:

- Download card for all 4 movies
- 4x dual layer DVDs in digipack (PAL for EU, NTSC for US)
- 4x CDs in digipack
- Slipcase with matt finish and Gold Foil
- 16 pages booklet

4x DVD

Limited 1st press of 1000 copies, featuring:

- Download card for all 4 movies
- 4x dual layer DVDs (PAL for EU, NTSC for US)
- Slipcase with matt finish and Gold Foil
- 16 pages booklet

(Photo - Roy Bjørg)




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A Pale Horse Named Death, the doom metal band led by founding Type O Negative and Life Of Agony member Sal Abruscato, have released their new single "Believe In Something (You Are Lost)". The new track is the first offering from the band's upcoming studio album, Infernum In Terra, out September 24 via Long Branch Records/SPV.

Stream "Believe In Something (You Are Lost)" below, and pre-order the new album here.

Sal Abruscato about the new single: "'Believe In Something (You Are Lost)' is about feeling lost with your emotions and beliefs with the outside world, you're on the verge of snapping, feeling alone and that’s the moment where you need to dig deep with your self, focus on what makes you feel better, ignore the rest who do not help. In a nutshell believe in your self and you can achieve anything!"

Infernum In Terra is the fourth studio album from A Pale Horse Named Death, and has been mastered by Maor Appelbaum (Faith No More, Meat Loaf, Yes, Sepultura, Halford etc.) at Maor Appelbaum Mastering (California,USA) while the artwork was done by Kelvin Doran of Serpent Tusk Studios (Dublin, Ireland).

"The album to me represents a new beginning, turning a new leaf shall we say with the same vibe from past albums but with a fresh open minded approach," says Abruscato. He adds: "There is no real concrete specific concept, it touches on some personal topics in my life long, my interest in the dark arts, that to have light you must have darkness to balance everything. With daylight comes nightfall, with heaven there is hell and at this moment the world seems to be in a very dark place hence the title of the album Infernum In Terra. This is a very dark album, but what else is new I always write dark music to sooth a dark soul!"

Tracklisting:

"Infernum"
"Believe In Something (You Are Lost)"
"Cast Out From The Sky"
"Shards Of Glass"
"Lucifer's Sun"
"It Is Done"
"Two Headed Snake (Propofol Dreams)"
"Slave To The Master"
"Devil's Deed"
"Reflections Of The Dead"
"Souls In The Abyss"

A Pale Horse Named Death lineup:

Sal Abruscato - Vocals Guitar
Eddie Heedles - Guitar
Joe Taylor - Guitar
Chris Hamilton - Drums
Oddie McLaughlin - Bass




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Melancholic metal band Sombria released a new single and music video. The track is a cover of Schiller's "Tired" which is found on their Sehnsucht album.

The band comments: "Tired' is a unique and very powerful song originally created by Schiller, containing a dramatic and deeply emotional background. This is what we had in mind working on this song. Having a big respect towards Schiller’s music, we decided to bring this piece closer to our music genre, emphasizing the melancholy and the hidden 'sorrow' that surrounds it.

Also, we took the opportunity to add our own message through the music video, highlighting the sensation of agony and despair that so many of us meticulously hide for all kind of reasons. Our identity is our most sacred strength in life, it’s a shell hiding our self-esteem, individuality and qualities that is the reason we need to protect it, feel proud and flaunt it!

This video is dedicated to all the unique souls that feel oppressed and frightened to express themselves freely."

 

Sombria is a dark / melancholic metal project formed by singer/songwriter Dimi De San who works under the name Valentina Devin and guitarist/composer Raven Seven. The band has an international line-up featuring members from Norway, Greece & Mexico. Their critically acclaimed debut album. Chirographon Dei, was released on late 2020 by Finnish record label Inverse Records.

Chirographon Dei is Sombria's debut full length album consisting of nine songs, recorded, mixed and mastered by Raven Seven in his studio. All songs were composed by Raven Seven, the lyrics were written by Dimi De San.

Tracklist:

"Voyage Into Lethe"
"Black December"
"Sarcophagus Of Roses"
"Mirror Of God"
"Ballet Of Sadness"
"The Soul's Manuscript"
"Wine Of Lunacy"
"Penitence"
"Poem From The Dark Gardens"




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On June 18th, Entierro will release the follow-up to their 2018 self-titled full-length. Entitled El Camazotz, after the Mayan bat god associated with night, death and sacrifice, the five-song EP represents a new chapter in the story of the band.

Recorded just prior to the pandemic at Studio Wormwood in Northeastern Connecticut, under the engineering mastery of Dave Kaminsky, the songs of El Camazotz harken back to the NWOBHM and traditional heavy metal bands that the members of Entierro grew up listening to. 

This also marks the first truly collaborative effort with former Fates Warning guitarist Victor Arduini, who had joined the band just prior to the recording of their 2018 full length. On this release, he was an integral part of the writing process, working alongside vocalist / bassist Christopher Beaudette (Jasta, NightBitch,) drummer Dave Parmelee (One Master) and second guitarist Chris Begnal, making it a much more definitive presentation of their creative vision. Together, Entierro is solidifying their ability to create songs that manifest the crushing sound they hope metalheads continually find inspiration in.

Tracklisting:

"The Penance"
"The Tower"
"The Past"
"El Camazotz"
"Call For The Priest" (Judas Priest cover)

Pre-orders can be placed now at this location. The lyric video for "The Past" can be seen below.

 




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In a new interview with QFM96's "Torg & Elliott" radio show, STYX guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw was asked why he and his wife moved to Nashville in 2013 after two decades of living in Los Angeles and touring around the world. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I grew up in Alabama, and Nashville was the first place that I came to when I decided to go out of town and see what I could do elsewhere. My wife, she was born in Illinois, but her family moved down here to Nashville when she was really young. And so she grew up in Clarksville. I had come down here — I forget how many years ago — to do a bluegrass record and spent three weeks here and really fell in love with it.

Prior to moving to Tennessee, Tommy and Jeanne Shaw "lived in Beachwood Canyon where the Hollywood sign is, and when we first moved there, there were no smartphones, and so people coming up trying to find the Hollywood sign, you'd maybe see five of 'em a day because it was winding," Tommy said. "By the time we left, there were 6,500 people a day coming up there — it was tourist vans and confrontations just trying to get out of your driveway. So that's how we wound up [in Nashville]."

Asked if there are a lot of other rockers moving to Nashville, Tommy said: "[There's] a lot of everybody here. It's just a great, central place to be. Especially if you're touring, you're in a central area. The bus company that we use is in Nashville, so a lot of times, if we're just starting out, the bus will pull up in front of my house, I'll hop on and I can avoid an airplane ride."

According to Nashville Lifestyles, Tommy and Jeanne Shaw's home in Oak Hill once belonged to disco legend Donna Summer.

Jeanne oversees STYX merchandise and helps with Rock To The Rescue, a nonprofit founded by STYX and REO SPEEDWAGON and run by Tommy's daughter Hannah.

STYX's new album, "Crash Of The Crown", will be released on June 18 via the band's label, Alpha Dog 2T/UMe. The LP was written pre-pandemic and recorded during the trying times of the coronavirus crisis.

In a new interview with Anne Erickson of Audio Ink Radio, former GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Gilby Clarke was asked what it was like being part of one of the most exciting times in music, the '80s and early '90s. He responded: "I think what I remember the most was it was fun. It was a fun job, you know? I mean, we all have our jobs, and we don't always go to work with a smile on our face. I went to work every day with a smile on my face. I really feel — I can honestly say I was living the dream. It was such a great time, because anyone you ran into, and they go, 'Oh, what band are you in?' 'GUNS N' ROSES.' 'Oh, I know who they are.' It was easier. It was just kind of a magical time. I mean, everybody kind of liked the same kind of music. Rock was big. It was important, too; that kind of music was important. It employed a lot of people; it made a lot of money for a lot of people. So, it was important. Obviously, landscapes change. Music changes. It would be boring if it stayed the same forever. I'm happy to have those memories. To be honest. I don't need to relive 'em. I remember some of it; not all of it. [Laughs]"

Clarke also spoke about how the rise of grunge in the early 1990s forced most hard rock bands off the radio and MTV, with album and tour sales plummeting. Asked if the sea change in the way that major labels looked at signing new artists happened "overnight," Gilby said: "Well, no, it wasn't overnight. I mean, I have a couple of opinions about it. Number one, before I got the GUNS N' ROSES gig as a guitar player, I was a Virgin Records songwriter. So, I knew a lot about what new projects were coming up. So, I heard the NIRVANA record before it came out, and I go, 'Oh, my God. It's a really good record.' But I didn't think of it as grunge. I mean, you could obviously tell it wasn't a hard rock record. I just kind of thought it was almost like what GREEN DAY was; it was kind of like pop-punk rock is kind of what I thought it was when I heard it. So, when grunge first came in, first of all, I was in GUNS at the time, and it didn't affect us. We were playing stadiums — sold-out stadiums. So, it affected us later. I'd say it affected us later, like when I did my first solo record, and when Slash did SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, the environment had changed a little bit. It was a little harder dealing with radio. And I remember when I put out my first record, 'Pawnshop Guitars', my song 'Cure Me Or Kill Me' was doing incredibly well at radio, but I couldn't break over that song 'Black Hole Sun' [by SOUNDGARDEN]. It was always 'Black Hole Sun' No. 1, and 'Cure Me Or Kill Me' No. 2. And that's when I started really noticing the climate change."

Clarke replaced Izzy Stradlin in the GUNS lineup in 1991, during the "Use Your Illusion" tour, and stayed with the band for three years. After exiting GUNS N' ROSES, Clarke continued as a producer and solo artist, while also playing in SLASH'S SNAKEPIT, ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, HEART and other acts.

Clarke's new solo album, "The Gospel Truth", was released in April via Golden Robot Records.

Following a year of isolating, yet creatively prolific quarantine, Maryland heavy rock band, Savage Hands, have returned with an emotionally riveting new single, titled "Love No More". The song is accompanied by a beautifully shot video that can be viewed below.

Commenting on the single and video, the band states: "'Love No More' is a track that comes straight from the soul. A broken feeling from a loss in life, a heartbreak,  or being afraid become vulnerable again. The lyrics dramatically portray the feelings of what one may think of themselves while going through pain such as mentioned. The video basically portrays falling in and out of a nightmare. The dream sequence portion of the video represents the mind trying to take over. We used the black tears to represent a feeling of pure sadness, but since the color black holds little to no emotion, we thought it was a powerful symbolic representation of feeling empty."

Stream "Love No More" here, and see the video below:




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In the video below, GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Slash describes how AmpliTube 5 is "so damn easy" and "sounds amazing" and how he uses it all the time for demoing, writing, and recording.

Slash knows AmpliTube is the real deal, he uses it all the time, and AmpliTube 5 has taken it to a new level. Slash says: "It was great to begin with, but it has gotten even better."

AmpliTube Slash puts you in front of some killer rigs. Want to rock Slash's rig? Now you can with AmpliTube Slash, one of the great signature collections inside AmpliTube custom shop. Slash's tone is instantly recognizable and can now be yours. Play through a rock icon's pedals and amplifiers, all from the convenience of your personal playing space — your studio.

AmpliTube Slash is a suite of Slash's signature guitar effects, amps and cabs that he uses on tour and in the studio. IK Multimedia worked closely with Slash to recreate his rigs perfectly and Slash says we nailed it. Now you can play and record with the exact sounds that make the legend.

Slash joined GUNS N' ROSES in 1985 in Los Angeles and quickly rose to international fame by the summer of 1987 with the release of the band's debut LP, "Appetite for Destruction", which has sold over 30 million copies and became one of the best-selling rock LPs of all time.

Slash has amassed album sales of over 100 million copies, garnered a Grammy Award and seven Grammy nominations and was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Time magazine named Slash No. 2, behind Jimi Hendrix, on its "The Ten Best Electric Guitar Players of All Time" list. Slash helped create signature sounds like the guitar riff on No. 1 hits for GUNS N ROSES, "Sweet Child O' Mine" and "Welcome To The Jungle". After leaving the band, Slash went on to critical acclaim with SLASH'S SNAKEPIT and global success with the supergroup VELVET REVOLVER. Slash's self-titled biography, critically well-received, climbed the bestseller list in both the U.S. and U.K., hitting No. 8 on the New York Times Bestsellers List. Slash landed on the top of the charts with his first solo album, "Slash" (2010) which featured Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie and more. Slash also released "Nothing Left To Fear" (2013) the first-ever motion picture he co-produced from Slasher Films, his film/TV production company.

RAMMSTEIN singer Till Lindemann will release a new solo single, "Ich Hasse Kinder" (English translation: "I Hate Kids"), on June 1. The first teaser for the song's official Serghey Grey-directed music video can be seen below.

Earlier this month, Lindemann released a music video for the orchestral version of his latest solo single, "Lubimiy Gorod", sung entirely in Russian, for the original motion picture "Devyatayev", which came out on April 29. Translated as "Beloved Town", the piano-led ballad was composed by Yevgeniy Dolmatovsky (lyrics) and Nikita Bogoslovsky. It was originally performed by Mark Bernes in 1939.

"Devyatayev", directed by Timur Bekmambetov, is about the Soviet pilot Mikhail Devyatayev, who was captured by Germany during World War II. He leads an escape from a concentration camp on the island of Usedom in the Baltic Sea by hijacking an aircraft.

LINDEMANN, the project featuring vocalist Till and Swedish producer and multi-instrumentalist Peter Tägtgren (HYPOCRISY, PAIN), released a concert film, "Live In Moscow", on May 21 on Blu-ray. The set includes professionally filmed video footage of LINDEMANN's March 15, 2020 performance at Moscow, Russia's VTB Arena.

Last November, Lindemann and Tägtgren confirmed that they were ending their collaboration on the LINDEMANN project.

LINDEMANN's second album, "F & M", was released in November 2019. The follow-up to 2015's "Skills In Pills" was once again produced and mixed by Tägtgren.

"Skills In Pills" reached gold status in Germany and was entirely in English. On the second opus, Lindemann went back to singing exclusively in German.

LINDEMANN had received some criticism due to its use of pornography during its second album cycle, with the music video for "Platz Eins" described by one site as "full-on art porn — slick and stylish, weird and experimental, and definitely X-rated."

This past February, RAMMSTEIN keyboardist Christian "Flake" Lorenz confirmed that the band recorded a new studio album during the coronavirus pandemic.

Last October, RAMMSTEIN revealed that it had returned to La Fabrique studios in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, in the south of France. At the time, the band wrote in a social media post: "Sadly no tour this year - but it's great to be back in the studio!"

RAMMSTEIN's seventh, untitled album came out in May 2019 via UME/Spinefarm in Europe and Caroline Records in the U.S. The band's first studio disc since 2009's "Liebe Ist Für Alle Da" debuted at No. 1 on the album charts in 14 countries and was the band's tenth No. 1 in Germany.

In 2018, legendary TWISTED SISTER vocalist and pop culture pillar Dee Snider turned the heavy music world on its axis with his transformative album, "For The Love Of Metal". Produced by HATEBREED frontman Jamey Jasta, the album re-cemented Dee's undeniable prowess with its modernized mastery and take-no-prisoners attitude. Three years later, with one of the most collectively tumultuous times society has ever experienced behind him, Snider triumphantly returns with his fifth full-length album, "Leave A Scar", due out July 30 via Napalm Records.

Once again produced by Jasta with co-production, mixing and mastering by drummer Nick Bellmore, "Leave A Scar" sees Snider & Co. continuing in the invigorated direction of "For The Love Of Metal", infusing a dose of classic heavy metal flavor that longtime fans will rush to embrace.

In celebration of the album's announcement, Snider has unleashed the album's first single, the charging track "I Gotta Rock (Again)", accompanied by a new music video. Channeling his years as one of music's most respected vocalists while harnessing modern flair, Snider delivers a headbanging anthem of lifelong dedication to heavy metal — no matter what!

Snider says about "I Gotta Rock (Again)": "'I Gotta Rock (Again)' is the starting gun for this album and the driving motivation behind me returning to the studio to record 'Leave A Scar'. At the end of 2019, I had felt my recording and live performing was over, but I didn't announce it to the world. I mentally had decided I was done. But the state of things in 2020 had other plans for me. Between COVID and the political state around the globe, I found myself yearning (yes, I yearn) to get back in the studio. In the immortal words of Ice Cube, 'I got somethin' to say!'"

Like a scar itself, "Leave A Scar" is an illuminating plentitude of angst etched in time — serving as a musical refuge and expressive output for Dee. But in turn, this auditory time capsule written to express the anger, unease and pain he experienced during lockdown emerges as not only blisteringly heavy, but relentlessly powerful. Each of the 12 tracks on "Leave A Scar" not only further bolster Snider's position as one of the most celebrated frontmen of all time, showcasing that his vocal delivery and commanding swagger is as strong as ever, but that he is nowhere near stopping.

Heads will bang within seconds of the hard-charging opening notes of ultra-catchy album starter and lifer anthem "I Gotta Rock (Again)", instantly setting the stage for the non-stop onslaught of metallic mainstays to come. Tracks like the brutal "Time To Choose" — featuring the primed guest vocal attack of CANNIBAL CORPSE's George "Corpsegrinder" Fisher — and mosh-ready "The Reckoning" showcase the album's heavy assault, without sacrificing the harmonic goodness evident on tracks like the unrelenting, hooky thrasher "All Or Nothing More" and melodic, metalcore inspired "In For The Kill". Energetic single of strength "Down But Never Out" encapsulates the chunky riffage and driving drums palpable throughout the album, while searing "Before I Go" provides one of the album's most massive, memorable choruses and chilling lyrics. The album closes with victorious ballad "Stand", a call for listeners to take a stand and make their voices heard. If "For The Love Of Metal" ignited Snider's eminent surge into a new era — "Leave A Scar" sets it ablaze.

Snider says about "Leave A Scar": "By the end of 2020, I knew I not only had to get back into the studio, but for the first time since the '90s, I wanted — no, needed — to be a part of the writing process. I reached out to my producer Jamey Jasta and told him I was ready to make another record. 'Leave A Scar' is filled with messages to and for the silent voices in the world who need someone to speak out on their behalf. This is my purpose."

Jasta says regarding working with Snider again: "Getting to work with Dee again has been incredible! The power and range in his vocals on this album really shine. Not only is he an American treasure and staple in the rock/metal community, he's a truly original voice and talent like no other. Combine that with the metallic prowess of the Bellmore bros + Russell Pzütto and Nick Petrino, you get a rockin' metal recipe that even the most 'Dee-hard' SMF'ers will surely love!"

"Leave A Scar" track listing:

01. I Gotta Rock (Again)

02. All Or Nothing More

03. Down But Never Out

04. Before I Go

05. Open Season

06. Silent Battles

07. Crying For Your Life

08. In For The Kill

09. Time To Choose

10. S.H.E.

11. The Reckoning

12. Stand

Photo credit: Paul McGuire

RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE drummer Brad Wilk has just undergone surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

Wilk announced the operation in an Instagram post on Wednesday (May 26). He wrote: "Torn meniscus knee surgery going down today. Got a lot of hard notes outa this knee."

According to eMedicineHealth, most torn meniscus surgery patients can walk without a knee brace and crutches in about two to three months.

For most of the last year and a half, Wilk has been preparing for RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's reunion tour, which was recently rescheduled for 2022. The reunited quartet was originally set to kick off its run of shows in March 2020, and then postponed it until 2021. The "Public Service Announcement" tour will now launch March 31, 2022 in El Paso, Texas. RUN THE JEWELS will provide support on the trek. Tickets will be honored for the postponed shows.

The upcoming tour will mark the first time RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE has hit the road together since 2011.

Wilk co-founded RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE in 1991 with guitarist Tom Morello, singer Zack de la Rocha and bassist Tim Commerford.

When that group broke up, Wilk, Morello and Commerford stayed together and launched AUDIOSLAVE in 2001 with Chris Cornell on vocals. Wilk, Morello and Commerford continued to play together in PROPHETS OF RAGE alongside MCs Chuck D and B-Real.

Wilk also played drums on BLACK SABBATH's 2013 studio album, "13", the first SABBATH effort in 35 years to feature founding members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler.
























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French metalcore band,, Landmvrks have announced a livestream slated for Wednesday, June 2 with Resolve and Glassbone. These two bands are the support acts on Landmvrks' upcoming headline tour, so this livestream serves as a great taste of what's to come.

The free livestream is set for 6 PM, BST at this location

Commenting on the event, Resolve bassist Robin Mariat said, "A few months back, during the darkest days of the pandemic, director and longtime collaborator Aurélien Mariat approached us with an idea. What if we took the package from Landmvrks' future EU/UK tour — still surrounded by so much uncertainty even at this point — and put together a unique online show that anyone in the world could enjoy? A few weeks and Zoom calls later, Landmvrks, Glassbone, and crew joined us at our warehouse in the Lyon suburbs for a couple days. Life almost felt like a regular day on tour. Hopefully, the good vibes will translate on screen, because we sure had the best time putting this together and we couldn't be more stoked with the outcome!"




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Earlier this week, ATREYU members Brandon Saller (vocals), Dan Jacobs (guitar) and Travis Miguel (guitar) performed an acoustic version of their song "Warrior" for the listeners of the Tucson rock radio station KFMA. You can now watch video of their performance below.

"Warrior" is taken from ATREYU's upcoming album, "Baptize", which is due on June 4 via Spinefarm Records. The album version of the track features a guest appearance by BLINK-182 drummer Travis Barker.

Regarding how the Barker collaboration came about, Brandon told Detroit's WRIF radio station: "That came really organically. John Feldmann, who produced the album — we've been making records with him for over a decade, and this is the third record we've done with him. He works really closely with Travis on a lot of [things] — he's done many of the BLINK records, and does a lot of projects with Travis. So [Travis] is kind of in and out of the house pretty often, like a couple of times a week. Just, like, 'What up, Trav?' He'll walk by and he's talking to John, and then he leaves.

"When 'Warrior' came up, I had the concept of wanting to do a really big bridge that I wanted to feel like you were mid-bleachers at a high school football game — that energy of the drums and that kind of power," Saller continued. "And I'm not a technically trained marching [band player]. I was never in a marching band; I never was a rudiment guy. I never did that. I just wanted to be like Animal from The Muppets and beat up drums. So I was, like, 'I don't wanna try and fake this, 'cause it's not gonna sound how it's supposed to. I wanna get someone that's real.' And, obviously, Travis is so good at that; he kills that whole realm. So he was stoked to do it. He came in and just laid down a bunch of layers on layers on layers, and it sounds like I wanted it to — like you're in the middle of a football game… A song like 'Warrior', with the subject matter too, sonically, it needed to match the power of the lyric."

"Baptize" marks ATREYU's first album since the departure of vocalist Alex Varkatzas last September. The LP showcases ATREYU's current lineup consisting of Saller focusing completely on singing after previously sharing lead vocals with Varkatzas for most of the band's two-decade-plus existence. Sitting behind the kit is Saller's HELL OR HIGHWATER bandmate Kyle Rosa, who had filled in for Saller on drums in 2019 after Varkatzas bowed out of the band's European tour while dealing with serious back and hernia issues.

ATREYU previously stated about "Warrior": "'Warrior' is song about persistence and never giving up. We hope this song can be the puzzle piece that helps people realize that we ALL have the capacity for greatness. Sometimes, greatness can exist in the shadows and lives buried under negativity, trauma, or anxiety. 'Warrior' is about searching through all of that endless darkness to finally find the sunrise."

IRON MAIDEN's Bruce Dickinson sat down with Planet Rock's Wyatt to talk about taking part in the Heavy Metal Truants charity cycle ride to Download 2021, raising money for Nordoff Robbins, Childline, Teenage Cancer Trust and Save The Children. As well as that, they discussed Bruce's rather simple requirements when it comes to phones and bikes.

After showing his "brand new old Nokia" phone to Wyatt, Bruce said: "Almost a year ago now, I got this smartphone from the MAIDEN office. They said, 'Here's your smartphone.' And there's a SIM card with it and everything. And I thought, 'That's very nice.' So I put it away and never touched it again — until Truants. And they said, 'You need to do this stuff — download your every move on this app.' And I [finally] put the SIM card in. So this whole process, actually, has encouraged me to put in the SIM card, and I now have a smartphone. So, basically, my life is going to suck from now on. I'll be living my life vicariously. But it does do interesting things."

Founded in 2012 by MAIDEN manager Rod Smallwood and ex-Metal Hammer magazine editor-in-chief Alexander Milas, the Heavy Metal Truants have seen tremendous support from the music industry over the years. From Download promoter Andy Copping and John Giddings who runs Isle Of Wight festival, to musicians from bands including SAXON, TRIVIUM, PARADISE LOST and more they have all joined fans to put on the lycra and pedal the miles. The 2017 event was even waved off from Alexandra Palace by the one and only Brian Blessed!

To help raise even more for the kids the Heavy Metal Truants have also run auctions including memorabilia personally donated by QUEEN, METALLICA, KISS, BON JOVI, MAIDEN and many more, alongside spoken-word events with legends of the heavy rock scene and even Heavy Metal Curry Nights.

It begins on May 24 and concludes on June 4, which would have been the first day of this year's Download festival. The event is open to anyone who wishes to sign up and raise funds for Save The Children, Teenage Cancer Trust, Nordoff Robbins and NSPCC/Childline by completing a designated sponsored challenge.

For more information, visit heavymetaltruants.com.

If you are unable to join the ride but would like to make a donation, please go to: SportsGiving - Donate to HMT 2021: Nine Lives - Virtual Challenge

The Heavy Metal Truants is part of The Truants Foundation, which has raised over £4 million for children's charities over the past 10 years. It became a registered charity: No. 1191441 in November 2020.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's Vince Neil joined SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE on stage last night (Wednesday, May 26) at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando, Florida to perform a cover version of the LED ZEPPELIN classic "Rock And Roll".

Earlier today, Hagar shared a photo of him and Neil at the gig, and he wrote in an accompanying caption: "look who showed up the second night in Orlando to sit in on LED ZEPPELIN's rock 'n' roll. two great shows thank you orlando #vinceneil #florida #livemusic #thecircle #singers".

SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE kicked off a five-date tour of Florida on Sunday (May 23) at Key West, Florida's Coffee Butler Amphitheater.

Earlier this month, MÖTLEY CRÜE's "The Stadium Tour" with DEF LEPPARD, POISON and JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS was officially postponed until 2022.

"The Stadium Tour" was originally scheduled to take place last summer but was pushed back to this year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The trek will now launch on June 16, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia and run through September 7, 2022 in San Francisco, California.

When it happens, "The Stadium Tour" will mark the CRÜE's first live dates since wrapping its 2014/2015 farewell tour. CRÜE toured with POISON back in 2011 and DEF LEPPARD teamed up with POISON for a string of road dates in 2017 — but the upcoming jaunt marks the first time all four acts have hit the road together for an extended tour.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's 2019 biopic "The Dirt" depicts his 1984 drunk-driving accident that killed HANOI ROCKS drummer Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley and seriously injured two others. It also shows Neil's firing from MÖTLEY CRÜE in 1992, only for his bandmates to rally behind him in 1995 when his four-year-old daughter, Skylar, died of cancer. (He rejoined the group in 1997.)


























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SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR frontman Corey Taylor has released a "pop-up" version of the official music video for his single "Samantha's Gone". This time around, Corey invited his friends to join him on-screen, including Tom Sandoval of Bravo's "Vanderpump Rules", actor Dean Cameron ("Summer School", "Ski School", "Straight Outta Compton"), STEEL PANTHER, plus actor Greg Grunberg, Ace Von Johnson, Travis Miguel and Jonah Nimoy.

About the visual, Taylor told Bravo's "The Daily Dish": "The video for 'Samantha's Gone' served two purposes: making fun of so-called 'indie rock' bands and getting all my friends together to hang out and have a good time. We all went back and forth between having fun and social distancing. Watching the first 'band' was great, then being fired from our OWN song in favor of STEEL PANTHER was the icing on the cake."

Taylor recently made history as he reached No. 1 at Active Rock Radio with his powerful single "Black Eyes Blue". The achievement put Taylor in a class all his own, making him the first artist in the history of the format to reach No. 1 with three separate projects, following chart-topping efforts from SLIPKNOT and STONE SOUR.

"CMFT" made impressive debuts on charts around the world in October, entering at No. 1 on Billboard's Current Hard Rock Albums chart, while claiming No. 2 on Current Rock Albums, No. 6 on Vinyl Albums, and No. 9 on the Top Albums charts. Furthermore, "CMFT" landed Top 10 on the official album charts in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with Top 20 debuts in the United Kingdom, Finland and Japan (international chart).

Featured in Rolling Stone's "Fall Album Preview 2020," "CMFT" has been garnering widespread critical applause, with Forbes affirming, "Corey Taylor's singing is undeniably the best it's ever been. From SLIPKNOT's last album to his new solo material, Taylor is easily among the best sounding rock singers alive." Kerrang! raved, "Corey Taylor certainly couldn't have predicted how important a sense of uninhibited joy would be on his debut solo effort, it's just what 2020 needs — and, even more importantly, exactly what he delivers." The Daily Beast attested, "'CMFT' finds the singer broadening his horizons and showing off his considerable versatility," while Stereogum noted, "Corey Taylor's lived several lives in the span that it takes most of us to push through just one, and it's clear that he cherishes every experience he's had so far." New York magazine added that "CMFT" "bridges his vast tastes and influences, dabbling in punk rock, metal, reflective acoustic tunes, plaintive piano ballads, and hip-hop, with Taylor's power-house vocals and introspective lyrics acting as a guide."

"CMFT" is highlighted by the singles "Culture Head", "HWY 666", "CMFT Must Be Stopped" (featuring Tech N9ne and Kid Bookie), and the Active Rock radio hit "Black Eyes Blue". Taylor also hit No. 1 on Billboard's Hard Rock Songwriters chart following the unprecedented debut of "Black Eyes Blue" and "CMFT Must Be Stopped", the latter of which has racked up more than four million YouTube views for its star-studded music video. Furthermore, Taylor debuted the pummeling "Culture Head" during WWE's NXT broadcast on the USA network, illuminating yet another facet of "CMFT" and showcasing the broad spectrum of this fiery and fearless rock 'n' roll opus, as Taylor touches on lifelong influences ranging from hard rock to classic rock, punk rock to hip-hop. 14-time world champion and EVP of global talent strategy and development at WWE, Triple H, also shared a WWE exclusive performance of Taylor and his band tearing through the MOTÖRHEAD classic "Ace Of Spades".

"CMFT" has been a long time coming for Taylor, with newly written tracks alongside some dating back to his teens. Recorded at The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Jay Ruston and his band — Christian Martucci (guitar), Zach Throne (guitar), Jason Christopher (bass), and Dustin Schoenhofer (drums) — the album traces a wild and exhilarating roadmap through Taylor's musical psyche.

Earlier in the month, Taylor kicked off the "CMFTour". The run features Taylor and his band performing for fans socially distanced and following state recommended health guidelines.

Modern metal powerhouse Living Dead Girl has revealed a video for “Poltergeist,” the haunting fourth single from the forthcoming Exorcism debut.

“This song is very different from the first three singles, and we love the ‘90s industrial vibe,” says vocalist Molly Rennick. “The music video is the perfect visual to accompany the song, and I’m really in love with how it turned out. The creepy horror movie aesthetic combined with the choir vocals make for a video that people are telling me gives them chills - the exact reaction I hoped for!”

Exorcism, set for release on June 11, is available for digital pre-order at this location. Additional bundles, including physical CDs, vinyl and exclusive merchandise can be found at LivingDeadGirl.ca. 

On Exorcism’s 11 banging tracks, Rennick channels her inner “goth girl gone bad” attitude. From the raging, down-tuned riffs of the title track and “Worship Me,” to the infectious, singalong chorus of “Villain,” to the enticing, taunting melodies of “Beautiful” and “Alive,” Rennick commands your full attention.

"Alive" 
"Beautiful" 
"Give Up" 
"Exorcism"
"Dirty Liar"
"Poltergeist"
"Villain"
"Escape"
"At The Edge"
"Worship Me" 
"Stronger" 

"Alive":

Formed in 2017, Living Dead Girl’s style is a unique combination of goth-inspired heavy metal meets fellow Canadian frontwoman Avril Lavigne, possessing an amalgam of genres including rock, metal, industrial, goth, pop and punk rock. The music perfectly encapsulates Rennick’s personality, which she admits is a dichotomy of “one wears baby pink and Hello Kitty and listens to pop music, and the other a goth girl in fishnet stockings who listens to dark heavy metal.” The 21-year-old Rennick’s amazing vocal range sees her seamlessly switching from taunting, high-pitched croons, to menacing, harsh barks, to haunting growls with relative ease.

Lyric videos for "Escape" and "Exorcism" can be seen below.

 




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Bobby Keller, the captivating guitar player behind the instrumental songs “Reign In Fire” and “Light Bearer”, is back with a new single, “Perpetual Dreams”, available now.

“We are all constantly chasing some sort of dream or goal in our lives and that’s where the song’s overall concept came from,” Keller says. “The constant chase is what fuels us and inspires us to either achieve that dream or it becomes a complete nightmare. ‘Perpetual Dreams’ is a very special song to me, as I am dedicating it to the loving memory of my father who passed away back in 2015. There have been some delays here and there, but I’m very excited to finally get this one out there.”

“Perpetual Dreams” was recorded at Reverse 13 Studios in Orlando, FL, by Ben Johnson and mastered by Machine the Producer at the Machine Shop in Texas (Lamb Of God, Suicide Silence). Along with “Reign in Fire” and “Light Bearer,” “Perpetual Dreams” will appear on Keller’s forthcoming solo album, Reign In Fire. 

Keller’s idea to start a solo project began with Ben Johnson, a talented producer, drummer and recording engineer currently working under Will Putney (Fit For An Autopsy/Thy Art Is Murder) at Graphic Nature Audio in Belleville, NJ, producing and writing songs together. The team’s take on instrumental guitar music is without a doubt a one-of-a-kind experience that will propel the genre even farther into the future. 

A native of Orlando, Keller has been setting the music industry ablaze with his unique style of guitar playing since 2009 and is considered one of the top guitar players in the United States. Inspired by guitarists such as Eddie Van Halen, Joe Satriani and Dimebag Darrell, he bases his playing in the blues, but also combines both incredible speed and euphonic rhythms into his technique to create a truly individual sound. 

Having toured nationally with the band Avatar, and playing alongside the likes of renowned artists such as Evanescence, Hellyeah, Mastodon, Gojira, Nonpoint, and Jonathan Davis (Korn), Keller starred in the Theater Works Production of Rock Of Ages as the lead guitar player for the “house band” of the Bourbon Room in Hollywood.

(Photo credit: Jazel - Black Card Films)

 




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You would never know listening to Finding Elysium’s newest single, “Alone” (Heart’s classic #1 smash hit) that the song was recorded, mixed, and mastered in separate stages with band members and engineers in different parts of the world during the pandemic.

The song and video are now available to stream and download via Ingrooves on digital outlets. 

"Since starting Finding Elysium with Angie, the comparison we most often receive is to the band Heart," explains singer/guitarist Noel Waters. "Ann and Nancy Wilson have been huge influences on us since we were old enough to make sound out of our vocal cords or hold an instrument. I thought it would be fun to take one of their hits and try to put our own spin on it. I believe that a song contains hooks that aren’t just found in the vocals."

"For example, when people hear Heart’s version of ‘Alone’, they often think of that piano motif in the intro. I basically kept that same melody throughout as a recurring ostinato theme, and completely started from scratch around it. I kept the harmonic progression the same while reharmonizing wherever I felt it was necessary. I really wanted to honor the rock ballad vibe of the original, while adding some programmed synth layers to break up some of the live instruments. For the solo, I wanted to pay homage to the original, but also bring a little of my own style into it."

What makes the release of their favorite Heart song even more special and meaningful to Finding Elysium is Noel Waters’ latest gift to herself: the new Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic signature guitar that she proudly plays on the track. She recently did a demo and review of the guitar, which can be seen below.

(Photo credit: Chris Schmitt)

 

 

The 2020 pandemic put a sudden halt to performing live and the ways musicians work together, especially during the recording process. For FINDING ELYSIUM, to make matters more complicated, many of their band and creative team members returned to distant homes after the start of the lockdown. “We’re not joking when we tell people that this band is from all over the world,” said producer/guitarist Noel Waters, the only native of Los Angeles in the band. “When facing the lockdown, we knew we needed to have the recording process strategically well thought-out to give this alt-rock version of such a classic song a cohesive band sound.”

 

While lead singer Angie Grayfox is originally from Moscow, Russia, she remained in Los Angeles with Waters to track her lead vocals. The recording was ultimately completed with guitarist/singer Niko Kiknadze at his home in Batumi, Republic of Georgia, bassist Alfie Lucero-Canaan in Mexico, and drummer Adam Soucy in New Hampshire.

 

With all of their respective tracks completed, Waters sent the completed session to recording engineer Raul Lopez (Grouplove, Lennon Stella, Lewis Capaldi) at Larrabee Studios in North Hollywood, CA. Working at a distance, Waters and Lopez completed the mix and then it was off to famed Grammy® award-winning mastering engineer, Joe LaPorta (David Bowie, Vampire Weekend, Royal Blood) at Sterling Sound in Edgewater, NJ. “It’s amazing that when you listen to the recording, none of participants in the recording, mixing and mastering process except Angie and I were in the same room at the same time, but we were still able to still make it sound like a band thanks to modern technology,” says Waters.




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Sweden's Seventh Crystal recently release their debut album, Delirium, via Frontiers Music Srl. Watch a music video for the song "Broken Mirror" below, and order the new album here.

Seventh Crystal, a new rock band from the fertile Swedish music scene, was put together by singer Kristian Fyhr. Initially, Kristian wanted to pursue a solo project, but when the songs started to take form, he realized he wanted to involve more musicians. So, he moved to vocals only and brought in Johan Älvsång (Pinstripe Conspiracy, Lamashtu) on keyboards/piano and Olof Gadd (Osukaru) on bass as the first key pieces, and then recruited Anton Roos on drums and Emil Dornerus on guitar to complete the lineup.

Seventh Crystal's music can best be described as arena hard rock with melodic rock influences. The band comments, “We would describe the band’s music and sound as an “intelligent” hard rock, but still very melodic. Our songwriting is very varied. We like to write songs in a pop style and then "beef" them up and make it rock. We're big admirers of everything from Cheiron Studio and Max Martin to Behemoth and Iron Maiden. So our influences come from a lot of different bands and music. But we kind of end up in the modern hard rock and arena rock sound, since that's where we have our common roots. When it comes to the songwriting, it is usually one or two of us who write the basic idea. But then each member adds their own touch and flavour and what comes out is the heavy, intriguing and exciting sound of Seventh Crystal!"

If you love the new wave of Scandinavian hard rock embodied by bands such as One Desire, H.E.A.T., and other bands who bring a huge sense of melody to modern rock, then this band is going to be right up your alley.

Tracklisting:

"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"

"Broken Mirror" video:

"Déjà Vu" video:

"When We Were Young":

"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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Download festival host Kylie Olsson caught up with IRON MAIDEN frontman Bruce Dickinson ahead of the band's feature on "Download: Reloaded" on June 5-6 on Sky Arts. During the chat, the singer, who had surgery to remove a cancerous lump on his throat back in 2015, discussed his recent health issues, saying (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I had a new hip installed several months ago. So I got five and a half inches of titanium hammered into my leg. 'Cause I run around on stage and jump, and [after] 40 years of fencing left-handed, it was just worn out. I mean, the last tour was really quite painful. And I put it down to the fact that during the last tour, just shortly before the last tour, I also broke my Achilles as well — my Achilles tendon snapped… It's horrible. That was two years ago, basically. So I got that stitched back together and went out on tour three and a half months later. So I couldn't actually walk properly or run. So I modified what I did on stage, and nobody figured it out. I was amazed. I did the whole tour — South America, the whole lot — and I ran around. But my hip was giving me so much shit. And I put it down to the fact that people were telling me, 'You're compensating for the other leg,' and everything else, and I thought, 'Oh, yeah. That's it then.''

He continued: "So then I get back and I start training again seriously — doing my fencing, doing some competitions — and it's just seizing up. And then lockdown happens. I was in Paris in lockdown — locked down properly; you have to get a piece of paper and sign it to go outside and the rest of it. So I was running up six flights of stairs as my exercise, doing that. We had a little balcony, and I set up a fencing target on the balcony. But it was giving me so much shit. So I went to the hip doctor and said, 'Have a look at this.' He went, 'Oh, yeah. It's stuffed, mate. [You have] osteoarthritis [of the hip].' 'Oh, no.' He said, 'Yeah.' So I was getting addicted to Ibuprofen and all the rest of it, and it pissed me off so much. I was just, like, 'Look, it's not gonna get any better, is it?' And he went, 'No.' So I said, 'It's October. When the safety car comes out, Hamilton goes in for fresh tires. So let's do it now in October. 'Cause I might have a tour next year.' Little did I know. But being an eternal optimist, it was the best thing I've done. So now, with my new hip, I'm back to fencing again. It's absolutely incredible. I've been doing physio and doing weights that I haven't done since I was 16 or 17 years old. I'm squatting a hundred kilos. It's mental what your body can do."

Dickinson, who had a golf gall-size tumor on his tongue and another in the lymph node on the right side of his neck, got the all-clear in May 2015 after radiation and nine weeks of chemotherapy.

Bruce previously told iNews that he wanted to cover his cancer battle in his 2017 autobiography, "What Does This Button Do?", to raise awareness of the condition, which affects people who often have no or minimal history of tobacco or alcohol abuse. The individuals with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer who undergo treatment have a disease-free survival rate of 85 to 90 percent over five years.

Dickinson also expressed disdain for some of the media outlets that suggested he may have gotten tongue cancer from performing oral sex on women.

Bruce's second wife, Paddy was found dead in May 2020 at the home they once shared in Chiswick, West London, following a "tragic accident." London Ambulance Service confirmed that the patient was pronounced dead on arrival.

Bruce and Paddy had married in 1990 after two years of dating and shared three children: Austin, Griffin and Kia, 26. They tied the knot after dating for two years following Bruce's split from first wife Jane.

Dickinson is believed to have split from Bowden privately in 2018, although their breakup wasn't made public until November 2019.

Bruce, 62, now reportedly lives in Paris with fitness instructor Leana Dolci.

IRON MAIDEN hasn't issued any fresh music since 2015's "The Book Of Souls", which was recorded in late 2014 in Paris, France with longtime producer Kevin "Caveman" Shirley. It was the longest MAIDEN album, clocking in at 92 minutes, with lyrics heavily based in the themes of death, reincarnation, the soul and mortality.

According to Billboard, THE OFFSPRING's "Let The Bad Times Roll" has topped the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart. It is the band's third No. 1 on the chart, following "Coming For You" for a week in 2015, and "Gone Away" for two weeks in 1997.

"Let The Bad Times Roll" is the title track of THE OFFSPRING's latest album, which arrived on April 16 via Concord Records. The follow-up to 2012's "Days Go By" was once again produced by Bob Rock, who also worked on the band's previous two LPs.

Singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland, guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, drummer Pete Parada and new bassist Todd Morse wrote and recorded "Let The Bad Times Roll" in the last few years at various locations, including the band's studio in Huntington Beach, California.

Speaking about the long gap between "Let The Bad Times Roll" and the previous OFFSPRING album, Noodles told the 100.3 The X Rocks radio station: "We've been working on it for a while. Really, about two or three years ago, everything started really kind of clicking, and we had a really creative period — then and since, actually. We were hoping to have the record done probably five years ago, ultimately, and it just took longer to make something that we really felt was strong and representative of the band in the best light."

Added Dexter: "I think that's it. It had to feel right before we wanted to put it out. We're not really under a deadline. We didn't even have a label, actually — we were sort of floating out there. So it was a good time to just take our time and make the right record."

Asked how hard it was for them to sit on those songs for so long without being able to share them with their fans, Dexter said: "There really is this feeling, when you have something that you're really happy with… 'Cause sometimes you go through a bunch of stuff that, 'Oh, this song needs work. This needs work.' When you have something that's clicking, you're, like, 'Oh, man. I can't wait to get this out.' But you just kind of have to sit on it for a while. I mean, we basically sat on this since the pandemic started, 'cause we kind of thought, 'This is probably not the best time to release a record, 'cause we can't go out and tour, we can't promote it, can't be there to play it for the people,' so we've kind of been sitting on it for the better part of a year. Although we kept on going back and tweaking it, and it actually got better over that year. But we decided, well, we can't wait forever if we're gonna put this out."

Regarding the inspiration for the "Let The Bad Times Roll" album title, Dexter told HardDrive Radio: "We had a song two albums ago [on 2008's 'Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace'] called 'Shit Is Fucked Up'. We wrote that 'cause we thought how terrible things were in the world back then. But it actually got worse. So we had to come up with a new title, 'Let The Bad Times Roll'.

"You can apply it to a lot of things," he explained. "I mean, we're not a political band. Some people would apply it to the last administration. Some people would apply it to things that are going on today, or just how messed up everything is, trying to fix our pandemic and all that kind of stuff."

Added Noodles: "But really, it's not just an American-centric thing either, cause you're seeing stuff happening around the world. There's unrest happening literally everywhere — on all continents. You're seeing unrest, and then you're also seeing anti-democratic forces kind of taking power in some places, in which case causes more unrest. So, yeah, the whole world is a little bit of a scary place right now."

Dexter continued: "That's right. Climate change, climate deniers, vaccine, anti-vaxxers — whatever you want, it's out there."

Photo credit: Daveed Benito