On June 8th, Italian heavy metallers Scala Mercalli performed live during the year-end party of the Liceo Scientifico B. Rosetti of San Benedetto del Tronto (AP). The concert was held at the Bernardo Speca sports hall in front of an audience of about 500 students. Besides proposing some of their classics on the history of the Italian Risorgimento, the band invited several students on stage to play some rock classics.The concert was possible thanks to the Heavy Metal e Storia project that the band has been presenting for some years at the schools in Marche region with great appreciation and interest of the school managers.

Watch the footage below, which is a collection of various amateur video footage filmed on the day.

The band on the concert: "For us it is always very nice to be able to spread heavy metal to new generations, especially in a historical context that conveys very important values such as those of the Italian Risorgimento. Successfully playing for so many students, the majority of who did not know our genre, makes us very proud, as we are sure that now many of them have approached Heavy music with interest !! We also want to thank the teachers who are interested in the project and that with an open mind they have overcome some negative stereotypes about our musical genre, realizing that even Heavy Metal can send a positive message to younger people. Thank you all for the support. Still United !!"

Scala Mercalli released their new album, Independence, on January 25th 2019 via Alpha Omega Records.

The tracklist is as follows:

"The Crossing on the Sea" (from Quarto to Marsala)
"The 1000" (Calatafimi Battle)
"Honest Brigands"
"Be Strong"
"The Last Defence" (Roma-Gianicolo 1849)
"Never Surrender"
"Tolentino 1815"
"White Death"
"Whisper of the Night"
"Anita" (Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva)
"Fratelli d'Italia (Italian Anthem)" feat. Corale Angelico Rosati




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Brazilian powerhouse Eminence has released their latest thought-provoking track "BYOG" and stunning music video accompaniment. "BYOG" is the second single from Eminence's forthcoming album Dark Echoes, out on May 28th, via Blood Blast Distribution. Speaking to the release of "BYOG", Eminence guitarist Alan Wallace shares:

"We filmed the entire music video at the concert hall Mister Rock here in Belo Horizonte. The general production was handled by our vocalist Bruno Paraguay and co-production by our bassist Davidson Mainart. 'BYOG' (Be Your Own God) is a protest against all forms of religion that manipulate and sell a place in heaven to their faithful."

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. For pre-save information, click here. 

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"

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

(Photo - Henrique Gualtieri)

 




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Progressive heavy metal vehicle, Interloper, have returned to present their debut, full-length album Search Party which will be released on June 11 via Nuclear Blast Records. Pre-order the album here, and watch a drum playthrough video for the first single, "Drift", below:

The deep cohesiveness of Interloper’s writing process for Search Party allowed for a creative project with no real boundaries or restrictions. The album was produced by the band and Joey Virrueta. Drums were recorded at Big Bad Sound LA by Jack Ruley and Zach Fisher, with the mixing and mastering completed once more by Andrew’s brother Joey Virrueta.

The album artwork was created by Caelan Stokkermans.

Tracklisting:

“Pathkeeper”
“Bound To Fall”
“Moonlight”
“Dreamlands”
“Drift”
“Search Party”
“The Wishing Well”
“Idle Years”
“Thank Cheshire”
“Baring Teeth”
“Rio” (Duran Duran cover)

“Drift” video:




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Following the release of their fifth album, Irradiance, progressive metal songsmiths Canvas Solaris quietly disbanded in 2010. The quartet regrouped in 2014 and began forming compositions that would eventually make up album #6, but various personal roadblocks stalled momentum for more than a year. Activities finally resumed in 2016, and the band completed writing six songs/50 minutes of new material: Chromosphere.

However, due to a combination of logistics, personal obligations, and time constraints, the group took its time to record and mix the tracks at various studios over the course of the three years that followed. Drums were laid down with Jamie King Audio in April of 2017, while guitars and bass were tracked at Chris Rushing's and Gael Pirlot's home studios throughout 2018 and 2019. Additional percussion and acoustic guitars were recorded with the help of friend Justin Prevatt in 2019, and programming/synthesizers were largely completed at guitarist Nathan Sapp's house. Canvas Solaris then returned to the patient and generous Jamie King Audio in the summer of 2019 to commence the mixing process.

Speaking to Chromosphere's direction, drummer Hunter Ginn states, "When we started down the path of making a new album, Nathan and I knew that we wanted to apply more focus to the songwriting, so we turned to inspiration from late-'80s/early-'90s progressive and technical thrash bands like Toxik, Realm, Watchtower, Mekong Delta, Target, Coroner, Deathrow, Anacrusis, Believer, Obliveon, and Sadus to provide us with a deep reservoir of ideas. Chromosphere doesn't exactly come across as sounding like those bands, but I would like to think that at least Canvas Solaris shares with them some DNA."

As the group's four-album run with the highly respected and prog-minded Sensory record label had come to an amicable conclusion, Canvas Solaris entertained the idea of self-releasing Chromosphere, but ultimately decided otherwise. It was at that point that the band full-circled back to where it all began—as Divebomb's parent label, Tribunal Records, handled the group's initial releases in the early-2000s. Ginn reflects, "In the years between our debut full-length, Sublimation, and Chromosphere, Tribunal had launched Divebomb Records, and it only gilded the lily that Divebomb had reissued some of our favorite albums. It really does feel like a homecoming for us. Tribunal Records founder Matt Rudzinski was one of our very earliest supporters, and believed in our music when hardly anyone else did. We're very grateful for the opportunity to work with him again."

With Chromosphere, Canvas Solaris has very much succeeded in delivering intricate, high-level progressive metal boasting a finely crafted approach to songwriting that emphasizes movement and atmosphere over endless displays of technical musicianship. Hunter closes with, "I don't think this is the record that anyone expected us to make. After a 10-year absence, most listeners probably would have bet on a mellower, more cosmic Canvas Solaris album. While Chromosphere has no shortage of cosmic moments, we have never made a more aggressive, determined-sounding album..."

Chromosphere will be released on May 14 via Divebomb Records.

Tracklisting:

"Extrasolar Biosignature"
"Hidden Sector"
"Zero Point Field"
"Black Drop Effect"
"Renormalization"
"False Vacuum"

"Black Drop Effect" lyric video:




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Avant-garde entity, Thy Catafalque, will be releasing its tenth masterpiece, Vadak, on June 25. In conjunction with the forthcoming release, Thy Catafalque is now sharing its mind-bending first single, "Piros-sárga". Watch the video below.

Mastermind/multi-instrumentalist Tamás Kátai comments on the new album and track: "Vadak is the tenth album of Thy Catafalque. The state of the world affects all of us, in my case I think it means more escapism. We, like all living creatures are like forest animals chased by death through time and many of these songs are about fleeing, hiding and running either to the past or to the unknown. The record is very colourful, with more guest musicians than ever but also pretty dark and heavy other times. The first song however is a light, nostalgic one about old summers, lost gardens and the colours of the sun, with Armenian duduk, tabla, dumbek, riq and brass."

Available formats:

- CD Mediabook
- LP in various colours
- Digital

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Szarvas"
"Köszöntsd a hajnalt"
"Gömböc"
"Az energiamegmaradás törvénye"
"Móló"
"A kupolaváros titka"
"Kiscsikó (Irénke dala)"
"Piros-sárga"
"Vadak (Az átváltozás rítusai)"
"Zúzmara"

"Piros-sárga" video:




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Immortal Guardian has unveiled a video for “Psychosomatic”, the title track of their new concept album that was inspired by and recorded during the coronavirus pandemic. The clip can be viewed below.

“One thing we started noticing early on at the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 was the overwhelming number of friends that were getting sick only to find out they tested negative and never had the virus. Us included! There were so many moments where we were so convinced that we had covid because we felt all the symptoms and totally freaked ourselves out even though we never left our house. Just to take a test and find out we didn’t have it and even feel the symptoms disappear after 24hrs. This was happening to so many people I know and we thought it would be a very interesting topic to write about,” explains Gabriel Guardian. “This is not to take away from the seriousness of the virus and the harm it has actually done to some of our other friends and family. It’s been a very rough year for all of us... But if there was something, we noticed that did affect the majority, it was the big amounts of fear and confusion that literally made us all feel sick just from living through the experience. Our silent pandemic is psychosomatic.”

Order the Psychosomatic album at the band's online shop.

Tracklisting:

"Psychosomatic"
"Read Between The Lines"
"Lockdown"
"Phobia"
"Clocks"
"Self-Isolation"
"Goodbye To Farewells"
"Candlelight"
"Find The Reason"
"New Day Rising"

“Phobia” video:

“Clocks” video:

“Lockdown” video:

"Read Between The Lines" lyric video:

Immortal Guardian is:

Gabriel Guardian – guitars / keyboards
Carlos Zema – vocals
Justin Piedimonte – drums
Josh Lopez – bass




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Milan Records has released the title track and lead single from Netflix's upcoming superhero comedy "Thunder Force". Available everywhere now, "Thunder Force" was written by composer Fil Eisler for the film alongside Scott Ian (ANTHRAX) and Corey Taylor (SLIPKNOT, STONE SOUR) and features a star-studded lineup of metal legends Lzzy Hale (HALESTROM), Dave Lombardo (SLAYER) as well as dynamic electric cellist Tina Guo. The track features as the end credits song to the new action comedy from writer/director Ben Falcone and starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer, which premieres on Netflix on Friday, April 9. It features as the lead single to the film's original soundtrack by composer Fil Eisler, which will be released by Milan Records in conjunction with the film's debut next Friday, April 9.

Of the track, Eisler says: "One of the great things about scoring movies is that I get to play in a lot of different musical sandboxes and occasionally the opportunity comes up to invite in some special guests. ANTHRAX and SLAYER played a huge part in my childhood and I've been a fan of both Corey and Lzzy for years, so when the idea of doing an orchestral metal score came up, it was a perfect excuse to go straight to the source. Why fake it when you can work with the real originals! It was honestly one of the most outright fun experiences of my scoring career so far."

"'Thunder Force' kicks fucking ass," adds Ian.

States Taylor: "It was awesome to work on this track with Lzzy and be a part of the film 'Thunder Force'. It is always nice to be creative and work with other artists in the community, especially during this extended time at home. I'm excited for everyone to hear the song and see the film."

Hale says: "I'm beyond excited to be included on the 'Thunder Force' soundtrack, surrounded by friends, representing the genres I love so much, rock and metal! You won't know what hit you! Remember, LIGHTNING NEVER STRIKES IF YOU CAN'T FORCE THE THUNDER!"

"I have had the privilege of working in the music industry for over 35 years," says Lombardo. "There is something incredibly exhilarating about performing on stage, specifically the edge that comes with the off the rails style of music I play. Working with Fil Eisler on 'Thunder Force' somehow captured that same feeling. This score is a powerful musical engine. It was a pleasure to be a part of the team that helped this come to life."

Guo states: "Working with living legends on this soundtrack for a film that features two ordinary women turned superheroes has been incredible. I feel the same way whenever I pick up my electric cello and feel my own transformation from causal nerd to screaming banshee. I cannot wait for everyone to hear it!"

Here is the "Thunder Force" plot via Netflix's official synopsis: "In a world terrorized by super-villains, one woman has developed the process to give superpowers to regular people. But when scientist Emily Stanton accidentally imbues her estranged best-friend with incredible abilities, the two women must become the first superhero team. Now, it is up to Thunder Force to battle the super-powered Miscreants and save Chicago from the clutches of The King."








April 9th!! Save the date comedy loving drumheads. ThunderForce is coming for you! Loving this experience and the brilliant score. Thank you @fileisler. It’s a pleasure working with you, and of course jammin’ with my @mrbungle band mate @scottian. https://t.co/djiQXZsJt4

— Dave Lombardo (@TheDaveLombardo) March 10, 2021

Greek guitar virtuoso Gus G., well known in rock and metal circles for his work as Ozzy Osbourne's guitarist and as leader of his own band FIREWIND, has released the official music video for his new solo single, "Exosphere". The track features Dennis Ward on bass and Jan-Vincent Velazco on drums. The artwork for the single was created by Gustavo Sazes, with whom Gus has worked since 2007.

"Exosphere" was written during times of pandemic and is part of several songs to be released in the near future, It's also the first attempt of Gus using a seven-string guitar in an official recording.

Gus states: "When the pandemic hit in early 2020, all world touring plans for FIREWIND were canceled. I found myself stuck at home for a whole year and not knowing what the future will bring. I slowly started putting down new riffs and ideas on my computer and before I knew it, I already gathered enough material for a new album. With a new reality in front of me, I started developing the new solo project and this time I decided to let my guitar be the voice, instead of having a singer or special guests. This led me to creating a bunch of new instrumental songs. 'Exosphere' was one of the first ideas I put together. I went through many different versions and arrangements before I settled for the final one. The last addition to the song was incorporating some lower registered riffs, after I got my hands on a seven-string guitar for the first time last summer. The goal was to add some new elements to my music while maintaining my sound and style that I've been known for. I'm really happy with the end results and I hope you enjoy the new music. Stay tuned for more to come in the near future!"

Last November, Gus confirmed that he had begun work on a new solo album which he said looked like it would be "all instrumental."

Gus previously discussed a possible new solo LP during an April 2020 interview with U.K.'s "NI Rocks" radio show. At the time, he said: "I'm thinking of making, actually, a full-on instrumental record next. I've done a lot of collaborations already and I've tried out the trio thing and I think I'm kind of ready now for that guitar instrumental record that more or less everybody wanted me to do for a number of years and I always said no. [Laughs] I needed to really get a lot of these things out of my system first and try out all these things, and I think I'm ready to try that one out now. So I don't know how long it's gonna take me and when it's gonna come out. A lot will depend on FIREWIND as well and what happens with the band and how much we can tour and how the album is received. But, yeah, I'm slowly compiling ideas for possible instrumentals and an instrumental record. I think it will be a good time to let my guitar be the voice."

In September 2019, Gus issued a digital-only solo EP, "Live In Budapest - Part 1", consisting of four tracks recorded on the guitarist's headline European tour in support of his latest album release, "Fearless". The world tour saw Gus and his band share stages around the world with legendary guitarists like Richie Kotzen, Vinnie Moore followed by his own headline dates and a massive tour as special guest of Los Angeles rockers STEEL PANTHER.

Gus's most recent solo band featured Dennis Ward (PINK CREAM 69, UNISONIC) on bass and vocals and longtime drummer Johan Nunez (FIREWIND, ex-KAMELOT).

"Fearless" was released in April 2018 via AFM Records. The follow-up to 2015's "Brand New Revolution" marked Gus's first release since exiting Osbourne's band in 2017.

On "Fearless", Gus joined forces with Ward and drummer Will Hunt (EVANESCENCE).

FIREWIND's ninth, self-titled studio album was made available last May.

The band recently parted ways with guitarist/keyboardist Bob Katsionis and singer Henning Basse.

FIREWIND's new vocalist is Herbie Langhans, who has previously played with AVANTASIA and SINBREED.

In a new interview with Scott Penfold of Loaded Radio, CANNIBAL CORPSE bassist Alex Webster was asked what he thinks of the fact that his former CANNIBAL CORPSE bandmates Chris Barnes (vocals) and Jack Owen (guitar) are now playing together again in SIX FEET UNDER. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "That is cool, man. I'm sure they're having a great time jamming together again. So, yeah, it's killer."

Webster went on to say that he has only heard "some" of SIX FEET UNDER's latest album, "Nightmares Of The Decomposed", which was released last October via Metal Blade Records.

"Jack's got a really distinct writing style, and he's got a great groove," Alex said. "But, yeah, there's some cool grooves on there. And the rest of the band too. I really like Jeff Hughell's bass playing. Marco's [Pitruzzella] a killer drummer. So, yeah, it's a cool band. And it sounds really good, the music."

Asked if he is still in contact with Barnes, Webster said: "I haven't talked to him in a while, no. But Jack I saw in 2019."

Barnes exited CANNIBAL CORPSE in 1995, one year after the release of the band's "The Bleeding" album. Four years ago, he told "The Chainsaw Symphony" radio program about his departure: "I just didn't like being around them, because I was being ridiculed, and I just didn't feel comfortable being in the same room with people that weren't very nice to me personally. And I was part of that too, so we had all of our own type of differences, personally, and I don't think it was gonna be able to be worked out. You know, mutual respect goes a far way when it comes to being in close quarters with people."

Owen left CANNIBAL CORPSE in 2004, explaining in a statement that his "heart just wasn't in it anymore, and it was reflected in my appearance on stage. Times change, and I just don't enjoy the music as much as I used to, and the only thing keeping me in the band was steady work, and the pay," he said. "These things makes it unfair to myself, my band members, and especially the fans.

CANNIBAL CORPSE's new album, "Violence Unimagined", will be released on April 16 via Metal Blade Records. Erik Rutan, one of the death metal's most acclaimed guitarists who is known for his time as part of MORBID ANGEL throughout the '90s and early 2000s, as well as handling vocals/guitars for HATE ETERNAL, lent his guitar as well as production skills to the effort, which was recorded at his Mana Recording in St. Petersburg, Florida. Rutan previously produced four CANNIBAL CORPSE albums (in addition to "Violence Unimagined"), alongside the likes of GOATWHORE, SOILENT GREEN and BELPHEGOR. Filling in live on guitar since 2019, in 2020 he became a full member, contributing to the writing process.

Rutan joined CANNIBAL CORPSE as the replacement for longtime guitarist Pat O'Brien, who was arrested in Florida more than two years ago on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault. Deputies said he burglarized a house and charged at a deputy with a knife.

Photo credit: Alex Morgan

Over a hundred musicians from all over the world have united to perform the classic IRON MAIDEN song "Fear Of The Dark".

The idea came from Ulf Wadenbrandt, conductor of the Sweden Symphony Orchestra and principal guest conductor for the Russian Philharmonic Orchestra.

Wadenbrandt normally travels to towns and cities in many different countries to conduct musicians in a wide range of concerts. However, the global pandemic situation has put a halt to touring the world for uncertain period of time — something that affects others too.

"Many of my musical colleagues around the world are currently unable to play together and cannot perform for the public. So I reached out to many wonderful orchestral musicians, to see if we could play something together," says Ulf.

Ulf has virtually been working around the clock recently (not least due to the many different time zones involved) to instruct and inspire musicians for the recording. More than 160 musicians from all over the world took part in recording a video together.

"I want to highlight how important music and culture are in these difficult times," Ulf explains. "Music makes you feel good and helps to develop people. We need to show the world that we are needed and must get to play. I have gathered everyone from absolutely world class musicians and excellent music teachers to talented amateurs and students from music and cultural schools from all over the world. I want to show the value of diversity and emphasise how everyone is important in the ecosystem of music."

Musicians from as far afield as the Dortmund Philharmonic to Brazil, Norway, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, China and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in New Zealand played together, as well as from many other orchestras across the globe.

For the video, an instrumental version of "Fear Of The Dark" was arranged for the symphony orchestra.

"This song has everything from nice melodic lines with lots of energy and a thumping tempo," Ulf says. "It's a magical arrangement that releases the orchestra's energy and fantastic sound. IRON MAIDEN have quite simply written a great song that works perfectly for symphony orchestras and their wonderful timbre."

In a recent interview with Dr. Music, former QUEENSRŸCHE singer Geoff Tate looked back on his involvement with "Stars", the 1985 charity single for famine relief released under the HEAR 'N AID banner.

On May 20 and May 21, 1985, 40 artists from the metal community gathered at A&M Records Studios in Hollywood, California to participate in the making of a record called "Stars" as a part of a very special fundraising project spearheaded by Ronnie James Dio known as HEAR 'N AID. The "Stars" single and a video documentary on the making of the record was used to raise money for famine relief efforts in Africa and around the world. These 40 artists — including members of MÖTLEY CRÜE, JUDAS PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN, QUIET RIOT, TWISTED SISTER, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT and even SPINAL TAP — along with hundreds of other volunteers, donated their time and talent over four months to make HEAR 'N AID a reality. "Stars" was a plea for unity in the fight against world hunger.

Speaking about his experience recording "Stars", Tate told Dr. Music (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Ronnie was very special. And he actually gave QUEENSRŸCHE its first start touring in Europe — invited us as special guests on his tour. He was an incredibly giving individual — especially when he liked a person or a group or somebody's music, he was very supportive. And we had just finished our first European tour with them, and he called and asked if I'd be part of this project that he was doing. And I, of course, immediately said yes. I always said yes to Ronnie, whenever he wanted something. I had so much respect for him and his wonderful career; he was just a wonderful person.

"Anyway, I flew down to L.A. and walked into A&M Studios, and it was just a zoo — a madhouse," he continued. "It was the most people I'd ever seen crammed in one building — hundreds and hundreds of people in the lobby and outside. It was pandemonium, actually. I got in somehow; I had the credentials — I picked them up at the front desk at the hotel. I got in there, and Ronnie met me at the door. He gave me a big hug and ushered me in. He said, 'Okay, I'm glad you're here. You're just on time. We're ready to have you do your vocal tracks. Are you ready? Or do you wanna warm up? Do you want something to drink?' I walked into the recording studio part, and he showed me the microphone. And there was a chair and a table, and some water glasses. And the lyrics to the song were up there and headphones. And he goes, 'Okay, sit here. We'll do a couple of playbacks so you kind of get used to it and get your headphone volumes.' He goes, 'I'll just be on the other side of the glass.' I look over, and in the control room are all those people [that are featured in the photo on the cover]. I mean, Ted Nugent's in there, and Rob Halford's in there, and Neal Schon is in there, Jonathan Cain… The list goes on and on. Everybody that's basically on the record is standing there. And I am just, like, petrified. This is my third time I've been in the studio in my life. I'm 25 years old, and it was really early on in my career. And I was so scared. And now I have to perform in front of these amazing, accomplished musicians who've done more in their life than I could ever dream of doing. Oh, God. I couldn't even take off my sunglasses. You see every photo of me on that day, and I had my sunglasses on. I couldn't live without 'em. I was hiding in my own scene, inside my own head. And then I hear Ronnie coming over the headphones: 'Geoff, are you there? Are you there?' [Laughs] I really wanted to take those headphones off and run away; I was so nervous. But he talked me through it and got me calmed down. He was the kind of guy that could always sense what was going on around him; he was pretty intuitive. And I think he was probably hip to the fact that I was scared shitless, as they say. But that's the way I felt — just scared shitless.

"But it turned out okay, and everybody was cool," Tate added. "We had a good time. And the record was great. So different and weird and strange, with all those guitar solos. What a way to make a song. But it was cool and different. And I was really proud to be a part of it. And I was really proud that [Ronnie] asked me to do it.

"And honestly, even though it was a monumental experience for me at the time, I didn't really completely appreciate it till much later, and looking back on it and realizing, oh, this was a pretty incredible record. And what it did — it raised so much money and so much awareness from a whole different segment of society, which was really important."

Due to contract differences with the labels, the "Stars" song and album weren't released until New Year's Day, 1986, and were only ever made available on vinyl and cassette. But Ronnie's wife and manager Wendy Dio has said in recent years that she is continuing her efforts to correct that.

Wendy previously revealed that one of the reasons the HEAR 'N AID reissue was taking so long to come out was the "legal stuff" that needed to be taken care of. "You can always get the bands to do something, but it's the legal licensing of talking with the record labels they're on and the management and so on, to get something off the ground," she said. "So we're hoping to do that."

Anthrax have announced their Record Store Day release for 2021. A l imited edition custom Anthrax mini-turntable, and a four, 3" vinyl disc bundle (sold separately).

The bundle of discs - “Madhouse”, “I Am The Law”, “Got The Time” and “Discharge”, will be released on July 9, and the turntables on July 17. Pre-order the 3" discs here, and stay tuned for updates.




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The recently released Blackmore’s Night album Nature’s Light (earMusic) currently sits at #8 on the Billboard New Age Chart and #9 on the Nielsen Americana / Folk albums chart.

Blending rock and semi-traditional folk influences, Blackmore’s Night is led by legendary guitarist Ritchie Blackmore (who plays both electric and acoustic guitar, as well as mandolin, mandolas, hurdy gurdy, and nyckelharpa) and award-winning vocalist / lyricist Candice Night (who also provides an assortment of woodwinds, including shawms, rauschpfeifes, recorders, and pennywhistles). Their eclectic band layers this ornate instrumentation with bass, violin, keyboards, percussion, and backing vocals.

Topped with fantasy themed storytelling and rich, lyrical contemplations on the healing power of nature, Nature’s Light continues the Blackmore’s Night legacy as an internationally renowned collective for over two decades.

Nature’s Light is available on multiple formats via earMUSIC. Among these is a Strictly Limited 2CD Hardcover Mediabook Edition including a bonus CD featuring a carefully selected set of Blackmore’s Night’s masterpieces from their extensive back catalogue. Furthermore, the album will become available as a CD Digipak Edition, a Strictly Limited Heavyweight 1LP Gatefold Edition on Yellow Vinyl, a 180g 1LP Gatefold Edition on Black Vinyl as well as Digital.

Order here.

Tracklisting:

"Once Upon December"
"Four Winds"
"Feather In The Wind"
"Darker Shade Of Black" (Instrumental)
"The Twisted Oak"
"Nature’s Light"
"Der Letzte Musketier" (Instrumental)
"Wish You Were Here" (2021)
"Going To The Faire"
"Second Element"

"Second Element" video:

"Nature’s Light" video:

"Four Winds" lyric video:

"Once Upon December" lyric video:




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SCORPIONS drummer Mikkey Dee spoke to the "RRBG Podcast"about the progress of the recording sessions of the band's upcoming studio album. Recorded at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany, the disc will mark the German-Polish-Swedish hard rock legends' first release since 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", which was an anthology of SCORPIONS' new and classic material.

"We're working very hard here, wrapping up the recordings of the record," Mikkey said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET). "And we are in the beginning of mixing; we started mixing the songs. We've been working since early fall on this album. It's gonna be a great record. It's all recorded live in the studio. And it's a good vibe. It's a harder record, and great songs. So it's gonna be great to get this one released."

Asked if the songs were already written before he got involved in the recording process, Dee said: "Most of the stuff Rudolf [Schenker, guitar], Klaus [Meine, vocals] and Matthias [Jabs, guitar] have been writing, but then we've been putting it together in the studio together, kind of. But most of it's been written, yes. But we worked really hard, all five [of us], on these tracks."

Regarding when fans can expect to see the new SCORPIONS album released, Mikkey said: "I guess the release of the record is gonna have to be matched somehow to when we can actually start touring. I had the hopes up that we would release this this spring. That was the plan from the beginning, and I've been telling magazines about us releasing it in the spring, but it's not gonna happen, I don't think. Because it has to be matched to the touring — unless something completely crazy happens. But I would think in the fall or something like that, hopefully.

"It's impossible [to predict when we will be able to tour again]; you can only hope," he continued. "I'm done speculating in this shit, because once you get a little bit of a stream of hope, it's been shut down immediately. One day you hear this; next day, you hear a completely opposite thing. All this fucking second wave [of COVID-19] and third wave. Now they're talking about a fourth wave. And there's mutations from every fucking country in the world. If we're gonna continue adapting after that, we're talking 15 years. So, I don't know.

"But I'm hopeful," Mikkey added. "And, yeah, I'm positive that we're gonna have to get back out there soon. Because no matter what happens, I don't think you can keep the world shut down anymore. It's just the end."

Dee went on to say that he knows the "seriousness of this virus," having battled it himself in March of 2020. "I was influenza sick, thank gosh," he explained. "But some people are not that lucky, of course, but most of the people are really the elderly people and people with underlying diseases that turn out to get really, really sick. And then, of course, you have some exceptions with young, healthy people, of course. And I realize the seriousness of it.

"The world has been shut down for one full year now," he concluded. "And that can just not continue like that. It's a disaster in so many other ways than the virus. That's how I see it. It's very, very unfortunate."

Earlier in the month, Dee told the "No Fuckin' Regrets With Robb Flynn" podcast that SCORPIONS were forced to abandon their plans to work with producer Greg Fidelman on their new album.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, some of the initial work was done with Greg remotely, after which SCORPIONS opted to helm the recordings themselves with the help of their engineer Hans-Martin Buff.

According to Mikkey, the new SCORPIONS album is being mixed by Michael Ilbert at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin, Germany.

Meine previously told Talking Metal that the goal with using Fidelman to produce the new LP was to bring "the old vibe from albums like 'Blackout', 'Love At First Sting' or even 'Lovedrive'. We try to focus on those albums and this attitude," he said. "If we get there, who knows — it's so many years later. But it's the spirit and it's the whole vibe around this album. This time, the focus is on the harder songs."

According to Meine, SCORPIONS' new LP will feature "no outside writers at all," unlike 2015's "Return To Forever", which was largely co-written by the album's producers, Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen.

Fidelman began his career as the guitarist and songwriter for RHINO BUCKET before launching his career as a producer, engineer and mixer, finding an early mentor in Rick Rubin.

SCORPIONS' last full-length collection of new recordings was the aforementioned "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.

According to Reuters, former MISFITS singer Michale Graves could end up as a defense witness in the trial of four leaders of the Proud Boys, the pro-Donald Trump extremist group that participated in the storming of the Capitol on January 6.

Earlier in the month, four alleged leaders of the Proud Boys were indicted in connection with attack on the U.S. Capitol over allegedly conspiring, including in discussions on encrypted messaging apps, to obstruct the certification of President Joe Biden's Electoral College victory.

Graves, who became a member of the Proud Boys last year, told Reuters he was asked by another member of the group to play some songs for a private concert planned for the afternoon of January 6. Although the concert never happened, lawyers representing Ethan "Rufio" Nordean, one of the defendants charged with conspiracy, said in a court filing that planning for such an event scheduled for a time when the riot actually was still taking place contradicted the notion that the group had a plan to "topple the government" that day.

Graves, who fronted MISFITS from 1995 to 2000, told Reuters he did not think the Proud Boys were capable of planning an invasion of the Capitol, as prosecutors have said.

"These guys have a hard time getting an order together for McDonalds," Graves, whose legal name is Michael Emanuel, said in an interview.

Graves said he agreed to play a private concert on January 6 between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. at a house that the Proud Boys had rented but that he and his manager later "ghosted" the other Proud Boys and left Washington as chaos erupted at the Capitol.

Last year, Graves came under fire after announcing his vocal support of both the Proud Boys and then-President Donald Trump.

In a 2018 interview with Ammoland, Graves described himself as a "patriot." He said: "When I began writing and speaking about pop culture, politics, and punk in 2004, some folks lost their mind. Understand that back then, as it is now, there is a radical left-leaning collective mind backed by big money and power in the entertainment industry that radiates down and out to the consumer level."

He added: "Language becomes weaponized. There are stimulus words like conservative, Christian, guns, Republicans and NRA. In the minds of many, these words are synonymous with Nazi, racist or terrorist. Nothing ever good has come from the dehumanization of groups of people. I am afraid that is precisely what is going on here, so yes, there is significant pushback at times."





































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Aaron Lewis has confirmed that STAIND is working on its first studio album since 2011's self-titled effort. Speaking to SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", the singer said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I would certainly love to have it recorded and done by the end of this year, to be released next year. All of our plans that were kind of semi on the books and on the table, everything just had a year taken off of it [due to the pandemic]. We were gonna have a record come out sometime in 2020 or certainly in 2021, and there was a schedule that was on the table that, just like everything else, got burned to the ground as soon as [the lockdown] started."

STAIND has released seven albums since 1995, the latest being the aforementioned "Staind". The band has had a number of hit songs during its first two decades, including the Top 10 smash "It's Been Awhile" from the No. 1 album "Break The Cycle". Follow-up LPs "14 Shades Of Grey" and "Chapter V" also topped the Billboard chart.

In 2019, Lewis said that new STAIND material would likely sound "pretty brutal. It would be continuing back to how heavy we were to begin with, when 'It's Been Awhile' and 'Outside' and 'So Far Away' and songs like that, that were radio songs, confused everything. 'Cause if you came and saw us at a show, the show was a hell of a lot heavier than most of the songs that you would hear on the radio. And I would have to say that it would be going back in the direction of just heavy… I think I've got some pent-up stuff that would probably flow out quite nicely over some of Mike's [Mushok] heavy riffs."

As reported yesterday, STAIND will release its first album in nine years, "Live: It's Been Awhile", on May 7 via Yap'em/Alchemy Recordings. The "Live: It's Been Awhile" album will be accompanied by "The Return Of Staind", a two-part global streaming series in partnership with Danny Wimmer Presents. The series launches with STAIND's "Live: It's Been Awhile (From Foxwoods)" concert, which streams globally on May 1. The "Live: It's Been Awhile" album and concert were recorded at the band's comeback show at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut in October 2019. The never-before-seen concert celebrates the band's reunion after a five-year hiatus.

STAIND will also perform its iconic multi-platinum 2001 album "Break The Cycle" in its entirety for a May 8 streaming event, exactly 20 years after the album's release. The "20th Anniversary Of Break The Cycle, Performed In Its Entirety" takes place at Mill 1 in Open Square in Holyoke, Massachusetts, bringing the band back to their Western Mass roots. Please note, this is a fully virtual event, with no in-person attendance.

Both global streaming events debut at 2:00 p.m. PDT / 5:00 p.m. EDT / 10:00 p.m. BST / 11:00 p.m. CEST on their respective days and will be available on-demand for 72 hours.

Purchase tickets for one or both of the STAIND global streaming events at StaindLive.com. Fans can also purchase bundles and VIP experiences, including exclusive merchandise, a custom STAIND guitar autographed by the entire band, and a virtual meet-and-greet with the band.

STAIND played its first full live show in five years in September 2019 at the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

The band was scheduled to support DISTUBED on "The Sickness 20th Anniversary Tour" throughout North America last summer. The amphitheater trek has since been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the gl

The Coda Collection features seven hours of video documenting AC/DC's various eras in addition to an in-depth collection of essays, along with a never-before-published interview with the band's co-founder and driving force, the late Malcolm Young. In the newly unearthed interview, Young discusses growing up in Australia, being influenced by the blues, the group's early shows, how he meshed with his brother Angus as a guitar player, how Bon Scott fit in with the group, and more.

On AC/DC's early days in the early 1970s:

Malcolm: "All we were doing is trying to entertain people. When we started as a band, we were told by club owners, 'We want people to dance so they drink more.' That's how we cut our teeth — getting people hot and sweaty and drinking. We stayed on that same thing. People paid money for tickets and we've never forgotten that. Anything after that was a bonus. We were just a club band. As things evolve, you evolve with it."

On discovering music growing up in Australia:

Malcolm: "You felt cut off from the rest of the world in the early '60s. You got the hits from America two months later. We had all these mini-stars who dominated the TV. We got the Top 20 on the short-wave radio, Radio Luxembourg. We'd tune in to find what was really happening in the music world. We saw THE BEATLES on TV in Glasgow before they had a hit and before we left for Australia. Six months later, we found out about them when they hit big. It took about six months for it to catch on in Australia."

On how blues influenced him:

Malcolm: "I'd heard Chicago blues from my brothers. One of them, John, loved BIG BILL BROONZY. You start picking up other names from the albums and listening to them. We could relate to that music. It doesn't seem a lot these days, but when a family uproots itself and moves to the other side of the world because your dad couldn't get a job, you didn't feel part of the system, if there even was a system. It was a bit of a struggle in many ways. We related to what the blues singers were saying. They could make you laugh. It was just about everyday life, and that pushed a button. We just fell right into it."

On the first step towards forming a band with Angus:

Malcolm: "We never really played together. I was more into THE BEATLES and [THE ROLLING] STONES, and Angus was more into the heavier stuff, [Jimi] Hendrix and CREAM, with the lead guitar. I used to listen to songs as songs — the drums, the vocal, the music side of it. I tended to pick up on the chords, the whole picture around the guitar. It just happened at one point when I was putting together a band. We were going to get a keyboard player, but I got Angus instead. [Laughs] Angus had his own band, a little rock outfit, but they just packed it in. He told me they were finished, and I said, 'Come down tomorrow and have a bash.' We were going to play rock 'n' roll; it was simple as that. When Angus came in, it was a big piece. He hadn't come into his stage act yet. George and my sister helped him a lot with that. They said, 'You gotta have a gimmick, Angus.' They thought a good act always had something people could relate to. My sister said, 'Why don't you get your school uniform with the shorts?' She knocked that up for him and this little guy became larger than life. Believe me, he can fire up. It's not an act. He takes it on full. I don't think anyone could become that intense method acting. That's what people expect and he does it. Even I don't know how he gets himself into that state."

On AC/DC's early shows:

Malcolm: "We had a good thing with the clubs. Rowdy, mad, brawling Aussies... It made Angus do it more. By the end of the night, everyone was won over. He wore the outfit, but he could play that guitar. We used to go to clubs and check out what was going on, and none of them were playing music that was getting people up and rocking and dancing. People would dance to the records between the bands. We thought, this is rock 'n' roll. [THE ROLLING STONES'] 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' would come on the jukebox, and the dancefloor would be filled. All the bands were doing that hippie period of music, that hippie hangover stuff. They didn't have a clue. It was just wide open for us. The very first show, the very first song we did, we had them won over. We'd play 'Jumpin' Jack Flash' and jam in the middle, drag it out, some Little Richard, 'Great Balls Of Fire', a couple more STONES tracks. Stuff we all roughly knew. Have a quick bash, and we just bluffed our way through. As long as they were up dancing, we were doing our job. The more they dance, the more they drink. Everyone was really happy. Everywhere we played, we were getting offers for residencies. The band was up and running. Melbourne, which is a bit like L.A. and London in size, there were people calling us in Sydney asking about the band. We were moving up quickly. At the time we weren't fazed. It was like, 'Oh, good, another gig.'"

On how he meshed with Angus as a guitar player:

Malcolm: "I was more into the chord thing, the complete song, rather than the individual part. I was glad in a way, because I was more of a melodic player. Angus was more into the rock world. Straightaway I said, 'This is great.' There was never any question. I thought Angus, it's pointless for me to play solos. It was never a brotherly squabble, but the opposite, because we just wanted to do good as a band."

On being in a band with his brother:

Malcolm: "It's not that dramatic. We have our moments. That's what we do, knowing each other all our lives. But it's got a lot of big pluses. Brothers do fight, but there is a closeness too. Within the band, a little bit of aggro rears its ugly head. But it's certainly not a major problem for AC/DC. During the making of the albums, it's the worst, because everyone is under a bit of pressure. You're in a confined area and things happen. We're pretty lucky overall with that, though."

On how Bon Scott fit in with the group:

Malcolm: "Bon basically took charge, to be honest. He was older and he'd been around in another band. He was the man of experience. We'd written one or two songs, and he encouraged us to write more. He'd say, 'I've got an idea about that motherfucking wife I've left: 'She's Got Balls'.' We'd already written some tracks, but when he came in, we had the voice of experience. We kept our ears wide open. He pushed us a little further. The first singer [Dave Evans], people cheered when he left, so we could jam. He was so bad. Bon was in a week later. He had songs, ideas, motivation. He's serious. We were happy to be with someone like that. We were just happy to be playing. He had bigger plans."

Check out the full conversation at this location.

"Sin In My Heart" the new video/single from EMN (Every Mother's Nightmare) makes its world premiere today. Shot on location at The Slaughterhouse in Nashville, "Sin In My Heart" was directed by Ben Dixon, filmed by James King, produced/edited by Gene Vaton Hadley for GVH Media.

"Sin In My Heart" is the third video from the bands latest record, Resurrect The Faithful, and by far the most creative video of the bands career. The track is also making its way to radio.

"We've stayed very busy with all the down time last year. We got a great time and we're just working all the time. There is already a handful of new songs for the next record and maybe a 1-off single surprise that will come. We are working on the next video too. We've got so much in the works and if we can get out and do some shows this year it should be a good year," says Rick Ruhl.

Recorded at Supernova Sound Memphis, Resurrect The Faithful differs from any of its predecessors. With a unique wall of guitars and a thunderous rhythm section, Resurrect The Faithful stands above anything the band has written and crosses various musical boundaries. The lyrical content delves into profound subject matter that can be determined by the listener as it relates to their own lives and situations. Each song takes on a life of their own – 11 scorching tracks of pure rock ‘n roll bliss at its finest and perhaps the most defining record in the bands career.

Tracklisting:

"Getaway"
"Breathe"
"Here's To The Ones"
"Sin In My Heart"
"When It Goes Away"
"Resurrect The Faithful"
"Fray"
"Sorry Today"
"Unstained"
"Drown By Luv"
"Love Can Make You Blind" (2020)

"Breathe" video:

"Here's To The Ones" video:




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Breakout metal stars, Tetrarch, have continued to deliver on their promise of taking over the metal scene in 2021 with the release of their two successful new singles, "I'm Not Right" and "You Never Listen", and today - in anticipation of their new album Unstable (out April 30 via Napalm Records) - they're dropping a third.

Their most aggressive single yet, "Negative Noise", sees the band enter full-on blisteringly heavy metal territory with an addictive modern twist. The sonic call to rise above the mediocre static that surrounds us stands tall as a vigorous, unrelenting banger - walloping with gritty riffage, forceful growls and an unrelenting double bass assault. The track impacts today alongside a hard-as-nails music video.

Frontman and guitarist Josh Fore says: "'Negative Noise' is one of the heaviest songs on the new record. It mixes big riffs with thick bass, extreme drums and some of the most intense screams I’ve ever done. One of the highlights of the song is Diamond’s guitar solo that she absolutely killed and I know will turn so many people's heads. Lyrically, the song is about constantly being surrounded by negativity and people trying to pull us in a million directions. More than ever, there is so much static around us, and we wanted to write a song about dealing with it and blocking out all of the noise."

Produced by the band and Dave Otero (Cattle Decapitation, Allegaeon, Khemmis), Unstable follows the band’s breakout debut Freak (2017). The new album shines not only as a natural step forward for Tetrarch, but a giant leap ahead - an even more focused effort combining bright flourishes, grooving low-end and soaring choruses. Unstable wastes no time igniting with the unforgettable, punching first single “I’m Not Right”. Boosted by frontman Josh Fore’s raw emotion and dynamic vocal style, the track pays homage to the genre’s greats while lifted by the eerie leads of trailblazing lead guitarist Diamond Rowe. Radio-ready, lyrically-relevant tracks like anti-bullying anthem for the ages “Sick Of You” and empowering “You Never Listen” showcase Tetrarch’s hefty progressions and unforgettable choruses. Unstable’s heaviest offerings prove the band’s dynamic assault of varying heavy styles, most notedly on assertive breakneck burner “Negative Noise” - a track that will turn the heads of metal’s greatest riffers with Rowe’s mighty axe attack - and on the melodically chilling “Take A Look Inside”, highlighting the powerful rhythm section of bassist Ryan Lerner and drummer Ruben Limas. The album explores a brooding, introspective side of the band on the standout, melodic “Addicted” and closer track “Trust Me”, which trickles-in supernatural atmosphere. Delivering heavy hit after hit, Unstable is 10 tracks of pure potency and undeniable talent.

Diamond Rowe says about the album: “The album has an overall theme of self-reflection and really looking at the relationships or parts of yourself/your life that you don’t like and getting out of those situations. It’s an angsty record. Musically, we were not timid in showing that we refuse to be boxed in as artists, and I think we really came out swinging with showing the world the type of band that we want to be. Freak did great for us and showed us that the music we were making was something that people wanted to hear, and that gave us the confidence to write and record this beast of an album.”

Unstable will be available in the following formats:

- 4 page CD Digipak + 12 page Booklet
- 4 page CD Digipak + 12 page Booklet + Patch (Napalm Mailorder - limited to 500 worldwide)
- 1 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 1 LP Gatefold Glow In The Dark Vinyl (Napalm Mailorder - limited to 100)
- 1 LP Gatefold Die-Hard Edition Vinyl (Various Colors Splatter) + Patch + Artprint (Napalm Mailorder - limited to 200 worldwide)
- Digital Album

Pre-order Unstable here.

Unstable tracklisting:

"I’m Not Right"
"Negative Noise"
"Unstable"
"You Never Listen"
"Sick Of You"
"Take A Look Inside"
"Stitch Me Up"
"Addicted"
"Pushed Down"
"Trust Me"

“You Never Listen” video:

"I’m Not Right" video:

Tetrarch is:

Josh Fore - vocals/guitar
Diamond Rowe - lead guitar
Ryan Lerner - bass
Ruben Limas - drums

(Photo - Guillermo Briceño)




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Pink Floyd Live At Knebworth 1990 will be released for the first time on CD, double vinyl and digital platforms on Friday, April 30. The concert was part of the star-studded 1990 Silver Clef Winners performance at Knebworth House, Hertfordshire, headlined by Pink Floyd. Listen to the 2021 edit of "The Great Gig In The Sky" from the upcoming release, below.

The monumentous Knebworth concert saw Pink Floyd topping the all-star bill that included Paul McCartney, Dire Straits, Genesis, Phil Collins, Mark Knopfler, Robert Plant (with Jimmy Page), Cliff Richard, Eric Clapton, and Tears For Fears. Around 120,000 music fans saw these giants of rock appear on the hallowed stage of Knebworth, all in aid of the Nordoff Robbins charity, profits from which went towards setting up the BRIT School. The concert was broadcast globally on MTV.

Pink Floyd - David Gilmour, Nick Mason and Richard Wright - were joined on stage by members of their touring band including Guy Pratt, Jon Carin, Tim Renwick, and Gary Wallis. Backing vocals came from Durga McBroom, Sam Brown and her mother Vicki, and (original The Great Gig in the Sky vocalist) Clare Torry. Pink Floyd also welcomed guest musicians including sax player Candy Dulfer and keyboard player and composer Michael Kamen.

David Gilmour and Andy Jackson have remixed the audio from this iconic concert featuring all seven tracks performed on the day, and the album features new artwork shot by Floyd collaborator Aubrey 'Po' Powell of Hipgnosis and designed by Peter Curzon of StormStudios.

Pre-order here.




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Frontiers Music Srl announces the June 18 release of the debut album, Kings In The North, from Crowne, a new Swedish melodic hard rock supergroup. The band is comprised of vocalist Alexander Strandell (Art Nation), guitarist/keyboardist/producer Jona Tee (H.E.A.T.), bassist John Levén (Europe) and drummer Christian Lundqvist (The Poodles).

Their second single and first music video, "Sharoline'", is out today. Watch the clip below. Pre-order the CD and Limited Edition Color LP versions of the album and pre-save the digital version here.

Crowne is hands-down the most exciting, thrilling supergroup ever created out of the Swedish melodic hard rock scene. This stellar cast of some of the most outstanding musicians from the scene have been gathered together to create this absolute beast of a debut album, the title of which will be revealed in the coming weeks. Crowne's music is the result of these amazing talents coming together and realizing a musical vision under the passionate and watchful guidance of Serafino Perugino, President of Frontiers Records. This is a melodic hard rock barnburner with enormous melodies, delivering rock 'n' roll like there is no tomorrow. Quite simply, this is going to blow you away, so prepare yourself for what's to come.

Meet The Band:

Vocalist Alexander Strandell is known to fans of the genre for fronting Art Nation. Since 2015, Art Nation has released three successful albums in Scandinavia on Gain/Sony Music while staking their claim as up-and-comers in the melodic hard rock scene.

Jona Tee's name is certainly one that needs no introduction for fans of the Swedish melodic rock scene and melodic hard rock in general. Jona brings not only his trademark production and keyboard skills to the proceedings here, but also provides the main guitars on the album. (Love Magnusson of Dynazty lent his skills to the solos on the album.)

On bass, a name that surely needs no introduction, from the legendary band Europe, John Levén. John agreed to join the guys and offer his awesome talents for the realization of a killer sound and to be one half of an astounding rhythm section.

The Poodles drummer, Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist, joins the party as the backbone of the rhythm section. The Poodles have been one of the most successful acts in melodic hard rock in Sweden in the 21st century.

Tracklisting:

"Kings In The North"
"Perceval"
"Sharoline"
"Unbreakable"
"Mad World"
"One In A Million"
"Sum Of All Fears"
"Set Me Free"
"Make A Stand"
"Cross To Bear"
"Save Me From Myself"

"Sharoline" video:

"Mad World":

Lineup:

Alexander Strandell – Lead Vocals
Jona Tee – Guitar/Keyboards/Backing Vocals
John Levén - Bass
Christian “Kicken” Lundqvist – Drums

Additional Musicians:

Love Magnusson – Guest Guitar Solos




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Five Finger Death Punch have released a new lyric video for their song "Dot Your Eyes", taken from the band’s 2013 studio album The Wrong Side Of Heaven And The Righteous Side Of Hell, Volume 1.The album instantly charted as a global #1 Rock Album upon its release and has gone on to reach platinum certification in the US.

Five Finger Death Punch recently released a lyric video for their song “I Refuse”, which features on the band’s recent compilation album, A Decade Of Destruction, Volume 2. Watch below:

A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2 is available here.

Tracklisting:

"Blue On Black" [taken from And Justice For None]
"The Tragic Truth" [taken from American Capitalist]
"Broken World" [previously unreleased]**
"I Refuse" [taken from And Justice For None]
"The Pride" [taken from American Capitalist]
"Hard To See" [taken from War Is The Answer]
"When The Seasons Change" [taken from And Justice For None]
"Cradle To The Grave" [taken from The Wrong Side Of Heaven, Vol. 2]
"Sham Pain" [taken from And Justice For None]
"M.I.N.E. (End This Way)" [taken from The Wrong Side Of Heaven, Vol. 1]
"Hell To Pay" [taken from Got Your Six]
"Never Enough" [taken from The Way Of The Fist]
"Walk Away" [taken from War Is The Answer]
"Wrong Side Of Heaven" (New Acoustic Version – original version taken from Wrong Side Of Heaven, Vol. 1)**
"Trouble" (Felmax Remix) – original version taken from And Justice For None
"Wash It All Away" (Joe Hahn Remix – original version taken from Got Your Six)**
"Bad Company" (The Five Finger Dim Mak Steve Aoki Remix)  – original version taken from War Is The Answer)**

** Previously Unavailable

"The Tragic Truth" lyric video:

“Bad Company" (The Five Finger Dim Mak Steve Aoki Remix) lyric video:

"Broken World" lyric video:

"Wrong Side Of Heaven" (Acoustic):

(Photo - F3 Studios - Stephen Jensen)




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Italian heavy metallers Scala Mercalli, active since 1992, released their new lyric video "Anita" - dedicated to Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva (Anita Garibaldi) - on March 26th, the anniversary of her wedding to Giuseppe Garibaldi in Montevideo in 1842. 

The band explains the inspiration for the song: "Giuseppe Garibaldi  was a man with whom Anita shared not only a great love, but also her battles for freedom both in Latin America and in Italy, until the day she died in his arms because of a strong fever at the age of 28, after having given birth to three children and pregnant with the fourth, and chased by the foreign armies that occupied the peninsula in 1849. Unaware that our country obtained freedom and unity 12 years later, and that monuments were erected in her memory both in Italy and in Brazil, her homeland. This song is dedicated to Anita and her incredible courage, but also to all the women who bravely fought like her for the freedom and unity of Italy, like the men with whom they shared the same sacrifices in life and on the battlefield."

The song is taken from the album, Independence, released on January 25th, 2019 via Alpha Omega Records

The tracklist is as follows:

"The Crossing on the Sea" (from Quarto to Marsala)
"The 1000" (Calatafimi Battle)"
"Honest Brigands"
"Be Strong"
"The Last Defence" (Roma-Gianicolo 1849)
"Never Surrender"
"Tolentino 1815"
"White Death"
"Whisper of the Night"
"Anita" (Ana Maria de Jesus Ribeiro da Silva)
"Fratelli d'Italia (Italian Anthem)" feat. Corale Angelico Rosati

"Be Strong"

"The 1000" (Calatafimi Battle)"




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Swedish melodic death metal pioneers AT THE GATES have completed recording their new studio album, "The Nightmare Of Being", for a July 2 release via Century Media Records.

While main parts for "The Nightmare Of Being" were recorded in several different Swedish studios — drums at Studio Gröndal with Jens Bogren, guitars and bass with Andy La Rocque at Sonic Train Studio and vocals at Welfare Sounds with Per Stålberg — the LP was mixed and mastered at Fascination Street Studios (AMON AMARTH, OPETH, KREATOR) by Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with AT THE GATES on the "At War With Reality" comeback album in 2014. The album's visual concept was developed by artist Eva Nahon.

AT THE GATES vocalist Tomas Lindberg checked in with the following comment about the album's concept: "The overall theme deals with the topic of pessimism, and I have been diving deep down in pessimistic philosophers. Trying to understand this way of looking at the world. It is not a negative album, more a gateway into new ideas for me personally, trying out different perspectives. You could call the album an introduction to pessimism as a concept, I guess. It is a very dark album, but not negative…"

And musically, while "The Nightmare Of Being" unveils a newly liberated and adventurous AT THE GATES via some of the bravest and most mesmerizing material they have ever written, Lindberg adds: "It still sounds like AT THE GATES, 100 percent. It is just more of everything…"

"The Nightmare Of Being" track listing:

01. Spectre of Extinction

02. The Paradox

03. The Nightmare of Being

04. Garden of Cyrus

05. Touched by the White Hands of Death

06. The Fall into Time

07. Cult of Salvation

08. The Abstract Enthroned

09. Cosmic Pessimism

10. Eternal Winter of Reason

Speaking to MessedUp Magazine, Lindberg stated about the upcoming effort: "We were very excited about [2014's] 'At War With Reality' already before it was released, because it represented our comeback. No one was as excited about it as us, but some time later, I thought it was too slick, too well-produced. 'To Drink From the Night Itself' was a response to that and we wanted it to be dirty and gritty and have loads of classic death metal sounds on it, like a lot of reverb on the vocals and that stuff. It was a record for old-school fans. The upcoming album is somewhere in between, something that continues on the concept we started on the two previous albums where we incorporated much more of our proggy, krauty and avant-gardist influences. Just to give you the picture of how it sounds; one song goes by the nickname 'the Goblin song,' another we call 'the Neu song.' But I promise you we don't take it too far — people wouldn't listen to it if we did. [Laughs] When we were in the studio, we told Jens Bogren [producer] to keep the gritty sound and the attack from the last record and put the overall sound in between the comeback records. And it sounds awesome.

"When we did the Roadburn festival two years ago we did a special set with guest vocalists and string instruments and that stuff on stage and played songs we never played live before. All that was very inspiring because we realized we can do it today, the things we thought we could do as teenagers when we wanted to be the KING CRIMSON of death metal [laughs], but we weren't good enough. After the Roadburn gig, we talked about incorporating more of those elements on record.

"Let's say we're super excited about how people will receive the record because there's stuff on the album never heard on an AT THE GATES record before — a lot of weird things. [Laughs] For old fans, there's at least five or six classic AT THE GATES songs on it, but it's a quite diverse album.

"AT THE GATES have been around for such a long time by now that we don't need to release records to please someone else — we want to do things we like ourselves. It's still death metal, but it has evolved. We just want it to sell enough to get money to record the next album. [Laughs] "

AT THE GATES guitarist Jonas Stålhammar recently told Italy's Poisoned Rock about the music he and his bandmates have written for the upcoming effort: "It's kind of progressing even more from the last album. It's gonna be different than that one too, but still you know it's AT THE GATES. It's evolving even more. All of us are kind of on the same page with why should we do the same record over and over again."

"To Drink From The Night Itself" was produced with Russ Russell (NAPALM DEATH, THE HAUNTED, DIMMU BORGIR) at Parlour Studios in the U.K. The follow-up 2014's "At War With Reality" featured conceptual artwork created by Costin Chioreanu of Twilight13Media, who also worked with AT THE GATES on the band's previous disc.

"To Drink From The Night Itself" was the first AT THE GATES album written and recorded without lead guitarist/primary songwriter Anders Björler, who departed in 2017. He has since been replaced by Stålhammar.

Further details about "The Nightmare Of Being" and its various formats will be revealed on April 30, with the start of the album’s pre-order campaign.

AT THE GATES is:

Adrian Erlandsson - Drums

Jonas Björler - Bass

Tomas Lindberg - Vocals

Jonas Stålhammar - Guitar

Martin Larsson - Guitar

Above photo by Ester Segarra

Veteran Arizona thrashers FLOTSAM AND JETSAM will release their new album, "Blood In The Water", on June 4 via AFM Records.

The track listing for the effort is as follows:

01. Blood In The Water

02. Burn The Sky

03. Brace For Impact

04. A Place To Die

05. The Walls

06. Cry For The Dead

07. The Wicked Hour

08. Too Many Lives

09. Grey Dragon

10. Reaggression

11. Undone

12. Seven Seconds 'Til The End Of The World

This past January, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM guitarist Michael Gilbert told The Metal Voice about the musical direction of the follow-up to "The End Of Chaos": "Well, this is the absolute perfect follow-up to 'Chaos'. We couldn't have planned it any better. We all basically put on our work boots, or whatever, and we started writing, and it ended up coming out… It's like 'The End Of Chaos' on steroids, basically. I think you guys are gonna love it, man."

Last November, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM announced Bill Bodily (CONTRARIAN, ex-INHUMATUS, ex-TOXIK) as the band's new bass player. Before joining FLOTSAM AND JETSAM on a permanent basis, Bodily filled in for former bassist Michael Spencer during many shows of the group's "Tour Of Chaos" in 2019.

Commented Bodily: "Joining FLOTSAM AND JETSAM is an honor as well as a huge step up in my musical journey. I've been friends with the guys for many years, and I'm a lifelong FLOTSAM fan. I look forward to the many adventures ahead and getting more acquainted with the legendary Flotzilla fans!"

The band added: "First and foremost, we would like to thank Michael Spencer for his time in FLOTSAM AND JETSAM. He joined us back in 2014, and we have accomplished so much together. We sincerely wish him the best in his future endeavors!

"A new chapter for FLOTSAM AND JETSAM beckons; Bill Bodily embodies a new focus and hunger within FLOTSAM AND JETSAM and we're extremely excited to have him as part of the Flotzilla family. He's not only a brilliant musician who has established himself in the thrash and death metal scene, but also a great human being, which made the decision to have him join the band a very natural one. Bill brings an amazing work ethic and a fervent desire to continue to learn, grow and develop his musical voice. He knows music talent alone isn't enough, and that hard work, perseverance and a sense of humor goes a long way to sustaining a successful musical career. We welcome him with open arms!

"We've been working very hard on the follow‐up for 'The End Of Chaos'. The new material is very heavy, and we've taken the sound and approach that we've had for the last two studio albums and amped up the aggressiveness without toning down any other elements. Everyone has done a superb job in the studio — even more so considering the unprecedented circumstances we are living in at this time. We are very excited about the music, and we hope and believe the new album will live up to everyone's expectations."

"The End Of Chaos" was released in January 2019 via AFM Records.

Sepultura drummer Eloy Casagrande has uploaded a new drum playthrough video, this time featuring himself pounding his way through the Black Sabbath classic "War Pigs". Check it out below.

Casagrande used the Moises app for the playthrough, which he explains at the beginning of the video. Check it out here.

Check out Casagrande's previous playthrough video of Slipknot's "People = Shit" below.




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Hailing from the literal streets of New York City, CATTERA is a feline four-piece fronted by reformed street cat Roope-Shakir, fur baby of Fearless Records product manager Anna Mrzyglocki.

Today, CATTERA has released its debut single, "Hunger Of The Beast", via Bandcamp. Listen below.

"I knew Roope-Shakir had star power from the moment he entered my apartment," Mrzyglocki says. "I heard his emotion-filled meows and knew he needed to be the front cat of a metal band. It sparked a passion for A&R I never knew I had. People may think CATTERA is just another 'industry plant,' but there's real talent here."

"I'm stoked to release my first track with CATTERA, as I'm a huge fan of OG animal kingdom metal bands like HATEBEAK and CANINUS," Roope-Shakir purrs. "I hope I can be an inspiration to all street cats who have something to say."

CATTERA also shared a behind-the-scenes studio clip, offering a look at its creative process.

Follow CATTERA on Instagram here.

100% of the track sales and any additional donations will directly benefit Whiskers-A-GoGo, the Brooklyn non profit volunteer-run cat rescue group that got Roope-Shakir off the streets and into his forever home.

Hunger of the Beast by Cattera


























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A post shared by CATTERA (@catteranyc)

Montreal rock quartet The Damn Truth have announced their third full-length album Now Or Nowhere is scheduled for release on May 7 via Spectra Musique / Sony Music. With six tracks recorded by Grammy Award-winning legendary producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Aerosmith, Mötley Crüe, Bon Jovi, Tragically Hip) at Bryan Adams’ The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Now Or Nowhere is a definitive statement about the band, about the times and how everyone navigates life, love and everything else in a world gone seemingly upside down and sideways. Preorder here.

The album’s soulful debut single, “This Is Who We Are Now,” was written on the road during their recent U.S. tour and is streaming now across all digital platforms. A visualizer is streaming below.

"Like almost everything good that The Damn Truth has ever produced, this song was born on the road and could be considered a 100% collaboration among the four of us,” lead guitarist/vocalist Tom Shemer points out. “I'll never forget the moment when I was driving to a gig in eastern Texas and PY was sitting in the passenger seat next to me. I told him, 'Dude, press record on the voice memo,' and I hummed, 'This is who we are now' into his phone. Months later, as the band laid down the track in the studio, Lee-la walked into the control room, grabbed the microphone and without writing anything down on paper, she did the take. That was it. Done."

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the band was unable to complete the full recording of Now Or Nowhere with Bob Rock so the band enlisted a team of A-list engineers to help complete the album; Juno Award-winning producer Jean Massicotte (Patrick Watson)--who mixed “Everything Fades”--and Grammy Award-winning engineers Vance Powell (Jack White, Chris Stapleton) and Nick DiDia (Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against The Machine) as well as Mike Plotnikoff (Van Halen, Cranberries, Three Days Grace).   

Get a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process for Now Or Nowhere with the band’s current webisode series ‘A Week in The DAMN Life’ airing now on their YouTube channel.

Tracklisting:

“This Is Who We Are Now”
“Tomorrow”
“Only Love”
“Lonely”
“Everything Fades”
“The Fire”
“Look Innocent”
“Full On You”
“Shot ‘Em”

“This Is Who We Are Now”:

(Photo Credit: Martin Brisson)




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