KORN guitarist Brian "Head" Welch has opened up about the backlash he has received from the Christian community for his decision to rejoin the band.

Welch, who left KORN in 2005 after becoming a Christian and returned to the band eight years later, talked about the criticism he has received from the more conservative members of the Christian community for being a part of the secular rock scene, which many believe is dark and evil.

In an interview with "The Conversation"'s Roxanne Grace, Welch said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "At first, I engaged with [the online detractors] and tried to change them. And you give scripture. But that doesn't work. And I feel like if they did it to Christ, they're gonna do it to us. So I learned the ability to just ignore and walk away and not to respond. Or a quick delete off your page — just ban the user and move on. Because all it is, it's, like, demonic activity trying to — they're trying to hit your insecurities, and they're trying to get you to feel the sting of the rejection, and they're trying to get you to respond. And there's not enough time in the day, with family, friends and work and everyting, to engage in negativity. So a quick delete and 'ban user.'"

He continued: "Look, they're not in your tribe — they don't get you — so just go somewhere else. Go with your people, who you agree with or get fed by, or whatever. That's what's worked for me.

"If you really wanna make demons mad, staying in rest and ignoring them is torturous for them. 'Cause they want attention and they want bitterness. So if you just ban the user and delete and move on, you send the message that you haven't fallen into the trap."

Less than a month after leaving KORN, Welch — wearing a white robe and sporting a long beard — was baptized in Israel's Jordan River, along with about 20 other members of the Valley Bible Fellowship, the Bakersfield, California, church in which he spoke two weekends earlier.

Welch officially returned to KORN in 2013, one year after joining the band onstage at the Carolina Rebellion festival in Rockingham, North Carolina to perform "Blind".

Since his conversion to Christ 16 years ago, Welch has been very open about how God changed his lifestyle and restored his relationship with his daughter.

In recent years, Brian has been preaching that people don't have to wait until they die to see if having an encounter with the presence of God is real.

Both Welch and KORN bassist Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu have had highly public, though separate, conversion experiences, ones that have been greeted with a certain amount of skepticism.

KORN's latest album, "The Nothing", was released in September 2019 via Roadrunner/Elektra. The follow-up to 2016's "The Serenity Of Suffering" was once again produced by Nick Raskulinecz.

Welch's LOVE AND DEATH project released its second album, "Perfectly Preserved", on February 12 via Earache Records.

Philadelphia’s New Wave of Traditional American Heavy Metal band, Corners Of Sanctuary, roll out a brand new EP titled Blood And Steel: Volume One, a follow-up to their previous album, Heroes Never Die, released last year via RFL Records.

Blood And Steel: Volume One is the first of a two part EP series which takes the band to a grittier, even darker musical landscape. Produced by COS founder, primary songwriter and guitarist Mick Michaels, and mastered by Blood Feast guitarist and studio owner and engineer CJ Scioscia (Ross The Boss, Mike LePond), Blood And Steel: Volume One offers a new take on the band’s signature sound and style. Maintaining their traditionally inspired riffing and arrangements, this release delivers an ongoing battery of classically fueled thump and drive from the collective efforts of members: bassist James Pera, drummer Mad T, guitarist Mick Michaels and vocalist Frankie Cross. 

Tracklisting:

"Calling A New Day"
"In The Heat Of The Fight"
"We All Shall Fall"
"A Fitting End"

Secure your copy of Blood And Steel: Volume One now at this location.

According to Mick Michaels, guitarist for Corners Of Sanctuary: “We have always enjoyed releasing EPs… they are an opportunity to explore and experiment with new ideas and directions for us; giving ourselves license to work with new sounds and writing styles. This Blood And Steel EP series serves as a tribute to two dear friends, and one-time bandmates who had recently passed. We wanted to create something that would honor who they were and what they accomplished, especially as artists. Some of the tracks that will be featured on both Volume One and Volume Two are pieces that each were involved in at one time or another. Working with several of these tracks has been challenging on an emotional level but in the end it has been worth the effort.”

Mad T, drummer for Corners Of Sanctuary says: "I am very excited with this new material as we continue to explore what is the Corners Of Sanctuary sound. Additionally, we get to honor two former bandmates of Mick and James. I think that brings a deeper emotional touch to the music and overall EP.”

James Pera, bassist for Corners Of Sanctuary commented: “I am excited and proud of the resilience of the core of this band. We faced many challenges last year. In fact the world has. We did not hide or throw in the towel. We persevered and came out with our best material yet.”

Check out the lyric video for "We All Shall Fall":

 




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Earlier today, Rob's School Of Music conducted an interview with GUNS N' ROSES guitarist Richard Fortus. You can now watch the chat below.

Asked for tips on dealing with anxiety and stage fright as a musician, Richard, who joined GUNS in late 2001 or early 2002, said: "When I'm touring with GN'R, the stage is the most comfortable place to me — because it's our stage, it's our gear, it's our in-ear mixes, it's our physical stage. It's the same every night, and it feels like being at home. But when you go to play a club or when you go to sit in with somebody, you're nervous — because now you're not at home; you're at somebody else's home. But it's just part of life, man. You've just gotta do it. And the only way to get over it is to do it.

"When I was 15 years old, I was playing clubs — every weekend, we were playing clubs, my band," he continued. "I grew up in St. Louis, and there were underage clubs. So I would play every week at an underage club, and we would play different underage clubs, and parties and stuff. And that's how I got over that; it became comfortable for me."

Last September, Fortus told "The Radical With Nick Terzo" podcast that it has been at times difficult to adjust to the different musicians that came through GUNS N' ROSES since he joined the band nearly two decades ago.

Fortus got his big break when his band PALE DIVINE opened for THE PSYCHEDELIC FURS. This led to Fortus forming the band LOVE SPIT LOVE with PSYCHEDELIC FURS frontman Richard Butler and drummer Frank Ferrer. In 2000, Fortus and Ferrer became touring members of the reformed PSYCHEDELIC FURS before Fortus hooked up with GUNS N' ROSES. Ferrer himself joined GN'R in 2006.

GUNS N' ROSES is now reportedly working on a new studio album — the first under the GUNS banner since 2008's "Chinese Democracy" and the first to feature guitarist Slash, singer Axl Rose and bassist Duff McKagan since 1993.

From Adelaide, Australia - Echoes In Eternity has issued their debut single and video “Death To Self” from their upcoming release, Time Is Distance, through Idiglig Digital Records.

Featuring Lee Gardiner (Double Dragon, Entanglement) on vocals, and Aidan Cibich (Apophis, Revile) on guitars, Echoes In Eternity create an epic, cinematic soundscape, intertwining between melodic death metal, blistering lead guitar, and soaring vocal choruses. Echoes In Eternity will be debuting their material live later this year, with full band members to be announced.

 




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Swedish boogie rockers Transport League have released the single "Criminal Energy", the first to be taken from the band's upcoming album Kaiserschnitt, which will be issued by Mighty Music in the Summer. "Criminal Energy" is also available as a fantastic music video, which can be seen below.

Singer / guitarist Tony Jelencovich comments about the song: "'Criminal Energy' deals with powers within a human entity. The undisputed, unchained strength of abilities that guides the way to a better life and understanding which will and should be untamed."

"Criminal Energy" can be streamed and download at this location.

The pandemic struck Transport League hard, just like it did the whole music business and live scene. At the end of April 2020 the Swedes decided to wrap up songwriting sessions and drag themselves into the studio.

They entered Grand Recordings and El Bastardo Studio in their hometown, Gothenburg. The engineering was handled by Dan Johansson (Mary Beats Jane, Generous Maria) and Henrik Danhage (Evergrey). Transport League did the production themselves but with advisory from both Dan J and Henrik D. Mixing was done by Svein Jensen (Grand Recordings), mastering by Philip Granquist.

The 11 tracks breathe a lot of live-take energy and with some moody breakdown tracks as well. Guest appearances by Sal Abruscato (Type O Negative, A Pale Horse Named Death) on the track "March, Kiss, Die" and by Christian Sture (Heal) on "Kaiserschnitt", fit like a glove. The album is signature Transport League - groovy, energetic, catchy rock ’n’ roll. 

(Photo by Patric Ullaeus)

 




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Finnish melodic metal stalwarts, Arion, have released a video for "I Love To Be Your Enemy", featured on the band's new album, Vultures Die Alone, out April 9 via AFM Records. Watch the clip below.

Beautifully balanced, meticulously honed, and streamlined to modern metal perfection, Arion’s third album is an extremely addictive album.

From the fierce opening riffs of “Out of My Life” to the ending salvo of “I Don’t Fear You”, you’ll get gently pummeled to sweet oblivion with a flurry of catchy melodies. You will be breezily battered by a barrage of nimble riffs while Lassi Vääränen’s vocal delivery throws a jab after another until your ears ring with happiness. Guitarist Iivo Kaipainen‘s frenetic fretwork dances like a butterfly and stings like a bee while you can’t but marvel the overall musical aptitude of Arttu Vauhkonen (keys), Georgi Velinov (bass), and Topias Kupiainen (drums). Finally, the two guest appearances – by Battle Beast’s metal goddess Noora Louhimo in the album’s leading single “Bloodline”, and Finland’s newest modern pop metal sensation Cyan Kicks in “In the Name of Love” – are the combo of uppercuts that will have you on the ropes and eventually drops you down for the count that is the soothingly beautiful coda “Until Eternity Ends”.

This triumph was achieved with the assistance of seasoned cornermen. Vultures Die Alone was produced with Matias Kupiainen (Stratovarius) at the helm and expertly mixed by Adam "Nolly" Getgood (Periphery).

Pre-order the album here.

Tracklisting:

"Out Of My Life"
"Break My Chains"
"Bloodline" (Feat. Noora Louhimo)
"I'm Here To Save You"
"In The Name Of Love" (Feat. Cyan Kicks)
"A Vulture Dies Alone"
"I Love To Be Your Enemy"
"Where The Ocean Greets The Sky"
"I Don't Fear You"
"Until Eternity Ends"

"In The Name Of Love" (Feat. Cyan Kicks) video:

"Out Of My Life" video:

"Bloodline" video:

(Photo - Ville Juurikkala)




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Red Wolf's debut album, Sessions Vol. 1, was released in October 2020. They have released an official video for the song "Hypocrite". Check it out below.

It all started in Spring 2020, during the COVID – 19 lockdown, when Euge Valovirta (Cyhra) had received compliments and questions about the songs he had used on his YouTube channel’s videos which were just 1-2 minute clips of cool riffs basically written for a particular video about a certain amp, effect pedal, etc.

Around the same time Adde Larsson, with whom Euge had played several Cyhra shows since he had filled in for Alex Landenburg, called Euge that he really likes Euge’s solo album, Easy Does It, and if he ever plans to record another he’d like to be the drummer on that.

Since all of their main band’s tours were cancelled, they had plenty of time so they decided that Euge will complete the aforementioned clips into full songs at his home studio in Helsinki, Finland and Adde will then record drums on them in his hometown Gothenburg, Sweden. When the demos of the songs were finished Euge decided that the songs require vocals and someone to finish the writing process with him and the first guy he thought who’d be perfect for the job was Samy Elbanna (Lost Society) and Samy replied immediately, without hearing a single song, that he is in.

Around the same time, Euge thought that he wants his old bandmate from Suburban Tribe Janne Joutsenniemi (Stone, Suburban Tribe) to play bass on the songs and Janne also replied immediately that he is in. Janne also growls on the album which he hasn’t done since Stone’s last album Emotional Playground (1991).

After the drums were done Euge, Samy and Janne recorded their parts at their home studios and by early July the recordings were finished, without the guys meeting once during this time, and the mixing started at IYP studios in Gothenburg, Sweden by Matthias Törngren.

Euge Valovirta: “All of this happened very naturally & effortlessly and this has been probably the easiest album writing & recording process that I’ve ever been a part of and I’m really happy how everything turned out. 'Crossing The Line' was the first song we completed and it set the direction for the rest of the album. It’s working title was 'JCM800' ‘cos it was written for my YouTube channels’ – video about my all time favourite amp; Marshall JCM800 2203 which I used on the album, naturally."

Samy Elbanna: "As a person who always has enjoyed creating and doing as much as possible, this was an absolute dream to be a part of! This has been without a doubt one of the funniest and most organic projects I’ve ever had the honor to participate! Great songs and a great group of guys, what could be better?!"

Janne Joutsenniemi: "I haven’t played or sung for a while so this was a nice change for me to rock out with the guys, even from a distance since everybody played their parts on their own for obvious reasons. I haven’t even met or talked with Adde but it was really fun to play the bass on top of his drums and my playing fitted naturally to his playing. I can hear hear the fresh and enthusiastic touch in everyone’s playing and everything was done in the spur of moment since we had no time or need to analyze and rehearse things any further. It was straight forward full speed ahead, trusting your own intuition and that’s what music is all about."

Adde Larsson: "Having been working together with Euge as a stand in drummer for Alex Landenburg in Cyhra for about 2 years and with a bunch of shows and tours under the belt together, me and Euge have really hit it off and he has become a very good and dear friend of mine. When this opportunity rose to do this project together there was absolutely nothing that would stop me in my tracks to take the change and join! To also be playing with Samy and Janne in the same band was a massive extra privilege and a surprise to say, especially knowing what they have achieved in their individual careers! It makes me very humble and excited to be a part of this machine and it’s just simply awesome and honouring to be a part of this all."

Tracklist:

"Crossing The Line"  
"The Road"    
"The Point Of No Return"
"Running In Circles"
"The Devil Inside Of Me"
"Hypocrite"
"Watch It Burn"
"Coming For You"
"Face Of God"
"I Am The Night"

"Crossing The Line"

"The Road"

Red Wolf is:

Euge Valovirta – guitar
Samy Elbanna – vocals & guitar
Janne Joutsenniemi – bass & vocals
Adde Larsson - drums

Check out the band's official Facebook page here.




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Brazilian metallers, Angra, have released a live video for the Temple Of Shadows album track, "Spread Your Fire", from the band's Ømni World Tour. Watch below:

Check out the previously released live videos for "Always More", "Magic Mirror", "Caveman", "War Horns", "The Bottom Of My Soul", "Insania", "Travelers Of Time", and "Light Of Transcedence" below:




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Scorpions have uploaded pro-shot video of a '70s medley live from Brooklyn in 2015 as part of their Return To Forever Tour. It features the Scorpions songs "Top Of The Bill", "Steamrock Fever", "Speedy's Coming" and "Catch Your Train".

Scorpions have announced that their Sin City Nights Vegas Residency dates, scheduled for May 8 - 30, 2021 at Zappos Theater, have been rescheduled to March 26 - April 16, 2022 with special guests Queensrÿche.

"We can’t wait to be reunited with all of you then," says the band.

Fans who have purchased tickets to an affected performance will have their tickets automatically transferred to a new date with the exact same seats, including VIP packages where applicable. If you are unable to attend that date, please visit your original point of purchase for a refund. Those interested in purchasing tickets for the new dates can do so at ticketmaster.com/scorpionsvegas.




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Conan are not only releasing their third live album, Live At Freak Valley, today - they’ve also unleashed the fierce sludge crusher “Battle In The Swamp”. This live version pushes violently on the brake pedal - you can literally hear your feet stuck in the marsh. This relentlessly heavy, constantly charging amalgamation of intensity rages from the first to the last second.

Says the band: "“‘Battle In The Swamp’ is one of our earliest songs, appearing on the first demo tape we recorded back in 2007. It is simple and to the point, and always starts a pit. Enjoy.”

Watch the video for the live version of "Battle In The Swamp" below:

Three years after the release of the ferocious caveman battle doom masterpiece Existential Void Guardian, Conan waves the flag of Pain again and releases Live At Freak Valley via Napalm Records. After their 2013 live album, recorded at Roadburn festival, and the self-released Live At Bannermans, their third live album could not be recorded at a better place than Freak Valley Festival.

Live At Freak Valley is available in the following formats:

- 2 LP Gatefold Vinyl White / Black Marble (Napalm Records mailorder only) - strictly limited to 200
- 2 LP Gatefold Vinyl Grey
- 1 CD Jewelcase
- Digital album

Order your copy of Live At Freak Valley here.

Tracklisting:

"Gravity Chasm"
"Throne Of Fire"
"Thunderhoof"
"Battle In The Swamp"
"Hawk As Weapon"
"Satsumo"
"Foehammer"
"Total Conquest"
"Revengeance"

“Hawk As Weapon“ video:

"Satsumo" live video:

Lineup:

Jon Davis - vocals, guitar
Chris Fielding - bass
Johnny King - drums

(Photo - Clemens Mitscher)




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Undertow, the debut album from A Rising Force, the band featuring Mark Westlund (vocals, guitar), Brian Lorenson (bass, vocals), Lane Allen (drums, vocals), and Leni DiMancari (guitars, vocals), is set for release on May 7 via HighVolMusic. A video for the first single, "Love And War", can be found below.

The album was written in the fall of 2019 through the summer of 2020 and recorded in in the fall of 2020. Undertow features 10 tracks including a cover of the Warrant hit, "Uncle Tom's Cabin".

Tracklisting:

"Undertow"
"Love And War"
"Crushed"
"Freaks"
"Black Eyed Suzy"
"Yesterdaze Hell"
"Giza"
"War Machine"
"Uncle Tom's Cabin"
"Retribution"

"Love And War" video:

A Rising Force is also part of the 'Rock  Across America Tour' featuring Ron Keel Band and Every Mother's Nightmare. "Like everyone else we are hopeful that we can get out and play some dates to support the new album, we will see. We are excited about the new album and possibilities," says Leni DiMancari.

(Photo - Mark Walentiny)




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Virginia-based crossover maniacs, Enforced, have released their new album, Kill Grid. In time for the release they are also unleashing a band new video clip for the menacing “UXO”.

Enforced are keeping an important tradition of thrash and punk/hardcore alive though: While their brutal tunes are going to wreck your neck there is more to the band than just entertainment: “This song is lyrically self explanatory”, says singer Knox Colby. “It’s about the cluster bombing of Laos during the Vietnam War. The main focus of the lyrics are about the cultural impact that the unexploded ordnance (abbreviated UXO) has had over the last 50 years. Over 20,000 people have died accidentally from stepping on these bombs that are the size of a softball and scattered over the entire country, which is predominantly covered in dense jungle (last I checked, 35% of the country is still contaminated with UXO). It’s an issue the United States has only recently owned up to, but the government won’t apologize for; it’s shameful.”

Guitarist Will Wagstaff on the music: “ When this song was written I was listening to 2 specific songs on repeat. ‘Dying’ by Obituary and ‘Corporal Jigsore Quandary’ by Carcass. Both tracks are just so driving with the double bass and grooviness and I wanted to try to write something somewhat in that vein.”

Kill Grid came together over a two-year period while Enforced were marauding halls and dive bars across the East Coast and Canada. Indeed, inspiration came from different directions, but playing live with bands like Sacred Reich, Red Death, Iron Reagan, All Out War, and Integrity shaped what was to come out of the Richmonders. While it was the previous output that attracted the attention of Century Media, it’s Kill Grid, that’s going to put Enforced on top-lists of circle pit lunatics around the globe. To track their sophomore full-length, Enforced enlisted long-time friend and studio maven Bob Quirk (Iron Reagan) to engineer, as well as Philadelphia-based studio whiz Arthur Rizk (Power Trip, Cavalera Conspiracy, Pissed Jeans, Eternal Champion, Ghostemane, Code Orange) to mix and master.

Order Kill Grid here.

Tracklisting:

"The Doctrine"
"UXO"
"Beneath Me"
"Malignance"
"Kill Grid"
"Curtain Fire"
"Hemorrhage"
"Blood Ribbon"
"Trespasser"

“Curtain Fire” visualizer:

“Malignance” video:

"Hemorrhage" visualizer:

Lineup:

Knox Colby - vocals
Will Wagstaff - guitar
Zach Monahan - guitar
Ethan Gensurowsky - bass
Alex Bishop - drums

(Photo - Morgan Parrish)




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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. Check out a new teaser video 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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BODY COUNT was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, which is being held tonight (Sunday, March 14) at an undisclosed building in Los Angeles. BODY COUNT was nominated for "Bum-Rush", a track from its 2020 album "Carnivore".

The nominees in the "Best Metal Performance" category were as follows:

* BODY COUNT - "Bum-Rush"

* CODE ORANGE - "Underneath"

* IN THIS MOMENT - "The In-Between"

* POPPY - "Bloodmoney"

* POWER TRIP - "Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe) - Live"

Last December, BODY COUNT frontman Ice-T told Consequence Of Sound about being nominated for a Grammy: "Well, I think my first reaction was more insane when we got nominated for the album before this ['Bloodlust'], when we got nominated for 'Black Hoodie'. I thought it was a joke. I couldn't believe it. Now, for us to get a nomination on our next album after that, I was, like, 'Really?!' I guess somebody over there at the Grammys really enjoys what I'm doing. So, it's a very exciting moment. We lost last time. I think just to be nominated, it sounds corny, with all the thousands and thousands of records that come out every year, is a great accomplishment and we'll take that. Of course, we want to win but it's mind-blowing."

As with other award shows held during the pandemic, there will be no audience for the Grammys this year.

The majority of the awards are being handed out in a non-televised event, the Premiere Ceremony, this afternoon. The televised portion of the Grammys will begin on CBS at 5:00 p.m. PT/8:00 p.m. ET.

Artists will perform at audience-free venues across the United States, including Los Angeles's Troubadour and Hotel Café, New York City's Apollo and Nashville's Station Inn.

The awards are selected by The Recording Academy's voting membership which is made up of music artists, producers, songwriters, and engineers all across the country.

Last year, TOOL was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, which was held on January 26, 2020 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. TOOL was nominated for "7empest", a track from its 2019 album "Fear Inoculum".

Enigmatic Nordic collective Heilung is now proudly announcing their collaboration with My.Games and Booming Tech for the new season of the Conquerer's Blade video game, VII: "Wolves Of Ragnarok. The newly launched trailer for the game, featuring the track "Galgaldr," can be seen below.

With lyrics recorded in Old Norse and inspired by Völuspá – a prophecy of Ragnarok from the Poetic Edda - Heilung’s atmospheric sound will immerse players in a dark new era for Conqueror’s Blade. Heilung will also see their name being eternalized in one of the new combat map locations, which is now officially called ‘Heilung Fjord,’ and serves as a place for healing. More info on the game can be found here.

Viking metal pioneers, Einherjer released their eighth studio album, North Star, on February 26th, proving their status as the pioneers of blending Nordic black metal and folk metal genres to pure Norse heavy metal once again. They have posted a guitar playthrough video for the single "The Blood And The Iron", which can be viewed below.

North Star marks the band’s return to Napalm Records after 25 years, and the release of their legendary Dragons Of The North album (1996), which will be re-released as a re-mastered version on February 26 as well.

To celebrate the double release, Einherjer just released the third single, “West Coast Groove”, together with an animated video. Old school heavy metal vibes meet dark Viking metal atmosphere - Einherjer are in top form and still prove their status as genre pioneers after more than 25 years.

Einherjer on “West Coast Groove”: “There is a massive portion of rock’n’roll spirit in most of the stuff we do these days. As we grow older I find it more natural to let our influences shine through as we see fit. 'West Coast Groove' is a solid fist in the air for the heavy metal we love, and to the place that's been an essential part of our inspiration since day one. A tribute to our hometurf!”

Frode Glesnes on the video and the collaboration with Costin Chioreanu: “We've worked with Costin Chioreanu for many years now, and he has become a dear friend. He's been to Haugesund several times. He knows where we're at and what we seek and I think he portrays this beautifully in this animated movie. My initial reaction was to laugh out loud while the hair stood up on the back of my neck. A rare combination!”

North Star was recorded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic at the in-house Studio Borealis, owned by founding member and mastermind Frode Glesnes. The raw production ties in seamlessly with its predecessor Norrøne Spor and makes North Star probably the most powerful Einherjer album to date! North Star is Einherjer's musical mission towards something bigger - the search for guidance by the North Star in a constantly changing world that is searching for stability.

Einherjer on North Star: ”North Star is our 8th full length album, and follows in the (Norse) tracks of Norrøne Spor. The North Star is a symbol with numerous meanings. It can be guidance, or it can be a personal mission. Something to reach for. It's the Anchor of the Northern Sky. We need something steady in this rapidly shifting world we live in. The North Star album is us reaching for something greater. Developing ourselves through a musical journey in classic Einherjer style – no bullshit, just proper Norse Heavy Metal!”

North Star tracklisting:

"The Blood And The Iron"
"Stars"
"West Coast Groove"
"Ascension"
"Higher Fire"
"Echoes In Blood"
"Listen To The Graves"
"Chasing The Serpent"

"The Blood And The Iron" video:

"Stars" video:




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British rock singer, Chez Kane, has released an official video for "Better Than Love", the lead-off track on her new self-titled debut album, which is out now. Check it out below.

Produced by Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx, Chez Kane is a melodic rock record that harkens back to the glory days of the '80s when the genre was known for having multiple incredible frontwomen playing the style.

A talented, young vocalist who fronts, with her two sisters, the band Kane'd, Chez was brought to the attention of the label after conversations with Danny Rexon of Crazy Lixx about the possibility of him scouting and producing some exciting new talent. Subsequently, Danny started working on some demos with Chez and the label did not pass up the opportunity to get involved with this incredible talent. Chez's debut solo album embraces the melodic rock style that both she and Danny so admire, while adding a new twist to the current takes on the genre.

“I feel so excited to have been asked to collaborate with Danny for a solo album. The second I heard the music, I instantly knew it was for me and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to launch my solo career this way. I am so humbled to have Frontiers on board. This is going to be killer and I can’t wait!” says Chez.

Producer Danny Rexon says, “Until now, I had only worked on the production of Crazy Lixx, but with this I can take a whole other role where I’m working on building up a brand new solo artist, which is quite refreshing....especially when we’re talking about creating something with a talented and hardworking singer like Chez.”

The concept behind the album started with a vision that Danny had in mind. “I’ve long felt that the contemporary melodic rock scene is missing an important piece of what I think made the genre, at least to some extent, so great in the late 80’s and early 90’s, and that is the quintessential female rocker. There are tons of bands in the melodic rock genre, but I feel like we’re missing that great female solo artist singing hard rock. A kind of Lee Aaron, Lita Ford, or Robin Beck for the new decade. So, the mission was clear to me from day one: Give the fans a female rocker that will remind them of the powerful rock anthems of the past. Having found Chez and discovering the potential in her voice, I have great faith in this endeavour and no doubt that this album will resonate well with fans both of my own band, Crazy Lixx and of the retro melodic rock genre at large.”

Chez adds that even “though I was born in the ‘90s, I have always had a major soft spot for that infectious ‘80s style, so from that aspect Danny’s songwriting fits me really well. We have the same vision, drive and passion to make this album an absolute belter!”

So what can listeners expect? “If you’re a fan of my stuff with Crazy Lixx, I bet you’ll enjoy the Chez Kane album too,” explains Danny. “I’ve written and arranged every song on the album, so it’s bound to have my signature style to it. However, this album will be a lot more radio friendly (at least if you go by what was considered radio friendly in 1989), a lot more keyboard oriented and of course, the fact that it’s a powerful female voice singing the songs will give the album a whole other dimension. And if you, like myself, are a fan of Lee Aaron, Vixen, Saraya, Chrissy Steele, Lita Ford, and similar artists and feel like the genre’s missing out this vital component, you’re going to love the debut album from Chez Kane!”

Tracklisting:

“Better Than Love”
“All Of It”
“Rocket On The Radio”
“Get It On”
“Too Late For Love”
“Defender Of The Heart”
“Ball N’ Chain”
“Midnight Rendezvous”
“Die In The Name Of Love”
“Dead End Street”

“Too Late For Love” video:




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