Former ICED EARTH singer Tim "Ripper" Owens says that he "never talked politics" with Jon Schaffer while he was a member of the band.

Owens, who joined ICED EARTH in 2003 and stayed in the group for four years before being fired in December 2007, addressed his time with the band in an Instagram exchange with a fan.

Asked by the fan what it was like "working with a terrorist," a reference to the fact that Schaffer is suspected of being part of the pro-Trump mob that breached the U.S. Capitol earlier this week, Owens said: "crazy what he did wasn't if. All I can say is wow. See we never talked politics while I was in ICED EARTH because at that time we where on totally opposite sides. LOL. But I gotta say could of been way worse for me I could of been in a Band with Sebastian Bach".

When the fan expressed his incredulity over the fact that Owens and Schaffer never talked politics, especially considering the fact that Tim's first album with ICED EARTH, "The Glorious Burden", was a concept album exploring various moments in military history, the ex-JUDAS PRIEST frontman replied: "yea that was more of history and I actually learned a lot More then I did in school. Taking about politics at the time wasn't something I would get into. Opposite sides of the fence and I was working! I got fired anyways so it didn't matter. Haha".

In a 2012 interview with Australia's Loud, Owens said that his departure from ICED EARTH wasn't executed properly. 'It was handled poorly, I think, the situation," he said. "It could've been handled good and everybody could've looked good in the situation. But it was handled poorly, I think… I started getting all the blame when things weren't the same. Or things weren't what Jon thought they could be. And then, of course, it all came down on me. None of the blame ever came down on Jon. I'm fine with that, but the funny thing is that nothing really changed when I left anyway. I read numbers and I talk to agents, and the crowds are the same or smaller now. I think it was also me wandering a bit, knowing that ICED EARTH was kind of like a solo project. It's really Schaffer's band, and I knew that. And I started having my own: I started doing BEYOND FEAR, and pushing BEYOND FEAR when probably I should have been talking about ICED EARTH. I think Jon read a lot of that and he read into it that my heart and soul wasn't into ICED EARTH."

Schaffer discussed Owens's exit from ICED EARTH in a 2008 interview with Metal Exiles. At the time, he said: "Tim was great to work with in the studio, and from a standpoint of performing live, he was great as far as being an incredible vocalist, but he was not a true believer in this band. It was a job for him, and ICED EARTH is not about that… He was more interested in doing his solo thing — that was where his head was at — and it was becoming more and more obvious. This band was a means to an end for him."

As previously reported, Schaffer is among dozens of people wanted by the FBI for storming Capitol Hill earlier this week. The FBI's Washington Field Office early Friday morning released 40 photos of people who are suspected of unlawful entry during a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol carried out on Wednesday (January 6) during the final Congressional vote recording for the 2020 general election. Among them is a picture of Schaffer taken by Roberto Schmidt of AFP. In the photo, Schaffer can be seen at the front of a mob, sporting a hat from Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia group, and pointing his finger while yelling at someone out of the frame.


























View this post on Instagram









































A post shared by Tim Ripper Owens?? (@timripperowensofficial)

Sebastian Bach has called out Ace Frehley and Tim "Ripper" Owens over their support for President Donald Trump.

The former SKID ROW singer made his comments on the day that hundreds of pro-Trump rioters swarmed the U.S. Capitol Hill, leaving four people dead. Earlier that day, the president had urged his supporters at a rally outside the White House to march on Congress, while pushing unfounded claims of electoral fraud.

On Wednesday, Bach took to his Twitter to write: "yo @ace_frehley you've been my hero my whole life & have been blowing my phone up telling me how much you love Donald Trump and hate Joe Biden. Just want to know as a lifelong fan do you support what happened today in the USA? Sure am glad there were no cell phones in the 70s".

In a separate tweet, he added: "hey @TimRipperOwens love your voice man and I've had some great times with you. As a fan and a friend I just have to know are you still a Donald Trump supporter after what happened today in the United States of America? All of your fans are wondering thanks man".

Bach has frequently criticized Trump's policies in interviews and on Twitter. Last July, he told Esquire that he missed "smarts" in the White House. "I can't watch footage of JFK from 1962," he said. "I can't even watch that shit because I'll cry. Because motherfucker is so cool and so smart and hates racism. And then we have this fucking jackass. And it's just not fair to the country. I put Barack Obama in the same category. When I watch him speak, it rips my heart out because he makes you feel safe."

Last September, Frehley called Trump "the strongest leader that we've got." Two years earlier, the original KISS guitarist also expressed his support for America's 45th president during an appearance on the "Juliet: Unexpected" podcast. At the time, he said about Trump: "Whether you love him or hate him, if you're an American and you're a patriot, you should get behind your president. He was elected. We live under the Constitution of the United States, and you're supposed to support your president. Love him or hate him, you're supposed to support him, or go move to another country.

"Being American, we have the right to free speech, and I'm all for everybody putting their two cents in on everything," he added. "But when musicians or actors get really verbal and jump on a bandwagon against our government, I don't agree with that."

Owens weighed in on the U.S. presidential race back in 2016, saying that Trump was perhaps what America needed to move the country forward. Claiming that he wasn't a Democrat or a Republican ("I'm in the middle," he said), the former JUDAS PRIEST singer explained that he couldn't vote for Hillary Clinton because of "the way they tax people." He went on to say that America "had eight years of really bad" under President Barack Obama and opined that "a lot of American people" were "just trying to figure out something other than what [Obama] was doing."

Back in 2012, Owens revealed in an interview that he was voting for Mitt Romney in that year's election.




yo @ace_frehley you've been my hero my whole life & have been blowing my phone up telling me how much you love Donald Trump and hate Joe Biden. Just want to know as a lifelong fan do you support what happened today in the USA? Sure am glad there were no cell phones in the 70s ?

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) January 7, 2021








hey @TimRipperOwens love your voice man and I've had some great times with you. As a fan and a friend I just have to know are you still a Donald Trump supporter after what happened today in the United States of America? All of your fans are wondering thanks man ??

— Sebastian Bach (@sebastianbach) January 7, 2021

ICED EARTH singer Stu Block has responded to fans who are outraged over the fact that the band's leader Jon Schaffer is suspected of unlawful entry during a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol carried out on Wednesday (January 6) during the final Congressional vote recording for the 2020 general election.

A photo of Schaffer storming the Capitol building was posted online and he is now among the "persons of interest" sought for "unrest-related offenses" by the Metropolitan Police in Washington, D.C. In the photo, Schaffer can be seen at the front of a mob, sporting a hat from Oath Keepers, an anti-government militia group, and pointing his finger pointed while yelling at someone out of the frame.

Stu, the Canadian-born vocalist who has fronted ICED EARTH since 2011, shared an image of a red heart on his Instagram on Wednesday, along with the simple caption: "Nuff said #love". This led a number of his social media followers to weigh in on yesterday's events, with one person writing: "I unfortunately can no longer support the band you are in. Much love and respect for you as a person and a great singer but Jon no longer gets a dime from me. I will follow and support you in all future endeavors . I hope Jon realizes that being self centered and ideological does not just affect him but his extended family. God Bless you and your family." Block responded: "t[h]is is your decision and how you feel and I must absolutely respect that."

Back in 2009, Schaffer raised eyebrows when he launched his SONS OF LIBERTY project via an appearance on a radio show hosted by far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

More recently, Schaffer voiced his controversial views on the coronavirus crisis during an interview with MetalSucks's "The Quarantinecast", claiming that COVID-19 is "a psychological warfare campaign on the people more than it is a serious pandemic." Implying that a shadowy cabal of elites is using a global crisis as a cover to profiteer and entrench their power, Schaffer said: "I think there's a lot more going on than meets the eye here — in fact, I know there is. Legitimate doctors and scientists are being censored and banned on YouTube constantly. It's unbelievable levels of fraud."

In a September 2020 Facebook Live chat, Schaffer said that he didn't trust his government. "I don't give a shit if it's an 'R' or a 'D' next to the name of the person," he explained. "You can't put your hope into one president or one person, or a mayor or a governor or whatever. You've gotta be out there and actively put pressure on these people, let 'em know you're paying attention. If you're not paying attention, they're gonna rob you and steal everything. Your freedom too. Not just your money. They're gonna steal your fucking freedom. 'Cause they're a bunch of sick control freaks."

Block — formerly of INTO ETERNITY — made his live debut with ICED EARTH in November 2011.

ICED EARTH's latest album, "Incorruptible", came out in June 2017 via Century Media.


























View this post on Instagram









































A post shared by Stu Block.Official (@stu.block_official)

Neal Schon has told Rolling Stone that he and his JOURNEY bandmates are "deep in" the writing and recording process for their next studio album. "It's coming along, man," the guitarist said. "It's really shaping up. Narada [Michael Walden, producer/drummer] and I have been working nonstop. Jonathan [Cain, keyboards] is also working from his houses in Florida and Nashville. Arnel [Pineda, vocals] is working from Manila. [Bassist] Randy Jackson is working mostly from L.A. And it's one of those Zoom sessions and it sounds phenomenal. It sounds like we're all playing in the room at the same time. I actually can't wait until we do get together and start putting the show together. The new single should be coming out mid-February."

Asked how the new JOURNEY members have changed the band's sound, Neal said: "You have to hear it for yourself. It still sounds very much like JOURNEY thanks to the songwriting, my guitar playing, and the vocals. But the rhythm section is definitely a powerhouse. Narada has been known for years, and Randy Jackson is a completely monstrous bass player. Some people may not be aware of his work, but they have credentials that go way, way back. Randy and I have always been pretty in tune, and Narada and I are in tune. And now it's coming together. It's got a new strut to it.

"There's nothing we really can't play," he added. "I've got a track I laid down with Narada the other day. I sent it to Arnel and he was freaking out. He said, 'This sounds like brand-new [Jimi] Hendrix or Prince. Please write more of that.' And I was just messing around. It was just a jam we did and it turned out to be monstrous. We're creating. We aren't afraid to go to new places. It's easy to stay safe and write where we have always been. We have a bit of that so we don't lose everyone, but at the same token, this is a new chapter of JOURNEY. I want to go where we have not gone before."

As previously reported, JOURNEY is scheduled to headline the 2021 edition of Lollapalooza's flagship event in Chicago on July 31.

Last March, JOURNEY parted ways with bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith after the two allegedly attempted a "coup" in order to gain control of the JOURNEY trademark.

The new JOURNEY lineup performed a socially distanced version of "Don't Stop Believin'" for UNICEF USA's virtual event "UNICEF We Won't Stop", which aired in May 2020 on MSNBC. That same month, JOURNEY was supposed to launch a North American tour with THE PRETENDERS, but canceled the trek amid the COVID-19 pande

Rolling Stone has published a lengthy new article in which RUSH drummer Neil Peart's bandmates and widow discuss his legacy and his final years for the first time since his passing.

Guitarist Alex Lifeson and bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee both said that they haven't been motivated to pick up their instruments in recent months. "I love playing, and I never, ever wanted to stop," Lifeson said. "And I thought, you know, 'One day, when I'm just sitting around shitting my pants, I'll still want to play guitar.' And that's kind of gone now. After he died, it just didn't seem important. But I think it'll come back."

"For the longest time," Lee said, "I didn't have any heart to play. … I still feel there's music in me and there's music in Big Al, but there's no hurry to do any of that."

Lee went on to say that RUSH is no longer a functioning band.

"That's finished, right? That's over," he said. "I still am very proud of what we did. I don't know what I will do again in music. And I'm sure Al doesn't, whether it's together, apart, or whatever. But the music of RUSH is always part of us. And I would never hesitate to play one of those songs in the right context. But at the same time, you have to give respect to what the three of us with Neil did together."

Peart died on January 7, 2020, nearly three and a half years after he was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with an average survival time of roughly 12 to 18 months. He was 67 years old.

Lifeson admitted that it was difficult to keep Peart's cancer battle a secret when talking to friends or doing interviews. "Neil asked us not to discuss it with anyone," the guitarist said. "He just wanted to be in control of it. The last thing in the world he would want is people sitting on his sidewalk or driveway singing 'Closer To The Heart' or something. That was a great fear of his. He didn't want that attention at all. And it was definitely difficult to lie to people or to sidestep or deflect somehow. It was really difficult."

RUSH announced Peart's passing on January 10, 2020, setting off shockwaves and an outpouring of grief from fans and musicians all over the world.

RUSH's final show took place at the Forum in Los Angeles on August 1, 2015 — approximately a year before Neil's cancer diagnosis. Peart indicated at the time that he wanted to retire while he was still able to play well, along with a desire to spend more time at home with his young daughter.

Peart joined RUSH in 1974. He was considered one of the best rock drummers of all time, alongside John Bonham of LED ZEPPELIN; Keith Moon of THE WHO; and Ginger Baker of CREAM. Peart was also RUSH's primary lyricist, drawing inspiration from everything from sci-fi to Ayn Rand

After more than 30 years, Toronto-based Chyld - who were part of the scene that gave us Slik Toxik, Sven Gali, Winter Rose and Slash Puppet - made a comeback in 2019 with a new single, "Burning Alive". Bassist Pete Dove has checked in with a new update:

"Great day tracking inside the Neal Busby (drums) Chyld studio bubble. Latest single 'Field Of Fire' in the final phases of mixing. Today's bass noise for a track tentatively titled 'The Last Riff', only coz it's the last riff I think we wrote back in '86, and coz it's what it says on the 35 year old cassette tape!"

Chyld recently released an official video for new song "Ride Out". The song features Famous Underground / ex-Slik Toxik frontman Nick Walsh on vocals. Check it out below.

Walsh: "After a hang with my old friend and Slik Toxik band mate Neal Busby, catching up and sharing stories, Neal talked about how he and another old friend of mine, Pete Dove (Slash Puppet), were resurrecting their traditional heavy metal band from the '80s, Chyld. That day and conversation led to what you are about to hear and see. A song that I believe was written in 1983 at the height of that 'new' sound called heavy metal is now primed up for 2020. When I had the opportunity to take part, I couldn't pass up feeling 16 yrs old again."

Line-up:

Nick Walsh - lead vocals
Pete Dove - bass 
Todd Lefever - guitars
Neal Busby - drums

From that era Chyld was born after guitarist Glen Cunningham met singer Rob Villemaire and joined forces with drummer Neal Busby. After a lengthy search bassist Pete Dove joined the ranks after his departure from another band. Chyld began rehearsals in Toronto with a diligent schedule that produced results very quickly, and with an arsenal of original songs they were ready to take on the Toronto metal club scene centered around the infamous venue, Larry's Hideaway.

In 1986 they recorded three songs, which resulted in the debut 7 inch single "Lite The Nite / Ye Morlok" being released on their own independent label Chyldysh Records. Sadly, it never got the attention it deserved at the time, but later achieved legendary status in the European metal world and sold on eBay for hundreds of dollars. Sadly, Chyld packed it in sometime in 1986 for reasons even the band cannot remember.

In 2012, inspired by the surge of interest in the old 7" single, Chyld reformed and recorded one old song, "Burning Alive". Tragically, it was the last song that singer Rob sang, as he passed away in 2017. His vocals sat in a computer for 7 years until drummer Neal Busby took the reins and decided the song had to be finished and recruited super fret demon Todd Lefever to record the guitars and get the song ready to be released to the world.

er7 has officially announced a King Diamond figure from the classic MERCYFUL FATE era of the early 1980s. This made-to-order deluxe 7" highly articulated figure as part of the ULTIMATES! Figures Collection is lavishly detailed and painted and features an epic assortment of interchangeable accessories:

* Body with sculpted vest with leather texture detail and bullet belt.

* Three (3) heads: Classic Corpse Paint, No Makeup with sunglasses, and Debut Mercyful Fate makeup (not shown)

* Soft Goods: Black Cape with red lining and high-collar, Cloth rags (not shown) for arms and wrists

* Two (2) pairs of fists

* Two (2) pairs of gripping hands (not shown)

* Two (2) pairs of Expressive hands

* One (1) right hand throwing “The Horns”

* Two (2) Necklaces: Crucifix and Pentagram Chains to go around his neck (not shown)

* Goat Skull

* Blood-filled Skull Chalice

* Bone cross Microphone

King Diamond will also come packaged in a deluxe slip case-style box.

King said in a statement: "Come into my coven and become Lucifer's Child. We bring you the Ultimates! Figures Collection by Super7."

Pre-order yours now at this location. The figure is expected to ship in the summer of 2021.

Super7 is the premier pop-culture design house and producer of lifestyle-oriented collectibles, toys and apparel based in San Francisco. Led by designer Brian Flynn, Super7 has harnessed the graphics, aesthetics and energy of his youthful obsession with science fiction, giant monsters, comic books, punk rock, skateboarding, robots and rebellion to build a unique and innovative business that crosses all categories and is not bound by traditional manufacturing boundaries. Besides its own branded products, Super7 has also designed, manufactured, and distributed officially licensed programs for "Star Wars", "Masters Of The Universe", the original "Alien" and "Planet Of The Apes" movies, as well as for music legends IRON MAIDEN, MISFITS and KING DIAMOND.

Cradle Of Filth drummer Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka has posted live drum cam video of "Beneath The Howling Stars" shot at an undisclosed show. Check it out below.

The song is taken from the band's third album, Cruelty And The Beast, released in 1998.

In the wake of Brexit, which saw the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union on January 31st, 2020, UK-based musicians are faced with increased costs for touring / work visas once the current global pandemic has been brought under control and live music is able to return. Cradle Of Filth have posted a bried message on social media:

"If you are a UK resident please sign this so that the music industry isn’t destroyed any further! Petition: Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists: Parliament.uk/Petitions."

According to the page, British Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for a debate. At press time the petition had 222,286 signatures.

"This is an album I made 15 years ago," begins guitarist Zach Myers. "And after I joined Shinedown 15 years ago, I just never got around to putting it out. But for some reason, in those 15 years, a month didn’t go by where someone didn’t ask me when it was coming out... well... here’s an album I made when I was 23 years old." 

Get your copy now at this location.

Tracklisting:

"Beauty Of Falling Down"
"Hold On Tight"
"Untitled"
"Save My Life"
"This Goodbye"
"Diary"
"Your Last Song"
"The Worst Of You"
"Start All Over"
"Keep On Moving" 

Elaborating in greater detail, Zach offers the following:

"I started The Fairwell in 2001 after we broke up The Zach Myers Band, due to record label issues and a myriad of other things.

We had a made a few EPs / Demos, and by 2006, we had gone through the last lineup change that pretty much solidified Chris Allen and I were really the only two main members of the band, along with live members Zack Smith and Zach Kirk (a lot of Zachs).

I had been writing a ton between 2001 and 2006. I joined Shinedown around 2004 / 2005 as a touring guitar player with the original lineup... after a few long tours Brent (Smith, vocalist) and I talked one night and decided in 2006 that we should part ways.

The truth is. Neither of us wanted to not be playing together. But for the health of the original band, which was already massively on the decline sanity wise, we decided it was for the best.

At this time I called my friend Skidd Mills and decided Chris and I would go into 747 Studios and make The Fairwell album. We spent every day for months in the studio with Skidd. And really became a team in there... all these songs I had written about... love (being an emo), loss, relationships (good and bad), break ups... losing my cousin Justin to suicide... all of these things were in these songs. We finished and loved it... and planned on releasing it in 2007.

After only about three months separated from Shinedown... Brent and I talked on the phone one night and he asked if I’d come play with SD again, most likely on a permanent level... I was actually a bit hesitant to go back to do just past drama... and I was honestly considering taking an audition for Taking Back Sunday.

I ended up going to what felt like home... and all these years later Shinedown still feels like home But 2020 made me reflective on this record I made with Chris and Skidd 14 years ago.
And I realized as much as I’ve grown as a writer and a singer (I’m not much of either on this album)... I don’t think a month went by in those 14 years where someone didn’t ask me if I’d ever release it.

Well... without telling anyone... (including the band members), it comes out January 8th. It’s called Schizophrenic Love Songs because that’s what it sounds like. It’s been named that since 2006. These are songs I wrote when I was very young. And I was angry... I didn’t have the life I had now. But I still look back on them fondly.

Please be gentle listening...
ZM"

(Photo courtesy of Paris Visone)

Brutal Mind Records has announced the upcoming release of Oculus Rot, the debut album from Dutch death metal band Buried. Featuring former members of Pyaemia, Buried pays tribute to old school death metal, but with a unique, modern twist. Oculus Rot will be released on February 14th - Valentine's Day.

Lyric and guitar playthrough videos for album track "Retribution" are available below.

Buried released the following statement concerning the band's style and the forthcoming album:

"You may remember the brutal vocals of Joel Sta and the insane drumming of Robbe V, as they were part of the brutal death metal band Pyaemia. Now they’re up for something new: together with Worm on bass – who also played in Pyaemia - they have teamed up with Steve on guitars who adds a lot of groove in his songwriting."

"Bands like Suffocation, Revocation and Decapitated are big influences on our sound, and even Pantera comes to mind. We like it heavy, sometimes with odd time signatures and at the same time we want the audience to bang their heads," says Steve. "The lyrical theme is about all dark things we call upon ourselves," Joel adds. "Nothing new on that part, just brutal stuff!"

Soon after the recording of their debut album, Oculus Rot, Buried signed a deal with Brutal Mind. Now get ready for some sick death metal from The Netherlands! Pre-order your copy of Oculus Rot now at this location.

Tracklisting:

"Retribution"
"Anti Body"
"Tornado Of Blood"
"Buried"
"Oculus Rot"
"Leech"
"Splintered"
"Paradise"
"Tenebrous Worm"

 

“Something Else” is the single from Silvera’s debut album, Edge Of The World. "Something Else" is one of the strongest songs in the record, building the chorus in an extremely strong bridge, which is becoming to be the trademark of the Danish band. “‘Something Else’ is reflecting on those persons that are so devoted to one thing that they push everything aside,” vocalist Michael Krogh ponders on the theme. “On one hand it is truly admirable and inspiring and on the other hand you feel sad for all of the opportunities they are missing in life”, he concludes.

It’s time for a melodic hard rock injection. Silvera, from Denmark, is heavily inspired by classic hard/heavy rock music. A musical hybrid of American radio rock like Nickelback and Alter Bridge with a Scandinavian punch, not unlike fellow Danes Volbeat. Their debut album Edge Of The World is now here, following a brilliant trail of official song videos and singles that brought the band more than 1.000.000 plays on Spotify.

Michael H Andersen CEO from Mighty Music first reaction to the album: “I've completely fallen for the Silvera album! In no way had I imagined an album this strong. This has tremendous international potential and is some of the best Danish hard rock I've released ever. Both the songwriting, production, and completion.”

Jacob Hansen, of Hansen Studios (Volbeat, Pretty Maids), where Edge Of The World was recorded, was no less impressed: "Once in a while, you come across bands that are a total hidden gem. Silvera came out of nowhere with talent and work ethic out of the ordinary!"

The band was formed in 2017 by Michael Krogh, Simon Nilsson Krabbesmark, Rasmus Lindegård Hovde, and Jens Gade. The four have been playing together since 2015 as the Danish hard rock band Malfunction. Malfunction is now dissolved and thereby made way for not only a change in name but also a slight change in the music style, broadening the span from the softer style of ballad to the punching power of hard rock.

Edge Of The World is out now in digital, CD, and vinyl formats by Mighty Music.

Vancouver based glam punk quintet Dirtbag Republic has premiered their video for “Wannabees”, which can be viewed below.

The single, released January 8th, is the first release from the band’s forthcoming Tear Down Your Idols full-length album, due this Spring. The video was directed by Matt Leaf from Hadron Films (Mother Mother, The Pack AD) and shot in the band’s hometown of Vancouver, Canada.

Dirtbag Republic frontman Sandy Hazard on the making of “Wannabees”: "Filming a video in the middle of a pandemic was a logistical nightmare, but the stars aligned and we were able to bang off a simple to the point performance video in short order with a known director."

Dirtbag Republic is Sandy Hazard – lead vocals, Mick Wood – lead guitars, Mike Federici – rhythm guitars, Dave Worden - bass, and Ed Nijjer – drums, percussion. For further details, visit the band on Facebook.

 

Stone Whiskey is an American hard rock band, based out of Raleigh, NC. Building on the classic, time tested five-piece formula of hard hitting, rebellious rock 'n roll, the band's lineup consists of vocalist Alan Rueda, guitarists Bill Spears and Chris Clark, drummer Mike Ropelewski, and bassist Jim Hunter. Stone Whiskey's debut full length album is expected to be released in early 2021.

That as yet untitled album is being mixed and mastered by Anthony Focx (The Dead Daisies, Buckcherry, Steven Tyler, Vince Neil).

Check out the official music video for Stone Whiskey's debut single "Rebels Of The Sun". The clip was filmed at Vintage Noise Studio in Raleigh, NC.

Be sure to follow Stone Whiskey on Facebook, and also visit their official website.

 

"2021 is a meaningful one! Cadaveria celebrate two decades of activity! Thank you so much for your neverending support," says the Italian gothic metal band. "A gift for you is coming!"

Cadaveria was formed in 2001 by Cadaveria herself (vocals), one of the first women to hit the metal scene in the early '90s, and Marçelo Santos – aka Flegias – (drums), with the intent to create a virtual space where to freely express themselves as musicians and extreme artists. 

The video below is set to "Free Spirit", from Cadaveria's Silence album, released in 2014. 

In November 2020, Cadaveria, released their single, "Matryoshcada", to all digital platforms. A video for the track, produced by Morbid Vision, can be seen below. Download/stream the single here.

Says Cadaveria: "This video is dedicated to all the metalheads who have been close to me during my illness. It is also an opportunity for everybody to say goodbye to the 'previous me' and welcome the creature that I have become."

"Matryoshcada" concept in the singer's words: "Fragments of the past are recomposed for a moment... then they dissolve, giving light to a new creature, to a new powerful energy."

 

Blackened industrial doom collective, Culted, will be releasing their brand new full-length, Nous, on February 26. The band is now sharing the official music video for the new single, "Black Bird". The clip, which was created entirely by the band, can be seen below.

"'Black Bird' is about enduring the hardships of existence with a core that's been forged by fire," says the band. "Culted sift through the psychological noise of existentialism with a sound that hints at merging the primal essence of two iconic albums, namely, Darkthrone's 'Panzerfaust' and Swans' 'The Great Annihilator.' Culted, as both individuals and collective, symbolically sacrifice the ego to experience rebirth, and from those ashes arise with 'Black Bird.'"

Nous is available for pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Lowest Class"
"Lifers"
"One Last Smoke"
"Ankle Deep"
"Black Bird"
"Opiate the Hounds"
"Maze"
"Crown of Lies"
"The Grid"
"Crush My Soul" (Godflesh cover)

"Black Bird" video:

From the icy expanse of the Canadian prairies to the Nordic coast of Sweden, industrial blackened doom collective Culted have long been innovators of creating music remotely, transcending both literal and metaphorical boundaries for over a decade. Michael Klassen and Matthew Friesen were first approached by Daniel Jansson to collaborate on an international project and come 2008, these ideas began to coalesce, with fellow Canadian Kevin Stevenson joining the cult. The band soon recorded and unveiled their first LP, Below the Thunders of the Upper Deep (2009), as well as the EP Of Death and Ritual (2010.)
 
In 2013, sophomore full-length Oblique to All Paths was released upon being written, recorded, and produced in various closets, basements, dens, and domiciles. After forming a union with Season of Mist,  Culted continued their down-tempo exploration of blackened and industrial soundscapes with 2019’s mini-album, Vespertina Synaxis; A Prayer for Union and Emptiness, which was inspired by the isolation, alienation, and damnation that dominates the rime-encrusted lands Culted inhabit. Now, the band is ready to unleash their most devastating and personal opus yet, Nous.

Nous was born in turmoil after members of the band endured a period of extreme personal experiences, both psychological and physical. The creation process was informed by disease, death, and the resulting existential crises. Instead of predetermining the direction Culted would take with their third full-length, the band allowed the music to speak for itself as it came together organically. Nous was a result of its creators attempting to destroy or ignore the egoic (that chatter and everything outside of pure consciousness that attempts to sabotage you of peace and rob you of the moment) and instead, opening themselves up to the unidentifiable and nameless muse of sound.

Culted further explores their relationship with doom, black metal, and industrial on yet another experimental effort in which the band’s collective agony is translated into something both nihilistic and tangible through dissonant soundscapes. Each song is a nightmare in the abyss, dragging the listener through caverns of inexplicable darkness and suffering.

Exemplifying the themes, meditations, and diatribes of the human condition, Nous, which roughly translates to “common sense” or “practical intelligence,” explores both the religious and conspiratorial processes of the mind within the framework of critical thought. According to biblical scripture, Satan convinced Eve that the most powerful of conspirators - the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - were secretly trying to keep the first humans shrouded in a veil of ignorance, preventing them from becoming “like God” and “knowing good and evil.” Eve became the first in a long line, from Gnostics to flat-earthers, to believe powerful forces were withholding secret information. Nous attempts to know God or the inner essence or principles of created things by means of direct perception. Nous must be carefully distinguished from reason as it does not formulate abstract concepts or argue them using deductive reasoning, but rather, it understands divine truth by means of immediate experience. Thelema of the gods.

To further solidify these introspective concepts, the cover art is an interpretation of the Temptation of St. Anthony who was one of the first monks to retire to the desert to devote himself to fasting and prayer, which is an often-repeated subject in the history of art and literature, especially concerning the supernatural temptation reportedly faced by Saint Anthony during his sojourn in the Egyptian desert. The art encapsulates both the music and lyrical concept, visually.

Culted is now inviting you to open your mind, abandon your religion, and to join the cult on this existential and devastating journey.

Lineup:

Matthew Friesen - guitar, bass, keyboards, noise and percussion
Michael Klassen - guitar, bass keyboards, noise and percussion
Kevin Stevenson - drums and percussion
Daniel Jansson - Vocals and noise

Richie Kotzen has spoken out about his battle with COVID-19, saying the novel coronavirus is "not a joke."

The 50-year-old guitarist/vocalist took to his social media on Monday (December 28) to reveal that he and his wife Julia Lage "just kicked the living PISS out of Covid-19." He also included a photo of him looking gaunt and disheveled, and added in a since-deleted message: "Self Quarantined, Chicken Soup, Hot Tea, ... ALL THAT!....still can't taste a fucking thing but I've never been much of a food guy! Today I feel 110%! Back to business as usual...Feeling refreshed, 15 lbs lighter and ready to grab 2021 by the fucking balls! Who's in?"

Earlier today, Kotzen returned to social media to share a new photo of him and his wife, and he wrote: "Hey folks! I'm sure some of you saw my post yesterday and my attempt at satire. Truth is, Yesterday I woke up feeling strong and a bit silly after a few weeks in bed and decided to take a 'comedic' photograph of myself talking about having Covid. Some of you didn't get my sense of humor and thought that photo was my 'new look' and a consequence of having the virus.

"This photograph is a more accurate representation of us after having a run in with Covid-19. All though we did lose a few pounds and stayed in bed a lot we thankfully did not get hit nearly as bad as some people did.

"Covid is NOT a joke!

"Please use your mask, stay safe and be careful.

"We wish you guys a healthy 2021!

"And thank you all for the thoughtful messages."

COVID-19 is said to be more contagious, more deadly and causes more long-term complications than influenza.

About 2 percent of diagnosed coronavirus cases are lethal, compared with 0.1 percent of diagnosed flu cases, according to The Washington Post.

A recent study showed that COVID-19 patients had an in-hospital death rate two times higher than that of influenza patients.

In September, Kotzen released a new solo single, "Raise The Cain". The track features a guest appearance by Kotzen's THE WINERY DOGS bandmate, drummer Mike Portnoy.

"Raise The Cain" marked the first new solo music from Kotzen since the release of his 22nd solo album, "50 For 50", which came out in February via his own custom label, Headroom-Inc. That three-disc set was just what the title implies: a collection of 50 previously unreleased compositions produced, performed and written by Kotzen in honor of his birthday.
























View this post on Instagram









































A post shared by Richie Kotzen (@richie_kotzen)

Smackbound, the hard rock/metal band from the robust and acclaimed Finnish music scene, released their debut album, 20/20, via Frontiers Music Srl last June. A new video for the track, "Wind And Water", can be seen below:

The 20/20 album was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios, produced by Tuomas Yli-Jaskari mixed and mastered by Jesse Vainio (Sunrise Avenue, Apocalyptica, Poets Of The Fall).

Tracklisting:

"Wall Of Silence"
"Drive It Like You Stole It"
"Close To Sober"
"Run"
"The Game"
"Those Who Burn"
"Hey Motherfuckers"
"Troublemaker"
"Date With The Devil"
"Wind And Water"

"Run" video:

"Wall Of Silence" video:

"Close To Sober" video:

"Those Who Burn" lyric video:

"Drive It Like You Stole It" video:

"The Game" video:

Lineup:

Netta Laurenne - Vocals
Teemu Mäntysaari - Guitars
Rolf Pilve - Drums
Vili Itäpelto - Keyboards
Tuomas Yli-Jaskari - Bass

Drummer James Knoerl of progressive grunge rock outfit Gargoyl has shared a new drum playthrough video for the song "Ambivalent I". The track is taken from the band's debut self-titled full-length, which was released by Season Of Mist in October of 2020!.You can watch the clip below:

In addition, Knoerl has also announced a full album play-through via Twitch on Wednesday, January 13 at 4 PM, EST. You can watch it here.

Gargoyl's self-titled album can be streamed, downloaded and purchased here.

Tracklisting:

"Truth Of A Tyrant"
"Plastic Nothing"
"Cursed Generation"
"Electrical Sickness"
"Wraith"
"Ophidian"
"Nightmare Conspiracy"
"Waltz Dystopia"
"Ambivalent I"
"Acid Crown"
"Asphyxia"

"Plastic Nothing" video:

"Wraith":

"Electrical Sickness" visualizer:

Lineup:

Luke Roberts - Guitar, Vocals
David Davidson - Guitar
Brett Leier - Bass
James Knoerl - Drums

(Photo - Samantha Carcasole)

Italian metal quartet, Ultra-Violence, has returned with a new single, “The Storm”, which showcases a more mature sound reflective of the quartet’s decade-plus of experience as a band. The video for “The Storm” can be seen below.

“’The Storm’ is the first song we completed for this cycle,” explains vocalist and band founder Loris Castiglia. “We think it's the best way to present this new era of the band to the world. The song is all about how we ‘made it through hell’ being a band in the music industry for the past 10 years - starting at the age of 15, dreaming about touring the world and doing this for a living, and being slapped in the face year after year by how hard and discouraging this journey can be. But we won't stop. This music is what makes me feel alive and the fact that doing it in a sustainable way is super hard makes me want it even more.”

Visually inspired by artists like Scarlxrd and Bring Me The Horizon, Castiglia worked on his vision with director Damiano Affinito to create a simple yet impactful video for “The Storm.” Using a stark white background and hanging neon lights to contrast with the band’s carefully chosen dark, logo-emblazoned outfits, the video allows listeners to focus on the band’s fresh sound without distraction. “It's a super exciting moment because it's the beginning of a whole new chapter for the band,” Castiglia says. “I wanted something that felt futuristic and dark at the same time. That's probably because my vision for humanity's future doesn't look so bright, so I wanted to capture that with the band.”

Founded in 2009 at the age of 15, the quartet soon signed with Candlelight/Spinefarm Records. Since then, the group has release one EP (Wildcrash) and three full-length albums (Privilege To Overcome, Deflect The Flow, Operation Misdirection) and toured Europe as main support for various bands like Exodus and Jungle Rot, hit the stages at Europe’s biggest festivals and headed to the far east for two shows in Japan.

“We started thinking about new music pretty soon after the release of our latest album Operation Misdirection,” the singer says. “With that album we completed a trilogy of albums that we call ‘The Droogs Trilogy’ and we knew that we wanted to find a new sound and a new identity for the next chapter of the band. That was one of the most exciting things ever. It was like starting all over again. It felt like writing our very first songs again but with a lot more experience than we had when we actually started in 2009. We realized we could do pretty much anything with the music and we started exploring all the possibilities, every sound and idea, but we kept only what sounded fresh and exciting. Also, I was getting better at production so we knew we could start introducing new sounds and electronic arrangements to the songs.”

For the first time ever, Ultra-Violence brought in an external writer/producer in Bad Omens guitarist Joakim ‘Jolly’ Karlsson. With his own band’s tour halted by the pandemic, Karlsson delved into the plethora of tracks Ultra-Violence had already begun work on. After a few months of collaboration, a batch of songs that perfectly channel the band’s current-day messages and emotions were completed.

“We ended up rewriting some, scrapping some and writing a couple of new ones from scratch,” says Castiglia. “Working with Jolly was amazing; he brought new ideas to the table all the time and made me feel very inspired and excited. He would send me a riff idea, I would say ‘Cool, let me work on that,’ come up with a new part and send it back to him. Same with vocals, I would send him a chorus, he would say ‘What about this instead?’ So, at the end of the day it felt like writing two records, without releasing the first one. This way our evolution is two steps ahead.”

Ultra-Violence’s new release is slated for later this year.

KISS frontman Paul Stanley recently spoke to SiriusXM's Volume about the band's farewell tour, which originally kicked off in January 2019 and is now scheduled to last well into 2022.

He said (see video below): "Well, the 'End Of The Road' tour has been amazing in that we've managed to put together a higher technology than before in our shows.

"Look, no matter who you see on tour — bands or entertainers; whoever you go to see — you're seeing a KISS show. Because KISS DNA is in everything that's done nowadays," he explained. "So, for us, it's really a matter of always putting our stamp on it. You can always have a KISS show, but you don't get KISS. I think there's a big difference.

"We're really at the top of our game right now, and it really seemed the right time to — I don't know — maybe take a victory lap and enjoy seeing the world with all the people who've made this possible. Kind of celebrating what this band has been and what the fans have been to us and vice versa."

Regarding the fact that this will be fans' final opportunity to see KISS perform live, Stanley said: "Look, if we were wearing t-shirts and jeans, we could play into our 90s. But we're wearing 40-plus pounds of gear and running around like an Olympic marathon. So it's just not possible to continue doing this the way we do it.

"Look, when something comes to an end, people have a tendency to say, 'If I had only known…' Well, now people know, and the turnouts have not only been great, but the shows have been phenomenal and the reviews have been great. And it really has been a special night for us. Also to kind of validate for these people why they've stood by us. And for the people who are seeing us for the first time, you have a lot of people going, 'Gee, I wish I'd joined the party earlier.'"

KISS was forced to put its farewell tour on hold earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

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

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

On February 26, Denmark's Iotunn will release their new album, Access All Worlds, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of the record, a video for the single "Voyage Of The Garganey I" can be found below.

Access All Worlds can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:

- digipak-CD
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- "deep space" marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- "moonscape" marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- red / black dust vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- "uranus" blue / white marbled vinyl (US exclusive)

Formed in 2015, Iotunn (which is old Norse for "Giant") entered the scene with their acclaimed EP, The Wizard Falls (2016), which was mixed by Flemming Rasmussen (Metallica, Morbid Angel, Blind Guardian, Rainbow) at Sweet Silence Studios. After some line-up changes, the band found their voice and narrator in March 2018: Jón Aldará (Hamferd), plus bassist Eskil Rask (Sunless Dawn) in October 2019. The quintet - completed by Jens Nicolai Gräs (guitars), Jesper Gräs (guitars), Bjørn Wind Andersen (drums) - then began work on their first full-length and Metal Blade Records debut: Access All Worlds.

Mixed and mastered by Fredrik Nordström (In Flames, At the Gates, Dimmu Borgir) at Fredman Studios, Access All Worlds is seven songs driven by creative curiosity and artistic honesty, that also initiate feelings and reflections. An epic, cosmic and contemplative journey of energetic beauty and ferocity, Access All Worlds reflects on human existence, set in a storyline following daring space travelers. The music is grounded in roaring, colorful drumming and crushing bass, while the sonic horizon is painted with a vast spectrum of guitar-driven expression, all overarched by narration through diverse vocals. "We wanted to make an epic, strong and atmospheric yet rocking record both musically and lyrically. Jón came with the idea based on space travelers trying to find answers to the apocalypse, which reflects many of the impressions, feelings and thoughts human life holds that originates from something vast, mysterious, chaotic and breathtakingly spectacular. Everything just went berserk regarding the album theme. Is everything occurring in the lyrics just a dream? Is the album an allegory for any individual's chapters in life? Where does the album actually start and end? Stuff like that. We find that the album can be interpreted in various ways. For us, the album is a truly exciting journey, and we hope it will be for the listener as well, on his or her own terms", says guitarist Jens Nicolai.

Visually, Access All Worlds is completed by Nicole Kantor (design and layout) and Eliran Kantor (artwork), known for their work with Testament, Atheist, Hatebreed, Soulfly, etc.

Access All Worlds tracklisting:

"Voyage Of The Garganey I"
"Access All Worlds"
"Laihem's Golden Pits"
"Waves Below"
"The Tower Of Cosmic Nihility"
"The Weaver System"
"Safe Across The Endless Night"

"Voyage Of The Garganey I" video:

Iotunn lineup:

Jón Aldará - vocals
Jens Nicolai Gräs - guitars
Jesper Gräs - guitars
Eskil Rask - bass
Bjørn Wind Andersen - drums

(Photo - Mathias Mathayad)

Italian masters of Pagan folk metal start 2021 with some great news: after an extremely successful streaming event of pre-recorded concert, Live Invocations, in November 2020, Elvenking decided to make the concert available for all fans worldwide. The special live session took place at The Central Recording Studios in Crevada, Italy, and has been a heartfelt wish of the band in this devastating year for live music industry. Check out the video below.

This way, the band is able to connect to their fans worldwide and offer distraction from the whole situation since the November/December tour had to be canceled due to comprehensive restrictions.

Said Elvenking: "Dear Elvenlegions, as promised here is some news about the Live Invocations live studio performance stream. We know that some of you couldn't watch it the first time so we decided to make the stream available permanently to give you all the chance to experience it. It can also be a good occasion to re-watch it if you caught this event back in November."

The Nova Hawks are a British blues rock n' roll band centred around two talented musicians in vocalist Heather Leoni and guitarist Rex Roulette. Look out for the bands stomping blues-rock debut, Redemption, on February 12. Pre-order here. A lyric video for the title track "Redemption" can be found below.

The songs The Nova Hawks concocted for their debut album, Redemption, came about while writing between London, the West Midlands, New York, and Los Angeles. They found their musical path by binding the styles of each unique location where they wrote, adding the roots of British rock, the desert sounds of California, the rawkus leads of New York City, the smokey ambience of London, and then spiced up the mixture by looking to the gospel roots of the blues.

"Each song on the album will tell it's own story, intertwining personal memoirs of love, heartbreak, overcoming loss and life, defining personal experiences to date. We incorporated these themes within the lyrics to counterbalance each instrument on the album, which pave their own path too. Combined with Gospel Roots and exploring darker themes, this album is something we are truly proud of,” says singer Heather Leoni.

Tracklisting:

"Voodoo"
"Redemption"
"Dusty Heart"
"Witxh"
"Technicolor"
"Pills"
"Run Wild"
"Locked Inside"
"Greed Or Glory"
"Love Games (Tuesday's Blues)"

"Redemption" lyric video:

"Voodoo" video:

The past December, Allegaeon released a new digital single, "Concerto In Dm" - featuring the title track and B-side, "In Flanders Fields". Now, the band has launched an acoustic video for "In Flanders Fields" (shot by Matthew Zinke), which can be viewed below.

Greg Burgess (guitars) comments: "In 1915, Canadian poet and military doctor Major John McCrae lost one of his best friends to a German artillery shell, during the second battle of Ypres. Inspired by grief, McCrae began the first draft of 'In Flanders Fields'. Three years afterwards, the poem had such an impact, people started honoring soldiers by wearing poppies on their lapels. Being from the US, I was unaware of this poem and tradition, until we were on tour in Canada with NeObliviscaris in 2018. After being stranded by an ice storm in Ottawa, I was introduced to this poem and it struck a chord with me - inevitably this piece of the same name followed. As for the video - do we really need another classical video set in a beautiful place, having the performer with eyes closed perform? Probably not. Do we need a video where we have the juxtaposition of a classical guitarist in a beautiful place, while repping tech death? Survey says...why not!"

Concerto in Dm tracklisting:

"Concerto In Dm"
"In Flanders Fields"

SEVENDUST will perform its entire "Animosity" album during a January 8, 2021 livestream event from Opav in Orlando, Florida. It will be the band's second virtual concert in three months. Back in October, SEVENDUST played its first-ever livestream and its only show of 2020: "Sevendust: Live In Your Living Room". The event took place on October 23 — the release date of SEVENDUST's 13th studio album, "Blood & Stone", via Rise Records.

Speaking to Chris Akin of Aftershocks TV about the experience of playing a show without an audience, SEVENDUST drummer Morgan Rose said (see video below): "It was terrible. It sucked. The only thing that saved it was we hadn't seen each other in a long time. So we were excited to see each other. We were excited to be able to play together again. But there was some anxiety. I hadn't played a real show, like playing hard, in probably about a year. It was wild; it was wild to do that. And the people not being there, it felt like when we were first starting out — going on tour and having three or four people out there. We had a few crew guys and a few lighting guys out there, and that was about it. So I just tried to go inside, you know, imagine. I played a lot with my eyes closed on that — I just tried to envision there being people there. I don't really see the people that much when we're playing live anymore either, but the response and the sound of it — that's the drug. That feeling of 'that's fulfillment.' That's the sound of you just pleased somebody. So that's what I get out of it. So to not have that, it was, like, 'Damn.' And Lajon [Witherspoon, vocals] said a few things, like he was talking to the crowd through the TV, and that made me feel super weird. But we're gonna do another one, and we know what we're getting ourselves into now, so I'm sure that it'll be much better. We'll be prepared a little better as far as what to expect. I'm not a huge fan of them, though. I know that people said that they liked it, and that's all that really counts, and I always enjoy playing with the guys. It's a win-win, but it's fuckin' weird."

Tickets for the "Animosity" virtual concert can be purchased at this location.

Earlier this month, Witherspoon told Midwest Beatdown that he was excited about SEVENDUST's upcoming "Animosity" livestream.

"Oh my God. There's some songs on there that we've never played, I think," he said. "It's gonna be fun to get back and do it, and also to play some of those songs we've never had the time to play, and to see each other again and to laugh with each other and look at each other, and start jamming and somebody's back breaks or falls out, because we're old now.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back and doing 'Animosity' and having a good time, and hopefully bringing some type of sense of weird normalcy in this world that we're trying to navigate through during this pandemic," he continued. "And I can't believe it's gonna be 20-something years since we recorded it. Oh my God.

"So many people have been asking for it, so that was another weird thing. It was, like, 'We've gotta do this,'" Lajon added. "And I've kind of gone [back] and listened to the songs, and there were some really cool songs. And what a great time in our careers as young men growing up and just kind of learning about life and the industry and everything that was going on with it. It's just really cool."

SEVENDUST's third album, "Animosity" was released in November 2001 through TVT Records. The disc peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in March 2002 for shipments in excess of half a million copies.

The follow-up to 2018's "All I See Is War", "Blood & Stone" was once again tracked at Studio Barbarosa in Gotha, Florida with producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, who has previously worked with ALTER BRIDGE and SLASH, among others.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, one-man act Malice Divine is revealing the debut self-titled, full-length release coming February 19, 2021. Today, the first single “In Time” premieres on NoCleanSinging HERE.


Empowering and assertive, a lot of lyrical content found in Malice Divine’s work comes from a personal place and is a catalyst for overcoming struggles. The music is his personal take on an amalgamation of the styles that bands of the past have already pioneered.

The styles of bands such as Dissection, Death, Wintersun, Immortal, etc. have been blended together to result in a pretty unique take on the Melodic Black and Death Metal genres.

Ric Galvez explains in his own words:

The listening experience I am trying to give the fans with this album is a highly dynamic one that maintains the listener’s interest with hard-hitting riffs, catchy and aggressive vocals, epic guitar solos that range from being very melodic to an all-out frenzy of shred, and the occasional moments of beautiful and captivating classical guitar sections.

The single “In Time” is one of the darkest songs on the album along with “Into Subconscious Depths”, while still retaining a strong sense of catchiness. Lots of lead guitar work throughout the song, probably more so than any other song on the album. The second half of the song is quite a bit different than the first half. There’s also a very dark classical guitar section at the end of the song.

Most of the album’s music was composed while Galvez was a member of Astaroth Incarnate as well as a music major at York University. After Galvez parted ways with Astaroth Incarnate, he finished the rest of the album by writing the guitar solos and the lyrics.

Malice Divine is recommended for Metal fans of all varieties especially those who are fans of Dissection, Skeletonwitch, and Death.

The single “In Time” will be available on all digital platforms on January 8, 2021 here.

The full album “Malice Divine” drops on February 19, 2021.

Tracklist “Malice Divine”:
01. Somnium Lucidus
02. Quantum Manifestation
03. Malicious Divinity
04. Triumphant Return
05. Into Subconscious Depths
06. Ancient Visions
07. In Time
08. Intuitive Realization
09. The Transcendence Of Isolation

German/American metal legends ACCEPT will release a music video for their new single, "Zombie Apocalypse", on January 15. The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Too Mean To Die", which will be made available on January 29 (postponed two weeks from the previously announced January 15) via Nuclear Blast. The LP will be the group's first without bassist Peter Baltes, who exited ACCEPT in November 2018. He has since been replaced by Martin Motnik. ACCEPT's lineup has also been expanded with the addition of a third guitarist, Philip Shouse, who originally filled in for Uwe Lulis during last year's "Symphonic Terror" tour, before being asked to join the band permanently.

A teaser for the "Zombie Apocalypse" video is available below.

ACCEPT stated about the "Too Mean To Die" delay: "Unfortunately, with a heavy heart we have to postpone the release of our new album, 'Too Mean To Die', from January 15th to January 29th, 2021.

"Due to a COVID-19-related pressing plant closure, the finished product has been massively delayed so that the planned release on January 15th, 2021 cannot be kept. We are very sorry about this and we hope that all ACCEPT fans are understanding of this very unfortunate situation and continue to support the band. It has been over three years since the last ACCEPT album, so we hope you can wait another two weeks for the new record.

"In order to shorten the waiting time for you, we have decided to release a new video for the track 'Zombie Apocalypse' together with a digital single on January 15th, 2021."

ACCEPT guitarist Wolf Hoffmann recently told France's Loud TV about the decision to title the LP "Too Mean To Die": "It's more or less our answer to the whole corona vibe in the land, in the world. Of course, it's not meant serious — we said, 'We're too mean to die. We can't be bothered by any little virus that's out there.' Of course, it's not meant to be totally serious. But it sounded like a metal album, it sounded like a metal title, and we liked it. So we decided to go that route and give the metal fans a fresh and in-your-face sort of statement and a metal album that doesn't really deal with anything corona-related. 'Cause I think people had enough of all the corona stuff by now. It's time to move on."

Regarding ACCEPT's decision to release "Too Mean To Die" during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wolf said: "It's gonna be a while until we can do a proper headlining tour. But we decided to go ahead and release it, because maybe fans will enjoy it now that they're in lockdown, and maybe it's gonna take their mind off everything. And it's better than waiting until who knows when — until we can tour again. So let's have the album out now. Fans can enjoy it and listen to it, and then one day we'll be on tour and we'll meet each other again."

"Too Mean To Die" was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with British producer Andy Sneap (JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH), who has been responsible for the magnificent studio sound of ACCEPT since 2010.

ACCEPT's last album, 2017's "The Rise Of Chaos", marked the band's first release with guitarist Uwe Lulis and drummer Christopher Williams, replacing Herman Frank and Stefan Schwarzmann, respectively.

ACCEPT's latest release was "Symphonic Terror - Live At Wacken 2017", featuring the band's performance at the Wacken Open Air festival in Wacken, Germany.

In a new video posted to his Zetro's Toxic Vault YouTube channel, EXODUS frontman Steve "Zetro" Souza confirmed that the band's upcoming album, "Persona Non Grata", will be released this summer via Nuclear Blast. It will be the follow-up to 2014's "Blood In Blood Out", which was the San Francisco Bay Area thrashers' first release since the departure of the group's lead singer of nine years, Rob Dukes, and the return of Souza, who previously fronted EXODUS from 1986 to 1993 and from 2002 to 2004.

Speaking about the musical direction of "Persona Non Grata", Souza said (see video below): "The EXODUS fans are not gonna be disappointed. It's fucking heavy as shit, it's fast, it's brutal, it's violent. The lyrical content is very deep and very heavy. [Guitarist] Gary Holt wrote some really great compositions on this. And the whole band, as a band, performed really well on this. It seemed like we were all hungry again going after it. We were so excited to be together for some reason. We have Gary back, and we know that he's not gonna be going away to tour [with SLAYER] anytime soon, so we knew that this was gonna be a very important record, which it is. And you'll hear that when it finally gets released."

"Persona Non Grata" was recorded at a studio in Lake Almanor, California and was engineered by Steve Lagudi and EXODUS. It was produced by EXODUS and was mixed by Andy Sneap.

In December, Holt stated about the "Persona Non Grata" recording process: "We tracked drums, and we overdubbed. We do two tracks of guitars — one left, one right. We don't fuck around with all this quadruple-track shit like we used to. We feel excessive guitar rhythm tracks takes away from the pick attack. It starts sounding softer. It sounds thicker, but it's not as aggressive. And we wanted that vibe of like when you listen to [AC/DC's] 'Powerage' — the opening chords of 'Down Payment Blues'."

Last year, Souza said about the new EXODUS album: "Gary Holt, being the major songwriter and the main songwriter, I feel that he's written an absolute masterpiece — an absolute thrash metal masterpiece. It's got all of the elements that an EXODUS record should have."

"Persona Non Grata" will feature a guest appearance by ex-EXODUS guitarist Rick Hunolt.

Longtime EXODUS fans will recall that Hunolt — the other half of the famed EXODUS "H-Team" who is on every studio recording from 1985 through 2004 and co-wrote some of the band's best-known songs such as "A Lesson In Violence" and "Deliver Us To Evil" — left EXODUS after the band's highly acclaimed 2004 reunion album, "Tempo Of The Damned". Following his departure, Hunolt was replaced by HEATHEN guitarist Lee Altus.

Back in April 2019, Hunolt rejoined Holt and other EXODUS members Hunting and Souza to perform several of the group's classic songs during a METAL ALLEGIANCE concert in San Francisco, California.

"Blood In Blood Out" was notable for featuring a guest appearance by former EXODUS guitarist Kirk Hammett, who left the band in 1983 to join METALLICA.

The original lineup of EXODUS consisted of guitarists Hammett and Tim Agnello, Hunting and vocalist Keith Stewart. Holt joined the band in 1981, while Kirk left two years before EXODUS's debut album, "Bonded By Blood", saw the light of day.

Souza is now on his third stint with EXODUS, having previously fronted the band from 1986 to 1993 and 2002 to 2004. A decade following his second departure, Souza returned to the fold in 2014, just in time to appear on "Blood In Blood Out".

"Persona Non Grata" will be EXODUS's first since the completion of SLAYER's final tour. In 2011, Holt began filling in for Jeff Hanneman at SLAYER live shows, and became the band's full-time co-guitarist as of 2013, while remaining a member of EXODUS.

WHITESNAKE celebrates the blues sound that helped inspire its multi-platinum career on a new collection that features remixed and remastered versions of the group's best blues-rock songs. "The Blues Album" is the third and final release in the band's "Red, White And Blues" trilogy, a series of compilations organized by musical themes that began last year with "Love Songs" (red) and "The Rock Album" (white).

"The Blues Album" is available for pre-order now, and will be available on February 19 digitally and on CD and as a double-LP set pressed on 180-gram, blue vinyl. Like "The Rock Album" and "Love Songs", all the tracks on "The Blues Album" have been revisited, remixed, and remastered.

WHITESNAKE's singer-songwriter David Coverdale says, the music reflects how blues artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and the three Kings (Albert, B.B. and Freddie) continue to inspire him. In the album's liner notes, he writes: "It's hard to find the words to show how profoundly they connected with my soul. But 'blues' to me is a beautiful word that describes emotional expression… feelings, be it feelings of sadness, loneliness, emptiness… but also those that express great joy, celebration and dance, sexiness and love!!!"

The new compilation delivers a potent mix of hits and deep tracks that originally appeared between 1984 and 2011 on six WHITESNAKE studio albums and Coverdale's solo album, "Into The Light".

"The Blues Album" showcases two of the band's biggest songs: "Slow An' Easy", a Top 20 Mainstream Rock hit in 1984 from WHITESNAKE's double-platinum album "Slide It In", and a brand new guitar-based remix of the smash hit "Give Me All Your Love" from the band's 1987 self-titled album, which was certified multi multi platinum. Other choice tracks from WHITESNAKE are also featured: "Looking For Love" and "Crying In The Rain" and "Steal Your Heart Away", which is available now.

"Restless Heart" (1997), "Good to Be Bad" (2008) and "Forevermore" (2011) are all represented on "The Blues Album" by multiple tracks ("Too Many Tears", "A Fool In Love" and "Steal Your Heart Away"). The collection also includes "If You Want Me", a studio recording released in 2006 as a bonus track on the live album "Live… In The Shadows Of The Blues". Coverdale also taps his 2000 solo album, "Into The Light", for "River Song".

"The Blues Album"

CD track listing:

01. Steal Your Heart Away

02. Good To Be Bad

03. Give Me All Your Love

04. Take Me Back Again

05. Slow An' Easy

06. Too Many Tears

07. Lay Down Your Love

08. The River Song

09. Whipping Boy Blues

10. If You Want Me

11. A Fool In Love

12. Woman Trouble Blues

13. Looking For Love

14. Crying In The Rain

LP track listing:

Side One

01. Steal Your Heart Away

02. Good To Be Bad

03. Give Me All Your Love

04. Take Me Back Again

Side Two

01. Slow An' Easy

02. Too Many Tears

03. Lay Down Your Love

Side Three

01. The River Song

02. Whipping Boy Blues

03. If You Want Me

04. A Fool In Love

Side Four

01. Woman Trouble Blues

02. Looking For Love

03. Crying In The Rain