German metal band, Thunder And Lightning, have released a playthrough video for "All Your Lies", the opening track of the band's Demonicorn album. Watch below:

Demonicorn is out now and available here.

Tracklisting:

"All Your Lies"
"Demonicorn"
"Demmin"
"The Temple Of Death"
"God For A Day"
"Heaven's Gate"
"Salt To The Wounds"
"Telltale Signs"




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Vocalist Dani Filth of British extreme metallers CRADLE OF FILTH spoke to Knotfest.com about the progress of the making of the band's follow-up to 2017's "Cryptoriana - The Seductiveness of Decay" LP. He said: "We've literally just finished recording an album, which we've had quite a long time to do, to be honest. We were very fortunate that Martin ['Marthus' Škaroupka] came in to do drums just before lockdown, and since then, everyone's just been chipping in in bits. I've had the longest, as I live close to the studio, but it means we've been able to revisit songs, amend things, try loads of different ideas. We've probably gone over-budget, but we don't really care about that as it's going to be the best-sounding record we've ever done, and probably the best-written record."

He continued: "It's been quite relaxing oddly being able to take our time with it without that pressure of deadlines, but it does mean with everyone doing things in parts as we were able, we've not all been together since the last show, and haven't been with our new keyboard player as well who contributed to the album but hasn't yet played a show."

On the topic of the musical direction of the new CRADLE OF FILTH material, Dani said: "It's going somewhere entirely different from the previous records. It's not going into space yet, but it's different. I hate describing our albums because I get tongue-tied about them. There is a bit of experimentation in there. It's heavier, faster, slower in parts. It's definitely going to have a unique sound to it where we purposefully took that on board, aiming for a more natural live sound that's more spacious. Like I said, we had that extra time to work on the record given to us this year… before all the leeway was taken back again."

This past February, CRADLE OF FILTH announced the departure of its keyboardist of the past seven years, Lindsay Schoolcraft. A replacement keyboardist has not yet been announced.

CRADLE OF FILTH will play a livestreamed concert from St. Mary's Church, Colchester Art Centre, England on October 30.

You can order your tickets for the event at cradleoffilth.veeps.com.

Fans will also be able to buy two different exclusive t-shirt bundles as well as an exclusive limited-to-100-people VIP experience graveyard meet-and-greet with the whole band from rehearsal on October 24.

If you cannot watch the show live, tickets will be available to watch or re-watch on the site until November 12.

The concert will begin 22:00 BST / 23:00 CEST / 3:00 p.m. PST / 6:00 p.m. EST and is the only live performance of CRADLE OF FILTH happening in 2020. With this atmospheric online extravaganza, the band promises to deliver a show of malefic proportions just in time for this year’s Halloween.

Photo credit: Tim Tronckoe

Three singles from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE have reached new sales milestones in the U.S. "My Curse" has been certified platinum by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association Of America) on September 10 for accumulating a million certified units. That same day, "The End Of Heartache" and KILLSWITCH's cover of the DIO classic "Holy Diver" were both certified gold for accumulating half a million units.

According to the RIAA, one equivalent song unit is equal to a single digital song sale, or 150 on-demand audio and/or video streams.

As previously reported, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its debut album this year. The first self-titled LP, which originally arrived on July 4, 2000, will be released on vinyl for the first time on October 9. The vinyl release will be available in two different color variants: clear with mint splatter and a Coke bottle clear/olive green split. It will also include expanded artwork by bassist Mike D'Antonio and four bonus tracks from their 1999 demo.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's latest album, "Atonement", was released in August 2019 via Metal Blade Records in the U.S. and Sony Music Entertainment in the rest of the world.

"Atonement" is the culmination of a trying and turbulent two-year period. KILLSWITCH ENGAGE started kicking around ideas for the album as early as 2017. The band recorded the bulk of the material separately on both coasts. However, in the middle of the process, a polyp developed scar tissue in singer Jesse Leach's throat, forcing him to undergo surgery. The intense three-month recovery ended with speech therapy, vocal therapy, and scream therapy. The band ultimately emerged with an album that is further evidence of their undeniable legacy as one of the most enduring metal bands of the last two decades and beyond.

"Atonement" features guest appearances by the band's former lead singer Howard Jones and TESTAMENT frontman Chuck Billy. It marks the band's third full-length release since the return of Leach, who rejoined the group in 2012.

KILLSWITCH ENGAGE recently celebrated two decades as a band with a comprehensive and in-depth 20-year timeline that documented so many of the band's memorable career milestones and storied history with plenty of captivating images. The clickable, scroll-through timeline boasts flyers from early shows, live shots from festival appearances, and fan tattoos. It also traces major tours, video shoots, album releases, Grammy nominations, lineup changes, and beyond. The timeline functions as a digital museum that effectively tells the complete KILLSWITCH ENGAGE story. The timeline was created specifically for KILLSWITCH ENGAGE fans to enjoy and to reminisce.

Devin Townsend has checked in with the following announcement:

"Hey all, onward into the unknown. It’s time for preparation of the Quarantine Concert #5, Rarities By Request. This one will be held on Saturday, October 31st, and will be yet another experiment in trying to bring some live performance into your lives during these times. For this one, I will be performing in a very interesting way, rare songs from my catalogue. Songs I’ve been asked to play for years but for the most part have never done so. Pick ten of these and I'll play whatever the final results will be!"

Go to this location to pick the songs you want to hear.

Check out Townsend's Quarantine Concerts #1 and #2 below, which raised $45,000 and $81,000 for the Vancouver Hospital Foundation and the UK's NHS respectively.

The setlist was as follows:

"Kingdom"
"Juular"
"Supercrush!"
"Love?"
"Why?"
"Deadhead"
"Ih-Ah!"
"Vampira"

The setlist was as follows:

"Storm"
"Hyperdrive"
"Almost Again" 
"Stormbending"
"ZTO"
"March Of The Poozers"
"Bastard"
"Genesis"
"Kingdom"




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Bay Area thrash legends, Heathen, will release their fourth studio album, Empire Of The Blind, on September 18 via Nuclear Blast Records.

The pre-order for the Empire Of The Blind Guitar Book starts today. Deluxe, Print, and eBook editions available. Shipping October 30. Reserve your copy now in either the SubLevel Records store, or the Heathen store

The Empire Of The Blind Guitar Book features guitar tab and notation for all 12 songs from the 2020 Heathen album release. All songs were transcribed note for note from the album recordings by Heathen guitarist Kragen Lum. Learn how to play the songs exactly as the band plays them with these 100% accurate transcriptions!

Presented in 2 guitar format so you can learn to play every riff and solo just as Lee Altus and Kragen Lum played them on the album. 250 pages. Deluxe edition includes Heathen signature guitar pick set, Heathen bookmark and Digital Copy in PDF format.

Empire Of The Blind was for the most part engineered, produced, mixed, and mastered by Christopher “Zeuss” Harris at Planet Z Studios. Additional details - rhythm guitars, etc. - were put to digital “tape” by Kragen Lum at SubLevel Studio in Little Rock, AR. The album features guest appearances by Gary Holt (Exodus, Slayer), Rick Hunolt (ex-Exodus) and Doug Piercy (ex-Heathen).

The cover art for Empire Of The Blind was once again handled by renowned artist Travis Smith (Overkill, Exhorder).

Empire Of The Blind will be available in the following formats:

- CD Jewel Case
- Vinyl
  Red with Black Splatter (US exclusive)
  Red with Black Swirl (US exclusive)
  Black
  Red
  Yellow with Red Splatter
- Red Cassette (US exclusive)
- T-Shirt
- T-Shirt + CD Bundle (US exclusive)
- T-Shirt + Red with Black Splatter Vinyl Bundle (US exclusive)
- CD + Patch Bundle

Pre-order your copy of in the format of your choice here. Pre-save the album to Spotify, Apple Music and Deezer here.

Empire Of The Blind tracklisting:

"This Rotting Sphere"
"The Blight"
"Empire Of The Blind"
"Dead And Gone"
"Sun In My Hand"
"Blood To Be Let"
"In Black"
"Shrine Of Apathy"
"Devour"
"A Fine Red Mist"
"The Gods Divide"
"Monument To Ruin"

"Empire Of The Blind" lyric video:

"The Blight" lyric video:

Heathen is:

David White - Vocals
Lee Altus - Guitar
Kragen Lum - Guitar
Jason Mirza - Bass
Jim DeMaria - Drums




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In a new interview with Music Radar, IRON MAIDEN guitarist Adrian Smith confirmed that he recently collaborated with "another artist" on a new project. "He is a really good singer, a great guitar player, and I can't name it at the moment," Adrian said. "It's not coming out just yet and I don't want to reveal too much. But I have done an album."

Although Smith did not offer any details about his new project, he was almost certainly referring to a much-rumored collaboration with THE WINERY DOGS guitarist/vocalist Richie Kotzen, who had posted several photos of the two of them hanging out together in recent months.

Kotzen alluded to his project with Smith during a February 2020 interview with the "Another FN Podcast". At the time, he said: "I don't like talking about things until they're finished, but if you look at the photographs [on my Instagram] and who I'm with, and that sort of thing, you could assume that there may be a collaboration in the works."

He added: "It's very surreal, because it's a band that I grew up with; it was one of my favorite bands forever, and one of my first hard rock concerts. So it's very surreal. Very cool. [I'm] very excited."

Smith is currently promoting his memoir, "Monsters Of River & Rock", which was released on September 3 via Virgin Books.

This past February, Kotzen released his 22nd solo album, "50 For 50", via his own custom label, Headroom-Inc. The three-disc collection is just what the title implies: a collection of 50 previously unreleased compositions produced, performed and written by Kotzen in honor of his birthday. It's the follow-up to his critically acclaimed "Salting Earth" album, which came out in April 2017 via Headroom-Inc.
























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Nice Times!

A post shared by Richie Kotzen (@richie_kotzen) on Feb 17, 2020 at 6:01am PST






























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@misteradriansmith and I discussing the magic of writing songs in C-sharp minor.

A post shared by Richie Kotzen (@richie_kotzen) on Feb 18, 2020 at 9:26am PST

AUTOPSY's first official live album, "Live In Chicago", will be released on October 30 via Peaceville Records. It will be made available on double gatefold black vinyl and CD format.

"Live In Chicago" was recorded at Reggie's Rock Club on March 7, 2020, and contains 66 minutes of classics spanning the whole 30-plus-year career of the death metal legends. The release also notably includes the brand new track "Maggots In The Mirror", giving fans something to chew on while the impending next studio release takes shape.

Due to recent and somewhat unforeseen global events, this stands as AUTOPSY's only gig of 2020, out of what was intended to be a string of several appearances. Luckily, the show was professionally recorded, unknowing of what was about to follow. With mixing carried out by Adam Munoz, notable for his work on AUTOPSY's studio albums, "Live In Chicago" captures the band in all of its ferocious, gory glory, with artwork once again conjured from the masterfully warped mind of Wes Benscoter (SLAYER, NILE, KREATOR).

Every vinyl preorder of "Live In Chicago" from Peaceville.com will receive the "Born Undead" DVD release. The DVD features full "A History Of Horror", an AUTOPSY documentary and extensive live footage with a running time of almost five hours.

"Live In Chicago" track listing:

01. Severed Survival

02. Twisted Mass Of Burnt Decay

03. Disembowel

04. Ridden With Disease

05. In The Grip Of Winter

06. Arch Cadaver

07. Fleshcrawl

08. Torn From The Womb

09. Embalmed

10. Gasping For Air

11. Voices

12. Maggots In The Mirror

13. Burial

14. Critical Madness

15. Service For A Vacant Coffin

16. Pagan Saviour

17. Charred Remains

18. Fuck You!!!

One of the early breed of U.S. death metal acts, AUTOPSY formed in 1987 in San Francisco and released four albums on Peaceville Records, beginning with the classic debut "Severed Survival" in 1989 — before disbanding in 1995, with members going on to form ABSCESS. AUTOPSY triumphantly and officially returned from the grave after a 15-year hiatus with the 2010 EP "The Tomb Within". This was followed by the release of the band's fifth studio album, "Macabre Eternal", in 2011, to great acclaim, and the band has subsequently remained at the top of the death metal pile since.

AUTOPSY's latest release, the "Puncturing The Grotesque" mini-LP, arrived in November of 2017 via Peaceville Records.

Canadian death metallers KATAKLYSM have parted ways with drummer Oli Beaudoin.

Oli announced his exit in a social media post earlier today. He wrote: "KATAKLYSM and I have officially parted ways. I'd like to thank them for the 8 years of live action and having worked on 4 albums together. Wishing them all the best.

"A new chapter is beginning, as I'm breathing new life and never been happier.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank EVERY SINGLE ONE of you who's shown support all over the years. Lots of exciting things ongoing, and I can't wait to share them with you."

KATAKLYSM said in a separate statement: "We would like to thank [Oli] for his work on the past four albums and his professionalism on the live stage over the last few years. We wish him all the best with his future endeavors.

"With that being said, we are excited to welcome acclaimed Los Angeles-based drumming monster James Payne (HOUR OF PENANCE, HISS FROM THE MOAT, VITAL REMAINS) to the KATAKLYSM family. James will be behind the throne for the upcoming 'Unconquered' world campaign and beyond. Please Give him a warm welcome."

Payne said: "I am thrilled and honored to join KATAKLYSM and participate in a piece of their amazing legacy! I've been a fan of the band since I was in High school, and to think of sharing the stages around the world with them is incredible! I can't wait to start this experience and give the fans all I have behind the drums at every show we'll play and beyond."

In addition to KATAKLYSM, Beaudoin has played with such bands as EX DEO, NEURAXIS, BELPHEGOR and KEEP OF KALESSIN. He is also a drum clinician and instructor who performed at the Montreal Drum Fest 2011.

KATAKLYSM will release its 14th full-length studio album, "Unconquered", on September 25 via Nuclear Blast Records.


Kataklysm and I have officially parted ways. I’d like to thank them for the 8 years of live action and having worked on...

Posted by Oli Beaudoin on Friday, September 4, 2020

Great events are once again foreshadowed: nearly 18 months after the release of their debut album, Mama Said Rock Is Dead, which saw John Diva & The Rockets Of Love go straight to the top 25 of the German album charts in spring 2019, the band are returning with their latest single: “Bling Bling Marilyn” has arrived at the physical and digital stores on Steamhammer/SPV, heralding the upcoming album American Amadeus, scheduled for a January 2021 release. “Bling Bling Marilyn” was written by frontman John Diva and Hannes Braun (Kissin’ Dynamite), who also features as guest vocalist. 

“We’re super happy about the collaboration,” the band members enthuse, “especially since the fans are bound to recognise his voice.” Naturally, ‘Bling Bling Marilyn’ will also be supported by a spectacular video clip which features the five musicians John Diva (vocals), Snake Rocket and J.J. Love (both on guitar), Remmie Martin (bass) and Lee Stingray Jr. (drums) the way they are: sexy, laid-back, wearing cool outfits, long hair, and striking self-confident poses.

At the same time, “Bling Bling Marilyn” opens a new chapter of the band’s history and presents John Diva & The Rockets Of Love even more diverse and consistent stylistically than ever before. “Our extensive Mama Said Rock Is Dead tour had a positive impact on us in lots of ways,” explains Snake Rocket. “Thanks to the unanimously positive responses to our first album and the amazing audience reactions at our shows, we felt confident enough to explore a number of different extremes even further on American Amadeus: our rock songs are tougher and faster still, the pop-oriented numbers even more catchy. In addition, American Amadeus includes a number of tracks with a spirit that goes back to the seventies and bands such as early Kiss and Black Sabbath.”

American Amadeus will be released on January 15, 2021 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipak, 2LP gatefold edition (with three bonus tracks), download and stream here.

2021 tour dates:

March
5 - Bremen, Germany - Aladin
6 - Solingen, Germany - Cobra
7 - Berlin, Germany - Galaxy
12 - Fulda, Germany - Kreuz
13 - Munich, Germany - Strom
14 - Cologne, Germany - Kantine
18 - Kiel, Germany - Orange Club
19 - Hamburg, Germany - Grünspan
24 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal
25 - Stuttgart, Germany - Universum
26 - Davos, Switzerland - Montana Saal
27 - Davos, Switzerland - Parsennhütte

April
9 - Bensheim, Germany - Rex
10 - Leipzig, Germany - Naumann
16 - Koblenz, Germany - Cafe Hahn
17 - Bochum, Germany - Zeche
23 - Isernhagen, Germany - Blues Garage
24 - Osnabrück, Germany - Rosenhof




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Rock duo Ledfoot & Ronni Le Tekrø have released a new single for “Shut Up”, the song is taken from their new album A Death Divine, which will be out on October 2, 2020 via TBC Records. The “Shut Up” video permiere is set on September 16 at 10 AM CET via YouTube. A Death Divine is a meeting of giants between two unique guitarists, Ronni Le Tekrø and Ledfoot. It's stadium rock in duo format.

Ronni Le Tekrø is best known for his unique playing style and as one of the founders of legendary TNT, and he has several times ranked as one of the world's best guitarists regardless of genre. In addition to TNT, Ronni has released several solo albums and collaborated with a number of artists, including Terje Rypdal.

Ledfoot (Tim Scott McConnell) recently won Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) in the blues class for his latest album ‘White Crow’. Leedfoot has developed his own playing style using a 12-string guitar with extra thick strings, steel plates and brass slide, often accompanied by stomp-box. In addition to four albums as Ledfoot, he has released several solo albums under his full name, played in The Havalinas, been covered by Bruce Springsteen (High Hopes) and played in the NRK series Exit.

Together they are Ledfoot & Ronni Le Tekrø, armed with a bunch of fantastic songs, a lot of guitars and the amplifiers set to 11 to blow you off the field.

Tracklisting:

“Cold Lonely Night”
“This Town”
“High Time”
“A Death Divine”
“A Part Of Me”
“Shut Up”
“Imperfect World”
“Open The Door”




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Cryptodira have released a surprise EP today titled Better Left Unsaid with a visualizer for the title track. These songs are the first music the band is releasing since The Devil's Despair (2017). 

The band will also release an all-new LP titled The Angel Of History later this year. The Angel Of History and Better Left Unsaid were both recorded in January 2020 at The Basement Studios in Winston-Salem, NC, and produced by Jamie King and Cryptodira.

Vocalist/guitarist Scott Acquavella and drummer Matthew Taibi comment:

"There's been no shortage of inspiration throughout our recent writing process, and upon stepping back and looking at the body of work we had amassed, there was a sense that these two songs fit together in an extraordinary way that makes them stand out on their own. We've always been a band that writes with a much larger picture in mind, but there was something uniquely rewarding about telling a sonically short story. So the Better Left Unsaid EP is our way of exploring that territory." - Scott Acquavella

"As it was written in the Grundrisse, "language is the presence of community," and a genuinely livable community begins where individualism ends. Language is not only a bridge between members of a community; language embeds communal being into the most private corners of mental life. An individual (or ego) can only know their hopes and desires by using language, i.e., something their community gifted them. Living in a community and using language properly both mean knowing where and when to decenter yourself. Sustainable happiness will be found sooner on the margins." - Matthew Taibi

Tracklisting:

“Better Left Unsaid”
“Unequal Exchange”

“Better Left Unsaid”:




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MEGADETH drummer Dirk Verbeuren has released a new song from his long-running BENT SEA project.

"Quietus", a collaboration with Tomas Lindberg (AT THE GATES) on vocals and Jesper Liveröd (NASUM) on bass, is the fourth in a series of songs Dirk has dubbed "Instagrind".

Four months ago, Verbeuren released the first "Instagrind" song from BENT SEA, "Grind To A Halt", a collaboration with MIDNIGHT mastermind Athenar on vocals. It was followed by "Sycophant Legions", a collaboration with FEASTEM's Petri Eskelinen on vocals and NASUM's Jesper Liveröd on bass; and "Nothing Blasts Forever", a collaboration with DRUGS OF FAITH's Richard Johnson on vocals.

In a 2016 interview with All About The Rock, Dirk stated about BENT SEA: "BENT SEA is a spur-of-the-moment type thing without any business plan. The idea from the get-go was basically 'no pressure' and I intend to keep it that way."

Back in 2012, Dirk told PureGrainAudio about BENT SEA's formation: "It just sort of happened. I used to play guitar, but in recent years my focus was exclusively on drums. My wife had been encouraging me to write my own music, so I decided to give it a shot. The result turned out to be BENT SEA."

Regarding the project's name, the 45-year-old Belgian-born-and-now-Los-Angeles-based musician said: "It's taken from a song by British experimental duo ENDVRA which I accidentally came across in my tape-trading days. Their music has absolutely nothing to do with grindcore, but somehow BENT SEA popped up in my mind. I like that it's atypical, and that it conjures apocalyptic images echoing the intensity of my music."

Verbeuren had been playing with SOILWORK for more than a decade before joining MEGADETH in 2016 as the replacement for Chris Adler (LAMB OF GOD), who called Dirk "probably [one of the] top three drummers in the world."

In interview with the KATT Rock 100.5 FM radio station, MEGADETH leader Dave Mustaine described Dirk as "one of the most pleasant, easy-to-get-along-with guys I've ever met in my life. I'll walk up to him and he'll smile and lean forward and pat me on the back. He goes [adopts thin accent], 'How's it going, buddy?' I could say, 'Oh, man…'… anything. 'Oh, okay, buddy.' [He] smiles and pats me, 'cause he's just a happy guy. I've never, ever, ever seen him not smile."

London, Ontario, Canada-based atmospheric sludge rock unit THE WHITE SWAN, spearheaded by KITTIE's Mercedes Lander, will release its new EP, "Nocturnal Transmission", on September 18. The effort contains four tracks, including a moving cover of Tracy Bonham's "Tell It To The Sky", the lyric video for which can be seen below.

Lander comments: "I've always thought that 'Tell It To The Sky' was a fantastically well-written song.

"I always try to really think outside the box when it comes to choosing covers and I tend to pick songs that you wouldn't expect a band like THE WHITE SWAN to cover. Tracy Bonham's 'The Burdens Of Being Upright' was released the same year I started playing drums and started my first band and this was my favorite song from that record when it was released. I did my best to capture the soaring vocal melodies and we added some layered EBow for the verses which creates a bit of a darker vibe from the original."

In December 2019, the trio — Lander with Kira Longeuay and Shane Jeffers (BLOODMOON COLLECTIVE) — recorded what can only be described as three love songs (as well as "Tell It To The Sky"). Lander penned lyrics that chronicle the joy, desire, longing, and eventual feeling of completeness that comes with a romantic relationship. From the night drives through the snow in the early days, right through to the handcrafted guitar built as a wedding gift from her now husband, the intricacies of true love permeate every moment of "Nocturnal Transmission".

Reprising a longtime creative relationship with producer Siegfried Meier, Lander felt both at home and re-energized by the familiarity and collaborative nature of their work. Recording took just two days, retaining many of the hallmarks of THE WHITE SWAN's earlier output, but adding a slightly polished sheen to the proceedings. With vocal layering and touches of psychedelic synths adding textural elements to the songs, the result is an enveloping experience of fuzzed out guitars and molasses-like melody. Describing "Nocturnal Transmission" as a "turning point" for the band, the album art by collage artist Caitlyn Grabenstein reflects the feeling of standing on the precipice, staring into the unknown. Acknowledging that there will always be a constant sound to THE WHITE SWAN, Lander states that their main intention is to "grow and grow." With an ever-developing sound and a solid combination of creative musicians in their ranks, "Nocturnal Transmission" is the latest in what is sure to be an ever-expanding back catalog of triumphs.

"Nocturnal Transmission" will be released digitally and on limited edition vinyl via War Crime Recordings.

Track listing:

01. In Love And Ritual

02. Nocturnal Transmission

03. Purple

04. Tell It To The Sky (Tracy Bonham cover)

THE WHITE SWAN is:

Mercedes Lander - Drums, Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar

Shane Jeffers - Guitar

Kira Longeuay - Bass

Photo by Kandiss Bradley

CRO-MAGS kingpin Harley Flanagan is back with "Between Wars", the gripping new music video from the band's latest opus, "In The Beginning". The track lends its name to "Between Wars", the independent film starring Flanagan and "The Sopranos" star Michael Imperioli, due out later this year.

"This song was a lot of fun to work on as it gave me a chance to do something completely different," says Flanagan about the instrumental track. "I recorded the song with just bass and drums, followed by all the arpeggiated guitar parts, and eventually I added the cellos and did Mongolian-style throat singing. I was inspired to add the cellos when I first heard Carlos 'Lamont' Cooper playing in the New York City subway where he plays to make a living. Turns out he's an ex-gangbanger from New Jersey who has had a hard life, and although we have had very different experiences, we have a lot of things in common; PTSD will do that."

Imperioli adds: "Harley's involvement and performance in 'Between Wars' is organic, natural and necessary. He fit into the role like a glove. The life experience he brings to the project is authentic and true and he made us all raise our games."

Imperioli and Flanagan sat down with the movie's director Tom Phillips to discuss the music video, the film, and the importance of music scores and soundtracks. "Between Wars" takes an intimate look at the struggle of re-entering civilian life post-combat. The film follows veteran marine Franny Malloy (Shaun Paul Costello) as he struggles with integrating himself back home in New York City after returning from the war in Afghanistan. Battling PTSD and self-destructive behaviors, he finds his only hope in fellow marine-turned-PTSD-psychologist Sarge, played by Imperioli. Flanagan plays McManus, an old-school Bronx Irish gangster and general madman.

It's been a few productive years for Flanagan lately, who, after forming the CRO-MAGS in 1983, legally asserted his original rights to the band name last year in a well-publicized lawsuit. "In many ways, it is a new beginning and also a tribute to where it all began," reflects the frontman on the band's first album in 20 years, "In The Beginning".

Sonicbond Publishing has released "Iron Maiden: Every Album, Every Song", a new book from author Steve Pilkington.

Mention the words "heavy metal" and chances are one of the first names you'll get back is IRON MAIDEN. From their early days as frontrunners of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal in 1980, through to their epic and progressive works of more recent times, the band have been "all things to all men" in the metal world. Such is their profile that even the non‐metal fan would probably cite them as a key example of the genre. This book lifts the lid on every single track recorded by the band, album by album, from the punk‐ish debut with original vocalist Paul Di'Anno, via the glory years fronted by Bruce Dickinson, through to the sprawling double‐disc epic "The Book Of Souls".

By way of facts, anecdotes, analysis and a dollop of opinion, Pilkington provides both an informative companion for the die‐hard fan and a perfect road‐map for the more casual listener to follow. From "Prowler" to "Empire Of The Clouds", through each and every lineup change, this is every Number recorded by The Beast — the ultimate recording history of IRON MAIDEN.

"Iron Maiden: Every Album, Every Song" is available in paperback now.

Pilkington is a music journalist, editor and broadcaster. He was editor-in-chief for the Classic Rock Society magazine and is now co-administrator of the rock web site Velvet Thunder as well as presenting a weekly Internet radio show called "A Saucerful Of Prog". Before taking on this work full‐time, he spent years writing for fanzines and an Internet music review site on a part‐time basis. He has recently published "Deep Purple And Rainbow On Track", "The Rolling Stones On Track" and "Monty Python On Screen", all for Sonicbond, and has also written the official biography of legendary guitarist Gordon Giltrap. He lives in Wigan, Lancashire, U.K.

As part of YouTube's #StayHome campaign, THE WHO closes a six-week celebration of its incredible live performances with a two-part digital premiere finale.

The weekly series — "Join Together @ Home" — is on the band's official YouTube channel (accessed via www.join-together.org). Each featurette (available digitally for the first time) appears as a YouTube Premiere, streaming live and rarely seen footage, mini videos and special screen footage. Culminating over two weekends with five and four songs respectively from a sensational show at Piazza Grande, Locarno, Switzerland in July 2006, these performances include the band's first ever live performance of "Greyhound Girl".

Singer Roger Daltrey said: "It's a very special show, I didn't even remember this film existed! We were getting together after a three-year hiatus. The show was in an extraordinary place, in the town square, with people dancing on their balconies. I have very fond memories of it."

"Join Together @ Home" is in partnership with THE WHO and Eagle Rock Entertainment and will stream exclusively on YouTube. "Join Together @ Home" is free to view, but fans are encouraged to donate to co-beneficiaries The Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America — directly via the link provided on the YouTube page.

As patron of both charities, Daltrey has raised much-needed awareness and funds to help support young people with cancer, both in the U.K. and the U.S. He has been the driving force behind Teenage Cancer Trust's iconic comedy and music shows, held at the Royal Albert Hall for the last 20 years.

Teenage Cancer Trust has always had incredible support from the music industry and relies on donations but due to coronavirus, saw essential income generating activity, like the Royal Albert Halls shows, canceled. With income estimated to drop by as much as half this year; the charity needs to raise £5 million to maintain frontline services so events like "Join Together @ Home" are more important than ever.

With Teen Cancer America fundraising events also cancelled, they face a shortfall and need your help more than ever. Your donation can help to continue improving the lives and outcomes of teens and young adults with cancer. Nearly 90,000 adolescents and young adults face a cancer diagnosis every year in America, and every hour another young life is lost. The coronavirus is not just impacting fundraising, but increasing the risks for immunocompromised cancer patients, and adding to the growing burden of hospitals and caregivers.

As you have faced the inconvenience of isolation these past months, please think of the many teenage cancer patients who are in the fight of their lives. Follow your local guidelines, stay safe, relax and watch THE WHO, and do one of the most important things you can do today, donate to help teens facing cancer.

What: THE WHO "Join Together @ Home" special footage #THEWHO #WITHME

When: September 5 and September 12 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. U.K.

Where: Streaming exclusively on YouTube via www.join-together.org

YouTube Premieres is a feature that lets artists and their teams build anticipation and create a unique moment around a music video release on YouTube. The feature transforms the way fans view and engage with content by creating an event where fans and artists directly engage and enjoy the experience together in an interactive way. Premieres radically change how music video content is released, turning the watching experience into a communal moment.

This Friday (September 4) will see ZAKK SABBATH, the BLACK SABBATH tribute band featuring guitarist/vocalist Zakk Wylde (BLACK LABEL SOCIETY, OZZY OSBOURNE), bassist Rob "Blasko" Nicholson (OZZY OSBOURNE, ROB ZOMBIE) and drummer Joey Castillo (DANZIG, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE), release their spectacular tribute to the Birmingham four, a faithful yet supercharged rendition of BLACK SABBATH's first album. Vertigo Records issued the iconic debut album on a Friday the 13th in 1970, and the world was never the same. Legendarily recorded in a single day in October 1969, the earth-moving self-titled set closed the book on hippie optimism with its dark magic and ushered in a brand new genre, setting the metal template for decades to come.

Exactly 50 years later, ZAKK SABBATH celebrate the first chapter in the SABBATH catalog with a reverently rendered tribute, simply titled "Vertigo", 2020, via Magnetic Eye Records. Faithfully recorded in the spirit of the original, live in the studio and with a film crew documenting the process, the session culminated in a new version of a landmark album that celebrates the greatest heavy metal band of all time and the record that started it all.

ZAKK SABBATH's rendition of "The Wizard" can be streamed below.

"We recorded a live EP and were wondering what we could do next as a cover band, so the 50th album anniversary came just at the right time", explains Blasko regarding ZAKK SABBATH's decision to go studio. "Compared to 'Paranoid', which is almost like a best-of record, the bulk of the material on 'Black Sabbath' is deep-cut, really experimental stuff that was never thoroughly explored, so that was a challenge, not to forget that we wanted to meet our own high standards."

Describing the DIY process as "very productive," the three respectfully added their own flair to make for a slightly different flavor, also revisiting various live renditions and "extending a solo here or slowing things down because that's what they tended to do on stage."

ZAKK SABBATH's "Vertigo" won't be available digitally, "to make the release feel authentic to the time when vinyl ruled the earth. It was such a cool time for those of us that grew up during that time. The fan experience with the physical product is irreplaceable with digital and streaming. We wanted to capture that authenticity."

"Vertigo" will be available as a digipak CD, CD/DVD hardcover book with the album behind-the-scenes-interviews and making-of, and as a limited-edition yellow vinyl.

Track listing:

01. Black Sabbath

02. The Wizard

03. Wasp / Behind The Wall Of Sleep / N.I.B.

04. Wicked World

05. A Bit of Finger / Sleeping Village / Warning

Zakk told Rolling Stone about performing SABBATH's classic material: "Going back to high-school keg parties, we'd be playing songs by RUSH, SABBATH, [Jimi] Hendrix, whatever [in a cover band], and one person would sing the RUSH stuff, someone could do THE DOORS, and I'd end up doing the SABBATH or Ozzy stuff. It's hilarious to me, because we were 17 years old playing keg parties at a friend's house and now I'm 53 years old and I'm still playing 'N.I.B.' and SABBATH songs at keg parties, except there's a couple more people."

A newly released "all-black metal" version of STEEL PANTHER's "Let's Get High Tonight" video can be seen below. The original Frankie Nasso-directed version of the clip was made available in April and showcased STEEL PANTHER members Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia as a black metal band, a Spanish mariachi band, a boy band, a Baroque classical quartet, and a country/western band.

"You've never seen STEEL PANTHER like this before," explained Zadinia at the time.

"Let's Get High Tonight" is taken from STEEL PANTHER's latest album, "Heavy Metal Rules", which was released in September 2019. The disc, which is described in a press release as a "heavy metal version of a self-help manual and ultimate party album combined," was once again produced by Jay Ruston, who collaborated with the band on all of its previous recordings, including 2017's "Lower The Bar".

Last month, STEEL PANTHER played its second virtual concert event, "Rockdown In The Lockdown", from the ultra-sanitized, production-filled, multi-camera Drum Channel Studio at Drum Workshop, located in Oxnard, California. The performance was streamed live globally.

STEEL PANTHER specializes in imitating and exaggerating the less flattering aspects of 1980s hair metal, with unrepentantly crude, non-PC sexual content as a favorite lyrical theme.

The group's music has been described as "VAN HALEN meets MÖTLEY CRÜE meets RATT meets 'Wayne's World', complete with operatic shrieks, misogyny, shredding guitar solos and libidinal overdrive."

Twelve years ago, STEEL PANTHER changed its name from METAL SKOOL to its current moniker and shifted the focus of its act from '80s metal covers to originals.

GONE IS GONE, the project featuring MASTODON's Troy Sanders, AT THE DRIVE-IN's Tony Hajjar, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's Troy Van Leeuwen and guitarist-keyboardist Mike Zarin, has released a new song called "Sometimes I Feel". It arrives two months after the release of GONE IS GONE's last track, "Everything Is Wonderfall".

"Everything Is Wonderfall" was the first new music from GONE IS GONE since the release of "No One Ever Walked On Water" last December. Prior to that, GONE IS GONE issued "Phantom Limb" in November 2017 as part of a seven-inch red vinyl single for Record Store Day's Black Friday.

GONE IS GONE's debut album, "Echolocation", entered Billboard's Heatseekers Chart at No. 3 back in January 2017.

Hailed by Clash as "a crisp, compact document, one laced with energy and sweeping songwriting," "Echolocation" was produced by the band and mixed by Ken Andrews (BECK, A PERFECT CIRCLE).

GONE IS GONE was formed by multi-instrumentalist Mike Zarin and Hajjar, who previously collaborated on various film trailer projects for Sencit, Zarin's music production, licensing and supervision company. Together they've put together a wildly diverse sound production resume that includes trailers for the Internet-breaking television series "Stranger Things", Christopher Nolan's 2010 sci-fi thriller "Inception", multi-Emmy-winning television series "Game Of Thrones" and the Marvel Comics blockbuster film "X-Men Apocalypse", to name but a few. They brought in Troy Van Leeuwen, known for his work with QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, FAILURE, A PERFECT CIRCLE, EAGLES OF DEATH METAL and SWEETHEAD, who, in turn, brought in Troy Sanders from multi-Grammy nominees MASTODON.

Poland's blackened death metal beast Azarath has revealed details surrounding its seventh studio album Saint Desecration. The record is set to be released on November 27 via Agonia Records.

The unholy metal congregation is pealing its bells for the third time this decade, announcing the successor of Blasphemers' Maledictions (2011) and In Extremis (2017). Saint Desecration is a new extreme illumination revealed by Azarath at the altar of blackened death metal. Unrepentant and provocative to the core, the album is set to astound the connoisseurs of sonic terror.

Azarath crept from the shadows over two decades ago and is often described as a demonic mutation of Krisiun, Behemoth and Immolation. Co-founded by sole original member and drummer Inferno (of Behemoth fame), the group comprises long-running guitarist Bart (Damnation, Armagedon), long-time bassist Peter (ex-Lost Soul) and new vocalist Skullripper (Embrional).

Saint Desecration was recorded and mixed at Tall Pine Records with Haldor Grundberg (Satanic Audio) at helm and mastered at Audiosiege Studio by Brad Boatright. The cover artwork was painted by Marta Promińska of Hypnagogic Painting. Aleksander Ikaniewicz shot new band photos. Preorder here.

Formats:
-Digi CD
-Jewelcase CD
-Black LP
-Marbled Lava LP
-Picture LP
-Digital

Tracklisting:
“Death-At-Will”
“Sancta Dei Meretix”
“Let Them Burn…”
“Fall Of The Blessed”
“No Salvation”
“Profanation”
“Reigning Over The Death”
“Life Is Death, Death Is Life”
“Inflicting Blasphemy Upon The Heavens”
“Beyond The Gates Of Burning Ghats”
“Pure Hate” (Digi CD bonus track / guest vocals by Stillborn’s Killer)




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SMITH & MYERS — the duo comprised of SHINEDOWN members Brent Smith and Zach Myers — has released the official music video for its grungy, re-imagined version of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy". The track is taken from SMITH & MYERS's recently announced full-length album "Smith & Myers Volume 2", due out October 23 via Atlantic Records. It will follow the release of "Volume 1" on October 9.

"Smith & Myers Volume 2" is available for pre-order now and features five original tunes and five re-imaginings of fan-submitted songs including OASIS's "Don't Look Back In Anger", Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer", Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell", and R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" (full track listing below). Additionally, both the CD and LP — which collect volumes 1 and 2 in one package — are also available now for pre-order. The double LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and available in an exclusive limited edition shiny black vinyl in the SMITH & MYERS store. The vinyl will be released November 13.

The announcement of "Volume 2" comes on the heels of SMITH & MYERS' recent release of their original single "Not Mad Enough", which was written in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's death, expressing the intense emotions that followed and laying bare a plea for racial justice through direct and urgent lyrics over acoustic guitar. The song was released alongside a poignant version of "Rockin' In The Free World" highlighting Neil Young's timeless lyrics that are just as relevant today over lone piano. These two songs, featured on "Volume 1", share a vision for change and equality and introduced SMITH & MYERS' eloquent songcraft, indelible melodies and glorious vocals created with nothing more than a microphone and an instrument or two.

"Smith & Myers Volume 1" is available for pre-order now and features five original tunes and five re-imaginings of fan-submitted songs including Post Malone's "Better Now", INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart", Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse's "Valerie", and THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS' "Unchained Melody" (full track listing below).

With two hearts and one truth, lifelong musicians, longstanding friends, and eternal brothers Smith and Myers put forth a body of work encompassing vulnerability, fearlessness, honesty, outrage, love, and understanding. "Smith & Myers Volume 1", produced by Grammy Award winner and longtime collaborator Dave Bassett, is the duo's first full-length album and first original music since releasing a pair of acoustic cover EPs, "Acoustic Sessions, Part 1" and "Acoustic Sessions, Part 2", in 2014 when fans first fell in the love with the magic that is created between Brent and Zach in the studio and on stage, leading to SMITH & MYERS live shows that instantly sold out. With no boundaries on what their songwriting could discuss on the new album, Brent and Zach explore everything from certain personal topics that they have left largely unexplored until now, to commentary on children being ripped from their parents at the border, to the reactive nature of social media, to our national reckoning with racial and systemic injustice– focusing not on politics, but on right and wrong and our connection as human beings.

On October 8, SMITH & MYERS will co-headline "Come Together", a virtual music festival organized by Sound Mind Live in celebration of World Mental Health Day (October 10), with all proceeds supporting mental health resources and programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, which will also feature performances from Jason Isbell, Kiiara, American Authors, Jade Bird and more, will be streamed live on Thursday, October 8, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT via the Relix YouTube channel in support of the cause. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City is a founding partner of this landmark event, and AbbVie is the presenting sponsor. Experts from Mental Health America, MusiCares, and National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City will provide information on virtual mental health resources, support programs, and best practices for self-care as the individuals and families navigate these challenging times. Viewers will have the opportunity to access a live interactive chat and donate in real time, with proceeds benefiting affiliates of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) from around the country and their pandemic-response mental health programs.

"Smith & Myers Volume 1" track listing:

01. Not Mad Enough

02. Rockin' In The Free World

03. The Weight of It All

04. Better Now

05. Panic

06. Never Tear Us Apart

07. Coast To Coast

08. Valerie

09. Since You Were Mine

10. Unchained Melody

"Smith & Myers Volume 2" track listing:

01. Bad At Love

02. Bad Guy

03. New School Shiver

04. Sledgehammer

05. GBL GBD

06. Rebel Yell

07. Like You Never Left

08. Losing My Religion

09. One More Time

10. Don't Look Back In Anger

Photo credit: Paris Visone

DEEP PURPLE guitarist Steve Morse says that he "combined" the playing styles of Ritchie Blackmore and Joe Satriani when he first joined the band more than 25 years ago.

Blackmore is a co-founder of DEEP PURPLE and wrote many of their most memorable riffs, including "Smoke On The Water", but he has not played with the group since his 1993 departure.

Morse effectively took over Blackmore's slot in 1994 and has since been in the group longer than Ritchie.

Asked in a new interview with FOX17 Rock & Review if replacing Blackmore in PURPLE was "intimidating," Morse replied (see video below): "Actually, technically, I replaced Joe Satriani, because he finished the tour — they had some Japanese dates or something, and he finished the tour with them. And then they gave me tapes of Joe playing the set and Ritchie playing the set, so I kind of made this character of combining the two of them and their approach to the first gig. That's what I brought — to make the other guys feel comfortable. I met them 24 hours before we did the first show. And my job was to be ready and go up and play.

"The first thing we did — thank god — was just… We were at the coliseum and we had the roadies set up the stuff in the dressing room — small amps, drums and everything. Ian Gillan was playing conga drums, and we just jammed. I'd play something and Jon Lord would play it back. I was, like, 'Wow! He heard that, like a jazz keyboard player.' And I'd play it back differently, and he'd play it back differently, then add do it. And I went, Wow! This is cool. We're really jamming.' So I was surprised by how good the band was, and they don't like me to say that. But actually, I was surprised. Because a lot of people can live off their name and so forth and get soft, but they were going for it, and it felt so comfortable.

"Anyway, so I kind of combined those two guys' approach on some of the classic things. And, of course, we've been doing originals also."

Blackmore was absent from DEEP PURPLE's 2016 induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. He later posted a statement on his Facebook page in which he said: "I have my reason for not attending the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, although I appreciate the award."

Despite Blackmore being a no-show at the Rock Hall, he was given several shoutouts during the induction speeches of the DEEP PURPLE members in attendance. In addition, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich, who inducted DEEP PURPLE into the institution, praised "Ritchie fucking Blackmore" for one of the most memorable guitar riffs of all time on "Smoke On The Water".

Latin American metal supergroup DE LA TIERRA has released the official music video for its new song "Distintos". The clip was edited and directed bu Penumbrart Studios.

DE LA TIERRA features Brazilian guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Argentine singer/guitarist Andres Gimenez (A.N.I.M.A.L.), Cuban/Mexican drummer Alex Gonzalez (MANÁ) and Puerto Rican bassist Harold Hopkins (PUYA).

Earlier this week, Gonzalez told "In The Trenches With Ryan Roxie" about the status of DE LA TIERRA: "Right now we're in the process of recording our third record. We were supposed to start the record this year, but, as you know, COVID came and everything just stopped. But what we did was we did a new single that's actually gonna be released this Friday. And the cool thing about this is that, like all musicians, we still need to play, we still need to create, so we all went into our home studios and we did this amazing song that, I think, fits perfectly with the times and what's going on right now. So that's the gonna be released this Friday — the single and the video. And then the idea is for us to start working on a new album in February. We already have about 15 songs."

Gonzalez also talked about the addition of Hopkins to DE LA TIERRA. Hopkins replaced Argentine bassist Sr. Flavio (LOS FABULOSOS CADILLACS), who left the band in 2017.

"Harold, he's an amazing, amazing bass player, and he's from a very, very awesome band from Puerto Rico called PUYA," Alex said. "And the great thing about PUYA is that they do a fusion of metal but with salsa and with music from the island. And it's awesome. And they sing in Spanish and they sing in English. So, talk about coming full circle — you [also] have [members from] Brazil, Argentina and Mexico."

Alex added: "The new album, because Harold is also bringing a lot of also Latin influence, Caribbean influence… It's so heavy but at the same time… You'll see."

DE LA TIERRA's second studio album, "II", came out in November 2016 via Sony Music Latin. It followed the band's 2014 self-titled debut which received rave reviews and support from critics and fans.

DE LA TIERRA found massive success following the release of its first LP. The record allowed the band to tour and share the stage with bands like METALLICA and SLIPKNOT and perform at festivals such as Rock In Rio, Santiago Gets Louder and Vive Latino as well as gain a strong following of fans throughout North and South America.

For their follow-up record, DE LA TIERRA worked with renowned producer Ross Robinson (SLIPKNOT, KORN, DEFTONES, THE CURE, SEPULTURA) who helped the band craft a furious set of songs.

"II" was recorded in Los Angeles, where DE LA TIERRA laid down the music live to analog tape machines. Each of the band's members has a unique, individual style that Robinson helped blend and balance with their influential roots for a rich music experience that transcends language barriers.

ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS, the project led by ex-FEAR FACTORY vocalist Burton C. Bell, will release its second full-length album, "Apocrypha", on October 9 via Dissonance Productions. The recording will be available on CD, two limited vinyl formats and through all major digital outlets.

The official music video for "The End Is Always The Beginning", the second single from "Apocrypha", can be seen below.

Comments Bell: "Now, more than ever, my words are a true reflection of my mind. The End Is Always The Beginning' is a true statement, in every aspect of life. It all depends on the individual perspective.

"The video for 'The End Is Always The Beginning', created by Victor Hugo-Borges, is another surreal snippet into ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS. The meaning is unique for every listener, and viewer. There is no incorrect analysis. Take what you will from it. For me, this is the beginning of a whole new chapter, and this song validates my personal strength to truly understand what it means to move forward."

Born of life, love and spirituality, Bell's unmistakable, harmonious inventory once renowned in one of metal's finest pioneering acts has brought life to a new concept, a genre of its own.

Ambient atmospheres, melodies and introspective lyrics shed light of Bell's visions, as seen in their purest form. An intimate nature that ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS envisioned, to draw the minds, hearts and aspirations of a people to a higher level of thinking to a feeling with cohesive celebration and reflection in the beauty of existence.

In early 2002, Burton retreated to the quiet, simplicity of rural Pennsylvania for seven months with his friend and musical confidant John Bechdel, escaping the onslaught of Los Angeles, and industry alike. A mentor in music, philosophy and demeanor, Bechdel unwittingly guided Bell along the creative path of this new conceptual movement.

With Burton's unprecedented vocal sound and style, coupled with the brilliantly orchestrated musical compositions of both Bell and Bechdel (synonymous with pioneering tags to the industrial/metal genre), the pair began experimenting with textured melodies of melancholic tones, best attributed to the 1980s and 1990s underground scene. ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS echoes the sounds of a prophetic hallucination, fears and dreams with remorse of things lost and forgotten; but with a hope of redemption and light in the future.

In 2004, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS independently released "Iconoclast", printed only on CD and vinyl to a limited number.

In 2008, with the help John Bechdel and Paul Raven, Burton brought ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS to MINISTRY legend Al Jourgensen's label, 13th Planet. With the guidance and special collaborations with Jourgensen during the recording and mixing in El Paso, Texas, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS added the guitar talents of Eduardo Mussi. It also featured Paul Raven's last contribution as a bass player on the track "Mars Becoming".

That same year, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS' debut LP, "Numinosum", came out through 13th Planet. Upon release, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS performed special, intimate shows, including the album release performance at Alex Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in New York. They also had the honor of supporting KILLING JOKE for their reunion tour in honor of their fallen friend, Paul Raven.

In 2017, the friendship between renowned U.K. solo artist Jayce Lewis and Burton brought in the essential camaraderie, talents and studio that perfectly suited the recording of "Apocrypha".

Northstone Studios, based in the countryside of South Wales, connected to the 250-year-old Court Colman Manor, the studio built by Lewis's own hands using the ancient stones of the monastery that once stood there, the rustic detail proved a perfect setting for ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS' very own Jayce Lewis to record, produce and mix the "Apocrypha" album, a recording process that literally stirred the souls that remain within the stone walls of Lewis' Northstone Studios. During the vocal recordings of the title track, a recording was inadvertently captured from the aether; an eerie, unrecognizable and untranslatable, syllabic phrase whispered within the vocal booth. The event is now the intro to the title track, "Apocrypha".

In truth, the making of "Apocrypha" has been a decade-long journey of writing and recording, from California, Pennsylvania, New York and Wales. In 2018 the band decided to utilize the crowdfunding platform PledgeMusic to jumpstart the project. After a very successful campaign, raising 124% of their goal, PledgeMusic went into administration, eventually declaring bankruptcy. and in turn, would never release any of the funds dedicated to ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS. Nevertheless, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS persevered to complete the album.

After ten years of writing and recording, along with reflection on the very personal nature of this project, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS will renew its journey in 2020.With plans of conceptualized touring, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS continues to grow as Bell's main creative endeavor, well into the future.

"Apocrypha" track listing:

01. Ghost Heart

02. The End Is Always The Beginning

03. Apocrypha

04. A Wolf Interlude

05. Honorée

06. Stormcrow

07. Cygnus Aeon

08. Key To The Cosmos

09. Bells Of Perdition

10. Wanderers

11. Sign Your Name

"Apocrypha" recording credits

Burton C. Bell - Vocals, Guitar

John Bechdel - Keyboards

Jayce Lewis - Drums, Backing Vocals, Programming

JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford says that he hasn't spoken to K.K. Downing in a "long time."

The guitarist, who left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance, was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

Asked in a new interview with Meltdown of Detroit's WRIF radio station when the last time was that he spoke to K.K., Rob said: "Ah, I can't remember. It's been a long, long time. I guess it's a bit about the same time that it was when I was away from PRIEST. We're certainly in communication with our music, because [chuckles] we all listen to PRIEST practically every day. But it's been a while — it's been a few years, yeah."

Last year, Halford didn't rule out Downing's reunion with PRIEST, saying "what will happen will happen."

Bassist Ian Hill has said that there are no plans for PRIEST to invite Downing to return to the band.

"Richie took over from Ken," Hill told Riff Magazine. "He's done an absolutely tremendous job, he really has. And he's made Ken's parts his own now. He's got his own angle on the lead breaks. Ken's part's been taken, and there's no plans to have Ken back, really. Hey, listen, never say never. But at the moment, we're going along quite well without Ken, so it could stay like that, I think, at least for the foreseeable future."

In 2018, Downing dismissed as a "load of bollocks" Hill's explanation for why K.K. wasn't invited to rejoin the band after fellow guitarist Glenn Tipton's Parkinson's diagnosis was made public.

"We were like brothers; we went to infant school together and secondary school together, and we lived our career together," Downing said. "But I'm not totally happy about what's being said. Ian seems to be [saying] things like, 'None of the fans are missing K.K.,' and, 'Richie has brought a new energy to the band.' And I'm going, 'Ian, dude, on that last tour, I was the energy. I slowed down because people weren't keeping up with me.'… So I'm thinking, Ian, get a grip with yourself, mate. You've just replaced the energy with some energy. Fine — well, great. But that's not moving forward, Ian."

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease six years ago — after being stricken by the condition at least half a decade earlier — but announced in February 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's latest album, "Firepower".

Two years ago, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Halford's autobiography, "Confess", was released on Tuesday (September 29) via Hachette Books. The book has already been described by the U.K.'s The Telegraph as "one of the most candid and surprising memoirs of the year."

Downing's autobiography, "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", arrived in September 2018 via Da Capo Press.

Spanish melodic death band Æolian, who recently signed with Black Lion Records, has cehcked in with the following update:

"After having to cancel several live shows across Europe including shows in Poland, Germany and Mallorca due to the current Covid 19 situation, we now want to perform a live streaming show for our fans. Look forward to seeing you all there! Keep safe and stay heavy!"

Æolian will release their new album The Negationist on November 20th. They have unleashed a lyric video of new song, "Momentum". The band comments:

"'Momentum' is a call to action, a warning for those who still do not realize the seriousness of this environmental situation. It talks about the last chance to mend all the damage we have done to our planet and how our behavior begins to affect our own survival too. Corporations, governments and our sometimes greedy selfish way of life have put us to sleep while 'Momentum' tries to remind us that sadly for we people... it's now or never."

The Negationist marks the sophomore release by the Spanish quintet. Picking up where they left off on the critically acclaimed Silent Witness, the band bring a blistering attack to bear. Through ten tracks, the band weave a dynamic spell of melodic death metal, with threads of black, folk, and occasionally thrash metal threads to sew it all together. Variations in pacing, excellent mixing, a cohesive and rock solid rhythm section, and memorable riffing all combine to draw in the listener to the albums earnest beauty. Passionate vocals rest comfortably in the fabric of the mix, steering the album with lyrical content from an environmentalist perspective. The Negationist provides the type of fist pumping soundtrack sure to energize any listener.

With their second album titled ‘The Negationist’ where darkness and hope merge in an introspective trip marked by the damage we are doing to our own planet and how this is affecting us severely. This album has been mixed and produced by Miquel A. Riutort (Mega) (The Unity, Cryptosy, The Agonist, Vltimas) at Psychosomatic Recording Studio and mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound Studios. The cover artwork has been done by Juanjo Castellano Rosado (The Black Dahlia Murder, Gates of Ishtar, Trident).

Tracklist:

"Momentum"
"We Humans"
"Animals Burned"
"Unseen Enemy"
"Blackout"
"Golden Cage"
"Bleeding Garbage"
"The Flood"
"Children Of Mud"
"Ghosts Anthem"
"Reborn"

Mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound Studios




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Folk metallers have issued new single, “The Hawthorn”, the first single from their upcoming album.

2020 has been a tumultuous time for band leader Ketih Fay: "A number of long-term members have chosen to leave the band, but it is a time rebirth for the band and it can only be a positive thing." 

Alongside the new band members, Cruachan have also signed a new record deal with forward-thinking Swedish label Despotz Records. Despite the upheaval behind the scenes, one thing has never faltered; and that is Keith’s passion for folk and metal music, and Cruachan’s unique way of bringing the two together.

A track steeped in Irish folklore, “The Hawthorn” is set in Ireland during the 1700's when the population were heavily under the influence of the Catholic Church while still holding onto old Pagan beliefs. It balances the band’s love of Irish traditional folk music with uncompromising metal, a style of music the band helped develop back in the early 1990’s.

Fay comments, “The Hawthorn tree is a fairy tree, you will see them all over Ireland growing in strange unlikely places where other trees would have been cut down. It is extremely unlucky to cut down a hawthorn tree else you anger the Faerie folk. In the song, the woman is taking her dead baby to bury under the tree, to give her baby to the faeries. We don't know how the baby died or what has led to this decision but she is set in her ways and the baby will not have a Christian burial.”




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Apocalyptica have released footage of their performance of Metallica's "Fight Fire With Fire" at With Full Force Festival 2018. Watch below:

Apocalyptica recently released their new digital single, "Talk To Me" featuring Halestorm's Lzzy Hale. Get it here, and watch a lyric video below.

"After years of friendship we are more than happy to release a song together with the amazing Lzzy of Halestorm! This song has been in our minds for quite some time and we have been waiting for the right moment to finish it, and getting Lzzy to join us and perform in her outstanding way was a dream come true! We want to thank Lzzy and the whole Halestorm team for their great work and friendship." - Eicca Toppinen

“Apocalyptica and I have for years talked about doing something together, and the last time I saw Eicca Toppinen, in Helsinki, Finland during the 2019 Tuska Festival, he brought up the idea that we finally make that talk a reality. I’m so excited for the world to hear this song! Thank you so much to the entire Apocalyptica camp for being a part of our family all these years and for including me in this project!” - Lzzy Hale




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Today, metal masters Blind Guardian kick off the pre-order for the special 25th anniversary edition of their Imaginations From The Other Side album. This edition will contain live recordings and other special versions of the Blind Guardian classics featured on the album.

Hansi Kürsch comments: "What can I say? A brilliant album celebrates its 25th anniversary. It is great to celebrate this in such a bombastic manner. Luckily we filmed our 2016 show in Oberhausen when we performed the entire album live. This is the perfect moment for us to present this master piece in so many different facets. An ideal resurrection of precious memories long gone by, but not, yet, forgotten. This album is made for eternity... I hope. Enjoy."

Imaginations From The Other Side 25th anniversary edition will be available in the following formats:

- CD
- Earbook (40p Earbook LiveCD, RemixedCD, original instrumental/demos CD, Blu-ray - limited to 2000)
- CD-Boxset (Box incl. 40p Earbook (LiveCD, RemixedCD, original instrumental/demos CD, Blu-ray) + puzzle - limited to 1000)
- 2LP Black Vinyl
- 2LP Picture Vinyl (limited to 1000)
- 2LP Burgundy Vinyl (limited to 500)
- 2LP Pearl White Vinyl (limited to 500)
- 2LP Bronze Vinyl - Band Exclusive (limited to 300)

Pre-order the album here in the format of your choice.

To celebrate this special occasion the band releases a brand new live video for "Born In A Mourning Hall". Watch below:




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New Jersey-based hard rock quartet, Weapons Of Anew, share news of their sophomore album, Art Of War, scheduled for release in early 2021.

The band - which consists of seasoned musicians guitarist Freddy Ordine (ex-Axiom, ex-HavocHate) and vocalist Ray West (ex-Spread Eagle) along with bassist Stefan “Reno” Cutrupi and the newest addition, drummer Chad Szeliga (ex-Breaking Benjamin, ex-Black Label Society) - have revealed its debut single, a cover version of The Chainsmokers’ “Sick Boy”. It can be seen in the below lyric video and is out digitally today.

Art Of War was produced by longtime band collaborator Grammy Award-nominated Mike Ferretti (Sevendust, Warren Haynes, Saliva), mixed by multi-platinum Grammy-winner David Bendeth (Papa Roach, Paramore, Bring Me The Horizon) and mastered by A-list mastering engineer Ted Jensen (Evanescence, Korn, Lamb Of God). With its profoundly personal but accessible lyrics, the album creates an unadulterated fusion of hard rock with hints of p-funk and thrash creates a loose yet focused atmosphere of good times.

“There is a line in the song where it says, ‘How many likes is my life worth,'” shares Ordine. “The reality of that line hit home like few songs have in my life because of the pressure people have on them to be relevant at all costs. It was awesome and cathartic to be able to recreate such an awesome song and I hope it connects with people and makes them think, like it did with me.”

Stream/download “Sick Boy” here. Watch the lyric video below:

(Photo - Elena Jasic)




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