Metal Wani's Carl O' Rourke caught up with Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci to discuss his new solo album, Terminal Velocity, songwriting, the  impact of COVID-19, a new Dream Theater record, reconnecting with his musical partner in crime, former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy.

On a new Dream Theater album

Petrucci: "This will be new music from scratch, yeah. As We sort of shifted our schedule because touring realistically may not happen until this time next year or later. Everything could change if there's a vaccine, and when it does change we're not really sure what state things will be in, so with all that in mind... I've been super busy with all this (Terminal Velocity), but as far as Dream Theater is concerned, let's not sit around and let's be creative together and make new music, even if it won't come out until 2021 at some point, probably later in the year, let's get together and do this. So yeah, we're going to do that, we kind of pivoted our schedule and if things in the world change, then we can make another change, and that's how we're playing it."

Terminal Velocity is the first solo album by the Dream Theater guitarist to be released in 15 years. The album was released through The Orchard Music on his Sound Mind Music record label on all digital and streaming platforms on August 28th. It will be available on CD and Vinyl on October 30.

Terminal Velocity was written and produced by John Petrucci, recorded by James ‘Jimmy T’ Meslin and mixed and mastered by Andy Sneap (Judas Priest, Killswitch Engage, Arch Enemy). The artwork was created by Sean M. Smith at Echo Designlab (Stone Sour, Hollywood Undead, In This Moment).

The album sees the return of bassist Dave LaRue (Dixie Dregs, Flying Colors) who played on John’s debut solo album and subsequent G3 tours, as well as, an eagerly anticipated reunion with former Dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy (Transatlantic, Winery Dogs, Sons Of Apollo). “It was awesome bringing Dave back to play bass on this album. He is just such a monster player who can handle anything you throw at him with tastefulness and unmatched musicality. His melodic approach to bass lines along with impeccable technique and groove for days really stands out on these tunes.”

Portnoy’s appearance on Terminal Velocity marks the first recording of the guitarist and his former bandmate in over a decade and the first since Portnoy left the band in 2010. “Having Mike play drums on this record was really special for me and he did an absolutely incredible job navigating the various styles and technical challenges my music presented in the way that only he can do. It was very cathartic for the both of us, I think, to be playing music together again after all these years and it really felt great! Mike’s spirited, intuitive and energetic playing truly helped to elevate these new songs to a level that I couldn’t be happier with.”

The video for “Terminal Velocity” can be seen below. John Petrucci on the track and video: “Terminal Velocity was actually the first new song that I wrote for the album when I entered the studio in March of this year. It stemmed from one of the many ideas and seeds that I had collected over the past several years. I literally began with the opening motif and built the rest of song from there. I think it’s a great lead-off single and nicely represents a few of the different stylistic sides of this record that I wanted to explore as a guitar player; The melodic/thematic side, the riffing side, and the shred side.

“Mike and Dave both did an amazing job bringing this song to life as well, with all of the energy that they injected when recording their performances.

“The video was created by Wayne Joyner who made all of the promotional videos for Dream Theater’s Distance Over Time album as well as all of the 2019/2020 DT live tour visuals including all of the updated Scenes From A Memory video content. The tracking footage of me, Dave and Mike in the studio has a play-through sort of vibe while Wayne did his magic adding amazing 3-D graphics and special visual effects to help tell a story. I think the end result is a really unique and engaging video that captures the song's energy and definitely does the first single justice. Really excited for people to see and hear this!”

In the beginning of March 2020 while the COVID-19 global pandemic was unrelentingly reeking it’s havoc on the world and especially NY, John started working on the music that would make up Terminal Velocity at the DT Headquarters on Long Island with engineer Jimmy T at the helm. “All DT touring for the rest of the year was either being cancelled or postponed and even though I had already planned on starting the project this Spring, I suddenly found myself with many unanticipated months at home. Jimmy T and I would head into the DTHQ 5 days week for about 2 and a half months and, as I wrote and constructed the new tunes, he was right there capturing it all and turning it into a record. Initially, we programmed drums and shared bass playing responsibilities just to get the ideas to a place where they sounded like completed and cohesive songs but we always anticipating that ‘work in progress’ drums and bass would eventually be replaced.”

The nine songs on Terminal Velocity showcase John’s affinity for writing tightly-weaved guitar instrumental powerhouses that feature everything from monster riff breaks to passion-filled melodic themes worthy of film soundtracks, to all-out shred extravaganzas that leave the listener feeling like they just stepped off of a thrilling musical roller coaster ride. “Much like the songs on my first solo album, Suspended Animation, I wanted the new tunes to really showcase what I’m all about as a player and to give an up-to-date depiction of where I am musically and how I like to express myself on the instrument. It’s about capturing the attitude of the performances and of course as always, very much about capturing the tone that I’ve worked so hard over the years to develop and refine.”

Although a few of the songs that make up Terminal Velocity were actually written quite a long time ago and even played live but never properly recorded, over half the album’s content is new music that John created while in the studio during the quarantine. “I believe that making this record when I did really helped me to maintain a sense of stability and normalcy during such a crazy time in our history.” “It was encouraging for me and my family to embrace something so hopeful and positive as we faced a very uncertain future in the music industry and in the world and for that, I am truly grateful for having music be such a big part of my life.”

Limited colored 2LP vinyl (clear & black metallic and metallic silver & black) signed by John Petrucci, as well as signed CD digipaks (limited to 200 copies) will be exclusively available at Newbury Comics and can be ordered here.

Tracklisting:

"Terminal Velocity"
"The Oddfather"
"Happy Song"
"Gemini"
"Out Of The Blue"
"Glassy-Eyed Zombies"
"The Way Things Fall"
"Snake In My Boot"
"Temple Of Circadia"




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The triumphant return of Deep Purple Mark 2 to global concert stages in December 1984 was a huge success. In the newly uploaded clip below, the band storms through "Lazy" in Sydney, Australia featuring the immense talents of guitarist Ritchie Blackmore and keyboardist Jon Lord.

"Lazy" is taken from the band's classic 1972 album, Machine Head.

"Nothing At All" is one of 13 tracks that comprise Deep Purple's new album, Whoosh! A video for the song has just been released.

According to Darker Than Blue, Deep Purple's new album, Whoosh!, has reached the Top 10 in 12 countries worldwide - with more to come.

Germany - #1
Finland - #1
Belgium (Wallonia) - #1
Scotland - #1
Czech Republic - #2
Sweden - #3
Norway - #3
UK - #4 (highest chart entry in 46 years)
Japan (International) - #4
Italy - #6
Belgium (Flanders) - #7
Netherlands - #7
France - #8

Whoosh! is available as a Standard CD, a Digital Album, a Limited Edition CD+DVD Mediabook (including the 1 hour feature “Roger Glover And Bob Ezrin In Conversation” and, for the first time, the full live performance at Hellfest 2017 video), and a Vinyl 2LP+DVD edition (earMUSIC). Order here.

Whoosh! marks Deep Purple’s third album produced by Bob Ezrin (Alice Cooper, Pink Floyd). The first - 2013’s Now What?! - charted at #1 in five European countries, as well as Top 10 in over 15 countries worldwide. Cementing itself as one of their most successful albums, inFinite, released in 2017, broke chart records the band accumulated over their 50+year history. With chemistry this electric, it only made sense for Deep Purple and Ezrin to collaborate a third time.

Whoosh! tracklisting:

"Throw My Bones"
"Drop The Weapon"
"We're All The Same In The Dark"
"Nothing At All"
"No Need To Shout"
"Step By Step"
"What The What"
"The Long Way Around"
"The Power Of The Moon"
"Remission Possible"
"Man Alive"
"And The Address"
"Dancing In My Sleep"

"Man Alive" video:

"Throw My Bones" video:




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Atheist vocalist Kelly Shaefer has launched a new band, Till The Dirt. Check out a teaser video below, and stay tuned for further details.

Atheist was set to return to Europe and the UK for the first time since 2011 with the Enthralled In Europe Tour in September of 2020. Due to the pandemic the tour has been rescheduled for February/March 2021. The lineup remains as Atheist with support from Cadaver, Svart Crown and From Hell.

Tour dates:

February
16 - TBA
17 - Kassel, Germany - Goldgrube *
18 - Cottbus, Germany - Gladhouse *
19 - Prague, Czech Republic - Nova Chmelnice *
20 - Bratislava, Slovakia - Randall *
21 - Brasov, Romania - Club Rockstadt *
22 - Bucharest, Romania - Quantic Club *
23 - Sofia, Bulgaria - MIxtape 5 *
24 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra *
25 - TBA *
26 - Venice, Italy - Revolver Club +
27 - Rome, Italy - Orion Club +
28 - Milan, Italy - Slaughter Club +

March
1 - Marseille, France - Jas Rod +
2 - Barcelona, Spain - Sala Upload +
3 - Madrid, Spain - Sala Caracol +
4 - Lisbon, Portugal - RCA Club +
5 - Porto, Portugal - Metalpoint +
6 - Zaragoza, Spain - C.C. Valdefierro +
7 - Toulouse, France - L’usine A Musique º
8 - Paris, France - Petit Bain º
9 - Mannheim, Germany - MS Connexion º
10 - Oberhausen, Germany - Kulttempel º
11 - Apeldoorn, Netherlands - Gigant º
12 - TBD º
13 - London, England - Underworld º

* With Critical Mess
º With Typhus
+ Opening act TBA




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Season Of Ghosts vocalist / founder Sophia and guitarist Zombie Sam returned on Saturday, September 12th for another round of bickering. This time out the offer updates from the Season Of Ghosts camp, talk about upcoming videos, announce thier giveaway winner for August, and more. Sam is happy to be back in the UK and keeps singing about it while throwing shade on Sophia. They alos attempted putting together an acoustic version of 'Time Travellers' and it...worked (?)."

Season Of Ghosts recently posted a video teaser for "How The Story Ends", taken from their second album, A Leap Of Faith, released on October 23rd, 2018. Check it out below.




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Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has posted a new song along with the following message:

"When my father-in-law, Leo Kornfeld, departed this world in April, my daughters, wife, and I happened to be living under the same roof for the first time in 10 years. The four of us spent the subsequent weeks processing his passing and celebrating his life together, and out of that period emerged 'And The Memories', a song I wrote with my daughter Ari. I can picture the smile on Leo’s face if he could’ve seen the countless hours that we spent devising and perfecting this piece, manifesting our grief into creativity. He had an unparalleled work ethic, an infectious zest for life, and above all, a boundless love for his family. I am forever indebted to him for instilling these values in his children and grandchildren. Rest in peace, Leo. Your legacy will be carried on for generations to come. The song is sung by Lana Lane. This song is available now on all major streaming platforms."




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Vocalist Anders Fridén of Swedish veteran metallers IN FLAMES spoke to Finland's Kaaos TV about what the touring circuit might look like post-pandemic. He said (see video below): "We don't have a [projected] date [for the return of live concerts]. If we at least had a date, where people in control could say, 'Okay, January 1st, you can go back to do what you do. But our whole business is pretty much on hold. Everyone that's working for us and around us — agents, people that work on stage — I mean, everyone [is] affected by this, of course. And it's not that easy to start this machine immediately like that. And I don't think politicians realize that. It's not like we take a guitar and go play a show. It's not that easy, especially for a touring band [of] our size."

Asked if bands like IN FLAMES have been able to get any financial help from the Swedish government amid the coronavirus crisis, Anders said: "There's stuff you can ask for, and you can get some, I guess. But there's been musicians that actually have been awarded some help, and then they got shit from other people, 'cause they think that they don't need it, because they are rich musicians already. Everybody thinks that just because you're a touring band, a touring musician, you have so much money in your pocket."

He continued: "There's been some help, for sure, but speaking for me, it might be one and a half years or two years [where we have] completely nothing — no income, basically, from the touring side, of course. It's different types of fields. Musicians and people that work with culture don't get as much money, 'cause I think they look at us [like] we should be happy and we should do it for free, sort of.

"I don't envy the politicians, because there's a lot of really tough decisions," he added. "There's not all the money in the world, so everybody can get the help. I understand it's difficult."

Fridén went on to say that he is not very optimistic about the return of live shows before the end of 2021 at the earliest.

"I don't think there's gonna be festivals next summer," he said. "I think the festival owners and organizers still say [there's] gonna be, but I don't think there's gonna be that many people in one place. It's kind of sad when you think about it."

Last month, IN FLAMES released a special 20th-anniversary edition of its seminal, critically acclaimed album "Clayman". "Clayman 20th Anniversary Edition" comes entirely remastered by Ted Jensen (PANTERA, DEFTONES, GOJIRA) and features all-new artwork in a 16-page booklet, a brand-new instrumental medley plus four re-recorded versions of fan favorites such as "Only For The Weak" and "Pinball Map". Re-recorded songs were produced by Howard Benson (MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE, MOTÖRHEAD) and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge (GREEN DAY, ROB ZOMBIE). The record was released digitally as well as on CD digipak and a 2xLP colored vinyl packaged in a deluxe trifold that includes an oversized booklet, 11 remastered tracks on a 12-inch record and five bonus tracks on a 10-inch record in a printed sleeve.

IN FLAMES' latest album, "I, The Mask", was released in March 2019 via Nuclear Blast (worldwide, excluding North America) and Eleven Seven Music (North America).

IN FLAMES guitarist Niclas Engelin has been sitting out the band's recent tour dates to focus on "personal matters." Filling in for him is former MEGADETH and current ACT OF DEFIANCE guitarist Chris Broderick.

JIMMY CHAMBERLIN COMPLEX will release a new album, "Honor", on September 25 via Make Records. Legendary SMASHING PUMPKINS drummer Jimmy Chamberlin teams up with bassist/producer Billy Mohler and guitarist Sean Wollstenhulme for "Honor", while also featuring Frank Catalano and KNEEBODY members Adam Benjamin, Ben Wendell and Shane Endsley.

The second single from "Honor", "Grace", can be streamed below. "Grace" builds a pummeling momentum, which Chamberlin described to XS Noize as "classic COMPLEX groove. The core band is letting loose!"

"Honor" track listing:

01. Integrity

02. Humility

03. Service

04. Grace

05. Entitled

Chamberlin says: "I looked around, and I thought what — in my opinion — does the world need more of right now?" He is referring to the title of "Honor", the new release by his amorphous ensemble the JIMMY CHAMBERLIN COMPLEX, and all it takes is a brief glimpse at the latest headlines or social media feeds to realize that he's right to find that particular value in short supply these days. But he could, setting modesty aside, just as easily have been talking about the music on this captivating LP, which thrives on the kind of communal involvement and scintillating chemistry that we're all missing during this time of lockdowns and distancing.

"Honor" finds the membership of the COMPLEX shifting once again, though the core of the band remains the trio of Chamberlin, bassist/producer Billy Mohler, and guitarist Sean Woolstenhulme. Keyboardist Adam Benjamin returns from the complex's 2005 debut, "Life Begins Again", this time joined by tenor saxophonist Ben Wendell and trumpeter Shane Endsley, Benjamin's bandmates in the genre-defying KNEEBODY, and tenor saxophonist Frank Catalano, Chamberlin's longtime collaborator from the Chicago jazz scene.

The notion of "Honor" is one that Chamberlin regards as core to both his personal and professional lives. It's also a tenet that he strives to instill in his two teenage children, despite the challenges presented by the tumultuous times they're living in.

"I think every generation has its challenges," Chamberlin says. "It can be very confusing to try to navigate, emotionally and spiritually, where things are going. I think if you take solace in the universe, you'll find rules and consistency that you can replicate in your own life to be more congruent with the way things are supposed to be."

The four transportive pieces on the EP are each named for a foundational principle upon which honor can be built: "Integrity", "Humility", "Service" and "Grace". These ideas are embodied in the way that the members of the COMPLEX make music together, locking into intoxicating collective grooves while leaving space for thrilling individual statements that express each player's singular voice while contributing to the whole. That all stems from the leader's approach to his own instrument, whether under his own name or in his contributions to the SMASHING PUMPKINS.

"The same way you honor yourself, you have to honor your instrument," he explains. "My relationship with the drums is the oldest relationship I have outside of my family. Since I was eight years old, I've had this incredibly intimate relationship that's taken me on a journey predicated on the ability to play this instrument. That has to be rooted in accountability and honor, so I just wanted to pay homage to that while making a subtle commentary on what's going on today."

The musical journey that Chamberlin has undertaken is vividly illustrated in the eclectic yet harmonious blur of influences represented on "Honor". The youngest of six children, Chamberlin was raised on the jazz played by his clarinetist father and drummer brother, his passion for improvisation rooted in the likes of Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman. He was introduced to classic rock by his older siblings, and the two parallel loves left him a prime target for the rock-meets-jazz explosions of fusion. He instantly took to such ground-breaking pioneers as MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA, RETURN TO FOREVER, WEATHER REPORT, Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis's electric bands.

"That music is in my DNA," he says, laughing at the mismatch this caused when he initially joined the SMASHING PUMPKINS. "They were listening to LOVE AND ROCKETS and JOY DIVISION, and I was listening to Tommy Bolin. But it's such an endless well of knowledge. As a drummer, you can constantly go back to that music and continue to learn."

The lessons he's imbibed over a lifetime bear adventurous fruit in the stylistic whirlwind of the COMPLEX, which melds the riveting intensity the drummer has conveyed on rock stages around the world with the intricate explorations and spontaneous combustion of the most risk-taking jazz. If "fusion" wasn't so inextricably linked to a certain sound and a specific period in time, it would be the perfect description of Chamberlin's dizzying blend, albeit in a fascinatingly contemporary form. In Mohler and Woolstenhulme, Chamberlin has allied himself with gifted improvisers who have also balanced musical integrity with pop stardom. Mohler in particular has worked with Lady Gaga, Dolly Parton, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, to name a few. Benjamin and Endsley's work together has been defined by eluding categorization, while Catalano has traversed the bounds of straight-ahead jazz and pop music throughout a remarkably diverse career. In the end, the music of the COMPLEX can perhaps be best summed up by exactly what it is: the sound of these strikingly individual musicians joining forces. After the somewhat more carefully constructed "Life Begins Again", that concept took prominence by the time of 2017's "The Parable", which featured keyboardist Randy Ingram and saxophonist Chris Speed. "That's when we decided that this is what the COMPLEX is," Chamberlin explains. "Just a real-time document of people playing music together." That spirit is the one that Chamberlin discovered in the artists that he loved — Tony Williams, Elvin Jones, Miles, Herbie, and on and on. Not the technical wizardry or experimental daring so indelibly identified with fusion — though those elements are brilliantly showcased on "Honor" — but the personal emotional connection with an expressive soul and a receptive listener.

"Music at its best is a reflecting pool of the experience that the artist is having," he concludes. "That's the idea here: to feel something and make others feel something as well. Growing up in a blue collar town south of Chicago, that really spoke to me and rescued me from the morass. At its best, music can take people where they haven't been before."

Fish has released his brand new single “This Party’s Over”, the latest song to be taken from his final solo album Weltschmerz, which will be released on September 25.

“This Party’s Over” is an honest and reflective song from Fish, which as he explains was inspired by, “when I started to become concerned about my drinking”. Having long been a renowned bon vivant, but in recent years changed his habits, the song mirrors this transformation with upbeat folk-infused rock focusing on the positives of change. The captivating video finds Fish performing the song, wine glass in hand, as animations come to life around him reflecting the lyrics of the track.

The single is taken from the brand new double album Weltschmerz, marking Fish’s final studio recording. It is an extraordinary piece of work that brings down the curtain on the Scotsman’s hugely successful musical career.

“These songs are autobiographical,” explains Fish, “I’m involved in all of them and I didn’t realise that until I sang them in the studio. There’s a lot of self-examination going on here, and I learned a great deal about myself in the making of this album.”

“This Party’s Over” follows the recent release of “Garden Of Remembrance”, a gorgeous piano ballad wrapped in a stirring arrangement that showcases one of the best vocal performances of Fish’s long and illustrious career.

With an ever-increasing awareness of old age and its associated illnesses through the death of his father in 2016, and his elderly mother moving into care with Fish and his wife in January 2019, he was presented with a touchstone for the lyrics of the song. The aptly titled ‘Garden Of Remembrance’ tells the story of a married couple dealing with the early onset of dementia and the resulting issues of a husband who's "Lost between the here and now/Somewhere that he can’t be found” and his wife. 

The singer spent five years of his life in the assembling of Weltschmerz – the title means “a feeling of melancholy and world weariness” in German. During the half-decade occupied with its gestation, Fish was put through the mill.

But two things caused him to make a record as sombre as Weltschmerz. In 2015, 89 music fans were murdered by terrorists at a concert at the Bataclan in Paris. The incident affected Fish deeply. Meanwhile, his own advancing years were causing him to realise that, as he puts it, “I had my own sell-by date.”

Weltschmerz emits a certain air of finality and closure, but it is not a depressing record. Besides bringing us Fish’s finest set of lyrics to date, Weltschmerz is also his most adventurous and varied piece of work.

“Quite early on, Steve [Vantsis, bass guitarist, co-writer and chief collaborator] and I decided that if I was walking away then it was time to damn the torpedoes,” Fish explains. “If something was good, we used it. If a song needed to be long or short, so be it. If it needed strings or bass, let’s go for it.”

“Rose Of Damascus” is a 17-minute cascade of voice, instruments, alternating tempos and narrated parts, which Fish describes as sounding “like David Lean [the movie director] doing prog”. It’s among several tracks to feature prominent use of musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra.

“We used eight players from the SCO, they’re there in the background right across the album,” notes Fish, who heaps praise upon the album’s producer, Calum Malcolm.

Ultimately, it’s the sheer attention to detail that makes Weltschmerz so special. “Calum knew this was going to be our last album together and he put everything into it,” Fish nods. “This is my most complicated album and for some of the time we were working in lockdown, what he did was truly incredible.”

Weltschmerz also features the dramatic title track which was released as a single earlier this year, the eerie “Man With A Stick”, which was awarded ‘Single Of The Year’ by Planet Rock in 2019 and the songs “Little Man What Now” and “Waverley Steps (End Of The Line)”, which featured on the A Parley With Angels EP in 2018, but have been fully re-mixed for the new album.

The 84-minute double album is available to preorder now here in multiple formats including double digipak CD with 16-page booklet and as a gatefold 180-gram double vinyl.

It is also released in a deluxe collector’s edition as a hardback book, with 100 pages containing artwork by Mark Wilkinson and 8000 words of sleevenotes by Fish, plus double CD and a Blu-Ray disc containing filmed interviews with Fish and Mark Wilkinson, live audio from 2018, four official videos and making of films and the entire album mixed in 5.1 audio HD and PCM WAV mixes.

“This is my defining statement. I knew that I couldn’t do anything more in music,” Fish insists. “It’s time to walk away. The pandemic has taught me that I need to take the rhythm of my life right down. That’s why Weltschmerz is the perfect ending to it all.”

Tracklisting:

CD1
“Grace Of God”
“Man With A Stick”
“Walking On Eggshells”
“This Party’s Over”
“Rose Of Damascus”

CD2
“Garden Of Remembrance”
“C Song (The Trondheim Waltz)”
“Little Man What Now”
“Waverly Steps (End Of The Line)”
“Weltschmerz”

“This Party’s Over”:




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Nothing return with their new full-length, The Great Dismal. Recorded throughout quarantine with producer Will Yip at Pennsylvania’s Studio Four, The Great Dismal explores existentialist themes of isolation, extinction, and human behavior in the face of 2020’s vast wasteland. Arriving just prior to the band’s ten year anniversary, The Great Dismal is out October 30 on LP/CD/CS/Digital via Relapse Records.

Nothing have released the first single off The Great Dismal. Watch the official “Say Less” music video, directed by Jordan Hemingway (The Academy Films) below, and listen on all streaming services here.

The Great Dismal physical pre-orders are available here and Digital Downloads/Streaming here. Super Deluxe vinyl edition includes a re-sealable mylar bag, 20 page LP sized booklet and custom OBI strip.

Closing in on the band’s ten-year mark, Nothing frontman Domenic Palermo finds himself stringing together songs of misanthropic tales of Philadelphia with a refined and refreshed take on the band’s classic sound.

“The Great Dismal refers to a swamp, a brilliant natural trap where survival is custom fit to its inhabitants,” Palermo states. “The nature of its beautiful, but taxing environment and harsh conditions can’t ever really be shaken or forgotten too easily.”

The ever progressive Nothing keep true to their chaotic outlook on life, keeping a keen eye as to avoid repetition. With a radical cast of talented contributors such as harpist Mary Lattimore, classical musician Shelley Weiss, and singer/songwriter/producer Alex G., The Great Dismal showcases yet another essential side of the band’s trademark sound.

Tracklisting:

"A Fabricated Life"
"Say Less"
"April Ha Ha"
"Catch a Fade"
"Famine Asylum"
"Bernie Sanders"
"In Blueberry"
"Memories"
"Blue Mecca"
"Just a Story"
"Ask The Rust"

"Say Less" video:

Nothing Is:

Domenic Palermo - Guitar/Vocals
Kyle Kimball - Drums
Aaron Heard - Bass
Doyle Martin - Guitar/Backup Vocals

(Photo - Ben Rayner)




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Metallic hardcore outfit, Nasty, will release their new album, Menace, on September 25 via Century Media. Pre-order the album here, and watch a video for the song, "Menace", below.

Tracklisting:

"Ultimate"
"Bulletrain"
"Menace"
"Be Careful"
"666AM"
"Tricky Plays"
"Betrayer"
"You Will Know My Name"
"Inhale/Exhale"
"Blood Crop"
"Addicted"
"Table Of Kings"
"The End Of The World"
"Ballad Of Bullets"

"Menace" video:

"666AM" video:

"Ultimate" video:

Nasty are:

Paddy - Guitar
Nash - Drums
Matthi - Vocals
Berri - Bass

(Photo - Matt Ojeda)




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Howling Giant have released a cover of the classic Alice In Chains track, "Rooster", which is featured on the forthcoming MER Redux series instalment, Dirt (Redux). Listen below, and pre-order Dirt (Redux) here.

Howling Giant comment on the track: "To be honest, getting 'Rooster' was a bit intimidating as it's one of their most popular songs", says drummer and vocalist Zach Wheeler. "We wanted to pay tribute to Alice In Chains as much as possible while giving the song that special Howling Giant sauce. We changed a few things around, but tried to reinforce the melodies that make the song so memorable in the first place."

Regarding Alice In Chains, Tom Polzine adds: "When I was growing up in Buffalo Minnesota, there was a local band called Blood Root Mother made up of some dudes that were probably 4 or 5 years older than me", tells the Howling Giant guitarist and vocalist. "I remember sneaking out of my house to see them perform at this run down venue called the Vault. The Vault was run by some 20 year olds that skipped college in order to renovate that old antique shop into a dirty DIY venue. If dirty and uncomfortable was the vibe they were going for they nailed it. Anyway, Blood Root Mother were tight as hell and I’ll always remember their cover of 'Rooster' as one of the most moving performances I witnessed from a bunch of local, loveable, scumbags. The energy was so raw, and the volume was overwhelming. I think that witnessing those guys performing that song in particular is the reason I started playing in rock bands in high school, and why I still play today."




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Ozzy Osbourne says that he has no interest in playing any more BLACK SABBATH shows.

Ever since SABBATH finished "The End" tour in Birmingham, England in February 2017, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career, there has been talk of a possible one-off reunion, either for a festival appearance or another special event.

"The End" was SABBATH's last tour because guitarist Tony Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Asked in a new interview with Rolling Stone about Iommi's comment that he would still like for BLACK SABBATH to play live again sometime, Ozzy said: "Not for me. It's done. The only thing I do regret is not doing the last farewell show in Birmingham with [drummer] Bill Ward. I felt really bad about that. It would have been so nice. I don't know what the circumstances behind it were, but it would have been nice.

"I've talked to [Tony] a few times, but I don't have any of the slightest interest in [doing another gig]," Ozzy continued. "Maybe Tony's getting bored now."

This past May, Iommi told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he would open to the possibility of playing a one-off gig with SABBATH at some point in the not-too-distant future. "I think that it would be good, if we could do that," he said. "The hard thing is, certainly with SABBATH, because it's such a big thing, you can't just do an occasional show, because of the crew, and you have the whole setup. It would have to be a year or an 18-month tour… I'm not opposed to doing anything; I just would do it in a different way."

Asked if he was happy with how SABBATH's farewell tour went, Iommi said: "It was great to be able to go out and do a final tour. To be honest, I felt a bit bad [about] it, because it was basically my choice, my fault, because touring, for me, at that extent wasn't a good thing physically. I mean, to get in at four c'clock in the morning from doing a gig, after you've done the gig, and fly back to the hotel — it was a lot late nights. You're living a life like I used to when I was 20. Even though we were traveling [under] the best [conditions] — we had our own plane, we had fabulous hotels, and we'd base ourselves in New York or Los Angeles for 10 days, or somewhere else, and do it like that. Go out, fly out, do the gig, come back, but by the time you've done that, you got back into the hotel, it's three or four c'clock by the time you get to bed. And for me, now, it was just difficult, and my doctor said to me to try and calm it down a bit. And it just seemed like the right thing to do at that time."

He continued: "Especially after the Ronnie [James Dio] thing, I really loved that period [with HEAVEN & HELL], [being] back with Dio, we were really cracking on with that band, and it was a great band. And then we'd done the SABBATH [reunion] thing with Ozz, which was great, to finish up. But I should think if Ronnie was alive, I'd probably be doing something with him now."

More than a year ago, Geezer Butler told Classic Rock magazine that he wouldn't ruling out a one-off SABBATH reunion. "If it came up, I wouldn't say never," the bassist said. "I can't imagine it ever happening, but then I said that about the SABBATH tour, and it happened, so who am I to know?"

SABBATH wrote and recorded its 2013 reunion album, "13", and toured it all over the world while Iommi was going through treatment for his illness, with the guitarist having to fly back to England every six weeks.

The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Iommi, Osbourne, Butler and Ward. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.

They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on "13", which came out in June 2013.

Iron Maiden guitarist Adrian Smith recently guested on Raised On Radio to discuss his new book, Monsters Of River & Rock: My Life As Iron Maiden's Compulsive Angler. He also discussed his career with Maiden, looking back at the early days, his departure in 1990, and his eventual return to the fold in 1999. Check out the interview below.

On growing up with Iron Maiden bandmate Dave Murray

Smith: "We were both at the same state. This is also in the book, this little story is about him and I meeting up, but he was a bit further down, he'd actually put the time in and learn to play the guitar. And I sort of... he started me off playing. I bought my first guitar off him, I think it was like five quid or something. It was something he had lying around."

On writing "Stranger In A Strande Land" for Somewhere In Time (1986)

Smith: "We got into using different amps. We started using these American Krueger amps, which I've been using. I've been jamming with friends and they said, 'You've got to try these amps out.' So we started using them and it gave us a bit more of a processed kind of guitar sound, which we were looking for at the time. As far as the riff goes, it's just a pretty straight-ahead rock riff. I actually came up with that riff from my way back from the dentist, I was in a lot of pain, I don't know why, it was in Jersey, and I couldn't wait to get back and work it up."

Monsters Of River & Rock: My Life As Iron Maiden's Compulsive Angler is the new memoir from Iron Maiden guitarist, Adrian Smith, to be released on September 3 via Virgin Books. A new trailer, titled 'Bears, Adventures And How To Get Adrian Interested In A Holiday Location', can be seen below:

“Back at the hotel, I sat back, glass of wine in hand, and studied the tour itinerary... Let’s see, Hartford, Connecticut... big carp in the Connecticut river... Montreal, smallmouth bass in the St Lawrence... Winnipeg, always fancied having a go for those big catfish in the Red river... and so on. The endless road and winding river...”

Adrian Smith, the legendary lead guitarist of 100-million-album-selling band Iron Maiden, is well known in the Maiden community as a fisherman, and a former cover star of coarse-fishing bible the Angler's Mail (biggest chub of the season, August 2009). In his first, very personal, riverside memoir, Monsters Of River & Rock, Smith takes us with him on his incredible journey, through the highs and lows of life on tour, and on the river-bank, as his fishing gear travels with him across the world.

Adrian got hooked on fishing as a child growing up in East London, plundering ponds and bomb craters on the Hackney Marshes for newts and sticklebacks and catching perch from the Grand Union Canal whilst on outings with his father. Things began to get more exotic when the young angling enthusiast grew up to become lead guitarist in one of the most successful rock bands in history, and started travelling the world playing to many millions of fans. But once a fisherman, always a fisherman. The gear went with him, the fish got bigger, the adventures more extreme.

(Photo - Nathalie Dufresne-Smith)

Welcome to the world of Adrian Smith, as he clocks in to his day job furthering the geographical boundaries of hard rock, and clocks off to explore far-flung rivers, seas, waterways, lakes and pools on his fearless quest for fishing nirvana. His adventures range from his first sturgeon, a whopping 100-pounder from Canada’s swirling Fraser River that nearly wiped him out mid-Maiden tour, to a close shave with a large shark off the Virgin Islands whilst wading waist-deep for bonefish. Not to mention an enviable list of specimen coarse fish from the UK.

Charming, funny, and moving in equal measure, Monsters Of River & Rock is the ultimate fishing-fantasy armchair read, and is also the story of a rock star in a fast-moving world who seeks peace and tranquillity at the water’s edge - wherever he is.

(Photo - Martin Weller)

Adrian Smith was born in Hackney, East London, on 27th February 1957. He joined Iron Maiden at the end of 1980. Adrian is the band member who has collaborated on the most side projects outside of Iron Maiden, as well as writing and recording a series of albums in the early '90s, before rejoining the band. Iron Maiden have sold 100 million albums, and tour the world playing to millions of fans. Onstage, Adrian uses Jackson and Gibson guitars. Offstage, he is an avid tennis player, however his main hobby is fishing. He takes his rod and gear out on tour with him wherever he goes. This is his first book.

A very special unboxing video can be seen below:

Adrian tells us a bit about his forthcoming book in this video:

In another trailer, Adrian offers a tale of mythical carp and Scorpions...




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MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee has praised the actors who played him and his bandmates in last year's biopic "The Dirt", saying "they really nailed each guy so well."

Machine Gun Kelly — whose real name is Colson Baker — plays Lee in the movie. "The Dirt" also stars Daniel Webber ("The Punisher") as singer Vince Neil, Douglas Booth as bassist Nikki Sixx and Iwan Rheon ("Game Of Thrones") as guitarist Mick Mars.

Speaking to Paul Cashmere of Noise11.com about the film, Tommy said (see video below): "All the guys who played us in the movie did just a spectacular job — they really nailed each guy so well, it was mindblowing.

"I remember sitting there watching it with Nikki. While filming in New Orleans, watching the band rehearse, it was so bizarre to just sit there and basically watch yourself rehearse. We just looked at each other, like, 'God, this is fucking weird.' And then, of course, there's just endless moments of, 'Woah, this is bizarre.' Everybody did such a great job exactly nailing each guy really, really well where it would give you goosebumps, that kind of thing. Like, 'Wow, that guys moves exactly like Vince' — you know, Daniel. It's pretty crazy. Pretty wild, man."

"The Dirt" premiered in March 2019. An adaptation of the book of the same name about the iconic rock band, it had been in the works since 2003. It was previously set up at Paramount and Focus Features before Netflix picked it up in 2017.

The movie charts the rise of four Californian youngsters who channel the punk rage of the 1970s into the so-called "hair metal" genre that defined the 1980s. Jeff Tremaine ("Bad Grandpa") directed.

"The Dirt" currently has a 38% critic score from 72 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, the online review aggregation service that allows both critics and the public to rate movies. The same site has an 94% audience score for "The Dirt" from 6,691 reviews.

Earlier this year, Lee said that "The Dirt" sparked a renewed interest from younger fans who wanted to see MÖTLEY CRÜE live, contributing to the band's decision to renege on its infamous "cessation of touring" contract.

After vowing in 2015 never to play together again, CRÜE announced last December that they would be touring with fellow hard rock veterans DEF LEPPARD and POISON.

The official music video for the song "First Blood" from (HED) P.E. can be seen below. The track taken from the band's twelfth studio album, "Class Of 2020", which was released on August 21 via Suburban Noize Records.

The "First Blood" clip was directed by Devin Pacheco and features footage from ground zero of the uprisings that recently sparked a major global revolution.

"Well, when I first saw the footage, it honestly scared me," commented frontman Jared Gomes. "I am not activated at this point in my life. I'm just living in Idaho, in my own world, enjoying my family. But when I found out the director shot all the footage himself, I was captivated. It took on a more personal tone. Now I look at this as a piece of history. Neither the director nor myself wanted the video to be divisive. He set the stage. He documented what was going on around him and the viewer can make his own judgments. I'm honored and stoked to be immortalized in this way."

On "Class Of 2020", (HED) P.E. gets back to the raw essentials, utilizing old-school punk-rock guitar tones and aggressive, unfiltered vocal stylings at the core of their trademark sound. Longtime fans will find that "Class Of 2020" is a return to the classic sound of early (HED) P.E. albums.

"We were on the road in the middle of a tour when the COVID-19 pandemic hit full force," comments Gomes. "Like everyone else on the planet, we were faced with some unprecedented challenges. As a small business owner of an independent band, I was faced with an additional set of challenges with the tour being canceled and making it back home from Rhode Island to Idaho. When I got home, I immediately got inspired creatively and hit the studio to smash out this record. For this one, we took it all back to our roots with a back-to-basics approach to try and capture that true G-Punk sound of our earlier albums."

In an effort to bring "Class Of 2020" around full circle and connect it with (HED) P.E.'s impressive back catalog, the album cover is an homage to the group's breakthrough album "Broke", which celebrated its 20th anniversary a day after the new studio album was released. While planning to the milestone anniversary for (HED) P.E., Jared was able to connect with former members DJ Product and original guitarist Chad "Chizad" Benekos and rekindle their creative flame. DJ Product created artwork for the "Class Of 2020" album and added his trademark scratching over some tracks, while original (HED) P.E. guitarist Chizad blessed the band with a blazing solo on "Greedy Girl". The unholy union that many fans never thought possible came together to connect the past and present incarnations of (HED) P.E. and to enhance "Class Of 2020" in a meaningful way.

When discussing the album, Gomes talks about the moniker "Class Of 2020" having dual meaning for him and the band. "I had the title 'Class Of 2020' as a working title for some time now," he explains. "We had made hoodies with the 'Class Of 2020' on them, but it was originally intended to be a statement about the band being here 20 years later. A whole new class of (HED) P.E., so to speak. Once the pandemic broke out, this title took on a new profound meaning. The Class Of 2020 never really graduated. The Class Of 2020 will go down in history for several different reasons."

(HED) P.E. is the pioneer of the G-Punk sound, which fuses together punk-rock, metal, hip-hop and reggae. The band has toured the world for 20 years sharing the stage with the likes of SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, SYSTEM OF A DOWN, KORN, TECH N9NE, TOOL as well as the original BLACK SABBATH on the iconic Ozzfest tour. (HED) P.E. experienced a creative resurgence after signing with Suburban Noize Records in the early 2000s and was instrumental in developing the booming underground scene.

"Class Of 2020" track listing:

01. First Blood

02. Watch It Burn

03. No Days Off

04. Death Awaits

05. Last Call

06. Ole Time Sake

07. Greedy Girl

08. Nothing Lasts 4ever (The Ballad of C19)

09. We The People

10. Overdue

Photo credit: Jeff @ Mintypics

Brazil-based animator Val Andrade has released his latest Iron Maiden cartoon clip featuring the band's legendary Fear Of The Dark song "Afraid To Shoot Strangers". Check it out below:

A selection of Andrade's previously released Iron Maiden-based cartoons can be seen below:

 




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For the Romo brothers, vocalist Rado and guitarist Nevada, the time is now, and the duo is here to prove it with the arrival of their second single, "STFU", following a short hiatus.

"STFU" follows on the heels of Anti-Mortems first single, "Old Washita", but takes a much heavier approach than the gritty, groove metal heard on the previous track.

"'STFU' is an all-out, hard-hitting push forward with no BS riffs and straight to the point vocals," says Rado Romo. "Our anger and frustration are driven by current events and the vibes of today’s political climate. We waste no time slamming the hammer down with this heavy hitter."

Although they’re from the small town of Chickasha, Oklahoma, Anti-Mortem is no stranger to the spotlight. In 2012, while still in their teens, the young band began turning heads throughout the heavy metal genre when they released their critically acclaimed, debut album, New Southern, via Nuclear Blast. While on tour in support of their new LP, they shared the stage with a laundry list of “heavy-hitters” including Black Label Society, Machine Head, Lacuna Coil, and Monter Magnet, among others, gaining valuable experience and industry knowledge along the way.

But the pressures of life on the road as a major-label recording artist began to take its toll, and like a lot of young bands that find success early on in their careers, Anti-Mortem eventually succumbed to internal strife and musical differences just as they began finding their way. It seemed like the dream was over before it ever started.

During the hiatus, Nevada and Rado each fed their musical appetites by putting out solo material, as well as both have been permanent members of Texas Hippie Coalition (Nevada on guitar: 2016 - present / Rado on bass: 2018 - present), allowing them to stay active on tour and in the studio.

After returning to the stage in the winter of 2018, and having drawn upon the experiences of the highs and lows in their young careers, the message is simple; Anti-Mortem is back for Round 2… older, wiser, and battle tested. The single "Old Washita" is a throwback to the band's eclectic roots as a gritty, groove metal band driven by riffs, growling vocals, and memorable song writing. A backwoods story taken from an old Native American River that runs through the band’s hometown of Chickasha; "Old Washita" is the epitome of the "New Southern" energy. It sounds like the band hasn’t skipped a beat.

With the new single and a retooled lineup, consisting of Timmy “The Hitman” Braun (ex-Texas Hippie Coalition, ex-Rikets) on drums, Coleby Thompson (ex-Nine Left Dead) on bass, and Arik Hanradton (Sign Of Lies) on guitar, Anti-Mortem have their sights set on picking up right where they left off.

For further details, visit Anti-Mortem on Facebook.




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Ravage, the heavy metal act from Boston which formed in the mid 90's, will release their new EP, The Worldwide Resistance, on November 2. The band have released a "socially distanced" music video for the song "Amazon Burning", which can be seen below.

Singer Al Ravage states: "This video was made to call attention to the problem of deforestation, especially in the rain forest, but just in the past few weeks we are tragically seeing these terrible fires on the West Coast that are destroying untold lives and businesses. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to all our friends who are forced to deal with these terrible circumstances and we hope measures will be taken to try to ensure this does not continue to be a growing problem in the future. We will be donating all proceeds from the digital sale of the single version of this to The Arbor Day Foundation."

Physical copies of the new EP featuring "Amazon Burning" will be distributed by the Die With Your Boots On metal and clothing shop. You can now take advantage of a special pre-order package, which includes a limited-edition EP cover t-shirt, here.

Tracklisting:

"The Worldwide Resistance"
"Know It All"
"Amazon Burning"
"The Derelict City" (2020 remix)




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Swedish metallers, Avatar, have released a guitar playthrough video for "Silence In The Age Of Apes" via Guitar World. The track is from their eighth full-length, Hunter Gatherer, out now via Entertainment One (eOne). Watch below:

In 2019, Avatar reunited with producer Jay Ruston (Stone Sour, Slipknot, Anthrax) at Sphere Studios in Los Angeles, California, where the foundation for each song on Hunter Gatherer was laid with the band performing altogether, as they'd done only once before, on Hail The Apocalypse (2014). The old-school method of playing as one in the studio, more akin to how they are on stage, captured the essence of Avatar. Recorded entirely to two-inch tape, Hunter Gatherer exhibits everything that makes Avatar standouts in the vast, rich landscape of heavy metal's past and present.

Through ambitious compositions and vibrant visual storytelling Avatar seamlessly blurs the line between sights and sounds. Avatar songs are new anthems for the ages, precision heat-seeking missiles targeting a cultural landscape ready for fresh songs to champion from a band with a giant persona to rally behind. The Avatar experience is challenging, daring, and altogether captivating.

Tracklisting:

"Silence In The Age Of Apes"
"Colossus"
"A Secret Door"
"God Of Sick Dreams"
"Scream Until You Wake"
"Child"
"Justice"
"Gun"
"When All But Force Has Failed"
"Wormhole"

“God Of Sick Dreams”:

"Silence In The Age Of Apes" video:




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In a recent interview with U.K.'s Planet Rock, DEEP PURPLE bassist Roger Glover was asked if it was a "turbulent time" for him and his bandmates when guitarist Ritchie Blackmore left the group for the final time in November 1993 after a concert in Finland. He responded: "Yes, it was. It was surprise to me when Ritchie handed in his notice and said he didn't wanna play any more gigs after Helsinki. And we were on tour at the time. It was so difficult to take in. Somehow we were determined to carry on, if he was gonna do that. Joe Satriani was a temporary replacement, which did show us the way that we could exist without Ritchie. But I felt very strongly that you can't replace Ritchie. He is who he is, and there's no way you can replace him."

He continued: "If you get someone to play like him or similar or something like that, it would have been a horrible comparison. We needed something different. And to me, the character of PURPLE always was Ritchie and Jon [Lord, late PURPLE keyboardist] as instrumentalists, and they're both virtuosos. So you've gotta have a virtuoso. There's thousands of guitarists who can play, but there's very few who stand out as being very individual and different to everyone else. And I felt Steve [Morse, current PURPLE guitarist] presented that. He asked me when we first met, he said, 'What do you want from me?' I said, 'I want you to be yourself. You can't be in the band unless you're yourself, a hundred percent.' And he said, 'So I can play anything?' I said, 'Yeah. Anything will do. We'll let you know if we want it or not.'"

According to Glover, the lineup change had an immediate effect on the band morale.

"'Purpendicular' was one of the happiest albums I've ever made, because suddenly we found ourselves writing songs we could never have written before," Roger said, referring to DEEP PURPLE's first LP with Morse.

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.

Blackmore previously suggested that PURPLE's manager had blocked him from joining his former bandmates onstage during the 2016 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony, and he used that as an excuse for not attending the event.

Despite Blackmore being a no-show at 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".

DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "Whoosh!", was released on August 7 via earMUSIC. The LP was once again helmed by Canadian producer Bob Ezrin (KISS, PINK FLOYD, ALICE COOPER), who also worked on the band's last two studio albums, 2017's "Infinite" and 2013's "Now What?!"

Dee Snider has defended his "aggressive and intense" approach in dealing with "idiot Trump followers" on social media, saying that he is "trying to lead by example."

The TWISTED SISTER frontman, who got to know President Donald Trump personally after appearing more than once on "The Celebrity Apprentice", has been an outspoken critic of America's 45th president, tweeting incessantly against Trump's administration and blasting the billionaire real estate mogul as "a commie-loving traitor" who is prostituting our democracy. He has also engaged in heated Twitter fights with Trump followers, some of whom have taken issue with his colorful delivery and unapologetic tone.

Earlier today, Snider took to Twitter to write: "FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS PLEASE READ! If I seem overly aggressive & intense in my exchanges with these idiot Trump followers it's because I'm trying to lead by example. We need to push back as hard as they are...even harder. To their credit they are loud & proud. WE SHOULD BE TOO!!"

Back in November 2017, Snider said that he could no longer be friends with Trump because he did not share the president's views on important issues, including the Trump administration's harsh immigration policy.

Snider found himself in the middle of controversy in 2016 when he asked Trump to stop using "We're Not Gonna Take It" in his campaign. The singer said at the time that Trump was very gracious about the request.

More recently, Snider criticized Trump over his handling of the coronavirus outbreak, saying that Trump's response to COVID-19 has been "to politicize it and separate us more and make it about politics instead of about joining together and helping each other. This was an opportunity to really bring the country together over something really important, that rises above all the other B.S. in the world," he said. "And he failed to do that, and we're seeing the results."




FRIENDS AND FOLLOWERS PLEASE READ! If I seem overly aggressive & intense in my exchanges with these idiot Trump followers it’s because I’m trying to lead by example. We need to push back as hard as they are...even harder. To their credit they are loud & proud. WE SHOULD BE TOO!!

— Dee Snider (@deesnider) September 10, 2020








NOPE. Not proud of anyone turning a blind I to that commie loving, race baiting, hate monger, draft dodging, Ritchie Rich, failure of a president. AND MY NAME IS DEE SNIDER. #truepatriot #trueAmerican #VoteForJoe https://t.co/Tx9XrR3Hgi

— Dee Snider (@deesnider) September 7, 2020

In a new interview with Consequence Of Sound, LAMB OF GOD guitarist Willie Adler spoke about what the touring circuit might look like post-pandemic. He said: "I still have a lot of optimism that we will get to a spot that is as close to normal as possible. I'm not sure when that's gonna be. January is a bit ambitious. I can't not have the hope — live music is such a large part of my life, and it's such a huge part of, I would imagine, a lot of people's lives. And it's such a release and such a way to express yourself, not even as a musician, just express yourself through the whole experience… To not have a crowd there and not feel that energy… I'm almost a little scared of that. That whole shared experience is something that we as a people, I don't think we can lose it. It's a really sad thing to think about, to think that that would be gone forever. So I can't allow myself to think about that. That might be naive, some people might call me fucking stupid for thinking that, but I won't allow myself to go there."

Later this month, LAMB OF GOD will offer fans first-time-ever live performances of its latest album, "Lamb Of God", and the landmark 2004 LP "Ashes Of The Wake", both performed live in their entirety in the band's hometown of Richmond, Virginia. As standalone ticketed events, these performances will be LAMB OF GOD's only chance to perform these songs for fans this year — and the band are ready to deliver to the highest degree.

The first stream, scheduled for Friday, September 18, will see the band perform songs from its latest self-titled album live for the very first time. For the second stream, on Friday, September 25, the band will perform the ground-breaking RIAA-gold-certified album "Ashes Of The Wake", in its entirety for the first time ever. Both sets will feature encores, including fan favorites as well as songs that haven't been performed in years.

For more information including tickets and merch bundles, go to this location.

"Lamb Of God" came out in June via Epic Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe. The LP was recorded with longtime producer Josh Wilbur (KORN, MEGADETH, GOJIRA, TRIVIUM) and includes special guest appearances by Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT).

2 bands, 10 musicians, 1 song - "Schwarz Tot Gold". Dark metal unites with punk rap in a way never seen before! Lord Of The Lost and Swiss & Die Andern open up a musical crossover universe that’s been left uncharted - until now.

Supposedly coming from different musical worlds, the Hamburg scene greats have joined forces to make a clear statement on the ravages of time with intelligent and socially critical texts. The contrast between punk rap and dark metal embodies the dichotomy of current socio-political issues and addresses them with a good dose of irony.

“Schwarz Tot Gold” (engl.: Black Dead Gold), referring to the colours of the German national flag (Schwarz, Rot, Gold = Black, Red, Gold), criticizes capitalist establishment and suppression of the vulnerable.

Swiss on the collaboration: “’Schwarz Tot Gold' delivers a crossover mix from the core-oriented sound of both bands that has never been heard before in Germany. Two styles and bands meet each other, which are already pioneers of their own scenes themselves, but at first glance do not fit together. The result of this experiment is unique and groundbreaking for us so far.”

Lord Of The Lost frontman Chris Harms on the background of the new single: “This song was created detached from any album plans, neither from us nor from Swiss. This song was born out of the necessity to open your mouth. In Germany where splinter groups are spreading insanity and are actually talking about ‘Corona dictatorship’ and lack of freedom in the course of pandemic measures, we would like to draw attention to the REAL problems that have grown up over the years and that move this country - or slow it down. Especially as a band whose albums otherwise offer little fertile ground for social criticism in terms of content, it was a real relief, and an overdue time, to address these issues.”
 
Watch the video below.

The single will be available as 7'' vinyl and is digitally available everywhere now. Pre-order the 7‘‘ vinyl here.

 
Lord Of The Lost is:

Chris Harms - Vocals, Guitars, Cello
π - Guitars
Class Grenayde - Bass
Gared Dirge - Piano, Synths, Guitars, Percussion
Niklas Kahl - Drums
 
Swiss & Die Andern:
Swiss - Vocals
Jakob - Guitars
Tobi - Drums
Matze - Bass
DJ Da Wizard - DJ

(Photo - Jan Season)




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Jorn Lande has unearthed an old lyric video from a broken hard drive that was never released and unleashed it today. Watch the clip for "Burn Your Flame" (Extended Version) below. The original version of this song appears on his album, Spirit Black, released in 2009.

Jorn's latest release, Heavy Rock Radio II - Executing The Classics, can be ordered here.

Tracklisting:

"Lonely Nights"
"Winning"
"New York Minute"
"Needles And Pins"
"Love"
"I Do Believe In You"
"Nightlife"
"Bad Attitude"
"Quinn The Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn)"
"Mystery"
"The Rhythm Of The Heat"
"Hotel California" (Remastered - Bonus Track)
"The Final Frontier" (Radio Edit - Bonus Track)
"Die Young" (Radio Edit - Bonus Track)
"Naked City" (Radio Edit - Bonus Track)
"Ride LIke The Wind" (Remastered - Bonus Track)

"New York Minute" video:

"Winning" lyric video:

"Needles And Pins" video:

"Lonely Nights" video:




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On October 30, progressive rockers The Flower Kings will release their new double album, Islands, via InsideOutMusic, just a year after the group’s much celebrated Waiting For Miracles.

With "Broken", the group now presents a first track from this opus and has the following to say about the track: “Howdy people - how is life on your islands and in your isolation? Good news is - there is music - and even better -  there is NEW music from The Flower Kings. Here is 'Broken' -  first song from our new double album/triple LP!! 'Broken' is a song about addiction, stress and confusion - Not a typical song  for the album, because the album has no 'typical' style -  it is just a wild ride of  styles and influences. We're super excited about you to hear ALL of it, but here is a first glimpse of the progressive smorgasbord. There is more waiting. Get your pre-orders going!  Much love from Jonas - Mirkko - Zach - Hasse & Roine!”

Watch the lyric video for "Broken" below:

The 92-minutes long Islands features artwork by legend Roger Dean (Yes, Asia, Gentle Giant, Greenslade, Uriah Heep) and all trademark sounds and melodies, the band is renowned for. From vintage keys to epic guitar solos, from odd drum patterns to symphonic elements, The Flower Kings present a dynamic and complex record that is bold, bombastic and beautiful.

Islands will be available as massive Limited 3LP & 2CD box set with slipcase and 180 gram vinyl housed in two gatefolds, one single sleeve; as Limited Edition 2CD Digipak and Digital Album. Pre-order here.

Strictly limited coloured vinyl editions are available from these outlets:

* 100x orange
* 200x creamy white
- insideoutshop.de

* 200x transparent light blue
- justforkicks.de

Tracklisting:

Disc One
"Racing With Blinders On"
"From The Ground"
"Black Swan"
"Morning News"
"Broken"
"Goodbye Outrage"
"Journeyman"
"Tangerine"
"Solaris"
"Heart Of The Valley"
"Man In A Two Peace Suit"

Disc Two
"All I Need Is Love"
"A New Species"
"Northern Lights"
"Hidden Angles"
"Serpentine"
"Looking For Answers"
"Telescope"
"Fool’s Gold"
"Between Hope & Fear"
"Islands"

Lineup:

Roine Stolt - Vocal, Ukulele, Guitars, Additional Keyboards
Hasse Fröberg - Vocal & Acoustic Guitar
Jonas Reingold - Bass, Acoustic Guitar
Zach Kamins - Pianos, Organ, Synthesizers, Mellotron, Orchestrations
Mirko DeMaio - Drums, Percussion
Guest: Rob Townsend - Soprano Saxophone

(Photo - Lilian Forsberg)




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Aether Realm's acclaimed 2017 release, Tarot, truly surged these melodic death heroes onto the metal map, and today marks the official reissue release – available in an array of exceptional new formats – via Napalm Records.
 
In celebration of today's release, the North Carolina, US-based quartet just dropped yet another new playthrough video for a track cut from Tarot, featuring the full band performing one of their most epic offerings to date – "The Sun, The Moon, The Star". Watch the playthrough below.

The North Carolina-based quartet’s massive, now 12-track/70+ minute sophomore release (expanded with the addition of previous standalone single “The Magician” to the new physical edition) garnered notable underground appeal and cemented the band’s mind-blowingly multi-faceted sound as their own.

Frontman/bassist Vincent "Jake" Jones says: “Four years ago, we made a promise... and it’s finally time we made good. Our 2017 album Tarot is being re-released on CD and vinyl by Napalm Records. The re-release will feature new cover art by Adrian Baxter and will include the song 'The Magician' like we’d originally intended. To those of you that donated to receive vinyl in our original crowdfunding campaign, we’ll be in touch.

"The album clocks in just shy of 80 minutes in length and includes our most lengthy and ambitious singular musical effort to date - 'The Sun, The Moon, The Star'. Tarot was our first full length album with Kile Odell on mixing, mastering, and production. Additionally, we worked with Dan Müller of Wilderun for the orchestration, with Philip Reed for choir arrangement and recording, and with members of Paladin, Inferi, Alestorm, Lorelei, and many others for guest musical contributions of all kinds.

"Our eternal thanks goes to all who have played a role in providing us the resources to make the music we’ve created so far. As for what the future holds, of course there’s no way to tell... or is there?”

Watch a brand new live performance video for “Death” below

Boasting an evident auditory overhaul courtesy of producer Kile Odell and loosely based on the concept of tarot cards, Tarot begins the masterpiece to come with “The Fool” - beginning modestly, then ominously cascading into a black metal-meets-southern-fried riff inspired fury. Further setting the stage for the remainder of the opus, incendiary title track “Tarot” leans heavier into what fans have now come to love from Aether Realm - a confident, cinematic melding of spine-tingling symphonic elements, thrashy rhythms and mind-boggling guitar leads. Following folk metal anthem-turned-talent show “King Of Cups” (featuring labelmate Christopher Bowes of massive pirate metal titans Alestorm), Tarot continues to blindingly shine with tracks like the metallic ballad-echoed “Death” and sinister orchestral oeuvre “The Devil” - the latter of which should catch any competition shaking in their boots. The remainder of Tarot - capped by the nearly 20-minute heroic “The Sun, The Moon, The Star” - proves that it is indeed possible to flawlessly meld southern Americana-metal riffs with European-tinged symphonic soundscapes.

Tarot is the album that every band wishes they could attempt by their second go-round, yet Aether Realm have already achieved it and gaze triumphantly ahead.

The reissue of Tarot is available in the following formats:

- CD Digipak
- 2LP Gatefold Creamy White
- 2LP Gatefold Marble Red/Black
- CD + Shirt Bundle

Tracklisting:

"The Fool"
"Tarot"
"The Tower"
"King Of Cups" (feat. Chris Bowes)
"Death"
"The Chariot"
"The Devil"
"The Emperor"
"Strength"
"Temperance"
"The Sun, The Moon, The Star"
"The Magician" (Bonus Track)

"Death" live video:

Aether Realm is:
Vincent "Jake" Jones - bass, vocals               
Heinrich Arnold - guitar, vocals                    
Tyler Gresham - drums                     
Donny Burbage - guitar      

(Photo - Tyler Gresham)




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A storm is brewing in the world of Epica. After previously teasing their new album through several studio vlogs, the symphonic metal titans have begun to prepare their fans for a major announcement to come very soon! But today, the band is taking one last look into their past and is happy to announce that The Quantum Enigma B-Sides are now officially available on all streaming plattforms. These nine tracks have so far only been released physically on various editions, such as the Japanese version or the vinyl and for the first time ever, fans can enjoy them on their preferred streaming platform, such as Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer or Amazon Music. 

Simone Simons comments: "Finally our beloved b-sides from The Quantum Enigma album are available to everyone. To be excited about this is an understatement. These songs are some of my favorites."

These nine  tracks are now available for streaming and download:

"Memento"
"In All Conscience"
"Dreamscape"
"Banish Your Illusion"
"Mirage of Verity"
"Canvas of Life" (acoustic version)
"In All Conscience" (acoustic version)
"Dreamscape" (acoustic version)
"Natural Corruption" (acoustic version)

Make sure to check out these rare Epica songs at this location.

"Mirage Of Verity"

"Dreamscape" (acoustic version)




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Following the incredible success of their sophomore release "Save Me From Myself", Shotgun Mistress are back with another all-out rapturous sonic assault, "Glorious Machine". 

This latest slice of pure contemporary rock doubles down on the band’s indomitable style. It’s incisive and dynamic with smouldering guitars over an explosive rhythmic undertow crowned by Glenn Patrick’s aeronautic vocals. The melodies utilize a haunting narrative of infatuation and obsession to hurtle through your headspace in a truly dizzying and dazzling hard rock experience. Melbourne’s Shotgun Mistress' third single "Glorious Machine" is yet another tantalising taste of their forthcoming album due for release late in 2020.

"Glorious Machine" debuted at #1 on the Australian iTunes Rock charts today, and is out now globally via Crusader Records (part of the Golden Robot Global Entertainment Group). Stream and purchase the single here.

The band has issued an official video for "Glorious Machine", which can be viewed below.

Shotgun Mistress was formed by Matt Wilcock (The Berzerker, Akercocke, Abramelin), internationally renowned death-metal demon guitarist best known for playing at light speeds. He hooked up with “Diamond” David Lee on drums to jam out LA Strip-era rock. Ben Curnow (Earth) joined on bass, along with vocalist Glenn Patrick (Collegians).

Shotgun Mistress is the first Australian band to join Golden Robot’s new metal label Crusader Records.




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Following the release of debut album Origin Of Species in early 2019, DarWin is set to release the follow up album, Darwin 2: A Frozen War, on November 6.

Once more DarWin has assembled a stunning ensemble of musicians. DarWin II: A Frozen War continues the core collaboration with Simon Phillips (drums, Toto/The Who/Jeff Beck), Matt Bissonette (Elton John, David Lee Roth, Ringo Starr) and DarWin. Joining them are powerhouse players Billy Sheehan (bass, Mr Big/ Steve Vai/Winery Dogs), Guthrie Govan (guitar, Aristocrats/Asia/Hans Zimmer/Steven Wilson), Greg Howe (guitar, Michael Jackson/Justin Timberlake), Derek Sherinian (keyboards, Dream Theater/Alice Cooper/Black Country Communion) and more.

The second album builds on the themes of Origin Of Species - first single “Nightmare Of My Dreams” features a stunning video (watch below) centred around the theme of the recent wildfires and filmed in areas of Australia directly affected. The other tracks build on DarWin’s sound - drawing the best elements of progressive rock with a depth of vocal sound scapes and  songwriting. There is a generous amount of guitar shred and heavy grooves on display for the rock faithful who demand athletic performances.

Darwin 2: A Frozen War tracklisting:

"Nightmare Of My Dreams"
"Future History"
"Eternal Life"
"A Frozen War"
"Another Year"

"Nightmare Of My Dreams" video:

                        

The album is also be available in spectacular Double Coloured Eco-Vinyl Gatefold LP with 30cm x 20cm poster. LP1 will be the standard album tracklisting, as above. LP2 features new interpretations of various songs from the first two albums, highlighting  the orchestral or unplugged performances of the earlier tracks.  They were all mixed and rearranged by mastermind Simon Phillips, and show a more delicate and emotional side to the DarWin recordings.  

The full tracklisting for LP2 is as follows

Side A:
"Escape The Maze" (Orchestral)
"Nightmare Of My Dreams" (Orchestral)
"Slowly Melting" (Unplugged)
"Forever" (Orchestral)
 
Side B:
"One Horizon" (Unplugged)
"Rise" (Orchestral)
"Last Chance" (Orchestral)
"Another Year" (Acapella)

DarWin says. “We completed this album under extraordinary circumstances. The writing for the album continued as we wrapped Origin of Species in 2018, and our worlds were turned upside down by wildfires and viral pandemics. We’re grateful to the amazing group of musicians, artists and professionals who participated in this project. Almost no aspect of the creative process was “typical,” with team members spread out around the world, and often under lock down. We had our instruments, our technologies, and a passion for musical creativity. We hope that the emotion and resilience of this time period will come through these recordings.”

Darwin 2: A Frozen War was produced by DarWin and Simon Phillips and recorded primarily in Iceland and the US.

DarWin’s debut Origin Of Species was the first instalment in an epic saga that addresses the challenges of mankind in our coming era. It depicts the role of a changing planet, and the potential, as well as limitations, of technology to help solve mankind’s greatest challenges. A complex project that’s eschews the hollow immediacy of much contemporary art. A story that demands attention and imagination. With music sweeping in scope, at times evoking hard rock virtuoso shredding, alongside grand orchestral compositions, warm harmonies and soaring choruses. A project that is even more relevant in the strange times we live in.




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DOKKEN frontman Don Dokken has pushed back against criticism of his band's live performances, saying that people "don't know" what he went through during his various health battles.

In recent years, Don has been ruthlessly lambasted by fans after radiation treatments from a bout with stomach cancer and eventual vocal-cord surgery hurt his singing ability. The negative reviews were seemingly amplified after he underwent neck and spine surgery last November, leaving him unable to play guitar.

Asked in a new interview with SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" how he responds to the criticism from fans about his live performances, Don said: "I think they can kiss my ass. I see the criticism.

"It wasn't just my arm and my hand [that were affected by the surgery] — it was a lot of things. When I came out of surgery, I couldn't walk; I was in a walker, I was in a wheelchair. I had nothing. I couldn't even walk more than 10 feet without sitting down. So when I [performed at the Metal Hall Of Fame in Anaheim, California in January], I remember saying, 'I'm not sure I can stand here for five minutes to sing this song. I probably won't make it.' But I did. And then I went out, about two months later, as a test, and we did that LYNCH MOB / LITA FORD / DOKKEN show, and I made it through the first two shows, and then the third show, I had to sit on a chair; I just couldn't stand. My legs were giving out.

"When they severed all the muscles and cut all the nerves — I'm not a doctor — apparently they severed muscles to my hips, muscles to my back, my legs, everything," he explained. "They just butchered me. So it's been a hard struggle.

"I hike every day with my dogs. When I go on my deer trails on my property and I walk, it's not easy and it's painful, but I just keep walking and walking and hiking and trying to build up my leg muscles. And then people say, 'Yeah, I saw Don live, man. He was terrible. He was just standing there. He didn't look too good.' I'm, like, they don't know what I went through. It's a miracle I was even able to pull off three shows in a row with LYNCH MOB. We did three days with no day off. I pulled it off. Was I at the top of my game? No. Was I singing my best? No. That's another issue.

"When they went through my back into my neck, apparently they damaged one of my vocal cords," he continued. "That's why today I sound a little husky — my voice is a little husky now. So they did something to my vocal cords too. I'm just seeing every doctor on the planet trying to get better.

"As far as the fans go, I read a long time ago, for every hundred fans that wanna say the band wasn't good, the other three thousand people are happy. And that's all that matters, man. The people singing along with DOKKEN and singing the choruses, fists in the air, singing 'Into The Fire' and 'It's Not Love', that's the important thing.

"There'll be a guy on the Internet that works at Subway making tuna sandwiches, and that's the guy that gets on the Internet… This one guy cracked me up. He said, 'I saw DOKKEN eight times last year. They sucked every time.' I'm, like, then why in the hell did you come to the show eight times? You came to see us eight times, you really hated us. Well, stop coming to the show."

Don and his bandmates are currently working on DOKKEN's new album — the group's first since 2012's "Broken Bones". The LP will be released via Silver Lining Music, the label owned by Thomas Jensen, one of the founders of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival.

DOKKEN released an album called "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" on August 28 via Silver Lining Music. Featuring sleeve art by renowned U.S. artist Tokyo Hiro (MOTÖRHEAD, MOTLEY CRÜE), the effort contains material written and recorded 40 years ago as Don embarked upon a journey which started in Southern California and Northern Germany.