US hard rock outfit, Holy Mother, has signed with Massacre Records.

Earlier this year, powerhouse vocalist Mike Tirelli and mind-blowing drummer Jim Harris reunited again, aiming to give Holy Mother a fresh, heavy and modern rock sound! Guitar wizard Greg Giordano joined them as well. Along with a soon-to-be introduced new bassist, the band's lineup is now complete. But wait, there's more.

As of today, Holy Mother's brand new digital single. "Wake Up America". is available for streaming and download. Get it here, listen below.

Holy Mother happily deliver music for fans of modern, hard-driving, bang-your-head rock that will make you raise your fist to the air and chant for more. The band will also release a brand new full-length album soon, so keep your eyes peeled for future updates.

(Photo - Janet Tirelli)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Toronto-based black metal outfit Astaroth Incarnate have posted a guitar playthrough video for "I Am Fire / I Am Death [Omega]", featuring the band's guitarist Pablo Sagastume. The song is taken from their 2019 EP, Ascendance.

With regards to the song, the band offers the following: "'I Am Fire / I Am Death (Omega)' is the continuation of the first track ('Alpha') that we released, and it continues on with the apocalyptic story concept from where it left of at the end of 'Alpha'. If you paid close attention to 'Alpha', you would've noticed four different characters (who represent the four horsemen of the apocalypse and are color-coded accordingly) intertwined in Death with the primary Astaroth character who represents Life. Therefore, Omega continues the story as representing the Astaroth character as someone who is beyond Death and one who incites the outcome of the eventual demise of a human."

Watch the video below.




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Canadian melodic power metal quartet, Unleash The Archers, just released their fifth full-length album, Abyss, via Napalm Records. In celebration of the album's release, the band has unveiled yet another wild music video, this time for their triumphant new burner, "Faster Than Light". In the tongue-in-cheek video, the band members take part in a competitive footrace, but are met with unexpected twists along the way.

Frontwoman Brittney Slayes says about "Faster Than Light": "Being that this song is about racing off into the far corners of space, we thought it would be a fun idea to actually race each other in the music video to see which one of us was truly 'Faster Than Light'! Of course we had to have some fun with it though, and added a little bit of excitement into the mix. Our director mentioned an older Stephen King novel called The Long Walk as inspiration for a way to spice up the video and we all agreed it would be hilarious! Check out the plot synopsis on Wikipedia if you haven't read it already... This track has turned into a favourite of the band and we knew it had to be a single the moment the finished product was in our hands. It's fast, fun, and is going to be an absolute blast to play live!"

Abyss was engineered, mixed and mastered by Jacob Hansen of Hansen Studios in Denmark (Volbeat, Delain, Amaranthe), with production by guitarist Andrew Kingsley. Order Abyss in available formats here.

As mentioned, the Deluxe Earbook edition of Abyss features two bonus tracks - synthwave and gothic folk-pop versions of “Abyss” and “Soulbound”, respectively. This is something Unleash The Archers has never done before, turning their singles into something completely different!

Abyss tracklisting:

"Waking Dream"
"Abyss"
"Through Stars"
"Legacy"
"Return To Me"
"Soulbound"
"Faster Than Light"
"The Wind That Shapes The Land"
"Carry The Flame" (feat. guitarist Andrew Kingsley on guest vocals)
"Afterlifev (feat. orchestration by Francesco Ferrini)

"Soulbound" video:

"Abyss" video:

Lineup:

Brittney Slayes - Vocals
Scott Buchanan - Drums
Grant Truesdell - Guitar, Vocals
Andrew Kingsley - Guitar, Vocals, Synth




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Foreigner have released the video for "Waiting For A Girl Like You", from their 2019 release, Double Vision: Then And Now, which was released on CD+DVD, Blu-Ray+CD, Limited 2LP+Blu-Ray, and Digital. Order the title here, and watch the video below.

Album tracklisting:

"Cold As Ice"
"Head Games"
"Waiting For A Girl Like You"
"Headknocker"
"The Flame Still Burns"
"Urgent"
"Juke Box Hero"
"Feels Like The First Time"
"Double Vision"
"Blue Morning, Blue Day"
"Long, Long Way From Home"
"Dirty White Boy"
"I Want To Know What Love Is"
"Hot Blooded"

DVD / Blu-Ray tracklisting:

"Cold As Ice"
"Head Games"
"Waiting For A Girl Like You"
"Headknocker"
"Say You Will"
"Urgent"
"Starrider"
"Juke Box Hero"
"Feels Like The First Time"
"Double Vision"
"Blue Morning, Blue Day"
"Long, Long Way From Home"
"Dirty White Boy"
"I Want To Know What Love Is"
"Hot Blooded"

Bonus:
"The Flame Still Burns"
"Fool For You Anyway"

"Waiting For A Girl Like You" video:

"Double Vision" video:

"Cold As Ice" video:

"I Want To Know What Love Is" video:




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

German thrash metal veterans SODOM have finished mixing their new album, "Genesis XIX", at Woodhouse Studio in Hagen, Germany with producer Siggi Bemm. The LP is expected later in the year via SPV/Steamhammer.

This past January, SODOM recruited Toni Merkel as its new drummer. He joined the band as the replacement for Stefan "Husky" Hüskens, who announced his departure from SODOM less than two weeks earlier.

In a statement explaining his exit from SODOM, Hüskens said that "some changes" at his full-time job, "as well as a few other matters," were to blame for his decision to leave.

Last November, SODOM released a new EP, "Out Of The Frontline Trench", via SPV/Steamhammer. The effort contained three brand new tracks as well as new recordings (studio and live) of two SODOM classics.

Joining frontman Thomas "Angelripper" Such on the EP were guitarists Frank "Blackfire" Gosdzik (also formerly of KREATOR, ASSASSIN) and Yorck Segatz (BEYONDITION) plus Hüskens.

Blackfire previously played with SODOM on the seminal albums "Persecution Mania", "Mortal Way Of Live" and "Agent Orange".

Former SODOM guitarist Bernd "Bernemann" Kost and drummer Markus "Makka" Freiwald released a joint statement in January 2018 claiming that they were fired from the band by Tom via messaging platform WhatsApp even before Tom had a chance to hear any of the material the duo had been working on for the group's next album.
























View this post on Instagram


































Done with the mix at Woodhouse Studio in Hagen with legendary producer Siggi Bemm! ____________ #sodom #thrashmetal #witchingmetal #teutonicthrash #woodhouse #studio #raindirksymphony

A post shared by sodom_official (@sodom_band_official) on Aug 23, 2020 at 2:31pm PDT

Primitive Man are back with the extreme, terrifying, and confrontational new album, Immersion, out now via Relapse Records. A visualizer for the song "Foul",  can be seen below.

True to the band's ethos, every moment of Immersion is overwhelming; from the sonic pummelling of the album opener "The Lifer" to the brooding, unnerving guitars whirring throughout "Entity", Immersion builds and builds. The tension throughout the record is palpable. Hair raising tracks such as "Menacing" push and pull constantly, shifting from passages of harsh doom to an endless corridor of horrid screaming, blast beats, and a formidable low end.

Adding to the album's darkness, a pervasive lyrical anxiety erodes throughout the record. A stark look at a mirror, Immersion's themes tackle sobering views on existential crises, a general distrust among another, and the current state of the world. Frontman Ethan McCarthy elaborates, "Souring your view on your existence and everything you had worked towards... allowing yourself to become possessed by the darkest parts of your mind that you have carried around your entire life and not dealt with."

True to these dark times, Primitive Man's Immersion is an introspective look into ruin and undoing. As McCarthy explains, Immersion dives into the point of no return. "Now you're a grown man and you're fucked."

Immersion tracklisting:

"The Lifer"
"Entity"
"Menacing"
"∞"
"Foul"
"Consumption"

"Consumption" video:

"Menacing" video:

"The Lifer" video:

Primitive Man lineup:

Ethan Lee McCarthy - guitars, vocals
Jonathan Campos - bass
Joe Linden - drums

(Photo - Alvino Salcedo)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Grindstone Studios producer / engineer Scott Atkins has checked in with an update on the new Cradle Of Filth album, which is currently in the works.

"I had a killer a week with COF bassist Daniel (Firth) last week, his playing has really stepped up this time around. This album is finally coming together. Four days of hard graft and the bass for the new Cradle of Filth album was complete. 

Here’s us looking accomplished as we finally get the final piece of the new COF album recorded - Ashok’s guitars. It’s been a mission but it’s sounding killer, on to the mix next!"

Back in April, Cradle of Filth frontman Dani Filth reached out to the fans asking them to assist in supporting the band's road crew during the COVID-19 pandemic:

"Greetings Fellow Filthlings,

Due to the horrid pandemic roiling all around us, most people have been hit hard financially by the ongoing 'lockdown' scenario and none more close to the collective Cradle family’s hearts than the legendary Crewdle Of Filth, who sit in limbo as the band continue recording their forthcoming new album, with fiends and families of their own to support in these difficult times.

With this in mind, I felt it incumbent upon me to reach out to all of our fans to try and help the crew in any little way possible to survive this crisis. The touring industry is built of self-employed workers, they are with us day-in, day-out making the shows happen and with no concerts or tours happening, well…

I realise it’s a desperate-looking measure, but desperate times clarion-call these demands and therefore I hope, as part of our greater unholy Worldwide alliance, you would consider a small donation to their just and worthy cause. Anything you can muster would be immensely appreciated and thank-you all once again from the turgid depths of our filthy hearts for your understanding.

Click the stink below to contribute if you please!

Bestial wishes in the Era Horrificus..."

To assist the Cradle Of Filth road crew go to this location.




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Ayreon will release a brand-new sprawling and epic studio album, Transitus, on September 25 via Music Theories Recordings. Mastermind Arjen Lucassen has checked in with the following update:

"I’m proud to present you the next sneak peek from the behind the scenes section of the upcoming Transitus DVD: the impressive Hellscore Choir! When their conductor Noa Gruman asked me if I needed a choir, I didn’t have to think twice... and an amazing job they did! Diabolically awesome – goosebumps all over. Thank you, big hugs to each and every one of you!"

Lyric videos for the songs, "Get Out! Now!" (feat. Dee Snider, Tommy Karevik & Joe Satriani), and "Hopelessly Slipping Away" (feat. Tom Baker, Cammie Gilbert & Tommy Karevik), can be found below.

Says Arjen Lucassen: "Welcome to the colorful world of... Transitus! Finally the time has come to present you the very first full singles and lyric videos of the new Ayreon album Transitus. Yes... singleS, plural!  This album is incredibly diverse so I really couldn’t choose just one track because I wouldn’t want people to get the wrong impression of the overall mood of the album. So we decided to make a video for both an atmospheric track ‘Hopelessly Slipping Away’ and a rocky track ‘Get out! Now!’

"‘Hopelessly Slipping Away’ features Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) and Cammie Gilbert (Oceans Of Slumber) on vocals. It’s a haunting track with analog synthesizers and violin, and it slowly builds to an epic climax with marching snares. In this video we see the ghost of Daniel (Tommy) hopelessly trying to reach out to his beloved wife Abby (Cammie) who clearly feels his presence but can’t see or hear him.

"The track ‘Get Out! Now!’ is a straightforward and energetic rock track with powerful drums, bass, guitars and Hammond organ. It features the illustrious Dee Snider (Twisted Sister) and Tommy Karevik on vocals, and none other than the legendary Joe Satriani plays a blistering guitar solo. In this story Daniel’s intolerant father (Dee) banishes Daniel (Tommy) from his estate for having a forbidden affair with their servant Abby.

"So here you have it... I hope you enjoy at least one of the two tracks, have fun!"

The album will be available on 2CD, 2LP gatefold red transparent vinyl and a 48-page Earbook which includes 5 discs; 2CD album, 1CD instrumental versions, 1CD guide vocal versions, and a DVD with bonus footage which includes a behind the scenes video, a videoclip, trailer and a 5.1 audio and hi-def stereo mix of the album. The release will be accompanied by a 28-page graphic novel which will be included in the Earbook as well as the 2LP.

Pre-order Transitus here. Watch a video trailer below.

In 2017 Ayreon released The Source, which revisited the Forever/Planet Y saga, but now three years later it is time for something completely different…

“The year is 1884, these are dark, troubled times, fraught with greed, envy and prejudice…” begins our narrator and storyteller, Tom Baker…

Transitus is built around an entirely new story, not connected to the Ayreon universe although as always it does have some subtle links. The sci-fi theme makes way for a gothic ghost story set (partly) in the 19th century with elements of horror and the supernatural. It’s on a dark thunderous night where our story of Abby and Daniel begins.

From the mastermind of Dutch multi-instrumentalist Arjen Lucassen, Transitus is inspired by supernatural movies such as The Others, The Changeling and Ghost along with the music of soundtrack composers John Carpenter (Halloween), Ennio Morricone (Once upon a Time in the West) and Jerry Goldsmith (Omen). “And of course, I revisited all my favorite rock operas such as JC Superstar, Tommy, War of the Worlds and the Wall,” Lucassen adds.

Transitus is narrated by one of the most iconic and recognizable voices in sci-fi history, most known from his eight-year stint as Doctor Who, Tom Baker. “I was looking for a real storyteller with a mature, deep, warm voice. As a kid, I was a huge Doctor Who fan and my favorite doctor was Tom Baker. I couldn’t believe my luck when he agreed to do it! We went to the UK to record him, and it was one of those unforgettable experiences.”

As with any Ayreon album, it is an explosive and expansive affair and features Tommy Karevik (Kamelot) as Daniel and Cammie Gilbert (Oceans of Slumber) as Abby. The all-star cast also features Simone Simons (Epica), Dee Snider (Twisted Sister), Joe Satriani, Marty Friedman, Johanne James (Threshold), Noa Gruman (Scardust), Marcela Bovio (MaYan), Caroline Westendorp (The Charm the Fury), Paul Manzi (Arena), Michael Mills (Toehider) and Amanda Somerville (Avantasia, Trilium) amongst many others.

“When I started this, I just had no idea that it was going to take me this long! It took about 3 years from start to finish, and it pushed me out of my comfort zone musically and creatively. But I always need that challenge, the harder it is, the more fun for me to work on it!,” comments Lucassen.

Transitus is Lucassen’s most ambitious work yet, "This is without a doubt the most cinematic and outrageous album I’ve ever done," he affirms.

"I always start with finding singers first before I write the vocal parts, because I write the parts specifically for their vocal strengths. Because I was going for a theatrical feel for this album, this time I picked the singers not just because they are amazing singers, but because they had a certain charisma and were able to act."

Transitus is accompanied by an amazing graphic novel drawn by the renowned artist Felix Vega. “Because Ayreon’s music is so visual, I’ve always wanted to do an Ayreon graphic novel/comic book,” he says.

Reflecting on the approach to Transitus he says, “I love my last Ayreon album The Source. I often say that it sounds so much like Ayreon... if someone else would have released it I could have sued them for copyright infringement and won easily! But “our genre” is called progressive, which for me means breaking new ground and experimenting musically. So, in the true prog spirit, I set out to try something entirely different than a “typical Ayreon,” I wanted to do something more theatrical, almost like a musical. “

Tracklisting:

CD1
"Fatum Horrificum"
  A] Graveyard
  B] 1884
  C] Daniel And Abby
  D] Fatum
  E] Why?!
  F] Guilty
"Daniel’s Descent Into Transitus"
"Listen To My Story"
"Two Worlds Now One"
"Talk Of The Town"
"Old Friend"
"Dumb Piece Of Rock"
"Get Out! Now!"
"Seven Days, Seven Nights"

CD2
"Condemned Without A Trial"
"Daniel’s Funeral"
"Hopelessly Slipping Away"
"This Human Equation"
"Henry’s Plot"
"Message From Beyond"
"Daniel’s Vision"
"She Is Innocent"
"Lavinia’s Confession"
"Inferno"
"Your Story Is Over!"
"Abby In Transitus"
"The Great Beyond"

"Get Out! Now!" lyric video:

"Hopelessly Slipping Away" lyric video:

Trailer:




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Thin Lizzy legend Phil Lynott's birthday was on August 20th. He would have turned 71. Toronto rocker Danko Jones checked in on the day with a short tribute to him:

"Happy Birthday, Phil Lynott! When I recorded this I hadn’t heard the news Ron Heathman had passed away and dedicate this to him now. Ron 'Rontrose' Heathman was The Rocker. R.I.P. Phil Lynott. R.I.P. Ron Heathman."

Coming to cinemas in fall 2020, Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away is a feature documentary on the life and music of Phil Lynott, telling the story of how a young black boy from working class 1950's Dublin, became Ireland's greatest rock star.

As the lead singer of Thin Lizzy, Phil Lynott was a songwriter, a poet, a dreamer, a wildman. Told extensively through the words of Phil himself and focusing on some of his iconic songs, the film gets to the heart of  Philip, the father, the husband, the friend, the son, the rock icon, the poet and the dreamer.

Phil Lynott: Songs For While I’m Away is produced by Universal Music’s Globe Production with backing from Screen Ireland. It is produced by Alan Maher and John Wallace for Cowtown Pictures and Peter Worsley for Eagle Rock Films.

Watch an official trailer below:




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

After three years away, the undisputed kings of Scottish death metal have returned with their third album of unrelenting savagery. Scordatura’s unholy union of old school songwriting and new school intensity has never been more brutally, wickedly effective than on the nine canticles of carnage that together form the mighty Mass Failure.

Scordatura have always pushed hard at the boundaries of extremity, delivering pulverising death metal of the very heaviest kind. From their 2013 debut, Torment Of The Weak, to their second album, Self-Created Abyss, and now with Mass Failure, the band have striven to harness the horrific, the skull shattering and the heart-stoppingly brutal within a framework of finely crafted songs. They have never achieved their goals in such absolute fashion as they have on Mass Failure, with songs like "Skin Trophy" and "Collapse Of Humanity" hacking and carving their way into your brain, sculpting a shrine to their own metallic malevolence into the sacred library of your neocortex. These odes to obliteration, this evensong for the last days of humanity simply will not be forgotten, in all its glorious, frantic violence - balancing precariously between precision delivery and wild attacking power.

Together with their label, Gore House Productions, Scordatura are preparing to bring a scourge of real, ruthless death metal to the world - steeped in the blood and guts of the genre’s pioneers. The assault will begin on September 25th and total victory is the only option. Chaos is about to be unleashed!

Mass Failure artwork and tracklisting:

"Disease Of Mind" 
"Skin Trophy" 
"Nothing But Dust" 
"Contorted Existence" 
"World Devoured" 
"The Flesh That Hates" 
"Mass Failure"
"Immense Atrocity" 
"Collapse Of Humanity" 

Enjoy "Disease Of Mind" now:

For further details, visit Scordatura on Facebook.

(Photo by Alan Swan)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

DarWin's new single, “Nightmare Of My Dreams” from the forthcoming album, DarWin 2: A Frozen War, features a video directed by the legendary Nigel Dick (Guns N’ Roses, Def Leppard).

“I started working on this ('Nightmare Of My Dreams') shortly after we finished the first Origin Of Species album. Our drummer Simon Phillips, his home burnt down in a tragic wildfire, and we had been thinking a lot about all the themes of the first album dealing with climate change. Those events actually affected our own lives very directly. I’d been working on some ideas for this song and one night it all seemed to come together. The video was shot in Australia, where we wanted to shoot in an area that had been affected by wildfires and climate change. We really want this song to be a tribute to those dealing with the challenges of wildfires around the world. We hope that people can think about the dangers facing many parts of the world and the challenges of the families who have to get their lives back together after these events.” - DarWin

Of the 400 plus videos Nigel Dick has directed, this is the first video he has directed remotely. The shoots took place in LA, Nashville, Iceland and Australia - with Nigel himself being in Colorado. Nigel provided the Australian crew with a 27-page storyboard to follow for the shoot in the Blue Mountains, Australia, an area that had been ravaged by fire at the end of 2019. Ironically the fire blistered landscape had begun to grow back green shoots when they filmed, so they had to hide those. Nigel also had to use a real family as actors so that they could work around social distancing. And for the final shot the teddy bear had to be flown across the world to be filmed beforehand had to be quarantined before coming out of its box. A curious tale for these curious times…

Once more DarWin has assembled a stunning ensemble of musicians. DarWin II: A Frozen War continues the core collaboration with Simon Phillips, Matt Bissonette and DarWin. Joining them are powerhouse players Billy Sheehan, Guthrie Govan, Greg Howe, Derek Sherinian, and more. 

Darwin 2: A Frozen War was produced by DarWin and Simon Phillips and recorded primarily in Iceland and the USA. The DarWin 2: A Frozen War album will be released later in 2020.

DarWin’s critically acclaimed debut, Origin Of Species, was the first installment 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.

(Photo: Andy Earl)

 




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Swedish prog-power band, Tad Morose, led by guitarist Christer Andersson, are back in the studio working on a new album. They have posted a new teaser from the recording sessions. Check it out below.

The band's record company, GMR Music, recently issued the following update:

"On August 21, we are releasing the Tad Morose album Chapter X on a nice Gatefold - 2LP Vinyl. It will also come as a limited edition 100 copies each on two different colours: red and gold / brown. You can pre-order your copy in our webstore here."

Chapter X was released in June 2018 via GMR Music.

The tracklist is as follows:
"Apocalypse"
"Come Morpheus"
"Deprived Of Life"
"I Am Night"
"Leviathan Rise"
"Liar"
"Masquerader"
"Nemesis"
"Salvage My Soul"
"Slaves To the Dying Sun"
"Turn To Dust"
"Vaunt The Cynical"
"Where Stars Align"
"…Yet Still You Preach"

The Bollnas based outfit followed the release of 2015's St. Demonius with a successful European headline tour as well as making the rounds on the festival circuit, before launching into the early stages of writing the material that now comprises Chapter X. Ronny Hemlin reflects, ”This is still fun for us! The past few years - as always with these guys - was filled with lots of touring, playing clubs, both big and small and destroying festivals of various calibers. You could say we spent that time gaining new fans. Or, as we like to call it, 'collecting souls.'"

Feeling no need to rush the recording process, the band entered Studio Claustrophobic, which is owned by Tad Morose frontman Ronny Hemlin and Johan Lofgren, formerly of Steel Attack, working at a comfortable steady pace. Mastering of Chapter X was handled by Jonas Kjellgren at Black Lounge Studios and the band turned to an old friend, Mr. Rainer Kalwitz (A Mended Rhyme) to take care of the album's artwork. The Spring of 2018 then saw the band sign their new deal with GMR.




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

SMITH & MYERS, the duo comprised of SHINEDOWN's Brent Smith and Zach Myers, has released dual singles from its forthcoming full-length album, "Smith & Myers Volume 1", due out October 9 via Atlantic Records, alongside a brand new music video. Original single "Not Mad Enough" 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 is paired with the release of a poignant version of "Rockin' In The Free World", highlighting Neil Young's timeless lyrics that are just as relevant today over lone piano.

"Not Mad Enough" and "Rockin' In The Free World" are an introduction to SMITH & MYERS's eloquent songcraft, indelible melodies and glorious vocals created with nothing more than a microphone and an instrument or two. The "Not Mad Enough" video, directed by Paris Visone, can be seen below.

"Smith & Myers Volume 1" features five original tunes and five re-imaginings of fan-submitted songs, including Post Malone's "Better Now", INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart", Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse's "Valerie", and THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS' "Unchained Melody".

Smith says: "We've spent a great deal of time and energy making sure this project is completely authentic. The main reason SMITH & MYERS exists has to do with the fans. A project that was born from multiple requests over the years has now evolved into its true identity. Make no mistake — it's about the songs, it's about the story, and above all it's about the message."

Adds Myers: "It was an odd time to make a record at the beginning of a global pandemic, but the state of the world is reflected in the art we made on this album. It was some of the most creative times I've ever had as a musician or a songwriter. For the covers, we felt that we should approach them as a duo as if we had written the song modern day. With the originals, Brent and I had never discussed some of this subject matter before and we dug so deep while also touching on a world that's rapidly changing around us the last eight months. We felt it would be disingenuous not to touch on social issues we ALL face as humans. We put a lot into this album and we truly hope you enjoy listening to it."

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.

SMITH & MYERS will bring its powerful live duo show to a string of drive-in locations around Pennsylvania including Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park Parking Lot on September 3, Scranton's Circle Drive-In on September 18, and Butler's Starlight Drive-In on September 19.

SMITH & MYERS illuminates the depth of Brent and Zach as a duo and showcases a very different yet just as intriguing musical side of these two versatile artists. As one half of multiplatinum band SHINEDOWN, Brent and Zach can often be found topping the rock charts, earning mainstream recognition, and playing to sold-out arenas around the globe with 10 million albums and 10 million singles sold worldwide, 14 platinum and gold singles, five platinum and gold albums, more than 2.7 billion streams and 16 number one rock hits (breaking the record this week for the most ever #1s in the 39-year history of the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart with their single "Atlas Falls").

"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

Photo credit: Paris Visone

SYSTEM OF A DOWN bassist Shavo Odadjian's NORTH KINGSLEY musical collaboration with producer Saro Paparian and lyricist/vocalist Ray Hawthorne recently released its first three-song collection, "Vol. 1", via 22 Red Media, a subsidiary of Odadjian's lifestyle and cannabis brand 22 Red.

"Vol. 1" features the hard-hitting track "Like That?" and two other songs — the biting critique of the hypocrisy of the current social media landscape "Die For The Pic", and rabble-rousing protest anthem "Shotguns", for which NORTH KINGSLEY has released an official lyric video.

Speaking on the the inspiration for the lyrical content of "Shotguns", vocalist/lyricist Ray Hawthorne states: "'Shotguns' is an open discussion about what it means to be a modern-day American. Is it even anything worth being proud of? What changes need to be made? As the days go on, these questions hold even more weight."

"Vol. 1" track listing:

01. Die For The Pic

02. Like That?

03. Shotguns

The dawn of NORTH KINGSLEY is a challenge to the very system itself. The way music is released, distributed and marketed is all being approached in a unique and creative way relevant to today's world and showcases a determination to revolutionize arcane structures. Instead of a full album release, NORTH KINGSLEY will instead be releasing miniature volumes of three tracks every few months, the first of which is "Vol. 1".

Shavo says: "We're giving you songs you can marinade on, instead of 12 songs all at once. There's going to be a clip for every song, something visually for you to vibe on.

"I directed videos for SYSTEM, I do stage production visuals for the band, so that's important to me.

"Saro has an incredible eye for creating new things visually and I act almost how a producer would on that and we are going to drop merch with every release, so it's more than just music."

When Shavo began experimental studio sessions with producer Saro Paparian and New Jersey lyricist Ray Hawthorne, he had no idea that it would turn into anything more than a creative outlet to jam with like-minded musicians. The result was a genre-bending mix of deep, cinematic instrumentals and thought provoking, socially charged words.

"I love to collaborate," says Odadjian. "I love to hear my ideas come through other people. There is strength in numbers. Saro would make the beats, and I would play guitar and bass — and not in a way that you'd usually hear in rock. When Ray came in, he was very turned on to what's going on socially and politically. They both know their way around the studio with what's new and fresh. I played hard to get for a little while with them, but the vibe and what we were working on was so cool that it became the start of NORTH KINGSLEY."

Capitalizing on a musical legacy that includes musical collaborations with the likes of funk master George Clinton, spiritual hip-hop guru RZA and legendary production accomplice Rick Rubin, Odadjian's sonic blueprint for his new project takes in everything from crisp and hard trap beats to gritty rock flavors.

"I'm known for playing metal but you can't say it's just metal — it has a lot of other influences in there," Odadjian points out. "I did ACHOZEN with RZA and that was straight hip-hop. NORTH KINGSLEY is right in the middle. The kick and the hi-hats and the snare sounds punk.

"To me, punk rock isn't a style of music, it's something you live. It's a lifestyle and it means going against the grain and I heard that there, and we are putting it all together to create something exciting and new for today.”

In 2018, Odadjian came to Paparian, who provided him with an education in the latest, cutting edge studio techniques. As an Armenian-American raised on everything from SOAD to surf rock, Paparian took that base principal and spent years around the underground Los Angeles hip-hop community, going to club nights where people would manufacture beats and he and Ray would lose themselves for hours as often as they could.

Speaking about the new project, Paparian says: "Our sound is very L.A. Ray and I were raised in those dirty clubs for years and you have Shavo who's part of one of the biggest L.A. bands of this century.

"I want people to know that this came from L.A. You can hear it in the griminess of both the rock and the beats.

"The three of us align across the spectrum and bring different things. It's like these musical and cultural nodes that center and become NORTH KINGSLEY. We have specific creative identities. It's like watching those three things clash and meld together like steel rods being sculpted by friction.

"I'm stirring this witch's brew with Ray's lyrical intellect and Shavo's exceptional songwriting talent. It's in his DNA to know when a song feels right and I throw my flavor into that and that's us."

Hawthorne, the final component to join the inner workings of NORTH KINGSLEY, is a longtime associate of Paparian. Armed with knowledge of today's political, social and entertainment landscapes and showcasing a lyrical dexterity that can take him anywhere from Hemmingway to animation and scholars to psychopaths, nothing is off limits when it comes to how he communicates his ideas.

"I grew up on SYSTEM and had lots of albums by socially conscious bands and that spoke to me," he says. "We are all focused and are all hard on ourselves to challenge one another and make something that's great musically and that, I hope, extends to our message."

With this razor-sharp approach to both the creative and business output of the project, NORTH KINGSLEY is a socially conscious, creative force shaped by the modern age. Drawing on a multitude of cultural, visual and political influences, they aim to create a musical movement that is both rooted in what's come before, but that focuses on creating what's next.

Photo credit: Eitan Miskevich

KATAKLYSM guitarist Jean-François Dagenais has tested positive for COVID-19.

The Canadian-born musician, who has lived in Dallas, Texas, for the past decade, exhibited "severe symptoms" of the novel coronavirus before it was confirmed he had COVID-19.

KATAKLYSM confirmed Dagenais's diagnosis in a social media post earlier today. The Montreal-based band wrote: "We regret to inform everyone that our guitarist and founding member J-F Dagenais has tested positive for COVID 19 after experiencing severe symptoms, we will give you an update on his condition during the next few days. #Kataklysm #Jfdagenais"

The Dallas County Health Department has reported 68,572 cases of the virus since testing began in March. There have been 855 confirmed deaths attributed in the county to the virus, which is now the third leading cause of death in the county behind diseases of the heart and cancers.

KATAKLYSM will release its 14th full-length studio album, "Unconquered", on September 25 via Nuclear Blast Records. The disc was recorded and engineered by Dagenais at JFD Studio in Dallas.


We regret to inform everyone that our guitarist and founding member J-F Dagenais has tested positive for COVID 19 after...

Posted by Kataklysm on Saturday, August 22, 2020

AmeriFilms LLC/Road Rage Films has announced the production of "Black Days", a film based on true events about the last days in the life of grunge music icon Chris Cornell. The movie will star John Holiday ("Walk The Line", CMT's "Sun Records").

Filming for "Black Days" is set to begin first week of October. Due to COVID-19, producers have taken extra precautions to film most actors by themselves with a small crew, social distancing and masks.

AmeriFilms LLC is a Los Angeles-based film production company.

Chris Cornell was found hanged in his room at the MGM Grand Detroit hotel in May 2017, following a SOUNDGARDEN show at the city's Fox Theatre. His body was found soon after he had spoken with a "slurred" voice to his wife, Vicky Cornell, by phone. The death was ruled a suicide.

But his family has questioned the medical examiner's ruling, saying that he had a prescription for Ativan and that a higher than recommended dosage may have caused him to experience suicidal thoughts.

Cornell was honored at a tribute concert called "I Am The Highway: A Tribute To Chris Cornell" in January 2019 at the Forum in Inglewood, California.

In addition to SOUNDGARDEN, Cornell found success with other projects, including AUDIOSLAVE, TEMPLE OF THE DOG as well as solo albums.

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.

Forbes premiered the first single, "Humility", praising how it "builds in intensity, a pummeling drum solo paired with fevered sax to close the song in a beautiful cacophony of sound." On the track and inspiration behind the album, Chamberlin exclusively told Talkhouse in an interview: "The record is just kind of a document of a moment in time. The titles are representative to me of what we engage when we try to live a higher ideal. Integrity, humility, service, grace."

"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."

The Chris Cornell statue at Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP) has been vandalized.

Late Thursday night (August 20), Seattle station KIRO 7 News posted a photo of the statue of the SOUNDGARDEN frontman after it was painted white.

Earlier today, Chris Cornell's widow Vicky released a statement about the statue's defacing via the late singer's social media. She wrote: "My children and I are heartbroken to learn of the vandalization of Chris's statue at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. The statue is not only a work of art but a tribute to Chris, his incomparable musical legacy and everything that he stood for. It represents Chris, who is beloved not only in Seattle, but worldwide.

"In the face of this hate and destruction, we are thankful once again to the fans who stood up to support him and showed such immense love," she continued. "It lifted our hearts to hear that fans brought supplies and attempted to clean up the heartbreaking vandalism. The statue will be restored. Hate will not win."

The life-size statue, commissioned and donated to the museum by Vicky Cornell, stands outside MoPOP's south entrance facing Fifth Avenue North. The statue sculpted by artist Nick Marras showcases the rock legend in one of his iconic poses with his signature boots, dog tag, layers and long locks.

SOUNDGARDEN's surviving members — Kim Thayil, Matt Cameron and Ben Shepherd — attended the October 2018 unveiling ceremony with Vicky, Chris's three children and other longtime friends and family members from the Seattle community.

In a November 2018 interview with Kerrang! magazine, Thayil said that the unveiling of the Cornell statue was both "surreal" and a "source of great pride." He added: "It was awkward too, because there was a certain aspect of it that was a show, so it was a public event. Matt, Ben and I were onstage to some degree, which made us a bit uncomfortable. We, Chris included, were the guys who'd never turn up at the big events and parties, though we were always invited."

Cornell was pronounced dead on May 18, 2017 after being found unresponsive in his Detroit hotel room. SOUNDGARDEN had played a show earlier that evening. The 52-year-old had sedatives and an anxiety drug in his system, but died as a result of hanging himself.


This is what the Chris Cornell statue looks like in front of Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture. Somebody apparently vandalized the statue of the late Soundgarden frontman by painting it white.

Posted by KIRO 7 News on Thursday, August 20, 2020

























View this post on Instagram


































My children and I are heartbroken to learn of the vandalization of Chris’s statue at the Museum of Pop Culture in Seattle. The statue is not only a work of art but a tribute to Chris, his incomparable musical legacy and everything that he stood for. It represents Chris, who is beloved not only in Seattle, but worldwide. In the face of this hate and destruction, we are thankful once again to the fans who stood up to support him and showed such immense love. It lifted our hearts to hear that fans brought supplies and attempted to clean up the heartbreaking vandalism. The statue will be restored. Hate will not win. Chris is Seattle’s Son! @mopopseattle @vulcaninc on behalf of our family thank you ?

A post shared by Chris Cornell (@chriscornellofficial) on Aug 21, 2020 at 4:20pm PDT

In their endless quest to push and support current underground acts that perpetuate the odor of vintage death metal, on October 26th, Memento Mori Records will release the second album from Sweden's Disrupted, Pure Death, on CD format. The vinyl version will be released by De:Nihil Records on October 9th.

Pure and total Swedeath: one will find no better modern, old-style example of it than Swedish juggernaut Disrupted. Naturally, Pure Death is as fitting of a title as they come! This sophomore album is massive in every respect.

Disrupted specialize in ultra-crunchy, extremely rotten, heavy-as-a-concrete-block, and genuine-to-the-bone death metal that their country was worldwide known for in the late '80s and early '90s. No nice melodies, nothing experimental, no progression: think Nihilist / Entombed, Interment, Grave, and God Macabre with a healthy dose of D-beat ala more recent acts such as Bombs Of Hades or Bastard Priest, and you'll get quite an accurate picture of what to expect. Simply put, Disrupted don't try to be anything they're not - and what they are is proud 'n' powerful Swedeath, straight from the source. As such, Pure Death is an album that retains the old glory and aesthetics of the Swedish tradition but enhances the sound, the speed and, yes, the heaviness. And they pack it all into finely honed songwriting that sticks in the brain and sticks to the ribs... if they haven't already crushed 'em!

And for such a young band, Disrupted have quite an enviable pedigree, as Pure Death features some hot-shit guest appearances: guitar solos by Per "Sodomizer" Eriksson (ex-Bloodbath, ex-Katatonia), Tomas Åkvik (Lik), and Mats Andersson (Wretched Fate), and guest vocals by none other than Nick Holmes (Paradise Lost, Bloodbath). Want to know exactly what you're getting into here? The simple-yet-elegant cover art courtesy of Woodcvtter Illustration should say more than enough. Time to rot again - only more gruesomely!

Tracklisting:

"Blood Worship"
"Human Stew"
"Born In A Corpse"
"Carve"
"Headless Torso"
"Total Death"
"Pestilential Vomit"
"Goat Lord"
"Chopped Into Oblivion"
"Slave From The Grave"

Begin rotting again (and more gruesomely) with the brand-new track "Blood Worship":

 




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Brazilian thrash / death band, Coyote Bad Trip, debuts their first official video, "Guerra Divina", recorded in the city of Jacareí, in São Paulo. The clip features the special participation of Niko Teixeira on drums, who currently plays in the bands Genocídio and Tormentor Bestial. "Guerra Divina" is the first single from the new studio album entitled Raça [Des] Humana, which will be released in the first half of 2021. 

Formed by the trio Gabriel Arrebola, Luke Cassimiro and Tiago Ratão in 2018, Coyote Bad Trip are three boys who have been conquering the São Paulo underground scene doing metal crossover with political themes and strong social criticism. Their influences include: Slayer, Municipal Waste, Death, The Black Dahlia Murder, Exodus and Krisiun.

Coyote Bad Trip's debut album Ascensão e Queda, was released at the beginning of the year 2020, bringing thrash metal with strong notes of punk and hardcore, with works on the theme og the government's neglect of drug addicts, with lyrics purposely acidic. 

The band also has its own festival, Bad Trip Metal Fest, which had its first edition in February 2020 and promises a second edition in 2021.

For further details, visit Coyote Bad Trip on Facebook.

 




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

On January 24th, Wolfheart / Before The Dawn mastermind Tuomas Saukkonen released his critically acclaimed, sophomore solo-album, titled Waves, under the flag of Dawn Of Solace. Being a true master of his craft, Waves is taking the listener on a dark trip of melodic doom soundscapes, being an unchained and exciting affair feeding off of melancholy and progressive rock majesty. 

Today, the death / melancholic doom metal icon released a brand new and acoustic live performance video for the track "Numb". Together with friend but also label mate Mikko Heikkilä from Kaunis Kuolematon, who are set to release their brand new full length record via Noble Demon in the not so distant future, Dawn Of Solace delivers some top notch Finnish melancholy, crawling directly under your skin. 
 
Watch the new video for "Numb" below

Tuomas Saukkonen says about the song: "Since the entire show business went into deep freeze and live shows/concerts/tours were either cancelled or rescheduled into 2021 the relationship with my own music grew a bit more personal and intimate, and the best way to reflect that is to strip the arrangements to the core and with less notes, less people (most remote cabin we could find in the Finnish woods) create more melancholy and emotion"
 
"Numb" is taken from the Acoustic Cabin Sessions, an intimate live performance, streaming in full on September 4th at 12pm PST / 3pm EST / 9pm CET. The show will be available for 24 hours and you can get your tickets at here.




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Former Annihilator frontman/co-founder John Bates - who can be heard on the band's legendary Welcome To Your Death demo - released his latest Noirchestra album, Skinners Cage, through Germany's Rookie Records in April 2019. It is available at this location.

He has checked in with the following update:

"Good news! We just finished editing a live video for our song 'Thread By Thread' from the Skinners Cage album!! It was recorded at Treibsand in Lübeck, Germany in 2019 and the sound is 100% live. Our thanks to everyone involved - and we hope you enjoy it!"

The official video for the first single from Skinners Cage, "All The Devils", can also be viewed below.




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Unleashing their new album Ascend To The Throne this past July via Head Rattle Productions INC., Vancouver's Saints of Death are sharing with fans their new lyric video for the track "Soldiers Of Metal". The band wrote the song as a tribute to the metal community and all that is metal.

"Inclusion and standing for the great cause. Putting away your prejudice and uniting as a force. A homage to the great bands that paved the way and the bands that will carry the torch," adds the band.

Saints Of Death's new album Ascend To The Throne is a 7-track ripping and cohesive release, and the second in the Saints Of Death repertoire following the 2015 self-titled EP. With a different lineup than the debut effort, Saints Of Death now boasts a more robust group that is tighter, more aggressive, and more melodic than ever before along with still featuring their signature sound of having two bassists. 

The band comments: "This album has been a long time coming, and we look forward to getting it into the ears of our fans, new and old alike. After dealing with lineup issues for a few years, we finally have a solid lineup and are back to kicking ass. The current lineup has been together since 2018 and we have really gelled as friends and as band members. Naturally, with this kind of chemistry going on, it was finally time to record a new album."

"Like the first EP, there is diversity between each song, allowing each of them to stand out as hard-hitting singles. There is also the consistency that allows the songs to come together as a great album. We talk about important topics such as the trials of society, corruption and corporate greed, mental health as well as a few other topics on this album. Saints put a lot of hard work and passion crafting this album and making it what it is and we're excited to share it with the world!"

"You Can't Run" video:

"Repentance":

(Photo credit: Kevin Eisenlord Photography)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

MindWars have revealed the cover of The Fourth Turning, set for release on September 25, 2020 through Dissonance Productions. The cover is a departure from their first three albums and themes. The apocalyptic scene depicts the albums theme and foreshadowing and CadiesArt brings down the hammer with this mind bending cover.

The Fourth Turning features new bassist Rick Zaccaro to hold down the rhythm with Roby Vitari. Danny “Z” Pizzi, moves to guitar to accompany Mike Alvord.

It was previously revealed that the album will include ten skull-crushing new original songs and a tribute to Slayer with a cover of the Reign In Blood classic “Criminally Insane”. With lyrics covering topics of war, civil unrest, disease, and authoritarian governments, this album is truly the soundtrack of 2020.

Tracklisting:

“The Awakening”
“Fall In Line”
“MindWars”
“(Who’ll Stop The) Aryan Race”
“The System”
“Digital Dictatorship”
“Marching Off To War”
“Black Death”
“Blood Red”
“Holy Terror”
“Criminally Insane” (Slayer cover, bonus track)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

In these difficult COVID-19 times, the German thrash metal heroes Tankard are hell-bent on restoring a bit of normality - today they've announced a very special concert experience for their fans. The upcoming show will take place on Saturday, October 24 at the Groove Bar & Lounge in Cologne (Germany), and will also be filmed by six cameras and streamed live for any fans who can't attend in person.

George, the owner of the Groove Bar, says: "We are very happy to announce the concert with true Veterans of Thrash Metal: Tankard!"

Tickets for the Tankard show are strictly limited. Only 80 tickets will be available to ensure all health and safety regulations and rules can be observed. Be quick to get your ticket for the show, available in person via the Groove Bar from August 21 from 8 PM and online from August 23 here.

You can find all health and safety regulations and rules here.

Buffo, manager of Tankard, adds: "Raise your Beer - Tankard will rock the Groove Bar! The show will probably sell out quickly, so we will also bring the show to you via a multi-camera livestream!"

All fans who cannot buy a ticket and have to stay at home can enjoy this special Tankard live experience here.

(Photo - Axel Jusseits)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

The mighty Burning Witches release their Corona Acoustic Session on streaming platforms today. The band was asked by many fans to release the acoustic set they recently recorded for a live stream, so they decided to make this magical performance available on all streaming platforms today.

So far, the Corona Acoustic Session was only available on YouTube. Now all fans get the chance to see this powerful live performance in high resolution with high-quality sound anywhere! Watch the Corona Acoustic Session here.

The Burning Witches comment: “Something positive that came out of the difficult Corona times, was for sure that we made this spontaneous acoustic jam with those talented friends and guests. Your demand made this release now possible on all streaming portals, thanks a lot for that! It will remain a nice memory this way and it also marks Larissa's first appearance with the Witches! We have heard your call and maybe one day we will do another session like this but you ALL know WE LOVE IT LOUD, so watch out for our new single to come very soon!”  

The three songs were recorded live at Little Creek Studio in Switzerland with special guests Courtney Cox (The Iron Maidens), Larissa (the new Witch on guitar), and Noelle Dos Anjos (Nungara, Alkoholika).

Tracklisting:

"Black Magic"
"We Eat Your Children"
"Dance With The Devil"

The Burning Witches are currently in the studio recording their new single, which will be released on September 17.

Lineup:

Laura - vocals
Romana - guitars
Larissa - guitars
Jay - bass
Lala - drums

(Photo - Burning Witches Facebook)




(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();

Former RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS guitarist Jack Sherman has died at the age of 64.

The news of his passing was confirmed by the band, which released the following statement: "We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed. Jack played on our debut album as well as our first tour of the USA. He was a unique dude and we thank him for all times good, bad and in between. Peace on the boogie platform."

The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

Sherman joined RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS in 1983 as the replacement for Hillel Slovak and played guitar on the band's self-titled debut album. He was also a co-writer on its follow-up, 1985's "Freaky Styley", but he was replaced by a returning Slovak before the LP came out.

Sherman later contributed to RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' albums "Mother's Milk" and "The Abbey Road" EP, but was left out when the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame eight years ago.

"It's really painful to see all this celebrating going on and be excluded," Sherman told Billboard in a 2012 interview. "I'm not claiming that I've brought anything other to the band... but to have soldiered on under arduous conditions to try to make the thing work, and I think that's what you do in a job, looking back. And that's been dishonoured. I'm being dishonoured, and it sucks."

GANG OF FOUR's Andy Gill, who produced RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS' debut, told Billboard Sherman's role should not go overlooked. "I do find him to be significant to the band's history, very much part of getting the funk guitar in there. They just really rubbed each other up the wrong way," he said.

In addition to his work with RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, Sherman contributed to Tonio K.'s "Notes From The Lost Civilization", Bob Dylan's "Knocked Out Loaded", and albums by George Clinton and Feargal Sharkey.


We of the RHCP family would like to wish Jack Sherman smooth sailing into the worlds beyond, for he has passed. Jack...

Posted by Red Hot Chili Peppers on Saturday, August 22, 2020

During an appearance on yesterday's edition of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", Frankie Banali's wife Regina spoke about plans for his memorial service. The QUIET RIOT drummer died on Thursday (August 20) after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

"Funnily enough, he had already bought and paid for and planned his entire services at Forest Lawn [cemetery in Los Angeles] before his [cancer] diagnosis," Regina said. "But I don't know how we're gonna do that now with COVID. He was gonna get the same kind of funeral that Ronnie [James Dio] got and Jimmy Bain and all those funerals that we've been to many times."

"He was saying we're gonna rent the [legendary West Hollywood restaurant and bar] Rainbow and have laminated passes and [have a] send-off in the rock and roll way that he arrived in L.A.," she continued. "He had a lot of history with the Rainbow. But I don't know how we'll do it, or when."

According to Regina, there will likely be a large-scale memorial event in Frankie's honor once the coronavirus pandemic has subsided.

"I think it's better to go big, even if it's later," she explained. "'Cause I think people will still care. And I think he deserves the honor and recognition that he's earned."

Regina, who wrote and directed the QUIET RIOT documentary "Well Now You're Here, There's No Way Back: The Quiet Riot Movie", confirmed that Frankie had put tentative plans in place to keep the QUIET RIOT legacy alive even after his death. However, she said, "I feel like it is too soon to talk about [that]. The plans are in my hands. But still, even that is not really a solid plan. Everything is so in flux, with COVID and everything, it's just so soon that I can't even really promise anything."

Frankie was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on April 17, 2019 and given six months to live. He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could. Standard chemotherapy stopped working and a series of strokes made the continuation on a clinical trial impossible. He ultimately lost the fight at 7:18 p.m. on August 20 in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife and daughter.

Banali was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after going to the emergency room for shortness of breath, leg pain and loss of energy. A scan of his lungs caught an image of his liver, which is where the first spots were seen. Then came the discovery of a tumor on his pancreas.

He had been in treatment since the spring of last year and recently completed his 21st round of chemotherapy with the hopes of shrinking or controlling the cancer.

Banali's history with QUIET RIOT spanned over 37 years and he had the distinction of being the only member of the band to have recorded on every single QUIET RIOT release from 1983's "Metal Health", which was the first heavy metal album to reach No. 1 on the Billboard chart, through 2019's "Hollywood Cowboys". He also recorded seven albums with W.A.S.P. between 1989 and 2004.

Banali resurrected QUIET RIOT in 2010, three years after the death of singer and founding member Kevin DuBrow.

QUIET RIOT's latest studio album, "Hollywood Cowboys" was released in November via Frontiers Music Srl.

Actor, comedian and acclaimed heavy metal drummer Richard Christy has paid tribute to QUIET RIOT's Frankie Banali, who died earlier this week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Christy, who has played with CHARRED WALLS OF THE DAMNED, ICED EARTH, DEATH and CONTROL DENIED, and who currently works for "The Howard Stern Show", took to his social media on Saturday (August 22) to upload a video of him playing along to the QUIET RIOT classic "Run For Cover". He wrote in an accompanying caption: "Here's a drum tribute video to the legend Frankie Banali. I would not be a drummer if it weren't for Frankie & the Metal Health album. This is the song that made me want to play double bass. Thank You Frankie. RIP @FrankieBanali @QUIETRIOT @EddieTrunk @rudysarzo"

The 46-year-old Christy began working on "The Howard Stern Show" in 2004 after winning the "Get John's Job" contest. He is known for his prank calls, song parodies, personality and stunts performed on the show. He is also a stand-up comic and an actor, appearing in and directing several independent films.

Frankie was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on April 17, 2019 and given six months to live. He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could. Standard chemotherapy stopped working and a series of strokes made the continuation on a clinical trial impossible. He ultimately lost the fight at 7:18 p.m. on August 20 in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife and daughter.




Here’s a drum tribute video to the legend Frankie Banali. I would not be a drummer if it weren’t for Frankie & the Metal Health album. This is the song that made me want to play double bass. Thank You Frankie. RIP @FrankieBanali @QUIETRIOT @EddieTrunk @rudysarzo pic.twitter.com/9cHjOdlaVo

— Richard Christy (@cwotd) August 22, 2020

Former WHITESNAKE, DIO and current THE DEAD DAISIES guitarist Doug Aldrich has paid tribute to Frankie Banali, who died earlier this week after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Earlier today, Aldrich posted an Instagram photo of the QUIET RIOT drummer and his wife, Regina Banali, and he included the following message: "R.I.P. Frankie. You will be missed.....

"I met Frankie in 1982. I went to the Troubadour to watch a band play and I'll never forget the first time I saw Frankie... Wearing a long black leather coat with his hair to the roof and carrying a green sparkle Ludwig kit to the stage. He blew me away and we later worked together on some records and became friends. He was a sweet soul...always put his family and friends first.

"I'll never forget I was hanging out at his house one day and he was telling me some family drama that was going on and he was trying to help everybody at the same time and also his mother was really ill he was trying to take care of his mom and I said man you got a lot on your shoulders and he smiled and said... 'it's ok, I have strong shoulders'

"Frankie you carried the weight of the world on your shoulders man now it's time for you to rest, rest easy my friend.

"Condolences to his wife Regina."

Frankie was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer on April 17, 2019 and given six months to live. He put up an inspiringly brave and courageous 16-month battle to the end and continued playing live as long as he could. Standard chemotherapy stopped working and a series of strokes made the continuation on a clinical trial impossible. He ultimately lost the fight at 7:18 p.m. on August 20 in Los Angeles surrounded by his wife and daughter.

Banali was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer after going to the emergency room for shortness of breath, leg pain and loss of energy. A scan of his lungs caught an image of his liver, which is where the first spots were seen. Then came the discovery of a tumor on his pancreas.

He had been in treatment since the spring of last year and recently completed his 21st round of chemotherapy with the hopes of shrinking or controlling the cancer.
























View this post on Instagram


































R.I.P. Frankie. You will be missed..... I met Frankie in 1982. I went to the Troubadour to watch a band play and I’ll never forget the first time I saw Frankie... Wearing a long black leather coat with his hair to the roof and carrying a green sparkle Ludwig kit to the stage. He blew me away and we later worked together on some records and became friends. He was a sweet soul...always put his family and friends first. I’ll never forget I was hanging out at his house one day and he was telling me some family drama that was going on and he was trying to help everybody at the same time and also his mother was really ill he was trying to take care of his mom and I said man you got a lot on your shoulders and he smiled and said... “it’s ok, I have strong shoulders” Frankie you carried the weight of the world on your shoulders man now it’s time for you to rest, rest easy my friend. Condolences to his wife Regina.(

A post shared by Doug Aldrich (@douglasaldrichguitar) on Aug 21, 2020 at 2:26pm PDT