SCORPIONS drummer Mikkey Dee has posted a short video update from Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany, where he and his bandmates are rehearsing and doing pre-production for their upcoming studio album. Tentatively due in 2021, the disc will mark the German hard rock legends' first release since 2017's "Born To Touch Your Feelings - Best Of Rock Ballads", which was an anthology of SCORPIONS' new and classic material.

SCORPIONS originally intended to record the new album in Los Angeles with producer Greg Fidelman, whose previous credits include SLIPKNOT and METALLICA. However, because of the pandemic, most of the work so far had been done remotely, with Fidelman taking part via Zoom.

In the video, which can be seen below, singer Klaus Meine says in part: "It feels good. We're making progress every other day, and having our friend Greg Fidelman Zoomed in from Los Angeles. He tells us every day, 'No. I don't like that. I like it better this way.' [Laughs]" Mikkey says: "We work all day on something, folks, and then he changes everything." Klaus adds: "But sometimes Greg comes in and goes, 'This is fantastic.'"

Meine recently told Talking Metal that the goal with using Fidelman to produce the new LP is to bring "the old vibe from albums like 'Blackout', 'Love At First Sting' or even 'Lovedrive'. We try to focus on those albums and this attitude," he said. "If we get there, who knows — it's so many years later. But it's the spirit and it's the whole vibe around this album. This time, the focus is on the harder songs."

According to Meine, SCORPIONS' new LP will feature "no outside writers at all," unlike 2015's "Return To Forever", which was largely co-written by the album's producers, Mikael Nord Andersson and Martin Hansen.

Fidelman began his career as the guitarist and songwriter for RHINO BUCKET before launching his career as a producer, engineer and mixer, finding an early mentor in Rick Rubin.

SCORPIONS' last full-length collection of new recordings was the aforementioned "Return To Forever", partially comprising songs the band had in the vault from the '80s. It was the final recorded appearance of SCORPIONS' longtime drummer James Kottak, who was dismissed from the band in September 2016. He has since been replaced by Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.
























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A post shared by Mikkey Dee (@mikkeydeeofficial) on Aug 22, 2020 at 12:24pm PDT

The latest episode of Couch Riffs With Mike Squires features a performance of the Rod Stewart classic, "Young Turks", by special guests William DuVall (Alice In Chains, vocals), Ronnie Vannucci (The Killers, drums), Jon Skibic (Afghan Whigs, lead guitar), Mark Watrous (The Shins, keys), and Ryan "Fluff" Bruce (Dragged Under, rhythm guitar) with Mike Squires (Loaded) on "Couch Riffs" with audio mixed by Don Gunn (Death Cab For Cutie/Postal Service/Soundgarden).

Says Squires: "This video is the culmination of much effort over the last 2 years, as I slowly figure out what the hell I'm doing. I book, schedule, film, edit, and promote Couch Riffs, a video series and an audio podcast, which celebrates its 100th podcast episode the week of this release! I can't believe I'm still going some days and I’m not sure how I maintained the energy for it through this year.

"Sometimes you think you're creating something very specific that you've fully imagined and realized but life and circumstances have a way of showing you how it will be its best if you listen and take cues. In some ways Couch Riffs is the most fun I've had in any musically related project in my life and career. It is challenging and can be a real test of patience at times but is always worth the effort. I'm constantly laughing at the situations I'm finding myself in and always laughing directly at myself. It is an absolute honor and privilege every time someone says yes to the question 'will you be on Couch Riffs with me?'.

"This ensemble Couch Riffs video is made up of folks that I've known for varying amounts of time. The choice of song inspiration actually came from Ronnie Vannucci who told me years ago before The Killers released Sam's Town that they were going to cover this song (it never happened). I remembered this and when we started talking about song choices I threw that out and he didn't remember! He just thought I picked a great song. I've known RV since the 90s and am so happy to finally get the opportunity to play on a track with him!

"Mark Watrous first came on my radar around 2000 when he was in a NW band called Loudermilk, one of my absolute favorites. This guy SHREDS guitar, keys, and strings. He's gone on, of course, to play with some very big and successful acts because that's where he belongs. With the best of the best.

"I've met William DuVall over the years a handful of times but never spoke to him at length and digested the depth of his experience and influence on underground music over the last 4 decades until he guested on the Couch Riffs podcast. His stories are some of my favorites of all time on the show and it was an absolute jaw dropping experience for me to hear his track on this the very first time when he sent it back to me. Alice in Chains is lucky to have him and I'm even luckier to have him on this track.

"Jon Skibic is in one of the greatest American indie bands of all time, the Afghan Whigs, and he really shines on this track in a way that he doesn't always get highlighted on stage or record. When I moved to NY a number of our mutual friends pestered both of us to meet each other until we finally did and have become fast friends.

"Ryan Bruce is likely the most familiar person to most folks watching this video if you've EVER been on YouTube and wanted to learn about some great piece of guitar gear. He has been a super resource to Couch Riffs in nearly every way imaginable. He actually saw one of my earliest videos where I was using an iPad and iRig along with my iphone and he sent me a bus-powered interface so that I could improve my game a bit. He's also been a very patient resource to me as I work out the kinks and riff on ideas to him. He's also a killer guitar player in a vicious metal band called Dragged Under and you should check them out.

"It was an absolute pleasure making this and hosting each of my guests. I thank them for trusting me to present them to you and I thank you for watching and supporting the videos and podcast."




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Legendary rock band, Jefferson Starship (featuring David Freiberg, Donny Baldwin, Cathy Richardson, Chris Smith, and Jude Gold), have released their new EP, Mother Of The Sun, their first collection of new songs in 12 years. Mother Of The Sun is released via Golden Robot Records, and is available here. A new lyric video for the song, "What Are We Waiting For?", can be found below.

The seven tracks include two songs co-written by original Jefferson Starship/Jefferson Airplane members - "It's About Time" co-written with Grace Slick and another co-written with Marty Balin. The collection also features the return of original Jefferson Starship member Pete Sears, who plays bass on three tracks.

"Paul Kantner was our bandleader and the visionary who kept Jefferson Starship going through so many eras," says Richardson. "He inspired so much about this record, from the messages in the lyrics to the title and album art to the collaborative process of creating music as a band with some of his original muses - Grace, Marty, and Pete. Mother Of The Sun is dedicated to PK."

While Jefferson Starship's current members have been touring incessantly (including playing five continents with Kantner before his passing in 2016), Kantner's final "crew" has mostly been riding out the pandemic in their homes.

Mother Of The Sun tracklisting:

"It's About Time"
"What Are We Waiting For?"
"Setting Sun"
"Runaway Again"
"Embryonic Journey"
"Don't Be Sad Anymore"
"What Are We Waiting For?" (Extended version)

"What Are We Waiting For?" lyric video:

"It's About Time" video:

Jefferson Starship features founding singer/multi-instrumentalist David Freiberg (who was also in Jefferson Airplane during the band's final year), longtime drummer Donny Baldwin (who joined Jefferson Starship in 1982 and also played and sang on many hits of the band's Starship era), lead singer Cathy Richardson (whom Kantner recruited in 2008), 25-year member Chris Smith on keyboards, and lead guitarist Jude Gold, who joined in 2012.

The current lineup of Jefferson Starship is dedicated to breathing new life into this timeless music in their live shows. Massive hits such as "Jane", "Miracles", "White Rabbit", "Somebody to Love", "Volunteers", "We Built This City", and "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" continue to reverberate in pop culture all over the world. Whether in the studio or on tour, the five members still enjoy pushing sonic boundaries, passionately trying to change the world, and staying true to the original spirit of all things Jefferson Starship.




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Harry Shearer, one of the creators of the iconic mockumentary film "This is Spinal Tap", has released the fourth track in his Donald Trump song series, which runs with a song a week throughout this summer and fall. "Stormy Daniels" follows the old-school R&B anthem to Jared Kushner, "Son In Law"; the disco/plaintive folk number celebrating Trump's consistent inconsistency in his approach to the pandemic, "COVID-180"; and "Very Stable Genius", a low-power power ballad, in which the Leader Of The Free World vaunts his self-proclaimed intellectual prowess combined with his calm and balanced disposition.

Written and performed by Shearer in the style of a mid-sixties romantic ballad, "Stormy Daniels" is a lush string-filled ode to passion, power and pay-off. Singing himself a soothing song of love and self-pity, the current occupant of the White House praises his alleged former amour's ample assets while bemoaning how his own assets were wasted in buying her silence.

"Stormy Daniels" features Shearer on vocals as Donald Trump. He is joined by CJ Vanston on piano, strings and bass and Greg Bisonette on drums. The trumpet and string arrangement is by CJ Vanston. The music and lyrics are by Harry Shearer. It is released by Twanky Records.

"Stormy Daniels" sample lyrics:

"Paid her from my own account

Just for max clarity

Something I never did

For any school or charity

Despite what you may hear

There's no similarity

I never need advice

She's not a slut

I just helped her keep her pie hole shut

Stormy Daniels

Such a thrill doesn't come in granules

She's naughty

And oh so nice"

Shearer has vocally portrayed every U.S. president of his lifetime. Donald Trump is the third he has portrayed physically, having previously played Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan on screen.

Shearer says of the series of Trump-themed songs: "My Donald Trump is almost as eager for continued public attention as the 'real' Trump."

Movie audiences will know Shearer best for his collaborations with Christopher Guest and friends. The most famous of these is the granddaddy of all mockumentaries, "This Is Spinal Tap" (with Rob Reiner and Michael McKean). The film revealed the concepts of spontaneously combusting drummers and amps that go up to eleven. SPINAL TAP, the band, has enjoyed worldwide success, stealing the show at the 2007 Live Earth concert at Wembley, London. In 2009, Harry, Christopher and Michael reunited to tour an acoustic version of SPINAL TAP songs as themselves in the "Unwigged And Unplugged" tour (which is available of DVD) and returned as Derek Smalls, Nigel Tufnel and David St. Hubbins to play Glastonbury and Wembley Arena with the volume turned up to eleven.

Twanky Records was co-founded by Shearer and Judith Owen in 2013 as the recording label to release their personal recording projects.

Modern rock storytellers COHEED AND CAMBRIA have teamed up with Grammy Award-winning singer Rick Springfield in the sequel to one of the most iconic stories in rock 'n' roll history with "Jessie's Girl 2". The track, which finds the two extending the narrative of "Jessie's Girl" with some unexpected twists, is available now on all streaming platforms and is joined by an official music video (directed by Craig Bernard and Cully Bunker). Featuring both Springfield and the band, the video comically explores the unexpected and diabolical nature of Jessie's girl, proving that things are not always as they seem.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA vocalist/guitarist Claudio Sanchez wonders, "Has anyone ever written a sequel to another artist's song?" He continues: "I don't think so. As a fan of movies, it just seemed like a really interesting idea." The song's concept evolves around the premise that "he got the girl" and asks, "where are they now?" Let's just say it's not a fairytale ending, as Sanchez surmises: "It's kind of like a National Lampoon's movie meets 'So I Married An Axe Murderer'."

The genesis of "Jessie's Girl 2" dates back to COHEED AND CAMBRIA studio sessions from 2019, when the band began riffing on an idea as Sanchez extemporaneously sang the hook from Springfield's 1981 Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 smash. A germ of an idea was planted as Sanchez pondered, "What if a band created a sequel for a song that wasn't originally theirs?" After fleshing out new lyrics and tinkering with the concept (even considering a future album of likeminded material called "Sequels"), the band revisited the idea during their time spent at home quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Sanchez pitched the idea to Springfield on Instagram Live. As the song started coming together, they sent it off to Springfield and upon hearing it, the legendary singer agreed to pick up where he left off almost 40 years ago, and feature on the song. "Jessie's Girl 2" looks at what could have been by flipping the timeless anthem of unrequited love on its head, further broadening the legacy of this songbook essential which earned Springfield the 1982 Grammy Award in the category of "Best Rock Male Vocal Performance."

To celebrate "Jessie's Girl 2 (Featuring Rick Springfield)", COHEED AND CAMBRIA has launched a special webstore pre-order for a seven-inch vinyl release of the single which will arrive on September 4. The webstore exclusive vinyl includes a Side B "Jessie's Girl 2 (Directors Cut)" version of the song and is available for pre-order alongside limited-edition "Jessie's Girl 2" merch items including: a t-shirt, trucker hat, button-set, and poster. Pre-orders are available now at www.coheedandcambria.com.

COHEED AND CAMBRIA has a handful of tour dates scheduled for 2021, including a gig with BLINK-182 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on July 2, Riot Fest in Chicago, Illinois on September 16, and their very own S.S. Neverender cruise setting sail from Miami, Florida on October 26.

ALTER BRIDGE frontman Myles Kennedy has entered the studio to begin recording his second solo album. He is using the same team that worked on 2018's "Year Of The Tiger", including producer Michael "Elvis" Baskette, engineer Jef Moll, as well as drummer Zia Uddin and bassist Tim Tournier.

Earlier today, Kennedy posted a photo of him and Uddin at the studio, and he included the following message: "Drums and percussion done! A musical bond that started over 34 years ago continues today. Grateful for the incredible work ethic and talent my brother @zznuddin brought to this record. In my opinion he is one of the best out there. More important....he's a great human. ? #MKII #quarantinedinstudio #solorecord #drums #drummer #childhoodfriends #studio #studiolife"

Last month, Myles Kennedy told "Offstage With DWP" about the musical direction of the forthcoming LP: "'Year Of The Tiger', first of all, is a very dark record, and it's very stripped down, very acoustic based. This one has elements of that. I wanted to keep a common thread with it. There are acoustic elements. There's definitely still that element of a lot of slide guitar, a lot of lap steel, 'cause I just love how emotive both those are. But it definitely rocks a little more. There's no doubt about it — this is more of a rock record, with kind of a heavy R&B undercurrent at times as well. There's even one song — if it makes the record — which is a full-on Motown thing.

"I've got so many [songs] right now," Myles added. "[The overall direction] is really gonna depend on what makes the record. I think I learned that from David Bowie interview, where he [said he] would try and write… He'd have 40 songs to choose from [for an album], so that way you can make the best statement you can."

Myles's tour in support of "Year Of The Tiger" featured music from the album as well as selections from Myles's work with ALTER BRIDGE, THE MAYFIELD FOUR and SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS.
























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Drums and percussion done! A musical bond that started over 34 years ago continues today. Grateful for the incredible work ethic and talent my brother @zznuddin brought to this record. In my opinion he is one of the best out there. More important....he’s a great human. ? #MKII #quarantinedinstudio #solorecord #drums #drummer #childhoodfriends #studio #studiolife

A post shared by Myles Kennedy (@officialmyleskennedy) on Aug 22, 2020 at 1:02pm PDT

On July 25, Douglas Blair of W.A.S.P. joined the Turku, Finland-based "fuzz rock" quintet ATOMIC ANNIE for an engaging acoustic version of the W.A.S.P. hit "Wild Child". Blair holstered his Crimson Oath "Borra" custom aluminum Telecaster, and played an uncharacteristic yet effective slide guitar over the well-adapted version.

ATOMIC ANNIE is an active member of the Rock Academy's Turku branch, in which Blair has been deeply involved in "band coaching" for several years. The franchised city-funded social programs (there are currently six nationwide) include two-year free enrollments for young bands in which they receive close support, recording and live experience, instructional clinics and personal tutoring from pros.

Blair states: "'Wild Child', of course, is one of our favorite epic old school tunes to perform with the band, and it's one of those perfectly written ones that works in many interations — like 'Love Machine' by Sweden's GRANDE LUXE or the swing/ska 'Somebody' by THE JUMPIN' JIMES.

"I really never sit in with anyone for our own songs, but this was an invitation tough to refuse indeed.

"It was a rush to play with these guys who have been in our band coaching program (Turku Rock Academy) for years, and they nailed it! Benji's (Benjamin Stromsund, ATOMIC ANNIE singer) in this context is enthralling and spot-on. However, the guys did throw me a curve ball when they transposed the key, so all of my normal shit that I play just went flying out the window. I had to start from scratch, and an open tuning used for SIGNAL2NOISE stuff actually worked perfectly with the slide guitar!"

SIGNAL2NOISE, Blair's unique "power duo," also appeared on VR Sonic Temple for a full set on Wednesday July 21. On August 8, the duo also performed its European debut at the SmugglerRok6 festival in Lieto, Finland.

W.A.S.P. was forced to cancel all nine weeks of the fall 2020 "1984 To Headless" European tour, and rescheduling is in progress.

FOZZY singer Chris Jericho has entered the studio to resume recording the vocals for the band's next album.

Earlier today, Jericho posted an Instagram video of him in the studio and he included the following message: "So stoked that @fozzyrock sessions are back in....session! #newalbum".

Chris recently said that FOZZY's next LP will contain 12 songs, including one cover. During the July 25 episode of his "Saturday Night Special" weekly live series, he said: "It's our best album ever by far, and I can't wait for you guys to get a chance to hear it. And we're gonna start recording vocals… We did four songs of vocals already. And one of the songs is called 'Ugly'. There you go. U-G-L-Y. You ain't got no alibi. That's all I'm saying."

This past May, Jericho told Australia's Triple M radio station that FOZZY has "so many great songs" written for the new LP that "it's gonna be hard to pick the singles."

Guitarist Rich Ward and producer Johnny Andrews are once again "doing the lion's share" of the songwriting for the new LP, which is being recorded primarily in Atlanta, Georgia.

Released last August, "Nowhere To Run" was FOZZY's third single to hit Top 10 on rock radio, following "Judas" and "Painless".

In addition to producing "Judas", Andrews previously co-wrote FOZZY's "Lights Go Out" track back in 2014. He has also written songs with the likes of ALL THAT REMAINS, THREE DAYS GRACE and HALESTORM.

Last month, FOZZY announced the rescheduled "Save The World" tour dates, starting October 3 in Dallas, Texas and ending on November 22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
























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So stoked that @fozzyrock sessions are back in....session! #newalbum

A post shared by Chris Jericho (@chrisjerichofozzy) on Aug 20, 2020 at 2:30pm PDT

The official music video for "Hypnotic", the debut single from ASHBA, the solo project of former GUNS N' ROSES and current SIXX:A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba, can be seen below. The track, which was mixed and mastered by three-time Grammy nominee Luca Pretolesi of Studio DMI (Steve Aoki, Diplo, Lil Jon), features a guest appearance by Cali Tucker, the daughter of country music singer LaCosta Tucker and niece of country music legend Tanya Tucker.

According to a press release, Ashba is "the first artist to combine multiple genres with EDM into one unique, explosive sound."

Says Ashba: "My debut single, 'Hypnotic', is a high intense EDM track with big rock guitars. When I perform live along with my DJ, the futuristic AI visuals will take the crowd on a journey to the unknown. I will be featuring a different singer on each track. This music will have no boundaries."

"Ashba's unique version of EDM immediately caught my attention. And now, the industry is calling 'Hypnotic' the new sound coming out of Vegas," says Tony Guanci, Edgeout Records founder and label head.

Written and produced by Ashba, "Hypnotic" opens with his signature guitar sound accompanied by the sultry vocals of Tucker, who teases the listener with "time to steal the show." With Ashba's unwavering experimental vision and Pretolesi's skillful mixing touch, "Hypnotic" exalts life on the dance floor as a space where the cares of the day are cast aside for a night that "makes you lose control" while enjoying a live experience like no other.

Produced by Ashba and following the recent filming guidelines, the video for "Hypnotic" was filmed at one of Sin City's most exclusive mansions and embodies the ultimate Las Vegas fantasy. Beautiful provocateurs, outrageous "colorscapes" and mind-blowing music inspire guests at this private affair to shed all inhibitions and celebrate life as if "tomorrow may never come." Just as the night is about to climax, the intimate over-the-top rave gives way to a surprise twist, injecting his playfulness and humor.

Ashba has brought together a formidable team for his project that includes Gavin Maloof, founding partner Vegas Golden Knights/vice chairman, Maloof Companies; and Tony Guanci, Edgeout founder and label head.

"Hypnotic" will appear on ASHBA's first full-length effort, which will arrive later in the year via Edgeout Records.

On the set of the "Hypnotic" video, Ashba told Las Vegas Now about his solo project: "I left GUNS N' ROSES, and SIXX:A.M. went on hiatus for a bit. So I've always had this vision to take all the genres that have inspired me as a kid growing up and put 'em in a blender as a producer and see what comes out. And this really unique sound came out. And I'm a big fan of EDM, so it's been great. It's EDM with big rock guitars and cellos and violins and congas. There's no limits. It's awesome!"

Although Ashba initially started work on the project as a collaboration with his SIXX:A.M. bandmate James Michael — under the band name PYROMANTIC — it has since evolved into an Ashba solo venture, with Michael announcing in 2018 that he was stepping away from the group.

Ashba commented: "Over the past couple of years, I have found myself going through a musical transformation — almost an evolution, you could say. I allowed my creativity to flow freely without trying to restrain it to conform to a particular genre. I found the whole journey very liberating and also very exciting. It allowed me to experiment with new sounds and compositions that cross the boundaries of multiple music genres, to create something so unique and exciting that I cannot wait to share it with the world."

Last year, Ashba spoke to "Vegas Junkeez" about how his new project came together. He said: "It started off in the beginning, me and the singer from SIXX:A.M., James Michael, we had some time off and we started writing like we did. And it eventually evolved, and obviously, it went in a direction, and I pushed it really hard in a direction, and then James kind of got busy and went off [to do] his thing. But it's evolved into this incredible thing that's just awesome. And to have congas and horns… And it's very worldly. It's designed to make the body move. It's full-on dance stuff, but it's great."

Calling his solo effort his "number one priority," Ashba said that he is "so, so inspired" by the music that he recorded thus far. "This is everything I've ever wanted to do," he said. "It's kind of like your whole career, you learn all these things, you work with all these people… [This] is kind of just my labor of love — it's something I truly wanna do for me — and it's so gratifying to be able to be in a position…

"I've had an incredible career — thank god — but this new thing is just the next chapter," he explained. "It's really special, and it's really a lot of fun. And it's given me the freedom as a songwriter and a producer just to create any style… Basically, I don't have to write for one vocalist or one voice… I can write not only for that, but multiple genres, as long as we keep it within kind of these wide walls that we call [ASHBA]. It's finally my vision unfiltered. So it's really cool. And I'm excited. I think people are really gonna like it. It's something completely different than I've ever done — something new. It's very creative. And me being a creative person, it's the perfect, perfect thing for me, I guess — the perfect project."

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BLUE ÖYSTER CULT will return with a mammoth new studio album, "The Symbol Remains", on October 9 via Frontiers Music Srl. Coming nearly two decades after the release of the band's last studio LP, "Curse Of The Hidden Mirror", the effort showcases a band which hasn't been slowed by the time passed but is simply unfazed by it. "The Symbol Remains" is said to be one of BLUE ÖYSTER CULT's most spirited, diverse and inspired releases to date.

"The Symbol Remains" track listing:

01. That Was Me

02. Box In My Head

03. Tainted Blood

04. Nightmare Epiphany

05. Edge Of The World

06. The Machine

07. Train True (Lennie's Song)

08. The Return Of St. Cecilia

09. Stand And Fight

10. Florida Man

11. The Alchemist

12. Secret Road

13. There's A Crime

14. Fight

As the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait," and the 14 new songs on display here embody that. Fans will be delighted with an extremely inspired album which ultimately sounds like a band looking back at their storied catalog and giving the fans a bit of everything they've ever loved about BÖC, while simultaneously continuing to evolve.

For over four decades, BLUE ÖYSTER CULT has been thrilling fans of intelligent hard rock worldwide with powerful albums loaded with classic songs. Indeed, the Long Island, New York‐based band is revered within the hard rock and heavy metal scene for its pioneering work. BLUE ÖYSTER CULT occupies a unique place in rock history because it's one of very few hard rock/heavy metal bands to earn both genuine mainstream critical acclaim as well as commercial success. Now they have partnered up with Frontiers Music Srl to continue their amazing journey.

BÖC is often cited as a major influence by other acts such as METALLICA, and BÖC was listed in VH1's countdown of the greatest hard rock bands of all time.

Upon the release of BÖC's self-titled debut album in 1972, the band was praised for its catchy-yet-heavy music and lyrics that could be provocative, terrifying, funny or ambiguous, often all in the same song. BÖC's canon contains three stone‐cold classic songs that will waft through the cosmos long after the sun has burned out: the truly haunting "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" from 1976's "Agents Of Fortune", the pummeling "Godzilla" from 1977's "Spectres" and the hypnotically melodic "Burnin' for You" from 1981's "Fire Of Unknown Origin". Other notable BÖC songs include "Cities On Flame With Rock And Roll", "Then Came The Last Days Of May", "I Love The Night", "In Thee", "Veteran Of The Psychic Wars", "Dominance And Submission", "Astronomy", "Black Blade" and "Shooting Shark".

The intense creative vision of BÖC's original core duo of vocalist/lead guitarist Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Eric Bloom are complemented by Richie Castellano on guitar and keyboards, and the longtime rhythm section of bass guitarist Danny Miranda, and drummer Jules Radino.

JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford will release his autobiography, "Confess", on September 29 via Hachette Books. Pre-orders are now available at Amazon.

In a new interview with Robert Cavuoto of Sonic Perspectives, Halford stated about the book's title: "I would like to feel there are parts of this book which are relatable to others. Everybody is the same, as we all share similar life experiences. There are so many things that happen to us; we are almost identical no matter where we are from. I've traveled the world and seen how our music can touch people from all walks of life and professions. Confessing these stories or episodes is important, and it gives the reader a look-see into this guy that you only see from one point of view."

Asked if he has any regrets about sharing some of his stories with the world, his friends, his family and bandmates, Halford said: "That's a really great question. When I was sitting with [co-writer] Ian [Gittins, who also co-wrote The New York Times bestseller 'The Heroin Diaries' by Nikki Sixx], I was very open and honest. It just flows out of me. Being clean and sober for 30 years, I don't lie anymore, nor do I hold anything back. I like people to be the same towards me.

"I don't doubt for one minute that some people will be shocked by what's in 'Confess'. This is my life, and me telling you all the important parts of it. It's up to you to decide how to interrupt and utilize it.

"Going one step further, when I was having these long sessions with Ian, I would stop and go, 'Why did I say that?' particularly with some of the family incidents. I really had to let that go.

"The book isn't even out yet, and I think about it nearly every day," he continued. "I have to find a commonplace, because I am exposing parts of my life, which some people will be quite shocked. That's not my intent.

"When you are confessing, it's exactly what you are doing. To protect certain individuals, we just changed their names out of respect.

"It's crazy — some days I feel great that it's all out there. Some days I would like to rewrite a paragraph or part all over.

"I'm sure I'm not the first person who has made this kind of book.

"Quite frankly, if I weren't feeling that way, I would think there is something wrong with me.

"I'm a very emotional person. I'm still trying to find a settled place. That is why these interviews are good for me, as I can talk things out. Talking and communication are so vital to us in life, especially when we are trying to figure things out."

Halford is not the first member of PRIEST's classic lineup to release a book. Former JUDAS PRIEST guitarist K.K. Downing released his autobiography, "Heavy Duty: Days And Nights In Judas Priest", in September 2018 via Da Capo Press.

In 2009, original JUDAS PRIEST singer Al Atkins released his autobiography, titled "Dawn Of The Metal Gods: My Life In Judas Priest And Heavy Metal". JUDAS PRIEST bassist Ian Hill penned the foreword to the book, which was written with Neil Daniels — a freelance rock writer and heavy metal fan who befriended Atkins during the writing of Neil's book "The Story Of Judas Priest: Defenders Of The Faith" (Omnibus Press).

Thrash metal brigade, MindWars, have revealed the title of their soundtrack to 2020. Their fourth album, appropriately titled The Fourth Turning, features a new bassist Rick Zaccaro to hold down the rhythm with Roby Vitari. Danny “Z” Pizzi, moves to guitar to accompany Mike Alvord.

The Fourth Turning will be released on September 25 via Dissonance Productions.

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.

Updates to follow.




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QUEEN's management has described the band's attempts to stop Donald Trump from using its music in social media campaigns as an "uphill battle."

Earlier this week, Trump's campaign used QUEEN's classic song "We Will Rock You" in a video on TikTok competitor Triller. The video has not yet been taken down.

A spokesman for QUEEN told BBC News said it has "repeatedly taken issue with the Trump campaign," adding that "the band itself has been quite outspoken on the subject."

This is not the first time QUEEN and Trump have clashed over his unauthorized use of the band's music. Last October, QUEEN filed a copyright infringement notice over the unauthorized use of "We Will Rock You" in a another Trump campaign video. The clip was eventually removed from Twitter "in response to a report from the copyright holder."

Four years ago, QUEEN slammed then-Republican presidential hopeful Trump for using the band's 1977 song "We Are The Champions" without permission.

When Trump took the stage at the Republican National Convention in July 2016, he emerged in front of a blinding backdrop of white lights as a lectern rose from the floor. All the while, "We Are The Champions" could be heard throughout the arena.

QUEEN's publishing company, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, later issued a statement disapproving of the song's use.

Back in June 2016, QUEEN guitarist Brian May voiced his displeasure over Trump's use of "We Are The Champions". He wrote at the time: "I can confirm that permission to use the track was neither sought nor given. We are taking advice on what steps we can take to ensure this use does not continue. Regardless of our views on Mr. Trump's platform, it has always been against our policy to allow QUEEN music to be used as a political campaigning tool."

In the "Letters" section of his site, May doubled down on his unfavorable opinion of QUEEN's association with the billionaire mogul. He wrote at the time: "We certainly have not approved this use of ['We Are the Champions']. I will make sure we take what steps we can to dissociate ourselves from Donald Trump's unsavoury campaign."

May isn't the first rock musician to distance himself from Trump. TWISTED SISTER singer Dee Snider revealed that he asked Trump to stop using the band's signature anthem "We're Not Gonna Take It" as the "exit song" at the politician's campaign stops, explaining that he couldn't "get behind a lot of what [Trump is] saying."

Last October, Trump tweeted a photograph of presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son golfing with a Ukranian gas executive — superimposed into NICKELBACK's video for "Photograph". Within a day, the band got the meme removed.

According to The New York Times, Warner Music Group flagged Twitter about the issue.

Twitter users went on the social media giant to react to the meme. One Twitter user wrote, "Trump got owned by NICKELBACK as the entire world laughs. If that's not worthy of impeachment, I don't know what is." Another wrote, "As I predicted, @realDonaldTrump appears to be the first American President to be dissed by @Nickelback."

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, "666AM", below.

The front cover, done by known artist Michael Shantz (Bring Me The Horizon, Your Demise, Drop Dead Clothing and many more) and already finished in early 2020, turned out to be strangely fitting for these times.

The band comments: “Our only guideline was capturing the insanity of the world including all kinds of nowadays’ additions. We gave him free rein and this is what he came up with.”

While the majority of the lyrics were finalized before the band started the recording with Andy Posdziech (Any Given Day) they became even more relevant during the process. “As most people we and all our families got hit really hard by the pandemic and the restrictions that came with it. We even had to find creative ways how to handle parts of the songwriting online and obviously also the recordings. Some guitars were tracked online and Matthi ended up doing all vocals including backing vocals himself. Video shootings that were already planned a long time in advance needed to be rescheduled...” Regardless the band made it happen and Menace is capturing Nasty 100% in the here and now: Fucked up music for a fucked up world.

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"

"666AM" video:

"Ultimate" video:

Nasty are:

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

(Photo - Matt Ojeda)




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US prog metal outfit, Oceans Of Slumber, will release their new and self-titled album, Oceans Of Slumber, on September 4, via Century Media Records worldwide. The band have released another glimpse of their new album with the release of “To The Sea (A Tolling Of The Bells)”.

The band comments: “This is a song about love and catastrophic loss. And living with that loss. Continuing on because of community. Because of purpose. A purpose to fulfill that loss which you suffered in other people. To enrich your surroundings. Losing someone so close that it shakes the very foundation of your existence. Loving someone despite that consequence.”

Oceans Of Slumber is available as Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold black 2LP+CD, Digital album and can be pre-ordered here.

Oceans Of Slumber tracklisting:

"Soundtrack To My Last Day"
"Pray For Fire"
"A Return To The Earth Below"
"Imperfect Divinity"
"The Adorned Fathomless Creation"
"To The Sea"
"The Colors Of Grace"
"I Mourn These Yellow Leaves"
"September (Those Who Come Before)"
"Total Failure Apparatus"
"The Red Flower"
"Wolf Moon"

“The Colors Of Grace” video:

 

"The Adorned Fathomless Creation":

"A Return To The Earth Below" video:

Lineup:

Cammie Gilbert - Vocals
Jessie Santos - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Alexander Lucian - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Semir Ozerkan - Bass
Dobber - Drums, Piano/Synths
Mat Aleman - Keyboards




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Norway's Gaia Epicus have released a cover of the 80s hit "I Melt With You", by Modern English. Listen below:

The band previously released their cover of the Dio classic, "Holy Diver". Check out the visualizer below:

Gaia Epicus recently announced the addition of drummer Mike Terrana (Tarja, Rage, Axel Rudi Pell, Vision Divine) for the upcoming new album, Seventh Rising.

Thomas Chr. Hansen: "I am very honored and proud to annouce that Mike Terrana is the drummer for the new Gaia Epicus album, Seventh Rising.
Mike has done a great job in making this album come to life.

"It's also a great honor to announce that Tim "Ripper" Owens (Judas Priest, Iced Earth) Is making a guest performance on the track called 'Gods Of Metal'.

"We are about to start mixing the album in the upcoming weeks. I am looking to make a deal with a bigger label so if anyone is interested get in touch with me. If no new deal is made then the album will be released through Epicus Records later this year.

Gaia Epicus recently revealed the tracklist for Seventh Rising. This is the follow-up to the band’s latest album Alpha & Omega which was released in December 2018. The new album is the seventh studio album from Gaia Epicus and it will contain 11 tracks. Release is expected by the end of 2020.

Tracklisting:

“Like A Phoenix”
“Rising”
“Nothing To Lose”
“From Ashes To Fire”
“The Dream”
“Invisible Enemy”
“Dr. Madman”
“Number One”
“Gods Of Metal”
“We Are The Ones”
“Eye Of RA”

Album lineup:

Thomas Chr. Hansen - guitars, bass and vocals
Lukky Sparxx - lead guitars
Mike Terrana - drums

Special guest:

Tim "Ripper" Owens - vocals




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Raven Black has released the latest single and lyric video for “5 Feet Underground” from the theatrical metal act’s upcoming third album, The Key.

“‘5 Feet Underground’ expresses the inner determination and preservation of one’s artistry,” vocalist Raven explains. “A response to those who don’t understand our dark metal carnival world and a grand invitation to those fans who join in the fun and run away to the carnival!”

The Key, produced by Ulrich Wild (Static-X, White Zombie, Deftones), is scheduled for release October 2 via WurmGroup. Prior to its cancellation due to COVID-19, Raven Black was slated to perform on the nearly two-month-long The In-Between Tour with In This Moment, Black Veil Brides and DED this spring.

Together since 2012, Raven Black has created a soundtrack to their own Dark Metal Carnival, releasing the 2016 EP Seven Sins and the 2018 album 13. The band has toured extensively, perfecting a creepy live show that unifies the visual and aural aspects of Raven Black.

Raven Black is:

Raven - Vocals
Muppet - Drums/Vocals
The Doctor - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Stitches - Bass




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Orange County, CA based alt-metal band Cerebellion has revealed a stunning new animated lyric video for “Redemption,” the fifth single from the forthcoming album Beyond Our Failures.

“Redemption” reimagines vocalist Joe Arnold’s story of walking away from a stable career to go all-in on his dream of breaking the band through a narrative of a corporate professional aspiring to become a professional kickboxer.

Dynamic weaving in and out of bludgeoning double bass grooves and moody passages reflects the song’s passionate lyrical narrative.

“Joe really captured these strong feelings of both doubt and determination through his lyrics and vocal delivery,” says guitarist and twin brother John Arnold. “As a band, we’re very proud of this song. It’s the most collaborative song on the album and I think you can hear that.”

"Redemption" is available for purchase and streaming on all major services.

Since March of this year, Cerebellion has dropped a single from Beyond Our Failures every six weeks. The culmination of this strategy will be on National Metal Day, November 11, with the release of the album.




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During an appearance this past Wednesday (August 12) on SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation Virtual Invasion", Corey Taylor was asked when he will know that it's time for him to walk away from SLIPKNOT due to the physical cost of performing with the band for so many years. He responded: "That's a good question. The honest answer is I don't know. And honestly, it's because I really try to keep myself healthy, I try to keep myself clean.

"I'm still as into extreme music as I've always been," he continued. "That's just a side of me that I've always been into. It' never hard enough; it's never crazy enough. And sometimes the band has to calm me down when it comes to the stuff that I write. [Laughs]

"I don't know, man. I've always said that the second that I'm doing this for reasons other than my absolute passion for doing it, as soon as that changes, that's when I'll know. And that's honestly why I've always followed my passions and followed my interests, and I've never allowed myself to do anything for money, for a cheap pop, cheap fame — I've never done any of that. I'm not gonna say I'm proud of it, because that's just who I am.

"But needless to say, if I get to the age where that choice makes more and more sense, I think there's a part of me that will absolutely rein myself in and be, like, 'No. No. This isn't who you are. This isn't what you wanna do. You need to walk,'" he added. "And I think at that point, I'll have accomplished enough that I'll be okay with it. It won't mean that I'll stop making music. It just means I'll stop making a certain type of music. For me, I think I'll have the honesty to know and hopefully the courage to do it, because sometimes it's scary."

Back in May 2019, Taylor underwent surgery on both knees and recovered in time to appear with SLIPKNOT on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" He also played a solo show two days later in Garden Grove, California. The following month, SLIPKNOT played its first full concert in two and a half years at Rockfest in Hyvinkää, Finland.

"Honestly, it was hard enough when I had my knee surgeries," Corey told "Trunk Nation Virtual Invasion". "Just going out on the road and doing that was tough enough. I was, like, 'Oh, I should be fine.' Then I got out there and I was just, like, 'This was a bad idea.' [Laughs] And they only scraped the scar tissue — they didn't really get in there get in there.

"So, yeah, if I start to get a little too broken, I'm gonna hang up the mask."

Taylor will release his debut solo album, "CMFT", on October 2 via Roadrunner Records. Taylor recorded the effort with his band consisting of Jason Christopher on bass, Dustin Schoenhofer on drums, and Zach Throne and Christian Martucci (STONE SOUR) on guitar. The LP was completed at Kevin Churko's The Hideout Recording Studio in Las Vegas with producer Jay Ruston, who has previously worked with ANTHRAX, STEEL PANTHER and STONE SOUR, among others.

More video of Vic And The Rattleheads, aka Megadeth, performing at a secret show at Saint Vitus Bar in Brooklyn, NY on December 12, 2016, has been released. Watch the band perform "Peace Sells", as well as the previously posted "Symphony Of Destruction", "Dystopia", "Sweating Bullets", "Tornado Of Souls", "Rattlehead" and “Hangar 18”, below:

Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece, by Dave Mustaine with Joel Selvin, will be released on September 8. Pre-order in a variety of limited edition autographed bundles here, and watch a short video trailer below.

A new book by the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of Megadeth, the original lead guitarist of Metallica, and the author of the New York Times bestseller, Mustaine.

Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece details the making of Megadeth’s iconic record, Rust In Peace, which was released in 1990, at an incredible time of flux and creativity in the rock world. Relayed by Dave Mustaine, the book covers the process of hiring the band and supporting cast, of trying to handle the ensuing success, and ultimately the pressure of fame and fortune - which caused the band to finally break-up. In short, it’s a true story of groundbreaking anti-pop that was moving toward the mainstream (or the mainstream that was moving toward the band), at a time of great cultural change, power, ego, drugs, and other vices that went hand-in-hand with rock n' roll, circa the late eighties-early nineties.

Little did Mustaine know that the birth pangs of the record were nothing compared to the oncoming pain and torment that would surround it. Alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, property, prestige, the lies the band was told by the industry - and the lies they told each other - were just beginning, and much like rust in real life, these factors would ultimately eat away at the band’s bond until only the music survived.

Rust In Peace: The Inside Story Of The Megadeth Masterpiece is a story of perseverance, of scraping off the rust off that builds over time on everything: ourselves, our relationships, pop culture, art, and music.




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German speed metal band, Iron Angel, returns this year with their fourth studio album, Emerald Eyes, set for release in October via Mighty Music. Check out a lyric video for the song, "Bridges Are Burning", below.

The follow-up to their 2018 comeback album Hellbound, sees the band maturing and refining their sound without compromising intensity and aggression, quite the contrary. The new release brings back a lot of the thrashiness, that has been somewhat absent from anything the band has done since their 1985 debut Hellish Crossfire. On the other hand, the songwriting, the performances, and the overall package, everything has reached a new level in quality and with it’s clear (though not sterile) production, the band sounds fresh, hungry, and energetic.

"We wanted to improve in every way possible," says drummer Maximilian Behr. "On one hand we wanted to even further go back to the sound of Hellish Crossfire, but on the other hand we also wanted to play to our own strengths, rather than the ones of others and I think we really managed to do that. With Emerald Eyes we married the past with the present at last and now we set our eyes onto the future."

Emerald Eyes will be released in digital, CD, and vinyl formats by Mighty Music on October 2.

"Sacred Slaughter"
"Descend"
"Sands Of Time"
"Demons"
"What We're Living For"
"Emerald Eyes"
"Fiery Winds Of Death"
"Sacrificed"
"Bridges Are Burning"
"Heaven In Red"
"Dark Sorcery"

"Bridges Are Burning" lyric video:

"Sands Of Time" video:




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Stockholm’s Dead Lord has unleashed the fourth single from their upcoming fourth studio album, Surrender, called “Later From Allen St.”. Watch the video below.

The band comments: ”“One beer too many? A drunk swede lost in the Big Apple? The fourth single off our upcoming album Surrender is titled 'Letter From Allen St.' and is just that. A letter from Allen Street. Where fun is not always present. Amid rotten food scraps and unforgiving city lights, a whiny yet heartful melody emerged. Be it a mellow declaration of our love to the city that never sleeps or maybe only making the best of  those times when the bottle didn't help the heartache, either way, Enjoy! - And remember; Rock now, cry later!”

Surrender (out worldwide on September 4 via Century Media Records) can be pre-ordered here and will be available in the following formats:

-CD Digipak (incl. 3 bonus tracks)
-Black LP
-Dark Green LP (200x, via Century Media EU & US Online Shops)
-Creamy White LP (300x, via Century Media EU Online Shop & other mailorders)
-Deep Blood Red LP (200x, via EMP & Nuclear Blast)
-Transparent Petrol Green LP (100x, via Dead Lord Webshop)
-Digital Album

Surrender is a one-stop shop of everything from sweet licks and stylish solos, to simply remarkable catchy songs that hit you in the feels and fill the gas tank to the brim.
Stellar guitar rock, fresh and unleashed, as Dead Lord reinvigorates and rewires a long-lost style, rocketing it into a new era with stone-cold future studio classics. Surrender conveys the sense, palpable at the shows, of the magnetic chemistry and rolling thunder the Dead Lord live extravaganza always floors you with. You can hear the fun and fever, feel the crackle and burn of the reels as they capture a rare rock and roll lightning strike, as if you were standing in the wings with the drug-dealers and crazed leather rebels of days gone by.

Humbucking their way into the mixing desk of Robert Pehrsson’s Studio Humbucker in Stockholm, Dead Lord couldn’t have found a more fitting sparring partner for their live burst of untamed rawk. Pehrsson has helped hone Dead Lord’s classy riffs and King Kong energy into a diamond-cut crystal of top-drawer rhythm and blues.

Tracklisting:

“Distance Over Time”
“Letter From Allen St.”
“Authority”
“Evil Always Wins”
“Messin’ Up”
“Dark End Of The Rainbow”
“Bridges”
“The Loner’s Way”
“Gonna Get Me”
“Dystopia”
“Hands Down” (Moon Martin cover)*
“Moonchild” (Rory Gallagher cover)*
“I staden som aldrig slumrar till” (“Letter From Allen St.” with Swedish lyrics)*

*Ltd. CD Digipak bonus tracks

“Messin’ Up” lyric video:

“Distance Over Time” video:

“Evil Always Wins” video:




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Thrash metal meets horror/fantasy story, part III: their latest album Return To Hemmersmoor sees German-American act Them present the third part of a trilogy that was launched back in 2016 on Sweet Hollow and continued in 2018 with Manor Of The Se7en Gables.

Return To Hemmersmoor takes up where the thematic thread of its two predecessors left off and brings the story to a gripping finale, documenting at the same time the band’s unmistakable musical evolvement. “Possibly the new material is a little tougher and more uncompromising,” guitarist Markus Ullrich compares the three recordings. “Being directly involved, we’re too close to really be able to judge. Fact is: the album definitely sounds more mature, which certainly has to do with the songwriting as well as with our general approach. From the start, Them have worked in a very focussed manner according to a definite plan. For that kind of targeted strategy you really need the right line-up consisting of accomplished musicians that are one hundred per cent behind the concept. Them totally fulfils all those conditions.”

Ullrich is referring to his colleagues, vocalist KK Fossor, guitarist Markus Johansson (Sylencer, 4ARM), drummer Angel Cotte (Demolition Hammer), bassist Alexander Palma, and keyboardist Richie Seibel (Lanfear, Ivanhoe). Although the band members live on two continents (Fossor, Johansson and Cotte in the US, Ullrich, Palma and Seibel in Germany), Them play and work together as a tight unit. When guitarists Ullrich and Johannson collaborate on compositions, frontman Fossor translates their inspirations into skilfully worded melodies and lyrics, the rhythm section puts the pedal to the metal and expansive keyboard sounds lend the songs their special atmosphere, Them are at their preferred operating temperature, which frequently culminates in breathtaking results such as Return To Hemmersmoor.

No doubt about it: Them’s new album Return To Hemmersmoor is an impressive release. The group’s diverse songwriting with its well thought-out story, the band members’ accomplished technical skills and the modern production, mixed again by Dave Otero at the Flatline Audio studio in Denver, have culminated in a haunting thrash metal opus. On the one hand, the album lives up to the role models of the Bay Area scene, on the other hand - thanks to clever references to US power metal and the band’s typical ingredients - it leaves an unmistakable and characteristic fingerprint. It would hardly be possible to pay the band and its new album a greater compliment.

Return To Hemmersmoor will be released as a CD DigiPak version, 2LP gatefold version, CD/LP bundle with shirt (exclusively at the Steamhammer shop), download and stream on October 30 via SPV/Steamhammer. Pre-order here.

You can watch a lyric video for the song "Free" below.

Tracklisting:

"Diluvium"
"Age Of Ascension"
"The Tumultuous Voyage To Hemmersmoor"
"Free"
"Field Of Immortality"
"The Thin Veil"
"Waken"
"Memento Mori"
"Hellhounds: The Harbingers Of Death"
"Battle Blood"
"Maestro’s Last Stand"
"Finis"

"Free" lyric video:




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For the first time ever, Styx has released their 14th album, Cyclorama, on all download and streaming platforms starting today via BMG.

Originally released in 2003 on Sanctuary/CMC International, Cyclorama, it was the band’s last full-length studio album of all-original material prior to the June 2017 release of The Mission. It was produced by Tommy Shaw, James “JY” Young, and the late Gary Loizzo (an integral member of the Styx production team dating back to 1974), and it contains such enduring tracks like “One With Everything,” “Yes I Can,” “Killing the Thing That You Love,” “More Love for the Money,” and “Fields of the Brave.” Cyclorama was re-released in 2004 via the Silverline label with a 5.1 surround-sound mix done by Loizzo for both the DVD-Audio and DualDisc formats.
 
As a thank you to the nation’s first responders and frontline workers and to coincide with the stream launch, Styx has created a timely conceptual video set to the lyrics of “These Are The Times” (with lead vocals by guitarist James “JY” Young), which spotlights the men and women who’ve been working tirelessly to take care of people throughout the pandemic. It can be viewed below.
 
“It’s amazing how a song that was created in a certain timeframe, can fit into another timeframe 17 years later and that is the case with ‘These Are The Times,’” notes James “JY” Young. “It’s even more amazing how this song encompasses the current world situation, and that it can fit into a song so beautifully. It’s a fascinating thing. The video was created by my best friend Steve Jones, who is so incredibly talented and I’m blown away with what he came up with. Styx fans and the world at large, take a breath, this too shall pass, and it’s the music that will carry us through. AMEN!”
 
Singer/guitarist Tommy Shaw reflected on Cyclorama with resident Styxologist Mike Mettler on the eve of last year’s 16th anniversary of the album’s release, “Cyclorama was kind of an experimental record, just to see where we were as a band after having reformed in 1999. We were stretching our legs in the studio, and there was a lot of growth and moving forward. That’s how I look at that album. Whenever I think of Cyclorama, it puts a smile on my face.”
 
As part of the band’s ongoing association with the Pittsburgh Steelers (the team plays “Renegade” at the beginning of big defensive plays in their stadium), Styx is asking fans for donations to be made to the Pittsburgh Foundation Emergency Action Fund. The Pittsburgh region is facing unprecedented economic, health and human services challenges in the global public health pandemic brought on by the COVID-19 virus. In response, on March 16, local philanthropies partnered to create the Emergency Action Fund, which awarded operating grants on a rolling basis to emergency service providers and nonprofit organizations serving on the front lines of recovery.

To donate to the Pittsburgh Foundation Emergency Action Fund head here.




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Tallah will release their new album, Matriphagy, on October 2 via Earache Records. Pre-order the album here, and watch a video for the song "Overconfidence" below.

An original dose of fucked up and disturbing alt-metal insanity! Exhilaratinghly fresh whilst incorporating nostalgic 90s nu-metal vibes - vocalist Justin Bonitz is a man possessed, wildly careering form blood curdling shrieks to lightning quick rap bars. Throw in electronic elements and almighty riffs plus modern hardcore breakdowns and Tallah are 2020's answer to Slipknot.

Notorious for their wild, unhinged and downright dangerous live shows, Tallah have cultivated a fierce live reputation on the underground circuit with multiple US tours and a European festival trip last summer, including their UK debut at Boomtown Fair opening for Napalm Death and Prophets Of Rage.

Matriphagy is a concept album about how an overprotective mother pushes her son to the edge of insanity through psychological and physical abuse. Having spent two decades trapping inside a glorified prison, and after some failed rescue/escape attempts, the son, in a state of heavy delirium, does the unforgivable to free himself from his mother's wicked hold. A disturbingly graphic tale that is to be taken both literally and metaphorically, Matriphagy is set to a pleasurably harrowing backdrown of brutally heavy musicianship, an unapologetic love-letter to chaos, and the sickening twist of the macabre.

Max Portnoy offers the following insight into the musical direction of the band’s latest single: "'The Silo' is the lightest track on the album, and the first time we've experimented with using more dynamics in our music. This song is a good example of showcasing what else we can do with our sound aside from the raw heaviness displayed in all our other tracks."

Tracklisting:

"[Redacted]
"No One Should Read This"
"Kungan"
"Overconfidence"
"Placenta"
"L.E.D."
"The Silo"
"We, The Sad"
"Too Quick To Grieve"
"Cottonmouth"
"Murder Seed"
"The Borderline Of Pain"
"Red Light"

"Overconfidence" video:

"We, The Sad" video:

"The Silo" video:

Lineup:

Justin Bonitz - Vocals
Max Portnoy - Drums
Derrick Schneider - Guitar
Andrew Cooper - Bass




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Slovenian multi-instrumentalist Marko Košmrlj has recorded a new song, "Turning Away At All Costs", under the moniker Neon featuring Soilwork / The Night Flight Orchestra vocalist Björn "Speed" Strid. Check it out below.

Check out the official Neon Facebook page here.

Divided have released a brand new song and music video featuring Strid. The Soilwork / The Night Flight Orchestra mainman lent his unmistakable voice to the band’s new song, “Meteorite”, which is featured on the their second full-length, Behind Your Neon Eyes, available now via Nail Records on multiple streaming platforms.

Divided guitarist PsyKlone talks about “Meteorite”: "Meteorite was the song that washed away the dam from creativity’s way during the Spring when we realized that we only had like three months before the deadline to hand over the master for the album, and there were only five songs ready for the record."

"We always wanted a song for this album that had that late '80s hit vibe you saw by the melodic rock / metal hotshots in Headbanger’s Ball around 1989, but with a modern twist. We finished the first demo in about three days with a lot of influence drawn from Hot In The Shade-era KISS, Danger Danger or Ratt, but also wanted to add some AOR and pop / rock feeling to it too. Guitars gently lay behind the catchy vocal melodies, are not too dominant  in the choruses but they bring in the drive to the verse parts."

"When the first demo was done, we instantly knew that somehow we must bring in Björn ‘Speed’ Strid, the singer of Soilwork and The Night Flight Orchestra to lend his voice to the song as it has some of that certain The Night Flight Orchestra vibe we love in their tunes. Due to the unfortunate events earlier this year, we managed to get this collaboration together. Luckily Speed was very ardent and 100% professional during this work together, and the results definitely speak for themselves. A sci-fi themed music video was also shot for 'Meteorite' directed by Peter Lerch, which we think is our best video so far. This is one of the songs we are most proud of on Behind Your Neon Eyes, hope you will dig it too!"

Behind Your Neon Eyes artwork and tracklisting:

"Descent"
"Roll Out"
"Don't Turn Away"
"[futurenation]"
"Meteorite" (feat. Björn “Speed” Strid - Soilwork / The Night Flight Orchestra)
"Follow You"
"Space Samurai"
"The Last Starfighter"
"Teknoskeptic"
"Beam Me Up"
"Until The Stars Turn Cold" (feat. Flo V. Schwarz - Pyogenesis)

For further details, visit Divided on Facebook.




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To mark the August 21st release of the band's self-titled, debut EP, The Georgia Thunderbolts have issued a new video for "So You Wanna Change The World". "The song  sends a positive message to all people young and old everywhere," the band explains. "It’s never too late to make our world a better place for everyone. Stay positive, humble and love one another. That’s our motto. Let’s all change our world one day at a time together."

Whether it be on the banks of the Mississippi River or deep in the heart of the English countryside, rock ‘n’ roll lives, breathes, and burns on the outskirts. Hailing from Rome, GA at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, The Georgia Thunderbolts’ debut EP features their scorching signature style steeped in soulful southern swagger, blistering blues, and raw rock. With a wide swath of inspirations, ranging from southern gospel and Hank Williams to Merle Haggard, Neil Young, Little Feat, Ozzy Osbourne, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, the band cut their teeth performing with everyone from The Kentucky Headhunters to Blackberry Smoke. Shortly after, they hit the iconic Barrick Recording Studio in Glasgow, KY to record with producer Richard Young. 

The resulting EP comprises undeniable anthems steeped in anthemic riffs, wild harmonica, and pulse-pounding drums. From the bluesy blend of “So You Wanna Change The World”, to “the first song we ever wrote,” the dynamic “Looking For An Old Friend”, The Georgia Thunderbolts rustle up a new era of rock ‘n’ roll on their dynamic five song EP. The seven minute-plus “Set Me Free” rolls from a hummable riff towards evocative soloing and an epic final crescendo, while “Lend A Hand” stomps along on a wild lick before a sweeping and soaring refrain.

“We’re going for that timeless and classic sound with a modern twist and newer attitude,” exclaims TJ Lyle, the lead vocalist for the group that also features Riley Couzzourt (guitar), Logan Tolbert (guitar), Zach Everett (bass, harmony vocals, keys), and Bristol Perry (drums). “We all grew up on rock music,” Riley adds. “If I could think of three words to describe us, they would be ‘Hardworking, Determined, and Humble’.” Bristol grins, “If I could think of three words, they would be ‘Rock And Roll’.”

“In Georgia, you hear Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, and all of the greats everywhere,” Riley and Logan conclude. “Rock and roll is something that comes naturally for us. We love it and are in it for the long haul. We feel like we can bring it back.” 

Order your copy of The Georgia Thunderbolts EP now at this location.

Tracklisting:

"Looking For An Old Friend"
"So You Wanna Change The World"
"Lend A Hand"
"Spirit Of A Workin' Man"
"Set Me Free"

For further details, visit The Georgia Thunderbolts on Facebook.




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Yet again, Thomas Zwijsen has tackled another classic Iron Maiden song and has made it his own; “Caught Somewhere In Time” featuring his acoustic classical fingerstyle guitar work featuring Wiki Violin. 

“This is on the new Nylon Maiden Lives On Double CD,” Zwijsen says. The studio version of Caught Somewhere In Time is the opening track on the Somewhere In Time album by Iron Maiden, released in 1986. This HD video was filmed in Baños de la Encina in the province of Jaen, Spain, in one of Europe's oldest and best preserved castles. We thank them for welcoming us to film, it was a great pleasure to be ‘Caught Somewhere In Time’ in this amazing location!”




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Megadeth guitarist Kiko Loureiro has released a playthrough video for his new song, "Dreamlike", from his recently released solo album, Open Source. Check it out below:

Get the album here, and find a full audio stream below.

A recent message from Kiko states: "By definition, 'open source' is related to softwares which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. It brings us a higher sense of community, enhances our creativity and creates new possibilities. So why not take this concept to our art, our music? How much richer a song could be if others had access to its source code? What if the song's original composition wasn't the final product? What if it was just the beginning? Something that could be constantly updated and evolve over time. And as well as a machine, we as humans are also minded to enhancements, being an open source ourselves, constantly moving and growing, through technology, science, spirituality… and art. This is the mindset which I bring now to my fifth solo album, that was named... guess what? OPEN SOURCE!"

Tracklisting:

"Overflow
"EDM (e-Dependent Mind)"
"Imminent Threat"
"Liquid Times"
"Sertão"
"Vital Signs"
"Dreamlike"
"Black Ice"
"In Motion"
"Running With The Bulls"
"Du Monde"

Album stream:




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Ozzy Osbourne has blasted Donald Trump's coronavirus response, saying that America's 45th president is "acting like a fool."

The legendary heavy metal singer made his comments after more than 5.5 million Americans have been infected and at least 174,255 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University. The country's seven-day average for daily deaths has topped 1,000 for at least 24 days in a row.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ozzy said: "In my lifetime, I've never known anything like this. It's getting worse, not better. And this guy's acting like a fool. I don't really like to talk politics that much, but I've got to say what I feel with this guy. There's not much hope left. Maybe he's got a trick up his sleeve and he's going to surprise us all, and I hope he has. [Recently], over a thousand more people died in one day [in America]. That's fucking crazy. People got to get with this social distancing and mask-wearing or else it's never gonna go away."

Last month, Ozzy's official online store was updated with "Ozzy For President" merchandise, including t-shirts, hoodies, lithographs, bumper stickers and buttons.

The original "Ozzy For President" t-shirt, featuring the same design, first arrived in 1984.

Since he was born in England, Osbourne is ineligible to be president of the U.S. But he told Rolling Stone: "If I was running for president, I would try and find out a little bit about politics. Because the fucking guy you've got in there now doesn't know that much about it, I don't think. The Constitution says that anyone can be president. But it's not like anyone could be a fucking heart surgeon and just go in with a scalpel. You have to know what you're fucking doing. And anyone who runs for office, I think there should be an age limit. Eight years to us is nothing but to us, but if you're fucking 76, eight years is like death."

Back in June 2019, Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne called out Trump for using the rocker's music without permission.

"We are sending notice to the Trump campaign (or any other campaigns) that they are forbidden from using any of Ozzy Osbourne's music in political ads or in any political campaigns," Sharon said in a statement. "Ozzy's music cannot be used for any means without approvals."

Despite appearing on Trump's now-defunct "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2010, Sharon has been vocal about her disapproval of the billionaire real estate mogul.

"It's kind of fearful," she told Larry King in 2018. "I know a lot of my friends are fearful. We kind of wake up every day and go, 'What's gonna happen now?' You don't feel secure that everything will be smooth and people are in control of what they should be in control of. … For me, I wake up afraid of what on Earth is going to happen and who he's going to insult today."