"Hypnotic", the debut single from ASHBA, the solo project of former GUNS N' ROSES and current SIXX:A.M. guitarist DJ Ashba, will make its online debut on August 14. The track features a guest appearance by Cali Tucker, the daughter of country music singer LaCosta Tucker and niece of country music legend Tanya Tucker. The official video for the song was directed by Kaster Troy of Level 8 Studios.

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

On the set of the "Hypnotic" video, Ashba told Las Vegas Now about his solo project (see video below): "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."

According to DJ, he will promote the LP by embarking on a tour on which he will be joined only by a VJ.

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."

Photo credit: Michael Pool


























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‪ΛSHBΛ - Hypnotic (feat. Cali Tucker) Debut Single Coming 8.14.20 ?? #theabducted #hypnotic #helpspreadtheword #edm #rock #sharethecover #repost ‬

A post shared by ASHBA (@djashba) on Jul 24, 2020 at 1:06pm PDT

Danny Lauzon, guitarist for Canadian crushers Entropy, has checked in with the following update on the band's forthcoming new album:

Entropy's fourth album, Force Convergence, is doneski! We had a final mix and master session today to wrap it up... on Canada day no less! To work with someone that patiently allows you to express all the ear candy, squeals and noises embedded in your skull for eight years since we did E3 was a treat.  Jonathan from Silverwings absolutely crushed it. 

This is the album all our fans have been dying for since Ashen Existence. E3 was a bridge from old Entropy to now. This is a brand new hammer to your face of speed, thrash and proggy goodness!!

Trying to get anything done during a fucking pandemic requires patience and persistence; something I cannot put into words... maybe ever! Each day listen, re-evaluate and  push forward even though Covid says hahahaha.

I truly cannot wait to share this with the global metal community. Buckle the fuck up....this thing is coming out in a few weeks!"

Original artwork created for the new album Force Convergence, by Yan Sek, can be seen below.




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After Taylor Swift announced her new album "Folklore" last Thursday, many music fans pointed out the similarities between the pop superstar's new cover artwork and the black metal community, which is closely linked to the world of folklore and dark fairy tales.

Among the people who noticed "Folklore"'s metal vibes is Ihsahn, frontman of Norwegian black metallers EMPEROR, who went as far as to share a side-by-side comparison of the Swift album cover — featuring Taylor standing in the middle of the woods in black and white — and that of "Telemark", the solo EP he released this past February.

Earlier today, Ihsahn wrote on Instagram: "So, anyone check out the new @taylorswift yet? Personally I like the design" The musician, whose real name is Vegard Sverre Tveitan, also reposted a message from the "Telemark" artist David Thiérrée, who wrote: "Well, folks, I'm not the only one to think that Taylor Swift's new visual is very Metal... Even very close to Ihsahn's artworks I made. I could have done it for her, probably for a cheaper price than what she paid #taylorswift #taylorswiftfolklore #folklore #blackmetalart #telemark #davidthierree #darkarts #metalcovers #artist #artwork #metalartist #owlstrollsanddeadkingsskulls #blackmetalmusic #blackmetalcovers"

Swift's eighth studio album, "Folklore" was surprise-released on Friday, July 24. The superstar's follow-up to 2019's "Lover" features 16 tracks, with song titles like "Illicit Affairs", "Mad Woman", "The Last Great American Dynasty" and "Betty".

When Swift released her 2017 album "Reputation", many were quick to notice the similarities the cover art had to the hardcore genre — namely, the hardcore-inspired font.
























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So, anyone check out the new @taylorswift yet? Personally I like the design?? #Repost @davidthierree ・・・ Well, folks, I 'm not the only one to think that Taylor Swift' s new visual is very Metal... Even very close to Ihsahn 's artworks I made. I could have done it for her, probably for a cheaper price than what she paid ?? #taylorswift #taylorswiftfolklore #folklore #blackmetalart #telemark #davidthierree #darkarts #metalcovers #artist #artwork #metalartist #owlstrollsanddeadkingsskulls #blackmetalmusic #blackmetalcovers

A post shared by Ihsahnofficial (@ihsahnofficial) on Jul 25, 2020 at 11:07am PDT

West Coast rock veterans LYNCH MOB will celebrate the 30th anniversary of their seminal album "Wicked Sensation" with a special limited print/deluxe anniversary edition of the album. "Wicked Sensation Reimagined" features re-worked and re-recorded versions of their classic songs and will be available via Rat Pak Records on August 28 (also available in Japan via Marquee/Avalon).

The "reimagined" version of the "Wicked Sensation" title track can now be streamed below.

The original twelve-track album, released in October 1990, is considered by many to be sacred and perfect the way it was. The idea of remaking it was not something Oni Logan or George Lynch took lightly.

"The term 're-record' makes me cringe; this is not that," explains Lynch. "We re-invented the wheel on this record. It's really a different animal than the original! Fans won't be disappointed!"

Logan adds: "30 years later here we are celebrating the first song I penned and wrote for the band LYNCH MOB, 'Wicked Sensation'. This one’s for the fans that have been there from the beginning! My recommendation is to listen to it loud!!"

The cover of "Wicked Sensation Reimagined" was hand drawn by Midwest comic artist Andrew Owens as a tribute to the original cover art.

The album is available in multiple bundle configurations, including a limited print yellow-and-black splatter vinyl (limited to 500), hand-autographed CD bundles and cassettes and more.

With the help of Robbie Crane (BLACK STAR RIDERS) on bass and Brian Tichy on drums, Lynch and Logan bring passion and power into these newly created arrangements; some that take nothing away from the old versions but bring new light and magic to the material. The songs continue to sound as fresh and timeless and will be ready to garner a whole new legion of fans for the next thirty years.

"Wicked Sensation Reimagined" was produced by LYNCH MOB and Brian Tichy and mixed/mastered by Chris "The Wizard" Collier.

"Wicked Sensation Reimagined" track listing:

01. Wicked Sensation (Reimagined)

02. River Of Love (Reimagined)

03. Sweet Sister Mercy (Reimagined)

04. All I Want (Reimagined)

05. Hell Child (Reimagined)

06. She's Evil But She's Mine (Reimagined)

07. Dance of the Dogs (Reimagined)

08. Rain (Reimagined)

09. No Bed Of Roses (Reimagined)

10. Through These Eyes (Reimagined)

11. For a Million Years (Reimagined)

12. Street Fightin' Man (Reimagined)

Logan first hooked up with LYNCH MOB in 1990, but exited the group after the release of its first album, only to rejoin the outfit in the late 2000s. His most recent departure from LYNCH MOB took place in January 2018. At the time, he said in a statement that he was "looking forward to writing with other artists and bands."

Logan is featured on five of LYNCH MOB's eight albums, including "Wicked Sensation", as well as 2009's "Smoke And Mirrors", 2014's "Sun Red Sun", 2015's "Rebel" and 2017's "The Brotherhood".

In an interview with "The Right To Rock", Lynch said that he was at peace with the fact that LYNCH MOB will never have a permanent lineup.

"LYNCH MOB is a fluid device and a revolving door," he said. "And that's okay. I've learned to live with that and sort of embrace it."

Photo credit: Alex Ruffini

Aimée Osbourne, the eldest daughter of Ozzy and Sharon, has shared the music video for her new single "Shared Something With The Night", released under the ARO banner. The clip premiered exclusively with Rolling Stone, which wrote, "The video shows off a duskier, more dramatic side to her aesthetic — especially the shadowy video that shows her singing the song in a church while her masked band rocks out in the dark."

Aimée stated about "Shared Something With The Night": "The song is like a MY BLOODY VALENTINE lullaby for the romantically tormented that struggle to sleep at night. I wrote it when I was living in New York and feeling pretty alone and lost. I hadn't fully connected with who I really was and what that meant yet. Hung up on the outcome of someone else's approval of me to determine my own self-worth. This weird little song was an outlet for a lot of uncomfortability at the time."

ARO plans to release more music later in the year.

Aimée reportedly refused to appear in the reality show "The Osbournes", and even went as far as to move out of the family home in an effort to stay away from the cameras. She later explained in an interview: "I want to be a singer, and I felt if I'd stayed with 'The Osbournes' and done the whole thing, I would have been typecast right away."

She elaborated during a 2015 RollingStone.com interview, saying: "I don't think I will ever cross-contaminate my private life and my family life with my public and professional worlds. For me, nothing's more important than having a very clear boundary between the two. That's just part of who I am."

SLEEPING WITH SIRENS will release the deluxe edition of its sixth studio album, "How It Feels To Be Lost", on August 21 via Sumerian Records. The band has just dropped a lyric video for its brand new track "Talking To Myself".

"How It Feels To Be Lost" has been heralded as a major return to the band's earlier, heavier form. Since its release on September 6, 2019, "How It Feels To Be Lost" has accumulated a total of 40 million Spotify streams, 14 million views on YouTube, 68 million streams worldwide and has been featured on flagship streaming playlists including Spotify's "Rock This" and "New Core", Amazon Music's "Rock Scene" as well as being included on Apple Music's "Breaking Hard Rock", Spotify's "New Music Friday" and "Kickass Metal" and Deezer's "Heavy New Rock".

"How It Feels To Be Lost (Deluxe)" track listing:

01. Leave It All Behind

02. Never Enough

03. How It Feels To Be Lost

04. Agree To Disagree

05. Ghost

06. Blood Lines

07. Break Me Down

08. Another Nightmare

09. PS Missing You

10. Medicine

11. Dying To Believe

12. Talking to Myself

13. Leave It All Behind (Acoustic)

14. Agree To Disagree (Acoustic)

15. Ghost (Acoustic)

Since emerging in 2010, SLEEPING WITH SIRENS has tested the boundaries of rock by walking a tightrope between pop, punk, metal, hardcore, electronic, acoustic, and even a little R&B. This high-wire balancing act attracted a faithful fan base known as "Strays," generated global album sales in excess of 1.5 million, ignited over half a billion streams, and achieved a trio of gold-selling singles: "If I'm James Dean, You're Audrey Hepburn", "If You Can't Hang" and "Scene Two-Roger Rabbit". They launched two albums — "Feel" and "Madness" — into the Top 15 of the Billboard Top 200. They have graced magazine covers around the globe having been featured on the cover of Alternative Press a whopping eight times.

"How It Feels To Be Lost" was recorded at MDDN Studios in Los Angeles and produced by Zakk Cervini (YUNGBLUD, GOOD CHARLOTTE) and Matt Good (ASKING ALEXANDRIA).

SKILLET will release its deluxe edition project, "Victorious: The Aftermath", on September 11. The band has just unveiled a pre-sale package that includes the album and SKILLET's second graphic novel, "Eden II: The Aftermath". Also available today is the instant-grat track "Terrify The Dark (Reimagined)" as well as its corresponding lyric video.

"Victorious: The Aftermath" will feature all twelve original tracks from "Victorious", plus eight additional tracks, including two brand new unreleased songs, and five reimagined songs. Full track listing will be unveiled at later date.

"Eden II: The Aftermath" once again pairs Random Shock Studios with SKILLET frontman John Cooper and his "Eden" artist Chris Hunt. Two editions will again be available; both the standard and a limited deluxe edition. SKILLET's return to the post-apocalyptic world of "Eden", as established in their 2019 graphic novel debut of the same name, is an exciting one for the band as well as their publisher, Z2 Comics, as the original book became their best-selling graphic novel of all time. According to Cooper, "Aftermath" promises "more action, more surprises, more suspense."

SKILLET's tenth studio album, "Victorious", was released last August via Atlantic.

SKILLET's previous four releases — from 2006's "Comatose" to 2016's "Unleashed" — have been certified at least gold by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA). SKILLET's 2009 album "Awake" has gone double platinum.

SKILLET has enjoyed success on both the secular rock and Christian charts, with four consecutive No. 1 albums on the latter — including "Victorious". SKILLET has also had 27 Top 5 hits on the Christian Rock charts.

A week after attempting to write a SABATON-style song in 10 minutes, DRAGONFORCE guitarists Herman Li and Sam Totman returned to Twitch to take a stab at composing a song in the vein of Scottish pirate metallers ALESTORM. Video of the resulting session has since been uploaded to DRAGONFORCE's official YouTube channel and can be seen below.

Li recently told Nuclear Blast's "Saturday Night Lockdown" that he and his bandmates have stayed creative during the coronavirus downtime.

"We played our first show [in support of our eighth full-length LP, 'Extreme Power Metal'] on the album release date [last September], which was on TwitchCon, which is a Twitch convention," he said. "And we got that streamed to, like, 1.7 million people. Everything started out great — it was awesome. We had a sold-out tour happening. Everything was going well. We were gonna film a music video for every single DRAGONFORCE song on the album, and we got halfway through it, and COVID-19 happened. So the tour stopped. And some videos, we can't complete them. We filmed all of it, but we need some more footage. So we've got videos on hold now. And instead, we're writing a new album. Why not? Just like everybody — you just write a new album when you're sitting at home. And strangely enough, it's almost finished. [Laughs]"

DRAGONFORCE's recent European and North American tour dates marked the band's first with new bassist and backing vocalist Alicia Vigil (VIGIL OF WAR), who joined DRAGONFORCE in January. Last August, DRAGONFORCE parted ways with longtime bassist Frédéric Leclercq. Playing bass for the group at some its shows late last year was Damien Rainaud, who produced "Extreme Power Metal".

ALESTORM's latest album, "Curse Of The Crystal Coconut", was released on May 29 via Napalm Records.

DOKKEN will release an album called "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" on August 28 via Silver Lining Music.

The official lyric video for "No Answer", the second single from "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981", can be seen below.

It wasn't always multi-platinum sales and stadium gigs for DOKKEN. There was a first-phase and there were early days, and it is those bold first steps to stardom which are celebrated comprehensively on "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" LP.

Featuring spectacular sleeve art by renowned U.S. artist Tokyo Hiro (MOTÖRHEAD, MOTLEY CRÜE), "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" show the crackle and craft of a hungry young Don Dokken as he embarked upon a journey which started in Southern California and Northern Germany. It is a trek which is testimony to the sheer endeavor and perseverance Don Dokken showed in those few years between 1978 and 1981, starting from when he spent time at a guitar store called Drake's Music, owned by Drake Levin in Manhattan Beach, California.

A fair selection of the treasure on "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" are from these early European days. "Felony" carries a thuggish fuzz-coated riff -think early VAN HALEN in really greasy embroidered denims, while "Day After Day" showed that Don could pen a radio-slaying ballad.

The writing and creation of "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" are further tribute to enduring early days of struggle in both Germany and L.A., Don would return to L.A. for a spell after those brief European gigs, and he worked with Juan Croucier on material, including perhaps the truest view of DOKKEN's then-future "Hit And Run", which incredibly did not end up on the eventual "Breaking The Chains" release. From the sunbaked SoCal hook of "Step Into The Light" to the furious, fledgling, late-Sunset Strip sound of "Back In The Streets", "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" shows Don in his unfettered early days of balls-out attitude, qualities doubtless forged in the sheer nature of the adventures undertaken in writing, recording and deciding Europe was the place to keep cutting his teeth.

"The Lost Songs: 1979-1981" not only shares that magic with the fans, it gives them the final, vital and undeniably missing (until now) early album in the DOKKEN collection.

A year ago, Dokken spoke to the WSOU radio station about the "The Lost Songs" collection, saying that it was a "fun" release that would include "songs recorded in the '70s when I was a little pup in my early 20s. And I have 12 songs that I haven't released," he explained. "So we're gonna go in and remaster them and all that, and I might put out that record and call it something like 'Dokken: The Early Days' or 'Dokken: The Lost Tapes', or something like that. 'Cause it was just an accident. I was cleaning out my locker and I found a bunch of master tapes from '77 to '79. And I said, 'What the heck are these?' And it turns out it was all these demos I did in the early '70s, before we had a record deal… It's kind of fun record. My voice sounds a lot younger. I listen to it, and I go, 'God, I sound like I've got helium in my voice.' I was 23 years old. I sound like Mickey Mouse."

Musicians who appear on "The Lost Songs: 1978-1981":

Don Dokken - vocals, guitar

Jon Levin - guitar

BJ Zampa - drums

Juan Croucier - bass

Greg Leon - guitar

Gary Holland - drums

Mick Brown - drums

George Lynch -guitar

Rustee Allen - bass

Bill Lordan - drums

Greg Pecka - drums

"The Lost Songs: 1978-1981" track listing:

01. Step Into The Light

02. We're Going Wrong

03. Day After Day

04. Rainbows

05. Felony

06. No Answer

07. Back In The Streets

08. Hit And Run

09. Broken Heart

10. Liar

11. Prisoner

Longtime DOKKEN guitarist Jon Levin recently confirmed that the band was working on material for the follow-up to 2012's "Broken Bones" album.

DOKKEN's new LP will be released via Silver Lining Music, the label owned by Thomas Jensen, one of the founders of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival.

DOKKEN's classic lineup — Dokken, drummer "Wild" Mick Brown, guitarist George Lynch and bassist Jeff Pilson — reunited for a short Japanese tour in the fall of 2016. The trek marked the first time in 21 years the four musicians had hit the road together.

A DOKKEN concert DVD focusing on the band's reunion tour, "Return To The East Live (2016)", was made available in 2018.

Since completing the Japanese reunion dates, DOKKEN has continued to perform with the group's current lineup — which also includes bassist Chris McCarvill and drummer BJ Zampa (HOUSE OF LORDS).

Canadian rock group FALSET will release its debut album, "We Follow Or Lead The Way", on October 16. The band is comprised of Zach Copeland (vocals/guitar), Braeden Kozy (guitar), Riley Fields (bass) and Chance LaBrie (drums), son of DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie.

The official music video for FALSET's first single, "Give", can be seen below.

Copeland says: "'Give' is a song about putting your best foot forward.

"I believe that in life, we are all dealt a hand of cards, some are good, some are bad. Nothing we do in our entire lives can change the hand that we were dealt In the Beginning. All we can do is give it all we’ve got, and strive for our own best ending.

"The song is basically referring to life as one big poker game. In the chorus section of the song, 'I'll play my cards; I call your bluff' is a first-person referral to doing what you think is right, or doing what you know you need to do, despite what anyone else says or thinks."

"We Follow Or Lead The Way" was produced by Zach Copeland and mixed by Nolly Getgood (PERIPHERY, DEVIN TOWNSEND). The album combines metalcore, modern rock, djent, and prog elements highlighted by heavy-hitting breakdowns, soaring melodic vocals, and virtuosic guitar solos for a collection of exciting and memorable material.

Chance LaBrie said: "This album was made at my uncle David's cottage. It was nice to get away from all of of life's distractions and have a relaxing environment to write this album in with the boys. Then Nolly just brought it up a whole other level with the huge mix."

Added Copeland: "We were just experimenting as we were writing and this is what came out of it. It was a lot of fun to make."

Track listing:

01. Kingdom

02. Give

03. Fire At Will

04. We Follow Or Lead The Way

05. Rock Bottom

06. Hollow Saints

07. Dear Heaven Dear Saints

08. Without A Trace

09. 9 Minute Drive

10. Smoke & Mirrors

PANTERA has announced the launch of a special collection in celebration of the band's critically acclaimed album "Cowboys From Hell", which was released 30 years ago today on July 24, 1990.

"Cowboys From Hell" was PANTERA's breakthrough record, and it has since attained platinum certification in the United States. It has been praised by critics as one of the most influential albums on the metal scene in the 1990s. IGN named "Cowboys From Hell" the 19th most influential heavy metal album of all time.

The collection, available at PanteraStore.com, features brand new merchandise including a 30th-anniversary "Cowboys From Hell" long sleeve shirt, tee and hoodie, a limited edition mirrored pint glass, and most notably, an RIAA personalized platinum plaque.

PANTERA bassist Rex Brown spoke to the "Do You Know Jack?" radio show about the band's commercial success following the release of "Cowboys From Hell". "Everything was kind of changing at that point," he said. "All the hair bands and all that kind of stuff. Everybody was kind of stale. If you think about just songs in general, there were some pretty good songs that the look kind of took away from all that, 'cause you got lumped in with all that kind of crap. I'm not saying we did. But we just came around at a time that we saw a crack and we slipped through it, and we put a lot of hard work and a lot of touring [into it]."

He continued: "Those first two records ['Cowboys From Hell' and 1992's 'Vulgar Display Of Power'], we toured nonstop. We had 32 days off on the 'Cowboys From Hell' tour, and that was the total time period between 18 months on, and then directly back in the studio. We just came in at a time when people needed us. We would stay out in the parking lots until six in the morning signing autographs. I think that really made a big, huge difference between us and other bands that were just, you know, 'go on the bus and bye.' You know, you meet one guy, and he goes, 'Man, those guys were cool.' And he tells another friend, and it gets around like that."

Brown added: "We were the biggest underground band of the '90s. We didn't have a lot of MTV [support], we didn't have any radio play. Now you go to any sporting event and hear one of our songs at a football game, which is great, but they wouldn't touch it back then. So we just kind of [flew] by the seat of our pants and kind of D.I.Y., and just toured our butts off and worked really, really hard."

Guitarist "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, formed PANTERA in the mid-eighties in Texas. The band recorded four independent albums before "Cowboys From Hell" introduced a heavier sound and made them a favorite with metal fans. 1994's "Far Beyond Driven" debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200 without benefit of a commercial hit single. The group splintered in 2002 following the departure of volatile lead singer Philip Anselmo.

Legendary rockers AC/DC have launched a new video series, "The Story Of Back In Black", as part of the 40th-anniversary celebrations of AC/DC's classic 1980 album "Back In Black". The third episode in the series, focusing on the title track, can be seen below.

Last December, "Back in Black" was certified by the Recording Industry Association Of America for U.S. shipments of 25 million copies.

"Back in Black" first went platinum in October 1980 and had previously been certified 22 times platinum in December 2007. The RIAA lists "Back In Black" as the fourth biggest-selling album of all time.

On July 25, 1980, AC/DC released "Back In Black" in the U.S., followed by the album's U.K. release on July 31. It was the band's first album without lead singer Bon Scott, who had died a few months earlier after passing out and choking on his own vomit following a long night of drinking.

The group quickly decided to press on and hired Brian Johnson from the band GEORDIE to take over on vocals, and they headed to the Bahamas for about six weeks to do the album. AC/DC had made some serious headway in America before Scott's death, but no one knew how "Back In Black" would be received.

Johnson told The Pulse of Radio that he didn't have a clue how successful "Back In Black" would turn out to be. "I'd just melted me brain in there, and I didn't know if it was good or bad," he said. "That was the first time I'd been in the Bahamas, anyway, or near America, you know, and you (have to) remember, I was just fascinated by the whole culture and all, and I had no idea what the hell I was doing! And (laughs) lucky, really — I was a bit lucky, I think."

"Back In Black" included the singles "You Shook Me All Night Long", which peaked at No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, and "Back In Black", which peaked at No. 37.

Despite its massive success, it never got higher than No. 4 on the album charts. The band's next album, "For Those About To Rock", reached No. 1.

"Back In Black" was produced by Robert "Mutt" Lange, who went on to produce DEF LEPPARD, FOREIGNER, THE CARS, and BRYAN ADAMS.

In 2012, "Back In Black" was added to The Recording Academy's legendary Grammy Hall Of Fame collection.

AC/DC recently launched a range of new merchandise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of "Back In Black".

Canadian singer, songwriter and producer Devin Townsend has announced a new virtual event dubbed "Empath Volume 2: By Request". Set to take place on September 5, it will see him run through the set he was due to perform at this year's edition of United Kingdom's Bloodstock Open Air festival. Townsend will be joined by drummer Samus Paulicelli, guitarist Wes Hauch and bassist Liam Wilson.

Townsend explains: "So, I was thrilled to announce my headlining of Bloodstock this year, and with an eye on doing my first 'by request' set that included my entire career, (including [STRAPPING YOUNG LAD] and all the [DEVIN TOWNSEND PROJECT] albums), I know there were a lot of people that were really excited as well. But then, as we all know, circumstances prevented that from happening, and that was disappointing as the show was meant to be a pivotal moment in my creative career. But every roadblock is an opportunity for something different so we have come up with a plan to bring you the show in a way I believe will be kind of revolutionary and damned exciting.

"We have been working tirelessly to bring you a 'virtual' concert of the by request set, with musicians playing together, yet all in different parts of the world. However, I wanted to do something different, not the 'Brady Bunch' type split screen visuals filmed on smartphones (they are cool, but also not really exciting in my opinion). Instead, we have opted to make a full production, filming ourselves separately, playing our instruments live, on greenscreens, with 8 cameras each (all at the same heights and distances for each of our remote shoots) and then combine these elements on a crazy virtual stage. It's ambitious, but I think the closest to a monster concert as can be achieved this summer. Considering everyone is scattered throughout the land yet not wanting to 'let the dream die' we have stumbled upon something rather amazing I think.

"The players are Samus on drums, Wes Hauch on guitar, and Liam Wilson on bass... they have been going crazy learning the material, and we are putting it all together on September 5th, for the most ambitious live stream I think I've heard of thus far. We have been dealing with StageIt to avoid any hiccups, and it's poised to be rather awesome.

"I will be live with it, and you, at this show, answering questions and talking to you throughout, to make it a totally interactive experience that acts not only as a cool way to spend a Saturday, but also as a potentially new way to do concerts entirely. The players I have hired have worked their butts off learning the material, and its going to be one of the coolest things Ive done in recent memory.

"So please consider coming to this, StageIt has allowed the show to be the full 85 minutes, so it will be the full Bloodstock set. I can't actually believe we’re managing to pull off something like this, and theres a lot involved with it, but it's worth it to me. Its not just any quarantine concert; this one is a quantum leap of sound and visuals. I cant wait for you to see this, hopefully you’ll consider it."

Tickets go on sale today (July 24) via StageIt.

Damon Johnson (Brother Cane, Alice Cooper, Black Star Riders) has released a brand new solo song called "Can't Clap Any Louder", which can only be heard on SoundCloud.

In other news, on Thursday, August 6, 2020 at 8PM Eastern / 7PM Central, the Damon Johnson Power Trio will be performing his 2019 album Memoirs Of An Uprising live in its entirety online. And as always, Veeps live-streams can be viewed anytime within 48 hours after the event. Get your tickets now at this location.

Tracklist

"Shivering Shivering"
"Dallas Coulda Been a Beatdown"
"Down On Me"
"We Got A System"
"Call It A Trade"
"Rage with Me"
"So Brutal"
"The World Keeps Spinning Round"
"Making Peace with This Wicked Beast"
"Glorious"

"Shivering Shivering" video:




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Nightwish vocalist Floor Jansen has launched a new online series called Floor Finds, featuring conversation with a guest that does not necessarily center on music. Check out the new episode below.

Floor: "For the second installment of Floor Finds I talked with Elize Ryd about what makes singing live so special. What is your most memorable memory of attending a live show?" 

During a conversation with Ultimate Guitar's Justin Beckner, Nightwish bassist Marko Hietala talked about the addition of singer Floor Jansen to the band, who joined the fold in 2013, while also touching on the ongoing lockdown, the band's former singer Anette Olzen, and more. Following is an excerpt from the interview.

UG: What made Floor the right choice as a singer for Nightwish?

Marko: "Well, in hindsight, I would say that we were able to get the best personal chemistry between the band and the vocalist. Now we can talk about that because it's the personal chemistry of a band. With Floor, the question was always that she was a fan of this hard music. She was always a fan of it. She wanted to be in bands and started doing it and got her feet under her in the process. So in that way, it's easier for her, therefore it's easier for all of us.

Vocally, all of the vocalists have been brilliant. But then there is this thing about who is best suited for this life on the road. The guys in the band, we're pretty much road horses. I mean, I am really hooked on doing shows - I really like to be an entertainer and I like to make music with the people that I like and when you get the big bubble going where you, your friends, and the audience are all going crazy with that same [energy], it's just brilliant. That's my life's biggest drug, so I'm happy to go on the road."

UG: We miss having you out on the road. Has there been any discussion about when and how you might be able to get back out there?

Marko: "All the festivals toppled over one by one like dominos and now they are pretty much closing the whole summer already. So we still have hope that there might be a medical breakthrough that could allow us to still do the European tour in November and December. But I cannot really be for sure about that either. The only thing I know from my personal experience is that when it happens, I will be ready to raise some goddamn serious hell."

Read more here.




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Following the recent jubilant and electrifying live performance video of "Wayne," New York rocker Des Roc has unveiled a contrasting glimpse at another layer of who he is as an artist with the film noir-tinged music video from his new track, "I Know."  The eerie and cinematically clever clip can be viewed below:

Said Des Rocs, "'I Know' is meant for anyone struggling with who they are and who they want to be.  I want people to know that they're not alone in whatever darkness they face."

Des Rocs is a 4th generation New Yorker who toured the world as a classical violinist in high school; loves Jack Kerouac, Chopin, and biographies of American Presidents; holds a law degree; walks or bikes 10 miles a day, every day; counts Elvis, Talking Heads and Queen among his major inspirations; donates time to dog rescue organizations; thinks he was born in the wrong time and should have lived in the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s; in another life, would be a New York City walking tour guide; spends up to four hours a day interacting with fans on his socials; a favorite author is popular historian and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough; and Des Rocs is a person who has a completely new vision of rock'n'roll.




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Don Dokken laid out a sobering view of the current state of the world in a new interview with KNAC.COM. He said (hear audio below): "The world is a scary place right now. We've got an election [in the United States] coming up in four months. COVID viruses are spiking. People are dying all over the world. Some places worse — in Brazil, it was over a million cases [of the novel coronavirus]. It's terrible. I put a lot of blame on our government for not keeping it more under control.

"In Japan, they have, like, five or 10 deaths a month, and we're having 10 thousand cases a day," he continued. "It's because people are not wearing masks, people are not going by the rules. You see pictures in Japan — everybody's wearing a mask, everybody. And the COVID there is almost nothing.

"They say if everybody wore a mask, we could get this under control within a couple of months, but for some reason, people — I guess mostly younger people — think they're invincible, and they're not. I talked to Mikkey Dee from SCORPIONS a couple of weeks ago — he caught it. And he said he was sick as a dog a couple of months ago. He beat it. Him and his wife both got it, and he said it's really awful. You don't wanna get it. So I just wish people would pay more attention. This isn't the flu.

"The world's changed — with the riots, the marches, the protests, COVID," Don added. "It's a crazy time. It's given me a lot of things to write about on the new record."

DOKKEN played two "socially distanced" concerts last weekend in Virginia and Arkansas, but will likely stay off the road until a treatment for the novel coronavirus is developed. In the meantime, DOKKEN will continue to write and record material for a new studio album, tentatively due in early 2021. The follow-up to 2012's "Broken Bones" will be released via Silver Lining Music, the label owned by Thomas Jensen, one of the founders of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival.

U.S. death metal legion Morta Skuld will release their new album, Suffer For Nothing, September 25 via Peaceville Records. Preorder here. New lyric, "Extreme Tolerance", is streaming below.

David Gregor explains, “The idea for behind this track was that we are living in a different world these days, and a lot of things that we used to embrace are no longer around. Compassion for others is getting harder to come by in every area of our lives And the fact that many of us are bullied in every area of our lives, whether it be work or online or in person we must be more sensitive than we ever have had to be before.”

Suffer For Nothing, the band’s sixth studio opus to date, twists the carnage up to whole new levels with a fresh serving of pulverizing death metal excellence. With flawless execution and crushing production from Belle City Sound, the quartet brutalize the senses with razor-sharp riffing and insane solos. This is no-nonsense high caliber death metal, showing that the old guard are still among the strongest, coinciding with the band’s 30th anniversary.

Cover art by SV Bell (Rotting Christ, Amorphis):

Tracklisting:

“Extreme Tolerance”
“Abyss Of The Mind”
“Dead Weight”
“Divide The Soulless”
“The Face I Hate”
“Forbidden” 
“Godlike Shell”
“Suffer For Nothing”
“Facing Mortality”
“Machines Of Hate”

"Extreme Tolerance" lyric video:




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Progressive metal act, Redemption, led by guitarist Nick van Dyk and fronted by legendary Tom S. Englund (the charismatic frontman of Swedish dark melodic metal band Evergrey), will release Alive In Color on BluRay/2CD and DVD/2CD sets on August 28 via AFM Records. An official live video for the song "Walls" can be seen below.

From AFM Records: "'Walls' is definitely a favorite song for many Redemption fans and should not be missing in their live sets – so here it is… powerful, heavy, intelligent and deeply emotional!"

Co-headlining the ProgPower USA festival, Redemption's Alive In Color captures the perfect musicianship of all members in the band, making this concert a real treat for fans of progressive metal.

Alive In Color is available for pre-order here.

BluRay/DVD tracklisting:

Intro / "Noonday Devil"
"The Suffocating Silence"
"The Echo Chamber"
"Damaged"
"Someone Else’s Problem"
"Little Men"
"Long Night’s Journey Into Day"
"Threads" (feat. Ray Alder)
"Black & White World"
"Indulge In Color" (feat. Chris Poland)
"Walls"

+ Extras

2CD tracklisting:

CD1:
Intro / "Noonday Devil"
"The Suffocating Silence"
"The Echo Chamber"
"Damaged"
"Someone Else’s Problem"
"Little Men"
"Long Night’s Journey Into Day"

CD2:
"Threads" (feat. Ray Alder)
"Black & White World"
"Indulge In Color" (feat. Chris Poland)
"Peace Sells (But Who’s Buying)" (feat. Chris Poland)
"Walls"
"Threads" (feat. Tom Englund)
"Indulge In Color" (Simone Mularoni Solo)

"Indulge In Color" video:




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On August 20, 1999, Lullacry played the second anniversary bash of Suomi Finland Perkele Magazine. The band has just shared the following video of their show that night, Live At Tavastia.

Setlist:

"Alone"
"All For Nothing"
"Downwards" (feat. Nico Hartonen)
"For Evermore"
"Children Of The Grave" (Black Sabbath cover)
"Sweet Desire"
"The Chant"
"My Dear Skinwalker" 

 




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The official music video for "Thunder Mouth", the new single from EMMURE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest studio album, "Hindsight", which was released digitally on June 26 via Sharptone Records. Physical copies are being made available today (Friday, July 24).

Producer Frankie Nasso states about the video: "We wanted to create a world that closely reflects the themes and layers of the EMMURE mythology — from gritty underground street culture to otherworldly, nightmarish possibilities.

"Frankie Palmeri is the perfect anime antihero, a complex character who deals with real emotions in a mind-bending universe where anything can happen.

"We had so much fun creating this manga-inspired video with talented artists from four different countries, and we hope to expand this story into a continuing series of animated projects in the future."

"Hindsight" continues the creative partnership between the band's singer (and sole remaining original member) Frankie Palmeri and whirlwind guitarist Joshua Travis, who injected fresh energy into 2017's "Look at Yourself". It reunites the band with producer WZRD BLD, a.k.a. Drew Fulk (DANCE GAVIN DANCE, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, BAD WOLVES). But where its predecessor viciously fought through suicidal ideation, feelings of hopelessness, and failure, "Hindsight" is somehow more savage and refined.

EMMURE's confrontational spirit and irresistible hooks won them fans on Rockstar Mayhem, Warped Tour, Knotfest, countless festivals, and on tour with a diverse range of bands that includes FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, AS I LAY DYING, and co-headliners WHITECHAPEL. Across eight albums — like genre classics "Speaker Of The Dead" (2011) and "Eternal Enemies" (2014) — EMMURE battled their way into the extreme music scene like uninvited but necessary guests.

EMMURE's moniker references "immurement," a particularly brutal form of execution where a person was trapped behind walls and simply left to die.

"Hindsight" track listing:

01. (F)inally (U)nderstanding (N)othing

02. Trash Folder

03. Pig's Ear

04. Gypsy Disco

05. I've Scene God

06. Persona Non Grata

07. Thunder Mouth

08. Pan's Dream

09. 203

10. Informal Butterflies

11. Action

12. Bastard Ritual

13. Uncontrollable Descent

According to the Charlotte Observer, former MANOWAR guitarist Karl Logan faces at least 25 years in prison after admitting in a federal courtroom that he downloaded and kept child pornography.

Logan, 55, was arrested in August 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina and charged with six counts of third-degree exploitation of a minor. He was jailed after pleading guilty to two child-pornography counts.

Logan's alleged offenses took place between June 18, 2018 and August 2, 2018.

The arrest warrants say Karl was in possession of several videos which depicted girls between the ages of four and 12 years old engaged in a variety of sexual acts with unidentified men. Each video is described in graphic detail, including one scene where a girl age 10-12 "chokes and becomes visibly upset."

The case was transferred to federal court, where a grand jury indicted Logan last year on one count each of receiving and possessing child pornography, according to court documents.

A few days after Karl's arrest was made public, MANOWAR issued a statement saying that he would no longer perform with the group. He has since been replaced by E.V. Martel, who previously played in a MANOWAR tribute band.

Karl joined MANOWAR in 1994 as the replacement for David Shankle.

Prior to hooking up with MANOWAR, Logan played several bands in northeastern Pennsylvania, including ARC ANGEL and FALLEN ANGEL.

MANOWAR is in the middle of its "The Final Battle" world tour.

Michigan rockers POP EVIL have debuted the music video for their newest hit single, "Work", which was released earlier this spring in the midst of uncertain times. The track arrived alongside "Let The Chaos Reign", one of the heaviest songs the band has released yet, while "Work" counterbalanced it with driving guitars atop a grooving rhythm with electronic flourishes. The new animated video brings "Work" to life, tackling the angst and emotions of being stuck in a rut, the monotony of daily life juxtaposed with constant communication as technology is fused with all parts of life. As heard this summer in ESPN's UFC promotions, "Work" has jumped into the Top 10 Active Rock songs at U.S. radio charts, tying for the band's fastest Top 10 hit yet.

POP EVIL has been a staple at major festivals and in theaters and clubs for over a decade, despite the group's relative youth. As they've ruled the roost with No. 1 Billboard Rock singles like "Trenches", "Deal With The Devil", "Torn To Pieces", "Footsteps", and "Waking Lions", they've taken their inspired message to the people, on tours with modern rock titans and veteran acts alike. The band bunkered down in Los Angeles in the winter of 2019 to put the finishing touches on the yet-to-be-titled new album, due out via Entertainment One (eOne). The band also enlisted new creative teams of producers and collaborators to emphasize the uniquely varied aspects of the band's sound.

As "Let The Chaos Reign" and "Work" might suggest, the contrast and fearless genre-defying cross-cultural pollination have never been stronger than on album number six. The preproduction process yielded close to 30 songs, whittled down to the most potent 12 that represent everything POP EVIL is about. This new effort will be the highly anticipated follow-up to their self-titled album that came out two years ago to high critical praise. Collectively, the band's previous five albums account for over 600 million worldwide streams.

POP EVIL is: Leigh Kakaty (lead vocals), Nick Fuelling (lead guitar), Dave Grahs (rhythm guitar), Matt DiRito (bass), Hayley Cramer (drums)

Canadian guitarist, vocalist, keyboardist, songwriter and producer Aldo Nova has released the official music video for his latest single, "When All Is Said And Done". Directed and edited by Christian Jacques, the clip features Billy Carmassi on drums, Timothy Gaines on bass and Mike Bruno on rhythm guitar. The video features striking images that emphasize Nova's powerful lyrics that speak of the battle between Light and Dark, a battle that is endless.

"When All Is Said And Done" was released on May 29 and is taken from Aldo's forthcoming rock opera, "The Life And Times Of Eddie Gage", which will include 23 brand new original songs and nearly two hours of music.

Between 2008 to 2016, Nova wrote 142 songs for "The Life And Times Of Eddie Gage", describing the album in an interview with Best magazine as "the story of Eddie Gage, and his evolution from light, de-evolution to darkness, and climb back up to the light again." Aldo plays all the characters on the LP, changing his voice in each song.

A Montreal native, Nova was approached by a 15-year-old Celine Dion to producer her first album, and released "Blood On The Bricks" on Jon Bon Jovi's Jambco label in 1991. It stood as the culmination of a long-running friendship and, as any knowledgeable rock fan might argue, a thank-you note of sorts: the rock superstar lifting up the personal hero whose sound provided the blueprint for his own hits.

Nova provided guitar, keys and background vocals for the demo of BON JOVI's first hit, "Runaway", and ended up playing with an assemblage of session musicians throughout BON JOVI's 1984 self-titled debut. Nova's imprint is also all over Jon Bon Jovi's debut solo album, "Blaze Of Glory" — especially the chart-topping title track, on which Nova's writing and producing went uncredited but were absolutely essential.

Over the next three decades, Nova's journey would take him through great professional highs and painful personal lows, and eventually into self-discovery and spiritual contentment. He decided again to focus on his roles as a writer, producer and session musician, capitalizing on the goodwill he'd generated in the industry to put food on the table for his family.

During the '90s and 2000s, in addition to tracks for popular foreign-language artists, Nova collaborated with Carole King, Jon Bon Jovi, Faith Hill and Clay Aiken (he co-wrote his hit "This Is the Night"), and did hugely successful work with Celine Dion. In 1997, Nova won a Grammy for Dion's blockbuster album "Falling Into You" and co-produced/co-wrote later Dion singles like the global smash "A New Day Has Come" and "You And I", the latter chosen as Hillary Clinton's campaign song in 2008.

Photo credit: Sylvia Béchard

BODY COUNT, the metal band fronted by hip-hop legend, actor and director Ice-T, has released a music video for the hard-hitting track "Thee Critical Beatdown". The animation work was done by Tommy The Animator, who also created a music video for the song "The Ski Mask Way" from BODY COUNT's 2017 album "Bloodlust".

Ice-T told Metal Hammer about "Thee Critical Beatdown": "That one's a basic BODY COUNT grindhouse-style stupid fun song. You talk a lot of shit; now it's time to back it up. It's really me yelling at somebody on the Internet. So it's kind of like 'Talk Shit, Get Shot' from [2014's] 'Manslaughter'. I'm calling someone out who sends pussy texts talking mad shit but don't want to meet. It's like, it's time. Let's get it on. It has no politics. It's just a good old rumble fight song."

"Thee Critical Beatdown" is taken from BODY COUNT's seventh studio LP, "Carnivore", which was released in March via Century Media. BODY COUNT's second album for Century Media continues the path of its uncompromising and critically acclaimed predecessors, "Bloodlust" and "Manslaugther", in pairing Ice-T's impassioned and socio-critical lyrics with thick guitar riffs and nods to metal and hardcore greats like SLAYER, METALLICA, PANTERA, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE. Bangers like "Thee Critical Beatdown", "The Hate Is Real" and the title track will please old-school BODY COUNT fans, while "Colors" is a killer metal version of Ice-T's 1988 hit single of the same name. With MOTÖRHEAD's classic "Ace Of Spades", BODY COUNT is again paying tribute to one of its major musical influences. "When I'm Gone" shows a new side of BODY COUNT and features guest vocals by Amy Lee (EVANESCENCE). Other guest musicians include Dave Lombardo (ex-SLAYER), Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Riley Gale (POWER TRIP).

Powerhouse newcomers Disciples Of Verity (D.O.V.) have revealed the latest video from their upcoming Pragmatic Sanction debut – a heavy, impassioned take on the X Ambassadors hit “Unsteady.”

“All the lush colors, the beautiful imagery, plus the driving groove and the heartfelt lyrics make this a very compelling video,” says Corey Glover, vocalist for the all-star band. “It makes the song so much better. I’m very proud of this. If you feel lost in the wilderness - even in the darkest of spaces - you can find the light.”

The video for “Unsteady” was filmed in a remote area of New York State with noted director Dale “Rage” Resteghini and producer Kim Resteghini. “It was an extreme honor rockin’ on set with exciting new band D.O.V. and their iconic front man Corey Glover,” Resteghini says. “The whole band brought their friends and family and they enjoyed all the high wattage and fire as the band delivered an incredible visceral performance!”

Resteghini captured the song’s lyrical message of darkness and light through dark, fiery scenes juxtaposed with vibrant green landscapes. “It was an incredible day in a life that has had many, many incredible days,” says drummer Corey Pierce. “We shot an amazing video with an incredible look built by the efforts of a team full of highly motivated and energized people. The finished product is way beyond the expectations any of us had. We could not have asked for a better crew, experience and finished product.”

“Fire, chainsaws, backhoes, live music in the dirt in a remote location with beautiful scenery,” recalls bassist George Pond. “Nothing short of amazing!”

Adds guitarist Mark Monjoy, “I’ve never been around so much fire and gas in my life! It was a pleasure to work with Rage and his crew. True professionals.”

Fueled by an insatiable urge to create and collaborate, D.O.V. combines the broad range of talent of its all-star lineup - which also includes drummer Corey Pierce (God Forbid) and George Pond (Negative Sky) - to forge a new breed of crossover metal. The band’s debut, scheduled for a late summer/early fall release via The Label Group, features guest performances from numerous Platinum-selling and Grammy-winning artists including Morgan Rose (Sevendust), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy), Tara McLeod (Kittie), JJ Sammataro (Negative Sky) and solo artist Joe Gareri.

Pragmatic Sanction is set for digital release on August 21. Pre-sales are available today via Bandcamp at Bandcamp. Physical copies of the album will hit shelves on September 18.

Tracklisting:

“Lying To Myself” (feat. Phil Demmel)
“The Flow” (feat. Morgan Rose)
“Worthy” (feat. Jeff Loomis)
“The Lost Ones” (feat. JJ Sammataro)
“Confiding In Shadows” (feat. Joe Garen)
“Remember The Living” (feat. Tara McLeod)
“Unsteady” (X Ambassadors cover)
“I AM I” (feat. Joe Garen)

“Unsteady”:

“The Flow”:

“Lying To Myself”:

(Photo by: @kennetteproductions)




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Isengard was the solo-project initially started in 1989 by Fenriz - one the key driving forces behind Norwegian legends Darkthrone - because he had many musical ideas to explore that didn't strictly fit in with the style and music of his main band. Under the Isengard moniker, Fenriz released two albums encapsulating doom, death, black and folk/Viking metal in the shape of 'Vinterskugge and Høstmørke, and finally the third addition to this cult project.

After a period of 25 long years since Isengard’s last studio output, and having recently unearthed a set of tracks from his own archive of material recorded back in those early glory days, this new series of tracks - which were thought to be lost - follow on from some of the metal last heard on 1994’s Vinterskugge.

Vårjevndøgn is a monumental journey of epic heavy metal mixed with an often more somber doomy rock/metal atmosphere bringing to mind bands like US heavy metal veterans Pentagram, and also includes two tracks previously only heard on the limited Traditional Doom Cult 7” Peaceville release from 2017.

Everything on Vårjevndøgn was performed and engineered by Fenriz himself. The tracks were all recorded between 1989-1993 using the infamous Necrohell Studios, notable for recording Darkthrone’s classic ‘Transilvanian Hunger and Panzerfaust albums. Vårjevndøgn was mastered by Jack control at Enormous Door.

A few words from Fenriz

“Ladies and Gentlemen metal maniacs, it's Fenriz here. It has been 25 years since the last one but finally my third solo album has materialized on this earth. All tracks in the old trusty Necrohell studio soundscape as well. How did this come to be?

“Well, since 1992 or 1993 I had been thinking about this full on HEAVY metal track I recorded to sort of show that I too could make this style and that it meant a lot to me. But I could never find it, it seemed lost forever. The first 25 years I just figured it had been deleted by accident and the last couple of years I started to think that perhaps I just dreamt it all, that I never actually made it. And this led me to delve into the vaults of dusty old cassettes and I started to find loads and loads of material I had forgotten about. And then I searched even more. And FINALLY I found the track I was originally looking for. The result is an album recorded between 1989-1993, as the other Isengard albums also were. The first full track is solid proof of my eternal love for classic broad legged heavy metal and the rest is a varied display of lost Isengard tracks from ancient times.

“Isengard as usual has a soundscape that needs cooperation from the listener to work with, it is not already chewed up and swallowed, here we all have to chip in and hack away to unearth our personal treasures. And this is one of the traits we call Cult Metal, the realm for those of us that enjoy lots of personality and authenticity.”

“I WANT TO THANK YOU (ZZ Top)”

The CD and LP includes liner notes from Fenriz explaining the origins of the release, the recording process, and some background into his influences at the time. Preorder here.

Tracklisting:

“Cult Metal”
“Dragon Fly (Proceed Upon The Journey)”
“Floating With The Ancient Tide”
“The Fright”
“A Shape In The Dark”
“Slash At The Sun”
“Rockemillion”
“The Light”
“The Solar Winds Mantra”




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The five members of SCORPIONS have reunited at Peppermint Park Studios in Hannover, Germany to resume work on 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.

Earlier today, SCORPIONS posted a short video message from Peppermint Park, letting their fans know that they have finally been able to come together as a band and work on the new LP in a more traditional way.

In the clip, which can be seen below, frontman Klaus Meine said: "Hi everybody out there. We are the SCORPIONS. Believe it or not, after all these months, we are all together here in Hannover. We're joined in the studio, at Peppermint Park. And we're very excited to be all back together in one room and to keep going with this new record. It feels great that the band finally rejoined forces.

"We just want to let you know it's all good in the SCORPIONS camp, and we're excited to make a new album. And, of course, hopefully we see all of you next year on the road, wherever it is.

"Take care of yourselves, stay well and safe, and we love you."

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 Mikkey Dee, formerly of MOTÖRHEAD.
























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FINALLY .... the gang is back together in the studio crankin‘ it up to 11!!! ?? . . . . . #scorpions #instudio

A post shared by SCORPIONS (@scorpions) on Jul 25, 2020 at 1:59pm PDT

The debut episode of X-RL7, a pixel-art cyberpunk animated series and music project featuring the voice acting skills of numerous alternative rock, metal and electronic musicians, is available today.

For a full overview of the series, including clips from all episodes and featuring the voices of all guest musicians, check out the video below:

The series, created by Mike Evans of UK based electronic rock act MiXE1, chronicles the exploits of the fictional band X-RL7 in a mix of comedy, social commentary and original music. 

Fueled by mysterious dream-like visions, the show follows the enigmatic X-RL7 frontman Omega as he navigates the trials and tribulations of the music industry alongside guitarist/producer PJ and flamboyant larger-than-life band manager Alfie in their journey to make it to the top of the musical food chain. Featuring a myriad of colorful characters and original electronic rock tunes set against a cyberpunk-inspired futuristic backdrop.

“I'm absolutely delighted (and terrified) to launch X-RL7 at last,” Evans says. “The series has been in development for over a year and a half and represents the amalgamation of so many of my passions - my love of pixel art, music, comedy, social commentary, romance, cyberpunk and conspiratorial themes all coming together in one unique pixelated cocktail.”

The first episode is streaming below:

The origins of the X-RL7 project can be traced back to 2016 in the form of an unfinished point and click adventure game developed by Evans with the concept revolving around a music journalist and other fictional bands with original music. After moving on from this, Evans formed Youtube video series Project Anything, honing his animation skills, while still creating music with his band MiXE1. Still enamored by one of the songs he penned for the game ("Apotheosis Man"), Evans picked up the remnants of the project in late 2018 and started repurposing it as a video/music series with a brand new story, focusing largely around one specific band - X-RL7.

Along the way Evans approached musical friends and past collaborators to lend their voices to various characters and songs. As the series took shape, he approached others in the alternative music scene, some of whom he has been a fan of for many years, who kindly got involved and delivered fantastic performances as their animated counter parts.

Musicians who have lent their voices to the show so far include:

Jimmy Urine (Mindless Self Indulgence)
Rob "Rawrb" Kersey (Psychostick)
Daniel Graves (Aesthetic Perfection)
Lauren Babic (Red Handed Denial, Crazy Eighty Eight)
Nyxx (Nyxx)
Erlend Eilertsen (Essence of Mind, Lights A.M.)
Mikey AlterRed (AlterRed)
Richard Kaltenhauser (Machine Rox)
Natasha Cox (AL1CE, Mankind Is Obsolete)
Sasha Travis (AL1CE)
Pete Crane (SHIV-R)
Lawrie Bayldon (Studio-X)
Bridgette Hill (Studio-X)
Mike Evans (MiXE1)
Lee Towson (MiXE1)
Chris Voigt (Greasy Tales, Sexual Lobster)
Michael Joseph (Rockstar Esoterica)

“I am very blessed that so many super talented artists have taken the time to lend their voices to the project, embracing the world of X-RL7 and the music,” says Evans.

A new episode will be released every two weeks, with episodes of the sub-series X-RL7 Backstage - which digs deeper with mini-documentaries about the making of the series - official lyric videos and more released in between. Additionally, the first musical installment of the project, the debut album Apotheosis Music is available today via all digital music providers. More music will be released throughout the year.

From the retro-inspired visual style and cyberpunk aesthetic, the comedy, the eccentric characters, the references to musician life, the original electronic-rock music, the awesome guest appearances, X-RL7 is a fun and unique project. Join X-RL7 on their journey.




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With today's release of their debut full-length Virtues Of The Vicious, the Boston-based dark melodic power/thrash group Let Us Prey have released a music video for its title track, which features a guest guitar solo by Metal Mike Chlasciak (Halford, Testament).

Says vocalist Marc Lopes (who helmed the video himself), “'Virtues Of The Vicious' in simple terms is about if we are inherently violent by nature and born this way, or if it's a learned trait and a product of our environment. I actually did a two-week study about this before writing the lyrics. The conclusion is up for endless debate, and a conversation I would only have in a personal one-on-one encounter with a person of open and sound mind. The title was inspired from an episode of 'The Punisher,' and the artwork is relief sculpture from Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo by Gustav Vigeland. When I saw this piece while visiting Oslo in 2017, I was immediately drawn and fascinated by the work, so I took a series of pictures knowing I would use them in some manner in the future. The image and title just worked for me. The music itself is chaos, mixing many styles of metal into one sitting. I wanted total mayhem for the guitar solos, so I called on Metal Mike Chlasciak, who also I jam with in another project. I could not be happier with the results, which are my personal musical to the subject matter.”

Order Virtues Of The Vicious on CD and limited-edition blood red vinyl here, and here (including bundle options).

Led by Lopes (who designed the album’s cover art and music videos) and guitarist Jon Morency, Let Us Prey incorporates numerous subgenres of metal into their style while still sounding organic. The group's adventurous music sees elements of thrash, death, power and progressive metal meld seamlessly with industrial samples and symphonic keyboards. The drumming is surgically precise and blisteringly fast without sounding mechanical; the guitars mix crushing, down-tuned brutality with dense harmonies and ripping leads; and Lopes shifts effortlessly from thrash/death metal growls to soaring melodic vocals and searing Halford-esque highs with layered harmonies.

Virtues Of The Vicious - the follow-up to Let Us Prey's 2016 EP, The Saint Of Killers - was recorded by Nick Bellmore (Hatebreed, Toxic Holocaust, Five Finger Death Punch) and Pete Rutcho (Revocation, Havok, Bury Your Dead), with the latter also handling mix and mastering. In addition to Donais, the album also includes a number of notable guest musicians, including “Metal” Mike Chlasciak (Halford), Jimi Bell (House Of Lords/Autograph) and the late Oli Herbert (All That Remains).

Tracklisting:

"Above The Vaulted Sky"
"Virtues Of The Vicious"
"In Suffering"
"Halo Crown"
"Murder Thy Maker"
"The Saint Of Killers"
"Ghost Echoes"
"The Cruel Creation Of Me"
"Prey"
"And Hell Followed With Me"

"Ghost Echoes" lyric video:

"The Saint Of Killers" lyric video:

"Halo Crown" video:

"Above The Vaulted Sky" video:




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