Quantum-level chaos ensues as doom-laden death and ethereal madness are brought forth on May 3rd with the release of Sxuperion's Endless Spiritual Embodiment. The new album from multi-instrumentalist (and Valdur drummer) Matthew will be released through Bloody Mountain Records.

Deep, disturbing death metal with layers of atmospheric cosmic doom, Endless Spiritual Embodiment is the next logical step after 2014 mind-bender Cosmic Void.

Tracklisting:

“Sacred Chamber Of Enlightenment”
“Phallic Point Of Periapsis”
“Negative Interior Intersection”
“Supposition Course”
“Infinite Ethereal Vault”
“Endless Embodiment”

“Sacred Chamber Of Enlightenment”:

Endless Spiritual Embodiment by Sxuperion




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"Trouble Is Your Middle Name", a brand new song from WHITESNAKE, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's upcoming studio album, "Flesh & Blood", which will be released on May 10 via Frontiers Music Srl. The disc follows the 2011 critically acclaimed studio album "Forevermore" and 2015's "The Purple Album", a reimagining of DEEP PURPLE classics from WHITESNAKE mastermind's David Coverdale's time in that band. The 13 original, visceral tracks on "Flesh & Blood", the band's 13th studio album, are, luckily for you dear reader, "all killer, no filler", as the saying goes.

Joining Coverdale on "Flesh & Blood" is the powerhouse band comprised of Reb Beach and Joel Hoekstra on guitar, Michael Devin on bass, Tommy Aldridge on drums, and Michele Luppi on keyboards.


Since joining the band four years ago, and just in time for 2015's "The Purple Album", Chicago native Joel Hoekstra has really come into his own, not only as a highly impressive axe-slinger, but also as a very accomplished songwriter too, co-writing six of the songs for "Flesh & Blood" with singer David Coverdale. Of course, Joel's talents are hardly surprising, considering he's the son of two classical musicians.


Guitarist Reb Beach, who originally joined WHITESNAKE in 2002, has stepped up to become the group's bandleader and guides the band to implement Coverdale's musical vision. As well as bringing his impressive musical chops to the band, Reb has co-written five songs on the new album, the fourth studio album he has appeared on, commencing with 2008's highly acclaimed "Good To Be Bad".


It was the "Good To Be Bad" follow-up, "Forevermore" (2011), that saw the debut of bassist Michael Devin. The New Englander's four-string-depth-charge-bass-bombs definitively underpin and drive the sound of WHITESNAKE in the 21st century.


Rounding out the rhythm section is David's longest serving 'Snake, the renowned drummer and unstoppable percussionist Tommy Aldridge, who has been with WHITESNAKE in some capacity for 30 years. Tommy made his debut with WHITESNAKE way back in 1987 in the "Still Of The Night" video, becoming a mainstay behind the kit for successive albums and tours.


Last, but certainly not least, the band is completed by the inventive keyboards and vocals of Italian maestro Michele Luppi, who made his live debut in 2015, as documented on "The Purple Tour" live CD/DVD (2018).

The current incarnation of the band carries on the long and unwavering tradition of mainman David Coverdale being surrounded by cream of the crop players who go all in to bring fans the best hard rock humanly possible.

Track listing:

01. Good To See You Again

02. Gonna Be Alright

03. Shut Up & Kiss Me

04. Hey You (You Make Me Rock)

05. Always & Forever

06. When I Think Of You (Color Me Blue)

07. Trouble Is Your Middle Name

08. Flesh & Blood

09. Well I Never

10. Heart Of Stone

11. Get Up

12. After All

13. Sands Of Time

Bonus Tracks Appearing on CD+DVD Deluxe Edition and Digital Version:

14. Can't Do Right For Doing Wrong (bonus track - new studio song)

15. If I Can't Have You (bonus track - new studio song)

16. Gonna Be Alright (X-Tendo Mix) (DVD audio track)

17. Sands Of Time (Radio Mix) (DVD audio track)

18. Shut Up And Kiss Me (Video Mix) (DVD audio track)

WHITESNAKE has already announced its first shows of the 2019 "Flesh & Blood" world tour, which will feature songs from the new studio record alongside its biggest hits and songs from one of the greatest back catalogues in rock 'n' roll history, spanning over 40 years.

Ozzy Osbourne is back to his "normal," "complaining" self, more than a month after the BLACK SABBATH singer was hospitalized because of flu complications.

Ozzy's son Jack and wife Sharon offered an update on the rocker's health during an interview late last week with the nationally syndicated daily entertainment news show "Access".

Asked how Ozzy is feeling, almost five weeks after he was admitted to the the intensive care ward of Keck Hospital of University of Southern California, Jack said (see video below): "Well, if this gauges where he's at, he's complaining a lot and he's back to his normal routine. So everything's A-okay there." Sharon chimed in: "That's always a good sign, when he complains and he's miserable. Then you know it's good." Jack added: "It's when he's happy and skipping around. You're, like, 'There's something really wrong here. Call the doctor.'"

Last month, Ozzy was forced to cancel shows in Australia, New Zealand and Japan on doctor's orders. He previously called off his 2019 winter tour of Europe after being admitted to hospital for an upper respiratory infection that later developed into pneumonia. The dates were scrapped on advice from the BLACK SABBATH star's doctor that he required six more weeks off the road to fully recuperate from his life-threatening illness.

Last October, the metal legend contracted a staph infection that required him to have surgery on his hand and resulted in him canceling several shows.

Ozzy does not have any other gigs booked until May 24, when he is scheduled to launch a North American run at the Rocklahoma festival in Pryor, Oklahoma.

In November 2017, Osbourne announced his global "farewell world tour," which he said would last two years.

"I'm looking at this final tour as being a huge celebration for my fans and anyone who has enjoyed my music over the past five decades," Osbourne said at the time.

Ozzy later clarified that he was not retiring from performing live but that he was "just not doing world tours anymore."

QUEEN guitarist Brian May will induct DEF LEPPARD into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame this spring.

The 34th annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will be held March 29 at Brooklyn, New York's Barclays Center.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen said that May was the "really obvious" choice to induct the band into the Rock Hall.

"We just played [Las] Vegas just a few months ago, and QUEEN were playing just around the corner, and I bumped into Brian at the gym, actually," he recalled. "And he said, 'You're playing tonight?' I said, 'Yeah.' He said, 'Me too.' He goes, 'What time do you finish?' And I said, 'We finish about 11.' He said, 'We finish at 8. I'll be over later. I'll finish and I'll come straight over.' He turned up. He'd done a show with QUEEN, and he came over. And it was just, like, amazing. Brian is one of my biggest influences. I love him. I just can't get over how amazing he is. And we all do — we're huge QUEEN fans and Brian fans."

Two years ago, Rock Hall's Todd Mesek explained how the committee chooses presenters for each act. "They look for those connections and a deep appreciation, so that the presenters can speak from the heart on the inductee's impact — both on themselves as well as the fans at large," he said.

DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell said that he and his bandmates are "excited" about finally getting the Rock Hall nod. "In LEPPARD, we've never been the sort of band that's gotten many industry accolades, although we've got a tremendously faithful fanbase and we always have, for many, many years," he said. "And I think one of the most exciting aspects about getting into the Hall Of Fame is we actually got the biggest-ever fan vote. So I think that kind of means as much, if not more, to us."

Ballots were sent to a voting group of more than 1,000 artists, historians and music-industry professionals.

The public was invited to participate again last year in the fan vote. The top five artists made up a fan's ballot, which counted as a single vote.

Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible 25 years after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.

One of the top-selling rock acts of of all time, DEF LEPPARD has been eligible for the Rock Hall since 2004.

The 2019 nominees had to release their first recording no later than 1993.

HBO will broadcast a truncated version of the ceremony on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. EST.

Mighty warriors of the galaxy! Gloryhammer have returned from another epic quest, which led them from beyond the galactic terrorvortex through "The Land Of The Unicorns” right into the glorious “Battle For Eternity”. The whole story will be told on their new album, Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex, out on May 31st via Napalm Records.

Back in our universe they forged multiple versions of what will be known as the best power metal album of all time.

The heroes around Angus McFife XIII recruited an intergalactic orchestra to create a symphonic version of the whole album. It will be added as a bonus album to specific formats of Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex. Keep your eyes open for the right format to not miss these cosmic sounds.

Make sure to grab a copy of this power metal masterpiece. Especially the strictly limited editions, which will sell out fast.

Gloryhammer states: “Mighty warriors of the galaxy! It is our immense pleasure to reveal to you the full tracklist of our new album Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex, and its release date - May 31st, 2019! Many battles were fight to bring this album to you, so make sure to pre-order your copy today... otherwise you might miss out on one of the legendary special editions packed full of cosmic bonus material! FOR THE ETERNAL GLORY OF DUNDEE!“

Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex will be available in the following formats:

* Ltd. Wooden Deluxe Box Set
- Ltd. Digipack
- 7" Single (incl. Box-Exclusive Bonus Track)
- Medal of Glory
- Cover Flag (150x100cm)
- Art Print Card
- Symphonic Version Bonus album

* 2-LP Gatefold Gold
- Symphonic Version Bonus album
- Strictly limited to 200

* 2-LP Gatefold Red
- Symphonic Version Bonus album
- Strictly limited to 300

* 2-LP Gatefold Black
- Symphonic Version Bonus album

* 2-CD Digipac
- Symphonic Version Bonus album

* 1-CD Jewelcase

* Cassette
- Strictly limited to 200

Pre-Order Legends From Beyond The Galactic Terrorvortex here.

Album artwork by Dan Goldsworthy.

Tracklisting:

"Into The Terrorvortex Of Kor-Virliath"
"The Siege Of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)"
"Masters Of The Galaxy"
"The Land Of Unicorns"
"Power of the Laser Dragon Fire"
"Legendary Enchanted Jetpack"
"Gloryhammer"
"Hootsforce"
"Battle For Eternity"
"The Fires Of Ancient Cosmic Destiny"
I: Dundaxian Overture
II: The Battle Of Cowdenbeath
III: Return Of The Astral Demigod Of Unst
IV: The Knife Of Evil
V: Transmission

Bonus album:

"Into The Terrorvortex Of Kor-Virliath" (Symphonic Version)
"The Siege Of Dunkeld (In Hoots We Trust)" (Symphonic Version)
"Masters Of The Galaxy" (Symphonic Version)
"The Land Of Unicorns" (Symphonic Version)
"Power of the Laser Dragon Fire" (Symphonic Version)
"Legendary Enchanted Jetpack" (Symphonic Version)
"Gloryhammer" (Symphonic Version)
"Hootsforce" (Symphonic Version)
"Battle For Eternity" (Symphonic Version)
"The Fires Of Ancient Cosmic Destiny" (Symphonic Version)
I: Dundaxian Overture
II: The Battle of Cowdenbeath
III: Return Of The Astral Demigod Of Unst
IV: The Knife of Evil
V: Transmission

The galaxy waits in fear for the return of Angus McFife XIII, who fought the greatest battle the galaxy has ever heard of, against the evil sorcerer Zargothrax. All hope of the Kingdom of Fife lies in the strong arms and the infinite wisdom of their young crown prince.

On May 31st, Gloryhammer’s new album will tell us the whole story of the most gigantic battle of all time. Until then, we expect to receive more parts of what will end as the best power metal album the galaxy has ever seen. Keep your eyes and ears open!

Zargothrax on the new album: “Oh wow! I know a lot of people have been waiting on this album for what seems like centuries. For the last three years we've been working non-stop on it in absolute secrecy, and now it is finally complete! We can't wait for y'all to hear it...this is the greatest power metal album of all time. HOOTS!“




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Century Media Records are proud to announce the worldwide signing of Italian Technical Death Metal force Hideous Divinity. Formed in 2006 by guitarist Enrico Schettino in Rome, Italy, the band released a first demo at the end of 2007 followed by three savagely brutal studio albums on Unique Leader Records - Obeisance Rising (2012), Cobra Verde (2014) and Adveniens (2017). The line-up is completed by singer Enrico "H." Di Lorenzo, 2nd guitarist Giovanni Tomassucci, bass player Stefano Franceschini  (Aborted) and drummer Giulio Galati. 

Blending a relentless blast beat & double bass onslaught with complex song structures, punishing breakdowns and masterfully forged riffs, Hideous Divinity are one of the forces to be reckoned with when it comes to modern Brutal Death Metal!

Enrico Schettino states:

"We're extremely honoured and excited - Century Media has made the history of our genre, and joining forces with them is a dream come true. Time to sharpen our blades: we'll be heading to 'our' 16th Cellar Studios this summer to start crafting our fourth album... another step into obscure and technical death metal insanity. Onto the next chapter of uncompromised violence. The Angel of Revolution flies high.".

Philipp Schulte, Director Century Media Records, adds:

"We are very happy to welcome Hideous Divinity on Century Media Records! With three album released, each of which was a big step up from its predecessor, hardly any other band from the technical death metal sector managed to impress as much as this Italian 5-piece. Their latest album “Adveniens” serves as a prime example of how to perfectly blend musical complexity, high musicianship and crushing heaviness into dark, demanding and twisted death metal off the beaten path. With the will to differ and conquer new shores Hideous Divinity stand out from mainstream mediocrity. We are looking forward working together with them on album #4 which will be released in autumn 2019.”

These videos will give you a good impression of what’s to be expected from the new Hideous Divinity album, which is supposed to be released later this year:

Hideous Divinity will team up with Aborted, Cryptopsy and Benighted for a full North American tour, starting on March 21st, 2019.

Aborted tour dates:

March 
21 - Detroit, MI - The Sanctuary
22 - Chicago, IL - Reggie's
23 - Kansas City, MO - The Riot Room
24 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theatre
27 - Portland, OR - Bossanova Ballroom
28 - Oakland, CA - Metro Opera House
30 - Los Angeles, CA - 1720
31 - San Diego, CA - Brick by Brick

April 
1 - Mesa, AZ - Club Red
2 - El Paso, TX - Rockhouse Bar & Grill
3 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live!
4 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Bar & Grill
8 - Atlanta, GA - 529*
9 - Margate, FL - O’Malley's*
10 - Orlando, FL - The Haven*
13 - Baltimore, MD - Metro Gallery*
14 - Providence, RI - Alchemy*
15 - Brooklyn, NY - Knitting Factory*
16 - Quebec City, QC - Salle Multi*
17 - Montreal, QC - L’Astral*
18 - Rouyn-Noranda, QC - Scène Évolu-Son*
19 - Toronto, ON - Lee's Palace*
20 - Indianapolis, IN - The Citadel*

* - no Benighted

Hideous Divinity are:
Enrico "H." Di Lorenzo (vocals)
Enrico Schettino (guitars)
Giovanni Tomassucci (guitars)
Stefano Franceschini (bass)
Giulio Galati (drums)

Check out the band's official Facebook page here.

Photo: Dema Novakova




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Australia's May The Rock Be With You recently conducted an interview with JUDAS PRIEST frontman Rob Halford. You can watch the entire chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On what a JUDAS PRIEST show circa 2019 looks like:

Rob: "It's what this band has been doing for pretty much for 50 years now, which is you're out there working with your latest music. I call ourselves a 'working metal band' and what I mean by that is, it's all relevant to making yourself relevant. For as long as this band has been together, we've always gone out on these big worldwide treks supporting our latest music. This is like doing it again what we've done since 'Rocka Rolla' since 1974. It's remarkable, isn't it? It's absolutely remarkable and it's a blessing. It really is a blessing. Right now, when you see PRIEST, it's a bit like an event. If you believe in metal and you believe where it started, Birmingham, the Midlands, two bands, BLACK SABBATH and PRIEST and SABBATH is on a hiatus, we hope. PRIEST is still out there, doing what we do and taking you through the decades of metal. When we play Download [festival] we'll take you through 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' and 'Firepower' and everything in between."

On how he keeps his voice in shape:

Rob: "If I knew, I would be, like, 'It's a dollar! Take a sip each night.' I don't know what it is; I really don't know what it is. I think one of the big life-changing moments is when I quit my drinking and my drugs 33 years ago because vocals is a physical performance. You have to get your rest and have all the right components in place to be able to give the performance you can give either in the studio, but primarily, on the road. And the roadwork is grueling, as far as the travel. You notice when you go on a holiday, you take one flight and you're away from a week and you come home and you go 'I can't do that again. I need a year to recover.' Imagine doing that pretty much every other day for your life in 50-odd years. You do have to acclimatize and make the right adjustments for your physical performance in the voice. It's technique more than anything else."

On the touring cycle for their latest studio album, 2018's "Firepower":

Rob: "It's been phenomenal. You never know how a record is going to do. You can put your heart and soul into and it can [bomb]. You don't know. We believed in the music we were making. We had an incredible production team with Andy [Sneap], Tom [Allom] and Mike [Exeter], who did amazing work. Once your label is making all the preparation for it and the release is looming and the day is coming when it's going to drop, you really do not know what the reaction is going to be. Turns out to be one of the most successful JUDAS PRIEST records ever. All this incredible acclaim, critical acclaim and from our fans, it's a boost more than anything else. It gives us the inspiration, the motivation, to keep going into the 'metal future' as we call it. We're very grateful."

On the one thing that has "stayed the same" for PRIEST during the creation:

Rob: "I would say the dedication and the fact we don't slack off. We take anything for granted. We understand who we are and what we represent and the things we've achieved. When I say that, I mean that in the simple matter-of-fact of life in being in a heavy metal band called JUDAS PRIEST. So, you have to be on your toes. You can't afford to slack off. There's nothing worse than seeing a band and being disappointed if things aren't working right for whatever reason. When you see PRIEST now, it is an event and you're seeing the band at its top form."

On what keeps PRIEST going after nearly 50 years:

Rob: "It's hard to put that into words. It's definitely something internal — you can't switch it off. You really can't switch it off. At the end of a tour, you're absolutely so dog-tired, you want to go home and sleep in your bed. Two weeks later, you go 'I can't wait to be back on the road again. I can't wait to get back in the studio.' It's wonderful to still have that drive and that energy and to not be cynical or bitter or have any resentment or regrets. It's a great place of privilege to be in a band, especially if you're at the place as we are in PRIEST. As I said, we never take that for granted. Everything we do is based on this wonderful 'metal community' as we call it. The bands, the fans, everybody else looking out for each other. It's a great thing."

On what's next for PRIEST:

Rob: "I would say much of the same. The fact is, PRIEST is on a roll and we're on fire with this music and the reaction, the support from our fans and everybody is what gives you that thought of, 'What would happen if we wrote another song? Then another song? Then an album? We might as well go out and tour again.' It's a lot of things combined that really still keep us active and keep us to what's next to be done. Each PRIEST album, if you think about it, is by definition, has its own character and sound. 'British Steel' is light years away from 'Painkiller', which is light years away from 'Stained Class', which is light years away from 'Sad Wings Of Destiny' and 'Sin After Sin' and on and on and on. That's part of the intriguing part of PRIEST. We're always looking for a different kind of tilt to what we're about as a band in the next project of songs we're going to release. We're already thinking about that now. We had a meeting in the U.K. just before we came to Australia about planning the foreseeable future and I would say there's definitely a new PRIEST album on the way."

JUDAS PRIEST will return to the United States this spring for a run with fellow classic heavy rockers URIAH HEEP. The 32-date trek will kick off on May 3 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida and wrap on June 29 at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo credit: Mark Weiss

A new lineup, a new record and new inspirations, while returning to their well-proven strengths: German dark metal band Lacrimas Profundere place their focus on doom. On July 26th, their new album Bleeding The Stars will hit the market in the wake of three run-up single releases: The first one, "Father Of Fate" and its accompanying video clip will be out on March 29th. "Like Screams In Empty Halls" and "The Kingdom Solicitude" will follow shortly behind on May 24th and July 12th respectively, the latter containing an opulent video clip made in Iceland.

“This new record is like a new beginning for us” guitarist and band leader Oliver Nikolas Schmid explains. He reclaimed their drummer Dominik Scholz and got Julian Larre on board as a new vocalist. “I cast aside the shackles of the last years, in search of my musical roots, my dream to be a musician, breaking down Lacrimas Profundere to their very essence along the way - for the sake of music. This includes my brother and songwriter Christopher, with whom I started this madness of a band in 1993.”

The album was produced by Kristian ‘Kohle’ Kohlmannslehner, the cover artwork - featuring shades of deep crimson - was again created by Brazilian artist Elton Fernandes. Asked about their telling album title, Oliver says the following: “We read up on the big bang theory a bit. When something huge is created, there is always blood and tears involved somewhere in the process. And voilà: the album’s title was born!”




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Lee McKinney is already well-known, per his band Born Of Osiris, but now McKinney showcases his true well-rounded guitar song-writing arsenal with the expansive solo release Infinite Mind, which is set for a March 29th via Sumerian Records. With Infinite Mind, McKinney taps into a number of varied musical styles with each track and this all-instrumental offering is an exciting ride from start to finish.

New track, “The Sun And The Wind”, is streaming below.

Find preorder bundles at Sumerian Records.




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Norwegian extreme metal formation GAAHLS WYRD, fronted by renowned vocalist Gaahl (GORGOROTH, WARDRUNA), will release its debut album, "GastiR - Ghosts Invited", on May 31 via Season Of Mist. The disc was recorded last year at Solslottet Studios in Norway with Iver Sandøy (ENSLAVED).


Those who are expecting a blasting black metal offering are in for something unexpected. Even though "GastiR – Ghosts invited" is firmly rooted in extreme metal, Gaahl's vocal delivery on this record is something out of the ordinary and the first class riffing in combination with the excellent musicianship is bound to take you places you've never been before.

The second single from the disc, "From The Spear", can be streamed below.

Gaahl is known as one of Norway's most-talked-about and respected extreme metal musicians. His work with TRELLDOM, GORGOROTH, WARDRUNA and GOD SEED has been widely regarded as some of the best the black metal scene has had to offer.


Under the moniker GAAHLS WYRD, the vocalist assembled some of Norway's finest metal musicians. The band consist of Ole Walaunet (THE BATALLION, GOD SEED, GRIMFIST), Frode Kilvik (KRAKOW, AETERNUS) and Kevin Kvåle (HORIZON ABLAZE). This highly qualified bunch recently toured a finely selected, career spanning repertoire from Gaahl's time in TRELLDOM, GORGOROTH and GOD SEED to great acclaim.

"GastiR - Ghosts Invited" track listing:

01. Ek Erilar (05:34)

02. From The Spear (04:37)

03. Ghosts Invited (04:23)

04. Carving The Voices (07:26)

05. Veiztu Hve (06:41)

06. The Speech And The Self (05:02)

07. Through And Past And Past (02:59)

08. Within The Voice Of Existence (05:25)

GAAHLS WYRD is about to embark on a European tour with TRIBULATION, UADA and IDLE HANDS.

GAAHLS WYRD is:

Gaahl (Kristian Espedal) - Vocals

Lust Kilman (Ole Walaunet) - Guitar

Eld (Frode Kilvik) - Bass

Spektre (Kevin Kvåle) – Drums

The official lyric video for the song "Vespertine (My Crimson Bride)" from KAMELOT can be seen below. The track is taken from the band's latest album, "The Shadow Theory", which was released in April 2018 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2015's "Haven" was helmed by acclaimed music producer Sascha Paeth and mastered by Jacob Hansen. Guests on the album include Lauren Hart (ONCE HUMAN), Jennifer Haben (BEYOND THE BLACK) and Sascha Paeth. The cover artwork was created by Stefan Heilemann.

The second North American leg of KAMELOT's "The Shadow Tour" begins September 10 in Silver Spring, Maryland and runs through October 12 in Tampa, Florida with SONATA ARCTICA and BATTLE BEAST in support.

KAMELOT founder and guitarist Thomas Youngblood previously called "The Shadow Theory" "a psychological journey through the complexity of the human mind. We are subjected to stimuli constantly through media, technology, social experiments and AI," he said. "Can we still be social creatures in the near future? 'The Shadow Theory' is an album that is mixing many worlds, giving the listener an ecape within our own realities. This album was written and recorded over the entire year and we are really proud of the song elements and diversity on 'The Shadow Theory'."

KAMELOT vocalist Tommy Karevik told The Psychosin Project that "The Shadow Theory" should "definitely" be viewed as a continuation of "Haven". "There are some similarities," he said. "We felt we weren't done with that kind of sci-fi, dystopian, futuristic platform. We felt we wanted to explore that a little bit more on this one. We all love sci-fi, and the future is so exciting — you don't know what's going to happen — so for us, it was a no-brainer. When Thomas decided to base it around Carl Jung's shadow aspect, the psychological aspect that everyone has a shadow, and unless you embody it, the darker and bigger it gets, that was a very interesting starting point, psychologically, for the whole theme. Then we decided to not make a story like '[The] Black Halo' or 'Silverthorn' was, where you can follow characters, but more loosely based theme — how we portray the world, basically."

Last year, KAMELOT parted ways with longtime drummer Casey Grillo and replaced him with Alex Landenburg.

Corners Of Sanctuary (COS) have officially released a brand new single and music video for the song "Children Of The Night". The latest track is the first from the band to feature new singer Ryan Michael. Michael has been working with the band since last November.

“It's been very exciting working with a professional set of musicians like COS,” Michael said. “There are a lot of new opportunities to explore,” added Michael.

"Having a new member always brings about change...and change is good," said COS guitarist Mick Michaels. "We're taking things one day at a time and making the most of what we do. The goal is to keep making music...so that's our plan," he added.

Michael's introduction brings yet another new chapter to this already prolific group. In January, COS began working on a new album, currently titled "Heroes Never Die," which they look to release sometime in 2020 through the German label Killer Metal Records.

"Music for the new album is already recorded," said James Pera, COS' bass player. "We are in the process now of preparing to have Ryan lay down the vocal tracks. We've always prided ourselves on our ability to keeping the train rolling...oh we hit plenty of bumps, that's for sure...we just learned how not to let up on the gas," Pera added with a smile.

"Children Of The Night" as well as the track's opening intro, "Beware," were written by guitarist Michaels and drummer Mad T. The band again teamed up with LA producer Bill Metoyer (Slayer, Fates Warning, W.A.S.P) for the song's mastering. The song also features backing vocals by singer Frankie D (Seeker, Decypher).

The single is available digitally for download at the band's website. The track will also be distributed by U.S. based Exquisite Noise Records:

Corners Of Sanctuary moves forward with a list of dates which include support for former Vixen singer Janet Gardner later this month, support for former Iron Maiden vocalist Blaze Bayley in April, an appearance at the Finger Lakes Metal Fest in May, a short New England tour in June and a West Coast tour in September where the band will perform at the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go with the Iron Maidens.

COS also promises to have a couple more one-off releases throughout the year. 

"Like Mick said...the goal is to keep making music," said drummer Mad T.




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Swedish hard rock trio Monolord have entered Let Them Swing Studio to begin recording their soon-to-be fourth studio album and Relapse debut. The yet-to-be-titled album is expected to be released fall 2019. Stay tuned for more updates.

Additionally, Monolord return to North America this spring. The headlining tour begins April 19th in San Diego, CA and ends May 11th in Orange County, CA, and includes festival appearances at the inaugural Desert Fest NYC & Psycho Smokeout.

Tour dates:

April
19 - San Diego, CA - Brick By Brick
20 - Los Angeles, CA - Psycho Smokeout 420
21 - Phoenix, AZ - Club Red
22 - Albuquerque, NM - Sister Bar
24 - Dallas, TX - Club Dada
25 - Austin, TX - Barracuda
26 - Houston, TX - Secret Group
27 - Little Rock, AR - White Water
28 - New York, NY - Desert Fest NYC (w/ Windhand)
29 - Chicago, IL - Empty Bottle
30 - St. Louis, MO - Fubar or Blueberry Hill

May
1 - Omaha, NE - Slowdown
2 - Denver, CO - Hi-Dive
3 - Salt Lake City, UT - Kilby Court
4 - Boise, ID - Neurolux
5 - Seattle, WA - Chop Suey
6 - Vancouver, BC - Astoria
7 - Portland, OR - Mississippi Studios
9 - Sacramento, CA - Blue Lamp
10 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone
11 - Orange County, CA - Marty’s

May
30 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Stengade
31 – Hamburg, Germany – Molotow

June
1 – Nijmegen, Netherlands – Fortarock Festival
2 – Dusseldorf, Germany – Pitcher
3 – Dortmund, Germany – Junkyard Club
14 – Hannover, Germany – Café Glocksee
15 – Warsaw, Poland – Smoke Over Warsaw Festival
16 – Krakow, Poland – Zet Pe Te
17 – Prague, Czech Republic – Modra Vopice
18 – Salzburg, Austria – Rockhouse
19 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Club
21 – Leipzig, Germany – Hellraiser
22 – Siegen, Germany – Freak Valley Festival




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On April 12th, German extreme metallers Ketzer will release their fourth full-length, Cloud Collider, via Metal Blade Records. Check out new single, "The Wing Brings Them Horses", below.

Looking on Ketzer's musical history, change is what has always defined their sound. From thrashing riffs to atmospheric blackened tunes, Ketzer is a band that has always aimed to defy genres. So what can we expect on Cloud Collider? Nothing more than a ride on a storm cloud, followed by a soft breeze in your face and, finally, a cleansing rainfall. Ketzer's fourth effort will surprise many as a shift into yet another direction, combining many of the band's essential trademarks and carrying them one step further: Raging drum beats, harsh and powerfully thrashing riffs, as well as epic melodies that will haunt you long after the last tone has faded away. After years of intense work, Ketzer have created an album that can only be described as a milestone in their career and a clean break from all expectations: this album is a storm. 

For three years now, Ketzer has been working on something new, and the result is something new indeed: somehow linking all trademarks essential to the sound of Ketzer, now and then, but taking it all one big step further. These new tunes might well be the strongest Ketzer songs to date. Recorded at Markus Stock's infamous Klangschmiede Studio E as well as Laurent Teubls Sculpt Sound Studios in autumn 2018, the suitable visual expression for this new effort has been found by cover artist Adam Burke and illustrator Johannes Stahl. 

Ketzer checked in with the following comment about Cloud Collider: "Lately, we have been possessed by storms. First there is a breeze, then the sky darkens: A sense of electric energy starts to fill the air. A sense of sheer power, building up, waiting to erupt. Cloud Collider will strike you like a force of nature. When recording an album after months of hard work, blood and sweat, it is always our greatest wish, accompanied by the most terrifying fears, that the recordings will be able to 'catch' the songs and their certain, special spark. When we hear the final result for the first time, we have to think: 'THIS is how the next chapter must sound'. Only then, we can be satisfied. With all the more pride and joy we can now say about 'Cloud Collider', that both is the case, and it is without a single doubt! THIS is how Ketzer has to sound in 2019! It is new and it is old and it is everything. It is fast and it is slow and we just can't wait to bring these songs to the stage. This album is a piece of work that we feel embodies all aspects that stand and stood for the sound of Ketzer now and then. An album that manages to still go one step further to form something new!" 

The album's first single, "No Stories Left", comes with a special guest appearance by the legendary Proscriptor McGovern of Absu fame, who not only lent his striking voice to the track, but also added the following comment: "It is with inordinate honor to announce my co-vocalist appearance on 'No Stories Left': the first single to be issued on Ketzer's upcoming album 'Cloud Collider'. What I contemplate = I uproariously touch with voice. What I enter into imagination = I make myself one with; however, a tower can fall twice."

Album formats – preorders available at MetalBlade.com:

-ltd. digipak-CD 
-180g black vinyl (EU exclusive) 
-Red-brown marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies) 
-Black/white split colour vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies) 
-Blue w/white / red /black splattered vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 100 copies) 
-Smber marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 100 copies)

Tracklisting:

“The Machine”
“Keine Angst”
“Walls”
“Cloud Collider”
“Forever Death”
“The Wind Brings Them Horses”
“No Stories Left”
“This Knife Won’t Stay Clean Today”
“(The Taste Of) Rust And Bone”
“Light Dies Last”

"The Wind Brings Them Horses":

“No Stories Left” lyric video:




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Psychopunch have released their new single, "Down In Flames". Check out the official video below. 

Psychopunch will release a special edition of their debut album, We Are Just As Welcome As Holy Water In Satan's Drink, on March 22nd celebrating its 20th anniversary. They recently issued the official video for the single "Stranded", featured on the album. The video includes cameos from pin-up/vintage models Clare von Stitch and Leila Lipstique.

The band has now released a behind-the-scenes clip from the video shoot. Check it out below.

We Are Just As Welcome As Holy Water In Satan's Drink (20th Anniversary Special Edition) is available as 2CD Digipak, limited edition vinyl LP, stream and download, and will be released on March 22nd via Massacre Records. You can pre-order it here.

Tracklisting:

CD Digipak
"Down In Flames"
"Straightjacket Hell"
"Goin' Crazy"
"Good For Nothing At All"
"Stranded"
"Dear Life: Sweet Nothing"
"Goodbye Suckerville"
"W.A.J.A.W.A.H.W.I.S.D."
"Cold Heart Disaster"
"Back For Good"

Bonus CD
"Worth The Pain" (Remastered Demo)
"Good For Nothing At All" (Remastered Demo)
"Dying On My Own" (Remastered Demo)
"I Can't Stand Lucy" (Remastered Demo)
"Pleasure Kill" (Remastered Demo)
"I'll Be A Fool If I Let You Walk Away" (Remastered Demo)
"Loser In The End" (Remastered Demo)
"Stranded" (Re-recorded)
"Dying On My Own" (Re-recorded)
"Make Up Your Mind" (Re-recorded)
"Back In The Days" (Re-recorded)

(Photo - Pia Harjula)




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KISS guitarist Tommy Thayer has told Guitar World in a new interview that he is sympathetic to the fans who continue to question his addition to the band in 2003 as the replacement for Ace Frehley.

"I've been a fan for longer than probably most of these people, so I understand," he said. "But you can't expect things to be exactly how they were 40 years ago. That's a fantasy. So I don't let it bother me. I'm comfortable and confident with where I am and what I do."

Thayer also spoke about how he straddles the line between staying true to Frehley's original sound and style and injecting some of his own unique guitar voice into the band. "That's always been a little bit of a trick," he admitted. "But my guitar style has always been very much in line with the classic original KISS style, because I think Ace and I came from the same school of those late-sixties, early-seventies English hard rock blues players like Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck and Ritchie Blackmore. So it came very naturally to me to play that early KISS stuff true to the way it was written and recorded."

KISS's "End Of The Road" farewell tour launched in late January in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The first leg of the global trek, which could last three years, wraps April 13 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Back in October, Frehley told Yahoo! Entertainment that he had "nothing bad to say about Tommy… You know, it'd be one thing if Tommy would have invented his own character, invented his own guitar solos," he said. "But unfortunately, he's copying everything I do, note for note. There's not much leeway for anybody to say what he's doing is original. I don't know how I could handle that, you know? I don't think I could step into a situation and be somebody else. It's almost like being a robot. Poor Tommy. My heart bleeds for him."

Polish extreme metal veterans VADER will release a new EP titled "Thy Messenger" on May 31 via Nuclear Blast. The effort will contain four of the five songs that were recorded over a week-long period in January and February at Hertz Studio in Białystok, Poland under the supervision of the Wiesławski Brothers. The cover art was painted by Wes Benscoter, who previously worked with VADER on the "De Profundis" LP and has collaborated with such bands as SLAYER, KREATOR and SINISTER. A new full VADER album will be recorded later this year for a tentative autumn release.

VADER mastermind Piotr "Peter" Wiwczarek comments: "We decided to record the new EP because we knew that the full-length new album won't be released before the end of 2019. We're back on the road in June and we plan to have some new tunes ready for our fans throughout the summer. We're due to start the recording process for the new VADER LP in April in England. For the time being we've named the album '…And Then There Was Only Pain', and it should be completed by the end of May — when 'Thy Messenger' EP is due to be released worldwide. The EP includes three new tracks — mostly really vicious and aggressive tracks, even for VADER. 'Emptiness' is more groovy in the main riff, but really heavy at the end. All the songs are fast and short, but pretty intense, I guess. We've also added a new version of our classic title track from 'Litany'. It is 20 years since we recorded that album at the Red Studio. 'Litany' — as a song — and many more from that album have never been performed live. This album is still one of the fan favorites in the VADER discography and in 2019 we will resurrect this whole record as part of our live shows this autumn. Another bonus is the absolute classic cover of 'Steeler' which was always one of my all-time favorite [JUDAS] PRIEST songs."

VADER's latest studio album, "The Empire", was released in November 2016 via Nuclear Blast. The cover artwork for the CD was created by acclaimed artist Joe Petagno, who has previously worked with PINK FLOYD, LED ZEPPELIN, MOTÖRHEAD, MARDUK, ILLDISPOSED and SODOM.

Former DIO guitarist Doug Aldrich says that Ronnie James Dio would be "probably not like" the fact that a holographic version of the legendary heavy metal singer is being prepped for a world tour.

The former vocalist in BLACK SABBATH and RAINBOW, who died in 2010 at the age of 67, is now the subject of a touring show in which his three-dimensional representation is backed by members of his band DIO.

"I would see it if it was close by or if you had a good theater or something," Aldrich, who was in DIO between 2002 and 2006, told XS Rock. "I'd go see it to support the guys and and everything, but I can tell you that Ronnie would probably not like this. He would probably be, like, 'This is not what I signed up for.' A hologram? It's not really what he would want to be. I'm just guessing, you know, that it's something that [Ronnie's wife and manager] Wendy [Dio] thought about and she decided that Ronnie would be fine with it. But I knew Ronnie well enough to know that he was very particular and he would prefer for them to let him just die and be in peace."

The Dio hologram was created by a company called Eyeillusion and made its debut at the Wacken Open Air festival in August 2016 in front of more than 75,000 fans.

The Dio hologram production uses audio of Ronnie's live performances from throughout his career, with the DIO band playing live, consisting of Craig Goldy on guitar, Simon Wright on drums and Scott Warren on keyboards, along with Bjorn Englen on bass. Also appearing with them are former JUDAS PRIEST singer Tim "Ripper" Owens and ex-LYNCH MOB frontman Oni Logan.

After the tour's initial seven-date run was completed in December 2017, Ronnie's hologram is undergoing "some changes" before the launch of the next leg of the "Dio Returns" world tour, scheduled for this spring.

Former DIO keyboardist Claude Schnell has slammed the Ronnie James Dio hologram, calling it a "travesty" and "disrespectful" to the singer's memory.

Wendy Dio, who is a member of the Eyellusion team, recently said that the people that criticize the Ronnie James Dio hologram should at least see it in person before voicing their disapproval. "Don't criticize it if you haven't seen it," she told "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie. "It's done with love. The band love doing it. And we just wanna keep Ronnie's memory and his music alive."

She added that a digital version of Dio makes perfect sense. "I think that Ronnie was an innovator of heavy metal music, so why not be an innovator of technology?" she said. "And I think technology is coming a long way with holograms — a lot of people are doing it now. And I think the reason is because we are losing all of our innovators; everybody is getting older. And we need to keep them alive and keep their memory and their music alive. I think it's a new way. It's like when people first came out with a CD or a cassette: 'Ooh, we don't want that.' But then it was the way of technology."

Home Invasion: In Concert At The Royal Albert Hall is the definitive document of Steven Wilson’s globe spanning, 145 date tour in support of 2017’s To The Bone album. To The Bone charted at #3 in the UK and went top 10 all over Europe before rapidly becoming the biggest selling record in Wilson’s singular thirty-year recording career.

The live recording took place on the second night of Wilson’s three-night run at one of London’s most iconic venues in March 2018. At those shows, brain-twisting 3D visuals met expansive 4D sound, making that most traditional of English venues feel like it was hosting a very different kind of prom - more communion than concert.

Initially released in November 2018 on Blu-ray/DVD and CD, Home Invasion now comes as a deluxe vinyl version that takes the live recording from the night and expands it across five heavyweight 12”s and adds six tracks to the original audio (three were previously released as extras on the Blu-ray disc, three are previously unreleased anywhere). The box set also features a 32-page full-color, glossy tour book.

Click here to pre-order.

Tracklisting:

Side 1:
“Intro ‘Truth’”
“Nowhere Now”
“Pariah”
 “Home Invasion/Regret”

Side 2:
“The Creator Has A Mastertape”
“Refuge”
“People Who Eat Darkness”

Side 3:
“Ancestral”

Side 4:
“Arriving Somewhere But Not Here”

Side 5:
“Permanating”
“Song Of I”
“Lazarus”

Side 6:
“Detonation”
“The Same Asylum As Before”

Side 7:
“Song Of Unborn”
“Vermillioncore”
“Sleep Together”

Side 8:
“Even Less”
“Blank Tapes”
“Sound Of Muzak”
“The Raven That Refused To Sing”

Side 9:
“Routine”
“Hand Cannot Erase”
“Heartattack In A Layby”

Side 10:
“How Is Your Life Today?”
“Blackfield”
“Postcard”




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After suiting up as the Space Gypsy in 2013, blasting off on an epic Space Fusion Odyssey in 2015 and enjoying Life In Space in 2017, pioneering musician/songwriter Nik Turner now ventures to the outer reaches of space rock with his awe-inspiring new studio album, The Final Frontier.

Picking up where his last album left off, Turner brings another set of psychedelic freak-out grooves that will take listeners on a journey they won’t soon forget. Standout tracks include the album opener “Out Of Control”, a super-collider of rollicking psych rock that unites saxophone and guitar in spectacular fashion, and the dramatic space ballad “Interstellar Aliens".

Once again joining our intrepid traveler Turner is Nicky Garratt of UK Subs and Hedersleben, Jürgen Engler of Die Krupps, and Jason Willer of UK Subs and Jello Biafra’s band as well as special guest appearances by Hawkwind alumni Simon House and Paul Rudolph.

Available on CD in a digipak case as well as a gorgeous limited-edition yellow vinyl in a gatefold jacket, The Final Frontier is in stores everywhere. Order the album on CD, Vinyl, and Digital.

Check out the video for the first single “Out Of Control”, below.

Tracklisting:

"Out Of Control"
"Interstellar Aliens"
"Thunder Rider"
"The Final Frontier Part 1"
"Back To The Ship"
"Calling The Egyptians"
"Strange Loop"
"The Final Frontier Part 2"
"PAD4"

"Out Of Control" video:




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In a new interview with Billboard, Black Sabbath bass legend Geezer Butler talks about the months following the band's retirement from the stage in February 2017, and joining Deadland Ritual - which also features vocalist Franky Perez (Apocalyptica, Scars On Broadway), drummer Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses, Velvet Revolver) and guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol).

"After 18 months of retirement, I would have said yes to anything!," says Butler [laughing]. "After Sabbath finished, I just wanted to take time off and wake up every day and think, 'Oh, great, I've got nothing to do today.' That was okay for a year. After I put on about 20 pounds and watched every TV show there was, I just went nuts."

Deadland Ritual will make their US debut on May 28th at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, CA. Tickets are on sale at ticketfly.com and troubadour.com.

About the upcoming show, Geezer states: "That will be the first gig. I've never played there. I think I've been there once or twice years ago. It's like starting from scratch; I haven't done clubs since 1970. I've done the odd one here and there, but not a whole tour of clubs. Or fifth on the festival bills."

Read more at Billboard.

Deadland Ritual recently announced the following string of European dates in June.

June
4 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
5 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
6 - Sölvesborg, Sweden - Sweden Rock Festival
10 - Berlin, Germany - Kesselhaus
11 - Hamburg, Germany - Markthalle
14-16 - Donnington, UK - Download Festival
17 - Tilburg, Netherlands - 013
18 - Paris, France - Trianon
19 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
21-22 - Vitoria, Spain - Azkena Festival
21-23 - Clisson, France - Hellfest Festival

The band's debut track, “Down In Flames” is available here. A video can be seen below.

Produced by Greg Fidelman (Black Sabbath, Slipknot, Metallica), “Down In Flames” features the lush and powerful vocals of Perez, alongside Stevens’ signature thundering guitar conjugating with the hard-driving tribal rhythm section of Butler and Sorum. Watch the official video for “Down In Flames” below:

Drawing inspiration from the ritual symbolism of desert badlands paired with Sorum’s love of the idea of a ‘ritualistic forgotten space,’ the name Deadland Ritual felt appropriate for the darker tone of the music the group was making. “Obviously we’ve been through some stuff,” Perez says. “If you’re being honest artistically, all the turmoil of love, loss, happiness and pain in life makes its way into the music.”

Sorum’s longtime friendships with Stevens and Perez helped to form the initial core of the lineup, but it was a pivotal moment when Butler agreed to join. Butler admits there was a lot to think about when he got the invitation. “I had to get used to the idea of starting from scratch again, which is good,” he says. “But I really liked the music I was hearing. It’s not your typical hard rock or metal stuff.”

For Stevens, it was a revelation the first time he found himself recording with Butler. “There's a lot of times in the studio as a guitar player, you get a guitar sound and you're trying to make it work, tweaking it,” Stevens says. There was none of that bullshit. It just fit against his bass sound and it was really exciting to me. I get to hear my guitar against a bass guitarist that I've idolized forever."

Sorum was determined to take things to the next level. “I wanted to get the best drum sound I’ve ever gotten, and play the best I’ve played,” says Sorum. “I think I’ve achieved that. As a drummer I’ve morphed through a lot of decades of rock and roll.”

The initial recordings are only the beginning of what fans can expect in the coming months. The band is focused on quality vs. quantity and letting the muse carry them in the appropriate direction. With festival appearances booked and headline dates in the works, they’ll use the time leading up to that trek to continue writing and recording, releasing singles along the way and perhaps, a LP.

Deadland Ritual promises the live shows will be something special, mixing the original material with deeper cuts from their collective past. “Not the typical songs you would expect,” according to Sorum.

No egos, no bullshit. Deadland Ritual is ready to take the world by storm.




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British musician and progressive rock pioneer Steven Wilson has blasted GRETA VAN FLEET, calling the Michigan rockers "a terrible band" that is nothing more than a "third-rate impersonation of LED ZEPPELIN."

Despite the fact that GRETA VAN FLEET has managed to sell out shows all over the world, the four-piece has been criticized for channeling a sound uncannily similar to LED ZEPPELIN, with some music fans slamming singer Josh Kiszka for allegedly copy-and-pasting Robert Plant's vocal style.

During a recent interview with Denmark's "myROCK" podcast, Wilson brought up GRETA VAN FLEET as part of a general commentary on the current state of the music business.

"You know that terrible band GRETA VAN FLEET," Wilson said (hear audio around 31:50 mark below). "Do you know that band? I think they're absolutely abysmal. I think they're terrible. I think it's a joke. But they're an example of a band, because they're pretty young boys, they look like a boy band, they play this really piss-poor, third-rate impersonation of LED ZEPPELIN. But they're pretty and they've had all the help of the media, the commercial machine behind them, and they've been able to reach a massive audience almost overnight by playing third-rate music. And I don't believe for one minute that anyone will even remember who they are in 10 years. Now, I might be wrong — maybe they'll prove me wrong. Maybe they'll suddenly develop into a good band and make a good record. But the point is, at the moment, they're not. They're like a boy-band version of LED ZEPPELIN."

Wilson went on to say that he understands why GRETA VAN FLEET has managed to become such a sensation in a relatively short period of time while he has had to "struggle" for more than 25 years to get to where he is.

"I'm not naïve," he said. "I understand that a lot of the industry is based around being young, pretty, having the right kind of image and all that stuff. And I've never had any of those things. I've never been pretty. I mean, I have been young, but I'm not young now, so I understand. I'm 51 years old. That's not gonna work. So there is this frustration that the media has been slightly resistant to what I do."

In December, GRETA VAN FLEET scored four Grammy Award nominations, one for each major rock category — "Best Rock Album", "Best Rock Song", "Best Rock Performance" — and a "Best New Artist" nod. They would go on to win for "Best Rock Album" for their sophomore EP, "From The Fires".

The band's debut album, "Anthem Of The Peaceful Army", debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart in July despite earning a lukewarm 53/100 score on review curation site Metacritic.

Photo credit: Hajo Müller

During this year's Upfront Summit, an invitation-only technology conference that took place in Los Angeles in late January, GUNS N' ROSES bassist Duff McKagan was interviewed by Milana Rabkin Lewis, the co-founder and CEO of digital music distribution company Stem Disintermedia Inc. The full conversation can be seen below. A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On his life prior to joining GUNS N' ROSES, and the early days of GN'R:

Duff: "I came up in the punk rock scene of Seattle. I saw THE CLASH in '79, a band that was so exotic to me. I saw [LED] ZEPPELIN in '77 play [the now-demolished Seattle stadium] The Kingdome. It was enormous, and the band was so small and so far away. I saw some other big bands — KISS and whatnot — and the punk rock thing hit, and THE CLASH were playing right in front of me. After the show, they came out into the crowd, and [Joe] Strummer said something on the stage that always left an indentation on me — 'There's no difference between us and you. We're all the same. We're in it together.' Thus was born a DIY, punk rock scene in Seattle. We did everything ourselves – making fliers, booking shows, carting gear, booking VFW halls, lying to the police that it was a teen dance. Learning how to do the commerce of that — how to finagle the job you had to get to pay for rehearsal places, for an apartment and for fliers and for gear. You would trade for gear. I started really learning the value of things, and I was really driven. Music was going to be my thing. Was I going to make a living at it? That was kind of a joke. It was just my passion, and if I was broke doing my passion, so be it. I had to do it. I played in a bunch of bands in Seattle. One of them got signed to Jello Biafra's label [Alternative Tentacles]. We got no money for it, but we put a mark on the American map of punk rock. I was working at a restaurant in Seattle, saving my money to move to L.A... I moved to L.A. chasing my dream, and the first people I met was Slash and Steven [Adler] through an ad in the newspaper. We met down at Canter's [Deli]. We stared at each other, but found that we had a lot of the lot of the same musical influences... There was always a missing piece in the tons of bands I was in in Seattle. I toured; I knew how to book a tour; I knew how to make a flier. But if you're missing a piece in your band, like, there was always a weak link... When the five of us got in a room the first time in Silverlake in a rehearsal place, it was on. You could tell immediately. It was pretty ferocious."

On the advice he'd give up-and-coming artists, and how it helped spur GN'R's rise:

Duff: "My daughter has a band now, and the advice I have for her and what drove is is just writing to write songs [and] believing in yourself. Commerce was not a part of any of it at the beginning. You've got to really believe in your idea. We wrote the songs we wrote — we took from our own experiences, melded it together and wrote what became 'Appetite For Destruction'. Then we started realizing we had to draw people to clubs. That was the next step. Our first gig was to three people. Our second gig was to tour. We knew all three and four people who came to our shows... We hustled, and we started to bring in 50 people and 100 people and kept writing those songs, and somehow, those songs identified with our generation. They weren't pretty; it wasn't sweet; they weren't love songs. It was about drugs; it was about the darker side of what we were seeing. We all lived through that early '80s recession. There was no jobs. [I] moved to Hollywood right after the [1984] Olympics, so the cops just left Hollywood and it was the Wild West as far as drugs and crime and whatnot. This is what we're seeing — we're seeing heroin; we're seeing crack — and we wrote about it, because it was what we knew."

On learning the ropes of the music business:

Duff: "We had to basically take a crash course. There was — still is — this Donald Passman book on the music industry ['All You Need To Know About The Music Business', now in its ninth edition]. We would read this thing. Publishing is a thing young musicians don't know anything about, because it means nothing to you, but we were getting offered money for our publishing. One guy offered us at Denny's a $10,000 traveler's check for the publishing on 'Welcome To The Jungle'. That was a lot of money for us, but we just thought if it's worth something to him, it must be worth something to us. Later on when we got signed, we were offered a couple hundred grand for a big cut of our publishing. 'Well, if it's worth 200 grand to them, it must be worth 200 grand to us — and besides, it's not their fuckin' songs. We wrote them.' It was really kind of a street mentality. The money that we got from the label, we did understand that it was a loan. We started to figure out the bylines in the contract — the breakage [a term referring to a royalty deduction for damaged physical product] and whatnot, [which was] under no control of us that we would end up paying for, or, we wouldn't get paid for those records. We took a crash course in all of that. We got tour support [because] we weren't making enough money to pay for a tour bus. We were borrowing money from our roadies to eat... [Eventually,] we did get paid. My first check I'll got, I went from poverty level to getting a check for $80,000 in 1988. $80,000 might as well have been a billion dollars. I didn't know what to do with $80,000, so you begin asking questions about money. I didn't know what a stock was, what a bond was. There's nothing wrong with asking questions and saying, 'I don't know what that means,' and I was afraid to do that for the next 10 years."

On going back to school to study finance:

Duff: "My twenties were tumultuous at best... I think. That's what they say. I woke up in an ICU at 30 and there was kind of a line drawn down the sand whether I want to live or die. It was pretty basic. I decided to take the first one. I had a big family and a lot to live for, so the thought came to my head, like, 'I've made money in my twenties — a good amount of money. I don't know how much; I don't know who has taken from me — how much they have, if they have,' which they did. It was time for me to sort of arrest this portion of my life and gain some knowledge, so I got myself eventually through going through community college and courses. I wanted to go to Seattle [University]. I thought I could go in and write a check and just go to school. I got a GED, and I couldn't just go in and write a check. I had to go through community college and get A's in these classes and write [an] admittance essay... I got in, and just the accounting classes at the beginning alone were so valuable to me. I could read my financial statements that we were getting for the band, and my own personal financial statements. There was questions that arose from me being able to finally read these things, and some nervous people. I ended up moving accounting firms and matriculated through school... We formed this band called VELVET REVOLVER. At that point, I knew what I was talking about to a certain extent. Never assume you're the smartest guy in the room, but I think they were assuming I was the smartest guy in the room, which is just fine. We did our record deal; we did our deal with agents, with a manager, with merch companies. I was there at every turn. We learned a lot from the GUNS N' ROSES experience — managers commissioning off the gross... You live, you learn."

McKagan left GUNS N' ROSES in 1997 but rejoined the group in 2016 for their recently completed "Not In This Lifetime" tour, which is believed to be the second-highest grossing tour of all time.

Last year, McKagan recorded a new solo album with producer Shooter Jennings that is expected to be released later this year via UMe. The album's first single, "Tenderness", which Duff described as "a song of unity and peace," was released on February 22.

"Monster Human", the new video from Swedish metallers TRANSPORT LEAGUE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's eighth album, "A Million Volt Scream", which will be released on August 30 via Mighty Music.

Formed in 1994, TRANSPORT LEAGUE soon made its mark on the scene with its debut album, "Stallion Showcase". Two and a half decades and half a dozen albums later, the collective is back with a new record, "A Million Volt Scream", which was produced at Oral Majority Recordings and at the Top Floor studios under the direction of Roberto Laghi (IN FLAMES, ENTOMBED A.D., RAISED FIST, SONIC SYNDICATE, MUSTASCH, HARDCORE SUPERSTAR), who also mixed the album.

"Of course there's boogie again, but also doom and hardcore, fast songs and hard riffs," vocalist/guitarist Tony Jelencovich says of the new disc. "Our sound may have changed a few times, but not the band's raw power and our penchant for strong grooves.

"'A Million Volt Scream' is a return to our TRANSPORT LEAGUE roots and mixes them with influences that had already surfaced on our two previous releases, 'Boogie From Hell' and 'Twist And Shout At The Devil'."

The three longstanding members — Jelencovich, Peter Hunyadi (guitar) and Mattias Starander (drums) — recorded the album together with bassist Dennis Österdal.

"A Million Volt Scream" track listing:

01. A Million Volt Scream

02. 1200 Goddamned

03. Monster Human

04. Dawn Of Lucifer

05. Vultures

06. Vanished Empire

07. Facedown Bondage

08. Slave In Orbit

09. Creature Grunts

10. Rabid Horizon

Band photo: Pontus Fagerstedt

Francis Rossi, founder of the mighty Status Quo, is gearing up for a busy 2019. Rossi, a bona fide musical legend, has confirmed the release of a collaborative album with vocalist Hannah Rickard, a brand new autobiography written with Mick Wall, and a spoken word UK tour that will see him and Wall tour the country discussing his Quo guitarist’s illustrious career and taking questions from fans.

We Talk Too Much is the title of the album by Rossi / Rickard – the pair met when Hannah Rickard worked with Status Quo on the hugely successful Aquostic projects. Reconnecting with one of Rossi’s true loves, this is a collection of Country-flavoured duets and is due for release on March 15th via earMUSIC. Featuring all brand-new material, and boasting writing credits for Rossi and Rickard as well as Quo stalwart Bob Young, this album has been a true labour of love. Pre-order the album here, and listen to audio samples for every track on the album, below.

Tracklisting:

"I'll Take You Home"
"I've Tried Letting It Go"
"Oughta Know By Now"
"But I Just Said Goodbye"
"Waiting For Jesus"
"I'm Only Happy"
"Rearrange"
"I Talk Too Much"
"Heartbreaker"
"Good Times Bad Times"
"Sinking In Blue"
"Maybe Tomorrow"

Audio samples:

"I'll Take You Home":

"Maybe Tomorrow":

"I Talk Too Much":

The new autobiography, I Talk Too Much, is to be published by Little, Brown on March 14th. This gripping brand-new book has been created in conjunction with award-winning writer and broadcaster Mick Wall, who has sold more than 1 million books. In this explosive new memoir, the famously indiscreet Rossi reveals the true-life stories behind his unbelievable career. Painfully honest at times, the book covers the glory years, the dark days, the ups and downs of his relationship with the late Rick Parfitt and the real stories behind the creation of some of the greatest rock music of all time.

Pre-order the book here.

Rossi will share the extraordinary secrets of his 50-plus years in rock’n’roll when he takes to the stage for an intimate evening at 36 theatres across the UK. Kicking off on March 20th, 2019 in Whitley Bay and culminating on May 20th in King’s Lynn, the I Talk Too Much tour, will feature Francis - joined by Mick Wall - sharing some of the best rock ’n’ roll stories ever, accrued during an extraordinary life on the road. Expect laughter, revelations, tales involving some of the giants of music, exclusive video clips, snatches of classic tunes and a great night out.

Rossi said: “This show is something new for me. It will be live and unscripted, so god knows what could happen! One thing's for sure though, it’ll be a white-knuckle ride for me, but fans will get a real unvarnished insight into what’s happened over the years.  I’ll be taking a guitar along to demonstrate how some of those Quo classics came into being, and hopefully we’ll take a few questions from the audience too. It’s been quite a journey, there’s a lot to share.”

2019 will be a year like no other: with an album, book and tour, Francis Rossi has truly stretched himself creatively but is also connecting as never before with the loyal fanbase built up over fifty years of creating history with Quo. Honest to a fault and always good company, I Talk Too Much is aptly named, don’t miss Francis Rossi spilling the beans as never before.

I Talk Too Much UK Tour tickets available here.




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"Drown", the new video from Swiss progressive folk rockers CELLAR DARLING — who feature in their ranks former ELUVEITIE members Anna Murphy (vocals, hurdy-gurdy), Merlin Sutter (drums) and Ivo Henzi (guitars, bass) — can be seen below. The song is taken from CELLAR DARLING's second studio album, "The Spell", which will arrive on March 22 via Nuclear Blast.


Murphy told Musicalypse about "The Spell" concept: "'The Spell' is a fictional and slightly surreal story. The central theme is of a girl falling in love with death. This image has been present in literature, poetry, and art for a long time, but I wanted to create my own story with older symbolism. In our story, death casts a spell on the girl, one of eternal life, so that she cannot join him in his realm."

She added: "'The Spell' is a story from beginning to end. In the first song, 'Pain', a girl is born from the earth’s wounds, as a human mirror image of the world for all to see the damage they have done. In 'Love', the girl, after drifting through a seemingly meaningless life, finds love in death."

Anna also talked about CELLAR DARLING's collaboration with music video director Costin Chioreanu.

"Costin is, in fact, doing an animated video for all the songs on the album," she said. "We picked him because, on one hand, we just love his style, and on the other, he's an artist that doesn't need a lot of guidelines. I send him the lyrics and the music and he delivers a perfect result."

"The Spell" track listing:

01. Pain

02. Death

03. Love

04. The Spell

05. Burn

06. Hang

07. Sleep

08. Insomnia

09. Freeze

10. Fall

11. Drown

12. Love Pt. II

13. Death Pt. II

CELLAR DARLING's debut album, "This Is The Sound", was released in June 2017 via Nuclear Blast.

Swedish metallers AVATAR will release a new live album, titled "The King Live In Paris", on May 17 via Entertainment One (eOne). Recorded live at Download Festival 2018 in Paris, France, the effort underscores fan favorites such as "A Statue Of The King", "Let It Burn" and "Hail The Apocalypse".


"Looking back at all that's happened and what's still going on it feels more like a document from a pivotal battle than a live album," says frontman Johannes Eckerström.


"In the past, I've found it hard to motivate making something like this, but as time goes on, I find it fortunate that we get to have our work captured like this. I realize now more than ever that we are in the process of constant change. This release is a version of AVATAR that didn't exist a year prior, and that already has morphed into something else. The show at Download Paris was a particular one for many reasons. We are very proud of the result."


Pre-orders for "The King Live In Paris" are available today with "Bloody Angel" serving as an iTunes instant-gratification track, meaning fans who pre-order the album on iTunes will receive "Bloody Angel" as an immediate download.

"The King Live In Paris" track listing:

01. Intro

02. Statue Of The King

03. Let It Burn

04. Paint Me Red

05. Bloody Angel

06. For The Swarm

07. Tower

08. The Eagle Has Landed

09. Smells Like A Freakshow

10. Avatar Country

11. Hail The Apocalypse

Few modern bands embody the true spirit of heavy metal as well as Savage Messiah, whose dogged perseverance, passion and conviction harks back to the hard graft of metal’s masters of old. On the band’s fifth full-length album, Demons, due to release on May 17th, this has never been more evident. Vintage bullet-belt influences meet modern metal with 11 new songs that will feel as much at home on the airwaves and playlists as reverberating around sweaty mosh-pits.

“Under No Illusions” gives you the first taste of the upcoming album. The Brits have gradually infused their unrelenting modern metal with strains of melodic metal, topping their neckbreakingly precise riffs with fierce hooklines and anthemic choruses begging to be screamed back at the band in sold out stadiums. Once again Savage Messiah prove that they are one of the most forward thinking bands around, creating an album steeped in diversity, even including a cover of US country star Chris Stapleton’s anthemic track “Parachute”.

Check out “Under No Illusions” below:

Demons is punctuated by sentiment more personal than anything the band have shared in the past. Singer and guitarist Dave Silver describes a band reborn on the new record. “I looked at what we’ve done in the past and knew we could be taking this band way further,” says Silver. “When you become a parent, your worries become multi-faceted,” he explains. “You worry about what happens to you and those around you. It’s the weirdest thing, the love you feel for your child, almost indescribable. I’ve never thrown myself into my lyrics like that before.”

Demons also sees a shift in production for Savage Messiah. After making four albums with Scott Atkins, the group enlisted producer David Castillo, renowned for his work with metal stalwarts including Opeth, Dimmu Borgir and Soilwork. The album was mixed by Jens Bogren (Arch Enemy, Amon Amarth, Kreator) at his Fascination Street Studios in Sweden.

The following formats are now available for pre-order:

- Black LP + CD
- Standard CD Jewelcase
- Digital Album

Tracklisting:

"Virtue Signal"
"What Dreams May Come"
"Heretic In The Modern World"
"Parachute"
"Under No Illusion"
"Down And Out"
"The Lights Are Going Out"
"The Bitter Truth"
"Until The Shadows Fall"
"Rise Then Fall"
"Steal The Faith in Me"

To promote their new record, Savage Messiah will play three release shows in the UK and will be on tour with Symphony X in May and June. Find all live dates below.

Demons album launch shows:

May
2 - Manchester, UK - Academy
3 - London, UK - The Camden Assembly
4 - Glasgow, UK - The Garage Attic

May (with Symphony X)
7 - Lyon, France - Ninkasi Kao
8 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
10 - Treviso, Italy - New Age
11 - Bologna, Italy - Estragon
12 - Rome, Italy - Orion
14 - Milan, Italy - Alcatraz
15 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle
16 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - Rockfabrik
17 - Berlin, Germany - Lido
18 - Hannover, Germany - Faust
19 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
21 - Oslo, Norway - Rockefeller
22 - Stockholm, Sweden - Klubben
24 - Helsinki, Finland - Nosturi
26 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Pustervik
28 - Hamburg, Germany - Knust
29 - Dresden, Germany - Beatpol
31 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saal

June (with Symphony X)
1 - Vosselaar, Belgium - Biebob
4 - Coventry, UK - Empire
5 - Holmfirth, UK - Picturedrome
6 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom
7 - Paris, France - La Machine du Moulin Rouge

More dates...

April
24-28 - Mallorca, Spain - Full Metal Cruise

May
30 - Mannheim, Germany - The New Wave Of Heavy Metal Festival

October
14-21 - Mallorca, Spain - Full Metal Holiday

Savage Messiah are:

David Silver - Vocals, Guitar
Mira Slama - Bass
David Hruska - Guitar
Charly Carretón - Drums

(Photo - Ross Halfin)




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Iconic, American, technical death metallers, Origin, will release their anniversary album, Abiogenesis - A Coming Into Existence, on May 3rd worldwide via Agonia Records. Revisit the origins of Origin with the new single "Mind Asylum": the pre-Origin era, never-before released track. A video, made by David Hall, can be seen below:

Abiogenesis is the process by which the origin of life has arisen from non-living matter. The details of this process are still a path unknown, the transition from non-living to a living entity was not a single event, but a gradual process of increasing complexity. This process is what Origin's new album is all about.

Abiogenesis - A Coming Into Existence was recorded and recreated from the original 1991-1996 era that preceded Origin's official formation. The album features never-before released tracks, that laid foundations to one of America's top death metal purveyors. The tracks on Abiogensis were recreated to the best of his ability, by founding Origin member & mastermind Paul Ryan, who recorded all instruments himself, between 2013 and 2018.

The twelve-track album includes eighth new (previously unreleased) tracks from the pre-Origin period, spanning from the Necrotomy (1990-1991) to Thee Abomination (1992-1993) era of the band (the Abiogenesis part of the album). They're followed by a remastered version of Origin's first ever EP from 1998 (and first ever death metal recording to use the "gravity blast" drumming technique) as a special bonus for all Origin fans & album collectors (A Coming Into Existence part). This EP was never available for worldwide release before.

Paul comments: "Over the years people have asked me how Origin just came to be as a band so ferocious virtually out of nowhere. This is a small summary of the Origins of Origin. Basically, I spent a lot of my youth at shows at the outhouse practicsng garage grinding, basement blasting & shed shredding anywhere I️ could, composing as what my father would call 'Infernal Racket' as I was very passionate about death metal. That's all I ever wanted to do. A lot of missed opportunities as we just couldn't put it together into making a album (some music was meant to be underground), so these tracks are some of my earliest creations from the Necrotomy (1990-1991) & Thee Abomination (1992-1993) period."

He continuous: "This is by no means the current direction of the band Origin, but simply music that is the Origins of Origin. I did to the best of my ability to recreate the instrumentation of all the former members & the guys who I played this music with blended into each track (& yes there was a lot of editing!!!!). Im officially retired from recording drums ever again!"

Even though Abiogenesis presents Paul as a multi-instrumentalist, things weren't like this back in the early 90's: "Thanks to these guys who helped me create these songs/style. I️ couldn’t have done this without you and Origin would have never been: Dean Jones, Drew Bray, Mark Manning, Jaime Serrano, Steve Bradley, Jerry Bradley, George Fluke, Clinton Appelhanz, Jeremy Turner, Judd Mason and Payam Pourmirza."

The music on Abiogenesis was influenced (back in the day) by all the heaviest sounds of the 80s and 90s (that Metal Blade, Relativity, Earache, Combat, Roadrunner & Relapse records could offer), as well as bands from the local Kansas scene and neighbouring states (inc. Excessive Strain, Psychosis, The Socio Pathetic's, Aehraid, Device Public Assassian, Nasferatu etc.).

Paul elaborates: "These Bands got very little recognition in the national spotlight but had a huge influence on me for their extremity & talent that I witnessed live. They pushed me to continue what I heard into my own music. I'd personally like to thank those who were there from the early days, those who have joined along my death metal soundtrack & those who are just discovering this music now!"

The Abiogenesis album was written between 1990 and 1993 and recorded between 2013 and 2018. David Nollac took care of the tracking at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco (Ca), with final mix and master done by long-time Origin collaborator, Robert Rebeck. The latter remastered A Coming Into Existence bonus EP in 2018, for the needs of this release. The EP was originally recorded and mixed at Mercy Studios in Lawrence (Kansas) by said Robert Rebeck, back in 1998. The Abiogenesis cover artwork features a photo of the Pillars Of Creation from the new advanced Hubble space telescope.

Album formats:

- Digipack CD
- Slipcase CD
- Black LP
- Neon green LP
- Galaxy blue LP

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

Abiogenesis
"Insanity" *
"Mauled" **
"Autopsied Alive" **
"Spastic Regurgitation" *
"Bleed As Me" *
"Mind Asylum" *
"Infestation" *
"Murderer" **

A Coming Into Existence
"Lethal Mainpulation The Bone Crusher Chronicles" ***
"Sociocide" ***
"Manimal Instincts" ***
"Inner Reflections The Pain From Within" ***

* Necrotomy (pre-Origin) 1990-91
**Thee Abomination (pre-Origin) 1992-93
*** Origin 1997-98

Formed in Kansas (North America) in 1997, Origin is one of the top, most intense and most brutal technical death metal forces to be reckoned with. For more than 20 years, the band have engaged a full-blown sensory assault of tight, taut, and technical death metal, amplified by flashes of grindcore and groove. This has led to over 100 tours in North America, but also to Europe, Asia, New Zealand and Australia. Their last studio album Unpraralleled Universe came out in 2017 to critical acclaim and reached the Top 10 of the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.

Origin lineup:

Paul Ryan - guitar and backing vocals
John Longstreth - drums
Mike Flores - bass and backing vocals
Jason Keyser - lead vocals

Abiogenesis recording lineup:

Paul Ryan - vocals, guitars, bass, drums

"A Coming Into Existence" recording lineup:

Paul Ryan - guitars, backing vocals
Mark Manning - vocals
Jeremy Turner - guitars, backing vocals
Clint Appelhanz - bass
George Fluke - drums




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