Founded in 2018 by mastermind and lead vocalist Bartłomiej "Варфоломей" Krysiuk and propelled by their critically acclaimed album, Hospodi, and relentless touring around the globe, the Polish Orthodox black metal icons formerly known as Batushka have revealed their brand-new band name - Patriarkh!


Originally founded by Krzysztof Drabikowski in 2015, Batushka released their successful first album, Litourgiya, with vocals handled by Bartłomiej "Варфоломей" Krysiuk. Three years later, the band split up and both parties decided to keep going with the same name, until a legal dispute resulted in Krysiuk recently changing his band’s name.


Patriarkh is finally free from litigation, and with a clear and fresh vision, the new band looks towards a bright future. Deeply rooted in Eastern Orthodox tradition and music, Patriarkh combines black and doom metal and ushers in a new era with outstanding, ominous religious schemas that conceal their identities amid remarkable liturgies with their fans.




Conveying the spirit of true patriarchs and Orthodox sacredness, the band just returned from an intensive run through Latin America. Patriarkh will soon possess European audiences on their “Prophecy” tour, wrapping up their last shows in Poland before heading to 28 cities in 13 countries. The final Batushka show will take place on December 13 in Melbourne, Australia.


Patriarkh states:


“DEAR PILGRIMS, FANS, AND FRIENDS!


As you may have noticed over the past few weeks, we have been spreading the word about our latest concerts in various parts of the world. The time has come for which we have been preparing for the past few weeks – a time of FINAL CHANGES.


Over the past two years, we have been working on new music, a new album, and a new stage. It has cost us a lot of sacrifices and effort. Along with the new musical stage, we have decided to embrace a new chapter of the band under a completely new name. This is also the perfect time for all your attention to be focused on our music and what we have to say through it, rather than on legal or personal struggles that have plagued our minds like a cancer.


Now that we see how important it is for many people to discredit our hard work and divert attention from what really matters, our MUSIC, we have decided to lift this burden so as not to negate our efforts. We want to completely disassociate ourselves from all of this, change the band's name entirely, and start a new chapter for ourselves as individuals and for the band.
On the other hand, we appreciate how many people value us, the dedicated fans we have all over the world, and how much we owe to you. Therefore, we want to bury all negative emotions, disputes, and dramas along with the old name Batushka.


With new music and a new name, we aim to set a new direction and begin a new story. A story that we hope you will join us in building together worldwide because without you, our Pilgrims, it doesn't make sense!


The change will not happen overnight, this phase will last until the end of the year. In the meantime, prepare for new music, a new image, and a new quality of performances that we want to introduce along with the new music.


December 13th will be a symbolic date. In Melbourne, Australia, the final farewell concert of Batushka will take place, and we will collectively bury this stage during the last liturgy.


Right after the new year, with the new publication, Patriarkh will be born. The patriarch, along with the new covenant, will begin his reign and send his Prophet into the world!

Metallica have launched the pre-order for the Ride The Lightning Electric Chair Resin Statue, expected to ship October 2024.


Says Metallica: "Crafted from high-quality resin and meticulously hand-painted, the new Electric Chair Resin Statue by Nemesis Now is available for pre-order in The Met Store and the Probity UK Shop."

Gothenburg’s iconic melodic death metal pioneers, Dark Tranquillity, have not only just successfully released their 13th studio album, Endtime Signals, via Century Media Records, but are also pleased to announce a long overdue vinyl re-issue of their fourth album, Projector, from 1999.


Projector, which also marked the beginning of Dark Tranquillity’s long-standing relationship with Century Media Records as their worldwide record company partners and the band’s first release to receive a nomination for a Swedish Grammis Award, saw the group explore a more diverse and atmospheric side to their ever relevant and constantly progressing melodic death metal approach, making the album a total fan-favourite and a special release to finally re-visit with a new vinyl edition in order to celebrate its 25th Anniversary. 


Originally recorded with Fredrik Nordström at Gothenburg’s Studio Fredman (In Flames, Arch Enemy, At The Gates), the album’s main 10 songs now come with a fresh 2024 vinyl remaster crafted by Dan Swanö at Unisound (Opeth, Katatonia, Edge Of Sanity). 







The new Projector (Re-issue 2024) vinyl version will be released on November 1st, 2024 with pre-order starting today for the following three available variants:


- Ltd. brick red L

Back On Black Records has collected the recordings of Necrophagia from their Season Of Mist days.


The 4CD set includes the EP Cannibal Holocaust (2001) and studio albums The Divine Art Of Torture (2003), Harvest Ritual Volume I (2005), and Whiteworm Cathedral (2014). The set is due for release on September 20. Preorder on plastichead.com.







These pioneers of death metal have been slaying the scene since the early 1980’s when their debut Season Of the Dead hit the public’s ears.

The Lila YouTube channel has uploaded video of MÖTLEY CRÜE's August 31 concert at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Check out the clips below.

As previously reported, MÖTLEY CRÜE will release the "Cancelled" EP on October 4. The three-song effort contains the title track, MÖTLEY CRÜE's cover version of the BEASTIE BOYS classic "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party!)" and "Dogs Of War", which was made available in April. All three songs were recorded in April 2023 with longtime producer Bob Rock.

MÖTLEY CRÜE's version of "Fight For Your Right" has quickly become a fan favorite since the band first debuted the song live during their secret 2023 club show at The Underworld in London, U.K. At its premiere, 450 lucky, sweat-drenched fans who came out to see a band advertised as DÖGS OF WAR got the surprise of a lifetime when MÖTLEY CRÜE took the stage with the BEASTIE BOYS classic in their set list.

The veil of speculation surrounding the DÖGS OF WAR pseudonym was finally lifted when the band released their first new single since 2019 by the "Dogs Of War" name in the spring of 2024. "Dogs Of War" subsequently became a Top 5 Rock Radio hit, accompanied by a highly acclaimed music video by director Nick DenBoer. The cutting-edge visual, which is entirely CGI-based, features the members of MÖTLEY CRÜE navigating an exhilarating post-apocalyptic world.

MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee told Bill Maher's "Club Random" podcast last year that he and his bandmates felt inspired to write a song called "Cancelled" because they were surprised it never happened to them.

"There was this article that was like, 'How did MÖTLEY CRÜE ever not get cancelled?'" he said. "And we were like, 'Fuck, we've gotta write a song about that because we didn't ever get it.' We snuck in under the whatever threshold, wherever that was, where we got away with fucking murder."

The "Cancelled" EP will be made available via MÖTLEY CRÜE's new deal with Nashville's Big Machine Records

MÖTLEY CRÜE's deal with Big Machine sees the band and the label working together again after making the 2014 project "Nashville Outlaws: A Tribute To Mötley Crüe", which featured CRÜE tracks covered by country stars RASCAL FLATTS, FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, Darius Rucker and more. Big Machine also partnered with MÖTLEY CRÜE's new guitarist John 5 for the release of his 2021 album "Sinner".

MÖTLEY CRÜE's last studio album was 2008's "Saints Of Los Angeles", which was followed by a 2009 "Greatest Hits" compilation.

In 2018, MÖTLEY CRÜE recorded four new songs for "The Dirt" movie, including the single "The Dirt (Est. 1981) (Feat. Machine Gun Kelly)", "Ride With The Devil", "Crash And Burn" and the band's own spin on Madonna's "Like A Virgin".

John 5 joined MÖTLEY CRÜE in the fall of 2022 as the replacement for the band's co-founding guitarist Mick Mars. Mick announced his retirement from touring with MÖTLEY CRÜE in October 2022 as a result of worsening health issues.

In a recent interview with Janne Innanfors of the Swedish radio station Rockklassiker, MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx stated about the mixed response to "Dogs Of War" from the band's fans: "We like the fact that there was kind of a knee-jerk reaction, because at least people were listening. It's a very strange time now where, whether it's a news cycle or socials, everybody has turned into a critic. And I always say, they've never erected a statue of a critic. It's never happened, right? It's always the artist. But now everybody's a critic. So within a short amount of time, we get, 'We love it.' 'We hate it.' 'You're over.' 'You've reinvented yourself.' 'It sounds like 'Shout At The Devil'. 'It sucks.' And we just kind of sit there and go, 'That's cool, guys, but we didn't really ask for any input from you.' We're just artists writing music, and we're pretty cool. I'm happy with it. I like it."

During an appearance on SiriusXM Fight Nation's "Busted Open" show, Sixx discussed the musical direction of "Dogs Of War", saying: "A lot of people said it's a different sound, but I'll be honest with you, I don't necessarily agree with that. If you listen to the verses, they're very similar to a lot of stuff that we've done — that simple, grinding thing with those almost CHEAP TRICK melodies. And the riff, I mean, it could be off of 'Dr. Feelgood'. So I don't really feel like it's that different. I think what's different for people is that when we were working on the song, Tommy [Lee, CRÜE drummer] had the idea to just let the bottom fall out in the verses, which is not really what we do. We usually go for it, and [it's] really unique for Vince [Neil, CRÜE singer]."

Vince chimed in: "I don't ever sing like that. But it works in the song." He added that "Dogs Of War" "was very easy to sing."

Nikki elaborated on the CRÜE songwriting process, saying: "I think what we do together is we all kind of know each other so well, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses. And for me as a lyricist, I'm always thinking about Vince and his tempo as I write. So it's not like out of the wheelhouse, but it's nice to know each other so well, if that makes sense."

When "Dogs Of War" was first released, Neil described the track as "like old school meets new school. It's got that old-school vibe about it, but it's new music. Nikki came up with it and he sent me the music and I thought it was really cool. So I started singing it and we got in the studio and it turned into the song I think the fans are really gonna like it."

Brutal death band Emasculator has released the official music video for "Eradication Of The Asuras”, the newest single of the band's debut EP The Disfigured And The Divine.


The Disfigured And The Divine delves into themes of the Goddess in mythology and legend, womanhood and motherhood, overcoming obstacles, justice, spirituality, the human experience, and growing into power. Vocalist Mallika Sundaramurthy delves into the concepts behind the song and how it connects to the album's overall theme.


"'Eradication Of The Asuras' is about the Hindu goddess Durga. She is known as Mahishasuramardini, the slayer of the shape-shifting buffalo demon. He has been endowed with superpowers and is almost invincible. He has gained the boon that no man may kill him - only a woman. He hungers for power and wages war on the gods and defeats them. So the gods Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva combine their energy to create Durga. They endow her with their many powers and weapons, and she goes off to fight the demon. Durga appears before him riding on a lion and an epic battle ensues. The demon attacks her in his many forms; lion, man, elephant, snake, and buffalo.




“On the tenth day, she strikes the death blow with her trident, and decapitates him with her Chakra, killing him. The gods rejoice and praise her. She bids farewell and promises to return when she is needed and called upon with devotion.


“Unlike the demon, Durga is violent out of necessity and in service to others. She is viewed as a great mother who enacts divine justice on the wicked for the liberation of the oppressed. In our song, we are reaching out to her for strength, so that we may persevere through dark, chaotic, and violent times.


“I am able to relate to her as a mother and protector of my children. They say every mother has a bit of Durga in her.


“There is another legend where Durga is fighting the demon Raktabīja. Every time he is wounded, blood falls to the ground and turns into more demons. So Kali comes forth from Durga's forehead. She holds a bowl and captures every drop of blood so it may not hit the ground, and she drinks it. Thus Durga is able to kill all the duplicates and at last, slays the demon Raktabīja.


“The music video combines these two stories from Hindu mythology, representing her power and the power of divine female energy, also known as Shakti.”


The EP is the product of the band sharing music back and forth online, and feeding off each other’s enthusiasm, ideas, and criticism. The guitars are heavily influenced by early 2000s underground brutal death (such as Disgorge, Deeds of Flesh, Disavowed, and Inveracity) while taking some inspiration from modern death metal. The drums meld together relentless blast beats with bone-jarring grooves. The vocals are aggressive and dynamic, featuring a wide range of techniques and styles.


The cover artwork - painted by vocalist and artist Mallika Sundaramurthy - is a portrait of the Hindu goddess Chhinnamasta.


"She is seen making the ultimate sacrifice for others," says Sundaramurthy of the concept behind her artwork. "She has severed her own head and is feeding her followers with her life force, her own blood. In giving, she is also receiving nourishment. She has overcome death and will soon return her head to its place. She is standing on a love-making couple, meaning she is above the life-procreation-death cycle. She can also be interpreted as a mother figure who sacrifices for her children, as mothers sacrifice and even risk their lives for their babies during childbirth."


New Standard Elite will release The Disfigured and the Divine on physical formats on September 25. Preorder at nserecords.bigcartel.com.


Emasculator will make their live debut at this year’s Texas Domination Fest, scheduled for September 26-28 in Dallas / Ft. Worth, TX. The band is set to tour Europe in May of 2025 around Nice To Eat You Deathfest (Czechia).


"The Unassailable" features a guest appearance by Vishal Singh, with chants by Swathi Kalahasti. Guest vocals on "Age of the Goddess" by Daniela Dahlien Neumanová.


The Disfigured And The Divine was mixed & mastered by Josh Welshman. Guitar and bass were recorded by L.B. at Divine Retribution Studios. Vocals recorded by Tonda Smrčka at Seabeast Production. Drums recorded by Taylor Hahn at Hahn Audio.





Tracklisting:


“Ecstasy In Disseverment (Of Self)”
“In Resplendent Terror”
“Thesmophoric Rites”
“The Unassailable”
“Eradication Of The Asuras”
“Age Of The Goddess”
“Supreme Void Of Acephalous Being”


"Eradication Of The Asuras" video:

KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons has reflected on the band's final performance, which took place on December 2, 2023 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Speaking to Artists On Record Starring ADIKA Live!, he said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I'm proud that we did this at the right time, at the right place. Because, I mean, let's call it for what it is — how many world-champion boxers have stayed in the ring too long? Think about it. The best of the best get knocked out by some new chump because they stayed there too long. And we've all seen shows that have gone on too long. Leave them wanting. Fifty years is plenty. And the other thing is we introduced ourselves with, 'You wanted the best. You got the best. The hottest band in the world.' That's how you're gonna introduce yourselves and you're gonna come out in wheelchairs with fireballs on the sides? So you wanna get off that stage while the getting's good. You don't wanna become fat, naked, bloated Elvis on a bathroom floor when you are the king of rock and roll. That's not the way to go out. And in a very bizarre and sad way, Marilyn Monroe will forever be iconic and young because she died when she was young. We don't have an image of her in her 70s and 80s. And there's nothing wrong with that, by the way. But the great stars of yesteryear, once they quit acting, whatever, they would get off the media stage, if you will, and you wouldn't hear — Marlene Dietrich, I don't know what she looked like when she was 80. Greta Garbo and so on. They would disappear. They became private citizens, and that's the way to do it."

Simmons also talked about the fact that he will perform with his solo band, the GENE SIMMONS BAND, this spring and summer. In addition to Simmons, the GENE SIMMONS BAND members for the shows will include guitarists Brent Woods (WILDSIDE, SEBASTIAN BACH, VINCE NEIL) and Zach Throne (COREY TAYLOR) alongside drummer Brian Tichy (LYNCH MOB, THE DEAD DAISIES, WHITESNAKE, BILLY IDOL, FOREIGNER, PRIDE & GLORY, SLASH'S SNAKEPIT).

"We're going out with the GENE SIMMONS BAND," he said. "Only one show in all of South America, São Paulo, but then July, August, we're headlining some festivals and joining other bands and other festivals — big, big outdoor shows. One of them is 80-something thousand people, Wacken in Germany — big, really cool bands. And we're just gonna show up and play. There's no stage show, nothing. We actually are using wires. We actually plug into amps the way we used to do it. No technology, no road crew, no managers, no nothing. Just show up and have fun, because this band rocks. So it's real easy having a lot of fun. And in fact, I don't know if this is happening or not, but yesterday DEEP PURPLE contacted CAA and wanted to know whether or not I'd like to come out and tour with them. We said, 'Yeah, sure. Just depending on availability.' So we'll see if that happens or not. But I wasn't planning to do that."

Asked if there will be any new music from GENE SIMMONS BAND, Gene said: "I'm open. You always have to have the right thing at the right place in the right time We got the right musicians. We got the right guys. I like them. We like hanging out with each other. So that's good. For instance, Ace [Frehley, former KISS guitarist] and Paul [Stanley, KISS guitarist/vocalist] and I've had our differences, but what family doesn't have problems? And even while we were having differences of opinion, Ace called and said, 'Can you help me write a song or two?' for his last solo record. And I wasn't doing anything at that time. I said, 'Sure.' So I drove out there and started off with titles that I had and co-wrote two things that appeared on Ace's last record."

He added: "There's plenty of time to do anything, but you've got to make the time because other stuff just gets in there."

GENE SIMMONS BAND 2024 tour dates:

Apr. 26 - Summer Breeze Open Air Festival - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Jul. 27 - Kuopiorock Festival - Kuopio, Finland
Jul. 29 - Dalhalla Amphitheatre - Rattvik, Sweden
Jul. 31 - Liseberg Amusement Park - Gothenburg, Sweden
Aug. 02 - Wacken Open Air Festival  - Wacken, Germany
Aug. 04 – Ronda - Utrecht, Holland
Aug. 08 - Den Atelier - Den Atelier Luxembourg, Luxembourg
Aug. 09 - Nirwana Tuinfeest - Lierop, Netherlands
Aug. 11 - Alcatraz Festival - Kortrijk, Belgium

KISS's final concert at Madison Square Garden lasted two hours and 15 minutes and saw the legendary rockers perform to 20,000 fans at the second show of a two-night stand. After the set-closing "Rock And Roll All Nite", a message was displayed on the video screens, "A new KISS era starts now", and digital avatars of the four members of KISS appeared, playing the band's anthem "God Gave Rock And Roll To You". The announcement signaled that from here on out, KISS will perform as digital avatars.

The KISS avatars were created by Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) and were financed and produced by the Swedish company Pophouse Entertainment, which is behind the successful "ABBA Voyage" show in London.

A short video was released last night showing the members of KISS hooked up to the motion capture technology that helped generate their avatars.

The avatars will now be available for live shows around the world and in digital online settings, which some people collectively refer to as the metaverse.

KISS will reportedly become the first American band to go fully virtual and stage its own avatar show.

Swedish hard rockers Crazy Lixx have unveiled their new single “Call Of The Wild”, out today via Frontiers Music Srl.


The track is accompanied by a new unofficial soundtrack music video, made with clips from the classic 1987 vampire horror/comedy “The Lost Boys”, starring Kiefer Sutherland, Corey Haim, Corey Feldman and Jason Patric (among others).


Vocalist Danny Rexon comments on the track: “I'm very proud to set free this new song upon our listeners and I'm really excited to see what the reaction from the fans is going to be like. Crazy Lixx have gone through some changes during this past year and, even though the overall sound and style should be familiar to most fans, I also believe that there are new and fresh components to this latest material (of which there will be a lot more coming of course, don't you worry about that). A lot of work has been poured into making this and I can't wait to finally get it out there for everybody to hear.”







Crazy Lixx recently celebrated their 20+ year career, with the compilation Two Shots At Glory, released on February 16, 2024, and featuring reimagined renditions of their iconic successes.


The compilation was introduced by reimagined classics from the band’s catalogue “Whiskey Tango Foxtrot”, “Lights Out!” and “Fire It Up!”, all accompanied by UST videos that draw inspiration from a wide range of films, from blockbuster hits of the ‘90s to lesser-known ‘80s B-movies. They've gained immens

“Awesome album! I can safely say this will be a fave of the year for me!” – Mike Portnoy


Throughout his long career, Neal Morse has often been a musical collaborator, usually with some of the greatest prog musicians across the world. This time, Morse has brought that collaborative spirit closer to home. The new album by Neal Morse & The Resonance, entitled No Hill For A Climber, will be released on November 8, and the title is taken from a resonant line in Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Demon Copperhead.


It has its roots at the end of 2023, as Morse explains: “I started thinking about what I was going to do in 2024,  and my wife suggested that I should think about doing something with the amazingly talented younger guys that we have here locally - like Chris Riley, Andre Madatian and Philip Martin. I knew just how good they were from playing with them at our Christmas concerts and other events.”




These local musicians were supplemented by Joe Ganzelli (drums) and Johnny Bisaha, who performs much of the lead vocal work, as Morse explains: “While composing No Hill For A Climber, I was hearing a lot of higher range vocals - so I contacted Johnny Bisaha, who came over, listened to the music. loved it and started singing for me. And I immediately thought, ‘Oh man, he's the guy!’.”


To coincide with the announcement, the track "All The Rage" has been launched with a brand new video. Watch below.


Neal comments: “’All The Rage’ was the second track that I recorded with the guys. I had written it with them in mind and we tracked it pretty quickly. We wanted more of a live feel so we did quite a bit of it without a click track, which became a bit of a challenge for me during the piano solo section! I am super happy with the way the song came out and I really feel like you can hear the energy of the band in the track!”


The album will be available as Limited 2CD Digipak (incl. a second disc of instrumentals), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 2LP & as Digital Album. Pre-order here.





Tracklisting:


"Eternity In Your Eyes"
"Thief"
"All The Rage"
"Ever Interceding"
"No Hill For A Climber"


"All The Rage" video:





Faithful to any Neal Morse prog album, No Hill For A Climber features two epics (the 28 minute "No Hill For A Climber" and 'Eternity In Your Eyes", which clocks in at 22 minutes) as well as three shorter songs: "Ever Interceding", "All The Rage" and "Thief". The latter, Morse admits, is his current favorite: “It’s so

German hard 'n Heavy metal band CobraKill have unleashed their new single “Party Like Hell”, out today via Frontiers Music Srl.


The band commented on the release: “We are really proud to finally share our new masterpiece, ‘Party Like Hell’ with you. It’s an anthem for all the crazy metalheads around the world. The song comes directly from hell. The guitars are screaming like fallen angels, the vocals sound like your personal demon, the bass is a rolling thunder and the drums are smashing like a beast in hell. Now, we are very excited to present it to the rest of the world.”







Formed in 2020, CobraKill swiftly garnered attention for embracing the sound, attitude, and ferocity reminiscent of iconic artists such as Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest, W.A.S.P., Lizzy Borden, and RATT. Their ambitious goal is to reignite the flames of heavy metal's glory days from the '80s and conquer the world with their unique music. Drawing inspiration from the likes of these legendary bands, the quintet, featuring Nick Adams on vocals, Randy White on lead guitar, Tommy Gun on rhythm guitar, Crippler Ramirez on bass, and Toby Ventura on drums, not only captures the essence of the '80s but embodies it in both sound and appearance.


CobraKill's rise to prominence has been marked by electrifying performances and meticulously crafted songs. Fans attending their shows often describe the experience as magical, with many likening the atmosphere to witnessing the young Mötley Crüe commanding the stage.


The band's debut album, Cobratör, released in 2022, achieved remarkable success, selling out its physical format within weeks—a testament to the band's rapid ascent in the music scene. The release was followed by their second album Serpent's Kiss, out on January 19, 2024.


CobraKill's music seamlessly blends metal, rock, sleaze, and glam, creating a sonic landscape that not only pays homage to the glory days of hair metal in the '80s but also asserts the enduring vitality of rock n' roll in 2024.


Catch CobraKill live next week on the Full Metal Cruise XI, a five days cruise packed with metal and fun, sailing from Kiel through the Baltic Sea via Ålesund and Bergen. The band will share the cruise stage with big names such as Skindred, Doro and Michael Monroe.

Mammoth Grinder return with their new EP, Undying Spectral Resonance - five tracks of pure grime and grit - a mix of snarling, punk infused old school death metal.


Undying Spectral Resonance strives to pick up where 2018's Cosmic Crypt left off. “I was trying to draw from the last record because I felt like I found our sound on that one," says Mammoth Grinder's founding member Chris Ulsh (Power Trip, Devil Master, and more.) Ulsh played all the instruments and performed all the vocals on Undying Spectral Resonance, which was recorded at long-time collaborator Arthur Rizk’s new home studio outside of Philadelphia.


The title Undying Spectral Resonance references a theory about supernatural energy retention. “It’s about the sinister ambience of a place where something morbid has happened, how it can be a gateway between earth and the immaterial world,” Ulsh explains.




Watch a visualizer for "Undying Spectral Resonance" below.


Mammoth Grinder breathes new life into the project with a revamped lineup, which now includes Sebastian Phillips of Noisem/Exhumed on guitar and Andy Horn of Richmond rippers Loud Night on bass. Ryan Parrish of Iron Reagan is still on drums, while Ulsh has switched from bass back to guitar while of course retaining the vocal position. Undying Spectral Resonance also boasts a guest solo from Rizk, who engineered, mixed and mastered the EP.


Ahead of the EP's November 15 street date on Relapse, Mammoth Grinder will play select shows in the US and Canada, featuring a run with Nails that leads to New England Metal & Hardcore Fest. Dates below.


Pre-order the new EP here.


Cover art by Rotting Reign.





Undying Spectral Resonance tracklisting:


"Corpse Of Divinant"
"Undying Spectral Resonance"
"Call From The Frozen Styx" (Interlude)
"Decrease The Peace"
"Obsessed With Death"


"Undying Spectral Resonance" visualizer:





Mammoth Grinder live:


September
6 - Richmond, VA - The Warehouse %
7 - Pittsburgh, PA - Cattivo %
8 - Philadelphia, PA - Underground Arts %
10 - Albany, NY - Empire Unde

Beasto Blanco and Lord Of The Lost’s Chris Harms have teamed up for a new song and video, unveiled today. Called “Unreal”, the track appears on Beasto Blanco’s brand-new album Kinetica, their first since 2019, which is available now via COP International Records through Bandcamp. Both bands will also be heading out on tour in North America beginning September 20.


See the video for “Unreal” below, and order the Kinetica album here.


Beasto Blanco frontwoman Calico Cooper says of the track, “The lyrics for ‘Unreal’ poured out of me like water. I hear a lot of songs about sex and love, but I wanted to write one about the sweaty, panicked, heart racing type of obsession you feel for someone where you want them so bad you could crush them. You can’t sleep. You can’t eat. It’s one of my favorite feelings to feel. You just gotta let yourself go there.”




Chris Harms adds, "Working with the wonderful Beasto people, and having the chance to write and produce their new record together with Chuck and Calico, was one of the most inspiring studio times in my career thus far. ‘Unreal,’ so to say — and I can’t wait to see them again soon, when we’re touring together in the U.S.!"





Beasto Blanco features the electrifying collaboration of Nashville-based shock rockers Chuck Garric (Alice Cooper) and high priestess Calico Cooper, delivering an instant knockout blow. Kinetica aspires to capture the visuals, energy, love, sex, sweat, robots, and raw animalistic essence that defines the band.


With an explosive sound and captivating visuals, the two new singles “Run For Your Life” as well as “Lowlands” and "Diamond In The Dirt" are the perfect balance of raw power and infectious melodies that showcases Beasto Blanco’s refreshing authenticity as a beacon of genuine, unapologetic rock ‘n’ roll.





Tracklisting:


"Run For Your Life"
"Nobody Move"
"Heavy Is The Head"
"Unreal" feat. Chris Harms - Lord Of The Lost
"Kill Us Off With A Smile"
"Slide"
"Skull Rider"
"Lowlands"
"Diamond In The Dirt"
"Bad Thoughts"
"Fight"


"Lowlands" video:





"Run For Your Life" video:





"Diamond In The Dirt" video:

Some would say The 1968 Tapes is Jazz Sabbath's third album on which the trio, helmed by longtime Black Sabbath/Ozzy Osbourne keys and guitar player Adam Wakeman, present seven new exploratory jazz arrangements based on Black Sabbath tracks from the period 1970-1973.


You can also choose to believe the album's liner notes:


Although never released until recently, Jazz Sabbath's music has been finding its way to millions for over 50 years. Through a vicious cycle of personal tragedy and plagiarism the songs intended to change the jazz world ended up giving birth to a much darker sound. Now a third recording from the Sixties has resurfaced, perhaps their most important one.




In 1968 Jazz Sabbath were an instant hit on the UK jazz scene. It wasn’t long until they were offered a record deal. This first recording was rejected by the label; the label manager said it was too experimental and had no hit potential. However, just like the tracks from albums that followed, these tracks were also shamelessly presented as 'original songs' by that band from Birmingham a few years later. Their lasting popularity, even in the crude way they were covered, only proves just how monumental these songs were and how record labels are often wrong.


With the truth now finally out there and that Birmingham band exposed as the musical charlatans they are, Jazz Sabbath have finally mastered the 1968 tapes to present their best work to the public.


The 1968 Tapes will be released November 29 via Blacklake Records on Vinyl, CD, Cassette and all streaming/download platforms. The track "Supernaut" is streaming on all digital platforms now. Listen below, and watch a promo video.


The album can be pre-ordered here.





Tracklisting:


"Into The Void"
"Spiral Architect"
"Warning"
"The Wizard"
"Electric Funeral"
"Supernaut"
"War Pigs"


"Supernaut":

Danish hard rock act, D-A-D, have released a lyric video for "Head Over Heels", an emotional balled from their thirteenth album, Speed Of Darkness, out on October 4 via AFM Records. Watch below:





D-A-D's forthcoming album, Speed Of Darkness, was mastered by Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Amaranthe, Powerwolf).




Drummer Laust Sonne says: ”Jacob Hansen is really good at producing drum sounds, and he has a recording room designed for drums. There are not a lot of studios like that left out there, as most of it is done on computers in peoples’ living rooms these days. It is hard for drummers like me, who hit hard and make a lot of cymbal noise, to find studio people trained for it, but Jacob is one of them. The more I let loose, the better I sounded, so that was really awesome.”


Pre-order the album here.





Tracklisting:


"God Prays To Man"
"1st, 2nd & 3rd"
"The Ghost"
"Speed Of Darkness"
"Head Over Heels"
"Live By Fire"
"Crazy Wings"
"Keep That MF Down"
"Strange Terrain"
"In My Hands"
"Everything Is Gone Now"
"Automatic Survival"
"Waiting Is The Way"
"I’m Still Here"


"Keep That Mother Down" lyric video:





"The Ghost" lyric video:





"1st, 2nd & 3rd":





Tour dates:


September
6 - Ringe, Denmark - Midtfyns Festival
7 - Silkeborg, Denmark - Danmarks Største Vejfest
 
October
22 - Trondheim, Norway - Tapperiet
24 - Oslo, Norway - Sentrum Scene
25 - Stockholm, Sweden - Fållan
26 - Göteborg, Sweden - Gothenburg Film Studios


November
1 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Royal Arena
8 - Malmö, Sweden - Slagthuset
9 - Malmö, Sweden - Slagthuset
27 - Pratteln, Switzerland - Z7
28 - München, Germany - Backstage (Werk)
29 - Aschaffenburg, Germany - Colos-Saa

Legendary Dream Theater keyboardist, Jordan Rudess, releases his brand new solo album, Permission To Fly, today via InsideOutMusic.


No stranger to experimentation, Rudess is known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries. His latest endeavour, epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world. While some of his previous releases were true solo pursuits, this time, Rudess assembled a core group of musicians to support and elevate his vision.  The album features Jordan alongside That Joe Payne on vocals, Darby Todd (Devin Townsend) on drums & Steve Dadaian on guitar, as well as guest guitar solos from Bastian Martinez.


Jordan comments: “Permission to Fly is here! This album is a dream come true and features an incredible team of collaborators. My vision has turned into reality, and I can’t wait for you to join me on this journey.”




The first single released from the album was titled "Embers", and you can watch the official video for that track now, filmed earlier in 2024 on Cruise To The Edge:





With the music in capable hands, Rudess wanted to make sure to give the lyrics their proper attention. For that, he turned to a source close to home, his daughter. "All the lyrics on the album were written by my daughter, Ariana. While I enjoy writing lyrics myself, my primary focus tends to be on the sonic quality of the words. For this album, I wanted to delve deeper and offer something that resonated on a more profound and cerebral level. Ari did an exceptional job.”


Permission To Fly is available as Limited CD Digipak & Gatefold 180g 2LP (both incl. bonus material), as well as digitally. Order here.





Tracklisting:


"The Final Threshold"
"Into The Lair"
"Haunted Reverie"
"The Alchemist"
"Embers"
"Shadow Of The Moon"
"Eternal"
"Footstep In The Snow"
"Dreamer"
"Incarnation" (Bonus Track)
"Chopin Fm" (Bonus Track)


"Shadow Of The Moon" video:





"The Alchemist" video:





Renowned as the "Best Keyboardist of All Time" by Music Radar Magazine, Jordan Rudess stands out as the extraordinary keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band, Dream Theater. Embarking on his musical journey as a classical prodigy, Jordan initiated his studies at the illustrious Juilliard School of Music at the age of 9, laying the foundation for a career marked by a distinctive fusion of classical and rock influences.


Beyond his role in Dream Theater and the power group, Liquid Tension Experiment, Jordan's musical prowess has resonated across a diverse spectrum of collaborations. From Deep Purple and David Bowie to Steven Wilson and Jan Hammer, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable projects such as LMR (his side venture with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman), Steven Wilson’s Blackfield, guest appearances with Deep Purple and the Dixie Dregs and collaborations with artists

On September 6, 2024, METAL ALLEGIANCE rocked the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, New Jersey, performing a balance of original material with classic covers of metal royalty. Several guests joined METAL ALLEGIANCE on stage at the gig, including Troy Sanders (MASTODON),John Bush (ARMORED SAINT),Dave Davidson (REVOCATION) and Doc Coyle (BAD WOLVES),among others.

METAL ALLEGIANCE began as a celebration of heavy metal, powered by the almost tribal bond shared between the extreme music community's most revered trailblazers, armed with a list of contributors onstage (and off) that read like a Wikipedia entry on the genre itself.

Since METAL ALLEGIANCE's inception in 2014, the band is comprised of the core four members of: Mark Menghi on bass, Alex Skolnick (TESTAMENT) on guitar, David Ellefson (MEGADETH) on bass, and Mike Portnoy (DREAM THEATER) on drums.

METAL ALLEGIANCE has issued two full-length albums so far, 2015's self-titled debut and 2018's "Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty", as well as an EP, 2016's "Fallen Heroes".

The Starland show will came nine months after the group's last performance in January, at the House of Blues Anaheim, as part of NAMM, and this was the first METAL ALLEGIANCE show to feature the group's core four in six years on the East Coast.

Getting the core of METAL ALLEGIANCE together once is nothing short of a minor miracle, considering the complex crisscross of schedules and outside obligations. That Ellefson, Menghi, Portnoy and Skolnick have written and performed together multiple times and produced not one but two studio albums is nothing short of astounding. It's evidence of their total commitment to the spirit that METAL ALLEGIANCE embodies, to the force of their unique creative chemistry, and to the fans.

The year after they first performed as METAL ALLEGIANCE on MOTÖRHEAD's Motörboat cruise in 2014, the group issued a surprise debut album of original material, packed with the caliber of guests that crowds at their live shows would rightfully expect. Considering songs like "Pledge Of Allegiance", "Let Darkness Fall" and "Can't Kill The Devil" rose to the level of excellence of the myriad iconic acts associated with them, it was inevitable that lightning would strike twice with the arrival of the sophomore set from the band. The first METAL ALLEGIANCE album featured contributions from past and present members of LAMB OF GOD, SLAYER, EXODUS, PANTERA, MACHINE HEAD, LACUNA COIL, JUDAS PRIEST, ARCH ENEMY and ANTHRAX, to name but a few. On "Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty", the core membership was once again strengthened by a small army of friends, an eclectic mix of metal legends, visionaries, and firebrands. Vocalists included Trevor Strnad (THE BLACK DAHLIA MURDER),Bush, Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL),Mark Tornillo (ACCEPT),Johan Hegg (AMON AMARTH),Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, ex-SEPULTURA),and Floor Jansen (NIGHTWISH). "Volume II: Power Drunk Majesty" also marked the return of unofficial "fifth Beatle" Mark Osegueda (DEATH ANGEL, KERRY KING) and Sanders.

👊🏼 What an honor to make music and have friends like these for the last 10 years of Metal Allegiance. Truly, the musical...

Posted by David Ellefson on Friday, September 6, 2024

In a new interview with Radioactive MikeZ, host of the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire", AVATAR frontman Johannes Eckerström was asked which METALLICA album he thinks is better, "Ride The Lightning" or "Master Of Puppets". He said in part (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "When I talk to people who like the music but don't necessarily play the music and talk about the finer details in what makes something awesome, and talking about, for instance, when talking about fast and slow songs, I love to show an example of how 'Aces High' is the fastest song ever recorded by IRON MAIDEN, which, of course, there are, on paper, much, much faster songs, but there's something about having that drive when you play, it almost feels like it's falling apart… It's there in the drumming already and the bassline and it carries through. And that's how, when you push it, when you push the tempo.

"Every kid who's been playing drums even once hears someone talk about AC/DC, of course, and you take, for instance, 'Back In Black'. You have to have that drag when you play," he continued. "Then you have certain iconic songs that provide a certain ideal. And in the same way that I always said 'Aces High' is the fastest song ever recorded, 'For Whom The Bell Tolls', I think, is the heaviest song ever recorded. And I know MESHUGGAH and NEUROSIS exist, and I know OBITUARY exists, and all kinds of stuff. And that's also true. And that's the heaviest thing ever also in another way. But just those riffs, that anger, with that rage and sense of — I don't know — its importance that comes through in how that riff is played, that primitive riff in the beginning, and the decision to put the cymbal crash on the first snare in the bar after instead of the other one, and all that. So that song — I've never tried to write a song like that, but I keep going back to thinking about that song in terms of what's actually heavy music. Yeah, we tune down and that part of the sound is important, but none of the things that matter before — you can't put the cart in front of the horse… So it has to be 'Ride The Lightning'."

This past April, Johannes was asked by Mexico's Summa Inferno if it's "too soon" to think about new music from him and his bandmates, seeing as AVATAR released its latest album, "Dance Devil Dance", in February 2023. He responded: "Oh, no, not at all. We've been writing since last year. We are always writing. The ambition is to — in less than a year, we hope to be in a studio recording new great songs. So it's always ongoing, because remember, when we put out an album, it's already old to us in a way, so at some point, it's time to move on and start looking forward. And that lives together with the touring and everything else. So all of that is kind of happening all at once. But no, it's not too soon, but the exact details of it, how it's gonna [be] released and stuff… Well, I can tell you that second half of 2025, we sure can imagine that an AVATAR album could and should come out. Then we'll see if we live up to that. But we intend to."

Johannes was also asked about the supposedly mixed fan reaction to "Dance Devil Dance", considering that AVATAR once again experimented with its sound. He said: "Well, I think we are experimenting as much as we always do, because we always want to change. Every album is based on wherever we were at that given time, so we will never — whatever we did in the past…. I mean, okay, AVATAR will always be a metal band, but beyond that, we kind of never really worry about what we have already done. We do go for the next great thing. And I think our fans are used to this — they're used to that 'Avatar Country' can happen and then 'Hunter Gatherer' can happen immediately after that, and so on."

He continued: "And as far as reception, I do believe that this is our best-received album so far, in terms of that more people liked it than disliked it. But you can't anyway please everyone. So I can't worry about that. As a matter of fact, I always prepare myself for even worse results every time an album is done. I listen to it one last time for myself and ask myself, 'Okay, if everyone hates it, is that okay?' Well, yes, because I like it and everyone else can just forget about this and go and listen to something else. But we have to live with this. So I answer that question every time. So I'm always ready for way worse reception, but instead this is the biggest thing we have ever made. So, I think it went pretty well."

"Dance Devil Dance" was recorded in the Swedish wilderness, far away from all the perceived glamor of the big city and modern studios. Jay Ruston (ANTHRAX, MR. BUNGLE, CROBOT, STONE SOUR, AMON AMARTH, URIAH HEEP) returned as producer. He first worked with AVATAR when he mixed "Hail The Apocalypse", a role he reprised on "Feathers & Flesh" before taking the wheel as producer on "Avatar Country" and "Hunter Gatherer".

"Dance Devil Dance" featured a guest appearance by Lzzy Hale of HALESTORM on the song "Violence No Matter What". The record also included the single "The Dirt I'm Buried In", which hit No. 1 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Airplay chart.

Johannes formed AVATAR in 2001. The band's lineup has remained virtually the same ever since, save for guitarist Tim Öhrström, who entered the fray just over a decade later. AVATAR also includes guitarist Jonas Jarlsby, bassist Henrik Sandelin and drummer John Alfredsson.

Today, Swedish groove metal legends Transport League are sharing the second single off their upcoming eleventh studio album, We Are Satan's People. The track is entitled "Primate Apeshit" and is accompanied by a new lyric video, available below.


We Are Satan's People drops October 4 via Black Lodge Records, marking the band's explosive return after a three-year hiatus. The album sets out to shatter expectations and is sure to solidify Transport League's iconic status in the metal scene.


Pre-save / pre-order your copy now at this location.




"Primate Apeshit" is a thunderous blast of heavy grooves and primal energy. With its ferocious riffs and relentless rhythm, the track channels the raw power of classic metal with a modern twist. The band describes the song as an invitation to a wild celebration, stating, "The raw groove of this song invites you all to this feast." "Primate Apeshit" is a fierce anthem that captures the essence of Transport League's signature sound, offering a no-holds-barred experience for fans of heavy music.


Alongside the track's release, Transport League has dropped a captivating lyric video that brings the track's intensity to life. The video enhances the song's powerful message, allowing fans to immerse themselves fully in the raw energy and primal themes that define the single.


Transport League's return marks a significant milestone in their storied career, promising fans a blend of their signature groove metal sound with fresh, innovative elements. We Are Satan's People is a testament to the band's enduring talent and passion for metal, showcasing their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots.





Tracklisting:


"Possessed"
"Unkill Crash"
"Hollowed Victory"
"Primate Apeshit"
"Bodies Recede"
"Cosmo Death"
"Grind You Down"
"Danger Of Death"
"Wreck"
"Vicious Claim"
"Dog Tags"


"Primate Apeshit" lyric video:

It’s been 7 years since US death rock’s new rising sensation New Skeletal Faces arrived on our planet and embedded themselves in the seedy outlying corners of the Southern Californian music scene. UK metal label Peaceville have announced that the California trio have signed to the label and will be releasing their new album Until The Night later this year.


Upon signing, New Skeletal Faces said “We are honoured to be joining the Peaceville roster and believe that there is no better asylum for NSF. Being alongside the most intense artists this earth has procreated, we look forward to this camaraderie in spreading our diseased view on what the darkness in rock 'n' roll should be.”


Formed in 2017, the trio of Errol Fritz, KRO, & Don Void present themselves as a cosmic abomination that tote the genre lines between all manners of darkness in music. New Skeletal Faces cast their own black light onto the long dormant corpse of Death Rock, shattering the mirror of modern Heavy Metal into fragments that reflect back a fresh new take on this form of music with an energised & outlandish conviction. For a taste of the darkness that is coming check out the band’s official video for “Banshee Sex Tomb”:







With a string of electrifying live performances showcasing their wild and untamed personalities already under their collective belts, & with the band gaining more and more steam with each transmission, New Skeletal Faces will take to the stage in support of the release of Until the Night, including a show at the Che Cafe in San Diego with Saber and ROC Saturday, Septem

In a new interview with Brocarde, DRAGONFORCE guitarist Herman Li spoke about how he deals with the occasional negative feedback that he and his bandmates get from fans on social media. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think we got much more negative comments when we first started to get known, as a new band that came in. When we had our big break, a lot of people confused the music, they couldn't accept it. But these days it's been really, really positive generally. I mean, I really don't get that many nasty messages… For the nasty people that wanna send them, I'm not trying to say, 'Wake up and do it again.' But we've had a long career now and a lot of those people moved on in their life.

He continued: "Unfortunately, for a lot of artists, it seems like a lot of the fans [don't] look at them as like normal humans. They wouldn't say these things in your face, because that would just be crazy, it would be like a crazy thing. And most of these people cannot understand that we're just normal people and things do affect the artist's life, what they write on the Internet. Luckily, I was told I've got some kind of superpower that I can suppress these things when I read them; it doesn't bother me.

"I think to be an artist, you've gotta block out what's out there, the noises, and just concentrate on what you do and express because there's always been an opinion about artists since the beginning of time, and you've gotta do your thing to satisfy yourself, be who you are," Li added.

"Too bad there's not like a rock and roll rock star education course where they teach you about stuff like accounting, legal stuff, all the way to mental health, how you can keep that going when you become famous. The last thing you wanna be is to be famous first and then poor. Then you don't even have a way to protect yourself against that.

"Luckily, I think for artists now, in a certain way — I mean, it's a double-edged sword, because now people can listen to the music out there by pressing a button," Herman concluded. "The reviews become kind of irrelevant. I mean, are young gonna listen to a reviewer or are you just gonna go press the button and listen to it yourself?"

This past May, DRAGONFORCE teamed up with "Brawl Stars", a hit multiplayer mobile game with over one billion downloads, to celebrate a brand new character entering the game with a new song, "A Draco Tale", and music video.

DRAGONFORCE's latest album, "Warp Speed Warriors", was released in March via Napalm Records.

On "Warp Speed Warriors", DRAGONFORCE — composed of of guitar virtuosos and founding members Li and Sam Totman, singer Marc Hudson, bassist Alicia Vigil and drummer Gee Anzalone — explore a wider range of varying musical styles than ever before, evolving their sound throughout the exciting musical journey while still staying true to their roots.

"Warp Speed Warriors" was produced, mixed and mastered by Damien Rainaud at Mix Unlimited in Los Angeles, California with Sam Totman and Herman Li.

DRAGONFORCE's platinum-selling single "Through The Fire And Flames" brought the London-based Grammy-nominated extreme power metal group international acclaim and was featured as the most challenging song on "Guitar Hero III".

In March 2019, the "Through The Fire And Flames" music video reached a new milestone: it surpassed one hundred million views on YouTube — DRAGONFORCE's first music video to do so.

"Through The Fire And Flames" is the leadoff track from 2006's "Inhuman Rampage" album, which was officially certified gold in July 2017 by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for sales in excess of half a million copies.

Veonity has released "Riders Of The Revolution", second single taken from the new album The Final Element to be released on October 18 by Scarlet Records.


The Four Horsemen of the Dark, also known as the Riders of the Revolution, heed the call of the warrior and rides out to aid the hero on his quest of power. Just as the epic and fierce lyrical theme, the song truly captures the foundation of the Veonity metal sound!


Soaring vocals (courtesy of new frontman Isak Stenvall), twin guitars and mighty choirs – strongly founded on thunderous bass lines and rumbling double bass drums – dominate and define the sixth Veonity's studio album: the playful, energetic and well-crafted songs of the Swedish band deliver a full throttle energy boost.




"The Elements Of Power Chronicles", a saga of a hero that needs to seal the veil between the Overworld and the Underworld to prevent darkness from gaining control, is finally unraveled, and it couldn't have been more epic and glorious.


The Final Element - mixed and mastered by Ronny Milianowicz at Studio Seven and majestically illustrated by the Spanish master Alvaro Valverde - will be released in the following formats:


- jewel case CD
- vinyl LP (300 transparent green)
- digital


Preorder/pre-save here.


Cover art by Alvaro Valverde / AV Art Illustracion:





Tracklisting:


“Premonition”
“Chains Of Tyranny”
“Horsemen Of The Dark”
“Carry On”
“Riders Of The Revolution”
“Warriors Code”
“Powerstone”
“Heart Of A Warrior”
“Kings Of Dreamland”
“The Fifth Element”


"Riders Of The Revolution":





"The Fifth Element" lyric video:





Veonity:
Isak

As Boris prepare for their six-week-long U.S. tour where they'll perform their beloved first album Amplifier Worship in its entirety, the band announce that they've teamed up with Third Man Records for a 25th Anniversary Vinyl release of the album.


The limited / special edition vinyl re-release features cover art by Aaron Horkey by request of Boris, and will be available on the road and in stores on September 27.  


Boris comments, "This idea came from Aaron's real-time experience of ‘gummy worms in the jewel case’ at the time of the Amplifier Worship CD release."  They continue, "The image of the frogs on the original jacket combined with the precise and delicate brushstrokes of Aaron's style has created a new Amplifier Worship world."




Additionally, Boris have shared a never-before-seen music video, featuring vintage performance footage, for Amplifier Worship's pummeling album closer "Kuruimizu."


Boris has been in constant pursuit of their own ideal “heavy” since their formation in 1992. From the outset they became like a chimera, evolving at a rapid pace, establishing a unique style with extreme down tuning and mega volume. Their broad sense of “Heavy Rock” swelled grotesquely, as it engulfed powerviolence, ambient and drone, with a trance component of krautrock and so on.


From Tokyo to the world, Boris spread out from the underground community to have their name become more widely known. Five years after their formation, Boris went deep into the beyond of heavy music to make their first album, one that can be said to be a palace constructed in unexplored realms. However, the album by no means serves as a peaceful "end" or resting place/"gravestone" for those compositions. Rather, it was a map to the “beyond” that Boris drew up at the time, a blueprint pointing to the future. 25 years after the release of Amplifier Worship, that guidance has been revealed: a full length tour for performing all of the songs on the album in a double-drum-format Drone Set.





As a pioneering effort in drone metal, a palace under the name of Amplifier Worship was constructed and revealed as both a point of departure as well as a destination. Amplified oscillations and volume, going from anguish to pleasure and back, being in fear as well as in awe at what can be called heavy— we venture into this palace of worship together.


Featuring two drummers and an extended backline, the Amplifier Worship Service Tour will be Boris performances not to miss.  For this tour Boris are taking along Starcrawler, a band that "...intensifies the prayer of rock 'n' roll. This only takes us further into the beyond, embarking on this worship service. Welcome to the ceremony!" comments Boris.


Find tour and ticket information at borisheavyrocks.com.





Tracklisting:


Side A
“Huge”
“Gama”


Side B
“Ganbow-Ki”


Side C

According to LINKIN PARK fan site Linkin Park Live, tickets to the band's September 11 concert at the Kia Forum sold out in less than an hour and tickets for the September 16 gig at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York were gone "in a matter of a few minutes" after being made available to the general public on Saturday, September 7.

The shows will feature LINKIN PARK performing a two-hour set in a very rare 360-degree circular setting, allowing for a unique production as well as a greater-than-usual number of tickets sold at these venues.

LINKIN PARK launched two separate pre-sales for members of the band's official fan club, Linkin Park Underground, on Friday, September 6 — one for legacy members and one for new members, on the same day just hours apart — resulting more than 90 percent of the tickets for the Brooklyn show being sold to fan club members. According to Linkin Park Live, a unique feature of these presales was opening the entire venue to Linkin Park Underground members instead of allocating just a small number of tickets for the fan club. Additionally, an "LPU Reserved" section will be set up directly in front of the band in the crowd, with tickets that are only being sold to LPU members.

In addition to Los Angeles and New York, LINKIN PARK will hit Hamburg, London, Seoul and Bogota as part of a six-date tour in September and November.

On Thursday (September 5),LINKIN PARK held a one-hour global livestream of a concert in Los Angeles showcasing new singer Emily Armstrong and drummer Colin Brittain, who have joined returning members Mike Shinoda, Brad Delson, Dave "Phoenix" Farrell and Joe Hahn in the band's new lineup. Guitarist Alex Feder was filling in for Delson for the night and will continue to tour with LINKIN PARK for the foreseeable future instead of Delson.

LINKIN PARK also released a new single, "The Emptiness Machine", and announced an upcoming album "From Zero", which will arrive on November 15 via Warner. It will mark LINKIN PARK's first full-length effort since 2017's "One More Light", which was the last LINKIN PARK album before the death of lead vocalist Chester Bennington.

LINKIN PARK's global livestream featured performances of "The Emptiness Machine" as well as the LP hits "Somewhere I Belong", "Numb", "Faint", "Bleed It Out", "One Step Closer", "What I've Done" and "In The End".

In an interview with Billboard about LINKIN PARK's comeback, Shinoda explained that drummer Rob Bourdon — who had founded the band with Mike and Brad — had decided to exit LP.

"Rob had said to us at a point, I guess it was a few years ago now, that he wanted to put some distance between himself and the band," Shinoda said. "And we understood that — it was already apparent. He was starting to just show up less, be in less contact, and I know the fans noticed it too. The 'Hybrid Theory' re-release [in 2020] and 'Papercuts' release [this April], he didn't show up for anything. So for me, as a friend, that was sad, but at the same time, I want him to do whatever makes him happy, and obviously everybody wishes him the best."

According to a press release, Shinoda, Delson, Farrell and Hahn "quietly began meeting up again in recent years" and "rather than 'trying to restart the band,'" they worked with numerous musicians and "found a special kinship with Armstong and Brittain."

Regarding the band's new lineup and future plans, Shinoda said in a statement: "Before LINKIN PARK, our first band name was XERO. This album title refers to both this humble beginning and the journey we’re currently undertaking. Sonically and emotionally, it is about past, present, and future — embracing our signature sound, but new and full of life. It was made with a deep appreciation for our new and longtime bandmates, our friends, our family, and our fans. We are proud of what LINKIN PARK has become over the years, and excited about the journey ahead."

"The Emptiness Machine" is said to "channel the DNA of LINKIN PARK." Shinoda said the band feels "really empowered with this new lineup and the vibrant and energized new music we've made together," adding that they are "weaving together the sonic touchpoints we've been known for and still exploring new ones."

Photo credit: James Minchin III

In a new interview with Ned of the Waterloo, Iowa radio station Rock 108, JUDAS PRIEST singer Rob Halford addressed the fact that he and his bandmates are still touring and putting out studio albums, 50 years after the release of their debut LP, "Rocka Rolla". He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "My neighbor Alice [Cooper] — he lives about a cup of sugar away from me [here in Arizona] — we did some shows recently together in Europe. And I put a picture of he and I with our arms around each other and put the statement: 'Still going strong'.

"I think if your desire is still there, if your passion is still there, if you can still deliver the goods, to quote a PRIEST song, if you're moving along and the machine's not too wobbly, you can still get from A to B on one wheel, as long as it looks good and sounds good and all the other pieces are in place, why would you wanna retire?" he continued. "I wouldn't know what to do with my life if I suddenly couldn't do this beautiful work. I need to do it. It's part of me that I need to do to live as a person because I love it so much. And I think I'm speaking for everybody in PRIEST. And that's the leading light that pushes through. That's what keeps you carrying on. You marry that instantly with our glorious fans here in America and around the world that have kept this heavy metal machine rolling, because we can't do this alone. We'd look pretty dumb going into an arena if there's nobody in there. You need people there. That's part of the experience. It completes you. A live show completes the love of your band. It's like going to see your favorite basketball team or football team. You can watch them on the TV, you can get the shirt, you can see them on the Internet, but going to see them live, going to support them live is the ultimate commitment and dedication. So our fans are the biggest part of this story. We're nothing without our fans. It's true."

This past March, JUDAS PRIEST's Ian Hill was asked by Spain's Rock FM if he and his bandmates have thought about a possible retirement yet. The 72-year-old bassist responded: "No, we have no plan to retire yet. We're still able to perform. The time to think about retiring is when your performances start to dip and you're not doing too well. You have to think about it then. We're not stupid; we know that we're not getting any younger and that there will be a time when we have to retire, but there's no plans to do so just yet."

Earlier that same month, Halford was asked by Germany's Rock Antenne if there is an end to JUDAS PRIEST. The now-73-year-old singer responded: "No, no. It's a good question. And no. I think once you start thinking about the end, you start to kind of deflate and decompress and the light starts to get a bit dim. I think all of us in this band, we're just so grateful to be where we are with this 19th studio album, 'Invincible Shield'. I think if you say, 'One more tour and then we're gonna call it quits,' or, 'One more album. Then we'll call it quits.' … Hey, listen, life is life. We all have the emotions, 'Oh, god. I've gotta work today. I just wanna stay in bed and watch the TV.' It's perfectly normal. But you have to balance that up against all these great things that JUDAS PRIEST has been blessed to achieve. And this thing about responsibility as well — I've gotta tell you, you owe your fans everything. So we've gotta come back to Germany, gotta come back to Austria, Italy, France, Spain, Japan, New Zealand, Australia. All of our beautiful fans are waiting and waiting and waiting to see this band again and celebrate this music that we make with JUDAS PRIEST."

In February, JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner was asked by Mexico's Summa Inferno how much longer he thinks the band can keep touring and recording. He responded: "Well, it's not for me to say, really. Those guys were the originators of PRIEST metal and they're still doing it and it's up to them, really. If they ever feel like they don't wanna do it or they can't do it anymore, that's for them to decide.

"When I joined the band, it was only for one tour, and that was gonna be the farewell tour. So, obviously, I've had to think about what I'm gonna do after PRIEST from that time. For all I know, that was gonna be the only tour, [and] then I'd have to do something after that. So it's always been a part of my mindset. But as long as PRIEST are here and we all wanna do it together and they wanna do it and push on, then I'm here for it. I'm here to fly the flag for them however long they wanna do it."

Back in 2019, Hill told Canada's "Thorn Of Rock" radio show that there were no plans for the band to retire anytime soon. "We've done it for 50 years, and it would just seem strange if we stopped," he said. "Having said that, we thoroughly enjoy what we're doing, which is a main motivation these days. And there's no reason to stop. As long as can put on quality performances and put out quality music, we'll keep on doing so. And as long as the fine people who are the PRIEST fans are happy with that, there's no reason for us to stop."

Hill is the sole remaining original member of PRIEST, which formed in 1969. Halford joined the group in 1973 and guitarist Glenn Tipton signed on in 1974. Rob left PRIEST in the early 1990s to form his own band, then came back to PRIEST in 2003. Original guitarist K.K. Downing parted ways with the band in 2011, and was replaced by Faulkner.

Halford was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020 after experiencing symptoms for at least a couple of years. In July of that year, Rob underwent prostatectomy, an operation where the entire prostate gland is removed plus some of the tissue around it, including the seminal vesicles. After more cancer was found in 2021, he went through radiation treatments and eventually got then all-clear. He also had an appendectomy after a tumor was discovered on his appendix.

Faulkner suffered an acute cardiac aortic dissection during the band's performance at the Louder Than Life festival in September 2021. Faulkner was rushed to the UofL Health - Jewish Hospital where the cardiothoracic surgery team needed approximately 10 hours to complete a life-saving surgery.

Halford's cancer battle and Faulkner's acute cardiac aortic dissection are not the only health scares the members of PRIEST have had to deal with in recent years. Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease more than 15 years ago but announced in early 2018 he was going to sit out touring activities in support of PRIEST's "Firepower" album. He was replaced by "Firepower" producer Andy Sneap, who is also known for his work in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

JUDAS PRIEST's latest studio album, "Invincible Shield", arrived on March 8 via Sony Music.

KK'S PRIEST, which features former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals),performed on September 6 at EPIC Event Center, Green Bay, Wisconsin. Fan-filmed video of the concert can be seen below.

According to Setlist.fm, KK'S PRIEST's setlist was as follows:

01. Hellfire Thunderbolt
02. Strike Of The Viper
03. One More Shot At Glory
04. The Ripper (JUDAS PRIEST song)
05. Reap The Whirlwind
06. Night Crawler (JUDAS PRIEST song)
07. Sermons Of The Sinner
08. Burn In Hell (JUDAS PRIEST song)
09. Diamonds & Rust (Joan Baez cover)
10. Hell Patrol (JUDAS PRIEST song)
11. The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown) (FLEETWOOD MAC cover)
12. Before The Dawn (JUDAS PRIEST song)
13. Breaking The Law (JUDAS PRIEST song)
14. Sinner (JUDAS PRIEST song)

Encore:

15. Raise Your Fists

KK'S PRIEST, which also includes guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE),bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE),and German/American metal legends ACCEPT have joined forces for a North American tour. The massive run began on August 31 in Los Angeles, California, visiting a slew of major cities in the USA and Canada — such as Toronto, Montreal, New York and Nashville — before coming to an end in San Francisco, California on October 7.

KK'S PRIEST's first-ever U.S. headlining tour, which featured support from L.A. GUNS and BURNING WITCHES, kicked off on March 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and concluded on March 24 at Keswick Theatre in Glenside, Pennsylvania.

KK'S PRIEST's sophomore album, "The Sinner Rides Again", came out in September 2023 via the Austrian label Napalm Records.

KK'S PRIEST made its live debut on July 6, 2023 at Downing's KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom.

K.K. formed KK'S PRIEST after JUDAS PRIEST turned down his offer to rejoin the band for their 50th-anniversary tour. It followed a couple of celebrated stage appearances, first with former MANOWAR guitarist Ross The Boss in the summer of 2019, then with a one-off lineup that included former MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson and former PRIEST drummer Les Binks later that year.

KK'S PRIEST released its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", in October 2021 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records.

Downing spent four months writing and recording "Sermons Of The Sinner" and, along with new ideas, he even resurrected a few archived riffs from the 1980s.

Downing was reunited with JUDAS PRIEST for a performance at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony in November 2022 at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

PRIEST received the Musical Excellence Award at the event, which honored Eminem, Dolly Parton, DURAN DURAN, Lionel Richie, Pat Benatar, EURYTHMICS and Carly Simon in the Performers category.

Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.

In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.

In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."

Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.

Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003.

Nuclear Blast has announced colored vinyl reissues of Hammerfall’s first two albums, 1997’s Glory To The Brave and 1998’s Legacy Of Kings.


Featuring concert staple “Let The Hammer Fall” as well as top flight tracks “Heeding The Call” and the title track, Legacy Of Kings will be reissued on orange vinyl (limited to 1,500 units).


Reissued on gray vinyl (limited to 1,500 units), Glory To The Brave is Swedish metal mastery featuring tracks “The Dragon Lies Bleeding”, “Steel Meets Steel”, and the glorious title track.

Legendary Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen has dismissed the notion that playing guitar is a "competition", explaining that "music and guitar playing comes from within".

The 61-year-old Malmsteen, who made a name for himself, by recreating the spirit of celebrated composer/musician Niccolò Paganini, but within the realm of heavy metal guitar, took to his social media on Sunday (September 1) to write: "So I see a lot of these comments where people are saying I can't be as good as you or I gave up playing the guitar after I saw you.

"Music and playing the guitar is not a competition even though since the beginning of my career, that is what they wanted to portray. That's why they have all these best guitarist that guitars blah blah blah. Music and guitar playing comes from within and it's to be enjoyed at any level, no matter where you are in your life. Even if you are making a career out of it if you play with the thought that I'm going to compete with another guitar player or another musician, you will be miserable. Competition is for sports and athletes, not for guitar playing, period. It's not a competition. The instrument of the guitar is to be played and enjoyed at any level. Now go pick up that guitar".

In a 2006 interview with Australia's X-Press Online, Yngwie stated about where the idea to combine classical music and rock guitar came from: "I was the youngest member of my family. I have an older brother and sister and my mother, my father, my uncles, my aunts — everybody is a musician. My grandfather was a drummer. It's like music, music, music everywhere… and art, a lot of art and music. I had a very artistic kind of upbringing.

"As a little kid, I wasn't really into being a musician. My mother gave me a guitar on my fifth birthday and a trumpet on my sixth birthday, and so on, but when I was seven, I saw a TV news special about Jimi Hendrix. It showed him burning his guitar and you didn't even hear the music, just saw him burning a guitar, and I thought that was so cool. I already had a guitar, so I started playing that same day — September 18, 1970. I was only a little kid. One year later, my older sister Lulu gave me DEEP PURPLE's 'Fireball', which is a really hard rock album, and I went out and bought 'In Rock' the next day. I was listening to songs like 'Fireball', 'Flight Of The Rat' — just so heavy — so I learned how to play all these solos and stuff and, contrary to most people's opinion or theory, is that DEEP PURPLE, along with all other rock 'n' roll bands were all blues-based. Pentatonic scales and my classical influence did not come from them. A lot of people seem to think so, but no, no, no, no. I love these guys… my favorite band ever. My classical music didn't come from there, but my love for hard rock was definitely from PURPLE.

"What I wanted to do was try and take this whole thing with the double-bass drums and the Marshalls all the way up and all that shit, and play with counterpoints and pedal notes, inverted chords, Phrygian modes, inverted scales, diminished scales… all that shit. Then I saw a TV program: it was a guy playing violin. They said it was music from Niccolò Paganini. When I heard that, I said, 'Fuck, that's what I want to go for on the guitar.' So my guitar playing is 99.9 percent influenced by classical violin, mainly Paganini, Vivaldi and Tchaikovsky, and my songwriting is very Bach in the structuring, because I've always loved the counterpoint and the harmonic minor kind of things. But I love the sound of the metal ensemble. That's how it all started."

Yngwie will embark on a 40th-anniversary tour this fall. Support on the trek, which will kick off on September 26 in Fort Myers, Florida and conclude on November 18 in New York City, will come from singer-songwriter Kurt Deimer.

For more information, visit www.yngwiemalmsteen.com/tour.

Yngwie's latest album, "Parabellum", was released in July 2021 via Music Theories Recordings/Mascot Label Group. Only four of the songs on the LP feature vocals. The album title is Latin, translating as "Prepare For War".

After working with some of the top hard singers of the past four decades, Yngwie now handles much of the lead vocals himself in his own band, backed by a lineup that includes keyboardist Nick Marino, bassist Emilio Martinez and drummer Kevin Klingenschmid.

So I see a lot of these comments where people are saying I can’t be as good as you or I gave up playing the guitar after...

Posted by Official Yngwie Malmsteen on Sunday, September 1, 2024