PROPHETS OF RAGE, the supergroup featuring members of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, PUBLIC ENEMY and CYPRESS HILL, has released a music video for the song "Who Owns Who". The track is taken from PROPHETS OF RAGE's debut album, which came out last September.

In addition to bassist Tim Commerford, drummer Brad Wilk and guitarist Tom Morello, who all played together in RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE, the band features PUBLIC ENEMY's Chuck D and DJ Lord along with CYPRESS HILL's B-Real.

Earlier in the month, PROPHETS OF RAGE released a new song called "Heart Afire". The track came just a few days after Commerford and Wilk revealed in an interview with Finland's Kaaos TV that the band had already finished its second album.

Morello told The Pulse Of Radio that PROPHETS OF RAGE started as one thing and took off in a way no one anticipated. "In PROPHETS OF RAGE, there's both a fury and a joyfulness," he said. "Like, this band started as an idea that responded to an emergency, a societal emergency, and it became a band that — it became a real band."

Commerford said about the new LP's sound: "It's a different direction, it's not the same, and I love that... We're growing and we're creating and we're going in a new territory and I feel really good about it."

Glenn Hughes started his Classic Deep Purple Live tour in Australia in September 2017, with a cracking band including Jeff Kollman on guitar and Lachy Doley on Keyboards. Check out the first show performance of the classic “Mistreated” below:

Due to a fire at the Glasgow School Of Art, which has affected the O2 ABC Glasgow, the Glenn Hughes Glasgow concert has been moved to the O2 Academy Glasgow on the same date - Friday, October 12th. All original tickets will be valid for the new venue.

Glenn Hughes will be performing Deep Purple only material with his Glenn Hughes Performs Classic Deep Purple Live Irish and UK tour in September and October 2018 - for the first time ever in Ireland. Special guests for the UK dates will be Laurence Jones.

The eleven date tour promises to be a dynamic, turn-back-the-clocks, two-hour live extravaganza homage to his tenure in MK 3 and MK 4 incarnations of Deep Purple - one of music history’s most seminal and influential rock and roll groups.

Tickets are available from the 24 HR ticket hotline 08444 780 898 or www.thegigcartel.com for the UK dates and from www.seetickets.com for the Irish dates.

Says Hughes: "I'm excited to be touring the “Classic Deep Purple Live” in Ireland and the UK this September and October. I first toured Classic Deep Purple Live in Australia and New Zealand last year and it went down like a storm. We’re also touring the show throughout South America in April, and festivals throughout the summer. By the time we tour the UK in October, we’ll be on fire.”

Dutch symphonic metal giants Epica have teamed up with the highly successful Attack On Titan to release a very special EP. With their legion of fans, Attack On Titan have conquered both the print world with over 70 million copies, and anime sector with an adaption that is currently airing worldwide. The EP entitled Epica Vs. Attack On Titan is out now via Nuclear Blast Records featuring metal covers of the anime’s theme songs. Watch a new trailer video below:

Epica Vs. Attack On Titan is available in the following formats:

- CD Jewel case
- Vinyl - Violet, Yellow, Black

Order your copy here, and watch a track video for "Dedicate Your Heart!" below.

Epica Vs. Attack On Titan was recorded during the summer of 2017 at Sandlane Recording Facilities by Joost van den Broek. The original songs, which were influenced by the music of Epica, were composed by Revo of popular Japanese band Linked Horizon. For the EP, tracks were adapted by Epica and produced by Joost van den Broek. The choir arrangements and scoring were completed by keyboardist Coen Janssen who also handled the orchestral arrangements with Joost van den Broek.

Tracklisting:

"Crimson Bow And Arrow"
"Wings Of Freedom"
"If Inside These Walls Was A House"
"Dedicate Your Heart!"
"Crimson Bow And Arrow" (Instrumental)
"Wings Of Freedom" (Instrumental)
"If Inside These Walls Was A House" (Instrumental)
"Dedicate Your Heart!" (Instrumental)

"Dedicate Your Heart!" track video:

"If Inside These Walls Was A House" track video:  

"Crimson Bow And Arrow":

Trailers:

Epica recently checked in with the following update: "This upcoming year we will be working on an exciting project called The Essence Of Epica. In the book The Essence Of Epica, we will look back at our 15-year career with a lot of exclusive never before seen photos, flyers, interviews with all the band members and other exclusive content."

For more information and to register your interest, head here. Watch an announcement video below:

The clip below features Canadian rock icon Lee Aaron opening with Janet Jackson' "Black Cat" from the Diamond Baby Blues album at the Enmax Centrium Arena in Red Deer, Alberta for the Westerner Days Fair & Expo 2018. Backstage rehearsal footage is also available.

Lee Aaron is riding high off her new album, Diamond Baby Blues, BraveWords is cruising along with her, premiering the new video for “American High”.

Aaron comments, "We were excited to work again with Dan Zachary (who shot ‘Diamond Baby’) because he had a great sensibility about capturing the vibe of the band. The song 'American High' on the surface seems like a great American party tune but it's actually about the polarization of values and beliefs that is occurring everywhere in North America right now under the new administration. We love our USA neighbors and wanted to celebrate the things we treasure about America, so we incorporated iconic characters into the video like Elvis, Lady Liberty, Lincoln and Amelia Earhart. We thought there was a comic irony in actually inviting those characters to a decadent limousine party where everyone could blow off some steam and get wrecked. Serious, but funny as heck."

Guitarist Sean Kelly adds: "“My favourite part of the American High video is that it shows the genuinely fun interaction and love of rock n roll that we all share...it is a testament to Lee’s artistic vision that she is able to take the vibe of a song and perfectly manifest it visually. I really treasure my writing relationship with Lee, and American High totally captures so many of our influences while still retaining all the hallmarks of the Lee Aaron sound...big guitars and drums, and world class melodies and vocals!”

Singer, songwriter, producer, performer, mother, teacher, rock ‘n’ roll legend… Lee Aaron is wearing a lot of hats these days. With a career spanning over 35 years and still going strong, Aaron is one of Canada's most diverse artists. She proves it yet again on her new album Diamond Baby Blues, out now.

Aaron delivers a world-class vocal performance on the new album that may very well be the finest in her career. Diamond Baby Blues is a fiery collection of blues-based rockers, rock ‘n’ roll and hard-rock that pays homage to the giants of the late ’60s and ’70s music scene.

Set to perform at Wacken, Germany's biggest open air festival this summer, Sweden's, Skogsrojet Fest and a string of Canadian shows, this multi-talented songstress shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. A Canadian original and a national treasure - Lee Aaron.

Tracklisting:

"Diamond Baby Blues"
"Mistreated"
"American High"
"I'm A Woman"
"Mercy"
"The Best Thing"
"Black Cat"
"Hard Road"
"In The Bedroom"
"Cut Way Back"
"You're No Good"
"My Babe"

"Diamond Baby Blues" video:

On June 20th, what would have been the 54th birthday of Seattle's Son, music icon and late Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Chris Cornell, Vicky Cornell announced her late husband will be commemorated in his hometown with a statue that will be raised in a public ceremony on Wednesday, August 29th. Ms. Cornell commissioned sculptor Nick Marras to create a life size bronze statue showcasing the rock legend in one of his iconic poses with his signature boots, dog tag, layers and long locks. She has donated the commemorative figure to Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture.

Chris Cornell Sculpture Completed https://t.co/5VWbJmmY2m
— TMZ (@TMZ) 20 July 2018

Check out some of the first photos of the statue courtesy of TMZ here.

"Even though Chris' music touched the lives of millions around the world, there is no better place than Seattle to honor and celebrate both his contribution to music history, as well as Seattle's unique place in popular music, with an enduring symbol of a beloved artist, father, and husband," said Vicky Cornell. "Our children and I are deeply moved by the continued outpouring of love, compassion, and support, and this is our gift to the Museum of Pop Culture and to Seattle - our gift back to the tight-knit community that gave him his start."

"MoPOP is honored to receive this gift from the Cornell family and pay tribute to one of the most powerful and important voices in popular music," says Jasen Emmons, Artistic Director, MoPOP. "MoPOP serves to celebrate the Seattle music scene and the luminaries who have emerged from the Northwest and Chris was a key figure who has made a lasting impact on generations worldwide."

MoPOP is designed by Frank O. Gehry and located inside the Seattle Center next to the Space Needle. The statue will be placed on display in front of the Museum of Pop Culture's gold south entrance, facing 5th Avenue, the ideal location for fans and visitors around the world.

Photo by Nick Marra

Vocalist Erlend Hjelvik recently announced his departure from Norwegian rockers Kvelertak with the following message:

"Hey, Erlend here, there is no easy way to say this, so I'll just get straight to it; it's necessary for me to part ways with Kvelertak.

The experience of building a successful band has been fun and rewarding but has also been equally intense and challenging. Over the years, this has taken its toll. As we've been developing personally and professionally, our individual goals, needs and motivations have changed, leading us in different directions. Though it is a heavy decision to leave a life I've been living and breathing for the last decade, I feel happy and excited to explore new possibilities for the future.

Regrettably, due to circumstances out of my control, I am not able to perform the last four shows in Norway this summer. I apologize to the festival organizers and fans planning on these shows.

I would like to thank Bjarte, Kjetil, Maciek, Marvin and Vidar, our crew, bands we've toured with and everyone else who has worked with Kvelertak. Most importantly, I appreciate our awesome fans that have made everything possible. I'm very proud and grateful for everything we've accomplished as Kvelertak. I am genuinely thankful for everything we've experienced together and wish the band the best of luck and success in the future.

Kvelertakk for meg!"

A short time after Hjelvik announced his departure, his former bandmates issued the following update:

"We have known for a while that Erlend has planned to step down, so we have had the necessary time to plan the way going forward and also find a new vocalist for Kvelertak.

The original plan was to finish up the festival season with Erlend, but as Erlend is not able to do so, we are therefore proudly announcing our newest member at the upcoming show Friday, July 20th, at Fjellparken, Norway.

We would like to thank Erlend Hjelvik for his contribution to the band, and wish him all the best for the future."

The band has since introduced Ivar Nikolaisen as their new frontman, who made his debut with the band at Fjellparken as promised. Video from the show is available below.

The band issued the following statement:

"We are immensely excited to have Ivar on board, and what he will bring to the band. Kvelertak has had a history with Ivar since the bands early days. Both as a tour companion with his other bands (The Good, The Bad, And The Zugly / Silver) and as the guest vocalist on 'Blodtørst'. Ivar is the frontman we could hope for, and nothing is more natural for us than for him to take over the throne."

Nikolaisen: "I've been a huge fan of Kvelertak ever since I first saw them nearly ten years ago. It's an honor to be a part of the band! I will not try to copy Erlend. Erlend is a lion. I'm just a small rat. But this rat is pissed off, infectious, and full of pestilence — ready to take this machine to new heights!"

On July 14th, Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler performed a solo acoustic show at Rockwood Music Hall in New York, NY. He has released a live album to showcase the night, available via the Bandcamp player below. This is a live direct feed from the board at Rockwood Music Hall. 

Jason Bieler Live in NYC by Jason Bieler

The tracklist is as follows:

"Indian Intro"
"All I Want" 
"Coming Home" 
"Close To You" 
"Down By The Ocean"
"Edgar"
"God Of 42nd Street" 
"Russian Girl" 
"One Step Closer" 
"Satellite" 
"Hostile" 
"Sgt. Steve" 
"The Lizard"

Bieler recently checked in with the following update:

"I gotta take a sec and tell you these solo gigs have been some of the most unexpectedly wonderful experiences I’ve ever had the pleasure to partake in. We all get together, sing a bunch of songs, a wee bit of cutting the rug, and I regale you with tales from my pirating days. How this applies to you or your life, well, I’m not sure…but I guess the idea that you are kind of toying with, the one that excites you but then the rational 'you' makes up a myriad of excuses and obligations to prevent you from taking the plunge… well, take the damn plunge. Life is strange and wonderful and sometimes shorter than you think; who has time for anything but food, love, music, and dreams? Now back to your regularly scheduled nonsense. Have a great weekend!"

Bieler's solo tour schedule is currently as follows:

August
9 - The Howling' Wolf Porch - New Orleans, LA
10 - Red Dragon Listening Room - Denham Springs, LA

September
28 - The Funky Biscuit - Boca Raton, FL
30 - 80's In The Park - Cocoa Beach, FL

October
13 - The Hotel Cafe - Los Angeles, CA

November 
2 - The Attic - Ybor City, FL

The Scorpions performed at Menora Mivtachim Arena on Tel Aviv, Israel on July 19th. Fan-filmed video from the show can be viewed below. The setlist on the night was as follows:

"Going Out With A Bang"
"Make It Real"
"Is There Anybody There?"
"The Zoo"
"Coast to Coast"
"Top of the Bill / Steamrock Fever / Speedy's Coming / Catch Your Train"
"We Built This House"
"Delicate Dance"
"Follow Your Heart / Eye of the Storm / Send Me an Angel"
"Wind of Change"
"Tease Me Please Me"
"Overkill" (Motörhead cover)
- drum solo -
"Blackout"
"Big City Nights"

Encore:
"Still Loving You"
"Rock You Like a Hurricane"

Scorpions, one of the most iconic and influential hard rock bands of all time, will return to America on August 31st to kick off rescheduled tour dates in Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, Tampa, and Hollywood, FL, as well as adding two new stops in Lake Tahoe, NV and Irvine, CA. Joining the Scorpions on these US dates will be Queensrÿche.

The full schedule is listed below. General tickets and VIP packages are on sale here.

"I am extremely happy to announce that the Scorpions have rescheduled all the remaining American dates that we were forced to cancel last fall due to my severe laryngitis. I was so overwhelmed with all the love and well wishes from our fans when we had to cancel, that the band and I were determined to get back to the US to make these dates up to our loyal and dedicated fans. I am also happy to say that Queensrÿche will join us as well for these Crazy World shows! We look very much forward to seeing you out there and get ready to ROCK!," said singer Klaus Meine.

Tour dates:

August
31 - Lake Tahoe, NV - Harvey's Lake Tahoe

September
2 - Irvine, CA - Five Point Amphitheatre
5 - Phoenix, AZ - Comerica Theatre
7 - San Antonio, TX - Freeman Coliseum
9 - Dallas, TX - Pavilion at the Music Factory
12 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Event Center
14 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena

Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has checked in with the following update:

"Saturday night before my practice session I did this short improv. In it you will find deep secrets revealed."

In the video below from Sweetwater Sound, Jordan Rudess, "Best Keyboardist Of All Time", defends his title in an epic keyboard battle against an unlikely opponent in this Sweetwater exclusive worldwide key-off.

Mascot Label Group recently announce the signing Rudess. His remarkable career began at the age of nine, when he entered The Juilliard School of Music Pre-College Division for classical piano training. By his late teens he had grown increasingly interested in synthesizers and progressive rock music, and against the counsel of his parents and tutors, he turned away from classical piano and tried his hand as a solo progressive rock keyboardist. After performing in various groups during the 1980s, he was invited to join The Dixie Dregs, with whom he performed until joining Dream Theater in January 1999.

He has been the full-time keyboardist with Dream Theater since the recording of 1999’s Metropolis Pt. 2: Scenes from a Memory. He has pursued numerous collaborations and solo projects throughout his career, beginning with his solo debut Listen (1993). A relentless innovator, Rudess released All That Is Now (2013), a solo acoustic piano recording which works interactively with his app, “Jordan Rudess Explores” and his orchestral album, Explorations which features a 50 piece orchestra. The Unforgotten Path (2015) was a collection of original tracks as well as a collection of acoustic piano covers of songs that have inspired his musical life.

He owns the successful App development company Wizdom Music, which has developed numerous award-winning apps. He is also Chief Music Officer at CME Music, creators of the acclaimed XKey mobile keyboard, as well as the Director of Music Experience for the London-based technology company, Roli Labs, creators of the Seaboard and is an active Artist in Residence at Stanford University’s CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics).

"With the Mascot Label Group I have found the perfect home for myself and my music,” Rudess said. "The Mascot Team are bright, dedicated, inspired and are clearly passionate about music and the industry. They create a climate of respect and support for the artist and I couldn’t be more excited about becoming a Mascot artist."

“Jordan is an incredible virtuoso performer and artist,” said Mascot Label Group owner Ed Van Zijl. "I have admired him for a long time and we go back years. He is an exceptional and forward thinking musician and I am very happy that he is putting his faith in us with his new solo album, which will be released on our Music Theories brand.”

Italian power metallers Frozen Crown, signed to Scarlet Records, have released an offcial video for their new single, "Everwinter". Check it out below.

Frozen Crown released their debut album The Fallen King on February 9th. They recently checked in with the following update:

"When we started all this, we couldn't expect our debut album to sell so many copies. Your amazing support made it possible for us to go further and give The Fallen King a new incarnation. From today, a limited, 350 copies signed version of our debut album is available in vinyl on our BigCartel store! Thanks for setting this milestone with us. We owe you everything!"

Tracklist:

"Fail No More"
"To Infinity"
"Kings"
"I Am The Tyrant"
"The Shieldmaiden"
"Chasing Lights"
"Queen Of Blades"
"Across The Sea"
"Everwinter"
"Netherstorm"

Check out the band's official Facebook page here.

Frozen Crown are:

Giada "Jade" Etro - lead and backing vocals
Federico Mondelli - vocals, guitars, keys
Talia Bellazecca - guitar
Filippo Zavattari - bass 
Alberto Mezzanotte - drums

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators are streaming a new song from their upcoming album, Living The Dream, which will be available everywhere on September 21st via Slash’s own label Snakepit Records in partnership with Roadrunner Records. Check out "Driving Rain" here.

Living The Dream marks Slash’s fourth solo album and third with his band featuring Myles Kennedy (vocals), Brent Fitz (drums), Todd Kerns (bass, vocals) and Frank Sidoris (guitar, vocals). A pre-order for the new album will begin on July 25th.

In regards to the new album, Slash recently revealed: “I'm excited about the new stuff we put together for this next record; it's got some cool songs and it's got a great live feel. I've been working with Myles, Brent and Todd for about 8 years now. It's been an amazing ride so far; as a band we continue to get better which is great. With the addition of Frank since the World On Fire tour, I feel we have hit a great, creative stride which I definitely think shows on this next record.”

Slash ft. Myles Kennedy And The Conspirators will heading out across the US and Canada on the Living The Dream Tour in September. Get your tickets at slashonline.com.

Dates:

September
13 - The Whiskey A Go Go - Los Angeles, CA
15 - The Van Buren - Phoenix, AZ
16 - Kaaboo Del Mar - Del Mar, CA
18 - The Depot - Salt Lake City, CA
19 - Fillmore - Denver, CO
21 - Paradise Cove Margaritaville - Tulsa, OK
22 - Winstar - Thackerville, OK
24 - Stubbs - Austin, TX
26 - House of Blues - Houston, TX
28 - Louder Than Life - Louisville, KY
29 - Four Winds Casino Resort - New Buffalo, MI

October
1 - Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ
2 - Fillmore - Silver Spring, MD
4 - Casino Rama - Rama, Canada
5 - Pier 17 at South Street Seaport - New York, NY
6 - Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, CT
9 - Paramount - Huntington, NY
10 - Electric Factory - Philadelphia, PA
11 - House of Blues - Boston, MA
14 - Aftershock Festival - Sacramento, CA

Powerwolf released their new album The Sacrament Of Sin worldwide on July 20th via Napalm Records. The Sacrament Of Sin definitely holds some surprises for you. The special edition comes as 3CD earbook edition with studio album, a covers album and an orchestral album. Communio Lupatuml features the biggest Powerwolf hits covered by international stars of the metal scene. A video for Eluveitie's take "Ira Sancti (When The Saints Are Going Wild)" can be found below.

Communio Lupatum tracklisting:

"Sacred & Wild" - Epica
"We Drink Your Blood" - Saltatio Mortis
"Kiss Of The Cobra King" - Caliban
"Resurrection By Erection" - Battle Beast
"Night Of The Werewolves" - Heaven Shall Burn
"The Evil Made Me Do It" - Kadavar
"Let There Be Night" - Kissin' Dynamite
"Amen & Attack" - Mille Petrozza (Kreator) & Marc Görtz (Caliban)
"Army Of The Night" - Amaranthe
"Nata vimpi cvrmi da / Ira Sancti (When the Saints Are Going Wild)" - Eluveitie

"We Drink Your Blood" - Saltatio Mortis video:

The Sacrament Of Sin is available as:

Regular Editions:
- 2 x 1 CD Mediabook (36 pages+ 24 pages)
- 1 CD Jewelcase
- 1 LP Gatefold black

Special Editions:
- 1 LP Gatefold green
- 1 LP Gatefold gold
- "Priest-Edition": 3-CD Earbook (Regular-, Cover-, & Orchester Album) + Metal Cross (14 x 10 cm, Antique Copper Look) + Manipel (Preacher Scarf - 150 x 16 cm, Cotton with Embroidered Logo)

Deluxe Hardcover Box (Only Non-Europe):
- 3-CD Earbook (28 x 28 cm, 80 Seiten) incl. Bonus Track (Earbook Exclusive) + Cover Album (Cover Songs – 10 POWERWOLF Hits performed by Various Artists) + Bonus Album (Orchestral Songs – Earbook Exclusive)
- 1-LP in Gatefold (Gold)
- Bonus 1-LP in Silver (Cover Songs – Deluxe Box Exclusive)
- Cover Flag (150 x 100 cm)
- 5 Signed Photo Cards
- Cotton Bag
- Sticker

Pre-order here.

The Sacrament Of Sin tracklisting:

"Fire & Forgive"
"Demons Are A Girl‘s Best Friend"
"Killers With The Cross"
"Incense And Iron"
"Where The Wild Wolves Have Gone"
"Stossgebet"
"Nightside Of Siberia"
"The Sacrament Of Sin"
"Venom Of Venus"
"Nighttime Rebel"
"Fist By Fist (Sacralize Or Strike)"
"Midnight Madonna" (Bonus track, only available at EMP and Napalm Records mailorder)

"Incense And Iron" lyric video:

"Fire & Forgive" video:

"Demons Are A Girl‘s Best Friend" video:

Tour dates:

August
3 - Rasnov, Romania - Rockstad Extreme Fest
10 - Villena, Spain - ESP Leyendas Del Rock
16 - Dinkelsbühl, Germany - Summer Breeze Open Air
17 - Graz, Austria - Metal On The Hill
18 - Falun, Sweden - Sabaton Open Air

October (with Amaranthe, Kissin Dynamite)
26 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
27 - Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle
29 - Hamburg, Germany - Grosse Freiheit 36
31 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys

November (with Amaranthe, Kissin Dynamite)
1 - Warsaw, Poland - Progresja
2 - Leipzig, Germany - Haus Auensee
6 - Vienna, Austria - Aren
7 - Milan, Italy - Live Club
9 - Munich, Germany - Tonhalle
10 - Ludwigsburg, Germany - MHP Arena
11 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Effenaar
12 - London, England - Koko
14 - Lausanne, Switzerland - Les Docks
15 - Zurich, Switzerland - Komplex 457
16 - Geiselwind, Germany - Music Hall
17 - Saarbrücken, Germany - Saarlandhalle

Wrong have released a video for "Gape", a track from the band’s sophomore album Feel Great, released back in April via Relapse Records. Watch the clip below.

Self-produced by Wrong and recorded at various studios around Miami (with mixing handled by guitarist Ryan Haft and artwork by Rick Smith of Torche), Feel Great is the perfect follow-up to the band’s self-titled LP.

Tracklisting:

"Errordome"
"Culminate"
"Pustule"
"Nice Job"
"Feel Great"
"Upgrade"
"Crawl Instead"
"Come Apart Mend"
"Zero Cool"
"Gape"
"Anaerobic"

"Gape" video:

"Zero Cool" video:

"Culminate" video:

Canadian metal/hardcore band Counterparts has announced plans to release a new EP titled Private Room on September 7th via Pure Noise Records. The release will coincide with their Private Room Tour, that will take place in the US this fall with Being As An Ocean. Tickets are available here.

Today, Counterparts has debuted a video for their brand new single “Monument”. Watch below, and pre-order the Private Room EP here.

“Private Room is a collection of B sides from the last two records that we think deserve to see the light of day. The EP is dedicated to our love of private room karaoke and all of our friends/fans that put up with our psycho bullshit on and off stage.” - Brendan Murphy

Tracklisting:

"Monument"
"Selfishly I Sink"
"We Forgive"

"Monument" video:

 
Tour dates:

September
20 - New York, NY - Gramercy Theatre
21 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Sound Stage
22 - Worcester, MA - The Palladium
25 - Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater
26 - Detroit, MY - The Shelter
27 - Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop
28 - Chicago, IL - Bottom Lounge
29 - St Louis, MO - Fubar
30 - Lawrence, KS - Granada Theater

October
2 - Denver, CO - Marquis Theater
3 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Complex
5 - San Diego, CA - SOMA
6 - Pomona, CA - Glasshouse
7 - Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone
9 - Tempe, AZ - Club Red
12 - Dallas, TX - RBC
13 - San Antonio, TX - Alamo City Music Hall
14 - Houston, TX - Houston Underground
15 - New Orleans, LA - Gasa Gasa
17 - Orlando, FL - Sound Bar
18 - Atlanta, GA - Masquerade
19 - Greensboro, NC - Blind Tiger
20 - Richmond, VA - Canal Club
21 - Philadelphia, PA - Foundry

Unprocessed have released a video for "The Division", a track from the new album Covenant (Long Branch Records). Watch the clip below.

Unprocessed is a progressive metal band hailing from Hessias central City Wiesbaden in Germany. Ever since the band was founded in 2014, Unprocessed has shared the stage with bands like Monuments, Betraying The Martyrs, Being As An Ocean, Napoleon, and As They Burn, went on a first EU tour and played numerous shows in and around Germany, promoting the first releases, In Concretion (2014) and Perception (2016).

Unprocessed's sound features insanely fast palm muted, chugged guitar-riffs and shredding solos that meet soundscapes from another dimension, guttural vocals that are contrasted by lucid and melodic clean singing. A sharp bass tone and groovy, yet detail oriented drum-lines form a massive rhythm section and add a lot of pressure to the bands overall sound. This mixture shows that this young band is ready to conquer the scene.

Order Covenant here.

Tracklisting:

"Covenant"
"Haven"
"Ghilan"
"Malleable"
"Millenium"
"The Division"
"The Mirror"
"Meridian"
"Exhale"
"Exeunt"

"The Division" video:

"Ghilan" video:

"Haven" video:

Lineup:

Manuel Gardner Fernandes - Vocals, Guitars
Christoph Schultz - Guitars
Christopher Talosi - Guitars
David Levy - Bass
Leon Pfeifer - Drums

World Of Warplanes has teamed up with Iron Maiden frontman Bruce Dickinson to produce a series of educational videos on World War II combat aircraft. Episode #6 of the Warplanes Diaries: Hawker Tempest, as well as previous episodes, can be found below.

Why enlist a heavy metal vocalist to talk about a video game, you ask? Well, Bruce happens to be not only a well-known World War II aviation aficionado, but he's also a pilot. Plus, his band did that song "Aces High", too. In fact, developer Wargaming has actually cobbled together a new World Of Warplanes video set to the track, which features in-game combat footage spliced with actual gun camera action from the conflict.

"We are all delighted that Bruce has brought his enthusiasm and expertise to World Of Warplanes with these informative videos which he has delivered in his own inimitable style," commented Wargaming's Global Marketing Director, Al King. "As well as the diaries and the "Aces High" tribute, we are also introducing a renovated hangar subtly branded with iconic Iron Maiden imagery. It’s unlike anything the game’s ever had before and we hope Maiden fans will have fun spotting the various Easter eggs hidden throughout!"

Warplanes Diaries Episode #1 - Hawker Hurricane:

Warplanes Diaries Episode #2 - Messerschmitt BF 109:

Warplanes Diaries Episode #3 - Focke-Wulf FW 190:

Warplanes Diaries Episode #4 - De Haviland Mosquito:

Warplanes Diaries Episode #5 - Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress:

Warplanes Diaries Episode #6 - Hawker Tempest:

"Aces High":

Bruce Dickinson is coming to Australia for a speaking tour, which will involve Q&As with fans, as Dickinson continues to promote his autobiography, What Does This Button Do?, which ticket-buyers will receive a signed copy of.

Bruce Dickinson 2018 Australian Spoken Word tour dates:

October
18 - Enmore Theatre - Sydney (All Ages)
19 - Palais Theatre - Melbourne (All Ages)
21 - Llewellyn Hall - ANU Canberra (All Ages)
23 - Civic Theatre - Newcastle (All Ages)
24 - Eatons Hill Hotel - Brisbane (All Ages)

Tickets are on sale now.

Italian technical death metal veterans are back with a vengeance and premiere today their new video and single “The Last Call”.

“The Last Call” deals with the limits overcome by human race on Earth. Humans are the only beings menacing their own habitat and triggering an evident self-destruction process. The unwise use of nuclear plants is just one of the proofs. The Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters are and will ever be out of control. Humanity is at a point of no return. Planet Earth is making the «Last Call».

"The Last Call" is taken from the coming album 1991.Bloodstained. Full album to be released worldwide on Mighty Music September 28th.

"Black Plague", the opening track of Manimal's upcoming Purgatorio album, is available for streaming below.

A band needs plenty of exceptional compositional talent to record an album that sounds monolithic despite the fact that the individual songs ooze a wide range of different details and special features. Since its foundation in 2001, Manimal from Gothenburg have successfully mastered this feat for the third time.

Despite their loyalty to traditional influences their previous albums, The Darkest Room (2009) and Trapped In The Shadows (2015), were prime examples of modern and trend-setting power metal characterized by musical enthusiasm and new ideas. Their latest recording Purgatorio sees the four-piece take their outstanding qualities to the brink of perfection: Throughout their nine new songs the musicians pull out all the stops, presenting a number of different tempos and atmospheres and impressing with chorus parts that have true anthem potential.

“Our goal has always been to write songs that we love and believe in. The challenge is to make a song with strong hooks without being too predictable. It's just a bonus when we realize that people around the world seem to have the same good taste in music that we have,” jokes frontman Samuel Nyman.

As usual, Nyman is at the epicentre of this amazing album that features one highlight after the other. Inspired by Rob Halford, Geoff Tate and Michael Kiske, among others, his voice oozes aplomb and pure passion, blending perfectly with the intelligent songwriting, courtesy of guitarist Henrik Stenroos, a true riff icon whose hooks and licks provide the foundation for Manimal’s songs. Equally important for the group’s typical flair are drummer André Holmqvist and bassist Kenny Boufadene. Holmqvist has a tight, powerful drum style that comes surprisingly close to paragons such as Tommy Lee and Mike Portnoy and he also co-wrote the lyrics on Purgatorio with Nyman, while Boufadene was in charge of mixing the new album and also produces his band’s videos.

Blessed with such diverse talents, it’s hardly surprising that Manimal took the most important studio parameters into their own hands again during the production of Purgatorio. “Just like our previous two albums, we produced this one ourselves. Mainly because we like to have full control of the production. We’re control freaks to the bone and the thought of putting our creations into the hands of an external producer simply scares us,” Nyman confesses.

However, they took renowned support on board for some aspects: The drums were recorded by Jakob Herrmann (Anthrax, Europe, Machine Head, Evergrey) at the Top Floor Studios, the album was mastered by Tony Lindgren at Jens Bogren's famous Fascination Street Studios, and the cover artwork was designed by Claudio Bergamin (Judas Priest).

So Purgatorio impresses in every respect, from the first note of the opener "Black Plague" to the final sound of the last track, "The Fear Within". The title song and "Edge Of Darkness" see the band present their typical mélange of haunting melodies, classy grooves and that latent melancholia that is one of their typical trademarks. On the other hand there are a number of tracks which are unusual for Manimal, such as "Denial" featuring a riff that brings Rammstein to mind and "Spreading The Dread" with its remarkable rhythm.

Remains only one question to be answered: Why did Manimal decide on an Italian title? Nyman: “First, it’s the title of one of the strongest songs of the album. Second, it’s a powerful word that fits perfectly as the title of a metal album in general and this recording in particular. For me, it reflects the state of mankind and the world today - the general, ongoing decay which we seem to lack the ability to stop. Many of the lyrics on the album circle around that kind of theme. Purgatorio is also the original title of the second part of great Dante Alighieri’s masterpiece The Divine Comedy. It’s not the first time that we’ve found inspiration in that specific work of literature.”

Purgatorio will be released on September 7th via AFM Records.

Tracklisting:

"Black Plague"
"Purgatorio"
"Manimalized"
"Spreading The Dread"
"Traitor"
"Behind Enemy Lines"
"Denial"
"Edge Of Darkness"
"The Fear Within"

"Black Plague":

The Danish/Swedish group NORDIC UNION — which features PRETTY MAIDS vocalist Ronnie Atkins and guitarist/songwriter/producer Erik Martensson (ECLIPSE, W.E.T., AMMUNITION) — will release its sophomore album, "Second Coming", via Frontiers Music Srl on Nov. 9.

The album's cover artwork can be seen below.

NORDIC UNION released its acclaimed self-titled debut album – which also featured Martensson's ECLIPSE and AMMUNITION bandmate Magnus Ulfstedt on drums — in January of 2016.

Much like W.E.T., which saw Martensson join forces with vocalist Jeff Scott Soto (SONS OF APOLLO, TALISMAN) and keyboardist/guitarist Robert Säll (WORK OF ART), the musical collaboration between Martensson and Atkins was the brainchild of Frontiers president Serafino Perugino. The resulting partnership between the two Scandinavians worked well, and together, they created some musical magic which impressed fans of both highly regarded musicians.

Prior to the release of the NORDIC UNION's debut — which included the song "Hypocrisy", the music video for which appears below — Atkins described the album as "a killer melodic hard rock album with a lot of good songs on it."

"The music has a focus on good melodies, and there's some good guitar work as well," he said. "I had a good gut feeling ever since I heard the first songs from Erik, and I was right – he's a very gifted and talented songwriter! I could really feel the songs as mine and identify with [them]."

Atkins, 53, co-founded PRETTY MAIDS with guitarist Ken Hammer in Denmark in 1981. The group has released 15 studio albums to date, most recently 2016's Jacob Hansen-produced "Kingmaker", which cracked the Top 40 in Germany, Switzerland and Sweden. The band plans to release a new album in 2019.

Martensson is a prolific Swedish producer, guitarist and songwriter who is best known for fronting ECLIPSE — who will also release a new album in 2019 – and serving as the "E" in the melodic rock supergroup W.E.T., whose third album, "Earthrage", was released via Frontiers on March 23.

British heavy metal legends SAXON will release a special tour edition of their latest album, "Thunderbolt", on September 7. The disc is available for pre-order here.

The special tour edition features live recordings of "Thunderbolt" and "Nosferatu (The Vampire's Waltz)" recorded in Frankfurt and Los Angeles on the 2018 "Thunderbolt" world tour. The CD format also contains a 10" x 10" poster with photos of the band while on tour.

"Thunderbolt - Special Tour Edition" track listing:

01. Olympus Rising

02. Thunderbolt

03. The Secret Of Flight

04. Nosferatu (The Vampire's Waltz)

05. They Played Rock And Roll

06. Predator

07. Sons of Odin

08. Sniper

09. A Wizard's Tale

10. Speed Merchants

11. Roadie's Song

12. Nosferatu (Raw Version)

13. Thunderbolt (Live in Frankfurt March 2, 2018)

14. Nosferatu (The Vampire's Waltz) (Live in Los Angeles April 22, 2018)

"Thunderbolt" was released in February via Militia Guard (Silver Lining Music). The follow-up to 2015's "Battering Ram" was once again helmed by producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with JUDAS PRIEST, MEGADETH, ACCEPT and TESTAMENT, among others. The disc will feature original artwork by longtime SAXON collaborator Paul Raymond Gregory.

"Thunderbolt" features the song "They Played Rock And Roll", written about and dedicated to MOTÖRHEAD. Byford previously said that he gave the track that title because "that's what Lemmy used to say every night [from the stage]." He added: "It's basically about early MOTÖRHEAD — '79/'80 MOTÖRHEAD, like around 'No Sleep 'Til Hammersmith', 'cause that's the tour we were on, that one. So, yeah, it's about the band, really, and their music."

According to Biff, "They Played Rock And Roll" is musically similar to Lemmy and Co. He explained: "I asked Nibbs [Carter, SAXON bassist] to write me some music that was like MOTÖRHEAD, and he did. So it sounds very MOTÖRHEAD-ish, but not MOTÖRHEAD, if you know what I mean."

Regarding the "Thunderbolt" album title, Byford said: "'Thunderbolt' is about Greek gods, so I read up on Greek mythology. There's not really that much. Homer had some writings… I made most of it up, but it's based on Zeus and Poseidon and Hades, so it's got a bit of good and a bit of evil in it, so it's pretty cool. Obviously Zeus's sign was a thunderbolt and his sign was an eagle holding a lightning bolt."

Like "Battering Ram", SAXON's new effort features Byford alongside Paul Quinn and Doug Scarratt on guitar, Nibbs Carter on bass and Nigel Glockler on drums.

Midwest death metal titans JUNGLE ROT have released the Dustin Smith-directed video for the song "Send Forth Oblivion". The track is taken from the band's self-titled album, due out July 20 via Victory Records.

As the album hits shelves, JUNGLE ROT will hammer audiences as it returns to the road with HAVOK and EXTINCTION AD starting July 23 in St. Paul, Minnesota.

"Jungle Rot" track listing:

01. Send Forth Oblivion

02. Delusional Denial

03. A Burning Cinder

04. Triggered

05. Fearmonger (feat. Schmier)

06. Stay Dead

07. Glory For The Fallen

08. Pumped Full Of Lead

09. Twisted Mind

10. Terrible Certainty (KREATOR cover)

"Fearmonger" features DESTRUCTION vocalist/bassist Schmier lending his shrieking throat as JUNGLE ROT vocalist/guitarist Dave Matrise lays down a counter-guttural growl lower than Dante's gates of hell.

Matrise explains the song's origin: "We covered the DESTRUCTION classic 'Invincible Force' some years ago and Schmier told me ours is his favorite DESTRUCTION cover he has ever heard from any band. Years later, we toured together and right away, Schmier approached me to start singing the song with him in concert. His trademark style and my vocals worked so well together that when I began writing this new record, the idea immediately came up to have him as a guest vocalist. He loved it and was honored to be a part of it. That's how we created 'Fearmonger'."

In January 2018, JUNGLE ROT entered Belle City Sound with engineer Chris Djuricic behind the board. Mixing and mastering was done by the legendary Dan Swanö (DARK FUNERAL, MARDUK).

"Jungle Rot" blasts off with "Send Forth Oblivion", an audible equivalent to stainless steel medical devices in your eardrum. Another track, "Glory For The Fallen", shows Genenz pounding away at his woofer as he explains the track was written for his close friend Jeff, who was murdered in 2017.

"I definitely needed to put something on the album for my fallen brother, and another track directed at the cowardly scumbag who took his young life, which is 'Pumped Full Of Lead'," he said. "I've had a lot of pain to write with, so that is my message — life is pain."

"Jungle Rot" closes with a crushing cover of KREATOR's 1987 classic "Terrible Certainty".

"I love this song and it's one I've always wanted to cover. I remember seeing them for the first time, saying to myself I want to start a band," Matrise confesses.

As the hype surrounding JUNGLE ROT points that this is their most dynamic and diverse release to date, Matrise states the band has never measured their success by tailgating other acts.

"We are JUNGLE ROT," he says. "This is JUNGLE ROT. Bands may want to call it a day, hang up their axes and go to bed, that is their call, but that is of no consequence to us or our plotted course. By the early 1990s, the death metal revolution was ready to overthrow the stagnant metal scene, and 20-plus years later, our job has not changed.”

The cover art for "Jungle Rot" was again helmed by the masterful and brutal mind of artist Gyula Havancsak.

"Jungle Rot" pre-orders are available now and feature all new t-shirts, long-sleeve, baseball tee, 46" x 46" flag, zip-up hoodie, limited-edition colored vinyl, CD and a gore-proof cassette tape limited to only 75 copies. All pre-orders include an instant download of "Fearmonger".

NONPOINT will release its tenth album, "X", on August 24. The follow-up to 2016's "The Poison Red" was produced by Fred Archambault, who has previously worked with ATREYU and AVENGED SEVENFOLD, among others.

A track from "X", titled "Fix This", can be streamed below.

On "X", the quintet — Elias Soriano (vocals), Robb Rivera (drums), Rasheed Thomas (guitar), Adam Woloszyn (bass), and B.C. Kochmit (guitar) — not only maintain the momentum, but also amplify the intensity. Signature grooves hit with haymaker force bolstered by hip-hop cadences, thrashed-out six-string precision, and unshakable melodies.

Reaching this milestone, time increased the hunger they shared.

"As long as people want us to keep writing records, we're going to keep writing records," exclaims Rivera. "We have a special understanding in the studio, and the chemistry has only gotten better. We live for every moment on stage. We don't want to ever stop."

"I don't see why we shouldn't be on our tenth record," Soriano admits. "Since we are so deep into our career, we wanted to do something serious for number ten. We really took our time. We've been honing in on writing something like this for two decades. Every single song received its due. Now, our end game is just to go until the fucking wheels come off."

Since their 1997 formation in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, that mindset has fueled every move. 2000's "Statement" lived up to its name, introducing a hypnotic hybrid of deft lyricism and crushing hooks evinced by the breakout single "What A Day". Following "Development" in 2002, "Recoil" spawned a hyper-charged cover of Phil Collins's "In The Air Tonight", which went on to soundtrack a key moment of the 2006 "Miami Vice" blockbuster reboot starring Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx. Meanwhile, "To The Pain" represented a high watermark. It impressively sold 130,000 copies stateside as "Bullet With A Name" and "Alive And Kicking" emerged as radio and concert staples.

Never slowing down, "Vengeance" (2007) and "Miracle" (2010) set the stage for the one-two punch of "Nonpoint" (2012) and "The Return" (2014). The latter bowed at #1 on the Billboard Top Hard Rock Albums chart, #3 on the Top Alternative Albums chart, #5 on the Top Independent Albums chart, #7 on the Top Rock Albums chart, and in the Top 40 of the Top 200. Additionally, its lead single, "Breaking Skin", stood out as "the most-played song on SiriusXM for 2015." Album number nine "The Poison Red" continued the current hot streak two years later as the band regularly averaged over 650,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Along the way, they've held their own on bills alongside everyone from DISTURBED and MEGADETH to PAPA ROACH and STONE SOUR.

Preparing to kick off a new chapter, the guys did something they hadn't done in thirteen years…

"We took almost a year off," recalls Rivera. "When we did get back together, nobody posted anything on social media. We dove right into it quietly and without expectations. It felt great to have the time."

Returning to Chicago, NONPOINT congregated in a room, jammed, and created music on the spot, leading to "the perfect reintroduction to the writing process." With Archambault behind the board as producer at Uptown Recording Studio, they laid down all ten tracks in 22 days.

"We joke that he was our 'Captain Jack Sparrow'," smiles Soriano. "He was really encouraging. It was a breath of fresh air, and it brought us to another level. It goes without saying we'd love to work together again."

"X" opener "Empty Batteries" kicks in the door with a battering ram riff underscored by an airtight beat. Written with the intention of "creating an introduction," the flurry gives way to a haunting, hypnotic, and huge refrain.

"For the most part, it's really about looking inside," says the frontman. "You're reaching down, getting into a battle with yourself, and realizing there's more to be done. A lot of people today need coaching or permission to fill their batteries — but they can do it themselves. They simply need to have a fucking dream and a goal. You're getting the last little bit of gusto, refilling it, and going again."

"Chaos & Earthquakes" hinges on airy guitars, resounding keys, ripping solos, and rapid fire flows before a pummeling chant. "It really discusses the state of things lately," he goes on. "We're watching an end-of-days scenario play out constantly in the media. The lyrics urge getting away from the madness. I, myself, literally stopped watching. I didn't want to feel that anymore."

Elsewhere, "Fix This" builds from a hushed verse towards one of the group's catchiest choruses yet, "You don't really want to fix this." The power goes from zero to sixty on "Dodge Your Destiny" as the closer "Position One" leaves a relatable final word under poetic spitting and squealing string bends. "It happens to all of us," adds Soriano. "You want to move forward, but you're stuck in a circular lifestyle. You can break the cycle though."

In the end, NONPOINT will never stop, and the legacy only grows with "X".

"It's probably our best record we've done musically," Rivera leaves off. "There are elements of every album. We put it all on the line. I hope fans walk away satisfied."

"NONPOINT is part of our DNA," concludes Soriano. "Our families and friends all know how deep-rooted all of us are in this project. It's defined us for over two decades. We're pretty fucking lucky and blessed."

Photo by Tammy Vega

"Do Not Disturb", a brand new song from HALESTORM, can be streamed below. The track is taken from the band's fourth album, "Vicious", which will be released on July 27 via Atlantic.

Recorded last year at Nashville, Tennesse's Rock Falcon recording studio with producer Nick Raskulinecz, "Vicious" is available for pre-order at all DSPs and streaming services.

Deluxe album packages are available for pre-order exclusively at the band's official webstore, including the new album on standard vinyl, plus a limited-edition opaque purple colored double vinyl with enhanced cover art and bonus tracks, limited to 1500 units worldwide. Also exclusively available at the webstore are a limited edition t-shirt, dog tag necklace, autographed poster, and a free album cover magnet with physical album purchase while supplies last.

Raskulinecz is an acclaimed producer who has previously worked with RUSH, KORN, ALICE IN CHAINS and DEFTONES, in addition to having produced HALESTORM's third covers EP, "ReAniMate 3.0: The CoVeRs eP", which came out in January 2017.

HALESTORM frontwoman Lzzy Hale told Boston radio station WAAF about the band's new album: "I feel like this is the most… Every record, we try to kind of get it closer and closer to what people see every day live. And I really think that this is the most HALESTORM record that you're gonna hear from us as of yet."

HALESTORM guitarist Joe Hottinger told the SiriusXM show "Trunk Nation" that the band's follow-up to 2015's "Into The Wild Life" would contain some of "the heaviest stuff we've ever done."

"Into The Wild Life" was criticized by some HALESTORM fans for veering too far into pop music territory.

"Vicious" track listing:

01. Black Vultures

02. Skulls

03. Uncomfortable

04. Buzz

05. Do Not Disturb

06. Conflicted

07. Killing Ourselves To Live

08. Heart of Novocaine

09. Painkiller

10. White Dress

11. Vicious

12. The Silence

HALESTORM will embark on the second leg of their milestone U.S. tour showcasing all female-fronted hard rock bands. The dates — once again co-headlined by Roadrunner/Atlantic group IN THIS MOMENT — get underway July 27 at Kansas City, Missouri's SEC Arena and then travel through the end of August. Support throughout the trek comes from special guests NEW YEARS DAY.

Canada's Skull Fist have checked in with the following update on their long-awaited new album:

"The new record is done. Will announce the release date next week or two, it will be before this winter time metal fest. All the details on the new album are going to come real damn soon. Yes, Zach is singing again and yes, we will come play in your country. Going to announce some tours, release some music videos and get this ship sailing again. More info on the fest at this location. They will announce the final lineup soon we've been told."

Skull Fist singer/guitarist Zach Slaughter has released the debut album for his new project, Freedumb. The musical style includes punk, acoustic, doom and traditional metal all combined with a cheeky sense of humour. The debut album Skate N Die was released on May 18th via Boonsdale Records and is available at this location.

Check out the song "Street Surfing Man" below

Freedumb’s debut release unleashes nine tracks of high energy punk/metal in the vein of Candlemass, Bad Religion, Dead Kennedys, Skull Fist, trademarked with Zach’s unique vocal style along with metal elements and virtuoso guitar solos, plus the lyrical humour of NOFX / Frank Zappa. Skate N Die offers an alternate approach to mainstream music that can give attention to the counter culture of today’s social circles.

Tracklisting:

"Punch Patrol"
"S.O.S."
"Shark Attack"
"Grand Canyon"
"Jerkathon"
"Skate N Die"
"Anarchy Will Prevail"
"Street Surfing Man"
"Finding Emo"

"S.O.S."

"Punch Patrol"

Finnish progressive death metal band CONVULSE has released a brand new song called "The Summoning". It's the first taste of the band's upcoming album, which will be recorded in 2019. Some may hear echoes of bands like KINGSTON WALL or old AMORPHIS, but mostly it's an example of unpredictable and lustful music that only CONVULSE can deliver its own twisted way.

As one of the oldest Finnish death metal bands, CONVULSE has a somewhat interesting history, to say the least. Beginning as a full-on death metal band in 1990, the debut demo, "Resuscitation Of Evilness", as well as the 1991 debut album, "World Without God", were more or less successful attempts from CONVULSE to flex their death metal muscles for the whole world.


In 1993, CONVULSE returned to the limelight again, offering two new songs on the "Lost Equilibrium" CD single — and, at the same time, giving a taste of what was to be expected on their second album, 1994's "Reflections". CONVULSE had started incorporating some rock 'n' roll elements into their murky and uncompromising death metal sound, much like some of their Finnish extreme metal comrades (XYSMA and DISGRACE primarily come to mind). The band's "death 'n' roll" sound on their sophomore album divided the CONVULSE fanbase, with some embracing the new direction while facing rejection from others. It's both difficult and pointless to speculate at this point whether the drastic musical change led to CONVULSE's downfall, but perhaps it was one of the reasons behind the split up in 1994. Only the original band members can say for sure...


Fast forward nearly two decades, and new life had been breathed into the old CONVULSE corpse. In early November 2013, CONVULSE's third album, "Evil Prevails", was unleashed by Svart Records, and was followed by "Cycle Of Revenge" in 2016.

Today, on what would have been the 54th birthday of Seattle's son, music icon and late Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Chris Cornell, Vicky Cornell announced her late husband will be commemorated in his hometown with a statue that will be raised in a public ceremony on Wednesday, August 29. Ms. Cornell commissioned sculptor Nick Marras to create a life size bronze statue showcasing the rock legend in one of his iconic poses with his signature boots, dog tag, layers and long locks. She has donated the commemorative figure to Seattle's Museum of Pop Culture.

"Even though Chris's music touched the lives of millions around the world, there is no better place than Seattle to honor and celebrate both his contribution to music history, as well as Seattle's unique place in popular music, with an enduring symbol of a beloved artist, father, and husband," said Vicky Cornell. "Our children and I are deeply moved by the continued outpouring of love, compassion, and support, and this is our gift to the Museum of Pop Culture and to Seattle — our gift back to the tight-knit community that gave him his start."

"MoPOP is honored to receive this gift from the Cornell family and pay tribute to one of the most powerful and important voices in popular music," says Jasen Emmons, artistic director, MoPOP. "MoPOP serves to celebrate the Seattle music scene and the luminaries who have emerged from the Northwest and Chris was a key figure who has made a lasting impact on generations worldwide."

MoPOP is designed by Frank O. Gehry and located inside the Seattle Center next to the Space Needle. The statue will be placed on display in front of the Museum of Pop Culture's gold south entrance, facing 5th Avenue, the ideal location for fans and visitors around the world.

Cornell was pronounced dead on May 18, 2017 after being found unresponsive in his Detroit hotel room the previous night. SOUNDGARDEN had played a show earlier that evening.

The 52-year-old had sedatives and an anxiety drug in his system on the night he died by hanging himself. According to a completed toxicology report released by Michigan's Wayne County Medical Examiner, the drugs didn't contribute to the cause of death.

In addition to SOUNDGARDEN, Cornell sang with AUDIOSLAVE and TEMPLE OF THE DOG, while also recording four solo studio albums and one live set on his own.

Concord Records will release "The Big Bad Blues", ZZ TOP legend Billy F Gibbons's second-ever solo effort, on September 21. This is the follow-up to his acclaimed 2015 Afro-Cuban-flavored solo album "Perfectamundo".

"The Big Bad Blues", as the title suggests, focuses on Gibbons's lifelong love of the blues and rock and roll, showcasing the blues-influenced vocals and guitar licks that have together served as the foundation for his numerous hits over the past five decades. The album features 11 tracks balancing some classic covers like "Rollin' And Tumblin'" and "Standing Around Crying", along with some of Billy's signature new blues originals.

"We successfully made our way through those uncharted waters with the Cubano flavor of 'Perfectamundo' and completed the journey," says Gibbons in distinguishing "The Big Bad Blues" from its predecessor. "The shift back to the blues is a natural. It's something which our followers can enjoy with the satisfaction of experiencing the roots tradition and, at the same time, feeling the richness of stretching the art form."

Gibbons, of course, has long been one of the most important and influential artists to emerge from the blues traditions, carrying it forward in a career honored by his 2004 induction, with ZZ TOP, into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. As he notes, he was blues-influenced "right from the beginning — and it's never let up."

"There's something very primordial within the art form," he says. "Nobody gets away from the infectious allure of those straight-ahead licks!"

He notes it would take many hours just to scratch the surface surrounding this enduring love affair: "I suspect Jimmy Reed did me in early on. The inventiveness of that high and lonesome sound remains solid and stridently strong to this day. We could go on to mention the lineup of usual suspects, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy, all three Kings [B.B., Albert and Freddie]. The lengthy list of champions are forever carved in stone."

After the success of "Perfectamundo", Concord Records president John Burk expressed his intent on following up with another artistic offering with a more familiar, bluesy kind of content. "Billy has an incredibly deep knowledge of the great blues tradition and has carried that tradition forward in his music throughout his incredible career. Therefore, it seemed natural to do a project that centered on his musical roots, and the music that so inspired him from the very beginning."

Gibbons remarked, "We were delighted to follow suit: It's steeped in the tradition of 'BFG meets blues giants' with an adventurous expression to keep it fresh."

BFG and Burk met in an underground parking garage of a favorite Hollywood bistro from the comforts of JB's top-down ride, playing some tracks, LOUD, with the music bouncing off the walls beneath a couple floors of raw concrete."… Gibbons got the nod. He and his "greasy" gang of unbridled players were delivering the goods.

"From deep in the heart of Texas, our Hammond organ specialist, Mr. Mike Flanigin, stepped forward and accepted the invitation to step from the B3 bench to take on the task of pounding the ivory 88s," says Gibbons, adding, "Great piano stuff from Mike 'The Drifter' Flanigin.

"Master of the Fender Bass-guitar, Joe Hardy lent his low-down sound with his fearless funkiness, SO fine!

"Also, in the mash-up mix, the man-with-the-backbeat-plan, Greg Morrow. G keeps the skins alive and kickin'. And while we're on that backbeat thang…

"Matt Sorum steps forward with his super-syncopation, thrashing the skins like no buddies business.

"Alabama–come-California soulster Austin Hanks, roughs up the riffs with his left-handed six-string electric. Have mercy!"

Gibbons himself shares the harmonica chops with James Harman who has appeared over the years doin' that Mississippi-sounding thing. "James is the fastidiously fierce follower of the real deal when it comes to blowing' the harp.

"As for the album content, check it out… Hey now!

"Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue," he says. "It's no secret there are several favorites from the way-back starting with not one, but two, from the Bo Diddley catalog ['Bring It To Jerome' and 'Crackin' Up']. We dusted off an old Gretsch Duo-Jet guitar which put it squarely with that infamous Bo Diddley sound. Once covered, we made way into another side — a much earlier number from Muddy Waters, 'Standing Around Crying'. The ragged edges with the meanness of James's bad self on harp seemed to fit the bill to enter the lineup."

As for favorites, Gibbons notes, "'Missin' Yo' Kissin' is a gift from Miz Gibbons. She knows what girls want and laid it out cold. And 'Second Line' is a definite throwback to many good days and nights down New Orleans way.

"Other tracks on 'The Big Bad Blues' are easy pickin', sayin' it all. It's a street affair."

Track listing (all songs by Billy F Gibbons except where noted):

01. Missin' Yo' Kissin' (Gilly Stillwater)

02. My Baby She Rocks

03. Second Line

04. Standing Around Crying (Muddy Waters)

05. Let The Left Hand Know…

06. Bring It To Jerome (Jerome Green)

07. That's What She Said

08. Mo' Slower Blues

09. Hollywood 151

10. Rollin' And Tumblin' (Muddy Waters)

11. Crackin' Up (Bo Diddley)

The official lyric video for the song "I Am The Hurricane" from TWISTED SISTER frontman Dee Snider can be seen below. The track is taken from his upcoming solo album, titled "For The Love Of Metal", which will be released on July 27 via Napalm Records. The disc, which was produced by HATEBREED vocalist Jamey Jasta, will feature contributions from Howard Jones (ex-KILLSWITCH ENGAGE), Mark Morton (LAMB OF GOD), Alissa White-Gluz (ARCH ENEMY), Joel Grind and Nick Bellmore (TOXIC HOLOCAUST), and Charlie Bellmore (KINGDOM OF SORROW).

"For The Love Of Metal" track listing:

01. Lies Are A Business

02. Tomorrow's No Concern

03. I Am The Hurricane

04. American Made

05. Roll Over You

06. I'm Ready

07. Running Mazes

08. Mask

09. Become The Storm

10. The Hardest Way

11. Dead Hearts (Love Thy Enemy)

12. For The Love Of Metal

Speaking to Chris Annunziata of the New Jersey radio station 90.3 WMSC-FM, Snider stated about "For The Love Of Metal": "This is a really exciting album I did not expect to make, especially at this point in my life. I was doing Jamey Jasta's podcast, and he challenged me to make a contemporary rock record. And I was, like, 'Who's producing?' He said, 'I am.' And so we went in the studio [with] no record deal, and people started flocking [to appear on the LP]. It just amazed me, the enthusiasm and excitement that these younger musicians — younger than me, at least — had for working with Dee Snider and being a part of this project."

Dee went on to say that "the album turned out phenomenal," so much so that "we had a bidding war from all the major metal labels," he said. "As Jamey would say, it is hard. It harkens back to my earliest work with TWISTED SISTER, but it's very contemporary sounding with my voice. And people are astounded, actually, that I still have a very strong, very powerful, and as Jamey says, an important, iconic rock voice. So I'm very excited about this album."


Jasta previously described the LP as a "full-on metal album," adding that "people are gonna lose their minds when they hear this." He also called Dee "one of the best vocalists of our time" whose "voice is up there with Ozzy [Osbourne], [Ronnie James] Dio, [Bruce] Dickinson and [Rob] Halford to me. "And it's as powerful as ever!" he said.

"Although this album will be very heavy, the songs are anthemic and will fit well in his solo set with 'We're Not Gonna Take It', 'I Wanna Rock', 'Burn In Hell', 'We Are The Ones', 'So What' and others," Jamey promised.

Snider's last solo album, "We Are The Ones", was released in October 2016 via Red River Records. Produced by Damon Ranger, the disc was described by Dee as "an album that is think part FOO FIGHTERS, part IMAGINE DRAGONS, part THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS."

TWISTED SISTER called it quits in 2016 after completing a farewell 40th-anniversary tour.

German melodic hard rockers MAD MAX will release their new album, "35", on August 10 via SPV/Steamhammer. The disc's first single, "Beat Of The Heart", stands out among the 11 songs for a number of reasons. On one hand, the track could be described as the 2018 sequel to MAD MAX's most important hit "Night Of Passion", and on the other hand, the bandmembers have made their longstanding dream come true with the video that supports the song.

"For once in the history of MAD MAX, we wanted to shoot a video that has the look and the cinematic quality of a real little motion picture," the band said. "Thanks to the support of our sponsor Hubert Teichmann, we got that opportunity at last."


By way of explanation: Hubert Teichmann, among other things the owner of the private "Staudenbahn" railway line near Augsburg, has been a staunch patron of the arts for a number of years — again the term "idealism" comes to mind! — and he supplied the financial means that enabled mad max to shoot a video clip in Berlin with a number of actors, among them leading man Vinzenz Kiefer ("The Baader Meinhof Complex", the action/crime drama series "Alarm für Cobra 11", "Jason Bourne") and director/screenwriter Oliver Betke.

"35" will be released as CD digipak version, limited vinyl version, download and stream.


Track listing:

01. The Hutch (Intro) (1:07)

02. Running To Paradise (4:25)

03. Beat Of The Heart (3:30)

04. D.A.M.N. (4:45)

05. Snowdance (4:13)

06. Thirty 5 (4:02)

07. Already Gone (3:44)

08. False Freedom (4:50)

09. Goodbye To You (4:18)

10. Rocky Road (6:32)

11. Paris Is Burning (4:08) (bonus track)