Indian/American progressive metal band SKYHARBOR has released a lyric video for its new single, "Dissent". The band had previously released a music video for "Dim". Both songs are available on all streaming services and as iTunes instant-grat tracks.

"'Dissent' is a really interesting track for us," says vocalist Eric Emery. "It's sort of a throwback to all of our metal influences from our youth blended with the SKYHARBOR sound. It's a bit of an outlier on the record stylistically, but it has definitely turned into one of our favorite songs."

SKYHARBOR will release "Sunshine Dust" on September 7 via Entertainment One (eOne) / Good Fight Music. Guitarist Keshav Dhar adds: "It's taken almost four years and it's been a real labor of love, but we're thrilled to finally get this record out there to our fans. We're incredibly stoked on these songs and have really dug in deep to explore and represent what we truly feel is the SKYHARBOR sound."

"Sunshine Dust" was recorded in Australia with renowned producer Forrester Savell. The band's third full-length album, which was nearly four years in the making, delivers on the atmospheric and emotional promise of their earlier material, with breathtaking tectonic shifts between a wall of sound ambiance and groove.

On "Sunshine Dust", the immersive wall of sound SKYHARBOR first perfected in the studio environment, while as polished and precise as ever, shines with a new almost analog warmth, born of the kind of collaborative camaraderie that only happens when musicians trust each other enough to experience growth.

This is music filled with empowering inspiration and sweeping passions, a supernatural slice of transcendent sonic indulgence.

SKYHARBOR erode the boundaries between traditional hit-making structures and technicality dexterity with grace and poise, employing the gentle force of the changing of the tides, in all of its stealthily bombastic earth shaping might.

"Sunshine Dust" track listing:


01. Signal

02. Dim

03. Out Of Time

04. Synthetic Hands

05. Blind Side

06. Disengageevacuate

07. Ethos

08. Ugly Heart

09. The Reckoning

10. Dissent

11. Menace

12. Temptress

13. Sunshine Dust

Photo credit: Argon Photography

Pure Steel Records has released a new video trailer for the recently released Commander Of Pain, the new album and all-star project headed by Austrian rock legend Klaus Schubert. Find the clip below.

Schubert In Rock, inaugurated by Klaus Schubert, lead guitarist and mastermind of No Bros, is taking what was previously established to the next level.

Back in 2013, Schubert assembled some of the most legendary international rock artists and long-time friends to record new versions of No Bros’ greatest hits. Among those previously featured were: Tony Martin (Black Sabbath), Biff Byford (Saxon), Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow, Deep Purple), Marc Storace (Krokus), Doogie White (Rainbow), Bernie Marsden (Whitesnake), Neil Murray (Black Sabbath, Brian May) and Don Airey (Deep Purple). The riveting project turned out to be a huge success and culminated in a sensational sell-out show at the Congress concert hall in Innsbruck.

Much like the first self-titled album, the new Commander Of Pain project will feature some of the world’s most celebrated artists and musicians, making for yet, another milestone in Austrian rock music.

Commander Of Pain will introduce entirely new songs, all of them tailor-made for each artist while remaining true to Schubert's distinctive sonic signature.

"Empathy" - Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo) - vocals
"Burning Heart" - Marc Storace (Krokus) - vocals
"Little Boy"
"Too Late" - Dan McCafferty (Nazareth) - vocals
"Under The Lights" - Doogie White (Rainbow) - vocals, Don Airey (Deep Purple) - keyboards
"World With No Tomorrow" - Carl Sentance (Nazareth) - vocals, Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson) - guitar
"Forgive Me When I Fall" - Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Apollo) - vocals, Don Airey (Deep Purple) - keyboards
"Ride The Bullet"
"On The Line" - Michael Vescera (Yngwie Malmsteen, Loudness) - vocals
"It's Our World" - Dan McCafferty (Nazareth) - vocals, Jennifer Batten (Michael Jackson) - guitar
"Dance Of The Black Tattoo"
"Commander Of Pain" - Marc Storace (Krokus) - vocals, Don Airey (Deep Purple) - keyboards
"My Name Is Judas" - Doogie White (Rainbow) - vocals, Don Airey (Deep Purple) - keyboards

Trailer:

British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have released the official music video for the song "No Surrender". The track is taken from the band's latest album, "Firepower", which came out on March 9 via Epic.

PRIEST frontman Rob Halford told Noisey about "No Surrender": "The great thing about PRIEST in all the years that we've been making heavy metal music is that we've always kind of carried this metal flag, if you will, this beacon of hope that no matter what you may be going through in life, there's always a sense of overcoming difficulties, a sense of winning, a sense of coming out on top. We've always tried to push this kind of positive experience in the songs that we make. So 'No Surrender', it's a statement. It's a simple fact that, from our perspective, no matter what you're up against, the greatest thing you can ever do is face that challenge. Overcome it, and win, and never surrender."

PRIEST will return to the United States at the end of August for a co-headlining run with fellow classic heavy rockers DEEP PURPLE.

The "Firepower" trek is PRIEST's first since guitarist Glenn Tipton announced that he was retiring from the road due to his battle with Parkinson's disease. He is being replaced on tour by "Firepower" album producer Andy Sneap, also known for his work as the guitar player in NWOBHM revivalists HELL and cult thrash outfit SABBAT.

Tipton was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease four years ago — after being stricken by the degenerative condition at least half a decade earlier — but only recently announced he was going to sit out touring activities in support of "Firepower". The guitarist, who is now 70 and has performed on every PRIEST album since the band's 1974 debut set, "Rocka Rolla", is not quitting the band, but simply cannot handle the rigorous challenges of performing live.

British progressive metal band MONUMENTS will release its long-awaited third album, "Phronesis", on October 5 via Century Media Records.


"The word 'Phronesis' was a big part of society and philosophy in ancient Greece", explains MONUMENTS. "Phronesis is wisdom, but a really specific type of wisdom to do with oneself. Wisdom on your practical actions, good judgement, being excellent in character, practical wisdom. Learning what to do and what not to do based on experience, being mindful of everything around you. Something that, at times, all of us can be pretty terrible at."

After touring the world heavily in support of its "The Amanuensis" album (2014), the intercontinental quintet needed to take a break and catch a breath for multiple reasons. However, the band kept working on "Phronesis".

"My personal relationship with the meaning of the record starts at 'Stygian Blue', which was the second song I wrote for this back in 2015, and it came to be while I was in the darkest place I've ever been in my 32 years", says guitarist John Browne. "We all had a bunch of issues that needed time to let heal so, in between writing we were, you know, fixing our broken souls."

Writing about topics that would be troubling their minds acted as a catharsis though, so "Phronesis" works as a turning point of the progressive metal band on many levels. The independently produced album was finally recorded between March and July of 2018 in various studios throughout the world: while guitars and bass were recorded by Jim Pinder (BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE, MACHINE HEAD, WHILE SHE SLEEPS) at Treehouse Studios in Derbyshire, U.K., the drums were played, recorded, tracked and engineered by Anup Sastry (ex-SKYHARBOR). Chris Barretto recorded his vocals with Cristian Machado (ILL NIŇO, LEEWAY) at Soundwars Studios in New Jersey, then everything was mixed and mastered by Joel Wanasek at JTW Music in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

"Phronesis" is available as standard CD jewelcase, gatefold LP+CD and digital album.


The track listing reads as follows:

01. A.W.O.L.

02. Hollow King

03. Vanta

04. Mirror Image

05. Ivory

06. Stygian Blue

07. Leviathan

08. Celeste

09. Jukai

10. The Watch


Don't miss seeing MONUMENTS at Euroblast festival in Cologne, which will be the first show where the band play band new songs from "Phronesis".


A full European tour will be announced shortly.


MONUMENTS is:

Chris Barretto - Vocals

John Browne - Guitar

Olly Steele - Guitar

Adam Swan - Bass

Daniel "Lango" Lang - Drums

DEEP PURPLE and Universal Music Group have announced a very special limited-edition collection of reissues of classic DEEP PURPLE albums from 1972-77. Studio albums "Machine Head" (1972), "Who Do We Think We Are?" (1973), "Burn" (1974), "Stormbringer" (1974) and "Come Taste The Band" (1975) receive brand new reissue treatment, as well as historic live packages "Made In Japan" (1972), "Made In Europe" (1976) and "Last Concert In Japan" (1977).


All albums have been cut from new digital transfers of the original master tapes at Abbey Road Studios, cut to heavyweight 180-gram purple vinyl. Artwork has been faithfully replicated to match the original pressings in conjunction with the band. All vinyl albums also come with download codes and is next in a lineup of classic DEEP PURPLE reissues coming from Universal Music.


Pre-order an exclusive bundle of all 8-albums here. Pre-order the albums individually here.


The band are currently on "The Long Goodbye Tour" of the world.


DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice said: "These albums were recorded in the 'analog age,' that is before digital CDs. We went from recording tape to master cutting room to pressing plant, all of these mechanical processes, and its right that the listener should have the choice to listen to them via another mechanical process. By placing a needle on an 'album' on a turntable."


All albums will be released on September 7.

The official unboxing video for former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen's brand new release, "Act II", can be seen below.

"Victim Of Ritual" was recorded live at the Woodstock festival in Poland and can be seen below.

Filmed during Tarja's world tour "The Shadow Shows", during which the influential heavy rock singer circled the world 7.5 times with over 300,000 km travelled and played over 200 shows in 40 countries in front of 1 million people, "Act II" consists of the singer's very intimate 75-minute set filmed and recorded live at the Metropolis Studio in London, England and the breathtaking live performance of one of her shows in Milan, Italy, and previously unreleased interviews and photo galleries.

The theatrical rock adventure "Act II" combines two incredible-yet-slightly-different live performances on video: The first chapter, "Metropolis Alive", has been filmed two months prior to the release of Tarja's 2016 success "The Shadow Self". Twenty winners from all over Europe were lucky to witness Tarja's set at Metropolis Studios in London, where the singer performed songs from her then unreleased album — for the first time in front of an audience.


"Act II" is the second chapter and was recorded on November 29, 2016 at the magnificent Teatro della Luna Allago in Milan, Italy and includes numerous hits from all four Tarja albums such as "Innocence", "Die Alive", "Until My Last Breath", as well as an incredible cover of MUSE's classic "Supremacy". That night's setlist also enchants the soprano's long-time fans with a medley consisting of the distinctive NIGHTWISH evergreens: "Ever Dream", "Slaying The Dreamer" and "The Riddler". It was all topped off with a remarkable acoustic set, which presented Tarja classics in a brand new way.


Even though the shows deliberately differ in look, sound, approach to the music and adrenaline, both have one thing in common: from the very first to the very last tune, the state of the art production displays Tarja's energetic performance and her graceful, charming presence.


"Act II" will be released on July 27 on earMUSIC as 2CD digipak, 3LP gatefold (180g, black), DVD, Blu-ray, limited mediabook 2CD+2BD (including two full live shows filmed at Hellfest in France and Woodstock Festival in Poland as bonus) and digital.

"Act I", Tarja's first-ever live release, charted Top 10 all over Europe as well as almost all over the world, with a sensational No. 5 in Germany. The video version even remained for over two months at the peak of the Finnish music video charts.

A new trailer for ALTER BRIDGE's "Live At The Royal Albert Hall" can be seen below.

After 14 years performing together, five full-length studio albums, and countless sold-out shows around the globe, there aren't many items left on a band's bucket list. For ALTER BRIDGE, one of the remaining list items was crossed off in October 2017 when the band performed two sold-out shows at London's iconic Royal Albert Hall backed by the 52-piece Parallax Orchestra led by conductor Simon Dobson. Those career-defining shows were captured and combined in the upcoming Napalm Records worldwide release "Live At The Royal Albert Hall" on September 7.

"I think out of all the years of doing this [music], this experience is the top two or three highlights without a doubt," explains singer Myles Kennedy in a recently released trailer that can be seen below. "It's something that none of us are going to forget."

"Live At The Royal Albert Hall" is a 21-song collection that features some of ALTER BRIDGE's biggest hits, fan favorites and even a couple of rarities including "Words Darker Than Their Wings" — a song the band had never played live previously. Songs like "Before Tomorrow Comes", "Ghost Of Days Gone By", "The Last Hero" and "Broken Wings" all find new life with the unique arrangements presented by Dobson and the Parallax Orchestra performing alongside the band. The pre-order for the release is live and fans can order various audio and video configurations including Blu-ray, DVD, CD and vinyl as well as other unique bundles with exclusive content. A portion of the proceeds from all sales will go to the Future Song Foundation; an organization that Myles Kennedy is closely involved with. The first track released from the collection is the band's chart-topping single "Addicted To Pain". The video for that song can be seen below.

The track listing for "Live At The Royal Albert Hall" is:

01. Slip To The Void

02. Addicted To Pain

03. Before Tomorrow Comes

04. The Writing On The Wall

05. Cry Of Achilles

06. In Loving Memory

07. Fortress

08. Ties That Bind

09. The Other Side

10. Brand New Start

11. Ghost Of Days Gone By

12. The Last Hero

13. The End Is Here

14. Words Darker Than Their Wings

15. Waters Rising

16. Lover

17. Wonderful Life/Watch Over You

18. This Side Of Fate

19. Broken Wings

20. Blackbird

21. Open Your Eyes

ALTER BRIDGE is:

Myles Kennedy - vocals/guitars

Mark Tremonti - guitars/vocals

Brian Marshall - bass

Scott Phillips - drums

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