Goth rock icon Jyrki 69, lead vocalist for Helsinki metal band THE 69 EYES, has released a video for his macabre new song "Bloodlust". The track is featured on his debut solo album, "Helsinki Vampire", which will be released on June 23 via Cleopatra Records. The "Bloodlust" clip includes film footage from the upcoming movie "Sunset Society", which will be released in spring 2018 and stars the late rock god and MOTÖRHEAD frontman Lemmy Kilmister. The video also features cameos by Dizzy Reed (GUNS N' ROSES), Tracii Guns (L.A. GUNS) and adult film legend Ron Jeremy, who also star in the forthcoming movie. "Sunset Society" is a film based on the iconic Sunset Strip about a pack of vampire rockers lead by Kilmister's character. Jyrki 69's portion of the music video for "Bloodlust" was filmed in Los Angeles at the historic Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The music video was directed by Vicente and Fernando Cordero of Industralism Films. Speaking about the video with Rolling Stone, Jyrki 69 says: "'Bloodlust' is 'The Lost Boys' movie taken into modern day to the Sunset Strip. Aren't we all so glad to see that Lemmy's doing all right? He lives forever!" Adding on the personal impact of Kilmister, Jyrki 69 says: "MOTÖRHEAD is naturally always been more than just inspiration musically, it's a whole lifestyle which Lemmy symbolizes. Life suddenly has become harder without a new MOTÖRHEAD album or tour behind the corner. I met the man many times over the course of decades all over the world. Never bothered him at the Rainbow Bar & Grill! I'm proud to have the General still on board! I actually showed the video to Ron Jeremy (who's in it too) at the Rainbow Bar & Grill last weekend. He loved it!" "Helsinki Vampire" was produced, mixed, and mastered by longtime THE 69 EYES producer Johnny Lee Michaels. The record builds on the distinctive "goth n' roll" sound that THE 69 EYES honed over the course of a dozen albums while adding a more richly textured, darkly romantic atmosphere.

Track listing:

01. Ad Infinitum02. Versailles03. Spanish Steps04. Bloodlust (from "Sunset Society")05. Last Halloween (from "Halloween Hell House")06. Happy Birthday07. Call Of The Night08. Perfection09. Close Your Eyes (from "Close Your Eyes")10. In Your Dreams11. Sayonara (CD only)

The reformed NITRO, featuring guitar virtuoso Michael Angelo Batio, vocalist Jim Gillette and LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler, has tapped producer Kane Churko (OZZY OSBOURNE, DISTURBED, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, IN THIS MOMENT, HELLYEAH, PAPA ROACH) to helm the band's comeback album. In addition to producing the disc, Churko will contribute his songwriting talents to the project.

"It's exciting to be part of NITRO's evolution and the opportunity to record a legendary vocalist such as Jim Gillette was not one I wanted to pass up," said Churko. "We've had a lot of fun working on new music together at The Hideout Recording Studio [in Las Vegas]. I really think it's going to please old and new fans alike. With such a phenomenal lineup, it should be evident that NITRO is back and ready to compete with the best of the best."

Joining Batio, Gillette and Adler on the new NITRO album will be bassist and five-time Grammy Award winner Victor Wooten.

A release date for the new NITRO album, currently being recorded, will be announced soon. The band plans to debut a single from the new record, along with a promotional video, in the coming weeks.

In a brand new interview with EonMusic conducted at this year's Metal Hammer Golden Gods event, Tony Iommi was asked about the possibility of a renewed collaboration with former BLACK SABBATH singer Tony Martin. "Yeah, Tony Martin said that," Iommi confirmed. "Is there a possibility that that might happen? There's a possibility to anything, really. There's nothing set in stone. I just spoke to him about maybe one day doing a couple of things, but I've spoke to a lot of people about that."

Iommi also said that he would like to see SABBATH's Tony Martin-era albums re-released. "Yes, absolutely," he said. "I'd like to get them reissued again, absolutely. I think they were good stuff that some people never even heard."

BLACK SABBATH released six albums with Tony Martin on vocals: "The Eternal Idol" (1987), "Headless Cross" (1989), "Tyr" (1990), "Cross Purposes" (1994), "Cross Purposes Live" (1995) and "Forbidden" (1995).

Martin told Metal Jacket Magazine last month that he would also be in favor of reissuing the albums from his era of BLACK SABBATH, featuring bonus material, including some new music. "It is definitely possible," he said. "I spoke to [Iommi] just a few weeks ago. He's bought a new house and he's building a new studio. He said he needs to set that up and get that all ready. But when he's ready, I'm happy to do it, and I know he wants to do it. And just the fact that he wants to do it, it's, like, 'Oh, yeah. That's cool.' [Laughs] 'That's cool.' 'Cause those albums have been deleted for a long time, and I think they could sound better. Especially 'Forbidden' — oooohhhh… I hate that. It was the end of my time with BLACK SABBATH, so it's so… When I listen to it now, I think how I could make it better. So if he gives me the chance, I would love to do that again. Yeah, the possibility is definitely there. If he doesn't die… [Laughs] But, yes, I'm happy to think that it will be sometime soon."

SABBATH finished its year-long "The End" farewell tour on February 4 in the band's hometown of Birmingham, England, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career with an emotional 15-song set.

The band decided to make this tour its last because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

Chris Cornell's 12-year-old daughter Toni has paid touching tribute to her dad, calling the SOUNDGARDEN frontman "the best father in the whole wide world."

In a Facebook message posted one day after the international Father's Day, Toni wrote: "Let me start by saying how much I love you and how much you mean to me. You are my idol, someone I've always looked up to. You were always there for me. You pushed me forward every day, and you still do.

"Whenever I cry or feel like there's no way I can go on, I hear your voice, 'Don't sit worrying, peanut. Worry is a waste of time, I'm OK.'

"I always took what you said to heart. Probably because everything you said was so smart.

"Every time you came home from tour, you spent all your hours with us. No matter how tired you were, how many time zones you traveled, you were there for us.

"Whenever I was sick, you would take care of me. You would cuddle with me, hug me, kiss me. You didn't care about getting sick. You would stay up all night to make sure my fever went down. And if it didn't, you would wake me up and give me my medicine. I would open my eyes, see you, and feel better.

"I have so many memories with you but one of my favorite ones was earlier this year when I was jetlagged and we watched 'Purple Rain'. We were staying at the BHH and you came into my room when I was trying to find a movie to watch.

"'How about 'Purple Rain'?' you said. I always trusted your judgement. I put it on and immediately fell in love! We then got to your favorite song, 'The Beautiful Ones'.

"'This song is so special it doesn't even belong in a genre. When I was in my twenties, I saw this in the theatre and some guy started cracking up laughing at this scene and song. It got me really mad,' you said.

"I fell in love with the song too and listened to it on repeat.

"Our special connection was always the arts. Poems, books, music, writing. We both have a unconditional love for it.

"Who's going to introduce me to movies like 'Purple Rain' and songs like 'The Beautiful Ones' now?

"I'm hoping I will find some because you trained me so well.

I know you are still here, and the warmth I feel beneath the cold, is you.

"YOU ARE THE BEST FATHER IN THE WHOLE WIDE WORLD. And I know, that if this wasn't an accident, you'd still be cuddling with me watching 'Purple Rain'.

"I love you and miss you so, Daddy. You deserve your own day to be celebrated because you are the best dad anyone could ever have. Happy Father's Day!

"Love, Your Baby Toni"

Cornell was pronounced dead on May 18 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 a statement issued following the release of the report, Cornell's wife Vicky said: "Many of us who know Chris well noticed that he wasn't himself during his final hours and that something was very off. We have learned from this report that several substances were found in his system. After so many years of sobriety, this moment of terrible judgment seems to have completely impaired and altered his state of mind. Something clearly went terribly wrong and my children and I are heartbroken and are devastated that this moment can never be taken back."

Vicky Cornell had previously questioned the medical examiner's conclusion that her husband committed suicide.

Chris is survived by Vicky and three children: Toni, a son named Christopher and a daughter named Lillian from his previous marriage to former SOUNDGARDEN manager Susan Silver.

Chris was laid to rest on May 26 at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles.




Daddy,

Let me start by saying how much I love you and how much you mean to me. You are my idol, someone I’ve always...

Posted by Chris Cornell on Monday, June 19, 2017

Chris Cornell's official music video for his song "The Promise" was released this morning by Survival Pictures. "The Promise" was Cornell's last release prior to his passing.

"Chris Cornell was not only a dear family friend for many years, but he was also a once-in-a-generation talent who is missed more than words can convey. It was such an honor to collaborate and partner on 'The Promise' over the years," said Eric Esrailian, producer of "The Promise" and co-manager for Survival Pictures. "His music and lyrics will not only shine a light on the Armenian Genocide and the human rights crisis of modern times, but they will also inspire people and provide hope for years to come."

Esrailian added: "Although it is bittersweet because Chris filmed his performance in Brooklyn, New York shortly before his passing, he wanted his video to be released on World Refugee Day, and he was passionate about helping people through this project. True to Chris's charitable spirit, he made a commitment to donate all of his proceeds from 'The Promise' to support refugees and children, and to further the conversation about the refugee crisis the world continues to endure."

The video was directed by Grammy Award-winning director Meiert Avis (AUDIOSLAVE, U2) and Stefan Smith (MADONNA, STING). "The Promise" is Cornell's last music video performance. It also includes media donated by Academy Award-nominated director Evgeny Afineesvky (HBO's "Cries From Syria"), UNESCO Prize for Peace recipient SOS Méditerranée, Freshwater Films (Ross Kemp's "Libya's Migrant Hell"), Keo Films ("Exodus: Our Journey To Europe"), Nazik Armenakyan ("Survivors"), Human Rights Watch, Refugee Rescue, and Nobel Peace Prize Recipient Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

At the time of the song's release Cornell said: "'The Promise' to me is mainly about paying homage to those we lost in the Armenian Genocide, but it's also about shining a light on more recent atrocities. The same methods used in the Armenian Genocide were used to carry out crimes against humanity in Bosnia, Darfur, Rwanda and right now in Syria on multiple fronts, contributing to a massive global refugee crisis. Unfortunately, the words 'never again' seem like just words when we recall these mass executions of the twentieth century, as well as renewed racism and prejudice around the world. Even in the U.S., the warning signs — isolating groups based on race and religion — are evident. We really need to tell these stories and keep telling them in as many different ways as we can. As humans, we have a tremendous capacity to trudge ahead in our lives and not look at the difficult and challenging moments... but I think it's important. Educating ourselves on the past is the best way to understand the present and avoid future atrocities by understanding and intervening. We must educate and stand as one to combat this fear and violence, and as citizens of the world, work to protect each other's human rights."

In April 2017, Cornell and his family toured refugee camps in Greece and it was there that they decided The Chris And Vicky Cornell Foundation would focus its efforts on child refugees and the issues affecting them including education, health and human trafficking.

"Worldwide", the new video from THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's latest album, "Transit Blues", which was released last October via Rise Records.

The band retreated to both Watertown, Wisconsin and Sawyer, Michigan to write "Transit Blues", for the first time living and creating in a shared, full-time space. They re-teamed with "Space" producer Dan Korneff (PIERCE THE VEIL, MOTIONLESS IN WHITE) in the spring of 2016 to record the 11-track effort. Overall, the album reflects themes of transition, separation, and mourning.

Speaking about the direction of "Transit Blues", THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA vocalist Mike Hranica told Clrvynt: "When I hear older PRADA recordings and such, this super-clean Auto-Tune bullshit kicks in, and I kind of quiver. Like, 'Why is that there? What's the point?'

"With 2009's 'Roots Above And Branches Below' is where I started writing 'choruses' with all screaming because I liked that in heavier music, and then on 'Space', the singing came out of left field.

"Hopefully with 'Transit Blues', it's a bit more where it's this element that's very organic, as opposed to, 'Here's the pop chorus, ta-da.'"

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH returned to Tilburg, The Netherlands Monday night (Monday, June 19) to play a free show for any ticket holders from the now-infamous 013 performance a week prior. Fan-filmed video footage of last night's entire concert can be seen below.

In announcing this week's gig, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory said: "[The June 12] show was an avalanche of events largely out of our control. We could sit here all day and apologize, but our fans in the Netherlands deserve better than that. They've stuck with us all these years and helped get us to where we are today. So, we managed to re-route our tour and come back to Tilburg and play a free show on our day off — because actions speak louder than words."

FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH announced last week that singer Ivan Moody will sit out the remainder of the band's European tour due to his battles with alcohol. Former DIVINE HERESY and current BAD WOLVES vocalist Tommy Vext is filling in for Moody, who threatened to quit the band onstage at the June 12 concert in Tilburg.

Vext, who has been traveling with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH on their current European tour, sang the first song of the band's June 12 set in Tilburg, because Moody arrived on stage several minutes late.

As previously reported, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and IN FLAMES will join forces for a European co-headlining tour in November and December.

Kaaos TV conducted an interview with EVANESCENCE members Amy Lee (vocals), Tim McCord (bass) and Jen Majura (guitar) before the band's June 10 concert at Rockfest in Vantaa, Finland. You can now watch the chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).

On EVANESCENCE's forthcoming album called "Synthesis", which will reimagine some of the band's past catalog with full orchestration and electronic backing:

Amy: "It's mostly music from our catalog, all three albums — different songs from our history of doing stuff plus two totally new ones, recorded completely anew in a new way that is very much about symphony orchestra. We just recorded the orchestra, and it sounds so beautiful. It's very much taking it to the next level musically. But it's that and all programming. They're both big elements that have always been a part of our sound, and actually a lot of the origins of EVANESCENCE, in many ways, when we were first making music, it was… we were more of a studio band than a live, playing-rock-shows band. It was just me and a guy making music in our parents' houses and making drum beats. We had this idea [about recording with] an orchestra, but, obviously, we couldn't afford it at the time. So [we were] just writing music. But we wouldn't have had the ability to do what we're doing now as kids, so it's really fulfilling a big dream that is very much from the core of the idea of this band. So we'll be in the studio recording some cool, very interesting, different guitar synthesizer and different instruments and vocals after we get off this tour. I'm very excited about it."

On how the idea for "Synthesis" came about:

Amy: "During the recording process, our sound has a lot of layers — it's got the programming, it's got the big, distorted guitars, it's got the big rock drums, it's got the strings, it's got lots of background vocals; just a whole lot of layers. And as we record, there's always a point where there's so much stuff that you can't quite hear all the nuances of what's going on. I always wish that I had different versions… I remember saying when we did the last album, 'I wish I had a version for myself that was just programming, vocals and the strings,' 'cause it sounds so amazing like that. And you actually can't hear all the cool, crazy David Campbell string arrangements and stuff once we put everything else on it. But then, of course, you love all the other stuff too. So I actually had an idea before… I've had several ideas about, 'What if we put everything out, next time, in pieces?' So you can, like, create your own style — like, if you wanna just have the different stems or whatever. That's too complicated; nobody's gonna spend that kind of time. Not everybody's like me. But, anyway, that idea turned into, 'Why don't we take the opportunity to go back and not only revisit but upgrade a lot of these things and just have fun with it?' Not every song works that way, and we're not just picking out the singles or the hits. There are different songs that we have that really lend themselves for that epicness and that vibe."

On whether EVANESCENCE is also working on music for a "proper" follow-up to 2011's "Evanescence":

Amy: "Yeah, we have a couple of ideas already started that I think will go towards that. We've had a couple of songs sort of in the mix since, I don't know, the last go-around. We had a lot of songs that didn't make it on the last album, so there's a couple there to kind of draw from. And in addition to that, while writing for this album, 'cause there is some new music on it. Some of them weren't the right fit stylistically, but I think they're really good. So I think that might be the next thing."

In support of "Synthesis", EVANESCENCE will embark on a special tour this fall which will see the band performing with a "full orchestra."

EVANESCENCE debuted a previously unheard song called "Take Cover" during its North American tour last fall.

Lee also released a solo single called "Love Exists" in February, while a second solo song, "Speak To Me", appears on the soundtrack for the supernatural thriller "Voice From The Stone", which came out on April 28.

Majura joined EVANESCENCE in August 2015 as the replacement for Terry Balsamo.

"I wanted it to be the biggest-sounding FOO FIGHTERS record ever. To make a gigantic rock record but with Greg Kurstin's sense of melody and arrangement… MOTÖRHEAD's version of 'Sgt. Pepper'… or something like that."

So speaks Dave Grohl of the mission statement made manifest in FOO FIGHTERS' ninth epic, the aptly titled "Concrete And Gold", due out September 15 worldwide on Roswell Records / RCA Records and available for preorder now.

Just as FOO FIGHTERS' anthem of the summer, "Run", "opens as a dreamy, slow burner then… quickly turns heavy as thunder" (Billboard) with its "huge triumphant chorus" (Stereogum), "Concrete And Gold" marries some of the most insanely heavy FF riffs ever with lush harmonic complexities courtesy of a first time team-up with producer Greg Kurstin (ADELE, SIA, PINK).

This unlikely alliance came about through a bizarre sequence of surprise musical obsessions and chance encounters: Listening to the radio during a drive roughly four years ago, Grohl first heard "Again And Again" by Kurstin's band THE BIRD & THE BEE. "It blew my mind," he said. "It was so much more sophisticated than anything I'd ever heard and I became obsessed."

Some months later, Grohl would randomly spot and fanboy out over "the guy from THE BIRD & THE BEE!" a.k.a. Greg Kurstin. The two became fast friends over common musical loves with Grohl learning that his new favorite band had been on hiatus due to Kurstin's workload as a producer.

While FOO FIGHTERS recorded and released "Sonic Highways", broke some bones and packed stadiums and arenas on one of the top five grossing tours of 2015, and gifted fans with the "St. Cecilia" EP, "Greg was becoming one of the biggest producers in the world," Grohl recalls.

With the writing and recording of the next FOO FIGHTERS album on the horizon, Grohl was eager as always to find fresh challenges for the band: "So I think maybe Greg is the guy that we ask to be our producer because he's never made a heavy rock record before and we've never worked with a pop producer." Darrel Thorp (BECK, RADIOHEAD) was soon enlisted to mix and engineer. This collective conceived a blueprint of the new record as "MOTÖRHEAD's version of 'Sgt. Pepper'... or something like that," secretly booking into Hollywood's esteemed EastWest studios to consummate this marriage of extremes... or as Grohl puts it: "Our noise and Greg's big brain and all of his sophisticated arrangements and composition."

Months, sounds and stories (more on those soon, promise) and so many guitars later, the 11-Grammy-winning, 25-plus-million-record-selling, last great American stadium rock band had completed its most ambitious album ever — which naturally begat another insane challenge: How to celebrate music and throw the ultimate "backyard party for 50,000 people"…

What came to Grohl in that vision will become reality October 7 when FOO FIGHTERS' Cal Jam 17 takes over Glen Helen Regional Park in San Bernardino, California. In addition to being FOO FIGHTERS' biggest ever one-day U.S. headline, in the spirit of the original California Jam, this daylong marathon of eating, drinking and rocking features an absolutely unfuckwithable lineup:

QUEENS OF THE STONE AGECAGE THE ELEPHANTLIAM GALLAGHERTHE KILLSROYAL BLOODJAPANDROIDSWOLF ALICEBOB MOULDTHE STRUTSBULLYCIRCA WAVESBABES IN TOYLANDADIA VICTORIAFIREBALL MINISTRYTHE OBSESSEDPINKY PINKYSTARCRAWLERWHITE REAPER

And in addition to 12 hours of rock and roll good times, Cal Jam 17 offers camping, carnival rides, a water park, attractions, a mobile recording studio and so much more. On Friday night, October 6, campers will also experience the world's best Go-Go band BIG TONY & TROUBLE FUNK, an outdoor movie theater and many other surprises. Camping space is limited, so act fast.

For more information, visit CalJamFest.com.

Cal Jam 17 will be the first chance for FOO FIGHTERS fans in the U.S. to experience the sonic majesty of songs from "Concrete And Gold" in their full live glory — and will be followed by a full scale October through December U.S. headline tour. Public on sales for all dates will be June 29 at 10 a.m. local time.

As a sponsor of Cal Jam 17 and the 2017 "Concrete And Gold" tour, Capital One cardholders will have early access to tickets. The Capital One presale starts Monday, June 26 at 9 a.m. local time.

The full track listing for "Concrete And Gold" is:

01. T-Shirt02. Run03. Make It Right04. The Sky Is A Neighborhood05. La Dee Da06. Dirty Water07. Arrows08. Happy Ever After (Zero Hour)09. Sunday Rain10. The Line11. Concrete And Gold

"Concrete And Gold" U.S. tour dates:

Oct. 07 - San Bernardino, CA - Cal Jam 17 @ Glen Helen Regional Park Oct. 12 - Washington DC - The Anthem (SOLD OUT)Oct. 14 - Richmond, VA - Richmond ColiseumOct. 15 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro ColiseumOct. 17 - Columbia, SC - Colonial Life ArenaOct. 18 - Knoxville, TN - Thompson-Boling ArenaOct. 20 - Cincinnati, OH - U.S. Bank ArenaOct. 21 - Lexington, KY - Rupp ArenaOct. 23 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone ArenaOct. 24 - Memphis,TN - FedExForumOct. 26 - Birmingham, AL - Legacy Arena at The BJCC Oct. 28 - New Orleans, LA - Voodoo Music + Arts ExperienceNov. 07 - Madison, WI - Kohl CenterNov. 08 - Champaign, IL - State Farm ArenaNov. 10 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo ArenaNov. 11 - Sioux Falls, SD - Denny Sanford PREMIER CenterNov. 13 - Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank ArenaNov. 15 - Tulsa, OK - BOK CenterDec. 01 - Fresno, CA - Save Mart CenterDec. 02 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 CenterDec. 04 - Spokane, WA - Spokane ArenaDec. 05 - Eugene, OR - Matthew Knight ArenaDec. 07 - Nampa ID - Ford Idaho CenterDec. 09 - Billings MT - Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraParkDec. 10 - Casper WY - Casper Events CenterDec. 12 - Salt Lake City UT - Vivint Smart Home Arena

Tony Iommi says that it was "really strange" to be "saying goodbye" to his BLACK SABBATH bandmates after the completion of the group's farewell tour.

SABBATH finished its year-long "The End" farewell tour on February 4 in the band's hometown of Birmingham, England, closing out the quartet's groundbreaking 49-year career with an emotional 15-song set.

Speaking to Red Carpet News TV at this past Monday's (June 12) Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards in London, England, Iommi stated about SABBATH's final performances: "I think the whole tour, for us, was great, but the last shows were — because we knew they were gonna be the last shows… it didn't quite sink in properly until sort of afterwards. And even afterwards, because we'd done three days of filming after that for the DVD, so we were still together. But after the three days of filming, that was weird, because we were saying goodbye to each other, and it was really strange. But to see the crowd on those last shows was spectacular. There was people from all over the world and all the emotions coming out. I mean, you could see it from where we were. [It was] fantastic."

Iommi recently said that he wouldn't rule out the possibility of doing one-off shows with SABBATH or even more recording. "I wouldn't write that off, if one day that came about," he said. "That's possible. Or even doing an album, 'cause then, again, you're in one place."

The band decided to make this tour its last because Iommi, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2012 and is currently in remission, can no longer travel for extended amounts of time.

The original lineup of SABBATH came together in 1969 with Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne on vocals, Geezer Butler on bass and Bill Ward on drums. That lineup recorded and toured through 1978, and periodically reformed through the '90s and 2000s for live work.

They regrouped again in late 2011 for a new album and tour, although Ward dropped out after a few months over financial issues. SABBATH has used Ozzy's regular touring drummer Tommy Clufetos since then for live work. RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's Brad Wilk laid down the drum tracks on the album "13", which came out in June 2013.

Iommi and Butler haven't announced any specific post-SABBATH plans yet, but Osbourne is reportedly at work on a new album, and already has a number of solo shows scheduled for this summer.

On June 18th, King's X brought their Live all Over Europe Tour 2017 to Nuremberg, Germany. Video from the show is available below. Watch for the BraveWords photo gallery from the show and an interview with guitarist Ty Tabor later this week.

King's X recently updated their schedule with shows in the US. It is now as follows:

June 
20 - Paris, France - Le Forum de Vauréal
22 - Bordeaux, France - Rock School Barbey 
23 - Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain - Azkena Rock Festival ARF

July
6 - Reggies Rock Club - Chicago, IL
7 - The Magic Bag - Ferndale, MI
8 - The Agora Ballroom - Cleveland, OH
13 - The Stone Pony - Asbury Park, NJ
14 - The City Winery - New York, NY
15 - Sellersville Theater 1894 - Sellersville, PA    

Saigon Kick guitarist Jason Bieler recently did three solo acoustic shows in Florida, featuring sets including cover songs, Saigon Kick and Super Transatlantic material. He has posted the following update:

"Ok, this might be a slightly extended post so apologies in advance. As I sit here back in the Bieler bunker with some coffee reflecting on the first three solo acoustic shows, I have to thank everyone who took time from life to spend a few hours with me to listen to some music and hear some stories. I had been thinking of doing something like this for a while and really struggled with how to present the music….full band or loops, backing tracks or even some string and percussion ensemble stuff. In the end, I decided to do it with just a guitar and a vocal as stripped and as naked as possible (metaphorically speaking; my all nude show will have a higher price point as I intend to price tickets on a 'per nude pound' basis…yet another industry first!).

All joking aside I really had some of the single best live musical moments of my life with you people, just getting to sing together and share some stories with you and make what felt like a deeper connection after all these years….so I sincerely want to thank you cause it was an absolute blast.

All of this plus being one of the most fortunate people on the planet to get the support of so many friends. I mean, Pat Lynch and Mike Calta having me on their morning shows, which they did not have to do, was just amazing! The venues which all had the most helpful supportive staffs. If you don’t support venues like The Social, The Attic at Rock Brothers and The Funky Biscuit it will be your loss. These places are artist first venues that night after night provide wonderful shows in great venues…support them!

Ok, off to Texas with Saigon Kick…where you people have a lot to live up to, do not disappoint me, I'm delicate like a desert flower."

Milwaukee's Khazaddum will release sophomore effort Plagues Upon Arda on August 19th. Following the 2015 In Dwarven Halls EP, the album offers a deeper glimpse into the tragic world of J.R.R. Tolkien. An advance listen to the first single "Masters Of The Plains", can be enjoyed below.

Returning with their signature Dwarven death metal assault, Khazaddum has taken the Tolkien concept to another level. Incorporating symphonic orchestration throughout the album in order to illuminate the epic scale of the story told within, the nine-track opus delivers a barrage of crushing death metal that bears witness to the harrowing tales of the denizens of Middle-Earth.

Pre-order your copy at this location.

Tracklisting:

"The Halls Of Khazad-Dum"
"The Deathless Crown"
"Lord Of Isengard"
"Legion Of The White Hand"
"The Fell Rider's Scourge"
"The Black Hand Of Gorthaur"
"Masters Of The Plains"
"Shelob The Great"
"Oathbreaker's Curse"

Plagues Upon Arda was recorded at No Passenger Studio by Spencer Fox and Trae Titus. The album cover art is by Kosta Djordjevic, and digitally painted by Matt Zeilinger. 

Khazaddum is:

Luka Djordjevic - vocals / lyrics
Alex Rausa - guitars
Tony Cannizzaro - bass
Peter Kissane - drums

For further details, visit the official Khazaddum Facebook page.

 

FBE has released a new episode of their “Kids React” series, this time gathering together a group of kids to see how they react to hearing the music of Iron Maiden.

In the video below, the kids react to hearing classics including “Run To The Hills”, “The Number Of The Beast”, “The Trooper”, “Aces High”, “Wasted Years”, “Fear Of The Dark” and “Hallowed Be Thy Name”.

A previous episode, where kids react to AC/DC, can be seen below:

According to the Redditch & Alcester Advertiser, a plaque in honor of legendary LED ZEPPELIN drummer John Bonham was unveiled earlier today (Thursday, June 15) in his hometown of Redditch.

Former MOVE and ELO drummer Bev Bevan attended the event outside the the home John was born in on Birchfield Road in Headless Cross, where the plaque was revealed by the late ZEPPELIN legend's sister Deborah Bonham.

"I was absolutely delighted and honored to be asked to perform this ceremony," she said.

"John always stayed in Worcestershire and it is an amazing honor that he has been recognized in this way. I am sure wherever he is he is raising a glass to this with mum and dad to say thank you."

Bevan added: "John and myself were really close friends particularly in the late seventies and we had some wonderful times together. He was mad keen on cars and would seem to change them every month or so.

"We'd go to his house and there would be two drum kits, one for him and one for me, and a mini kit for his son Jason, who was only about five at the time.

"But to see him recognized like this is wonderful and the plaque looks great."

John Bonham died on September 25, 1980 of pulmonary edema which is fluid accumulation in the lungs. He was 32 years old.

LED ZEPPELIN bassist John Paul Jones said that while some people mistook Bonham's powerful drumming style as a lack of control and technique; that was far from the case. "He wasn't musically out of control in any way," he said. "He knew just what he was doing. But he could take chances — as we all did in those days. Just take a lot of chances on stage. And it was great: sometimes it comes off, sometimes it don't."

Dallas-native blackened crust band Wildsdpeaker will release their upcoming album, Spreading Adder, this coming Friday, June 23rd via Prosthetic Records. Pre-orders for the album in LP, CD and all digital formats are available here.

In anticipation of this week's release, Wildspeaker have released the album's closing track, "Renewal". The ominous number starts out with an atmospheric, measured heaviness - eerily preparing the listener for a breakneck peak mid-song. Listen below:

Vocalist Natalie Kahan says, "'Renewal' is a lesson in loss and transformation. Like a snake sheds its skin, we should kill the parts of ourselves we don't need anymore. As soon as we finished writing 'Renewal', we knew it would be the perfect way to end the album. It perfectly captures what we organically write as a band when we try to write music to a theme or story."

Spreading Adder offers a non-stop grind of driving riffs and thick, weighty atmosphere. Thematically and lyrically, Spreading Adder focuses on the resilience of nature and downfall of human civilization. 

Spreading Adder tracklisting:

“Apparent Death”
“Spreading Adder”
“Elegy”
“Cinders”
“Ecdysis”
“False Mourning”
“One Sinking Stone”
“Shadow”
“Still Life”
“Petrified Forest”
“Renewal”

“Cinders”:

“Still Life”:

Wildspeaker will head out on a US tour just two days prior to release date and is set continue touring throughout the rest of the year.

June
21 - Dover, NH - Red Alert Skate
22 - Providence, RI - Firehouse 13
23 - Brooklyn, NY - Brooklyn Bazaar (Onefest)
24 - Baltimore, MD - Sidebar*
25 - Pittsburgh, PA - The Millcreek*
26 - Cleveland, OH - The Foundry
27 - Indianapolis, IN - Showroom Studios
28 - Milwaukee, WI - Quarters Rock and Roll Palace
29 - Cincinnati, OH - North Side Yacht Club
30 - Dayton, OH - Hank's Pub

July
1 - Pittsburgh, PA - Black Forge Coffee House
2 - Allentown, PA - Good Weekend
3 - Washington, DC - Slash Run
4 - Richmond, VA - 25 Watts
5 - Charlotte, NC - The Station

Wildspeaker consists of vocalist Natalie Kahan, guitarists Nelson Favela and Zak Pitts, bassist Garry Brents (Cara Neir), and drummer Ricky Rivera. Spreading Adder was self-produced in Brents' home studio.

(Photo - Michael Casillas)

The Dead Daisies have posted the official highlight reel from the second week of their 2017 European Tour in support of the new live album, Live & Louder. 

In other news, high octane, rip-roaring hard rockers The Dead Daisies announce a monumental return to Woodstock Poland, featuring in a gripping headline performance at a special Concert For Freedom with The Gorzow Philharmonic Orchestra on August 3rd.

Founder & President of Woodstock Poland, Jurek Owsiak has the following thoughts on The Dead Daisies and their return to his festival: “Woodstock 1969 became an incredible spark which inspired all freedom thinkers of the world to face their biggest challenge yet - striving to achieve freedom, independence, truth, and try to build a true fraternity of people across the globe. For people in Poland, it became an inspiration to take a very important step on the road to regaining freedom and true independence. It was thanks to music, thanks to artists, who gave voice to our dreams which, 25 years ago, resulted in the creation of Polish solidarity and our Polish independence. We are so proud to say that it has been 23 years since we began to send the message of peace. It is especially important in such turbulent times as now.

“We are very grateful that thanks to artists like you, and amazing initiatives like The Dead Daisies and their songs about freedom, we are able to nurture and develop these everlasting ideals. The spirit of freedom permeates the globe, unstoppable like the wind, and it reminds us that despite the different skin colors or creeds we are all united by the ideals of Love, Friendship, and Music.”

In the middle of a world tour supporting the release of their new live album - Live & Louder, Doug Aldrich said the following: “We are very, very, excited to be involved in the Woodstock Festival again this year. We will be performing with a sixty-piece orchestra!! It has been a big dream to do that! The Dead Daisies set list is going to be a one off special in the name of Peace & Freedom just for this show. Can't wait!!”

Alongside the announcement, The Dead Daisies are releasing a new video today for “With You And I”, which was fittingly filmed at the band’s inaugural performance at the Woodstock Festival last summer. It features imagery in line with values that the world seems to have sadly forgotten.

Singer John Corabi: “I think the lyrics to "With You And I" are especially relevant at the moment, you can't turn the TV on and NOT see some sort of human decay anymore. We're battling each other in so many ways, it's disturbing. Be it political party differences, the struggle of black vs. white, religious differences, terrorism, famine, disease, pollution, climate change, etc. - nobody is working TOGETHER in any way to find answers to these issues, and communicate as adults!”

Remaining dates on The Dead Daisies' Live & Louder World Tour are as listed:

June
20 - Hirsch - Nürnberg, Germany
21 - Hellraiser - Leipzig, Germany
23 - Harley Days Festival - Hamburg, Germany
25 - Bluesiana - Velden, Austria
26 - Bluesiana - Velden, Austria
27 - Rockhouse - Salzburg, Austria
28 - A38 - Budapest, Hungary
29 - Lucerna Music Bar - Prague, Czech Republic

July
1 - Freigericht Rockt Festival - Freigericht, Germany
5 - Shibuya Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan
6 - Umeda Club Quattro - Osaka, Japan
12 - Opera de Arame - Curitiba, Brazil (special guest to Richie Kotzen)
13 - Carioca Club - Sao Paulo, Brazil (special guest to Richie Kotzen)
15 - Vorterix - Buenos Aires, Argentina
16 - Vorterix Rosario - Santa Fe, Argentina
19 - Club Chocolate - Santiago, Chile
21 - El Plaza Condesa - Mexico City, Mexico

August
3 - Woodstock Poland - Kostrzyn, Poland
10 - Arcada Theatre - Chicago, IL
11 - Shelter at Saint Andrews - Detroit, MI
12 - Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON
16 - House Of Independence - Asbury Park, NJ
17 - Highline Ballroom - New York NY
18 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
19 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
20 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
23 - Gas Monkey - Dallas, TX
25 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
26 - House Of Blues - San Diego, CA
27 - Counts Vamp’d - Las Vegas NV

Lineup:

Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) - guitars
John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream) - vocals
David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink) - guitars
Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) - bass
Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) - drums

On July 28th, Shadow Kingdom Records will release Venomous Maximus' third album, No Warning. Two years in the making, No Warning follows the band's second album, Firewalker, released by Shadow Kingdom in 2015. 

Get your first taste of No Warning now; the song "Return Of The Witch" is streaming via the Sound Cloud audio player below:

No Warning by Venomous Maximus

Venomous Maximus are a Houston, Texas-based quartet who came to Shadow Kingdom's attention with their approach to attitude and will to play music with conviction without any genre barriers or any worries if they’re being "true" to the elite or cult fans that quickly dismiss anything after hearing ten seconds of it. That uncompromising approach certainly paid off on Firewalker, where the band truly nailed not just good songs, but rather writing great memorable songs that varied in length, tempo, and especially emotion. Venomous Maximus definitely had their sound down cold with their 2012 debut, Beg Upon the Light, but they were on to something really special with Firewalker. 

Now, they've managed to trump that accomplishment with the staggeringly awesome No Warning. Everything that's been loaded up so far in the Venomous Maximus arsenal - heaving heaviness, haunting melodicism, sweaty grit, red-blooded swagger, rock-god vocals - is taken to 11 here, resulting in a clutch of anthems that sound almost effortless in their execution. Some will point to their approach as "occult rock" or some other trendy nonsense. The folks at Shadow Kingdom don't think so: in Venomous Maximus and especially on No Warning, you can hear traces of all the rich 'n' diverse songcraft Black Sabbath explored during the entire 1970s alongside a spacier, more psychedelic element that Roky Erickson accomplished in his solo career and also with the 13th Floor Elevators, but never without losing the granite-thick heft so special to classic heavy metal and hard rock. And yet, with this familiar-yet-foreign approach, the band bespeak their own personality, one that's now become undeniably and definitively Venomous Maximus. It's timeless through and through, as powerful songwriting always wins out over stylistic classification and other such music-nerd niggling; it always comes down to the songs, and No Warning has 10 of 'em that span a variety-spiced 42 minutes. 

No barriers, just preternatural focus - Venomous Maximus are on the verge of mighty, mighty things with No Warning. Shadow Kingdom are banking on the band to go Big with this album, winning over fans of such bands as Mastodon, High On Fire, Grand Magus, Pallbearer, and other heavyweights who've paved their own "path of doom," but doing it in their own, supremely special Venomous Maximus way. You've been warned about No Warning!

Tracklisting:

“I”
“Spellbound”
“Pray For Me”
“Return Of The Witch”
“All Of My Dreams”
“II”
“No Warning”
“Blood For Blood”
“Endless”
“Sea Of Sleep”

Pre-order No Warning at this location.

Italian thrash metal act, Haniwa, has released a new video for "Haniwa". The track is the first single taken from the new album, Helleven, out now via Qua Rock Records.

About the track, the band says: "Haniwa: here they are! They have arrived! Haniwaaaa! This song was almost born for fun from a essential and direct riff and from the name of the band, but instead it very quickly takes its own personality, the same of the band, determined and jeering. Classical crush structure that don't give breath. Are you ready?".

The first single is available in free download here.

Chad Kroeger has slammed STONE SOUR as "NICKELBACK Lite" and has challenged Corey Taylor to "write a hit song."

The NICKELBACK frontman made his comments while being interviewed by Sweden's Metal Covenant on May 27 in Stockholm. As he was discussing NICKELBACK's musical versatility, Kroeger told the site (see video below): "I can't think of another band that's as diverse as we are. I can't. And I don't think that's me talking from pride or ego. I mean, you're sitting across the table. You know what you're talking about." He then asked the journalist to name another band that covers such a wide musical palette as NICKELBACK.

After the writer mentioned STONE SOUR as an example of a band that is also "very diverse," Chad shot back: "Yeah, 'cause they're trying to be NICKELBACK." He then took a swig from his beer and directed his comments at the STONE SOUR singer: "Corey Taylor has said some really nasty things about me before in the press. He talks about how easy it is to write a hit song. Well, show me. Show me. Write one. I have yet to hear one. They're okay. But they're not as good as NICKELBACK. They sound like 'NICKELBACK Lite.'"

Kroeger went on to point out that NICKELBACK and Taylor's other band, SLIPKNOT, launched their respective careers while signed to the same label (Roadrunner). He added: "They had to put on masks and jump around. How good can your music be if you've gotta beat each other up on stage, throw up in your own masks every night…? I mean, music shouldn't come with a gimmick; music should just be music. None of my favorite music comes with a gimmick. And he got tired of sitting behind a mask — he wanted people to know what he looks like — so he started STONE SOUR."

NICKELBACK's ninth album, "Feed The Machine", was released on Friday, June 16 via BMG.

The band is set to hit the road this summer on the colossal headlining "Feed The Machine" tour. The trek will begin on June 23 in Noblesville, Indiana, with 44 dates across North America including stops in Detroit, Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto, Vancouver, and more.

STONE SOUR's new album, "Hydrograd", will be released on June 30 via Roadrunner Records.

The band is the special guest of KORN on the latter act's "Serenity Of Summer" trek, which started on June 16 in Salt Lake City and will wrap on August 2 in Cleveland.

YesterdazeNews magazine conducted an interview with guitarist Björn Gelotte of Swedish metallers IN FLAMES on June 10 at the Sweden Rock Festival in Sölvesborg, Sweden. You can now watch the chat below.

When asked how IN FLAMES came to recruit Bryce Paul to play bass on the current tour following the departure of longtime bassist Peter Iwers, Gelotte said: "Well, so, Håkan [Skoger], a really good friend of ours, came in and did the bass on the U.K. run we did, and then we did a European run after that. But family life didn't work with what we do. We're away a lot, and he wasn't ready for that, or his family took a decision that he couldn't do this. And it sucked, obviously, but that's something that we respect — family goes first, always. So when we were going over to the U.S. for the Rock On The Range and all those festivals, we needed to have somebody from the U.S., because there was no time to get a visa [for the new bassist]. We had our visas, but we needed to have somebody from the U.S. And Joe [Rickard], our new drummer — he's been with us since we recorded [the last IN FLAMES album] 'Battles' — he said he has this friend in Nashville that he's played a lot with and he's awesome, and maybe he should try. He got the songs, he started rehearsing, we met him in Nashville for two days and then we started the tour. So he's here now."

Regarding whether Bryce will stay in the band beyond the current tour, Björn said: "I hope so. I mean, nothing is solid yet. But he's a great guy, he fits right in, plays really well. I love the guy, so I hope he wants to [stay in the band]."

Iwers quit IN FLAMES in November saying that he was leaving the band "to pursue other endeavors."

"Battles", IN FLAMES' twelfth studio album, was released on November 11 via Nuclear Blast in all territories excluding North America and Scandinavia and Eleven Seven Music Group in the U.S.

Ye Banished Privateers will release their third studio album, First Night Back In Port, on June 30th via Napalm Records. A lyric video for the album track “I Dream Of You” is available for streaming below.

Ye Banished Privateers takes you 300 years back in time for an imaginary journey through the harsh life at sea during the early 18th century. With songs inspired by traditional Irish and Scandinavian folk music, acting and elaborate historical clothing the privateers tell a story about the rough sailor's life, lived on the other side of the law - and the fight against oppression and nationalism.

Together, the nearly 30 crew members take turns to go on tour and plunder, and with around a dozen sailors on stage no two shows are ever the same. The mix of rude folk and punk music invites you to dance and sing along, while the gripping ballads will make the toughest pirate heart soft.

Says the band about their recent signing with Napalm Records: "Spring has finally come to the Gulf of Botnia, and with the rotting ice we are now able to set sail with some extraordinary good news onboard. We are immensely proud to announce that our chaotic band of Pirates will be joining forces with Napalm Records, to release our next album First Night Back In Port. Lock up the taverns and hide away the Rum, June 30th in the year of our lord 1717 (2017), this Pandora's box of ear worms goes worldwide! Putting our pen and ink to the chart of Napalm Records means procuring the fire power to bring the forces of Europe to a total blockade. And by trading our royalties for rum and cherry beer, we estimate that we will save a fortune and a half in the years to come."

 

 Tracklisting:

“Annabel”
“A Night At The Schwarzer Kater”
“First Night Back In Port”
“All The Way To Galway”
“Cooper's Rum”
“Skippy Aye Yo”
“I Dream Of You”
“A Declaration Of Independence”
“For A Fragile Moment's Ease”
“We Are Ye Banished Privateers”
“Bosun's Verses”
“Eastindiamen”
“Devil's Bellows”
“Ringaroo At Cooper's Inn”
“Mermaid's Kiss”

“I Dream Of You” lyric video:

Track-by-track Part 1:

Track-by-track Part 2:

Studio Diary Part 1:

“First Night Back In Port” video:

 

Polish death metal veterans, Vader, performed at Germany’s Wacken Open Air festival in the summer of 2016. Video footage of the full performance can now be seen below.

Vader’s setlist:

“Wings”
“Go To Hell”
“Come And See My Sacrifice”
“Reborn In Flames”
“Triumph Of Death”
“Carnal”
“Dark Age”
“Sothis”
“Cold Demons”
“Helleluyah (God Is Dead)”

Swedish sensations Thundermother are back with three new members and a new single, “We Fight For Rock ‘N’ Roll," which was just released through Despotz Records and can be purchased on iTunes. A music video for the song can be seen below.

Guitarist and founder, Filippa Nässil, started Thundermother in 2009 and since their inception, the band has released two albums and played hundreds of shows. They’ve been on the road with artists such as Michael Monroe, W.A.S.P, D-A-D and Danko Jones and had a sold out headline tour in Europe last year.

The former line-up - including Clare Cunningham, Tilda Stenqvist, Giorgia Carteri and Linda Ström - was formed in 2013. When the other four members decided to leave Thundermother just this spring, Filippa was determined to keep on rolling, adding singer Guernica Mancini, bass player Sara Pettersson and drummer Emlee Johansson to the fold.

The band says, "This is a new beginning. We’ll fight for our passion for as long as we can. We fight for rock ‘n’ roll!"

About the new members:

Guernica Mancini is the soulful rock singer from Lund in southern Sweden who previously lived in Los Angeles where she was the singer in the band Souls On 11 with Jeff Young (ex Megadeth). In 2012 she moved back to Sweden, working on her own solo project and later she founded the band Royal Ruckus. Filippa’s request about singing in Thundermother fortunately came just when Royal Ruckus was going through a rough period with one band member dropping off leading to a cancelled tour and leaving Guernica up for a new challenge.

Bass player, Sara Pettersson, from Märsta, Sweden, was an obvious choice since she and Filippa already play together in their side project Hifly. Sara is a great musician who also plays the violin, guitar, contrabass and piano. Aside from classic rock she’s also very passionate about progressive rock and has played in bands such as In Spirit Side Dreaming, Shewolf and GUSH.

Falköping, Sweden native Emlee Johansson is the drummer who also plays a mean guitar. Currently studying at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, she has previously played in bands such as Vision, Frantic Amber and Spitchic. Johansson first met Filippa when they played the same stage at Sweden Rock Festival a few years ago. Emlee completes the new Thundermother lineup.

The new lineup launched at Debaser Strand in Stockholm on May 24th and they were immediately accepted by fans and critics alike.

Swedish power metallers, Bloodbound, have released a lyric video for “War Of Dragons”, a track from their War Of Dragons album, out now via AFM Records. The new clip is available for streaming below. Order the new album in various formats at this location.

2CD Digipak tracklisting:

CD 1
“A New Era Begins”
“Battle In The Sky”
“Tears Of A Dragonheart”
“War Of Dragons”
“Silver Wings”
“Stand And Fight”
“King Of Swords”
“Fallen Heroes”
“Guardians At Heaven's Gate”
“Symphony Satana”
“Starfall”
“Dragons Are Forever”

CD 2
“Battle In The Sky” (Demo)
“Satanic Panic” (Demo)
“Son Of Babylon” (Demo)
“Let It Burn” (Demo)
“Bonebreaker” (Demo)
“Blood Of My Blood” (Demo)
“Moria” (Demo)
“King Of Swords” (Demo)
“Message From Hell” (Demo)
“Melalheads Unite” (Demo)
“Reflections Of Evil” (Demo)
“When Demons Collide” (Demo)
“For The Brave” (Demo)
“When All Lights Fail” (Demo)

“War Of Dragons” lyric video:

“Stand And Fight”:

“Battle In The Sky” video:

Into The LimeLight Records has announced the signing of  Porto, Portugal-based progressive rock band, Heylel.

Born in the fall of 2012, Heylel combines influences ranging from classic to hard and even symphonic rock, with a very personal touch. The outcome is a dark, atmospheric and involving sound, gracefully combined with the beautiful voice of Ana Batista.

In 2014 the band released its debut album, Nebulae, and caught the attention of international progressive and rock press/ In September 2015 their second effort, Flesh, established the band in the international rock scene.

Shades Of Time (2017) will be the first album to feature the new five piece lineup. Release by Into The Limelight Records this will be an album to look forward to. The album will be released on June 30th.

Heylel is:

Ana Batista - Vocals  
Narciso Monteiro - Guitars, keyboards
Ricardo Teixeira - Drums
João Amorim - Bass
Ana Clérigo - Violin
Jesus Anjos - Piano

Available for streaming below is “Dancing With Ghosts”, the brand new cinematic video from Croatian symphonic metal band, AngelSeed.

The clip was filmed in Zadar by Igor Goić and Kreathia Studio. The story line is a slightly twisted exploration on the theme of soul cages. The fundamental idea of the storyboard is based on the five elements philosophy in Japanese Buddhism, known as Godai, whose elements are Earth, Water, Fire, Wind, and Void. Every element has its own symbolism. Opposed to the five elements, there’s a diabolical and materialistic demon queen, the creator of earthly imprisonment.

Drummer, Jurica Baljak, explains: “It’s a metaphorical journey into the core of personal darkness where each element is found stranded in its own prison. It represents the dichotomy of life and death through the image of acceptance, finding purpose and struggle with demons in search for redemption. This video is about the journey of mankind.”

“Dancing With Ghosts” comes from AngelSeed’s last album, Crimson Dyed Abyss, which came out in 2015 via Sliptrick Records. The video for “Dancing With Ghosts” starts exploring some themes which will be present in the band’s next album. In fact, AngelSeed, will enter the studio in 2018 to record their sophomore full-length.

Berlin, Germany-based rock overlords, Kadavar, have announced the details for their upcoming fourth studio album, Rough Times. The album will be released on September 29th via Nuclear Blast.

Commented drummer Tiger: "The process of making this record was quite intense. I kind of went through my inner hell. Working all day, you're fine but at night all these things were torturing me. The new songs are crazy and absurd sometimes, but also serious and very personal. It's the ambiguity that holds Rough Times together. Every song evolved from a certain strong feeling.

“We chose the title because it has this duality. It's not just funny, yet it's not a complete serious title. we're doing fine, but something's missing in this world. We don't really fit in or want to but at the same time we're stuck in this. the times are rough when you wake up and just wanna die, but times can also be rough for very trivial reasons, the latter I have the feeling is very zeitgeisty.

“This collage for the cover is the perfect match for the title. I had this picture in my head throughout the whole process. It's a little rough, but this picture tells a lot."

Added singer/guitarist Lupus: "For me it's a very serious title, bar any humor. We maintain the achievements of our elders, such as women rights, peace and a corporate Europe by touring through clubs, sniffing 100 euro bills through our noses and call attention to ourselves by posting insta stories. Meanwhile people rising to power decline economy, free thinking and progress. If we don't start to really care for this heritage and leave it to people who just want to enrich themselves, we will soon face Rough Times.

“The album itself is a journey through our states of mind. The first three songs is us venting our spleen. About everything and everyone we despise - until towards the end when there's something kinda like hope."

Aside of the big album announcement, the band also revealed to be releasing an exclusive 7" vinyl for the first single off the album, called "Die Baby Die". The single will also contain a cover of The Beatles’ "Helter Skelter" and is available for pre-order now.

(Photo -  Elizaveta Porodina)

American symphonic metal force, Seven Spires, have released a new video for "The Paradox", another exciting song off their upcoming concept album, Solveig. Watch the video below.

This song marks the first step towards the resolution of the storyline's dramatic tension. The cabaret's lights are now subdued and the master of the house is preparing to speak, knowing that her confession may tear her bewitching mask apart.

Frontwoman Adrienne Cowan, whose singing perfectly embodies this character in turmoil on this growl-driven track, goes further into detail: "At this point in the story, we learn some of the Demon's rather unfortunate past, as well as some weary and profound bitterness harbored towards her prison, the decadent Underworld that she rules."

Jack Kosto, Seven Spires' chief shredder, adds: “”The Paradox” is definitely one of the heavier songs on Solveig, and it really showcases Adrienne's ability to seamlessly blend super brutal extreme vocal techniques with her signature power metal belting. The instrumental parts are more technical here and very black metal-influenced, and the orchestra is just as massive and intense, making it a blast for us to perform live as well!"

On “The Paradox", Seven Spires display their full firepower and reveal their darkest side. Baring fangs, the mighty Cowan/Kosto duo teams up in a fight for long-forgotten emotions. Are you ready to join in?

With its new theatrical piece, Solveig, Seven Spires is about to pull off a major coup in the ever-growing symphonic metal scene. This debut album, which is to be released worldwide on August 4th via SAOL, indeed succeeds in establishing as of now the four-piece orchestra as an essential figure of tomorrow's extreme soundscape.

Fans can get their hands on special versions of the album with all sorts of exclusive perks by taking part in the Seven Spires' Go Fund Me campaign.

The wide stylistic range embraced by Seven Spires' art of musical storytelling relentlessly attests of the outstanding abilities of the band's members. Going astray from melancholic power metal to melodic death metal with fierce forays into black metal, the quartet's versatility never fails to make a deep impression on the listener. Their signature blend of melody, theatrics and high-caliber musicianship is tastefully bittersweet, chaotic at times and comforting at others.

Solveig tells the story of a lost soul and his journey through a Demon's sunless neo-victorian underworld. Despite small glimmers of hope, it is a grim tale with a heavy focus on escapism, death and decadence. The love for Romantic composers and epic film scores the four young graduates/students of the prestigious Berklee College of Music have shows in their ambitious and emotionally moving dramatic vision.

Frontwoman Adrienne Cowan leads the band with an iron will and a golden voice. She employs a combination of her classical training and self-taught extreme vocal techniques to "deliver every bit of recorded promise live". Therefore, the strict operatic singing that is often found in the symphonic corner of metal is more of a spice than a staple for Seven Spires.

The band ventured to Gate Studios in Wolfsburg, Germany to put the finishing touches to Solveig in the company of the illustrious Sascha Paeth (Avantasia, Kamelot, Rhapsody), who stated that Seven Spires is "one of the few new real personalities in metal". As a matter of fact, a band that has been sharing the stage with big names such as Arch Enemy, Amaranthe and Apocalyptica - among many others - in its first three years of existence has to be taken seriously in the challenging environment of the current metal scene.

Solveig tracklisting:

“The Siren”
“Encounter”
“The Siren” (Reprise)
“The Cabaret Of Dreams”
“Choices”
“Closure”
“100 Days”
“Stay”
“The Paradox”
“Serenity”
“Depths”
“Distant Lights”
“Burn”
“Ashes”
“Reflections”

“The Paradox” video:

“Stay”:

“The Cabaret Of Dreams” video:

High octane, rip-roaring hard rockers The Dead Daisies announce a monumental return to Woodstock Poland, featuring in a gripping headline performance at a special Concert For Freedom with The Gorzow Philharmonic Orchestra on August 3rd.

Founder & President of Woodstock Poland, Jurek Owsiak has the following thoughts on The Dead Daisies and their return to his festival: “Woodstock 1969 became an incredible spark which inspired all freedom thinkers of the world to face their biggest challenge yet - striving to achieve freedom, independence, truth, and try to build a true fraternity of people across the globe. For people in Poland, it became an inspiration to take a very important step on the road to regaining freedom and true independence. It was thanks to music, thanks to artists, who gave voice to our dreams which, 25 years ago, resulted in the creation of Polish solidarity and our Polish independence. We are so proud to say that it has been 23 years since we began to send the message of peace. It is especially important in such turbulent times as now.

“We are very grateful that thanks to artists like you, and amazing initiatives like The Dead Daisies and their songs about freedom, we are able to nurture and develop these everlasting ideals. The spirit of freedom permeates the globe, unstoppable like the wind, and it reminds us that despite the different skin colors or creeds we are all united by the ideals of Love, Friendship, and Music.”

In the middle of a world tour supporting the release of their new live album - Live & Louder, Doug Aldrich said the following: “We are very, very, excited to be involved in the Woodstock Festival again this year. We will be performing with a sixty-piece orchestra!! It has been a big dream to do that! The Dead Daisies set list is going to be a one off special in the name of Peace & Freedom just for this show. Can't wait!!”

Alongside the announcement, The Dead Daisies are releasing a new video today for “With You And I”, which was fittingly filmed at the band’s inaugural performance at the Woodstock Festival last summer. It features imagery in line with values that the world seems to have sadly forgotten.

Singer John Corabi: “I think the lyrics to "With You And I" are especially relevant at the moment, you can't turn the TV on and NOT see some sort of human decay anymore. We're battling each other in so many ways, it's disturbing. Be it political party differences, the struggle of black vs. white, religious differences, terrorism, famine, disease, pollution, climate change, etc. - nobody is working TOGETHER in any way to find answers to these issues, and communicate as adults!”

Remaining dates on The Dead Daisies' Live & Louder World Tour are as listed:

June
20 - Hirsch - Nürnberg, Germany
21 - Hellraiser - Leipzig, Germany
23 - Harley Days Festival - Hamburg, Germany
25 - Bluesiana - Velden, Austria
26 - Bluesiana - Velden, Austria
27 - Rockhouse - Salzburg, Austria
28 - A38 - Budapest, Hungary
29 - Lucerna Music Bar - Prague, Czech Republic

July
1 - Freigericht Rockt Festival - Freigericht, Germany
5 - Shibuya Club Quattro - Tokyo, Japan
6 - Umeda Club Quattro - Osaka, Japan
12 - Opera de Arame - Curitiba, Brazil (special guest to Richie Kotzen)
13 - Carioca Club - Sao Paulo, Brazil (special guest to Richie Kotzen)
15 - Vorterix - Buenos Aires, Argentina
16 - Vorterix Rosario - Santa Fe, Argentina
19 - Club Chocolate - Santiago, Chile
21 - El Plaza Condesa - Mexico City, Mexico

August
3 - Woodstock Poland - Kostrzyn, Poland
10 - Arcada Theatre - Chicago, IL
11 - Shelter at Saint Andrews - Detroit, MI
12 - Lee’s Palace - Toronto, ON
16 - House Of Independence - Asbury Park, NJ
17 - Highline Ballroom - New York NY
18 - Rams Head Live - Baltimore, MD
19 - Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
20 - The Basement East - Nashville, TN
23 - Gas Monkey - Dallas, TX
25 - El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
26 - House Of Blues - San Diego, CA
27 - Counts Vamp’d - Las Vegas NV

Lineup:

Doug Aldrich (Whitesnake, Dio) - guitars
John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream) - vocals
David Lowy (Red Phoenix, Mink) - guitars
Marco Mendoza (Thin Lizzy, Whitesnake) - bass
Brian Tichy (Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner) - drums