KISS bassist/vocalist Gene Simmons joined THEE ROCK N' ROLL RESIDENCY on stage last night (Tuesday, January 23) at Mercy Lounge in Nashville, Tennessee to perform the KISS classics "Deuce" and "Shout It Out Loud". Video footage of his appearance can be seen below. Check out photos at Rock Revolt Magazine.

THEE ROCK N' ROLL RESIDENCY is popular Nashville tribute that routinely hosts surprise appearances by Alice Cooper, Robin Zander (CHEAP TRICK) and Roger Glover (DEEP PURPLE). In addition, RESIDENCY founders Jeremy Asbrock and Phillip Shouse and their bandmates were hired by Simmons to be his band on a tour. Shouse told AL.com about how he connected with Simmons: "The Gene gig came from Ryan Cook. Ryan has known Gene, I think, since the late '90s — he was in a band called HAIR OF THE DOG that opened up some KISS shows. Ryan is also in with Doc McGhee and Scott McGhee, KISS's management, just been around them for a while. And Ryan's also in a band called THE BIG ROCK SHOW that has played on, I think, all the Kiss Kruises. And on the last Kiss Kruise, Gene came to him with the idea, it was only I think five solo shows at the time, which turned into way more than that now, 'Hey, I've got a handful of solo shows next year and can you put together a band for me?' And Ryan said, 'Yeah, I've got the guys right now.' So that was it."

Shouse said that Simmons is "absolutely hilarious" to work with. "When you see pictures of [the solo band], we are smiling the entire time, laughing and that goes onstage and offstage with him," he added. "And one of the reasons I think these solo shows are so successful is that people are seeing a whole new side of Gene, because he's that way to the crowd onstage. He's not in makeup. He's not in the dragon boots. He's not stomping around breathing fire. He's just Gene. And he's very casual, he's talking to the audience, he gets people onstage every show and they sing with him, they take selfies with him. It's a laugh a minute with him. He's like an old Jewish Catskills comedian with the one-liners and stuff."

MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn was recently interviewed by Italy's "Heavy Demons" radio show. You can now watch the chat below.

Speaking about how the current political situation has affected the lyrical themes covered on MACHINE HEAD's new album, "Catharsis", Flynn said: "Yeah, it's a pretty crazy time right now. In a lot of ways, there was a couple of moments where it was, like, 'Man, we're saying some shit on this record. Do we need to say this? Is it cool to say this? Are we gonna offend fans by saying this?'

"I think part of being an artist is you've just gotta follow your gut, man, and you can't water it down because this person might not like it or that person might not like it — you've just gotta do what you do and take the consequences if people don't like it, but know that you're following your heart and know that you're following your gut," he continued. "And at the end of the day, that's all you're gonna have to stand on. And I think a lot of people… I don't know how other bands think, but I don't really hear a lot of rock or metal bands standing up and saying anything. And this record was kind of a reaction to that."

One of the songs on "Catharsis", a track called "Bastards", is based on a real-life conversation Flynn had with his sons immediately after the 2016 presidential election in which he explained the state of the country as he saw it.

"Catharsis" will be released on January 26 via Nuclear Blast. The effort will be made available in several formats, including a CD/DVD digipak edition which contains footage of MACHINE HEAD's 2015 concert at San Francisco's Regency Ballroom.

The follow-up to 2014's "Bloodstone & Diamonds", "Catharsis" was produced by MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn and was recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Zack Ohren (FALLUJAH, ALL SHALL PERISH) at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California. Mastering was handled by Ted Jensen (HATEBREED, ALICE IN CHAINS, DEFTONES) at Sterling Sound in New York. Cover photography was created by Seanen Middleton.

The North American tour in support of "Catharsis" will kick off on January 25 in Mesa, Arizona.

During a January 1 Facebook Live session, MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson outlined the band's touring plans for the summer. He said (see video below): "It looked like we were gonna have a lot of the year off, and, of course, the phone rings and we go. So go to Megadeth.com [to find the tour dates]. A lot of great stuff coming up across Europe — pretty much a good month and a half. We've got some things… I've seen some things as soon as late April. I know Cinco De Mayo in Mexico City for the Hell & Heaven fest is officially announced, and then we start in Europe — we start over there June 5th, I think it is, up in Oslo with JUDAS PRIEST. So it was fun to talk to Rob Halford about that here in town. We've had so many great years together with PRIEST, so it's really cool to be back doing some shows with them. Maybe even a SCORPIONS show or two over there [in Europe], I believe. So a lot of stuff down in Portugal and Spain and all over — pretty much through mid-July, so we're over there for quite a bit of time. I love going to Europe. I might even try to bring my family over for a little bit, hang out. [My son] Roman will be graduating college in May, so I'm gonna be home for that, of course."

MEGADETH is tentatively planning to enter the studio in mid-2018 to begin recording its new album for a 2019 release. Guitarist/vocalist Dave Mustaine revealed on Twitter that he was in the process of "collecting ideas" for the follow-up to 2016's "Dystopia".

MEGADETH's upcoming effort will mark the group's first release to feature drummer Dirk Verbeuren, who officially joined the group a year and a half ago.

"Dystopia" was MEGADETH's first album with Bra

CHILDREN OF BODOM vocalist/guitarist Alexi Laiho recently spoke with "The Wanderers" podcast. The full conversation can be heard below (interview starts at the 3:25 mark). A few excerpts follow (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET):

On the band's recently completed "20 Years Down & Dirty" tour, which saw the group perform older material from its catalog:

Alexi: "First of all, we already did a tour supporting the latest album, 'I Worship Chaos', and we just sort of came up with the idea — or the management did – that it's been 20 years since the first album came out, so this might be something cool to do. We decided to do it in Europe, and it turned out real good, actually, so then we wanted to do it in the U.S. as well. That's about it — it's just something different, and you can tell that the crowd likes it too, because we're playing tunes off the first and second album that we have not played either ever or in 15 years or whatever."

On the origins of the group's guitar- and keyboard-driven sound:

Alexi: "That sort of happened by accident, when we came up with that sound. [We] sort of mixed the '80s-type of keyboard sound with into the metal guitar sound. It just happened. I think that it's because we just had so many influences that are all blended in together."

On the close-knit nature of the Finnish metal scene:

Alexi: "We've toured with a lot of Finnish bands like AMORPHIS and ENSIFERUM. It's a small country, and most of them are from the Helsinki area. There's only, like, five million people living in the country, and metal in general, it's definitely more mainstream [than] it is in any other country that I've actually ever been in."

On whether the group has toned down its partying over the years:

Alexi: "I still drink, but not when I'm on the road. I can have a beer or two every now and then, but I can't deal with the hangovers anymore and, like, hop on stage. When you're getting older, the hangovers get so fucking bad, at least personally. I guess it's different for everybody, but I just want to lie on the couch and do fucking nothing. It really started to suck, and then you had to, like, throw back a couple of shots — not to get drunk, but just to keep an even keel and feel normal. That's just not good. I just decided that I'd rather feel awesome on stage and cut back on the partying. When I put it that way, it's either one or the other. Of course, I choose the music. We had a lot of fun, that's for sure. It's just that when it gets to the point where you hit the stage and you're basically just trying not to die [laughs], it's like, 'Wait a minute — what am I doing here? I'm not really enjoying playing live anymore,' which before that was, like, my favorite thing to do. All of a sudden, it's, like, the last thing I want to do because I'm so hung over. That's when you sort of realize that your priorities are just a little fucked up. It's not a big deal — not for me, anyway. I just cut back on the booze, and you feel better and you've got more energy onstage and you're actually enjoying yourself. When I get off the road, that's when I open a beer and finally get drunk. It's funny, because for a lot of people, it's the other way around – they take it easy when they're back home, and when they hit the road, that's when they go crazy. For me, it's the other way."

On the group's upcoming plans:

Alexi: "We're actually working on a new album as we speak. I actually started writing [last] summer, and started working on a couple of tunes. I think we've got, like, four or five new songs ready. We're going to hit the studio in March. Basically, it's just a ton of touring, start writing again, hit the studio, the road again. That's just what we do."

On the direction of the new album:

Alexi: "None of that is ever planned, or none of that is ever conscious. It just happens. At least for me, the only way to make music is just not to think — just, like, get it out and hope for the best, hope that people like it."

CHILDREN OF BODOM's new disc will once again be recorded at the band's own Danger Johnny Studios in Helsinki, where the group's last two efforts were laid down.

CHILDREN OF BODOM's recently completed U.S. tour kicked off on October 31 in Dallas, Texas and included an appearance at last year's Ozzfest Meets Knotfest.

ZZ Top aka “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas,” lay undisputed claim to being the longest running major rock band with original personnel intact and, in 2004, the Texas trio was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Of course, there are only three of them – Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill, Frank Beard -- but it’s still a remarkable achievement that they’re still very much together after almost 50 years of rock, blues, and boogie on the road and in the studio.

As a touring unit, they’ve been without peer over the years, having performed before millions of fans throughout North America on numerous epochal tours as well as overseas where they’ve enthralled audiences from Slovenia to Argentina, from Australia to Sweden, from Russia to Japan and most points in between. Their iconography – beards, cars, girls and that magic keychain – seems to transcend all bounds of geography and language.

Now, ZZ Top has announced a six-date residency in Las Vegas, Nevada at The Venetian. Performance dates are: April 20, 21, 22, 25, 27, 28. Tickets go on sale this Friday, January 26th at 10 AM PDT.

 

Joe Satriani’s 16th studio album, What Happens Next, debuts today at #9 on Billboard’s Top Current Album chart as well as the Top Album Sales Chart. In addition, the album also debuted at #2 on the Billboard Hard Rock Album Chart and at #4 on the Top Rock Album Chart.

This new, instrumentally electrifying album features a power trio of legendary status; Satriani on guitar and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Country Communion) and drummer Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers) was originally released on January 12, 2018. 

Satriani will continue on his G3 tour entity, joined by Dream Theater’s John Petrucci and Def Leppard lead guitarist, Phil Collen on the two month trek. The tour launched on January 11th in Seattle, WA will finish up on February 25th in Milwaukee, WI. Satriani will then begin the G3 Europe leg on March 16th with Petrucci again joining, and Uli Jon Roth rounding out the lineup.  The European trek will finish on April 30th in The UK.

For two decades, Satriani has traveled the world, playing to sold-out crowds as both a headliner and as founder of the all-star G3 guitar extravaganza. His studio and live recordings have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide to date and of his many solo albums, two have gone platinum and four others went gold, with 15 Grammy nominations between them.  His side project, Chickenfoot, featuring former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar, former VH bassist Michael Anthony, and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ drummer Chad Smith saw their debut album certified gold and their second studio album debuted at #9.

2018 North American G3 Tour featuring Joe Satriani, John Petrucci & Phil Collen:

January
24 - Historic Paramount Theatre - Denver, CO
25 - Uptown Theater - Kansas City, MO
26 - The Pavillion at The Toyota Music Factory - Irving, TX
27 - Austin City Limits - Moody Theater - Austin, TX
28 - Hobby Center for the Performing Arts - Houston, TX
30 - Hard Rock Live - Orlando, FL
31 - Florida Theatre - Jacksonville, FL

February
1 - Pompano Beach Amphitheatre - Pompano Beach, FL
2 - Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall - Fort Myers, FL
3 - Mahaffey Theater - St. Petersberg, FL
6 - Raleigh Memorial Auditorium - Raleigh, NC
8 - Toyota Presents Oakdale - Wallingford, CT
9 - Landmark Theatre - Syracuse, NY
10 - Palace Theatre - Albany, NY
11 - The Palace Theatre - Greensburg, PA
14 - Warner Theatre - Washington, DC
15 - Orpheum Theatre - Boston, MA
16 - Beacon Theatre - New York, NY
17 - Merriam Theater - Philadelphia, PA
18 - New Jersey Performing Arts Center - Newark, NJ
20 - Auditorium Theatre - Rochester, NY
21 - Massey Hall - Toronto, ON
22 - Hard Rock Live - Northfield, OH
23 - Chicago Theatre - Chicago, IL
24 - State Theatre - Minneapolis, MN
25 - Riverside Theater - Milwaukee, WI

2018 European G3 Tour featuring Joe Satriani, John Petrucci & Uli Jon Roth:

March
16 - City Hall - Moscow, Russia
19 - Poland Torwar - Warsaw, Poland
20 - Prague Congress Centre - Prague, Czech Republic
21 - Incheba Expo Arena - Bratislava, Slovakia 
24 - Oslo Konserthus - Oslo, Norway
25 - Royal Stage - Aalborg, Denmark
26 - Filharmonie Filderstadt - Stuttgart/Filderstadt, Germany
27 - Stadhalle Offenbach - Offenbach, Germany
28 - E Werk - Cologne, Germany
29 - Tempodrom - Berlin, Germany
31 - De Oosterpoort - Groningen, Netherlands

April
2 - Auditorium Parco Della Musica - Rome, Italy
3 - Teatro Verd - Florence, Italy
4 - Teatro  Degli Arcimboldi - Milan, Italy
6 - Euskalduna - Bilbao, Spain
7 - Auditori del Forum - Barcelona, Spain
9 - Wizink Center - Madrid, Spain
11 - Volkshaus Zürich - Zurich, Switzerland
14 - Klokgebouw Cultuurhallen - Eindhoven, Netherlands
15 - L’Amphithéâtre de la Cité des Congrès - Lyon, France
16 - La Seine Musicale - Paris, France
17 - Metropole Arena - Bordeaux, France
18 - Zenith - Toulouse, France
19 - Zenith - Nantes, France
21 - Stadsschouwburg - Antwerp, Belgium
23 - Zenith - Lille, France
24 - Cliffs Pavilion - Southend, UK
25 - Hammersmith Apollo - Hammersmith, UK
26 - Colston Hall - Bristol, UK
27 - Apollo Manchester - Manchester, UK
29 - Portsmouth Guildhall - Portsmouth, UK
30 - Symphony Hall - Birmingham, UK

 

According to Realtor.com, the house where LINKIN PARK frontman Chester Bennington took his life is available for rent. The 3,956-square-foot residence is being offered at the price of $8,800 a month.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom house is in an affluent part of Los Angeles County on the edge of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, surrounded mostly by cliffs and other quiet neighborhoods that are nearly as wealthy. According to Curbed Los Angeles, it has one of the lowest crime rates in the low-crime South Bay and had just five "serious, violent crimes" in 2014, four of which involved acquaintances.

Earlier in the month, Bennington's widow asked fans to stop leaving flowers, letters and other tributes to her husband at the house, which her husband purchased in May 2017 for $2.4 million, according to public records. A steady stream of followers have flocked to the residence in Palos Verdes Estates ever since Bennington took his life last July, leaving flowers and notes close to the driveway of the suburban Los Angeles home.

Talinda Bennington retweeted a message from an employee at LINKIN PARK's record company, Warner Brothers, reminding fans to leave their items at the record company's Los Angeles offices and assuring them that their tributes would still be received.

She wrote in a separate tweet: "We have moved into a new home… and the well-meaning fans that still come to the house, are disturbing our tenants. We (our family & the band) are deciding on the best place for a permanent memorial. It's a big decision and your respect & patience is appreciated. We love you all."

Chester committed suicide by hanging on July 20 at the age of 41. A private funeral service took place nine days later near his home in Palos Verdes.

LINKIN PARK paid tribute to Bennington last October 27 with an emotional three-hour show that featured numerous guests joining the band onstage at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. The band has yet to announce whether it intends to continue without Bennington.

4AD confirm that Cocteau Twins albums Head Over Heels and Treasure will be reissued on vinyl in March
Two classic Cocteau Twins albums are set to be reissued on vinyl later this year.

Both 1983’s Head Over Heels and 1984’s Treasure will arrive on March 16 via 4AD.

New masters were created from hi-def files from the original analogue tapes, with both records pressed on heavyweight 180g vinyl. In addition, digital download codes will be included with each, while digital HD versions of both albums will also be released.

A statement on Head Over Heels reads: “Coming not long after original bassist Will Heggie had departed the band, the chemistry between remaining members Elizabeth Fraser and Robin Guthrie was now flourishing.

“By moving the band on from the starkness of their debut, they were now making the music that would help them define the decade ahead – her wordless, dreamlike vocals a powerful instrument over his lush, textured guitars.”

Treasure featured bassist Simon Raymonde and has become a favourite among fans of the Scottish outfit, featuring tracks including Lorelei, Persephone and Pandora (For Cindy).

Head Over Heels and Treasure are the latest in 4AD’s Cocteau Twins reissue series following Blue Bell Knoll, Heaven Or Las Vegas, Tiny Dynamine / Echoes In A Shallow Bay and The Pink Opaque.

Late Yes bassist’s 1975 solo album Fish Out Of Water to be remastered and reissued as a limited edition deluxe box set in April
Chris Squire’s solo album Fish Out Of Water is to be remastered and reissued on April 27 via Esoteric Recordings.

The late Yes bassist 1975 work will arrive in a limited edition deluxe box set containing 2CD, 2DVD, replica gatefold vinyl with poster and two 7-inch singles.

The CDs include a new stereo mix by Jakko Jakszyk along with a remastered stereo mix by Paschal Byrne with four bonus tracks: Lucky Seven & Silently Falling, and Run With The Fox and Return Of The Fox by Squire and Alan White – which appear on CD for the first time.

The album features new 5.1 surround sound and 96KHZ stereo mixes from the multi-track master tapes by Jakszyk on DVD, while the second DVD includes Fish Out Of Water promo films, a 2006 interview with Squire and an audio commentary by Squire from the same year.

There will also be a 180g gatefold LP with poster, along with two 7-inch singles of Lucky Seven b/w Silently Falling and Run With The Fox b/w Return Of The Fox.

The package is completed by a 36-page book with an essay by Sid Smith and interviews with Bill Buford, Patrick Moraz, Gregg Jackman and Jakko Jakszyk.

Chris Squire Fish Out Of Water deluxe box set contents

CD1: Fish Out of Water - New stereo mix

Hold Out Your Hand
You By My Side
Silently Falling
Luck Seven
Safe (Canon Song)

CD2: Fish Out Of Water - Original 1975 mix

Hold Out Your Hand
You By My Side
Silently Falling
Luck Seven
Safe (Canon Song)
Lucky Seven (Single version)
Silently Falling (Single version)
Run With The Fox (Squire & White)
Return Of The Fox (Squire & White)

DVD1: Fish Out Of Water 5.1 surround sound mix/stereo mix/remastered stereo mix

Hold Out Your Hand
You By My Side
Silently Falling
Luck Seven
Safe (Canon Song)

DVD2

Fish Out Of Water 1975 promotional film, ft Hold Out Your Hand and You By My Side
Interview with Chris Squire by Jon Kirkman
Fish Out Of Water audio commentary with Chris Squire

LP
Hold Out Your Hand
You By My Side
Silently Falling
Luck Seven
Safe (Canon Song)

7-inch singles
Lucky Seven b/w Silently Falling
Run With The Fox b/w Return Of The Fox

Frank Zappa’s 1973 performances at Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre to be released as a 7CD box set in March
Frank Zappa’s legendary series of performances from Hollywood’s Roxy Theatre in 1973 are to be released as a 7CD box set in March.

The Roxy Performances will launch on March 23 via Zappa Records/UMC and will contain all four public shows from December 9-10, 1973, and the December 8 film/soundcheck – each presented in their entirety for the first time

In addition, there will be bonus content featuring rare rehearsals, previously unreleased tracks and further material from the Bolic Studios recording session.

This collection features the 2016 mixes by Craig Parker Adams from new 96K, 24-Bit transfers of the multi-track masters.

Also included is a 48-page booklet featuring photos from the performances, liner notes by Vaultmeister Joe Travers, essays from Zappa family friend Jen Jewel Brown and American singer/songwriter Dave Alvin along with press reviews.

Co-trustee of the Zappa Family Trust, Ahmet Zappa says: “This is one of my favourite Frank Zappa lineups ever. This box contains some of the best nights of music Los Angeles has ever seen with their ears at an historic venue.

“Hold on to your hotdogs people. This box is the be-all-end-all. This is it. This is all of it. It’s time to get your rocks off for the Roxy.”

DISC 1
12-9-73 Show 1
1. Sunday Show 1 Start 4:59
2. Cosmik Debris 11:33
3. “We’re Makin’ A Movie” 3:16
4. Pygmy Twylyte 9:08
5. The Idiot Bastard Son 2:19
6. Cheepnis 3:44
7. Hollywood Perverts 1:07
8. Penguin In Bondage 5:54
9. T’Mershi Duween 1:56
10. The Dog Breath Variations 1:44
11. Uncle Meat 2:29
12. RDNZL 5:14
13. Montana 7:49
14. Dupree’s Paradise 15:25
TT: 76:43

DISC 2
1. Dickie’s Such An Asshole 10:29
12-9-73 Show 2
2. Sunday Show 2 Start 4:08
3. Inca Roads 8:27
4. Village Of The Sun 4:19
5. Echidna’s Arf (Of You) 4:01
6. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing? 13:22
7. Slime Intro :59
8. I’m The Slime 3:34
9. Big Swifty 9:01
TT: 58:25

DISC 3
1. Tango #1 Intro 3:50
2. Be-Bop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen’s Church) 18:12
3. Medley:
King Kong
Chunga’s Revenge
Son Of Mr. Green Genes 9:46
12-10-73 Show 1
4. Monday Show 1 Start 5:31
5. Montana 6:57
6. Dupree’s Paradise 21:26
7. Cosmik Intro 1:05
8. Cosmik Debris 8:05
TT: 74:57

DISC 4
1. Bondage Intro 1:52
2. Penguin In Bondage 6:54
3. T’Mershi Duween 1:52
4. The Dog Breath Variations 1:48
5. Uncle Meat 2:29
6. RDNZL 4:59
7. Audience Participation - RDNZL 3:08
8. Pygmy Twylyte 4:05
9. The Idiot Bastard Son 2:21
10. Cheepnis 4:49
11. Dickie’s Such An Asshole 10:21
12-10-73 Show 2
12. Monday Show 2 Start 5:13
13. Penguin In Bondage 6:33
14. T’Mershi Duween 1:52
15. The Dog Breath Variations 1:46
16. Uncle Meat 2:28
17. RDNZL 5:11
TT: 67:50

DISC 5
1. Village Of The Sun 4:05
2. Echidna’s Arf (Of You) 3:54
3. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing? 6:56
4. Cheepnis - Percussion 4:08
5. “I Love Monster Movies” 2:10
6. Cheepnis 3:35
7. “Turn The Light Off”/Pamela’s Intro 3:59
8. Pygmy Twylyte 7:23
9. The Idiot Bastard Son 2:22
10. Tango #2 Intro 2:01
11. Be-Bop Tango (Of The Old Jazzmen’s Church) 22:08
TT: 62:46

DISC 6
1. Dickie’s Such An Asshole 15:39
Bonus Section: 12-10-73 Roxy Rehearsal
2. Big Swifty - In Rehearsal 2:50
3. Village Of The Sun 3:13
4. Farther O’Blivion - In Rehearsal 5:34
5. Pygmy Twylyte 6:17
Unreleased Track
6. That Arrogant Dick Nixon 2:19
12-12-73 Bolic Studios Recording Session
7. Kung Fu - In Session 4:50
8. Kung Fu - with guitar overdub 1:17
9. Tuning and Studio Chatter 3:38
10. Echidna’s Arf (Of You) - In Session 1:22
11. Don’t Eat The Yellow Snow - In Session 9:49
12. Nanook Rubs It - In Session 5:41
13. St. Alfonzo’s Pancake Breakfast - In Session 2:46
14. Father O’Blivion - In Session 2:31
15. Rollo (Be-Bop Version) 2:36
TT: 70:31

DISC 7
12-8-73 Sound Check/Film Shoot
1. Saturday Show Start 2:20
2. Pygmy Twylyte/Dummy Up* 20:25
3. Pygmy Twylyte - Part II 14:25
4. Echidna’s Arf (Of You) 3:42
5. Don’t You Ever Wash That Thing? 6:01
6. Orgy, Orgy 3:39
7. Penguin In Bondage 6:30
8. T’Mershi Duween 1:53
9. The Dog Breath Variations 1:45
10. Uncle Meat/Show End 4:01
TT: 64:46

Marillion’s landmark 1994 album Brave to be released on 4CD/Blu-ray and 5LP in March
Marillion’s landmark 1994 album Brave is to released as a deluxe reissue later this year.

It’ll be released on 4CD/Blu-ray, 5LP and through digital platforms on March 9 via Rhino Records.

The new package includes the original studio album which has been newly remastered by Steven Wilson, and will include a complete recording of the band’s April 29, 1994, performance from La Cigale in Paris, which has been expanded with nine previously unreleased tracks.

The CD and Blu-ray will feature the original album mix by Dave Meegan alongside the 96/24 audio of Steven Wilson’s remix in stereo and 5.1.

Promo videos for The Great Escape, The Hollow Man and Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury will also be included, along with the documentary It All Began With The Bright Light – Recollections Of Brave.

It features live footage and interviews with the band’s Steve Hogarth, Steve Rothery, Mark Kelly, Pete Trewavas, and Ian Mosley.

The Brave Deluxe Edition will also come with illustrated booklets describing the story behind the sonic experiments that led to the album’s atmospherics.

The live performance from Paris originally featured on Marillion’s 1996 album Made Again, but has been newly mixed by Michael Hunter.

It features bonus tracks Cover My Eyes (Pain and Heaven), Slàinte Mhath, No One Can, Sympathy, Easter, Garden Party, Waiting To Happen, Hooks In You and The Space.

The Brave Deluxe Edition is now available for pre-order. Find the CD/Blu-ray contents below.

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Marillion Brave Deluxe Editon CD/Blu-ray contents
Disc 1: Brave (2018 Steven Wilson Remix)
Bridge
Living With The Big Lie
Runaway
Goodbye To All That/Wave/Mad/The Opium Den/The Slide/Standing In The Swing
Hard As Love
The Hollow Man
Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury”/“Now Wash Your Hands
Paper Lies
Brave
The Great Escape/The Last Of You/Fallin’ From The Moon
Made Again
Disc 2: Brave (Dave Meegan Original Album Mix)
Disc 3: Live At La Cigale (29/4/94) (2018 Michael Hunter Remix)
River
Bridge
Living With The Big Lie
Runaway
Goodbye To All That
Wave
Mad
The Opium Den
The Slide
Standing In The Swing
Hard As Love
The Hollow Man
Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury
Now Wash Your Hands
Paper Lies
Brave
The Great Escape/The Last of You/Fallin’ From the Moon
Made Again
Disc 4: Live At La Cigale (29/4/94) (2018 Michael Hunter Remix)
Cover My Eyes (Pain And Heaven)
Slàinte Mhath
No One Can
Sympathy
Easter
Garden Party
Waiting to Happen
Hooks in You
The Space
Blu-ray disc
Brave (2018 Steven Wilson Remix)
96/24 LPCM Brave Stereo Remix
96/24 LPCM Master Audio 5.1 Mix
96/24 DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 Mix
Documentary: It All Began With The Bright Light - Recollections Of Brave
Promos
The Great Escape
The Hollow Man
Alone Again In The Lap Of Luxury
Bonus Track
The Great Escape (Spiral Remake)

John Mitchell, Pete Trewavas and John Beck team up with Craig Blundell for Kino’s new album Radio Voltaire - the band’s first since 2005’s Picture
Kino have announced that they’ll release their first album in 13 years on March 23.

Titled Radio Voltaire, it’ll launch via InsideOut Music and sees a reunion for It Bites and Frost* vocalist and guitarist John Mitchell, Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas and It Bites’ keyboardist John Beck. They’ll be joined by Frost* drummer Craig Blundell.

It’ll be the band’s first material since 2005’s Picture, which was reissued on vinyl for the first time in November last year.

Mitchell says: “We actually began the writing process in late August. Pete had a few tunes and so did I, and we went from there.”

Beck has recorded the album as a guest musician, with Mitchell adding: “His keyboard playing is splattered throughout the album, and I've also done the odd keyboard part myself.”

Exclusive: Temples On Mars, formerly Agent, release video to celebrate new deal with Primordial Records
Temples On Mars have released a video for their new single titled So In Love With Your Own Drug.

The London-based outfit changed their name from Agent in December, with the track featuring on the band’s as-yet-untitled debut album which is expected to launch in April.

It’ll be released via Primordial Records after Temples On Mars signed a new deal with the label.

Frontman James Donaldson says: “We are extremely excited to be releasing the first Temples On Mars single and accompanying video.

“We are really proud of this track and the video has come together quite nicely as well.

“The song itself alludes to the status of modern society. People are just so absorbed in themselves, the media, getting likes and comments, that they are forgetting how to live, how to interact with each other, and forgetting the basics of what being human is all about.

“Like drugged up zombies sleep walking into extinction. You won't even notice.”

Duo announce they're leaving prog band following pulling out of Cruise To The Edge
Simon Collins and Kelly Nordstrom have announced they have left Sound Of Contact.

In a statement on the band's Facebook page singer/drummer Collins and guitarist Nordstrom state: "Hi all, Simon here. We are very sorry to deliver this news, but Kelly Avril Nordstrom and I have decided to leave Sound Of Contact for reasons we can not share out of respect to the rest of the band. We will be releasing a proper statement from the entire band shortly. We have no words to describe how sorry we are to all our fans. You will hear more from us shortly."

The band have had a troubled history since releasing their debut album Dimensionaut in 2013. First Nordstrom announced he was leaving following the album's release to concentrate on family life, while Kerzner quit to concentrate on his own projects.They both rejoined the band in 2015. Collins was arrested on drug-related charges in 2014, but those charges were later dropped.

The band had been working on a follow-up album, but earlier this month announced they would not be appearing at this year's Cruise To The Edge citing "logistical difficulties beyond our control."

In a Facebook live post earlier this evening keyboard player Dave Kerzner stated "I think we've split up every possible way since the beginning. To be honest with you I'm surprised, well, I'm not surprised because it's obvious we've been having trouble."

Blackberry Smoke will release their 6th studio album Find A Light in April - listen to new track Flesh And Bone
Blackberry Smoke have announced that their sixth studio album will arrive later this year.

It’s titled Find A Light and it’ll be released on April 6 via Earache Records. It features 13 new songs which were written and co-written by vocalist and guitarist Charlie Starr.

He’s joined on the album by bassist Richard Turner, drummer Brit Turner, drummer Paul Jackson and keyboardist Brandon Still. Special guests include Robert Randolph, Amanda Shires and The Wood Brothers.

Starr says: “The new album is a melting pot of Blackberry Smoke music with a wide range of sound and emotion. I think it’s our most inspired work yet.”

To mark the announcement, the Atlanta-based outfit have released the first single from the follow-up to 2016’s Like An Arrow: Flesh And Bone.

Pre-orders for Find A Light are now open, while a signed LP is also available.

Blackberry Smoke are about to embark on a US tour and also have dates planned in Mexico and will play at this year’s Ramblin’ Man Fair in the UK.

Find a list of their tour dates below, along with the Find A Light cover art and tracklist.

Blackberry Smoke Find A Light tracklist
Flesh And Bone
Run Away From It All
The Crooked Kind
Medicate My Mind
I’ve Got This Song
Best Seat In The House
I’ll Keep Ramblin’ (feat. Robert Randolph)
Seems So Far
Lord Strike Me Dead
Let Me Down Easy (feat. Amanda Shires)
Nobody Gives A Damn
Till The Wheels Fall Off
Mother Mountain (feat. The Wood Bros)
TOUR DATES

Arizona thrash metal veterans SACRED REICH have signed with Metal Blade Records. They are writing material for what will be their sixth album and first since 1996's "Heal" for a tentative early 2019 release.

Since its 1985 inception, SACRED REICH has become one of the most revered thrash bands and has continued to carry the torch with European tours, festival appearances, its first U.S. tour in over 20 years, plus its 2012 "Live At Wacken" album. Given SACRED REICH's politically conscious material, today's divisive climate means the band's views are more relevant and vital than ever.

SACRED REICH vocalist and bassist Phil Rind comments: "We are very happy to announce that SACRED REICH have signed with Metal Blade Records and we are writing songs for a new album. Our plan is to go into the studio this summer and have a new record out early next year. We are super excited and can't wait to share some new music with you!"

SACRED REICH recently parted ways with drummer Greg Hall. A replacement drummer has not yet been announced.

One of the founding members of SACRED REICH, Hall was in the band from its formation in 1985 until his initial exit in 1991. He was replaced by drummer Dave McClain for the last two SACRED REICH studio albums, 1993's "Independent" and the aforementioned "Heal", before Greg rejoined the band for 1997's live album "Still Ignorant".

SACRED REICH broke up in 2000 and remained inactive until 2006 when they received offers to perform at European festivals. The have been playing sporadic shows ever since.

Photo credit: Dima James

On September 7, 1968, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant first took the stage together in Gladsaxe, Denmark. Then billed as THE NEW YARDBIRDS, the band would assemble in the studio for the first time later that month to start recording their debut album as LED ZEPPELIN, and rock 'n' roll would never be the same again. Before the band's 50th-anniversary celebration officially begins in September, LED ZEPPELIN will continue its reissue campaign with a new edition of their celebrated live album "How The West Was Won", originally released in 2003, featuring newly remastered audio, which was done under the supervision of Jimmy Page. Details of additional LED ZEPPELIN 50th-anniversary releases and events will be announced later this year.

"How The West Was Won" will be released on March 23 in multiple formats from Atlantic/Swan Song, including the first ever vinyl and Blu-ray Audio editions (with the Blu-ray containing hi-res 5.1 surround sound).

* CD - Remastered audio on three CDs
* Vinyl - Remastered audio on four 180-gram vinyl LPs.
* Blu-Ray Audio - 96kHz/24 bit 5.1 (DTS-HD Master Audio Surround) and stereo mixes (PCM Stereo and DTS-HD Master Audio Stereo).
* Streaming and Digital Download – Remastered audio.
* Super Deluxe Boxed Set
- Remastered audio on three CDs and four 180-gram vinyl LPs.
- DVD of album in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and PCM Stereo, plus photo gallery.
- High-def download card of all stereo audio content at 96kHz/24 bit.
- A book filled with rare and previously unpublished photos of the band at each of the concert locations, plus memorabilia and ephemera.
- High-quality print of the original album cover, the first 30,000 of which will be individually numbered.

"How The West Was Won" highlights the best performances from LED ZEPPELIN's legendary concerts at the Los Angeles Forum and Long Beach Arena on June 25 and 27, 1972. Melded together and sequenced to replicate a single concert from beginning to end, the three-CD and four-LP collections capture the band at the height of its formidable powers. Standouts include a 25-plus-minute version of "Dazed And Confused" and a 21-minute medley based around "Whole Lotta Love". The performances also capture the band introducing songs from its then-unreleased album "Houses Of The Holy", which would arrive nine months later.

German metallers CREMATORY will release their new album, "Oblivion", on April 13.

Like all great rock bands, CREMATORY has based its success on the creativity of a well-rehearsed songwriting team. With Germany's leading gothic metal act, it's drummer Markus Jüllich in collaboration with the producer of each individual album that's kept the group's compositions on course for more than 25 years. At the same time, Markus Jüllich has enough experience to know that the band's evolvement depends on fresh ideas and new influences. So, by enlisting guitarists Tosse Basler and Rolf Munkes and, soon after, bassist Jason Mathias he has ensured that the band has remained contemporary and diverse ever since their 2016 release "Monument", reaping the fruits his efforts on "Oblivion".

"In particular, the sound and the selection of songs reflect the impact our three new band members have had," comments Markus Jüllich. "Tosse is a fantastic rhythm guitarist who adds even more diversity to the material with his clean vocals, and our lead guitarist Rolf enhances the record with his solos. Jason has added lots of drive to the deep frequencies, which is why we've consciously opted for a loud mix of the bass parts."

Along with Markus's wife Katrin (keyboards and samples) and vocalist Felix Stass, the three new additions are important factors that ensure that CREMATORY find themselves in a contemporary and forward-looking position in 2018.

In fact, the band went one step further on "Oblivion": while Markus Jüllich and producer Kristian Bonifer were busy working on the basics of their new recording at the Kohlekellerstudio, Stefan Glass, Dirk Riegner and Walter Stobbe were asked to contribute additional input to the creative process.

"Dirk comes from the indie genre and helped to add an important new nuance to the characteristic CREMATORY approach," Markus Jüllich explains. "Stefan Glass is a specialist for orchestral arrangements and Walter Stobbe is a real riff virtuoso on the guitar." The result is thoroughly compelling as well as ingenious. CREMATORY's unmistakable style manifests itself on programmatic numbers such as "Ghost Of The Past" and "Revenge Is Mine", but also on the anthemnic "Wrong Side" and the melancholy title track. The Stefan Glass-inspired orchestral arrangements can be heard on the dark opener "Salvation" as well as on "Until The Dawn", "Blessed" and "For All Of Us". Walter Stobbe's penchant for heavy metal features on "Cemetary Stillness" and on the album's impressive finale, "Demon Inside".

CREMATORY has rarely sounded as multi-faceted and timeless as on "Oblivion". The group's classic trademarks, such as Felix Stass's deep growls, are still present, at the same time new influences emphasise their great commercial potential. Markus Jüllich says: "So far we've had a special motto to set the direction of each of our albums, but 'Oblivion' simply combines all our strengths and experience. Over the years we've learned to blend different styles into the typical CREMATORY sound without ever losing sight of the importance of playing in a way that benefits our music. The motto 'less is more' applies to our compositions 100 percent. CREMATORY songs never lose themselves in exaggerated effects but always go the whole hog. That's partly due to the fact that we've remained very much down to earth."

Which is exactly what CREMATORY's countless fans will be able to witness when the band embarks on its 15-show tour of Germany at the end of April 2018. As Markus Jüllich aptly puts it: "Even if we know exactly what matters when you tour, we want to learn something new with every new concert."

"Oblivion" track listing:

01. Expectation (1:27)
02. Salvation (4:36)
03. Ghost Of The Past (3:59)
04. Until The Dawn (4:36)
05. Revenge Is Mine (4:50)
06. Wrong Side (4:12)
07. Stay With Me (4:13)
08. For All Of Us (4:06)
09. Immortal (3:32)
10. Oblivion (4:52)
11. Cemetary Stillness (4:50)
12. Blessed (4:02)
13. Demon Inside (4:06)

CREMATORY lineup:

Felix Stass - vocals
Rolf Munkes - guitar
Tosse Basler - guitar
Jason Mathias - bass
Markus Jüllich - drums
Katrin Jüllich - keyboards

The first part of a new video documentary "featuring "tons of footage and information" about LEAVES' EYES new album, "Sign Of The Dragonhead", can be seen below.

Released on January 12 via AFM Records, the disc was produced by Alexander Krull at Mastersound Studio and it features cover artwork by Stefan Heilemann (LINDEMANN, EPICA, KAMELOT).

"Sign Of The Dragonhead" is the first full LEAVES' EYES album featuring singer Elina Siirala, who joined the band in early 2016 following an acrimonious split with the group's original frontwoman, Liv Kristine. Liv was previously married to LEAVES' EYES' co-vocalist Alexander Krull.

On "Sign Of The Dragonhead", the chronicles of the Vikings is continued and reveals that the band have honed their strengths even further. At the same time, musical surprises have raised their sound to a new level. The title track is a raw number featuring martial choirs and forges a sonic arch to "King Of Kings", continuing the adventurous journey of King Harald I. Frontman Alexander Krull and virtuoso guitarist Thorsten Bauer prove to be ingenious masters when it comes to composing haunting metal hits. Every track has the musicians upping the creative ante, revealing an impressive amount of diversity without neglecting their trademark sound elements. "Across The Sea" evolves into a metal shanty with an irresistible rhythm, bound to be a definite neckbreaker. "Like A Mountain" sets to music a tragic Icelandic love saga and surprises as a bass-heavy goth rock track. An emotional song with plenty of tough elements which allows Elina to reveal the full range of her vocal skills. Confident and autonomous, her classically trained voice takes possession of the songs — gentle at times, powerful at others — lending a highly individual note to her interaction with Alex's growls.

LEAVES' EYES has succeeded in creating compositionally complex yet tangible tracks. Perfectly coordinated instrumentation — never top-heavy, always unconventional. Medieval nyckelharpas, fiddles, uilleann pipes and whistles blend naturally with the metal guise, creating catchy songs such as "Shadows In The Night" and "Völva", which whisks its listeners away to the mythical world of the seeresses and sorceresses of the Northern countries. Nobody expected a song like "Riders On The Wind", which has classic heavy metal and Celtic folk clash to create an acoustic Viking party. These musicians' deep affinity with the Viking era is revealed on "Jomsborg" about the legendary fortress and its Baltic Viking army, where in fact Alex's ancestors hail from.

"Sign Of The Dragonhead" track listing:

01. Sign Of The Dragonhead
02. Across The Sea
03. Like A Mountain
04. Jomsborg
05. Völva
06. Riders On The Wind
07. Fairer Than The Sun
08. Shadows In The Night
09. Rulers Of Wind And Waves
10. Fires In The North
11. Waves Of Euphoria

LEAVES' EYES and Kristine have offered different accounts of the circumstances behind their breakup, with LEAVES' EYES claiming the decision to part ways was amicably made in January 2016 and Liv saying she was dismissed from the group in April 2016.

LEAVES' EYES is:

Elina Siirala - vocals
Alexander Krull - vocals
Thorsten Bauer - guitar
Pete Streit - guitar
Joris Nijenhuis - drums

GRETA VAN FLEET will kick off its 2018 tour schedule at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on Friday, April 13. The band's itinerary will include a slew of other major outdoor music festivals as well as headline dates that will see them playing to larger-capacity venues and multiple nights in some cities. Five of the dates — Houston, Dallas, Nashville and two nights in Detroit — went on sale last week and all sold out in under 15 minutes. Tickets for GRETA VAN FLEET's headline dates for this leg go on sale to the public this Friday, January 26; log on to www.gretavanfleet.com for all ticket purchasing info.

"We love making music and we love playing shows, but we never expected anything like the attention we've been getting," said bassist Sam Kiszka. "We are truly humbled by the response we've gotten, and are very excited to get back on the road and play for our fans."

Prior to the tour, the Frankenmuth, Michigan-based GRETA VAN FLEET — 21-year old vocalist Josh Kiszka, brothers Jake (guitar, also 21) and Sam (bass, keys, 18), and longtime family friend Danny Wagner (drums, also 18) — is spending January and February recording its debut full-length album, anticipated to be released late spring/early summer (Lava/Republic). The album will be recorded in Nashville and Detroit and produced by Al Sutton and Marlon Young, the duo that helmed the band's critically acclaimed, chart-topping/breakout EP "Black Smoke Rising" and the follow-up "From The Fires" double EP. For the album, the band has an archive of songs written over the past few years as well as brand new material penned late last year when they spent a week in the Tennessee woods.

"Each of us has his own set of influences so that brings a great diversity to the music we make," said Jake. "Every one of our songs has its own unique complexities and we'd like for the full album to showcase that diversity, let people see what we can really do."

GRETA VAN FLEET rocketed to the top of the rock radio charts last year with "Highway Tune". The track is taken from the quartet's debut EP, "Black Smoke Rising", which came out last April. Their latest single is "Safari Song".

Photo credit: Christopher Bjornberg

German thrash metal legends, Accuser, will release their new album, The Mastery, this Friday (January 26th) via Metal Blade Records. Pre-order the album here, and find a video for the track "Catacombs" below.

The band comments on the new video: "'Catacombs' describes the attempt to escape a psychological dead end. Imprinting, education and religion are the possible causes of this dark aberration, so the lyrics of this tune are quite gloomy and kinda fit into the present time where a lot of people have to deal with depression, fear or mental problems. Musically, 'Catacombs' is a classical Accuser thrash anthem with taughtly riffs, a chorus you can scream your lungs out to and some really intense solos."

Accuser has been in a constant songwriting mode all over the past year. Combined with the energy and spontaneity from several live shows, the songs came together very quickly. Together with long time producer Martin Buchwalter, they put together the record in the summer of 2017 at well known Gernhart Studio (Destruction, Tankard and many more).

For the band, The Mastery is some kind of missing link between the technical virtuosity of an album like Who Dominates Who and the more basic, heavy approach of Repent. The Mastery contains all of the elements that define the Accuser sound: heavy, chunky thrash riffs, aggressive vocals with a touch of melody - in addition to the high class guitar solos by youngster Dennis Rybakowski. When it comes to the lyrical side of their songs, Accuser still raises their voices to denounce social grievances.

Tracklisting:

"Mission: Missile"
"The Real World"
"Solace In Sorrow"
"Time For Silence"
"My Skin"
"Catacombs"
"Mourning"
"Ruthless"
"Into The Black"
"The Mastery"

"Time For Silence" lyric video:

"Mission: Missile" lyric video:

San Diego-based trio Earthless return with the full-length album Black Heaven on March 16th via Nuclear Blast. A third album trailer can be seen below:

Black Heaven was recorded at Rancho de la Luna in Joshua Tree, CA with Dave Catching (Eagles Of Death Metal) handling production. Pre-order bundles, with digital releases offering an instant download of "Gifted By The Wind", are available here.

Black Heaven tracklisting:

"Gifted By The Wind"
"End To End"
"Electric Flame"
"Volt Rush"
"Black Heaven"
"Sudden End"

"Gifted By The Wind" visualizer:

(Photo: Ed Dominick)

The cover artwork for "Big Tings", the new album from the Welsh "ragga metal" band SKINDRED, can be seen below. The disc will be released on April 27 via Napalm Records. A single, "Machine", will precede the full-length effort, featuring vocals by REEF frontman Gary Stringer and guitar by Phil Campbell of MOTÖRHEAD. The track was previously used as both the intro and outro theme to AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson's TV show "Cars That Rock".

Behind-the-scenes studio footage from the "Big Tings" recording sessions at Peter Gabriel's Real World studio in the village of Box, Wiltshire, England, can be seen below.

SKINDRED, along with producer James Loughrey and engineer Lee Slater, are putting the finishing touches on what will be the band's seventh studio album and could not be more excited about it.

Says SKINDRED guitarist Mikey Demus: "The name hopefully says it all. You can expect some seriously 'Big Tings' from SKINDRED on our next record. We've thrown away the rulebook and pushed ourselves harder than ever to create the biggest, baddest, and most banging songs we could muster. We can't wait to start unleashing this new stuff on the world, so prepare yourselves for some 'Big Tings'!"

Roaring and pounding, the follow-up to 2015's "Volume" is a magnificent beast churning out heavy, distortion-laden riff punches melting into vocalist Benji Webbe's frenzied rapping. Explosive metal and punk material rubs shoulders with smooth melodies — and, of course, SKINDRED wouldn't leave us on the dancefloor without a hefty helping of their trademark Godzilla-esquely huge choruses. Big songs, big sound, big tings!

SKINDRED will embark on a full U.K. tour in April with special guests CKY.

Benji revealed last year that he was working Campbell on the MOTÖRHEAD guitarist's upcoming solo album.

BraveWords is premiering the latest video from Madame Mayhem for the "War You Started", taken from the band's latest album, Ready For Me.

Madame Mayhem comments on the song and video: “'War You Started' is the first track on the album Ready For Me. It's also one of my favorites to kick off our sets with since it's hard hitting, high energy and gets not only the crowd moving, but us moving and excited as well.

The song was written by myself (Madame Mayhem), Corey Lowery (who also produced the album) , and Clint Lowery (Sevendust).

The 'War You Started' music video is different from my others. It's the first music video I have shot with my touring band. We had so much fun during the video shoot. We actually made the video in Atlanta right between our US and UK/Eruopean tours. The music video was directed and edited by guitarist Gogi Randhawa. It was cool to have a band member direct and be in the video at the same time. I am so happy with how it came out and thrilled that viewers can see the energy myself and the band put into performing.”

Ready For Me (via Metalville label in the UK and Europe, and HeadBall Records in the US)  features a powerhouse team of rock talent, including producer Corey Lowery (Saint Asonia), Clint Lowery (Sevendust), Troy McLawhorn (Evanescence), and both Bevan Davies and Ryan Bennett (Madame Mayhem) on drums.

Ready For Me tracklisting:

“War You Started”
“Wake Up (Enemy)”
“Hurt Me”
“Innocent”
“All Around The World”
“Number One”
“Stand Up”
“Say Go”
“Before You Burn”
“Original”
“Slow It Down”
“So Wrong (Lay You To Rest)”
“Ready For Me”

"All Around The World" video:

Trailer:

Texas based melodic power metal band Millennial Reign announce the departure of former vocalist, James Guest. "James owns a commercial construction business and spends many hours a week on the road. There simply wasn't enough time to continue writing and recording vocals, plus touring shows. We wish him much success with his business," says the band.

Not wasting any time, Millennial Reign have welcomed a brand new vocalist to their ranks. Travis Wills, who has a long standing history in the Dallas / Fort Worth metal scene and is best known for his latest project Infidel Rising.

Travis had the following to say: "I'm very happy to be working with Millennial Reign and the Ulterium record label. It began with colaborating on keyboard tracks for the new album. When James decided to leave, they asked if I was interested in doing vocals and of course I said yes. It's a privilidge to work with such a great group of guys I've known well over ten years."

Millennial Reign issued the following statement: "We are extremely happy to have Travis come on board. His vocal style and writing fits the new material perfectly. We look forward to seeing you all on the road in 2018."

Catch Millennial Reign live at the following shows:

March
10 - BFE Rock Club - Houston, TX
16 - Renos Chop Shop - Dallas, TX

June
1 - Gas Monkey Live - Dallas, TX (with Stryper)
18 - Trees - Dallas, TX (with Hammerfall)

 

On March 9th, Twitching Tongues will release their new album, Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, the video for the new single "Harakiri" (directed by David Brodsk) can be viewed below.

The title for Twitching Tongues' fourth full-length, Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred, was drawn from a quote by famed social philosopher Eric Hoffer - "Passionate hatred can give meaning and purpose to an empty life" - and it reflects the band's mentality in approaching the record: paying homage to those who supported them while belligerently responding to their detractors. With "failure" as a core theme driving Colin Young's lyrics, it also features his first foray into the political arena, motivated by the contemporary political climate to speak his mind. Directly inspired by film scores, the record has a strong epic feel, the band realizing their vision of having the music flow like a story being told. With interconnected parts, musical references and callbacks in each song, everything is tied together in a manner unlike any of their previous releases. At the same time, while maintaining the same levels of hardness and aggression that has characterized their later work, it features much more immediate and memorable melodies, which evoke the sound of In Love There Is No Law yet at the same time feel fresh and new.

The record is available for pre-order here. in the following formats:

- CD
- Ultra clear vinyl + download card (limited to 500 copies - USA exclusive)
- Metallic gold/black split vinyl + download card (limited to 250 copies - USA exclusive)
- Metallica gold w/ black smoke vinyl + download card (limited to 250 copies - USA exclusive)
- Ultra clear w/ black smoke and metallic gold splatter vinyl + download card (limited to 500 copies via Closed Casket)
- Black w/ bronze splatter vinyl + download card (limited to 300 copies - EU exclusive)
- Beer inside grey split vinyl + download card (limited to 200 copies - EU exclusive)

* exclusive bundles with a shirt, plus digital options are also available

Gaining Purpose Through Passionate Hatred tracklisting:

"AWOL (State Of The Union)"
"Harakiri"
"Kill For You"
"T.F.R."
"Forgive & Remember"
"Gaining Purpose"
"Long Gone"
"The Sound Of Pain"
"Defection (Union Of The State)"

"Harakiri" video:

Twitching Tongues lineup:

Colin Young - Vocals
Taylor Young - Guitar/Vocals
Sean Martin - Guitar
Alec Faber - Bass
Cayle Sain - Drums