KISS co-founder and frontman, best-selling author and Rock And Roll Hall Of Famer Paul Stanley has spent the last few years developing a project close to his heart. SOUL STATION is a band gathering some of today's leading musicians to pay tribute to the greatest artists and songs from the R&B and soul catalog to keep this vital music current. While a surprise to many, Stanley's early pivotal roots in this music has quietly turned this passion into a celebrated touring and recording band. Stanley's 15-piece ensemble group has toured the U.S. and Japan, and recently recorded an album of nine classic soul songs and five new original songs. "Now And Then" will be released March 5 on Universal Music Enterprises. The first single, "O-O-H Child" (THE FIVE STAIRSTEPS), can be streamed below.

Speaking about the new music, Stanley said: "Between us doing some great SOUL STATION shows and starting the album, I started to think that neither the band or the music we love should depend only on the past so I started writing with the goal of seamlessly taking songs into the present. From what a lot of people I respect have told me, that mission was accomplished."

When Stanley conceived SOUL STATION, the group excelled in the live venue setting, playing smaller, intimate clubs — a setting where Paul Stanley would reflect on those classic hits that were his early inspiration, playing the songs with a reverence and respect for how he and the band believe they should be performed and heard.

"Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more," he said. "I was lucky to see Otis Redding and Solomon Burke among others. That music and its storytelling gave me strength and hope even in some tough days. The great classics of that era are magical medicine for most and I felt myself drawn back to that era for some sorcery I think we could all use."

Stanley's bandmembers include Rafael "Hoffa" Moreira (guitar and backing vocals), Sean Hurley (bass), Alex Alessandroni (musical director, keyboards), Ely Rise (keyboards), Eric Singer (drums and backing vocals), RayYslas (percussion), Gavyn Rhone (backing vocals), Crystal Starr (backing vocals) and Laurhan Beato (backing vocals) and Jon Pappenbrook (lead trumpet).

The band is augmented by three string players and two horn players of the same stature enabling SOUL STATION's wall of sound to be firmly rooted in the past while staking claim to both the present and future.

"Now And Then" track listing:

01. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love

02. I Do

03. I, Oh I

04. Ooo Baby Baby

05. O-O-H Child

06. Save Me (From You)

07. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)

08. Whenever You're Ready (I'm Here)

09. The Tracks Of My Tears

10. Let's Stay Together

11. La-La – Means I Love You

12. Lorelei

13. You Are Everything

14. Baby I Need Your Loving

Speaking about how the idea for SOUL STATION came about, Paul told Scott Lipps: "I was really lucky, because, before I ever saw [LED] ZEPPELIN or any of the British bands that I grew to love, or the blues bands that I saw, I saw Otis Redding as a kid, I saw Solomon Burke and THE TEMPTATIONS. So that really is the core of what I do. It's not all that I do, but it's in there, and it always has been. SMOKEY [ROBINSON] AND THE MIRACLES; early Stevie Wonder; Philly soul; Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, all the things that they produced — Thom Bell. So you have THE DELFONICS, STYLISTICS, BLUE MAGIC, THE TEMPS, FOUR TOPS, and on and on. So, for me, that music, unfortunately, has been relegated to becoming samples in somebody's rap songs. Those songs deserve so much more, not only respect, but to be listened to, because when we play those songs live, everybody's faces light up, because they're just great, great songs.

"SOUL STATION is 15 people, and everybody's played with everyone from Smokey to Stevie Wonder to Natalie Cole to TEMPTATIONS, Whitney Houston, and on and on and on," Stanley continued. "And it really is like a family. We hang out at my house and have a great time. But what really bonded us together was this love of that music and wanting to recreate it accurately, respectfully. Even some of those bands, when they wound up playing live, did these uptempo, kind of soulless versions of their own songs. And we're playing those songs the way they're supposed to be, and it's glorious.

"Look, I started doing it selfishly, 'cause I love that music, and to have it surrounding me, and to get to sing those songs, is crazy. And then to also write some new tunes that really marry so well to the old tunes is like writing another page.

"Will it surprise some people? Yeah," Paul added. "But, honestly, I'm not… Somebody said, 'Oh, you're reinventing yourself.' I'm not the champion of blues rock or hard rock or metal or this. I did 'Phantom Of The Opera'. I'm a singer, and I choose to sing whatever I choose to sing at any given time. So, really, honestly, it's as natural for me to sing Philly soul as it is to sing rock. It's just I haven't done it publicly."

Last May, Stanley released a cover version of Smokey Robinson's classic song "Ooo Baby Baby", recorded by SOUL STATION. In a statement accompanying the clip, Stanley said: "These are challenging times. Long before I ever heard the great British bands, I grew up listening to Philly Soul, Motown and so much more. I was lucky to see Otis Redding and Solomon Burke among others. That music and its storytelling gave me strength and hope even in some tough days. The great classics of that era are magical medicine for most and I felt myself drawn back to that era for some sorcery I think we could all use."

He added: "While it's hard to connect physically, some of SOUL STATION decided to reach out and make a virtual and emotional connection on a great Motown and Smokey Robinson classic, Ooo Baby Baby."

In 2019, Stanley told the Real Radio 104.1 radio station that he wanted to wait for the right time to release the SOUL STATION LP. "It really deserves full attention and my full commitment," he explained. "So until we can do great live performances — the band is amazing live — and until we can promote it the way we should, it's just going to simmer."

Asked if he gets any hate from KISS fans for making an album that is stylistically far removed from the music his main band is best known for producing, Stanley said: "I'm sure there are some people who'd rather me doing a KISS album or something like that, but when you sign on with me, you understand that we're both in this together, and sometimes I have to do what I need to do. And that's part of the joy and the reward for me. So I would rather do a great SOUL STATION album right now than tamper with KISS or the KISS legacy and do something that I'm really not feeling at the moment."

When one finds themselves at the proverbial crossroads - face to face with the Devil himself - who wouldn’t choose the left hand path? Honestly, evil is too enticing, too strong, and Hell has the best music anyway. Hailing from Portland, Oregon, heavy metal mongrels Bewitcher made their pact with Lucifer years ago, and have been walking the dark path ever since.

The band has just shared the new song "Satanic Magick Attack" from their upcoming third studio album, Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, which arrives April 16 via Century Media.

Vocalist and guitarist M. von Bewitcher comments, "The devil's rock 'n' roll is alive and well, its flames kept burning bright by its devoted legions. The battle lines are drawn, the declarations have been made. When the shock troops of hell finally charge over the top, there will be no escaping the attack!"

Recorded at The Captain’s Quarters in Ventura, California by Armand John Anthony (Night Demon), and mixed by Cameron Webb (Motörhead, Megadeth), Cursed Be Thy Kingdom is a powerhouse, heavy-metal-rock-’n'-roll record forged in the white hot fires of Hell.

Rock ’n' roll is the Devil’s music, and through Cursed Be Thy Kingdom, Bewitcher invites you to join them at the crossroads, drink from the chalice of rock ’n' roll, then ritualistically sell your soul to the dark lord himself. M. von Bewitcher puts it best, “The Devil is always ready to make the deal…”

Lineup:

M. von Bewitcher - vox & guitars
A. Magus - bass guitar & backing vox
A. Hunter - drums & percussion

(Photo - Tim Keenan Burgess)

Foo Fighters performed their new single, “Waiting On A War”, last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Check out the performance below:

“Waiting On A War” is featured on the band's new album, Medicine At Midnight, out February 5. The album is produced by Greg Kurstin and Foo Fighters, engineered by Darrell Thorp and mixed by Mark “Spike” Stent, and packs the following nine songs into a tight-ass 37 minutes.

Tracklisting:

“Making A Fire”
“Shame Shame”
“Cloudspotter”
“Waiting On A War”
“Medicine At Midnight”
“No Son Of Mine”
“Holding Poison”
“Chasing Birds”
“Love Dies Young”

"Waiting On A War" visualizer:

“No Son Of Mine”:

"Shame Shame" video:

Swedish heavy metal commando, Enforcer, presents its second live album, Live By Fire II, which will be released through Nuclear Blast Records on March 19. Today, the band release a live video for the first single "From Beyond". Watch below.

Olof Wikstrand comments: ”'From Beyond' has since the release of that album almost become a live favorite both for the band and the audience - and of course this will be our first preview from our new concert video! Just watch the cross reaction on this video!”

Live By Fire II offers an intense and passionate performance captured in front of a truly dedicated and wild audience in Mexico City, 2019. Live By Fire II lets you experience ENFORCER at the top of their game and marks an outstanding live record documenting the group’s steady path to global recognition in recent years. It also serves as a stunning reminder of how many heavy metal anthems ENFORCER have crafted on their total of five studio albums so far! From the speed metal attack of "Destroyer." "Searching For You," "Midnight Vice" to perfect sing-alongs like "From Beyond," "One Thousand Years In Darkness." and "Take Me Out Of This Nightmare," the enthusiastic crowd and powerful sound of Live By Fire II result in a captivating and extremely entertaining listen.

Physical formats of the release will be including extensive booklets containing a tour program, liner notes and tons of photos compiled and designed by vocalist/guitarist Olof Wikstrand recapturing ENFORCER’s touring cycle for the albums From Beyond and Zenith during the years 2015-2020. Live By Fire II will be released as Gatefold 2LP with 16-LP sized booklet, CD with 28-page booklet, and digital album.

Pre-order the album in the format of your choice, here.

Tracklisting:

"Die For The Devil"      
"Searching For You"     
"Undying Evil "  
"From Beyond"
"Bells Of Hades" + "Death Rides This Night"        
"Zenith Of The Black Sun"        
"Live For The Night"     
"Mesmerized By Fire"  
"One Thousand Years Of Darkness"  
Guitar Solo + City Lights Jam
"Scream Of The Savage"          
Drum Solo      
"Run For Your Life"       
"Take Me Out Of This Nightmare"       
"Destroyer"       
"Katana"           
"Midnight Vice"

"From Beyond" live video:

Lineup:

Olof Wikstrand - vocals, guitars
Jonas Wikstrand - drums, piano & keyboards
Tobias Lindqvist - bass
Jonathan Nordwall - guitars

In a brief statement today, British guitar legend Jeff Beck took time to remember his former bandmate and friend, Tim Bogert upon learning of his death from cancer.

"Sad to hear the news about Tim’s passing. We shared some good times together on stage and thankfully our mutual work will stand the test of time. His style was totally unique and was never properly recognized. Miss you man... Jeff Beck."

Acclaimed bassist and rock musician Tim Bogert died on Wednesday, January 13, after a long and valiant battle with cancer. He was 76 years old.

A founding member of three successful bands, Bogert is best known for his innovative bass playing and vocals in Vanilla Fudge, Cactus and the supergroup: Beck Bogert & Appice, which also included Jeff Beck and Carmine Appice.

An award winning musician, Bogert was widely regarded as one of the most influential bass players on the contemporary music scene. A celebration of Bogert’s life is being planned for later in the year.

In a new interview with New York's Q104.3 radio station, former VAN HALEN members Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony were asked if there any plans to organize a tribute show in honor of their longtime bandmate, VAN HALEN guitarist Eddie Van Halen, who died last October. Sammy responded (see video below): "It's gotta happen. Of course it's gonna happen. No one's really connected all the dots with everyone involved, but I have been told, and I have read interviews with various people involved — with Wolfie [Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen] and Valerie [Bertinelli, Eddie's ex-wife] and Eddie's wife [Janie] that he was married to at the time — they all said as soon as this is over, we're gonna get everybody together and do a tribute or whatever; just a 'thank you,' a goodbye, a send-off. And that's an absolute must. I don't care if it takes 10 years — that will happen. And if we're available to do it, we'll do it." Michael added: "We've got to celebrate the music — so much good music."

Last November, Wolfgang told Entertainment Tonight that he and his family may eventually stage a tribute show in honor of his father, with proceeds going toward Eddie's favorite charity, Mr. Holland's Opus, which helps underprivileged students access musical instruments. Proceeds from the debut solo single from Wolfgang's solo band MAMMOTH WVH, "Distance", are also benefiting Mr. Holland's Opus.

During the same chat, Wolfgang once again shot down a rumor that a new version of VAN HALEN could be assembled featuring him on guitar in place of his late father. In October, a rumor started to make the rounds via a Wolfgang Van Halen private group on Facebook that the VAN HALEN "camp" was discussing the possibility of the band carrying with a revamped lineup that would consist of Hagar on vocals, Anthony on bass, Alex Van Halen on drums and Wolfgang on guitar. Furthermore, it was suggested that Eddie Van Halen told his son and brother "I give you my blessing" with regard to the prospect of VAN HALEN continuing without him.

"No way. That'll never happen," Wolfgang told Entertainment Tonight. "I think a message to the VAN HALEN fans [would be that] some things just really suck. I don't have a dad anymore and I have to figure out how to process that and deal with it. And, that's the process that VAN HALEN fans need to go through and realize that you can't have the band anymore without Eddie Van Halen. The music will live on forever, but you can't have [the band] without him. Impossible.

"My dad would probably be really pissed off at me if I [tried to take his place,]" Wolfgang added. "He'd probably be, like, 'What are you doing playing my stuff? Go do your stuff.' He would've been really upset, like, 'You have all this music you're sitting on. Why wouldn't you go forward with that?'"

Hagar replaced David Lee Roth in VAN HALEN in 1985 and recorded four studio albums with the band — "5150", "OU812", "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" and "Balance" — all of which topped the U.S. chart.

Sammy, Eddie, Alex and Michael last teamed up in 2004 for a U.S. summer tour. In exchange for taking part in the tour, Anthony reportedly had to agree to take a pay cut and sign away his rights to the band name and logo.

In early 2019, rumors were rampant that the classic-era lineup of VAN HALEN would reunite for the first time since 1984. It has since been revealed that a health setback involving Eddie was responsible for the tour not materializing.

Eddie died at St. John's Hospital in Santa Monica, California.

The iconic VAN HALEN axeman passed away from complications due to cancer, his son confirmed.

Hagar and Anthony are currently members of SAMMY HAGAR & THE CIRCLE which released its massively popular "Lockdown Sessions" as an album collection titled "Lockdown 2020" on January 8.

Death SS, the Italian pioneers of horror rock / metal, teamed up with Skol Records, will reissue their classic early recordings in the form of four double CD albums. The limited edition series will include the following releases: 

- The Story Of Death SS 1977-1984 coupled with The Horned God Of The Witches (both recorded by the first line up of the band) 

- In Death Of Steve Sylvester coupled with Black Mass (both recorded by the second line up of the band) 

- Heavy Demons coupled with The Cursed Concert (both recorded by the third line up of the band) 

Fourth in the series will be a double disc collection of all the original single and EP releases that Death SS published in the '80s and '90s. All the recordings will be mastered from the original sources by Bart Gabriel (Cirith Ungol, Pagan Altar, Sortilege).  

More release details will be available soon.

Death SS was founded in 1977 by Steve Sylvester, with the aim of forming a group that encompasses all its particular interests for occultism, horror films, erotic comics and rock music, in an original way. The singer, then just a teenager, decided to apply the concept of "glamor" with a strong visual characterization to five characters inspired by stories of terror: the Vampire (the singer), the Mummy (the bass player), the Werewolf (the drummer) , the Zombie (the guitar player) and the Phantom Of The Opera (the keyboard player). 

Death SS literally means "in Death of Steve Sylvester" - name chosen to mean the symbolic deathof the human state of Steve Sylvester (SS) and its rebirth from the beginning under the light of the Occult, without any political reference. Immediately considered a cult band for their shocking and theatrical live shows, they have influenced generations of other bands all over the world, being in fact to be considered as the progenitors of Black Metal, even if musically their formula has always been marked from a constant stylistic evolution record after record.
 
Their most recent studio album, Rock 'N' Roll Armageddon, was released in 2018. Last year, Italian label Black Widow Records released a triple CD compilation entitled Terror Tales - A Tribute To Death SS, that includes Death SS classics performed by bands such as Watain, Sigh and Bulldozer.

For more information follow Death SS via Facebook here.




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British heavy metal legends SAXON will release a covers album, "Inspirations", on March 19 via Silver Lining Music. The 11-track effort contains some of the superb classic rock songs that influenced Biff Byford and the rest of the band. The LP's second single, a cover of "Speed King", DEEP PURPLE's classic tune from the 1970 album "Deep Purple In Rock", can be streamed below.

"Without 'Speed King', there would be no 'Motorcycle Man'," Byford said when explaining the importance of the song on SAXON's early career ascendance. "I love the attitude, energy and driving speed of this song, not to mention those screaming vocals. I'd never sung it before, and I had great fun with it."

"Inspirations" was recorded at Brockfield Hall, near York in the U.K., which was built in 1804 and holds the largest collection of paintings by Yorkshire's impressionist artists — the Staithes Group. For Byford, recording "Inspirations" all together within such a rich historical environment was a major ingredient of the project. "The warmth and feel of 'Inspirations' had so much to do with being together in this magnificent place and doing it 'old-school' style," Byford explained. "This is how many bands back in the day —including some of the ones covered here — made such great albums, so it just felt really good to be able to do this somewhere like Brockfield Hall."

From the super-charged melodic romp of THE BEATLES' "Paperback Writer" to their freeway mad take on Jimi Hendrix's "Stone Free", SAXON show their love and appreciation with a series of faithful, raw and ready tributes. Maintaining a firm eye on the old-school way using Marshall cabs, Marshall amps, real drums and produced by Byford with Jacky Lehmann recording and mixing, SAXON approach the likes of MOTÖRHEAD's "Bomber" (with added whistle!), AC/DC's "Problem Child", BLACK SABBATH's "Evil Woman" and a raucous DEEP PURPLE's "Speed King" with refreshingly warm, unfiltered, "vintage"-sounding renditions.

"We wanted to do an album based on our influences, the songs and bands that inspired us to write what we did and still do," continued Byford, "and it was also interesting to see what my voice could do as I haven't sung many of these songs before."

Byford does, indeed, take on some new vocal challenges, which he duly smashes on the likes of THIN LIZZY's "The Rocker". The net result is that whether cranking up a heavyweight take on LED ZEPPELIN's "Immigrant Song" or throwing down AC/DC's "Problem Child", SAXON does a supreme job of entertaining both themselves and their audience throughout Inspirations.

"We didn't want to change any of the songs too much, just play them more like SAXON," concluded Byford, "and we also think it's very important to have — and share with the fans — some fun in these dark times."

You want even more proof of the validity behind that statement? Wrap your ears around their sparkling take on TOTO's "Hold The Line" and consider SAXON's "Inspirations" a mission accomplished.

"Inspirations" will be made available on vinyl, CD, digital formats and limited-edition D2C products.

Track listing:

01. Paint It Black

02. Immigrant Song

03. Paperback Writer

04. Evil Woman

05. Stone Free

06. Bomber

07. Speed King

08. The Rocker

09. Hold The Line

10. Problem Child

11. See My Friends

New Orleans disciples of hardcore, blues-based, post-amplified audio wreckage EYEHATEGOD have released "Fake What's Yours", the second single from their first new full-length album in seven years, "A History Of Nomadic Behavior", due on March 12 via Century Media Records.

Singer Mike IX Williams said: "'Fake What's Yours' is the second single from our new album, 'A History Of Nomadic Behavior', and it's a pure uncut chunk of anti-authoritarian preach-speak set to a condescending guitar riff that could only be born from the dirty streets of New Orleans. We can't wait for everyone to hear the full record, but for now, put on your gas masks, lock your doors, stay home and LISTEN!"

"A History Of Nomadic Behavior" was produced by EYEHATEGOD, Sanford Parker (YOB, VOIVOD) and James Whitten (THOU, HIGH ON FIRE), with mixing by Whitten. The band recorded at HighTower Recording and Hypercube studios. The artwork for the LP was created by Gary Mader and Mike IX Williams.

Williams said of the songs on the album: "We're not a political band, but it was hard not to be affected by the news from the past year. During this recording, I thought a lot about how stupid humanity has become and how America is now completely divided with these people who don't believe in science and blindly follow liars and nonsensical ideologies. Some of those feelings may have found their way into these songs, but it is mostly subliminal."

"A History Of Nomadic Behavior" follows a period that saw EYEHATEGOD on the road for three years, preceded by Williams suffering liver failure and a transplant. "We toured our asses off for three years and that's where 'A History Of Nomadic Behavior' basically comes from," Williams said before touching on his health challenge: "Death is a part of life; it's a roll of the dice. Sometimes you take life as it comes, other times you fight to stay alive."

"A History Of Nomadic Behavior" track listing:

01. Built Beneath The Lies

02. The Outer Banks

03. Fake What's Yours

04. Three Black Eyes

05. Current Situation

06. High Risk Trigger

07. Anemic Robotic

08. The Day Felt Wrong

09. The Trial Of Johnny Cancer

10. Smoker's Place

11. Circle Of Nerves

12. Every Thing, Every Day

Last March, EYEHATEGOD scrapped the last three shows of its European tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The band later blamed "bumbling dolt" Donald Trump for announcing a ban on travel to the U.S. from 26 European countries, which caused chaos at European airports as Americans, fearing being caught up in the ban, attempted to travel home early.

EYEHATEGOD's last album, a self-titled affair, came out in 2014. It arrived a decade and a half after its predecessor, 2000's "Confederacy Of Ruined Lives".

EYEHATEGOD's 1990 "In The Name Of Suffering" and 1993 "Take As Needed For Pain" studio albums are considered their seminal works and are often cited as pillars of the American sludge sound alongside ACID BATH, BUZZOV*EN and CROWBAR.

Photo credit: Robb Duchemin

Get ready for some raw and mind-blowing extreme metal illustrating the ugliness of this world in the upcoming sonic masterpiece. ILLT drops their debut single,  “Scythian King”, and you can listen to it here, and below.

ILLT is the alter ego of Norwegian composer and guitarist Roy Westad. It’s an uncompromising sandbox and a culmination of decades of passion and love for extreme metal as an art form. His debut album features session musicians from Megadeth, Soilwork, Chrome Division and Nile. The album was mixed by Kurt Ballou at Godcity and mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Alan Douches.

ILLT comments: "'Scythian King' is about warfare in the dark ages (the previous period, not the one we're heading into now), and how man's intolerance, fear, constant all-consuming greed and self-interest has brutally shaped the world over thousands of years. I had great fun writing a song with swords in it without actually having to pose with one."

Lineup:

Vocals - Speed Strid
Guitars & Bass - ILLT
Drums - Dirk Verbeuren
Lead Guitars - Mr. Damage

Lyrically, and musically, the award-winning Dutch artist lays her soul bare with the most evocative record of her career - captivating song-stories told with acoustic guitars, strings, horns, percussion, and Anneke's hypnotic vocal harmonies.

Last year, Anneke van Giersbergen announced the release of her new solo album, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest, for February 26. Today sees the release of the second single and video of said album, called “Hurricane”.

Anneke comments on the single as follows: “For the new album I wrote a lot of songs filled with messages of love and heartache, but I also went on a more propulsive journey, with darker storytelling. The percussive opening groove of ‘Hurricane’ is maintained until a slightly ominous middle section. The track closes with heavy drums and a glorious trumpet solo.”

You can watch the video below:

The new album's title, The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest, refers to the idea that, when facing personal challenges, we are forced to find answers to life's biggest questions. But, at this point in her near-three-decade-long music career, this solo album - and, crucially, the heartbreak that inspired it - was not something Anneke van Giersbergen ever anticipated writing.

In 2018, Anneke began working on new material for her metal band, VUUR. Although their debut album, In This Moment We Are Free - Cities, was met with a mixed reception, fans were warming up to their heavy, progressive sound. Therefore, a rapid follow-up album would surely establish Anneke's return to fronting a metal band. However, behind the scenes, these were troubled times.

Anneke shares, ”My belief in VUUR saw me spend all my savings on recording VUUR's debut album and taking the band on the road. After completing our first touring cycle, I realized that more VUUR would mean yet more, huge financial risks.”

To make matters worse, in 2018, her long-lasting marriage, which had always been wonderful, unexpectedly saw a storm approaching.
Anneke adds, “I instantly knew I needed to write music about fixing my life. This creative endeavour would be far too personal for a VUUR album. And it would also require solitude.”

With just her acoustic guitar and basic recording gear, Anneke retreated to a small house near the woods, just outside her hometown of Eindhoven. She let go of the pressures of what VUUR's future might be, and fell into the meditative process of writing a solo album. In 2019, work continued on the new songs. In 2020, Anneke asked her friend and producer, Gijs Coolen, to help finish the album.

Throughout the completion of the album, Anneke's fragile, acoustic song-stories were fused together with an alchemy of panoramic strings, horns, and percussion. The resulting 11-track record has all the intimacy of Anneke serenading an audience of one, combined with surprising departures into swampier, foot-stomping grooves.

The Japanese art of kintsugi has inspired Anneke to use a repaired heart as the album's symbol. Kintsugi teaches that bringing together the pieces of a broken object - with the use of a precious metal - adds value and uniqueness to it. And, instead of giving up on their marriage, Anneke and her husband decided to take the time to mend their bond. They now cherish the repaired heartbreak as something profoundly valuable.

Their journey through this personal storm, and the album that Anneke created in the eye of it, proves that the darkest skies truly are the brightest.

The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest is available for pre-order. The album will be available as eco-friendly CD Digipak (plastic-free), as 180g Gatefold LP (incl. the album on CD) & as digital album. Click here to pre-order.

Tracklisting:

"Agape"
"Hurricane"
"My Promise"
"I Saw A Car"
"The Soul Knows"
"The End"
"Keep It Simple"
"Lo And Behold"
"Losing You"
"Survive"
"Love You Like I Love You"

“My Promise” video:

The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest is Anneke's 23rd career album. It proves, once again, that the award-winning Dutch artist defies being pigeonholed by any genre.

After thirteen years as the front woman for melancholic metallers, The Gathering, she struck out on her own in 2007. Since then, her creativity has known no bounds. Anneke quickly solidified a successful solo career (initially under the moniker Agua de Annique), and has recorded and performed with Canadian metal genius Devin Townsend multiple times. She has also lent her serene yet powerful voice to the likes of: Anathema, Icelandic folk group Árstíðir, Within Temptation, Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen, Amorphis, and prog legend John Wetton.

2012's Everything Is Changing was something of a milestone in Anneke's solo career. The album, which was the first to be released under her own name, received two Edison Award nominations - Holland's most prestigious music prize - in the categories 'Best Female Artist' and 'Best Album'.

In 2015, Anneke van Giersbergen and Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon) released their collaborative album The Diary under the name The Gentle Storm. In October 2017, Anneke's progressive metal outfit VUUR released their much-anticipated debut album. In This Moment We Are Free - Cities entered the Dutch Album Top 100 at number 2, Anneke's highest-ever chart position.

Forever the unpredictable artist, in late 2018, Anneke released 'Symphonized', an 11-track live orchestral album. It was recorded at two career-spanning concerts alongside Residentie Orkest The Hague, and features rearrangements of songs from her entire back catalogue.

2019 saw Dutch music copyright organisation Buma Cultuur honor Anneke with the Buma ROCKS! Export Award. This is their award for the Most Successful Dutch Artist Abroad in Heavy Music. In 2021, the release of her new solo album The Darkest Skies Are The Brightest will see Anneke surprise her fans all over again.

Omer Cordell, mastermind of ongoing prog metal project Trailight, has checked in with the following update:

"After releasing each album, I usually feel that I've squeezed every drop of creative ideas into it and I take quite some time off in order to regenerate and bring myself to write new material. 

As it turns out, over the past month or so I've been slowly working on new material and it's coming along nicely. I've written two tracks so far (music only) focusing primarily on working around bass riffs that I come up with and building everything around that.

The working title for the project is Orion."

Cordell released the new Trailight album, Sophia, in November 2020. He issued the following message on release day:

"The process of creating this album roughly took 180 days, almost two thousand hours, thousands of mouse clicks, numerous drum sticks, bass and guitar strings, vocal strains, technological hiccups, heart breaks and a few mental and emotional breakdowns yet through it all, I enjoyed every single second of it.

This creative process pushed me to the limits of my creativity musically, lyrically and artistically. Every note, every drum beat and every lyric was produced through this labour of love and I wish that you, the listener, will enjoy this album, perhaps draw some inspiration from it and create something positive to share with the world as well.

The album is now available on Bandcamp. Spotify, iTunes and all other streaming platforms will follow.

My heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported the creation of this body of work.

Being one of many Eons in existence before the physical universe as we know it came into being, Sophia wanted to express and experience herself in a different form other than the pure consciousness that she existed in until that point. She went into a trans-like state and from there, fell into a state of deficiency where she ended up creating the physical universe and with it, the Demiurge.

The Gnostic thought present the Demiurge as antagonistic to the will of the Supreme Creator this sort of Demiurge focus' solely on material reality and on the 'sensuous soul'. In Gnosticism, the Demiurge is an emanation from a higher, purer aeon (Sophia).

With the creation of the material universe and the Demiurge, Sophia made sure that all beings have the divine spark within them. A direct tethered connection to her, to her wisdom, knowing, truth, belief and integrity.

Thank you all for your continued support! Until next time."

Sophia by Trailight

Tracklist:

"Eon"
"Aftershock"
"Truth"
"The Three Waves"
"Sleepwalkers"
"Island"
"Up In The Air"
"Dance"
"Birth"

Sophia was written and produced by Omer Cordell. Mixed and mastered by Dave Padden (ex-Annihilator).

FOO FIGHTERS and Jon Bon Jovi are among the artists who will perform at a televised event for the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris next Wednesday (January 20). "Celebrating America" will be hosted by Tom Hanks, and will include additional appearances by Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Ant Clemons and Demi Lovato, as well as actors Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington.

Longoria and Washington will introduce segments throughout the night, ranging from stories of young people making a difference in their communities to musical performances. FOO FIGHTERS, Legend and Springsteen will perform from iconic locations across the country.

"Celebrating America" will air from 8:30-10:30 pm. ET/PT on January 20 and will showcase the American people's resilience, heroism and unified commitment to coming together as a nation to heal and rebuild. The program will feature remarks from Biden and Harris and include remarks, performances that represent the rich diversity and extensive talent America offers, and the American heroes who are helping their fellow Americans through this crisis.

The program will be carried live by ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, MSNBC and PBS. It will be streamed live on Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) social media channels: YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Twitch. The PIC streaming partners, including Amazon Prime Video, Microsoft Bing, NewsNOW from Fox, and AT&T DIRECTV and U-verse, will also be carrying the program live.

Over the course of five days of programming, "America United" activities will honor our traditions while safely allowing more Americans than ever before to participate from their own homes. These activities include "United We Serve", a National Day of Service on January 18, Martin Luther King Jr. Day; a nationwide COVID-19 Memorial to Lives Lost on January 19; and the official Inaugural Ceremonies, a wreath laying on Arlington National Cemetery, and a "Parade Across America" on January 20. The events will culminate with the "Celebrating America" program. The PIC will also install an extensive public art display — a "Field of Flags," which will cover the National Mall up to 13th Street — to represent the American people who are unable to travel to Washington, D.C.

The Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) 2021 is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and separate entity from the Biden-Harris Transition charged with planning and executing activities surrounding the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris.

Today (January 15th), Norwegian eclectic hard rock band White Void are proud to present "This Apocalypse Is For You", the second single from their upcoming debut album, Anti, which is scheduled to be released on March 12th, 2021.

Frontman Lars Nedland (Borknagar, Solefald) comments on the song: 

"The absurd can never be permanently accepted. It requires constant confrontation, unbroken revolt. If you fail revolting, This apocalypse is for you! This is a song about crises. Also, it’s a song to put some boogie in your life. Because everyone needs boogie!
 
The video was beautifully created by animation wizard Joakim Storsve and editor Daniel Øverland, and draws inspiration from the oil painting "Adrift" by Jeremy Geddes, which incidentally serves as the cover for our debut album.
 
Enjoy the uproar, the cosmonauts and the boogie."

Pre-save Anti on the streaming plattform of your choice here. Pre-order the album here.

Tracklisting:

“Do. Not. Sleep.”
“There Is No Freedom But The End”
“Where You Go, You’ll Bring Nothing”
“The Shovel And The Cross”
“This Apocalypse Is For You”
“All Chains Rust, All Men Die”
“The Fucking Violence Of Love”
“The Air Was Thick With Smoke”

"Do. Not. Sleep." video:

White Void is:

Lars Nedland- Vocals
Tobias Solbakk - Drums
Vegard Kummen - Bass
Eivind Marum - Guitar

(Photo - Jørn Veberg)

Onwards into battle, one more time... 

In the two years since Memoriam released Requiem For Mankind, the band haven't rested on their laurels. Their fourth studio album, To The End, is due for release on March 26 via Reaper Entertainment.

Marking the beginning of a second trilogy of albums, To The End serves as something of a prologue to the first three Memoriam albums. Working backwards and narrating the life story of the leader whose demise was depicted in the first trilogy, the lyrics on the album may play out in a fictional realm, but they incorporate inspiration from real life. A central theme of war is coloured with political fulminations and everyday experiences that combine to create a cohesive and enthralling chronicle.

The four-piece returned to producer, Russ Russell, for the recording of To The End. For the first time, the band demoed the songs and entered the studio with a new level of preparedness. Coupled with their close relationship with Russell, this created an environment that allowed for greater experimentation, as demonstrated by the diverse array of textures and sounds present on the nine tracks on the album. 

From the earliest days of the band, they had their eye on the art Dan Seagrave (Benediction, Dismember, Hypocrisy, Suffocation etc) as an accompaniment to their music. Having created the artwork for the first three Memoriam albums, he has also created the cover for To The End.

The band comment:

"We are really chuffed to be collaborating with Dan, his vision and interpretation of ideas are totally unique and its fantastic to be involved in the creative process with him - seeing the ideas that we have transformed into stunning images that we are proud to have as artwork for our albums. His style is second to none, so much so that using any other artist at this point would seem like a compromise; his attention to detail is incredible. To The End is the first album of this trilogy and features the events that led up to the scenes depicted on our first album, For the Fallen. The art shows the king leading his troops into the last battle in which he was killed. It looks bloody killer."

Seagrave elaborates:

"In this moment we’re capturing the dawn of the onslaught of the city; visible from the industrial outskirts, as the forces descend with a pincer movement into the valley, spreading destruction towards their goal. The king character to me at this stage has become something of a creature - beyond human. There is an elemental shift in its DNA and a detachment of its ordinary senses. Held together by earthly materials, I feel its presence brings with it a surrealistic sickness that affects the immediate environment and those who tread within its boundaries.

"My aesthetic look of this was to combine the retro military tech of the early 20th century with the memory of renaissance times art. For example, tanks that have bas relief sculpture, and inventions such as the flying wingsuit - a metallic armoured vehicle contraption worn by the foreground figure. There's less of a literal darkness in the depiction. Here there seems to be a permeating flow of dust particles, like a concocting mist of specular ice and grey concrete. The dawn of a bright day reacting with it, both illuminating and deadly."

The first digital single, "Onwards into Battle", will be released on January 22; it can be pre-saved here.

Memoriam is:

Karl Willetts - vocals (ex-Bolt Thrower)
Frank Healy - bass (ex-Benediction)
Spike T Smith - drums (Sacrilege, Conflict, Killing Joke, The Damned)
Scott Fairfax - guitars (As The World Dies, ex-Benediction)

Cradle Of Filth drummer Martin "Marthus" Skaroupka has posted live drum cam video of "Beneath The Howling Stars" shot at an undisclosed show. Check it out below.

The song is taken from the band's sixth album, Nymphetamine, released in 2004.

Originally, vampiric masters of extreme metal, Cradle Of Filth, had been scheduled to perform a live stream concert on the auspicious date of October 30, 2020 - Devil's Night.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the uncertainty of travel, with band members residing outside of and throughout the UK, there was a real chance of quarantine or travel issues. As such, the show was rescheduled for February 20, 2021.

Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to wreak havoc, with the number of infections steadily rising, as well as the emergence of a new strain. Therefore, Cradle Of Filth has been forced to postpone their mal-nutritious performance showcasing the band’s new keyboardist and backing singer, a second time. The new date is May 12, 2021. All tickets remain valid.

A statement from Cradle Of Filth vocalist Dani Filth reads:

"Greetings fellow Filthlings,

Due to this infernal plague and further augmented lockdowns prevalent throughout the UK and Europe, and for the safety of our band, crew and additional production engineers we must, without question, move our livestream back to May 12th.

We all appreciate your patience and understanding during this difficult period and we are very much looking forward to giving you the Cradle Of Filth show of a lifetime once restrictions are lifted or at least relaxed. The live stream concert will be spectacular, that we promise…

In the meantime there will be some positive announcements about our forthcoming 13th studio album arriving very shortly.

Bestial wishes,

Dani"

Tickets for Cradle Of Filth's May 12th online performance can be purchased here.

The At The Movies project - launched by Pretty Maids guitarist Chris Laney due to the COVID-19 pandemic - caught fire over the course of 2020, and project has now moved on to movie soundtrack covers from the '90s. Check out "King Of Wishful Thinking" taken from the 1990´s movie Pretty Woman below.

The core At The Movies players are as follows:

Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork) - lead vocals
Linnéa Vikström Egg (Therion) - backing vocals
Chris Laney (Pretty Maids) - guitars
Allan Sørensen (Royal Hunt, Pretty Maids) - drums
Morten Sandager (Pretty Maids) - keyboards
Pontus Norgren (HammerFall) - guitars
Pontus Egberg (King Diamond) - bass

Stay tuned for more.

Swedish power trio Monolord return with a two-track EP, I'm Staying Home, scheduled for release on February 5, 2021 via Relapse Records.

Recorded during the No Comfort album sessions, I'm Staying Home sees the band harnessing the power of the riff once again with their trademark take on crushing sludge rock and doom. 

Vocalist / guitarist Thomas Jäger comments: “A leftover track from the No Comfort session with the lyrics re-recorded to suit our current state. Stay the fuck home.”

Mixed and mastered by Monolord drummer Esben Willems, the single features the eponymous new title-track, "I'm Staying Home", alongside an exclusive live recording of the No Comfort lead single "The Bastard Son", captured at Freak Valley Festival in 2019.

I’m Staying Home is available on all streaming services here. Physical pre-orders are available at this location.

(Artwork by Michael Hutter, photo by Ester Segarra)

 

Guitarist / songwriter Parris Mayhew has issued a new dual guitar and bass playthrough for the debut song from his new instrumental hardcore / metal band Aggros, “Chaos Magic”.

The “Chaos Magic” playthrough is heavier on bass than the original track, a decision Mayhew made because the song was primarily written on the bass with a heavy emphasis on his unusual percussive and rhythmic strumming style.

“I felt that the bass perspective would be a way to show more comprehensively where the song originated and how it was built,” the former Cro-Mags songwriter and founder says. “Hearing the bass a little louder demonstrates clearly where the swagger that the song exhibits comes from, underlining the aggressive string bend melodies and percussive riffs that define the drums and outline the chords.”

The result is loud and raw but shows a kind of surgical finesse in the midst of the chaos, which is necessary to hold it all together.

Mayhew unveiled Aggros with a video for the track in October 2020. Fans who are accustomed to a big rock production sound from Mayhew’s guitar sound and production will find that “Chaos Magic” is more streamlined and rawer. The song was recorded live in one afternoon with little or no punches and feels alive and human, without today’s modern digital stiffness, just a balls-out rocker.

“Chaos Magic” is certainly a guitar song too, exhibiting casual chord harmonies that brighten and exaggerate phrase resolutions, off the rails WTF riffs and Mayhew’s signature Cro-Mags picking style which helped define a genre with his songs on the seminal albums Age Of Quarrel and Best Wishes.

“I believe that a song should be a journey, there should be a clear introduction to set up the listener for the ride, and a ceremonious feeling of arrival at a destination to be experienced and a few musical surprises along the way,” Mayhew said. “And of course all great songs should have a feeling that the journey is complete, the catharsis, a lesson I learned from both Motörhead and Rush. Motörhead, particularly, in that within their deceptively simple approach there always comes a thoughtful, surprising and very musical ending, songs should have great endings.”

Aggros will release music in a true DIY hardcore style – no label, self-releasing one song at a time, accompanied by a video for each. The music will sound and feel familiar to anyone who knows Mayhew’s previous three albums, as Aggros is simply a continuation of his musical exploration.

(Photo by Guy Furrow)

 

In 2016, Scarlet Aura released their first album. In 2021, the band celebrates the fifth anniversary of Falling Sky with a re-recording, re-mix and remastering of the album. As the original was produced by Roy Z (Sepultura, Halford, Bruce Dickinson), the anniversary edition is produced by the one who wrote the songs - Scarlet Aura guitarist Mihai “Myke D” Danciulescu. This special treat was recorded at the Silver City Studio by the actual Scarlet Aura members - vocalist Aura Danciulescu, guitarist Mihai Danciulescu, bassist Rares Rene Nistor, and drummer Sorin Ristea. 

To mark this fifth anniversary, Falling Sky will be available digitally on April 16th. But fans won’t need to wait too long, because on January 22nd, the first single will be released with an accompanying video. Scarlet Aura fans, or “The Scarlets” as they call themselves, already know this masterpiece because the band ends every show with it since the initial release, and that is "Colour Blind". A powerful song about betrayal, deceit and the courage to step forward; pre-orders can be placed here.

Scarlet Aura delivers this new audio version of the Falling Sky album in between two other releases, those are the Stormbreakeralbum from 2020, and their third and final album from The Book Of Scarlet trilogy that is coming up next this Autumn.

Mihai states: “Initially I worked on the mix and master for the Falling Sky album with some of my friends, good producers from the music industry. But it never got to the point where I wanted it to be, and I really believe that now it is getting there. This is why I wanted to mark this fifth anniversary with a new production, which also includes our actual band members. To our fans, we send all the love, and this digital release that we made especially for them, because we know how much they appreciate this album and that our dream adventure started with it. Thank you all for the support." 

(Photo credit: Dragos Toader)

 

Unleashing their earth-shattering album Seismic this past November, Vancouver's Without Mercy has a new music video for their track "I Break The Chain", which can be seen below.

"With this track, we pose the question of morality and becoming docile to the everyday routine. The chain that connects us and bounds us to a routine monotonous existence. The ignoring of atrocities just to keep the assembly line moving, ‘Don’t rock the boat’ mentality. What does it take to break from that chain and what would it look like?" adds the band.

Without Mercy's latest behemoth features nine assaulting grooving death metal tracks that even include special guests Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy) on opening track "Thunderbird" and Chris Broderick (Act Of Defiance) on "Disinfect The Soul".

Distributed by Bloodblast Distribution (powered by Nuclear Blast), "Seismic" follows the band's 2016 EP "Moucchido". The vast majority of the material for “Seismic” was written and rewritten multiple times over the past four years. Honed and tightened over tours and live performances, Without Mercy were unwilling to place “filler” to enhance anything. They came at this album with the best of everything they had after their inspirations were doing the same. The band shares their thoughts on the full length:

“We are beyond stoked to have our new album “Seismic” see the light of day. This album represents four years of solid work ethic and unwillingness to compromise even in the slightest. We’re trying to give the listeners and fans of the band a chance to hear what tenacity can sound like. Lyrics that are an honest take on issues, riffs that have been refined over time, drum parts, and rhythms that are not standard or washed out. Even the mixing team behind it has a resume as long as your arm. We pushed ourselves in every field of this record and now that it’s here, we can relive those moments with all of you.”

For fans of Cattle Decapitation, Meshuggah, and Decapitated, Seismic is available on all digital platforms here. Physical CDs are available at this location. 

Tracklisting:

"Thunderbird" (ft. Jeff Loomis)
"Abysmal"
"Left Alone"
"Wiindigo"
"Disinfect The Soul" (ft. Chris Broderick)
"The Disaster"
"Possessed"
"I Break The Chain"
"Uprooted"

"Thunderbird" (ft. Jeff Loomis) video:

"Disinfect The Soul" (ft. Chris Broderick) video:

"Uprooted" video:

(Photo - Shimon Karmel)

 

US-based heavy metal outfit, Helstar, will release their new album, Clad In Black, on February 26 via Massacre Records. It will be available as 2CD Digipak, limited edition vinyl LP in different colors, as well as in digital formats, and is available for pre-order/pre-save here.

Helstar already gave you a first glimpse at this new release with the "Black Wings Of Solitude" 7", which is available since October 2020 - but now it's time for the band to go for your throats.

Helstar's new single "Across The Raging Seas" is available for streaming on all digital platforms as well as via the following video:

The CD Digipak version of Clad In Black includes 2 CDs: The first CD includes both songs from the already released 7" as well as two more new songs and additional killer cover versions to sink your teeth into. The second CD includes the band's previous studio album Vampiro in its entirety.

Vampiro is a concept album about Dracula and other bloodsucking creatures, and it's no surprise Helstar touched on the topic again - after the release of Nosferatu in 1989 - with James Rivera being fascinated by and interested in vampires ever since.

James comments: "Let's face it: The vampire world is bigger than it ever was! You can't go wrong when you choose to touch on the subject of the soulless beings with no reflection in the mirror. With the blueish skin, and no pulse with a thirst for nice warm blood who's only enemy is the cross, a wooden stake and the sun!"

"It's no wonder, Helstar used a reference from Bram Stoker's novel Dracula as the title of the new release to tie in the reissue of Vampiro with the extended version of the band's previously released 7" single "Black Wings Of Solitude". Clad In Black is a reference to Jonathan Harker talking about Dracula after meeting him for the first time, describing him as "(...) clad in black from head to foot, without a single speck of colour about him anywhere."

The new songs on the first CD and the connection to Vampiro is like peas and carrots: They are living proof the world of the undead is alive and well and will be for timeless centuries to come - and this is just the beginning.

2CD Digipak / Digital tracklisting:

CD1 - Clad In Black

"Dark Incarnation (Mother Of The Night)"
"Black Wings Of Solitude"
"Across The Raging Seas"
"Restless And Wild" *
"After All (The Dead)" **
"Sinner" ***

CD2 - Vampiro

"Awaken Unto Darkness"
"Blood Lust"
"To Dust You Will Become"
"Off With His Head"
"From The Pulpit To The Pit"
"To Their Death Beds They Fell"
"Malediction"
"Repent In Fire"
"Abolish The Sun"
"Black Cathedral"
"Dreamless Sleep"

Limited Vinyl LP tracklisting:

Side A
"Dark Incarnation (Mother Of The Night)"
"Black Wings Of Solitude"
"Across The Raging Seas"

Side B
"Restless And Wild" *
"After All (The Dead)" **
"Sinner" ***

* Accept cover
** Black Sabbath Cover
*** Judas Priest cover

Lineup:

James "Vampiro" Rivera - Vocals
Larry Barragan - Guitars
Andrew Atwood - Guitars
Garrick Smith - Bass
Michael Lewis - Drums

(Photo credit: Max Petac)

 

On February 26, 2021, Cherry Red Records will reissue Powertrippin' by The Almighty as a double disc set. Powertrippin' was originally released in 1993 on Polydor Records.

"We were on tour in Germany opening for Iron Maiden when Powertrippin’ crashed into the UK National Chart at #5. The Maiden boys held a party for us that night in their hotel to celebrate. We suddenly felt very validated, looking back I think we were," says Ricky Warwick, frontman for The Almighty.

Although initially inspired by punk, when Scottish school friends Stump Monroe (drums), Floyd London (bass) and Ricky Warwick (guitar, vocals) joined forces with guitarist Tantrum in 1988, they chose a harder rocking, heavy metal sound. Snapped up by Polydor Records for the 1989 debut Blood, Fire & Love, their more punk infused aggressive approach was a welcome relief from the glam orientated sounds imported from across the Atlantic. This was followed by Soul Destruction in 1991, and then Powertrippin’ in 1993.

The Almighty demonstrated that British hard rock had plenty to offer at the beginning of the decade, and in 1991 The Almighty were special guests of Megadeth, a tour where Alice In Chains were the opening act. This tour highlighted which way the wind was blowing, away from hairspray bands in favour of something grungier from the Pacific Northwest of America. Powertrippin’ was also the first album to feature guitarist Pete Friesen, replacing original member, Tantrum.

As well as the singles "Addiction", "Over The Edge" and "Out Of Season", this expanded, deluxe reissue of Powertrippin’ includes the B-Sides "Blind", "Bodies" (originally by the Sex Pistols), "Insomnia", "In A Rut" (originally by The Ruts) and "Fuckin’ Up" (originally by Neil Young and Crazy Horse). Live versions of "Takin’ Hold", "Jesus Loves You…But I Don’t" and "Powertrippin’" illustrate what a powerful band The Almighty have always been on stage. The bonus disc also includes demo versions of "Free ‘N’ Easy" and the title track from Soul Destruction: which was never officially recorded or appeared on the final album. Plus there’s even time for an acoustic take of Neil Young’s "Rockin’ In The Free World"!

This release features a fully illustrated booklet, complete with detailed liner notes from Malcolm Dome based on interviews with the band.

Tracklisting:

Disc One: Original Album
"Addiction"
"Possession"
"Over The Edge"
"Jesus Loves You… But I Don’t"
"Sick & Wired"
"Powertrippin’"
"Takin’ Hold"
"Out Of Season"
"Life Blood"
"Instinct"
"Meathook"
"Eye To Eye" 

Disc Two: Bonus Tracks
"Takin’ Hold" (Live)
"Jesus Loves You… But I Don’t" (Live)
"Powertrippin’" (Live)
"Blind" (B-Side)
"Soul Destruction" (Demo)
"Addiction" (Radio Edit)
"Insomnia" (B-Side)
"Wild And Wonderful" (Demo Version)
"Fuckin’ Up" (B-Side)
"Out Of Season" (Demo Version)
"Bodies" (B-Side)
"Free ‘N’ Easy" (Demo Version)
"Rockin’ In The Free World" (Acoustic Version)
"Hell To Pay" (Acoustic Version)
"In A Rut" (B-Side)
"Out Of Season" (Radio Edit)

The release is available for pre-order at this location.

 

Swedish warriors, Brothers Of Metal, have released a video for "Chain Breaker", a track from their sophomore album, Emblas Saga, out ow via AFM Records. Order the album here, and watch the clip below.

Tracklisting:

"Brood Of The Trickster"
"Powersnake"
"Hel"
"Chain Breaker"
"Kaunaz Dagaz"
"Theft Of The Hammer"
"Weaver Of Fate"
"Njord"
"Emblas Saga"
"Brothers Unite"
"One"
"Ride Of The Valkyries"
"To The Skies And Beyond"

"Chain Breaker" video:

"Hel" lyric video:

"One" video:

"Njord" video:

On January 22, Horror Pain Gore Death Productions will release Defilements, the new 2CD collection from Japan's doom infested death metal legends, Coffins. Listen to the band's cover of EyeHateGod's "Sisterfucker Part 1" below.

This 2CD compilation presents material from these out of print EP releases: Craving To Eternal Slumber, Noise Room Sessions 2014, March Of Despair, Sewage Sludgecore Treatment and Live At Asakusa Deathfest 2016. This official Coffins collection was designed and approved by Uchino himself, clocking in at nearly 2 hours of horrific, bone crushing doom infested death metal which further cements the bands legacy as leaders of the underground.

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

CD1
"Hatred Storm"
"Tyrant"
"Craving To Eternal Slumber"
"Stairway To Torment"
"An Obscure Pain"
"Decapitated Crawl"
"Hellbringer"
"Under The Stench" (alt. version)
"Till Dawn Of The Dooms Day"
"Grotesque Messiah"
"Carpet Of Bones"
"In Bloody Sewage"
"Corpsegrinder" (Death cover)

CD2
"Broken" (Buzzoven cover)
"Sisterfucker Part 1" (Eyehategod cover)
"Evazan" (Noothgrush cover)
"I Hate You" (Grief cover)
"Black Aspirin" (Iron Monkey cover)
"Sisterfucker Part 1" (live)
"Here Comes Perdition" (live)
"Under The Stench" (live)
"Decapitated Crawl" (live)
"Tyrant" (live)
"Evil Infection" (live) (bonus track)

"Sisterfucker Part 1":

"Hatred Storm":

Israeli progressive metal group, Scardust, have released a new music video for "Mist". The track is taken from their new album, Strangers, which was released on October 30 via M-Theory Audio. Watch below.

“'Mist' is the closing song of Strangers and the parallel to 'Break The Ice,’ which opens the album,” explains vocalist Noa Gruman. “Now the protagonist has been through experiences that shaped her to become more confident in a way that is less dependent on others. Every relationship we have has a potential of experiences and memories that may or may not happen if the relationship continues. Even after many years, some sides of those we know best are still unfamiliar to us, so what might happen if we go and part ways?”

Mastered by Jens Bogren (Opeth, Devin Townsend, Arch Enemy), Strangers was written and composed jointly by singer Noa Gruman and composer Orr Didi, who also collaborated with Gruman on Scardust's full-length debut, Sands Of Time, and their 2015 EP Shadow. The album features guest appearances from German folk musician Patty Gurdy, as well as vocals by the Hellscore choir and England’s prestigious Westbrook Hay Prep School Chamber Choir.

Order here.

Tracklisting:

"Overture For The Estranged"
"Break The Ice"
"Tantibus II"
"Stranger"
"Concrete Cages" (feat. Patty Gurdy)
"Over"
"Under"
"Huts"
"Gone"
"Addicted"
"Mist"

"Break The Ice" video:

"Addicted" video:

"Tantibus II":

Former W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes spoke to Cassius Morris of WatchMojo's brand new music podcast "Innersleeve" about the documentary film "Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes", written and directed by French filmmakers Antoine De Montremy and Laurent Hart. The project, which will be made available on Blu-ray, DVD and VOD on January 15. was born in 2014 after De Montremy and Hart had an opportunity to meet and direct Holmes in a music video for the Holmes-penned song "Let It Roar" in Cannes. At that time, the now-62-year-old rocker had more or less disappeared from the music scene, leaving his home in the U.S. to seek a new beginning with his wife Sarah in France.

Asked if he had appoached W.A.S.P. leader Blackie Lawless about participating in the making of "Mean Man: The Story Of Chris Holmes", Chris said: "I didn't, but Antoine did, and he said [Blackie] didn't have the time to do it."

Explaining that his relationship with Blackie is "over" and calling Lawless a "narcissist," Chris said: "When I left [W.A.S.P. for the final time] — or I really never left. [Blackie] just got another guitar player. They never even told me [I was out]. I found out that they were doing shows [without me]. So, I was, like, 'Wow. I must be out.' He never called me. Since then, I've dug in and found out some shitty stuff, what happened to me, and he knows that I know that, and he probably will never wanna talk to me ever again."

Holmes joined W.A.S.P. in 1982 and remained with the group until 1990. In 1996, the guitarist returned to W.A.S.P. and stayed with the band until 2001. Chris has not played with W.A.S.P. since.

Last October, Chris said that he would never consider returning to W.A.S.P. unless Lawless agreed to pay him the publishing royalties that he allegedly owes him. He told Canada's The Metal Voice: "A lot of people think I made money from W.A.S.P. I've never gotten my royalties, or even my songwriting. All the stuff that I wrote, I've never gotten paid one penny. And you know whose fault it is? It's my my fault for not knowing the business, how it is. I trusted somebody.

"After every album, when the album is done, how they split up the publishing with the publishing contracts, the publishing companies — that's where the money comes from," he continued. "I was never told about when that meeting was. Because the other guys in the band never wrote — I was the only one [other than Blackie]. So I'm the only one that they have to screw over to get all the publishing. So I was never told. Then when I dug into it in about 2006 or [2007], I went into Sanctuary Music, had a lawyer go in to find out where all my publishing is, and I was written in as a session player into all the records. And if you don't know about it, and you're not told, and you don't see, you don't know. So I trusted Blackie Lawless about that. And when I found out, it really kind of yanked me wrong. It yanks me wrong — it makes me see he was sticking a knife in my back from the first day, from the first album, and not telling me, and being my best friend."

As far as Holmes is concerned, Lawless is solely to blame for him not getting his due from the W.A.S.P. records that he was involved with.

"If it wasn't for me, he wouldn't be where he's at — I guarantee you that," Chris said. "And then he screws me like that. It's all right. It's been a long time. It's something that I will never, never get over. I'll take that to the grave with me. I'm pissed thinking about it.

"Anyway, that's the kind of person he is. Everybody thinks, 'Wow! He's got the greatest…' Yeah, he's got an outrageous voice, Blackie, yeah, but he turns his back on his bandmembers real bad — he screws 'em. I'm the only guy in the band that ever came back to get screwed twice, which I did. I came back for 'Kill.Fuck.Die', and I was promised half publishing on that album. Didn't get crap. Knowing that I couldn't get in to see what was written in the contracts, of course. That's why I wrote the song 'Two Faced Mother Fucker'. It's about him. It's on 'Shitting Bricks'. And I've got one on the new album. It's called 'The Truth'. It says, 'You can't handle the truth.' It's on my new [album]. I'm gonna write a song about him on every album."

Addressing the possibility of his return to W.A.S.P., Holmes said: "Everybody asks me about a W.A.S.P. reunion. Sure, I'd love to play a W.A.S.P. reunion — if he pays me my publishing. If it doesn't, then he can have a reunion with Randy Piper, Johnny Rod and [Steve] Riley and everybody else. I'm not gonna play it. It's not worth it.

"I came back to W.A.S.P. in '95. I got screwed again," he added. "Screw me once, screw me twice — you're not gonna screw me a third time."

During a November 2017 press conference in Moscow, Russia, Lawless was asked what he would say to those W.A.S.P. fans who continue to call for the band to reunite with Holmes. He responded: "People get divorced for certain reasons, and there's times when the kids want the parents to get back together, but sometimes it never happens. And this is one of those [times]. Sorry."

Sylvain Mizrahi, better known as Sylvain Sylvain, songwriter and founding member of the NEW YORK DOLLS, has died at the age of 69.

The news of his passing was confirmed by former PATTI SMITH GROUP guitarist Lenny Kaye, who wrote: "Sylvain Sylvain, the heart and soul of the NEW YORK DOLLS, bearer of the Teenage News, passed into his next astral incarnation on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

"Syl loved rock and roll. His onstage joy, his radiant smile as he chopped at his guitar, revealed the sense of wonder he must have felt at the age of 10, emigrating from his native Cairo with his family in 1961, the ship pulling into New York Harbor and seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time.

"It was he who looked across Lexington Ave. and saw the sign for the New York Doll hospital. Syl and a high school friend, Billy Murcia, were in the rag trade then, the aptly named Truth And Soul, handknit sweaters with a side of rockattitude. Hooking up with another classmate, John Genzale, and then, as bands will, Arthur Kane, and David Johansen, and Jerry Nolan, they became a quasar in the rock firmament; embodying trash, glam, garage-to-punk, the ambisexual affirmation of music played louder.

"His role in the band was as lynchpin, keeping the revolving satellites of his bandmates in precision. Though he tried valiantly to keep the band going, in the end the DOLLS' moral fable overwhelmed them, not before seeding an influence that would engender many rock generations yet to come.

"THE NEW YORK DOLLS heralded the future, made it easy to dance to. From the time I first saw their poster appear on the wall of Village Oldies in 1972, advertising a residency at the Mercer Hotel up the street, throughout their meteoric ascent and shooting star flame-out, the NEW YORK DOLLS were the heated core of this music we hail, the band that makes you want to form a band.

"Syl never stopped. In his solo lifeline, he was welcomed all over the world, from England to Japan, but most of all the rock dens of New York City, which is where I caught up with him a couple of years ago at the Bowery Electric. Still Syl. His corkscrew curls, tireless bounce, exulting in living his dream, asking the crowd to sing along, and so we will. His twin names, mirrored, becomes us.

"Thank you Sylvain x 2, for your heart, belief, and the way you whacked that E chord. Sleep Baby Doll".

In April 2019, a fundraising campaign was launched for Sylvain, who revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer.

"I have not been able to work since last year," he wrote, "and have more surgery scheduled. I love life! As hard as life has been to me these past two years, I want to live and I know with your love and support I'll have the best chance that I could ever have."

The NEW YORK DOLLS were called many things — glam, proto-punk, hard rock — but are probably best understood as a "dirty rock and roll" band. Combining an aggressively androgynous style with street-smart New York attitude and campy humor, the NEW YORK DOLLS ushered in the era of CBGBs, heroin chic, loud guitars and referential lyrics which gave rise to Patti Smith, the RAMONES, TELEVISION and many more. Fans of the band range from GUNS N' ROSES to Morrissey, who organized the reformation of the band when he curated Meltdown festival in 2004.

Sylvain remained the NEW YORK DOLLS until the group's breakup in 1977. He later worked on various projects, including a band called THE CRIMINALS and another group called THE TEARDROPS. Sylvain reunited with NEW YORK DOLLS in 2004 and played on the band's last three albums, "One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This", "Cause I Sez So" and "Dancing Backward In High Heels".

Sylvain's autobiography, "There's No Bones In Ice Cream", was released in 2018 via Omnibus Press.


Sylvain Sylvain Mizrahi

Rest In Peace

February 14, 1951 ~ January 13, 2021

As most of you know, Sylvain battled cancer...

Posted by Sylvain Sylvain Mizrahi on Thursday, January 14, 2021





RIP Sylvain Sylvain, bringing the style and swagger to the original Glam-Punk Gods #NewYorkDolls! Heroes to my Heroes... I’m gonna put on “Trash” & “Pills” & “(There’s Gonna Be A) Showdown” in honor of Sylvain and the rest of the lipstick killers! pic.twitter.com/Vm9Oo5bDrD

— Mike McCready (@MikeMcCreadyPJ) January 15, 2021








Aw man....One of the NYC originals, Sylvain Sylvain has passed away. He was a true sweetheart. In 1980 sitting on a couch in my old band loft, he gave me my stage name of Steve Stevens. Where’d ya get that beat, got that beat on 14th street. pic.twitter.com/90zp6zaDUj

— Steve Stevens (@Stevestevens) January 15, 2021








So very sorry to hear of the passing of Sylvain Sylvain. A true original with a pure Rock And Roll heart. So thankful for the time we had. I’ll be cranking up the Dolls tonight. Like most nights but tonight it’s bittersweet. ❤️?❤️#ripsylvainsylvain #sylvainsylvain pic.twitter.com/GmgVkInY4b

— Todd Dammit Kerns (@todddammitkerns) January 15, 2021








So many tears so many who have passed. Sylvain Sylvain created the New York Dolls, clothed the New York Dolls, put a guitar in Johnny‘s hands, wrote fantastic songs and lived the life, a life that manifested bands all over the world. You are loved Syl. pic.twitter.com/eZmBpvudMF

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) January 15, 2021








Ok so it can now be said -

Sylvain Sylvain, founder of the New York Dolls has

left this earthly plane.

My stage-right guitar partner for 6 of the best years of my musical life, a beautiful soul who deserved way more than he got in this lifetime.

I am absolutely gutted.

RIP

— Steve Conte (@SteveConteNYC) January 15, 2021








R.I.P. ??

New York Dolls -Sylvain Sylvain

(1951-2021) pic.twitter.com/oxDLkejf4l

— wednesday 13 (@officialwed13) January 15, 2021








Deleted my earlier post for a number of reasons but let's all raise a glass to Sylvain Sylvain tonight. A huge and underrated talent, his playing and songwriting left an unmistakable stamp on everything that he did. RIP and big L-U-V to ya, Syl ♥️https://t.co/fpqnqo3n8f

— Rich Jones (@richloyalty) January 15, 2021






No no no no. It's too much. Sylvain Sylvain I'm speechless with this loss. He lived so completely and deserved better. Photos from when I got to sit in with him. One of my BEST rocknroll nights of life. It went so well we talked about touring together. Insanely sad pic.twitter.com/tDQeXm3Q7v

— Kathy Valentine (@Kathy_Valentine) January 15, 2021






Sylvain Sylvain and my girl @LJoKitty

We were so thrilled to spend a little time with him. RIP legend #sylvainsylvain pic.twitter.com/cFZ0OJ3Wze

— Damon Johnson (@DamonJOfficial) January 15, 2021








RIP #SylvainSylvain here with Johnny Thunders back in the ‘70’s pic.twitter.com/u6sdNzQXJI

— Billy Idol (@BillyIdol) January 15, 2021




























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