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27 àâã 2024
METALLICA's ALL WITHIN MY HANDS Foundation Receives 2024 'For The Love Of Labor' Grant From CARHARTT
 Skilled laborers and tradespeople have long been the backbone of America, shaping the economic health and hard-working spirit of the country. However, the U.S. continues to face a widening skilled labor shortage, with young workers experiencing societal barriers to entering the trades, as 79% of young Americans say their parents want them to pursue a college education after high school and only 5% say the same about vocational school. Carhartt, America's iconic workwear brand, is continuing to help eliminate barriers and close the skilled trades gap this Labor Day by dedicating its fall 2024 "For The Love Of Labor" grant to support METALLICA's All Within My Hands foundation and its Metallica Scholars Initiative.
Created by the members and management of METALLICA, All Within My Hands is a non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting workforce education by connecting future workers with trade programs in their local community. Carhartt's For The Love Of Labor grant donation will benefit the foundation's Metallica Scholars program to support 60 community colleges across all 50 states — including the 18 new schools that joined the program in July 2024. Funding provided by Carhartt will support not only school tuition at local community colleges, but also wraparound services like childcare and transportation to eliminate barriers that may prevent candidates from pursuing skilled trades education.
"The Metallica Scholars Initiative was born from our collective passion to dismantle the stigma associated with the skilled trades, and we are so proud of how this program is changing lives across the nation," said METALLICA's Lars Ulrich. "The importance of skilled trades education cannot be overstated, and we are immensely grateful for organizations like Carhartt that are making a meaningful difference by breaking down barriers and investing in the future of skilled labor."
Through All Within My Hands' partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges, the Metallica Scholars Initiative is uniquely positioned to provide direct support to enhance career and technical education programs at a local level and help foster stronger pathways for workers to develop the skills needed to enter a traditional trade or other applied learning program. Now entering its sixth year, the Metallica Scholars initiative has impacted the lives of approximately 6,000 students, contributing to 30 fields of study and investing over $10.5 million to-date to support America's skilled workforce.
"All Within My Hands and Carhartt share a common mission to strengthen communities by closing the skilled trades gap," said Todd Corley, senior vice president of inclusion, sustainability and community at Carhartt. "Skilled trades education can be the start of a life-changing career path, and when workers and their families are taken care of, they are able to invest themselves back into their communities. We are proud to support the organizations that are inspiring the next generation of workers from diverse backgrounds by showing them how they can make their own history through the skilled trades."
This isn't the first time Carhartt and All Within My Hands have teamed up to support workforce development within the skilled trades. In March 2024, the workwear brand donated all proceeds from Carhartt.com, Reworked.Carhartt.com and all of its retail locations to All Within My Hands on International Women's Day to foster stronger pathways for women to enter the skilled trades. Timed with Labor Day in 2021, the two like-minded partners also collaborated on a nationwide campaign, "Hard Rock Is Hard Work," aimed to recruit a new generation of workers to the trades, in live events — such as concerts — and beyond.
Since its inception in Aug. 2020, Carhartt's For The Love Of Labor grant program has received hundreds of applications and awarded 24 grants — totaling nearly $2.7 million — to eligible U.S.-based 501©3 designated organizations in recognized apprenticeship industries that serve at least 100 individuals annually. With Carhartt's funding, recipient organizations have been able to provide hardworking participants with durable gear, tools, childcare and transportation. Several recipient organizations have also added new programs, instructors, resources, and ultimately, graduated more apprenticeship students that are equipped to close the country's skilled trades gap.
Established in 1889, Carhartt is a global premium workwear brand with a rich heritage of developing rugged products for workers on and off the job. Headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, with approximately 3,000 employees worldwide, Carhartt is family-owned and managed by the descendants of the company's founder, Hamilton Carhartt.
For more information, visit www.carhartt.com.
All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization conceived by the members and management of METALLICA and dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services. 100% of donations go directly to local organizations that the foundation supports. All Within My Hands' collective efforts have raised over $15 million — providing $8.2 million grants to career and technical education programs, over $3.6 million to combat food insecurity, and more than $3.5 million to disaster relief efforts. As always, METALLICA covers all administrative costs.  | +2 |  |
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26 àâã 2024
ANNIHILATOR's JEFF WATERS Reflects On Missed Opportunity To Audition For METALLICA As JAMES HETFIELD's Temporary Replacement
 Jeff Waters says that METALLICA approached the ANNIHILATOR camp to ask him to audition for METALLICA as James Hetfleld's temporary replacement (on guitar only) while James recovered from being burned onstage back in 1992. METALLICA's guitar tech John Marshall, who previously filled in for Hetfield in 1986 when Hetfield broke his wrist in a skateboarding accident, eventually stepped in on rhythm guitar while the METALLICA star's arm healed.
On Friday (August 23),Waters took to the ANNIHILATOR social media to write: "August 8, 92, Montreal. METALLICA & GNR [GUNS N' ROSES] are on their infamous tour. A Pyro accident burns James Hetfield; luckily, he was ok. 17 days later, he rejoined the tour, singing-only, while tech John Marshall filled in on guitar for him. HOWEVER... here's a little-known, cool story.
"Fast-forward to 2013 at the London, UK Golden Gods/Metal Hammer Award show. I was a guest, along with 5FDP, Duff (GNR) and others, presenting awards and hanging out, honoring MOTÖRHEAD and alot more. I arrived early, being a punctual Canadian, in a then, foreign land. There was a nice, fancy bar up in the back of the venue and I was told to go up there and relax, before the storm of Metal and Rock n Roll hit hard. I get up there and not a soul was there. I ordered a bottle of water and then looked around to find a seat. Out of nowhere, a 'snarly' voice said 'Hey, Waters, is that you?'. I hadn't noticed anyone except the bartender but there was a guy sitting by himself, had glasses on and had a smile on his face. I walked towards him and (my exact words) 'Holy shit, you're Jason Newsted!'. So as a TALLICA/Jason fan, I was pleasantly shocked... that stopped quickly, though, as his next words were 'WTF happened to you, back when James got burnt in 92?'. I had no idea what he meant and asked him to explain. I then sat down beside him and he told me something pretty cool that I WISH I'd known! He said that, back when James had ben injured, they had a band vote as to who should temporarily replace him on guitar. I said to Jason 'ya?'!. Jason said 'we voted to get you but you never called us back'. Needless to say, I was in shock. C'mon. It is fkn METALLICA. Turns out, Jason said that one of their managers had called MY management office (I had 2 managers at that time, as did METALLICA) and they wanted me to do it. Jason said that their mgmt. was told MY mgmt. would get back to them... they never did! Now, after a short time, I figured out that MY mgmt. was likely worried that I might join METALLICA and they would lose their 'hold' on me OR that maybe the run with METALLICA might lead to me realizing that things were NOT right, regarding finances, mgmt., etc... Maybe they had no idea that James was irreplaceable! Either they didn't realize who he was OR it was the fear that I might realize that my business was not being run well! So now back to 2013 in London: Jason said 'we were all pissed that you never got back to us.' WOW! I was stunned and kept apologizing to Jason! He shook his head in disbelief that a manager would have not seen the benefits to even just having that on an artist's resume! haha! I told him, if he ever talks to the guys, to please tell them that MY MGMT. NEVER TOLD ME THAT YOU CALLED! WOW!!!
"So there ya go. Hope the other 3 METALLICA dudes hear this! I wonder if that would have changed anything or would have been simply a fun and honorable, temp-job!"
He added: "PS, this pic was taken, literally, 15 minutes after Jason told me I had that gig in 92 haha! Still in shock."
Among the other guitarists who actually auditioned for METALLICA as Hetfleld's temporary replacement in 1992 were SEPULTURA's Andreas Kisser and Bobby Gustafson, best known for his work with OVERKILL.
In a 2008 interview with Metal Rules, Waters confirmed that he had once been approached by Dave Mustaine about joining MEGADETH. He said: "With MEGADETH, it was a cool connection because in '89 we were touring with TESTAMENT and Chuck [Billy, TESTAMENT singer] storms into my hotel room and when he storms into your hotel room you stand up at attention and listen. And he's, like, 'Waters. Dave Mustaine's on the phone,' and I remember telling him to fuck off. He goes, 'No, seriously. He's on the phone.' [Dave] was looking for a guitar player and he was looking at Dime [PANTERA's 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott], myself and Marty Friedman, and he obviously made the right choice. He got the right guy for that one. Over the years, I've got a call from him or someone around him saying, 'Yeah, Dave needs you or Dave wants to talk to you about...,' you know, this kind of stuff. So I was always the guy that was sort of there but never really went past being the guy he was talking to. After joking about that for long enough, we finally became friends a couple of years ago. We started talking and hanging out a bit so my goal some day is to write a song with him."
Cool METALLICA/Jeff Waters (ANNIHILATOR) story? Annihilator/Amerikan Kaos' JEFF WATERS: "Why not, eh?! :)
August 8,...
Posted by Annihilator on Friday, August 23, 2024
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26 àâã 2024
MICHAEL LARDIE Says GREAT WHITE Singer BRETT CARLISLE Is 'Really Involved' In Songwriting Process For New Music
 During an appearance on the August 23 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", GREAT WHITE rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Michael Lardie confirmed that he and his bandmates are working on material for the follow-up to 2017's "Full Circle" album. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, every time we get together, we try to flesh out two or three ideas. It's hard to say how many we're gonna get, how big a record it's gonna be or if we're just gonna put out a couple of tunes at a time — we're still deciding all of that — but it's a great process with [new GREAT WHITE singer] Brett [Carlisle] because he is really involved. Even back in the day with [original GREAT WHITE singer] Jack [Russell], as great a singer as he was, sometimes he'd have a little ADHD and not want to sit still very long. So he would kind of not be a part of us hashing out the arrangements and stuff. Brett is there all the time, listening to everything we're doing, making suggestions. So it's a great process. We enjoy his thing. He's such a good little dude, man."
This past April, GREAT WHITE guitarist Mark Kendall talked to George Dionne of KNAC.COM about the progress of the songwriting sessions for the band's next album. He said: "I've been having [Brett Carlisle] out recording new stuff. Because I want him to be inspired and just not singing our [old] songs perfect but put his name on some new stuff. So we've been recording. I got a friend, his studio is a little bit more upgraded than mine. This guy Tracy G [Grijalva], he's like a teenage friend of mine who was in DIO. He just has a better studio. So I go down there and lay down ideas and then I have Brett out and go, 'Check this out,' and we sit together. And it's coming out amazing."
Regarding how GREAT WHITE is planning to release its new music, Mark said: "We're not sure how we're gonna put it out, with this day and age. We're talking to a lot of people about it. 'Cause we don't want the music to kind of get lost, with this downloading world. It's not like when we were growing up, we'd buy a record and sit there and listen to [LED ZEPPELIN's] 'Physical Graffiti' all day. Now they just download a couple of songs from this [album], a couple of songs [from that record]. So we're thinking maybe the idea could be [to] just put two or three songs out, maybe a video, and just keep coming with three at a time or something. That way, the music isn't wasted; it actually gets to the people. That's all we're concerned about. We know it's gonna be free on the Internet immediately."
He continued: "Even in our heyday, I was always more interested in the feedback. I want people to tell me, 'Man, I really like this song' or, 'I hate it,' or whatever. I used to go straight to a friend of mine, as soon as we were done, before it was out or anything, because you've gotta wait about four months. So I'd ask him, I go, 'Man, please tell me I'm great. Tell me something good.' He would always pick the singles. And the guy can't — he can't hold a tune in a bucket. I mean, he's so tone deaf, it's insane. But he can listen and he could always pick the singles. I'm going, 'What are you judging by? Is it the beat?' He goes, 'I don't know.' So there's no answer there. But I always like to get the feedback 'cause I wanna know… You have to wait this waiting period after you finish a record to find out if you're good or not, or if people are gonna be accepting. So it is a frustrating time. So I always race all my friends and play it for 'em. So that's what I'm more interested in than the dollars, really, is what people think. And maybe we have a chance to create some more memories."
Asked if he and his bandmates were "a little bit apprehensive" about the fact that Carlisle is only 27 years old while GREAT WHITE, as a group, has been in existence more than four decades, Mark said: "He's in his late 20s, but, believe it or not, he's kind of an old soul in a way. Nothing overwhelms the guy. He just goes out and just totally handles it every night, engages the crowd. He's real good with the interaction. He sings perfect all the time. And he's got really good song sense for a young man. I'm used to feeding people melody ideas when I write a song because that's the way I do it. Everybody has their own way to do it, but I always know that there's a lot of melody available, and he sometimes comes up with something way better than I had. So that's a good sign. And the way he delivers the new stuff, he really has a good handle on the music. And I don't know — I think he was born in the wrong time or something. In other words, we can stand together. It's not like he's standing next to his grandpa or something. It's not like we're CROSBY, STILLS & NASH, and, 'What's that 13-year-old doing there?' When we stand together, it just looks like a band. It doesn't look like we're with a little kid or anything. He's a little better-looking than us, but apart from that…"
Carlisle was officially named GREAT WHITE's new vocalist in October 2022. Brett joined the group as the replacement for Andrew Freeman (LAST IN LINE),who sang for GREAT WHITE for only five months.
Regarding what it has been like working with a singer who wasn't even born when some of GREAT WHITE's classic songs were written, Lardie told Robert Miguel of Uvalde Radio Rocks: "Well, I think he gets what we're trying to do. It's been a godsend to have someone with his youth, but at the same time he has what a lot of people would deem as an older soul. His parents did a great job bringing him up on '70s and '80s rock, so he's pretty well versed in that. And he comes from the South, so he's got a little bit of that blues and gospel edge to him."
Michael went on to say that he is "really looking forward" working on the new GREAT WHITE album with Carlisle. "In fact, before we were going on the other night, I was playing him a little bit of a thing that he and I are working on, and he's going, 'Oh, yeah, I got this idea,'" Lardie said. "So he's really psyched about working with us. And it's a joy to be onstage with him. He's turned into a great little performer, and when he's offstage, he's the most down-to-earth, righteous young man that I've come across in a while. And it's been a joy."
Michael added that Carlisle has the singing ability to handle anything from GREAT WHITE's catalog. "With his energy and his vocal range, we can do pretty much anything," he said. "If somebody throws out a tune, no matter how obscure it might be or how high it might be in terms of range, he's, like, 'Yeah, I can do that.' Like one of the songs we are doing from the very, very first record is 'Stick It'. And he hits every one of those notes spot-on every night. So it's awesome."
Regarding the musical direction of the new GREAT WHITE material, Lardie said: "It's hard to say. I would love the album to be kind of an amalgam of '...Twice Shy' [1989], 'Hooked' [1991] and 'Psycho City' [1992]. I mean, that, to me, would be a great combination of things."
In March, Kendall told The Logan Show about Carlisle: "Even though he's younger than us, he's kind of, like… Nothing overwhelms the guy. He's respectful and everything, but he's not, like, 'Oh, my god. Look at this. Oh, my god. [Look at] that.' He just goes out and just totally handles it every night. Yeah, he's younger than us and whatnot, and, like you said, he wasn't even born in our heyday or whatever, probably, but he just goes out, he really brings the crowd into the show. He's really good and natural at… He doesn't have a script when he goes out there; he just kind of whatever he's feeling, and he sings like perfect, no matter what. It's pretty incredible, really. We're looking forward to doing an album with him, I can tell you that much."
After interviewer Logan Crosland noted that "quite a few people online" have commented that Brett is "probably the closest-sounding singer to Jack Russell," GREAT WHITE's original vocalist, and asked if that was a criteria when hiring Brett to front the band, Mark said: "Not necessarily. What it was is he just sang the songs correctly and he has the range to sing 'em. I don't think his voice sounds that much like Jack, but he has the range of Jack in his heyday. And so we're able to play anything we want, and we really haven't been able to do that in the past. Like we're playing 'Stick It' off the first album, which is up in the astral planes with the vocal range, and he's hitting all those notes full power. I mean, it's not like a falsetto, weak high notes. He's like straight from the gut just like screaming these notes, like full power from A to Z. There's not a song in our catalog that he can't totally handle. And I've been writing with him."
Regarding whether he has any songs already completed, Mark said: "Oh, yeah. I probably have seven complete songs on tape right now. [They're] just absolutely killer. But we haven't collaborated. The way we do it is we get together and we sit in a circle and say, 'What do you got? Let's hear it. What do you got?' And if a riff kind of pokes out, we say, 'Let's work on that. That's badass, dude. That's killer.' And that way it's more of a group effort."
Carlisle made his live debut with GREAT WHITE on September 24, 2022 at the Cannery Casino Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
According to Brett, he felt welcomed by his new bandmates and the GREAT WHITE fans from the get-go.
"After meeting [the GREAT WHITE guys], they're all super-cool dudes," he told Kevin McKay of the 99 Rock WKSM FM radio station. "In Vegas, we had a rehearsal the day before, and I already knew half the songs well enough to be able to do it. So I wanted to do the best that I could on 'em. But after we hung out, everybody was cool and stuff. I mean, it's a big crowd. I love big crowds; they're fun."
Carlisle has been playing guitar and singing since the age of eight and counts bands like VAN HALEN, SKID ROW and METALLICA as his main influences.
In May 2022, GREAT WHITE announced that it had parted ways with singer Mitch Malloy and had replaced him with Freeman. Malloy had been in GREAT WHITE for nearly four years, having joined the group in 2018 following the departure of Terry Ilous.
Ilous, frontman of '80s L.A. hard rockers XYZ, joined GREAT WHITE in 2010 after stepping in for touring vocalist Jani Lane (WARRANT).
The Ilous-led GREAT WHITE released two albums, 2012's "Elation" and 2017's "Full Circle", before Terry was dismissed from the group.
This version of GREAT WHITE is not to be confused with JACK RUSSELL'S GREAT WHITE, which featured Russell.
In January 2023, Kendall told the "Mark 2.0" podcast that he was surprised by the overwhelmingly positive response to Carlisle's addition to GREAT WHITE. "It was world news," he said. "I'm seeing stuff on the Internet from Italy, Germany, the U.K. And even some of the more online dirt-seeking-type entities that normally are just huntin' for the headline to say, 'He said his singer sucks'. That's the article. That's the way it starts. These guys actually said good things and posted some of the [fan-filmed videos]. They're cellphone cameras, so the quality probably isn't… But you can hear it. You need to sing great."
In October 2022, Carlisle was asked in an interview with AL.com about his approach to singing GREAT WHITE's classic songs. He said: "I just want to do the songs justice, because that's what people expect to hear. They want to go to the shows and hear the songs the way they remember them, the way they know them. It's not about me and how many high notes I can hit or anything like that. I just want to do the give the people, and the band, what they want."
Brett went on to say that he is honored to be singing for a band whose songs — including "Save Your Love", "Rock Me" and "Lady Red Light" — he had previously covered with his other band ALL OR NOTHING.
"I just want to learn from them," Carlisle said of his new bandmates "It's just really cool to be included in what I've grown up listening to, like looking at the CDs and everything. And then now people are coming up after the shows asking me to sign like original GREAT WHITE cassettes and stuff. And I'm sitting here feeling like I'm not worthy. Because I didn't record that. But I'm like, I just sang with them, so, sure, if you want me to."
Jack Russell died earlier this month at the age of 63.
The news of Jack's passing came less than a month after he announced that he was retiring from touring following a diagnosis of Lewy body dementia.
GREAT WHITE press photo courtesy of Jeff Klein / Atomic City PR | +1 | |
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26 àâã 2024
Watch: MEGADETH Performs 'Washington Is Next!' Live For First Time In 15 Years
 MEGADETH performed the song "Washington Is Next!" live for the first time since 2009 during the band's August 24 concert at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida. Fan-filmed video of the performance can be seen below.
According to Setlist.fm, the setlist for the concert was as follows:
01. The Sick, The Dying… And The Dead!
02. Dread And The Fugitive Mind
03. Angry Again
04. Hangar 18
05. She-Wolf
06. Washington Is Next! (first time since 2009)
07. Skin O' My Teeth
08. Liar
09. Sweating Bullets
10. Countdown To Extinction
11. Trust
12. Tornado Of Souls
13. We'll Be Back
14. Symphony Of Destruction
15. Mechanix
16. Peace Sells
Encore:
17. Holy Wars... The Punishment Due
"Washington Is Next!" originally appeared on MEGADETH's eleventh studio album, "United Abominations", which was released in May 2007 via Roadrunner Records.
MEGADETH kicked off the "Destroy All Enemies" summer 2024 U.S. tour on August 2 at Walmart AMP, Rogers, Arkansas. Produced by Live Nation, the trek, which features MUDVAYNE and ALL THAT REMAINS as support, is hitting 33 cities, including Las Vegas, Boston and St. Louis, before wrapping up on September 28 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Finnish guitarist Teemu Mäntysaari joined MEGADETH last September after the band's longtime axeman Kiko Loureiro, announced earlier that month that he would sit out the next leg of MEGADETH's "Crush The World" tour in order to stay home with his children back in Finland. It was later revealed that Mäntysaari would continue to play guitar for MEGADETH for the foreseeable future, with Loureiro seemingly having no plans to return.
The 37-year-old Mäntysaari was born in Tampere, Finland and began playing guitar at the age of 12. In 2004, he joined the band WINTERSUN. He has also been a member of SMACKBOUND since 2015.
MEGADETH played its first concert with Mäntysaari on September 6, 2023 at Revel in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Loureiro officially joined MEGADETH in April 2015, about five months after Chris Broderick's exit from the group.
Since its inception in 1983, MEGADETH has ascended from its raw thrash metal roots to become an unstoppable force in the heavy metal world. With founder Dave Mustaine at the helm, MEGADETH's journey has been marked by a penchant for pushing the boundaries of speed, technicality, and complexity in their music. Their groundbreaking album "Rust In Peace", released in 1990, is frequently cited as a seminal work in the thrash metal genre. Along with the critically acclaimed "Peace Sells... But Who's Buying?", it cemented MEGADETH's place in the annals of metal history.
Over four decades, the band's discography has earned numerous certifications, including platinum and multi-platinum awards, with albums like "Countdown To Extinction" and "Youthanasia" achieving widespread critical acclaim. 2016's "Dystopia" not only marked a high point with their first Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" after twelve nominations but also set the stage for their latest triumph, "The Sick, The Dying... And The Dead!" in 2022. MEGADETH's status as part of the "Big Four" of thrash metal underscores their trailblazing role in the genre, laying the groundwork for countless bands and musicians who have followed in their wake.
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26 àâã 2024
Watch: MR. BIG Plays Last Concert Of Farewell Tour In Romania
 MR. BIG played the last show of its "The BIG Finish" farewell tour on Friday, August 23 at the Way Too Far Rock Festival 2024. Bistrița, Romania.
After the concert, MR. BIG bassist Billy Sheehan took to his social media to share a picture from the gig and he included the following message: "Romania!!! Crowd was a little bit light, but they made up for it in enthusiasm! The last MR. BIG show (not MY last show, goddammit!!)
"What a great run we've had since 1988. We made Great memories and millions (literally) of friends all around the world. My unlimited love and respect to all who listened, watched, purchased records, tickets and T -shirts. — without you we would have been nothing. Fact. Moving on now to other adventures, but never forgetting this amazing experience."
Guitarist Paul Gilbert added: "What an adventure! MR. BIG wraps up over a year of touring! Many thanks to ALL! I'll get home just in time for my son's 10th birthday. I hope he remembers who I am! And special thanks to Ibanez guitars for getting beautiful instruments to me after my touring guitars were stolen."
Drummer Nick D'Virgilio, who joined MR. BIG in 2023 as the replacement for the late Pat Torpey, commented: "It has been an amazing run with @billysheehanonbass @paulgilbert_official and @iamericmartin I've been able to rock n roll all over the world with the guys and I will be forever thankful. Big Love for MR. BIG!"
In a recent interview with Joe Rock of Long Island's rock station 102.3 WBAB, MR. BIG frontman Eric Martin admitted that he was "second guessing" the announcement that that the group's "The BIG Finish" farewell tour would in fact mark the last time he and his bandmates hit the road together. He said: "Now since we're all getting along perfectly and the band's so super tight, I'm thinking, why are we dissolving our partnership? I'm second guessing now. I hope we do more records, but I get it. Paul probably doesn't want to tour as much, just like I don't. We've been on this road trip for a year. I don't wanna do the really lengthy tours. I'm not 30 years old anymore. I'm not even 40. I'm not even 50 anymore."
Eric continued: "I love people when they go, 'Oh, what about THE ROLLING STONES? Yeah, what about THE ROLLING STONES? They're super butt rich. They play one gig a week and they fly in, in a jet and five-star hotels. They're a little older now and they still rock out, but I'm thinking Mick Jagger gets carried to the stage. Come on."
Asked if he and his MR. BIG bandmates have considered the idea of doing a residency type of thing somewhere in the future, Eric said: "Well, I would. I would. I know that we've all agreed that — I hope there's a one-off here and there, but after August 23rd, that's all she wrote. And we're gonna stick to our guns — try to stick to our guns. I hope that we do one or two more shows. It's funny that you say residency because our drummer, our new drummer, Nick D'Virgilio, that's his idea lately, going we should do a residency — in Japan, for God's sake. We could do that. Las Vegas, move over Elton [John] and Celine Dion, and we could just maybe get in on the off strip and do a month or do a couple of weeks a year. That would be — in the immortal words of my father — that would be swell."
MR. BIG's tenth studio album, "Ten", was released on July 12 via Frontiers Music Srl. The LP features 11 new original tracks written by Martin and Gilbert, along with André Pessis and Tony Fanucchi. "Ten" was produced by Jay Ruston and MR. BIG.
D'Virgilio missed most of the final European leg of MR. BIG's "The BIG Finish" tour due to his commitments with his band BIG BIG TRAIN. He was temporarily replaced on the trek by Edu Cominato, an experienced drummer from São Paulo, Brazil who has previously played with Sheehan and Martin, Jeff Scott Soto and Geoff Tate (QUEENSRŸCHE),among others.
MR. BIG recently completed the European leg of "The BIG Finish", which saw the veteran band performing MR. BIG's 1991 album, "Lean Into It", in full, along with other cuts from the group's history.
When MR. BIG announced "The BIG Finish" tour last year, the bandmembers said that it was "time to mark the end of this chapter of their legacy" after drummer Pat Torpey lost his battle with Parkinson's disease in 2018. The first leg kicked off in Japan and Southeast Asia in July and August 2023, where the band performed for hundreds of thousands of loyal fans at 11 sold-out shows including Budokan in Tokyo, Japan.
MR. BIG's last-ever live album release will be "The BIG Finish Live", which is due out September 6 via the Evolution Music Group.
"The BIG Finish Live" is a brand-new live album and concert film of MR. BIG's "The BIG Finish" farewell tour, where the band played their million-selling "Lean Into It" album in its entirety, plus additional MR. BIG classics.
Romania!!! Crowd was a little bit light, but they made up for it in enthusiasm! The last Mr Big show ( not MY last show,...
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Friday, August 23, 2024
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A post shared by Paul Gilbert (@paulgilbert_official)
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26 àâã 2024
STEVE HARRIS's BRITISH LION Is Continuing To Write Songs For Upcoming Third Album
 In a new interview with Australia's Heavy, IRON MAIDEN bassist and founder Steve Harris was asked if he has commenced work on the third album from his BRITISH LION side project. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Yeah. We've got two new songs already in the set anyway. We did a lot of new songs before 'The Burning' album. We played them live quite a lot — probably two-thirds of the album, actually, we played live before we actually recorded it. So we've got two new songs now in the set and we'll just keep adding new songs as they come along. So that's the idea anyway."
In a separate interview with Spotlight Report, Harris talked about the differences in the musical direction of BRITISH LION compared to that of IRON MAIDEN. He said: "The songs in BRITISH LION are driven by [singer Richard Taylor] and the guys, so it's just going to be different. Then I come in and get involved with that material in different aspects. Since it's driven by them, it's going to be different anyway. I mean, this sort of started off as a bit more UFO, which MAIDEN was also influenced by, but MAIDEN also had a lot of more prog type and all sorts of other influences as well. BRITISH LION is just more like a rock band with very strong melodies, and Richie's style of singing is very, very different from Bruce's [Dickinson]. I think he is a great singer."
He added: "BRITISH LION is not really a metal band, you know? I mean, it's just an exciting band. I enjoy playing in BRITISH LION as much as I want to."
BRITISH LION recently announced new tour dates, including first-ever tour stops in Australia and New Zealand, starting in Perth on August 31, with dates in Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney and a stop in Auckland, New Zealand on September 15. The band will then return to Japan for the first time in six years with shows in Osaka and Tokyo before returning to the U.S. for their long-awaited live debut on the West Coast with shows at San Diego's Brick By Brick on October 3, the world-famous Whisky A Go Go in Los Angeles on October 7, and an appearance at Aftershock festival in Sacramento on October 10. TONY MOORE'S AWAKE will be the special guest on all dates with the exception of BRITISH LION's performance at Aftershock.
Last summer, BRITISH LION completed a 15-date tour throughout Europe. It included 13 headline tour dates, as well as festival appearances at Hellfest and Sweden Rock Festival.
BRITISH LION's second album, "The Burning", came out in January 2020 in digipack CD, double gatefold vinyl and digital download formats via Explorer1 Music (E1). The LP was recorded, engineered and mixed at Barnyard Studios by Tony Newton and produced by Steve Harris.
BRITISH LION's first U.S. tour took place in January and February 2020.
BRITISH LION comprises singer Richard Taylor, guitarists David Hawkins and Grahame Leslie, Harris on bass and keyboards, and drummer Simon Dawson.
Asked by the Tampa Bay Times what the itch is that BRITISH LION scratches that he doesn't get in his job with MAIDEN, Harris said: "I suppose playing small clubs and being close and personal with the audience. I love playing big places as well. I enjoy them all, and I'm very lucky that I can do them all. But also, it's clubs that I never played with MAIDEN, even in Europe. There's a famous club called the Milky Way in Amsterdam, which I managed to play with BRITISH LION, but I never did that with MAIDEN. There's places that I'm playing on [the U.S.] tour that I've never played before. So it's all new ground. It's a challenge. It's nice. I like a challenge."
In a 2020 interview with Bass Player magazine, Harris said that he loves playing small clubs. "I'm very lucky that I can play all types of gigs; massive gigs and small ones as well," he said. "It's a change. I'm not trying to conquer the world with this band; there's not enough years left in me to do that anyway."
Asked if the different venues present a different set of challenges, Steve said: "I actually think it should be the same, whether you're playing for 200 or 200,000 people, you know. To me, there's no difference. You still give 110 percent wherever you're playing. We had one gig where the promoter just didn't do [anything]. I think we had, like, 95 people in there, but it was still a great gig, one of the best of the tour. It doesn't matter. We're still going for it, and I was proud that we went out there. It was fantastic."
Photo credit: John McMurtrie | +2 | |
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26 àâã 2024
JUDAS PRIEST Shares 'Invincible Shield' Pro-Shot Performance Video From Greece's RELEASE Festival
 British heavy metal legends JUDAS PRIEST have shared a professionally filmed video of the song "Invincible Shield", recorded on July 21 at the Release festival in Athens, Greece. Check out the clip below.
JUDAS PRIEST recently announced leg two of its "Invincible Shield" tour with special guest SABATON. The all-time greats will take over new markets in North America this fall with an additional 23 performances.
Produced by Live Nation, the tour kicks off on September 13 at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec and makes stops in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Omaha, Nebraska; Spokane, Washington; Portland, Oregon; Los Angeles, California; Phoenix, Arizona and more before wrapping up with three shows in Texas on October 22, 24 and 26.
JUDAS PRIEST kicked off the spring 2024 U.S. leg of the "Invincible Shield" world tour on April 18 at Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut.
"Invincible Shield" entered the U.K. chart at No. 2, just behind Ariana Grande's "Eternal Sunshine".
Prior to "Invincible Shield"'s arrival, PRIEST's highest U.K. chart achievement was with 1980's "British Steel", which reached No. 4.
PRIEST's 2018 album "Firepower" entered the chart at No. 5.
"Invincible Shield" was JUDAS PRIEST's fifth Top 10 album, after the aforementioned "British Steel" and "Firepower", as well as 2014's "Redeemer Of Souls" (No. 6) and the 1979 live album "Unleashed In The East" (No. 10).
"Invincible Shield" landed at No. 1 in Germany, Finland, Sweden and Switzerland, as well as No. 5 in France, No. 8 in Italy and No. 16 in Australia.
In a recent interview with Elena Rosberg of Radiocast BG, Rob Halford was asked about the significance of the album title "Invincible Shield" for a band like JUDAS PRIEST. He responded: "JUDAS PRIEST has been defending the faith of heavy metal, not just the music, but everything related to heavy metal, since we began. And as we were making this record, it's my job as the lyricist to find ideas, to find expressions, to find songtitles that convey not only the music that you're making as you create an album, but to give a title, a significant title, that sends a potent message, idea that says, 'This is JUDAS PRIEST, this is our music and this is an invincible shield.' So then, I remember the day when I'm sitting at my home in Phoenix and I'm on my laptop and a pencil, a pencil and some paper writing things down. And I go, I got the word 'invincible'. And then suddenly from nowhere… This is the joy of creativity. Artists will tell you, we don't know where these things come from. You have to grab them quickly, like lightning in a bottle. And then I think of the word 'shield', and I put the two together, 'invincible shield'. Like, 'Wow, this is JUDAS PRIEST. We're an invincible shield in heavy metal, what we've been doing for so long.' And then I go, 'Wait a minute, wait a minute. All of us, every single person on the planet, has an invincible shield inside of them.' And what I mean by that is we all are gifted by God to have this never-ending well of faith, this never-ending well of hope, this never-ending well of preservation, this never-ending well of sustaining ourselves, our families, our friends. Everything that we do together comes in the form of the power of an invincible shield. So that was a bonus. That was not only the title for the music, but it was also a title for everybody."
Halford added: "All of us have an invincible shield. When you think of some of the things that each of us have, in our lives, have had a challenge. We've had a dark moment, whether it's a medical issue, whether it's work, whether it's something very, very potent. But we've survived, we've pushed through. We look back now and we go, 'How did I get through that?' That's your invincible shield. That's the power that humanity has to survive in every aspect of what that word suggests. What does survive mean? It means many, many things. So the joy of having the title of the album be so expansive was just, again, another extra blessing. So there you have it. Invincible shield for JUDAS PRIEST and invincible shield for humanity."
When Rosberg asked Rob if it is "sometimes overwhelming" to have such "a great responsibility" as a person who is conveying certain messages to a large audience, Halford replied: "Yeah, it can be. It can be. You have to find a balance. You have to find a harmony. I love the power of words. Words can do many, many things. The way you choose words, the way you put words together, they can lift you up, they can bring you solace, that can bring you, again, hope, they can bring you all of these things. They can also bring negativity, they can also bring destruction, they can bring war, they can bring political angst and disruption in separating the light from the dark, the truth from the lies, all of these things can be made together by words. I love words. I love putting words together. So when I was writing 'Panic Attack', and I'm talking about the way that social media can be used in a very potent, and sometimes [negative ways through] disinformation, conspiracy theories. All of these attitudes, all of these emotions, all of these ideas come from words. They come from people speaking, they come from people sending instant messages, writing in various forums and quorums on the Internet. So, I think deeply about things like that, and I try to convey those personal feelings and ideas into songs that are still full of joy and power and excitement and energy and good feelings. And that's a tricky thing to do, because JUDAS PRIEST isn't a political band. We're not a socially motivated band. We don't speak out too much on these types of world affairs, world events, but I thought for this record, I'm gonna take a leap of faith, because our fans are smart, our fans are intelligent. They understand this world that we live in when we talk about that side of the social media, that side of the Internet, the double-edged sword of the internet, the good, the bad, the light, the dark, the yin, the yang. And it's turned out that 'Panic Attack' has been the most rewarding song for our fans that we've made.
"So, yes, there is a responsibility," Rob continued. "There's a responsibility from your creativity to do your very best, not to accept anything just for acceptance. Work really hard. We spend an enormous amount of time making these songs because we treasure them. They're gonna be here long after we're gone. So you want to leave something that will have the power to bring joy, have the power to bring passion, excitement, energy, have the power to bring some thinking about the song. What will people think about 'Panic Attack' a hundred years from now? I think about that. [Laughs] I think so deeply about so many aspects of what we're about in JUDAS PRIEST."
Halford added: "So, yes, responsibility. The ultimate responsibility is when you're on that stage. You're on that stage, you're pouring out your heart, you're pouring out your soul in your performance, and you have a responsibility to give every part of yourself at that show." | +1 | |
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26 àâã 2024
See MUDVAYNE Perform In West Palm Beach As Support Act For MEGADETH
 The surfmiami YouTube channel has uploaded video of MUDVAYNE's August 24 concert at iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach, Florida as the support act for MEGADETH. Check out the clips below.
In a recent interview with Pablo of the Minneapolis, Minnesota radio station 93X, MUDVAYNE frontman Chad Gray spoke about the progress of the songwriting sessions for their next studio release. The reunited metallers haven't put out any new material since 2009, which means a decade and a half has gone by without a single fresh MUDVAYNE song.
Asked if he and his bandmates have done any "file sharing" to create their new music, Chad said: "We've done it pretty much every fucking way you can do it at this point. But we did some file sharing and stuff like that. Greg [Tribbett, guitar] sent around some risks and then Matt [McDonough, drums] — 'cause Matt does a lot of like ambient-style music on his own, so he can definitely program. So he programmed some drums, and, obviously, when I get that… All I need is basically the guitar riff and I can start kind of feeling it out for melody and lyrical direction and shit like that. I don't need necessarily the whole thing. I can just have very basic shit for me to start writing… But I'll have the nuts and bolts, and, ultimately, that's what file sharing is all about. It's about getting the nuts and bolts of what you're wanting to do. And then from there, you go in the studio and you fucking tweak it, and you fucking add harmonies and you add fucking layers and fucking overdubs, and you can go crazy and then really make it special. So I'm excited about that. We haven't done that yet. That's the one thing we haven't done yet, is got in a room with a fucking producer."
Addressing the pressure he and his bandmates feel to make music of a high-enough quality to live up to the fans' expectations, Chad said: "Honestly, dude, if we were to go into a studio situation and we were to record something, if every single fucking person on our team — us, the producer, our fucking manager, our fucking lawyer — if everyone on our team is not fucking jumping up and down and high-fiving, then it ain't worth putting out. That's just me — I only wanna put out fucking great shit. And with great shit, [I mean] timeless. You wanna create timeless music, and you have to ask yourself the question, 'Is that timeless? Is this timeless music or is this a fucking fad? Are we following something here or are we leading something here?'"
Gray also talked about the relationship he has with his MUDVAYNE bandmates, particularly as it relates to the creative process. He said: "We are who we are. How we are with our personalities is almost the dynamic of what makes MUDVAYNE great. And it's not conflict or whatever, but we test each other. But I think that that comes across in the music we create. And I think we've always had that since the beginning or whatever. And I think that that's one of the things that kind of makes it great. Obviously, we overcome it and we get through it, but there are like times when we start writing, man, where it's, like, 'Do we want the same thing?' We're trying to mold it. But the good thing is that everybody in the band is really open-minded, and that's what it takes. But when we start, like, I have a vision, Matt has a vision, Ryan [Martinie, bass] has a vision, Greg has a vision, and they're not always the same. Through that, you bring it together, but you've gotta give a little, take a little, give a little, take a little, but you've gotta be willing to do that.
"But, yeah, it's really cool," he continued. "I like the dynamic we have. I like the personalities that we have in the band, and I think that, honestly, that's one of the things that makes it great. And I think that's one of the things that make it special.
"Our music is emotional music, whether it's helplessness or fucking anger or aggression or any fucking gamut — our music definitely covers the gamut of all emotions — and I think that those emotions are what bring people close to our music, because they can build a relationship with it," Chad added. "'Cause I'm not the kind of writer that's, like, 'This is what the song is. This is what the song's about.' I kind of get you going down a road, maybe reel you in a little bit so you kind of get the vibe on where I'm at, but I'm giving you off ramps all the way through it where you can take it and make it applicable to your life. But that's what makes it special, 'cause now you're building your own relationship with it and not what I'm telling you the relationship has to be. There's no boundaries on it, so it's pretty boundless."
This past March, Chad told The Jesea Lee Show that he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates were still "trying to figure out" where they wanted their new material to go.
"Right now, we've got some, you can call them whole songs 'cause they have a start and a finish, but I feel like they're kind of half-songs," he said at the time. "I just don't think they're realized yet. I don't think we have figured out exactly how we want this to play out with what we're doing in our business or how we want it to sonically sound."
Gray continued: "Nothing inside of me wants to be the MUDVAYNE of [the band's 2000 debut album] 'L.D. 50'. I think that the more albums we wrote, the better we got as songwriters. A lot of people would probably disagree with me, but [2008's] 'The New Game' is probably one of my favorite fucking albums. It's got like 'Dull Boy' on it, it's got just some really quintessential MUDVAYNE stuff that's not anything like anybody else was doing. I feel like we fucking finally had kind of found our groove. 'L.D. 50', to me, was a very gratuitous, individual workshop, and we put all four pieces together and called it an album."
Last October, Gray told Australia's Heavy that he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates had "started putting some new stuff together a little bit and people that have heard [some of the early demo] stuff are really excited about it. Only the people that are closest to us have heard anything, and, like I said, it's really rough; it's demos," he explained. "But you can tell it's special. And I think that we have to make sure it's MUDVAYNE. We have to make sure that it's what we want. So we'll just have to see. We were working on it, working on it, working on it a little bit here and there.
"We all live states away from each other — nobody lives even close to each other — so it makes it a little bit difficult," he explained. "But we were able to get some stuff demoed up or whatever, but with us being so far apart, it's a little slow going. And then we just kind of hit a wall. We were, like, 'Okay, we've gotta get back into touring.' So we put everything together and we went back out [last] summer."
In August 2023, Chad told The Oakland Press that he and his MUDVAYNE bandmates had "four [songs] in the pipe. I've written each one of them probably three different times, 'cause it's like nothing's good enough," he revealed. "We're gonna keep pushing. We're all getting along really good. We're all talking. Hopefully we all want the same thing from our music, so we'll see. It's definitely the thing that makes the most sense to do now."
MUDVAYNE completed its first headlining tour in over 14 years, "The Psychotherapy Sessions", in the summer of 2023. Support on the 26-city trek, which was produced by Live Nation, came from COAL CHAMBER, along with GWAR, NONPOINT and BUTCHER BABIES.
Previously, MUDVAYNE made waves in 2022 when they embarked on the "Freaks On Parade" tour co-headlined with ROB ZOMBIE. This 2023 tour, however, marked MUDVAYNE's first headlining endeavor since 2009.
Gray told The Oakland Press that his "main motivation for putting [MUDVAYNE] back together and coming back was our fans", including those who discovered the band during its absence. "There's so many younger kids that are coming up and coming into our world, the metal world, and they're learning about MUDVAYNE," he said. "So you have this, like, the ground's kind of rumbling and it goes out and touches more and more people, but we weren't out there to scratch that itch. You still have your actual fan base but you're accumulating new people. So when we came back it was very exciting for us. It was about our fans and giving those new fans the experience."
MUDVAYNE formed in 1996 and has sold over six million records worldwide, earning gold certification for three albums ("L.D. 50", "The End Of All Things To Come", "Lost And Found"). The band is known for its sonic experimentation, innovative album art, face and body paint, masks and uniforms.
Gray spent 15 years fronting HELLYEAH, which released its sixth studio album, "Welcome Home", in September 2019 via Eleven Seven Music. The disc marked the group's final effort with drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, who passed away six years ago. | +1 | |
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26 àâã 2024
Guitarist MAGNUS KARLSSON To Rejoin PRIMAL FEAR On The Road
 German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR have confirmed that Swedish guitarist Magnus Karlsson, who has been primarily a studio member of the band for much of the past decade, will rejoin PRIMAL FEAR on the road following the recent departures of guitarists Alex Beyrodt and Tom Naumann, drummer Michael Ehré and bassist Alex Jansen.
PRIMAL FEAR said in a social media post: "To answer some of your questions - Magnus Karlsson is still in the band! The only difference to a week ago is that he will join PRIMAL FEAR permanently on albums (like always) and from now on @ all live shows and tours again!"
Added Magnus: "Can't wait to hit the stage with PRIMAL FEAR again! It's going to be an incredible ride! We're going to create something truly special together, both live and in the studio, and I'm so grateful to share this journey with all you metalheads! Metal is forever".
On August 23, Beyrodt, Naumann, Ehré and Jansen announced their departures from PRIMAL FEAR, writing in a statement: "Dear fans and friends of PRIMAL FEAR, we unfortunately have to inform you today that Alex Beyrodt, Tom Naumann, Michael Ehré and Alex Jansen, who helped us on bass for the last two years, are no longer part of the band PRIMAL FEAR. Triggered by decisions within the band that we do not agree with, this step was anything but easy for us to take. We would like to make it clear that despite the differences of opinion, there was no argument or bad blood.
"We would like to thank you for the time we spent together, the numerous albums, the tours, shows and festivals that have taken us around the world together, and of course for the love of the fans. We wish Mat and Ralf all the best for the future!"
Singer Ralf Scheepers and bassist Mat Sinner (a.k.a. Matthias Lasch),who also serves as PRIMAL FEAR's producer, have yet to announce replacements for the departed musicians.
In an April 2023 interview with Dead Rhetoric, Karlsson discussed his decision to focus primarily on his studio work with PRIMAL FEAR, saying: "I haven't toured for a long time, and the pandemic came. As it looks now, I don't think [touring] for me will happen. They have two great guitarists that play live and play in the studio more and more… They have been so kind to me that I could come and go on the tours. That's incredible."
This past June, it was announced that PRIMAL FEAR had officially signed a deal with new record label Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) for the release of the band's next studio album.
PRIMAL FEAR's latest album, "Code Red", came out last September through Atomic Fire. The 11-track follow-up to 2020's "Metal Commando" included the single, "Cancel Culture", themed around a topic that has been heavily discussed in recent years.
Recorded in Germany at Sebastian "Basi" Roeder's Backyard Studios, with the helping hands of Scheepers as well as Mitch Kunz, "Code Red" was produced by Sinner and co-produced by Scheepers and Naumann. Longtime PRIMAL FEAR collaborator Jacob Hansen once again took care of mixing and mastering at his own Hansen Studios in Denmark. Additionally, Stan W. Decker, who created previous works for the band, including 2017's "Angels Of Mercy - Live In Germany", 2018's "Apocalypse" and 2021's "I Will Be Gone", provided the record’s magnificent artwork.
Back in August 2021, PRIMAL FEAR announced that it was scrapping all of its previously announced dates for 2021 and 2022 "due to a serious illness issue." Four months after canceling the concerts, Sinner revealed that he had spent the previous eight months in eight different hospitals.
In April 2021, PRIMAL FEAR released a five-track single called "I Will Be Gone". Also made available was the official music video for the title track, featuring a guest appearance by former NIGHTWISH singer Tarja Turunen.
Formed by Sinner in 1997 as an outlet for Scheepers (who had left GAMMA RAY and was a rumored candidate for the then-open JUDAS PRIEST vocal spot, but was considering early retirement from metal),PRIMAL FEAR has emerged as one of the most consistent European metal bands, rarely straying from its core PRIEST-styled power metal sound.
For more than a decade, Sinner had been the musical director and co-producer for the prestigious European arena tour "Rock Meets Classic".
To answer some of your questions - Magnus Karlsson is still in the band! The only difference to a week ago is that he...
Posted by Primal Fear on Saturday, August 24, 2024
Can't wait to hit the stage with Primal Fear again! It’s going to be an incredible ride! We’re going to create something...
Posted by Magnus Karlsson on Saturday, August 24, 2024
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26 àâã 2024
HELLOWEEN Drummer DANIEL LÖBLE Shares 2022 Live Drum Cam Footage Of "Where The Rain Grows"
 Helloween drummer Daniel Löble has shared drum cam video from of "Where The Rain Grows" performed live in the UK in 2022.
Löble: "In today's video, I’m thrilled to share a video taken during a show in England of our preview tour 2022/23 that took us around the world. From the first hit to the last crash, this track has always inspired me with its catchy rhythm and dynamic tempo. I put my own spin on it, blending the original drum-arrangement with classic techniques and a modern touch to create an exhilarating performance."
"Where The Rain Grows" is taken from Helloween's sixth album, Master Of The Rings. It was the first Helloween album to feature vocalist Andi Deris and drummer Uli Kusch.
Earlier this year, Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM) announced the signing of Helloween for their upcoming studio album. Since their formation in 1984 and the spectacular reunion in 2017, Helloween are undoubtedly one of the world's outstanding representatives of the genre.
RPM comments on the signing: "It is a true milestone for Reigning Phoenix Music to welcome Helloween to our family of artists. Helloween are not just a band, they epitomize the energy and passion of power metal. Their music has inspired generations, and we are proud to collaborate in order to reach new heights."
Helloween themselves are equally enthusiastic about the new partnership: "Sven Bogner and his team have convinced us with their ideas and enthusiasm. They live and love metal, and this is what connects us - we look forward to be working with them!," explains singer Andi Deris.
The combination of Helloween and Reigning Phoenix Music promises a powerful synergy between one of the world's most influential power metal bands and a label that is passionate about promoting up-and-coming talents as well as established artists. Fans can look forward to thrilling musical experiences and innovative projects. Specifically, Helloween will start working on new material from the summer and are planning to release a new studio album in 2025.
Helloween are:
Michael Kiske - vocals
Andi Deris - vocals
Kai Hansen - guitars, vocals
Michael Weikath - guitars
Sascha Gerstner - guitars
Markus Grosskopf - bass
Daniel Löble - drums
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26 àâã 2024
OBSCURA Live At Summer Breeze 2024; Pro-Shot Video Of Full Set Streaming
 On August 14, Obscura performed at Summer Breeze 2024 in Dinkelsbühl, Germany. ARTE Concert has uploaded professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set, which can be viewed below.
Setlist (as per Setlist.fm):
"Forsaken"
"Emergent Evolution"
"Mortification Of The Vulgar Sun"
"Devoured Usurper"
"The Anticosmic Overload"
"Septuagint"
"Incarnated"
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26 àâã 2024
FOO FIGHTERS Denounce DONALD TRUMP's Use Of 'My Hero' At Rally, Will Donate Any Royalties To KAMALA HARRIS Campaign
 FOO FIGHTERS have denounced the unauthorized use of their song "My Hero" at a Donald Trump rally on Friday (August 23).
The former U.S. president introduced Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to the FOO FIGHTERS track at an Arizona campaign rally, just hours after the independent presidential candidate suspended his campaign and endorsed the Republican nominee. Trump described Kennedy as "highly respected" and a "great person" before Kennedy walked out to the 1998 song.
A spokesperson told Billboard about the unauthorized use: "FOO FIGHTERS were not asked permission, and if they were, they would not have granted it." Furthermore, "appropriate actions are being taken" against the campaign, the spokesperson continues, and any royalties received as a result of this use will be donated to the Kamala Harris/Tim Walz campaign.
In recent years, many musicians have fought publicly against the GOP's co-opting of their songs and their respective messages.
AEROSMITH, Neil Young, THE BEATLES, Bruce Springsteen, QUEEN, Elton John, THE ROLLING STONES, as well as the estates of Tom Petty, Prince and David Bowie have all objected to Trump's use of their music at rallies.
Earlier this week, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung posted a 13-second video on his X account of footage of Trump stepping off a plane as Beyoncé's "Freedom" played. A day later, Rolling Stone reported that Beyoncé's team threatened to send a cease-and-desist to the Trump campaign over the use of the song, which it reportedly did not receive permission for.
By contrast, Kamala Harris received approval from Beyoncé's team to use "Freedom" from her 2016 album "Lemonade" as part of her presidential campaign.
Earlier this month, Isaac Hayes's estate took legal action against the Trump campaign for its use of "Hold On, I'm Coming" at multiple Trump rallies over the last two years.
On August 10, Celine Dion posted a statement on Instagram calling out the Republican presidential candidate for playing a video of her performing "My Heart Will Go On" at a recent campaign stop without her permission.
According to Billboard, the performing rights organizations BMI and ASCAP require political campaigns to obtain licenses to use songs in their catalogs, with a caveat in the license that allows songwriters to object to usage in a political campaign. However, that does not prevent a campaign from playing a song at a rally.
In 2017, just a few months after Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 45th president of the United States, FOO FIGHTERS leader Dave Grohl said that he was "ashamed" of having Trump as the country's leader, explaining that the billionaire real estate mogul "seems like a massive jerk."
"Today, the American Dream is broken," Grohl told the British GQ magazine at the time. "I've probably travelled internationally more than our current president and the one thing I understand that he doesn't is that the world isn't as big as you think it is. It is all in your neighborhood. India, Asia, Iceland aren't other solar systems. I am ashamed of our president. I feel apologetic for it when I travel."
Also in 2017, Grohl said in an interview with Switzerland's SRF 3 that criticism of Trump's extremist rhetoric by musicians and Hollywood stars only served to embolden and fuel his base. "I think that for years maybe they felt like the minority and now all of a sudden there's a voice that they can sort of attach themselves to, and the more pushback they get from that, it's like the stronger they feel in a lot of ways," Grohl explained. "So all you can do is fight the good fight every day when you wake up and try to be a good person and treat everybody with respect."
Asked how he, as a responsible parent, talks with his kids about the often-inflammatory behavior we see from the president on a daily basis, Grohl told SRF 3 at the time: "I remember the night of the election, I had to sit down and have a talk with my daughter. She was terrified, man. And I basically told her what I'd just told you. I was, like, 'You can't give up hope. You just have to fight the good fight. And the things you believe in… You have to stand up and represent the things that you actually believe in.' That's what everybody should do. But I think it's hard for a kid to understand that."
Hey @foofighters, did you let Trump use "My Hero" to welcome RFK Jr. on stage pic.twitter.com/HivdG8ypxM
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) August 23, 2024
DJT & RFK: The creators of these songs - Dave & Foos, Neil Young, U2, Elton John, Dee & Twisted - the list goes on & on & on, want NOTHING to do with your sick sociopathic behavior. Your brainwashing of otherwise well-meaning folks does not gel with the meaning of their music https://t.co/Qcb6biXm7M
— Alex Skolnick (@AlexSkolnick) August 24, 2024
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26 àâã 2024
See 4K Video Of DEEP PURPLE's Concert In Tinley Park During Summer 2024 Tour
 The MusicJunkie422 YouTube channel has uploaded 4K video of DEEP PURPLE's August 23 concert at Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois. Check out the clips below.
During an appearance on the August 21 episode of SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk", DEEP PURPLE singer Ian Gillan was asked if retirement is out of the vocabulary for him and his bandmates, more than seven years after they launched "The Long Goodbye" tour. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "I think it is. That was a joke, actually, because it was the promoters. And someone said, 'We've gotta sell some more tickets.' And it's the good old standby, the farewell tour. So I said, Okay, we'll call it 'goodbye' tour, but let's call it 'the long goodbye', and let's make the emphasis on the word 'long',' so it's kind of an enigmatic phrase."
He continued: "There's no intention to stop. At the moment… I spoke to my manager the other day. I've got some solo project. He said, 'You're gonna have to put 'em back,' and I'm putting them back years. We're already booked to the end of '26, in the planning stage, in the diary, with all the projects we've got for DEEP PURPLE. So, yeah, years to come, hopefully."
Earlier this month, Gillan addressed the name of the band's current tour with YES, "=1 More Time" in an interview with Ultimate Classic Rock. Asked how close the end of the road — and, perhaps, DEEP PUPRLE — feels to him, the singer, who just turned 79, responded: "Well, you know what?! It was only recently that I heard somebody mention [the tour name]. I'd never heard that before. I'd never even spoken to anybody about it. No one asked me. That's rubbish. [Laughs] That's not the name of the tour. I think the tour is called 'Unleashed'. Not that it matters; it's a DEEP PURPLE tour and we're happy and whatever. But to answer your question: it is what it is. As soon as you start feeling unable to deliver at that level — of course, you adjust, of course, you adapt and make do the best you can. But when the energy level goes, that's time to stop because then it gets embarrassing and nobody wants that. But so far, so good. I think that's a much better title than what you just said. [Laughs]"
Last December, DEEP PURPLE drummer Ian Paice, who turned 76 in June, was asked by Zoom when he and his bandmates will eventually retire from performing live. He responded: "We have never planned a date to stop working. We are realists. The guys are getting older, and there's gonna come a point where maybe one or two of us don't want to do it anymore or [it's] not physically possible for them to do it. But we don't think about that. We're still having a great deal of fun. A lot of people still enjoy what we do, and so long as those two things stay in harmony, we'll continue.
"I don't think we'll ever know what the last gig, what the last tour is," he continued. "I think it'll come and just smack us in the face. Unless there's a definite plan, which there isn't, to do something as a final bye-bye, I just think we'll just go, 'Sorry, guys. We're finished. We can't do it anymore. It's been wonderful.' But even then, I think if we stopped touring, there's no reason why we couldn't make more records. That's the easiest thing in the world. All you've got to do is have the ideas. That's the hardest thing in the world. But physically making a record is easy."
Paice added: "Touring only works if you enjoy it. You can't just enjoy the two hours a night when you're playing. You've got to be able to deal with the whole thing. You've got to be able to deal with a ten-hour flight, a hotel which is less than perfect, transportation which goes wrong. You've gotta deal with all that. And if you can, and still enjoy it, then why would you stop something that you got into as a kid 'cause it made you happy? And if it still makes you happy, why would you stop it?"
Paice's PURPLE bandmate Roger Glover expressed a similar sentiment about the band's final tour in a June 2023 interview with Rock Hard Greece. The bassist, who turned 78 last November, said: "I don't like the idea of announcing the last show: 'And here they are. This is their last show.' I mean, the stress involved in that would be ridiculous. Where would it be? When would it be? For me, the ideal ending for PURPLE is that we just carry on until it stops. No announcement. We're not gonna announce, 'This is the last one.' People would buy tickets: 'Oh, this is the last one.' It's an exercise in making money. It's not very good. I've never liked it. I'd rather go and play and play and play and play, and one day when something happens and one of us drops dead or gets really ill or whatever, [we say], 'Well, that's that.' And leave it at that."
In 2022, DEEP PURPLE keyboardist Don Airey, who turned 76 in June, told Rolling Stone magazine that there is no concrete plan for him and his DEEP PURPLE bandmates to stop playing live shows.
"We started the farewell tour in 2017. It was due to end in 2019," he noted. "But the thing is, when you're a musician in a band, you think you're in control of it, but you're not. The business is running you.
"Of course, there was so much demand for the band to continue from the promoters and agents that we said, 'Okay, we'll do one more year.'"
Regarding when he thinks DEEP PURPLE will finally call it quits, Don said: "The words of T.S. Eliot [the greatest English-language poet of his generation] come to mind: 'This is the way the band ends. Not with a bang, but with a whimper.' I think we won't know it's the last gig. We won't have a clue that this one is going to be the last one. That's how it's going to end. It's going to be no big scenario.
"I like what Buddy Guy said. He said, 'Musicians don't retire. They drop.' You do have thoughts about being in the garden and bouncing the grandchildren on your knee, but it's part of your blood system, playing and touring. It's an addiction. I hope I keep playing for a while yet."
In July 2022, guitarist Steve Morse officially left PURPLE to care for his wife, Janine, who is battling cancer. He has since been replaced by Simon McBride.
DEEP PURPLE's latest album, "=1", came out on July 19 via earMUSIC.
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26 àâã 2024
P.O.D.'s MARCOS CURIEL: There Are 'So Many Reasons' For People 'To Love This Band' And 'Not To Love This Band'
 During an appearance on the July 8-9 episode of "Whiplash", the KLOS radio show hosted by Full Metal Jackie, P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel was asked about the band's musical diversity and the ability to take P.O.D.'s songwriting in so many different directions while still continuing to evolve. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, there's so many reasons to love this band and then there's so many reasons for people not to love this band and jump the gun, jump to conclusion of what they think we are or who we are. And that's a blessing and a curse because we're just a band that started in the garage. We're like the true American dream. I always like to make the comparison to Apple or IBM. When you look at their stories, they started in the garage, creating their product. We did the exact same thing, and we did it in San Diego, South San Diego. And we never really had these, we didn't have this premeditated type of thing that we were gonna set out to do. We were always just kids trying to get the next gig. 'Hey, if we play and practice, we can play that so-and-so's kegger on Saturday' or 'we can get to the one club and play the local all-ages club,' and then it just started to evolve and kind of just grow."
He continued: "But, yeah, there's a lot of roots there, there's a lot of soul, and I think a lot of people don't seem to understand that about our band. We're not just black and white; there's so many shades and different colors that come along with listening to P.O.D. And some people just know us by the singles, but if you do your research and get into the deep cuts of the record, there's so many different flavors. And some people like a lot of flavor on their food, and then there's some people that just like their food really bland. So you've gotta really like a lot of flavor on your food to listen to a band like P.O.D. [Laughs]"
This past May, P.O.D. frontman Sonny Sandoval talked about the status of the band's longtime drummer Noah "Wuv" Bernardo, who hasn't recorded or toured with the group since 2021. He told United Rock Nations: "I wouldn't say he's not in the band anymore. We've said this before that he'll always be the drummer of this band. But we're all going through stuff right now that it takes personal attention to dive in and to figure it all out so that we can all get along. He's my cousin, he's family. But we're not trying to put anybody's business out there. We're all grown men and we have to take responsibility in our own lives to just figure things out. And for quite some time now with, there's just been tension in the band."
Referencing P.O.D.'s latest album, "Veritas", which was released on May 3 via Mascot Records, Sonny said: "When we had to write this record, it was just with the mindset of, like, 'Hey, we'll start the record. Maybe we'll just get things going and we'll figure this out. COVID, all this stuff — life is crazy right now. But everybody wants to be in this band and so we'll fight for it.' And then, as things happen, it hasn't happened yet. But [Wuv] will always be the drummer of this band. The seat is his when he wants it. It's just, I think all these years later, we just all have to be on the same headspace together. So I hope that that's sooner than later."
Regarding how P.O.D.'s current touring drummer Alex Lopez (ex-SUICIDE SILENCE) came to be involved with the band, Sonny said: "I think he had reached out to Marcos a while ago, just as friends, even just to help out drum teching or doing whatever. I think he was tired of that world that he was in, 'cause he's been grinding for a long time. And he's married to Tatiana [Shmayluk] from JINJER. And I think Marcos and him just started hanging out. I was supposed to hang out, too. Tatiana came down, and instantly they all became part of the P.O.D. family, the JINJER/P.O.D. family. And then when the time came to start doing live shows, we just said, 'Hey, would you wanna give it a shot? We need a drummer right now.' And so he helped us out. He's been filling in for about two years now. But again, like I said… I love playing with Alex and it's been so much fun, but we're still waiting to see what happens with P.O.D. as P.O.D. Maybe it's just this album cycle. Who knows? But in the meanwhile, Alex is amazing and he's such a talented drummer and, along with him, we've been able to know Tatiana and the whole JINJER camp. So it's been awesome."
Last fall, the band debuted the video for "Drop", which features a vocal cameo from LAMB OF GOD singer Randy Blythe. It earned quick press accolades from Metal Injection, Consequence, Revolver, Idioteq, The Pit, Yahoo! and Knotfest. They followed with the video for single "Afraid To Die", featuring Shmayluk.
"Veritas" was written over the course of several years, with the band typically writing a tune or two at a time with the Los Angeles-based production duo called the Heavy (Jason Bell and Jordan Miller).
Last October, Sonny revealed to the 96.7 KCAL-FM program "Wired In The Empire" that renowned session drummer Robin Diaz laid down the drum tracks for "Veritas", marking the first P.O.D. LP that doesn't feature Bernardo. Regarding Robin's contribution to "Veritas", Sonny said: "He tours with all the bands, but he's pretty much one of the — I would say next to Josh Freese, he's probably the main man in Hollywood. And he's an old-school friend of ours, and, dude, he came in and just nailed it. So there's a different feel on that too, because it's the first time without my cousin Wuv. So it's a rocking feel." | +1 | |
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26 àâã 2024
TUNGSTEN Feat. Former HAMMERFALL Drummer Debut "Lullaby" Music Video
 Symphonic metallers Tungsten, the quartet consisting of ex-HammerFall drummer Anders Johannson, his sons Karl (bass, keyboards) and Niklas (guitars), and singer Mike Andersson, have released the new single, "Lullaby", lifted from the band's upcoming album, The Grand Inferno, out October 18 via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
A message states: "It's about a mother who sacrifices her own child to a herd of unknowing beings to stay forever young but, her story takes a dark turn as the child returns from the grave and brings its revenge for the things she had done to him as the lullaby she sang for her child is sung forevermore by the child."
"The place we rented to film the band scenes for the music video was very strange and spooky. Small trees and bushes were growing on the third floor in a big warehouse room….green moss covered the ground…overall a fun but, kinda nasty experience."
Stream/download "Lullaby" here, and watch the music video below:
The upcoming self-produced 11-song offering emerges as a testament to Tungsten's relentless pursuit of sonic excellence. With a rich tapestry of heavy riffs and captivating melodies, the album showcases the band's dynamic range and songwriting prowess.
Pre-order The Grand Inferno in the physical format of your choice (CD-digipak, coloured vinyl), pre-save it on your favourite DSP or pre-order it digitally here.
The Grand Inferno Tracklisting:
"Anger"
"Blood Of The Kings"
"Lullaby"
"The Grand Inferno"
"Falling Apart"
"Walborg"
"Vantablack"
"Me, Myself, My Enemy"
"Chaos"
"Sound Of A Violin"
"Angel Eyes"
"Blood Of The Kings" video:
"Walborg" video:
Find the band's tour itinerary here.
Tungsten are:
Mike Andersson - vocals
Niklas "Nick" Johansson - guitars, backing vocals
Karl "Kalle" Johansson - bass, keyboards, screams
Anders Johansson - drums
(Photo - Mike Norgren)
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26 àâã 2024
MIKE TRAMP Shares New Single And Visualizer "Out With The Boys"; Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II Album Available Now
 Today, famed rock vocalist and guitarist, Mike Tramp, shares "Out With the Boys", a new single from his new album, Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II, out today via Frontiers Music Srl.
The album's ten tracks once again see Tramp re-imagining select cuts from his former band White Lion. "Out With The Boys" is accompanied by a new visualizer, available below:
About the new album, Mike Tramp stated: "Would Leonardo Da Vinci have re-painted Mona Lisa, if he had gotten a second chance? That we will never know, but I can say for sure, that I am beyond thrilled to have gotten a second chance to re-record and sing the songs I wrote between 1983 -1990. Today I have such a better understanding of how I want to express the songs in my voice than I had when I was in my 20’s, it’s just a fact, and I’ve grabbed the chance. 'Songs Of White Lion' is a whole new chapter, matter of fact it is current."
Mike Tramp came to prominence in the music world with White Lion, who formed in 1983. After signing to Atlantic Records, the band enjoyed great success with their second album Pride in 1987, which included the hits "Wait" and "When The Children Cry". The band's third album, Big Game (1991), and fourth album, Mane Attraction (1992) continued the band's winning streak, but ultimately White Lion disbanded in 1992.
After White Lion, Tramp formed the hard rock band Freak Of Nature, who had a decidedly darker and harder vibe than White Lion. Freak Of Nature would release three studio albums before disbanding in 1996. In 1998, Tramp kicked off his solo career with the album, Capricorn; in 2002, his second solo album Recovering The Wasted Years was released. Tramp would then take a break from his solo career from 2004-2008 to tour and record under the name Mike Tramp's White Lion and eventually under the name White Lion, releasing the album Return Of The Pride in 2008.
Since 2009, Tramp has been writing and recording as a solo artist releasing nine studio albums, including his most recent, 2022's For Første Gang. He has also been a consistent presence on the road, both as an acoustic solo artist and with a backing band, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Order Songs Of White Lion - Vol. II here.
Tracklisting:
"Lights & Thunder"
"Lonely Nights"
"Till Death Do Us Part"
"El Salvador"
"The Road To Valhalla"
"Don't Give Up"
"You're AII I Need"
"Out With The Boys"
"All You Need Is Rock'n’Roll"
"Farewell To You"
"Lonely Nights" visualizer:
"Lights & Thunder" video:
Tramp's tour itinerary can be found here.
(Photo - Jakob Muxoll)
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26 àâã 2024
BABYLON A.D. Release New Single And Video "Sometimes Love Is Hell"
 “Sometimes Love Is Hell”, the third single from the new studio album by Babylon A.D., is being released to radio. The second single, and title track, "Rome Wasn't Built In A Day" reached #27 on the Mediabase Classic Rock Chart (#33 Archived) and #3 on the Mediabase Classic Rock Daily Chart. The single saw support from the likes of Alice Cooper on his nationally syndicated radio show Alice's Attic and Eddie Trunk on SiriusXM's Hair Nation. Stations with spins on the single included WDRV (97.1 The Drive) in Chicago, KSAN (107.7 The Bone) in San Francisco, KSLX (100.7) in Phoenix and WCXS (94.7) in Detroit.
Stream "Sometimes Love Is Hell" here, and watch the video below.
Derek Davis, lead singer, discussed the meaning of track: “'Sometimes Love Is Hell' is the universal love story of every man and woman that have ever lived since the days of Adam and Eve. Love alway starts out peaches and cream and then the daily grind of everyday life sets in and the beautiful movie that began with two people joining their souls together slowly becomes a struggle for what they once had. Can you get back to the beginning? Will you make it to the end? How strong is the bond that has been forged? Can you survive the struggle and stay in the fight to be with the one you love Forever? This is what the song is about. It’s every man and woman’s journey of hope, desperation, desire and the truth that, “Sometimes Love Is Hell! But it can be Heaven Too! It’s how bad do you want it!"
Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day is available via Perris Records. Order/purchase the album here.
Tracklisting:
"Wrecking Machine"
"Pain"
"Sometimes Love Is Hell"
"Rome Wasn't Built In A Day"
"Looking For A Heartbeat"
"I Will Never Break Again"
"White Hot Bullet"
"Crashed Into The Sun"
"Face Of GOD"
"Shut Up"
"Super Beast"
"Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day" video:
"Wrecking Machine":
Album details:
Produced, Mixed, Engineered by Derek Davis @ The BADMOFO’s Recording Studio, Pleasanton, CA.
Drums recorded by Gabriel Shepard @ 25th Studios Oakland CA.
Mastered By David Donnelly, DNA Mastering Los Angeles CA.
Photos - Angela Probst - Studio A
Vintage Artwork Concept Design - Derek Davis
Band Members:
Derek Davis - Vocals, Keyboard, Guitar
Ron Freschi - Lead Guitar, Background vocals
John Mattews - Lead Guitar
Craig Pepe - Bass, Background vocals
Dylan Soto - Drums / Background vocals
Background vocals on "I Will Never Break Again" - Lane Borchard
Tour dates:
August
25 - Monster On Mountain - Gatlinburg, TN
September
20 - Feather Falls Casino - Oroville, CA
21 - Horsefest - Newark, CA
October
26 - Vinnie's Bar & Grill - Concord, CA (107.7 Bone Night Out)
September 2025
5-8 - Hard Rock Hell Sleaze Festival at O2 Academy - Leicester, England
About Babylon A.D.:
Formed in 1987, Babylon A.D. hail from the San Francisco Bay Area, CA. Original members, Derek Davis vocalist/songwriter, guitarist's and music writers John Mathews and Ron Freschi drummer James Pacheco and bassist Rob Reid met in high school before they began playing together as "The Persuaders" making a name for themselves with their powerful live performances and catchy songwriting skills becoming one of the top drawing original Hard Rock bands in the Northern CA.
In 1989 the band changed their name to "Babylon A.D." and caught the attention of Arista Records President and industry music mogul “Clive Davis”, who signed them at a live showcase in Los Angeles thanks to their impressive three song demo and a home made video. John Mattews departed the band and was replaced by another high school friend Dan De La Rosa just before their self-titled album Babylon A.D. was released in 1990. The album included their hard rock classic hits "Bang Go The Bells”, “Hammer Swings Down” and “The Kid Goes Wild”, which featured Screaming "Sam Kinison" and was the trailer song and promotional video for Orion Pictures (Robo Cop 2). The band scored three #1 songs at Metal Radio and reached Gold status on their first release, which spent 38 weeks on the Billboard top 200, peaking at # 46. Their sophomore effort (Nothing Sacred) was produced by the legendary "Tom Werman" and released in 1992, it produced two more top-ten metal rockers. “Bad Blood” and “So Savage the Heart”. Constant touring throughout the early 1990s and several MTV videos made them one of hard rock fans favorite bands.
In 1999 the band and released Live In Your Face on Apocalypse Records, a compilation of live tracks recorded at various cities’ across America. Their next release American Blitzkrieg soon followed in 2002 and both records were well received by critics and fans alike. In 2008 the band released Babylon A.D. In The Beginning on Perris Records, a compilation of songs from the original demo tapes that secured them their recording contract with Arista Records.
After a long hiatus the band started playing and recording again in 2014. Touring across the States and Europe releasing the four song EP Lost Sessions. in 2018 John Matthews rejoined the group and the band signed with Frontiers Records for their forth studio release Revelation Highway. Four singles/ videos and more touring followed through the beginning of 2020. In 2022 original members James Pacheco and Robb Reid left the band for other pursuits remaining connected to the bands legacy and part of a brotherhood of friendship that has lasted for over 30 years!
Present Day...
Fast forward to 2023, Babylon A.D. announced new members Craig Pepe (bass) and Dylan Soto (drums) and a new live concert album Live Lightning from Perris Records. The new album included their top-ten rock-radio classic hits from their debut album as well as songs from “Nothing Sacred”, “American Blitzkrieg”, and “Revelation Highway”.
As 2024 begins the band is set to release their fifth studio album on Perris Records titled Rome Wasn’t Built In A Day on May 17. The 11 track album is classic Babylon A.D. firing on all cylinders, showcasing great songwriting talent, performances and the hard rock sound the band is known for. New videos and singles are coming and the band is currently booking and playing select live shows across the states in support of the new album.
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26 àâã 2024
JOE ELLIOTT On DEF LEPPARD's 'Crossroads' Collaboration With TAYLOR SWIFT: It Still 'Looks' And 'Sounds Great'
 Sixteen years ago, DEF LEPPARD teamed up with a teenage Taylor Swift for an episode of CMT's "Crossroads". At the time, Taylor was a country music superstar whose songs were just starting to become pop hits. In a new interview with Japanese music critic and radio personality Masa Ito of TVK's "Rock City", DEF LEPPARD frontman Joe Elliott reminisced about working with the then-18-year-old star. He said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "It's a strange thing. My kids, who are 14, 7 and 4, have never seen me with Taylor Swift. And I've told them. They didn't believe me. [Laughs] Because my kids are Swifties. And they didn't believe that daddy had sung with Taylor Swift. So I had to pull the DVD out and put it on. And they were just like this. [Opens his mouth wide]
"I hadn't seen it since 2009 or whatever — [it had been] 15 years since I saw it — and I watched the whole performance, and it was way better than I remembered it being," he admitted. "I didn't think it was bad [at the time], but sometimes things don't age well. This looks great. She looks amazing, she sounds great, the band was on fire, and we played together with her band. So a lot of interesting arrangements came out of that, different textures. It was great to do it differently. But, yeah, we performed ['Photograph'] — in fact, it was the opening track of the show. And it was good fun doing that show. I really enjoyed it, 'cause she got to sing some of ours and I got to sing some of hers. And it was a really interesting week we had together. It was about four days of rehearsals, and then we shot the show twice. They picked the best bits from the two nights.
"Who knew how big she was gonna be?" Elliott continued. "She was popular then, but now she's in a different stratosphere to what she's ever been in before, or most other artists have ever been in. So, we can always look back on that and go, 'Hey, DEF LEPPARD, little old DEF LEPPARD, once got to play with Taylor Swift.'"
Joe previously discussed DEF LEPPARD's collaboration with Swift in a 2018 interview with Rolling Stone magazine. Asked what signs he saw that this young woman was going to basically conquer the world, Elliott said: "Well, she was already pretty big, so the conquer the world was something that was either gonna happen or wasn't. In fairness, she really did go out, full bore, and conquer the world. Good luck to her for doing that, you know?
"The whole thing came together because somebody walked into our dressing room with a laptop… He goes, 'It's Taylor Swift, she's doing this interview, and she said there was only band that she would ever do a 'Crossroads' with, and it was DEF LEPPARD.' We went, 'Wow, okay, get in touch with her, see what she thinks.' Lo and behold, couple of months go by and, all of a sudden, we're doing this show.
"We've always been that poke-noses-out-of-joint kind of band. I loved the idea of something that's gonna either piss people off or they go, good for you for doing something different. If you're gonna do collaborations, I don't see the point in us doing a song with BON JOVI. Do you know what I mean? It's like, I'd prefer the idea of Jon doing a song with, like, Tom Waits. Us doing something with Loudon Wainwright III or Leonard Cohen. Somebody completely off the wall. Or Elvis Costello and MOTÖRHEAD. Can you imagine what that would sound like?"
Asked how it all worked, Joe said:"Getting hooked in with Taylor was great. She was 17 years old. We were more than willing to do this. We got a new record just out. It was a bit of fun. It was a four-day project. It was two days of rehearsals. It was two shows and everybody did their homework. We turned up knowing all the chords, knowing all the lyrics. There weren't really any difficulties. There were a couple of moments where we sat down, me and Taylor sat down, and she says, 'I can't sing that line,' 'cause it was a bit too risqué, in ['Pour Some Sugar On Me']. So we'd swap things around. And the fact that I was actually singing from the male point of view in some of her stuff, like in 'Love Story'. As you say, I'm not going to sing something and half-ass it. I'm going to give it my all. Because it doesn't matter. It's a one off project and you've got to sell yourself in the right light. It makes no difference to me whether it's a RAMONES song or a Taylor Swift. I'm gonna do it the best I can."
DEF LEPPARD and JOURNEY will join forces for a summer 2024 North American tour. The 23-date trek will begin on July 6 in St. Louis, Missouri and hit cities including Orlando, Atlanta, Chicago, Toronto, Boston, Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles and more before wrapping in Denver on September 8. Openers include STEVE MILLER BAND, HEART and CHEAP TRICK, which will vary by city.
DEF LEPPARD and MÖTLEY CRÜE have completed several legs of "The World Tour", which included U.S. dates with Alice Cooper.
DEF LEPPARD's latest album of all-new material, "Diamond Star Halos", sold 34,000 equivalent album units in the U.S. in its first week of release in May 2022 to land at position No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart. It marked the band's eighth top 10 LP.
Of "Diamond Star Halos"' 34,000 units earned for the week, album sales comprised 32,000, SEA units comprised 2,000 (equaling 2.7 million on-demand official streams of the album’s songs) and TEA units comprised less than 500 units.
DEF LEPPARD's previous Top 10 albums included "Pyromania" (which peaked at No. 2 in 1983),"Hysteria" (No. 1 for six weeks in 1988),"Adrenalize" (No. 1 for five weeks in 1992),"Retro Active" (No. 9; 1983),"Rock Of Ages: The Definitive Collection" (No. 10; 2005),"Songs From The Sparkle Lounge" (No. 5; 2008) and "Def Leppard" (No. 10; 2015).
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26 àâã 2024
JON ANDERSON AND THE BAND GEEKS Premier "Counties And Countries" Music Video; True Album Out Now
 After months of anticipation, the debut album from Jon Anderson And The Band Geeks, True, is released today. The nine-song album, produced by Jon and Richie Castellano, is the album YES fans worldwide have been waiting for since Jon’s departure from the band in 2008.
The album’s centerpieces are two epic tracks, the 16 and a half minute “Once Upon A Dream” and the nearly 10 minute “Counties And Countries”. To celebrate today’s release, the group have released a video for “Counties And Countries”. The video was created by Jon's co-producer and Band Geek member Richie Castellano and Jon’s long-time videographer Michael Byrne.
Watch the video below, and order True here.
Tracklisting:
"True Messenger"
"Shine On"
"Counties And Countries"
"Build Me An Ocean"
"Still A Friend"
"Make It Right"
"Realization Part Two"
"Once Upon A Dream"
"Thank God"
"Counties And Countries" video:
"True Messenger" video:
"Shine On" video:
Jon and The Band Geeks commence Leg 3 of their summer tour on September 11 in Beverly, Mass. All remaining dates are below:
Tour dates:
September
11 - Beverly, MA - Cabot Theatre
13 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
15 - Glenside, PA - Keswick Theatre
19 - Port Chester, NY - Capitol Theatre *
21 - Montclair, NJ - Wellmont Theatre *
25 - New London, CT - Garde Arts Center
27 - Staten Island, NY - St George Theatre *
* with Special Guests The Return of Emerson, Lake & Palmer
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26 àâã 2024
FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE Unveil "Morphine Waltz" Music Video; Opera Album Out Now
 Italian symphonic death metal maestros, Fleshgod Apocalypse, have returned with their sixth studio album, Opera.
Available for stream and purchase now from Nuclear Blast Records, the baroque operatic band’s new record is a ferocious collection of intense, volatile tracks directly inspired by frontman Francesco Paoli’s 2021 near fatal mountain climbing accident.
Today, Fleshgod Apocalypse unveils the turbulent video for the opus "Morphine Waltz"; a turbulent glimpse at the band’s raging stage show.
Commenting on the track Paoli says: "'Morphine Waltz’, THE visionary song par excellence, has a much deeper meaning, which goes beyond its lysergic atmosphere. It’s actually a true anthem to science, which once again has proved itself to be the only reality that counts. But this track is also a perfect demonstration that our new line-up is on a whole new level, showcasing Veronica’s amazing versatility besides Eugene’s and Fabio’s insane technical skills. After a few cinematic music videos, we wanted to pay tribute to another essential, if not the most important, dimension for the band: the stage. Delivering intense and truly theatrical live performances allows us to create a direct, unbreakable bond with our fans. And our upcoming North American tour will be our most theatrical ever. Folks, today is the day! Let's not waste any more time with words and let the music speak for itself. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the ‘Opera’!”
Mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated producer Jacob Hansen (Volbeat, Epica, Arch Enemy), Opera definitely marks another step forward for the band, incorporating new suggestions into that unique blend that Fleshgod Apocalypse are renowned for: sheer violence, majestic orchestrations and soaring melodies. Such an ambitious musical endeavor called for an equally impressive artwork, a team effort between two arising Italian talents (artist extraordinaire Felicita Fiorini and visionary photographer Francesco Esposito), following the path traced by baroque painters like Caravaggio and Artemisia Gentileschi.
The cover art portrays Veronica as Music, a superior entity that defeats the social and artistic decay of modern age.
With this new record, Fleshgod Apocalypse are setting the bar even higher than before, pioneering what looks like a completely new sub-genre that might be called “Opera Metal”: an unprecedented mix of extreme music and theatrical elements.
“The best stories always come from pain, it's a bitter truth yet undeniable.” Francesco P. states. “We managed to turn one of the worst things in life into a work of art, that embodies our personal and artistic growth and takes the listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions, where they can experience what I've been through hand in hand with me. It's a waking nightmare but that's how life is sometimes, just scary.”
Francesco P. continues: “In my visionary representation of this journey, that begins with my near death experience and culminates in a much desired physical and psychological rebirth, I wanted to frame every single step of my calvary, as if they were acts of an "Opera Lirica", with dialogues or even confessions to imaginary characters, who have been constant presences throughout my whole (mis)adventure.
"This album tosses you in a vortex of discomfort and uncontrollable feelings, where you can experience pain, fear, desperation, anger, frustration, but also resolve, courage, hope and a profound desire for redemption. I strongly believe that this album is a solid manifest of resilience, and I hope that my story will inspire people who got “lost” for whatever reason. We can’t wait for you to hear the full album and play it live at the four corners of the world. We’re planning to take everyone to “Opera” with a massive new show, so get ready!”
Order Opera here.
Opera tracklisting:
"Ode to Art (De’ Sepolcri)"
"I Can Never Die"
"Pendulum"
"Bloodclock"
"At War With My Soul"
"Morphine Waltz"
"Matricide 8.21"
"Per Aspera Ad Astra"
"Till Death Do Us Part"
"Opera"
"I Can Never Die" video:
"Bloodclock" video:
"Pendulum" video:
Fleshgod Apocalypse will return to North America in support of the new release for a co-headline tour with Shadow Of Intent, and support acts Ingested, The Zenith Passage and Disembodied Tyrant. Purchase tickets here.
Tour dates:
September
14 - Cleveland, OH - House of Blues
15 - Chicago, IL - Metro
16 - Bloomington, IL - The Castle Theatre
18 - Detroit, MI - Saint Andrew’s Hall
19 - Toronto, ON - The Opera House
20 - Montreal, QC - L'Olympia
21 - Ottawa, ON - Brass Monkey
22 - Worcester, MA - New England Metal and Hardcore Festival
23 - Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw
25 - Reading, PA - Reverb
26 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
27 - Charlotte, NC - The Underground
28 - North Myrtle Beach, SC - House of Blues
29 - Tampa, FL - The Orpheum
October
1 - Austin, TX - Come And Take It Live
2 - San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger
3 - Dallas, TX - Granada Theater
4 - Oklahoma City, OK - Diamond Ballroom
5 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
6 - Mesa, AZ - The Nile Theater
8 - San Francisco, CA - DNA Lounge
9 - Sacramento, CA - Ace of Spades
10 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
11 - Riverside, CA - Riverside Municipal Auditorium
12 - Las Vegas, NV - House of Blues
13 - Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall
15 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
(Photo - Francesco Esposito)
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26 àâã 2024
ENEMY INSIDE Unleash New Single / Video "Sayonara"
 Modern metal band, Enemy Inside, recently partnered with Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM), have released a new single, "Sayonara". The official video can be viewed below. STream or purchase the song here.
The band states: "'Sayonara' is a power track with Japan vibes and anime-style video. The message: don't let haters bring you down. I am who I am and if you don't like it, sayonara!"
With their third, yet-untitled studio album coming up, Enemy Inside will embark on an 18-date European headline tour in early 2025 with support coming from Letters Sent Home. Info and tickets here.
Enemy Inside are:
Nastassja Giulia - vocals
Evan K - lead guitars
Dave Hadarik - rhythm guitars
Dominik Stotzem - bass
(Photo - Henrik Bauer)
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26 àâã 2024
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26 àâã 2024
SUBWAY TO SALLY - Live At Summer Breeze 2024; Pro-Shot Video Of Full Performance Streaming
 On August 17, Subway To Sally performed at the 2024 edition of Germany's Summer Breeze festival in Dinkelsbühl. You can now watch professionally-filmed footage of the band's full set, courtesy of ARTE Concert.
Setlist:
"Henkersbraut"
"Was Ihr Wollt"
"Leinen Los"
"Alles Was Das Herz Will"
"Eisblumen"
"Auf Dem Hügel"
"Minne"
"Island"
"Falscher Heiland"
"Ihr Kriegt Uns Nie"
"Sieben"
"Tanz Auf Dem Vulkan"
"Kleid Aus Rosen"
"Sanctus"
"Gott Spricht"
"Veitstanz"
"Julia Und Die Räuber"
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26 àâã 2024
Watch UGLY KID JOE's Entire Bloodstock Open Air 2023 Show; Pro-Shot Video
 Experience the electrifying full set performance by Ugly Kid Joe at the Bloodstock Open Air Metal Festival on August 13, 2023. Dive into the raw energy and rock spirit of one of the most iconic bands as they take the stage in Derbyshire's Catton Park.
Setlist:
"That Ain't Livin'"
"Neighbor"
"Panhandlin' Prince"
"No One Survives"
"Devil's Paradise"
"Cat's In The Cradle"
"I'm Alright"
"Goddamn Devil"
"Ace of Spades" (Motörhead cover - with Andreas Kisser)
"Everything About You"
Ugly Kid Joe are in Europe this summer for several festivals as well as a handful of intimate headline shows. Tickets for all dates are on sale now at this location.
Catch UKJ live at the following venues:
August
23 - Riverside Open Air - Aaburg, Switzerland
24 - Stonedead Festival - Newark, UK - SOLD OUT
25 - Arts Club - Liverpool, UK
26 - The Parish - Huddersfield, UK
27 - Zumhof - Birmingham, UK
29 - Concorde 2 - Brighton, UK
30 - M11 - Milton Keynes, UK
31 - The 1865 - Southampton, UK
September
1 - Princess Pavillion - Falmouth, UK
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26 àâã 2024
STRIKER Release "Live To Fight Another Day" Music Video; Band Announce North American Tour With SEVEN KINGDOMS, LUTHARO, OSYRON
 Every day is a new day! And Striker has a new music video, "Live To Fight Another Day", to announce their upcoming US and Canada tour dates with Floridian power metallers Seven Kingdoms, Hamilton, ON's melodic metallers Lutharo, and Calgary, AB's thunderous progressive symphonic metallers Osyron, whom will support select dates.
Striker will kick off preliminary dates with a performance at ProgPower USA in Atlanta, GA on September 4, followed by Canadian shows with Lutharo in September, and then push things into full gear in November to start the "Shredding North America Tour" in Corpus Christi, TX on November 9 and wrap up the month-long tour in Orlando, FL on December 8 (dates listed below).
"Live To Fight Another Day" is off the shred master's new album, ULTRAPOWER, produced with Josh Schroeder (Lorna Shore, Tallah, King 810) released this past February.
The band explains the track: "Originally this was just a regular Striker song. Tim had the idea that we should just try turning it into a synth-wave track. It fits like a glove. We’ve always been into Synthwave but never had the guts to do it ourselves. Until now! This is our first attempt at it and we are stoked about how it turned out. This one is another track about keeping it together and taking on life one day at a time."
ULTRAPOWER is the seventh full-length from Striker and follows their Juno Award-winning self-released record Play To Win (2018) unleashed on their label Record Breaking Records.
With the band writing material since 2018, ULTRAPOWER is a collection of Striker tinkering and exploring new avenues. From the album's opening track "Circle of Evil", a Malmsteen-esque metal banger about secret societies and the evil dealings behind closed doors to their previously released single "Best Of The Best Of The Best" serving up some big riffs and hockey arena vocals to "Blood Magic", which might be one of Striker's most progressive songs, taking cues from bands like King Diamond, with its unconventional structure and punctuated guitar solos. From the band delving into their obsession for late 80s AOR and pop rock with "City Calling", an ode to 1987, and bands like Toto and Kenny Loggins with their hook-powered albums. To fans experiencing the band's first attempt at a synth-wave track with "Live to Fight Another Day", this new offering sees Striker making a shredding love letter to the hard-rocking era of guilty pleasures.
The band comments on the album: "Starting with the album cover, we wanted the artwork to represent how we feel as a band right now. We are an engine that is fired up and ready to roll. We’re made of metal and our circuits gleam! The album itself is an amalgamation of 5 years of writing and exploring music. With influences from AOR to Speed Metal, Hardcore to Hair Metal, Steely Dan to Deathcore, you name it, it made its way into the album. In the end with the help of Josh Schroeder’s guiding hand, we melted it all together to present something uniquely Striker. Lyrically we’ve stuck to the Striker tradition of writing montage songs for movies that don’t exist, songs about our spiraling serfdom, and lyrics about the evils that lurk in the shadows."
Order here.
Tracklisting:
"Circle Of Evil"
"Best Of The Best Of The Best"
"Give it All"
"Blood Magic"
"Sucks To Suck"
"Ready For Anything"
"City Calling"
"Turn The Lights Out"
"Thunderdome"
"Live To Fight Another Day"
"Brawl At The Pub"
"Sucks To Suck" video:
"Give It All" video:
"Circle Of Evil" video:
"Best Of The Best Of The Best" video:
Tour Dates:
September
4 - Center Stage - ProgPower USA - Atlanta, GA
September (with Lutharo)
11 - La Source de la Martinière - Quebec City, QC
12 - Piranha Bar - Montreal, QC
13 - Overflow Brewing Company - Ottawa, ON
14 - Lee's Palace - Toronto, ON
November (with Seven Kingdoms, Lutharo, Osyron)
9 - Boozers Rock Bar - Corpus Christi, TX
10 - Come And Take It Live - Austin, TX
11 - Haltom Theater - Haltom, TX
12 - 89th Street - Oklahoma City, OK
13 - Launchpad - Albuquerque, NM
14 - Vultures - Colorado Springs, CO
16 - Last Exit Live - Mesa, AZ
17 - Sinwave - Las Vegas, NV
18 - Brick by Brick - San Diego, CA
19 - Knucklehead - Los Angeles, CA
20 - DNA Lounge - San Francisco, CA
21 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
22 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
24 - Jackknife - Kelowna, BC
25 - Dicken’s - Calgary, AB #
26 - The Starlite Room - Edmonton, AB #
27 - The Black Cat - Saskatoon, SK #
28 - Sidestage - Winnipeg, MB #
29 - TBA - St. Paul, MN
30 - Reggie’s - Chicago, IL
December (with Seven Kingdoms, Lutharo, Osyron)
1 - Sanctuary - Detroit, MI
3 - Meadows - Brooklyn, NY
4 - Metro - Baltimore, MD
5 - Hangar 1819 - Greensboro, NC
6 - The Masquerade - Atlanta, GA
7 - The Orpheum - Tampa, FL
8 - Conduit - Orlando, FL
# with Osyron
(Photo - Dana Zuk)
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26 àâã 2024
GRAND SLAM Release Cover Of THIN LIZZY’s "Whiskey In The Jar" Honouring PHIL LYNOTT’s 75th Birthday
 The hard rocking British quartet, Grand Slam, unveil their celebration of Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott, with a striking cover of "Whiskey In The Jar", today, August 20, which would have been Phil’s 75th birthday. The single is available to stream/download here, and an in-studio performance video - directed, produced and edited by Paul M Green - can be viewed below.
Their shared history is emphatic; Lynott and guitarist Laurence Archer were co-founders of the first phase of Grand Slam back in 1984, with the band having reformed after nearly 32 years in late 2016 with Archer and frontman Mike Dyer leading the way before being joined by Rocky Newton on bass and Benjy Reid on drums.
Today, frontman Dyer reflects on Lynott’s legacy and character. “When fame dwindles, as it does, it leaves a massive void that this so called ‘normal life’ simply can’t fill or at least fill straight away. You have to let reality come back to you. It’s a fine balance of madness and real-life” Dyer begins. “Phil seemed to embrace success. However, what is success? Family, and positive true friends are king, they are our only constant in this crazy journey. They keep us grounded. I believe if Phil had escaped that period of his life, he would be truly thriving now. Phil was deeply immersed in his cultural roots, with the poets, the folkies, the artists and the entire bohemian Dublin scene. He could have been any incarnation he chose to be but I feel his creativity would have developed from being just a frontman.”
“He was a gifted man, a keen reader and writer, and I believe that’s the true path he would’ve chosen to go.” Dyer concludes, “I could imagine him walking into the Roundwood Inn in the Wicklow hills for a swift one, before he returned to his estate and writing. His pen was his sword. Phil would’ve been a true asset against knife crime in the UK, also he was never scared to say what he thought. He was a great communicator and cared. People who care in the rock ‘n’ roll industry are rarer than unicorns.”
Recorded at Chapel Studios in Lincolnshire, the track was mixed by Laurence Archer, engineered by Peter Rietkerk, and the cover art features a stained-glass style painting courtesy of Paul Hallewell. Succeeding heavy metal giants Metallica and using the innate knowledge that Archer had from his creative connection with Lynott as a springboard, Grand Slam have produced one of the most compelling and heartfelt covers of this Thin Lizzy classic heard yet.
Grand Slam’s story is one of persistence and craft. Having just announced a series of dates in the fall and with more shows being planned as you read, it is clear that Grand Slam are firing forward into their future at full speed… Don’t miss out!
Upcoming 2024 shows:
August
23 - Dublin, Ireland - The Phil Lynott Convention
October
5 - Fismes, France - British Steel Saturday Night 2024
24 - Barcelona, Spain - Wolf Barcelona
25 - Madrid, Spain - Shôko Madrid
26 - Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain - Urban Rock Concept
27 - Santander, Spain - Escenario Santander
28 - A Coruna, Spain - Garufa Club
30 - Lisbon, Portugal - LAV - Lisboa ao Vivo
31 - Seville, Spain - Sala Fanatic
For tickets, visit grandslamrocks.com. More dates to be announced.
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26 àâã 2024
ALL FOR METAL - "Year Of The Dragon" Video Released; Gods Of Metal Album Out Now
 All For Metal have released a video for "Year Of The Dragon", the new single from their new album, Gods Of Metal, out now via Reigning Phoenix Music (RPM).
Gods Of Metal is available in the following formats:
- collector's statue [Tetzel OR Antonio + CD-digi + patch; each of them limited to 500 copies!] & other bundles [signed CD-digi + ticket + patch | CD-digi + t-shirt | vinyl + patch | CD-digi + patch]
- CD-digipak
- coloured LP [green "dragon scale" & silver "divine metal" vinyl]
- digital
Order/stream the album here.
Tracklisting:
"Cry For Help" (Intro)
"Gods Of Metal"
"Year Of The Dragon"
"The Way Of The Samurai"
"Temple Of Silence"
"When Monsters Roar"
"Path Of The Brave"
"Like Thor And Loki"
"Valkyries In The Sky" (feat. Laura Guldemond & Tim Hansen)
"Welcome"
"Who Wants To Live Forever"
"The Journey Will Not End" (Outro)
"The Way Of The Samurai" video:
"Gods Of Metal" video:
"Valkyries In The Sky"
All For Metal are:
Tetzel - vocals
Antonio Calanna - vocals
Jasmin Pabst - guitars
Ursula Zanichelli - guitars
Florian Toma - bass
Leif Jensen - drums
Christina Schulz - showgirl
Luisa Lohöfer - showgirl
(Photo - Patryk Kaszubski)
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26 àâã 2024
PURE REASON REVOLUTION Launch “Betrayal” Music Video
 Progressive alternative rockers Pure Reason Revolution return with their sixth studio album Coming Up To Consciousness, released on September 6, 2024 via InsideOutMusic. Betrayal, deception, fear, grief, mortality, and questions of sanity: heady and primordial themes animate the latest conceptual LP from Pure Reason Revolution. Indeed, the new single from the band is titled “Betrayal”.
Jon Courtney comments:
“My daughter says whenever we see a white butterfly it’s Dennis visiting us, ‘and your soul it passes by still’. I felt such guilt after having him put down, it’s taken two years to accept it was the right thing to do at that time. ‘Not built to feel you death’, highlights how one can think you’re prepared for such an event but then you’re floored in the aftermath.
“Greg & I began this track in Portland, I brought it back to Berlin & pulled it into shape.
“Guy does a fab bassline, which might even see me dancing or prancing across the stage when we do it live! Hope you enjoy this one.”
Coming Up To Consciousness is the third of its post-hiatus renaissance records that began with 2020's Eupnea and continued in 2022's Above Cirrus. Like those two predecessors, the new record is intensely personal. Its eight tracks are all between four and seven minutes long - concise by PRR standards - and they grapple with darkness of various kinds.
Courtney, who lives in Berlin, shared writing duties on several tracks with US-based Greg Jong. The pair formed Pure Reason Revolution together in the early 00s at the University of Westminster, creating breakout hit "The Bright Ambassadors of Morning" as their third year project. They reconnected during the creation of Eupnea and have continued the partnership since then both in the studio and on stage. Legendary session musician Guy Pratt, who has worked with Pink Floyd among myriad iconic acts, provided bass guitar on seven of the eight tracks, resulting in more ambitious bass lines than any of Pure Reason Revolution's previous records. Meanwhile, Ravi Kesavaram, of My Vitriol fame, returns to the drums on this record after touring with the band in 2022.
Another newcomer on this record is vocalist Annicke Shireen, known for her work with Shireen and Heilung, as well as her solo project. Shireen stepped in after original PRR member and fan favourite Chloe Alper was unavailable for recent live shows. With Alper's schedule remaining packed for the foreseeable future, she has been unable to rejoin the lineup. She and Courtney agreed it made more sense for Shireen to sing on the record if she was going to continue appearing in shows. Both Courtney and Jong have nothing but enthusiasm for working with her:
"They're impossible shoes to fill in a lot of ways," Greg Jong says. "But we were just blown away with how good she is. We were really excited by the fact that vocally she does have a similar tone to Chloe, and yet she definitely holds her own.”
The band was equally thrilled to work with multiple members of prog icon The Pineapple Thief; the record was mixed by Bruce Soord, mastered by Steve Kitch, and sees Jon Sykes playing bass on one track. Coming Up To Consciousness is also the third PRR album to feature cover art by Jill Tegan Doherty, who Courtney originally met in Berlin on a German language course.
The album will be available as a Limited CD+DVD Digipak (featuring 5.1 Surround Sound & High Resolution Stereo Mixes), Standard CD Jewelcase, as well as a Gatefold ReVinyl LP (Recycled Vinyl), and digitally in both stereo and Dolby Atmos.
Pre-order here.
Tracklisting:
"Prelude: Coming up to Consciousness"
"Dig Till You Die"
"Interlude 1"
"Betrayal"
"The Gallows"
"Interlude 2"
"Useless Animal"
"Interlude 3"
"Worship"
"Interlude 4"
"Bend the Earth"
"Lifeless Creature"
"Interlude 5"
"As We Disappear"
"Betrayal" video:
"Useless Animal" video:
"Dig Till You Die" video:
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26 àâã 2024
WITHIN THE RUINS Releases “Demon Killer” Video; Phenomena II Out Now
 Progressive deathcore giants Within The Ruins have unleashed their new video for “Demon Killer.” The ferocious new hymn comes off of the band’s Phenomena II full-length, out today on MNRK Heavy.
Phenomena II serves as the sequel to Within The Ruins’ critically lauded Phenomena full-length, which was released a decade ago and has reaped over 18 million streams to date! “We had written a handful of songs, and we were searching for inspiration,” recalls guitarist Joe Cocchi. “We wanted to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Phenomena, because it was a pinnacle point of our career. I wrote a demo that reminded [vocalist] Steve [Tinnon] of Phenomena. So, it was his idea to create Phenomena II. The styles really aligned in terms of the unique guitar effects and the themes where each track tells a story from a comic book character’s point-of-view.”
With “Demon Killer,” the band tempers technicality with moral ambiguity within its depiction of [DC Comics antihero] Constantine. “It checked all of the boxes by utilizing this glitchy effect we started using on Phenomena,” Cocchi elaborates. “‘Demon Killer’ is Constantine. He was born into a world that never appreciated him. Steve is breaking down his character by talking about his internal conflicts and how he’s fighting evil with evil.”
“We absolutely love how this video turned out,” adds Tinnon. “The imagery and effects do incredible justice to the character of John Constantine, and really encapsulate his struggle between the forces of good and evil.”
Within The Ruins was forged in 2003. As the story goes, Cocchi and McGuill first linked up back in high school. They slogged it out locally for a long time, solidifying the initial core lineup of Within The Ruins with previous vocalist Tim Goergen. Building a devout fan base one gig and project at a time, they served up Creature (2009), Invade (2010), and Elite (2013), paving the way for the fan favorite, Phenomena (2014). Drawing its primary subject matter from Marvel and DC characters, the latter yielded two of their most popular anthems “Gods Amongst Men” and “Enigma,” which reeled in 4.7 million Spotify streams and 3.5 million Spotify streams, respectively. Following Halfway Human (2017), the musicians welcomed Steve Tinnon to the fold and ignited Black Heart during 2020. Highlighted by “Deliverance,” “Devil In Me,” and “Black Heart,” the latter incited critical applause.
Tinnon’s addition had injected fresh fire into the band as they continued to write and record. In the meantime, Cocchi opened up his own brewery Tin Bridge Brewing where he and McGuill both work. Tin Bridge Brewing also serves as the band’s homebase, including their studio on site. With the decade anniversary of Phenomena looming, the musicians made a conscious decision to leap forward by looking back. The band wrote and recorded in their hub of Westfield, Massachusetts with Cocchi at the helm as producer once again.
“We had written a handful of songs, and we were searching for inspiration,” recalls Cocchi. “We wanted to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Phenomena, because it was a pinnacle point of our career. I wrote a demo that reminded Steve of Phenomena. So, it was his idea to create Phenomena II. The styles really aligned in terms of the unique guitar effects and the themes where each track tells a story from a comic book character’s point-of-view.”
Phenomena II is available on CD, LP, and digital formats. Order here.
Phenomena II tracklisting:
"Castle In The Sky"
"Daywalker"
"Demon Killer"
"Level 12"
"Eater Of Worlds"
"The Last Son"
"Chaos Reigns"
"Death Mask"
"Corruption"
"A World On Fire"
"Enigma II"
"The Last Son" video:
"Castle In The Sky" video:
(Photo - Riamond Lomeli)
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26 àâã 2024
Finland’s THE HYPOTHESIS Announce Evolve Album; “Stray” Single Streaming
 Finnish progressive metal outfit The Hypothesis have announced their upcoming new album Evolve, slated to be released on October 18 via Noble Demon. With the track "Stray", The Hypothesis have unleashed the first single today. The song is released alongside a brand new music video directed by Andre Rodriguez and Juuso Turkki, which can be seen below.
Diving into the essence of the track, the band shared:
"An anxious traveller fights himself through struggles. Ghosts from the past are holding him down and heavy words from his past are echoing in his head. Finally he breaks free from the burdens of past and finds his way home."
Preorder here.
Tracklisting:
“Wanderer”
“Here I Stand”
“Watch The World Burn With Me”
“Evolve”
“Where The Dreams Come To Die”
“From The Ashes”
“Dead Cold Silence”
“Thousand Skies”
“Stray”
“Stray” video:
The Hypothesis are:
Juuso Turkki - Vocals, Guitar
Asko Sartanen - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Markku Ruuskanen - Bass, Backing vocals
Otso Tiilama - Drums
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Metallica
