|
| |
 |
  |
3 àâã 2024
 | +6 |  |
|  |
2 àâã 2024
BRYAN ADAMS Announces Double A-Side Single Featuring Songs Written For KISS' Creatures Of The Night Album; "Rock And Roll Hell" Music Video Streaming
 Bryan Adams is releasing a special double A-side single featuring two songs - "War Machine" and "Rock And Roll Hell" - through his new independent label, Bad Records. These songs were originally written by Adams, Jim Vallance, and Gene Simmons for KISS’ 1982 album, Creatures Of The Night.
Available for pre-order now as a limited edition double A-side 7” single, available exclusively via Bryan’s webstore (releasing August 30, 2024).
“Rock And Roll Hell” is available digitally now, and is accompanied by a video filmed on the rooftop of London’s Royal Albert Hall during Bryan’s recent residency there. “War Machine” will be released on all digital platforms on August 30.
Stream ‘Rock And Roll Hell’ here, and watch the music video below.
Bryan comments: “To commemorate the first single on Bad Records, here are two songs I co-wrote when I was a 22 year old struggling songwriter.
"I got a call out of the blue from producer Michael James Jackson to see if I would like to write for KISS, which I was thrilled to do, and these are a couple of the songs that were the result, written with both Gene Simmons and Jim Vallance.
"While sitting with the band, Gene played me this fantastic bass riff, which ended up being the backbone of ‘War Machine’. I was trying to think of a theme that could possibly match the riff and came up with the title. Seeing as the other song we’d written was about hell, War was the obvious theme to coincide with it.
"‘Rock And Roll Hell’ was actually Jim’s song that had been released a few years earlier with Bachman Turner Overdrive, and I suggested, that we re-write it for KISS. It’s incredible to think these themes are unfortunately still playing out for real in the world today, but I’m very grateful to the KISS guys for giving me the chance back then.”
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| +1 | |
| |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
COLD SWEAT Releases Official Music Video For "Rain Down", Shot Live At The 2024 M3 Festival
 Ron Keel’s RFK Media label has shared a new performance music video for Cold Sweat’s “Rain Down” which features the band live at the 2024 M3 Festival this past May. The track is from their recent album Unburied Alive, released earlier this year.
Maybe you missed them at M3; maybe you were there. Maybe you’re headed to upcoming Cold Sweat shows at The Mountain Festival in Gatlinburg, TN, August 23rd - 25th and/or the 2025 Monsters Of Rock Cruise. No matter what, this new video is a celebration of raw and rowdy hard rock n roll from a band that is making the most of every moment.
Unburied Alive consists of four unreleased studio tracks from the early '90s, which showcase the band (Marc Ferrari & Erik Gamans, guitar – Chris McLernon, bass – Anthony White, drums – and Roy Cathey, vocals) delivering powerful heavy melodic rock at its finest. Also featured are vintage concert cuts from their 1990 appearance at the Super Rock Festival in Mannheim, Germany supporting Whitesnake, Aerosmith, Dio, and Poison, plus recent modern-era live recordings from their triumphant reunion at the 2020 Monsters Of Rock Cruise pre-party.
Unburied Alive artwork and tracklisting:
"Rain Down"
"Claim To Fame"
"Long Gone"
"Out On My Own"
"Let’s Make Love Tonight" (Live 2020)
"Long Way Down" (Live 2020)
"Four On The Floor" (Live 2020)
"Lovestruck" (Live 2020)
"Cryin’ Shame" (Live 2020)
"Killing Floor" (Live 2020)
"Mannheim Medley" (Live 1990) – "I Just Wanna Make Love To You" / "Cryin’ Shame" / "Killing Floor"
“We [RFK Media] are really proud to be working with these guys and supporting this music,” explains RFK chief Ron Keel. “The album has sold really well, and now we’re planning a vinyl version which will feature an all-new bonus track.”
Marc Ferrari founded Cold Sweat after departing the band Keel in 1989. They released their acclaimed cult classic Break Out on MCA Records and toured the US and Europe before falling victim to the changing musical landscape of the '90s.
For further details, visit Cold Sweat on Facebook.
| 0 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
DETERIOROT Unveils "Reanimate" Video
 East Coast death metal pioneers Deteriorot have been a staple of the underground metal scene for over three decades, having formed in 1990. The band has consistently delivered powerful releases since their debut in 1992, with their latest offering, The Rebirth, issued last year. Continuing to captivate their audience, Deteriorot has unveiled a new music video for the track “Reanimate” from the album.
The video, which can be seen below, draws inspiration from the iconic works of horror maestro George A. Romero, known for classics like Night Of The Living Dead and Dawn Of The Dead. This visual pairing compliments Deteriorot’s signature groovy old-school death metal style.
“Anyone that is a lover of George Romero’s Night Of The Living Dead will absolutely love this video and the song ‘Reanimate’ is a perfect pairing with this,” says vocalist/guitarist Paul Zavaleta. “We thank you all and hope you love it too!”
The Rebirth artwork and tracklisting:
"Undead" (Intro)
"Dark Embrace"
"Return To Rot"
"A Nameless Grave"
"The Rebirth"
"Reanimate"
"Political Evocation"
"Hauntings"
"Unholy Rebirth"
Get your copy of The Rebirth now at this location.
"Return To Rot" music video:
"Unholy Rebirth" music video:
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
BLACK SMOKE TRIGGER Releases Video For "Phantom Pain" From New Album, Horizons
 New Zealand hard rock powerhouse, Black Smoke Trigger, will release their stunning debut album Horizons, on August 2, 2024. As a last minute tease, the band has issued a video for "Phantom Pain", filmed at Swansea Arena in The UK while on tour with Bruce Dickinson earlier this year.
"Phantom Pain" is the opening track from the new album Horizons. The haunting melody sets the tone before launching into a heavy rock groove that begins your journey through Horizons.
Order your copy of Horizons on CD or Vinyl here. Artwork and tracklisting are as follows:
"Phantom Pain"
"K.M.T.L"
"The Way Down"
"Perfect Torture"
"Proof Of Life"
"Learn To Crawl"
"Set Me On Fire"
"Psycho"
"One More Chance (Don't Let It Slip Away)"
"Never Dies"
"Sun Cries Red"
"Promise"
For further details, visit Black Smoke Trigger on Facebook.
(Photo - Andhe Chandler)
| 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
JETHRO TULL Legend IAN ANDERSON Unboxes His "8314 Boxed" Solo Works Collection; Video
 In preparation for the release of his new collection, 8314 Boxed, celebrated solo artist and Jethro Tull frontman Ian Anderson has shared an exclusive unboxing video. Now available for viewing, the video offers fans a glimpse into the beautifully presented and meticulously curated 10LP box set that will officially be released on August 23 through reissue specialist label Madfish.
A comprehensive anthology that spans Anderson’s illustrious solo career, 8314 Boxed features multiple first-time vinyl releases of classic Ian Anderson solo albums and showcases the depth and diversity of Anderson’s musical journey beyond his tenure with Jethro Tull.
The package, set for release for August 23, will include:
- Exclusive first-time vinyl releases of Divinities: Twelve Dances With God, The Secret Language Of Birds (2LP), and Rupi’s Dance (2LP)
- Walk Into Light, Divinities: Twelve Dances With God and Homo Erraticus remastered at half speed by Air Studio
- Roaming In The Gloaming LP offers previously unreleased live recordings from 1995-2007
- Beautiful side D etchings on 3 of the 10 records
- 96-page book with foreword by Ian Anderson, extensive liner notes by Paul Sexton and exclusive pictures
Pre-order here.
Ian Anderson’s solo albums explore different sonic landscapes and instrumental line-ups, each record in this box set standing as a testament to his versatility. From the electronic experimentation in Walk Into Light and the profound narratives of Homo Erraticus, to the acoustic serenity of The Secret Language Of Birds, these albums are a reflection of Anderson's unending creativity and his ability to seamlessly blend diverse musical styles into cohesive, captivating works.
8314 Boxed 10LP breakdown:
Walk Into Light (1983) – half-speed remaster
Divinities: Twelve Dances With God (1995) – first time on vinyl, half-speed remaster
The Secret Language Of Birds (2LP) (2000), etching on side D – first time on vinyl
Rupi’s Dance (2LP) (2003), etching on side D – first time on vinyl
Thick As A Brick 2 (2LP) (2012), etching on side D
Homo Erraticus (2014) – half-speed remaster
Roaming In The Gloaming (previously unreleased live shows from 1995-2007)
“Hey, but someone has to try oddball things, don’t they? Might as well be me...” - Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson’s mind as a listener, which would mature into a lifetime of format-blurring creative ingenuity, was opened when he was a mere six-year-old. By then, already relocated with his family from his birthplace in Dunfermline to Edinburgh, he heard an old family 78 rpm disc of Glenn Miller and his Orchestra's irresistible gem of 1939, In The Mood.
“My father had a few treasured wartime records, mostly big-band stuff,” he told Prog magazine. “I remember having an epiphany, because ‘In The Mood’ introduces you to the elements of blues, effectively. That was my first moment of thinking: ‘Hmm, this music is something special.’”
A word from Ian Anderson on 8314 Boxed:
“Since 1983, I have made a few solo albums, not as dissatisfaction with fellow musicians or the group identity but usually just to try something a bit different, whether sonically, stylistically or in terms of instrumental line-up. These records all stand out for me as being quite different from each other and in some ways demonstrate a broader depth of my songwriting. The flute instrumental Divinities record is one of my favourites to this day.” | +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
MACHINE HEAD And Black Lung Brewing Company Present "Burn My EyePA"
 Black Lung Brewing Company are thrilled to announce an epic collaboration with Machine Head in celebration of the 30th anniversary of their iconic debut album, Burn My Eyes. Introducing Burn My EyePA, a bold and robust American Double IPA.
This commemorative brew is a hop lover's dream, featuring a dynamic blend of Citra, Cascade, Simcoe, Chinook, Amarillo, and Experimental 158 hops. Checking in at 7.5% ABV gives it the pop of a kick drum. With a mix of old school and new hops, Burn My EyePA delivers a timeless and delicious experience.
"Join us in raising a glass to 30 years of Burn My Eyes and the unforgettable hit 'Davidian'. This is a beer you won’t want to miss!"
Available in 4 pack-16oz cans and on draft at both Black Lung locations in Fox Lake and Round Lake Beach, IL., plus other select bottle shops and pubs in Chicago and suburbs on August 8, 2024.
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
THE OFFSPRING Releases New Single 'Light It Up' From Upcoming 'Supercharged' Album
 THE OFFSPRING has shared a new single, "Light It Up". The track is taken from the band's upcoming album, "Supercharged", which will arrive on October 11 via Concord.
"This song is a full-speed-ahead juggernaut," says singer Bryan "Dexter" Holland. "This character in the song is fed up, he's had enough, and he's gonna light it up. He's ready for a fight. And I definitely sense a lot of that around me."
He continues: "Growing up, some of my favorite songs were by punk bands that were just like, 'I'm sick of your shit.' And that was okay. It wasn't like a negative thing to have those feelings and express that. And I think that's kind of the vibe of where 'Light It Up' is: You're fed up, you've had it and you want to do something about it. That's one of things I've always loved about punk rock. It's always been about letting out your aggressions, and I think that's still true. I still love writing songs like that."
In a recent interview with Matt Bingham of the Z93 radio station, THE OFFSPRING guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman spoke about "Supercharged", which will be released just three years after its predecessor, 2021's "Let The Bad Times Roll", which came out nearly a decade following 2012's "Days Go By". Asked if there was "a sense of urgency this time around" with "Supercharged" to get it done and get it out more quickly than the last time around, Noodles said: "Yeah, a little bit. We wanted to prove that we're still relevant in terms of making new music. I know that our live show has never been better. We go out and we connect with an audience right away. It doesn't matter if it's a headlining show or a festival, we've got fans there and we can get the crowd going. So you're always hoping that your new music will be appreciated. There's the live show and then there's the creating new music. Those are the two sides of the coin of being in a band. One is immediate gratification, playing live, and then the other one is kind of obsessive compulsive. You don't know if this is gonna work. Then eventually you come up with stuff you think you really like, you think is really good, and you get excited about it. Then you're waiting until the fans hear it. You don't know. You start second guessing. 'What if they hate it?' But so far the reaction to the stuff has been great. I know some journalists have heard the whole record all the way through, and and the feedback I've got has been very positive from the journalists that have heard it."
Asked what he and his bandmates do to keep it fresh and fun every time that they sit down to write and record, Noodles said: "From the songwriting perspective, Dexter likes the challenge. He just wants to see what he can do. He keeps wanting to beat himself. He's a cross-country runner. He's been running Half Ironmans lately, and he just always wants to beat his last time. And this time he wants to beat his last numbers. He wants to have more radio hits, he wants to have more streams. For me, it's just fun to play guitar on stuff and listen to new stuff and try to be creative. I'm not as driven in terms of wanting to succeed. I'm not competitive, I guess — I'm not competitive with my old self or my new self. I just love playing guitar and singing."
Regarding the decision to release "Make It All Right" as the first single from "Supercharged", Noodles said: "Yeah, there was three [songs] that seemed like obvious choices, and we didn't have a particular favorite in mind, I guess, of those three. There's three songs that are pretty pop-punk stuff, so those seem like the obvious choices for singles. I think we also wanna release a single that's just heavy, one of the heavier ones off there, just to let the fans know we still have that stuff as well, we're still a punk band at heart, we're still these little 15-year-old kids that fell in love with punk rock. But there's three songs, and I think we kind of went back and forth with the label, with management. As far as the marketing and what goes to radio and stuff like that, those in that world know which way to go with that."
Last month, Noodles told Finland's Chaoszine about the recording process for "Supercharged": "Yeah, it was good. We worked with Bob again, Bob Rock, our producer. We've been working with him for, like 15, 16 years now. And we just get together every so often for, like, a couple of weeks, two, three weeks. He comes to Huntington [Beach, California] or we go up to Vancouver. There's a studio called The Warehouse that he likes to work at up there. We have our own studio in Huntington. And we just hang out. We talk about music and then we turn on record and try different things and see what happens.
When the interviewer noted that it seems like there is a "relaxed" vibe in the studio, Noodles clarified: "We work hard on what we're doing, especially Dexter. He focuses a lot on just minute details. I don't know how he holds all those details in his head. I'm, like, 'Man, I love it. Great beat. Great groove. Let's go.' He's, like, 'Well, there's one drum hit that's that needs to be fixed here.' Like, 'Whoa, dude. Okay.'"
Asked if they ever end up in arguments because of differences of opinion, Noodles said: "There's times when we all disagree, and Dexter will disagree with Bob, Bob will disagree with me and him, but it's always… It's never… I wouldn't even say argument. There's disagreements, but we just discuss it and we try different things. If Bob makes a suggestion, we'll try it and see where it works. And sometimes you have to sit on that. Like we'll try something new, then we go home and listen to it and go, 'Ah, you know what? I did like it better before,' or go, 'You know what, Bob? You were right. That one part needed to be fixed.' And that's how we work. And it's always good-natured."
Asked if he and his bandmates ever discuss the musical direction they want to take when working on new music, Noodles said: "Each song is is viewed separately. And then once you have a bunch of songs, then you kind of see where the record is going And then you just try to build on that. I don't think we've ever changed that much. We've never done a concept record. We never went, 'All right, we're done with this punk rock pop stuff. We wanna be metal now.' There is at least one song on this record that I would call metal. It's just thrash metal. It's called 'Come To Brazil'… It's one of the most metal. I don't know [about] heaviest. We've got a lot of heavy punk rock songs as well, but this one's probably one of the heaviest metal ones for sure. There's another one too called 'Get Some', which is pretty riff rock, almost metal."
At this past June's Download festival in the United Kingdom, Holland told James Wilson-Taylor of Rock Sound magazine about the shorter gap between "Let The Bad Times Roll" and "Supercharged": "The last one took a really long time, and I'm not sure exactly what it was, but I think it had a lot to do with that I went back to school and I didn't realize how much time that was taking. [Editor's note: Dexter resumed his studies and earned a PhD in molecular biology in May 2017.] And before you know it, it's been years and years since you put out a record. And so this time we were, like, 'We're determined to get something out more quickly this time.' So it was, for us, very quick — it was, like, three years… In rock years, like dog years, that's like three months."
Asked if "Make It All Right" was the obvious choice for a first single from the album, Dexter said: "No, I thought it was gonna be another [track], actually. And we just kind of — you know, you start playing it for people around you, your, your friends and family or whatever, and then eventually the people at the label that are gonna promote it, and 'Make It All Right' was the one that kind of kept on coming back as, like, 'We think this is the one.' And I think people like it because it's very immediate — it's not hard to figure out what's going on in this song. And I think that's kind of cool. I like the idea of putting out what I would call almost a summer song. It's just kind of a feel-good song. It doesn't always have to be dark and gloomy or something that's really deep that you have to figure out. Sometimes you just wanna kind of — the joy of life, I guess, is kind of the vibe going on."
When "Supercharged" was first announced, Dexter said in a statement: "We wanted this record to have pure energy — from the start to the finish! That’s why we called it 'Supercharged'. From the height of our aspirations to the depths of our struggles, we talk about it all on this record…in a way that celebrates the life that we share and where we are now. Our single 'Make It All Right' is a great example of this because it talks about the people in our lives who make us feel strong when we are feeling low — our partners in crime who make us feel all right."
He continued: "The album was recorded in three different locations this time: Maui, Vancouver, and our home studio in Huntington Beach, and together with our producer Bob Rock everything came out awesome. I feel like this is the best we have ever sounded! We've been rocking out and headbanging to it for months! And we can't wait for you guys to hear it!"
Dexter previously told the Rolling Stone Music Now podcast about the musical direction of the band's eleventh studio album: "I think it's a David Bowie quote, who said, 'You've gotta make it the same, but different.' It's funny, 'cause it's true. 'Cause if you sound too much like your other record, they go, 'Oh, it just sounds like this record.' And if you change too much, it throws people. And, of course, you've gotta ultimately satisfy your own creativity, what you wanna do. And luckily, I think that we've really expanded the circle of what we can do. We did 'Gone Away' on 'Ixnay [On The Hombre]' and we've done piano stuff and all that, but I think you have to balance that desire to grow with — you don't wanna necessarily be too grown up, if that makes sense. You don't wanna all of a sudden go, 'I'm gonna make a record like U2.' That doesn't necessarily work the best for who you are as a band. We're trying to keep that all in mind."
He continued: "When people ask me, 'What does your new record sound like?', I'll just say 'Ignition', 'cause people go, 'Oh, cool. I love that record.' So, it's not like that. It's a mixture. I think punk is the core of what we've always been, so there's always some of that on a record. And then we usually throw in a couple of oddball songs, but it's always about trying to make the song as good as it can be."
"Let The Bad Times Roll" was a huge global success, hitting career-high chart debuts with seven Top 5 and ten Top 10 international debuts and nine Top 10 debuts in the U.S. The album peaked at No. 3 on the U.K. chart and hit No. 1 on the Alternative Albums chart in the U.S.
THE OFFSPRING first achieved worldwide success in the 1990s with the release of their album "Smash", which sold over 11 million copies. Following "Smash", they continued to release hit after hit, popularizing rock at a mainstream level.
Throughout THE OFFSPRING's career, they've sold over a staggering 40 million albums, and toured arenas, and built a global fan base. "Let The Bad Times Roll" marked the band's tenth studio album and third album produced by Rock.
Originally formed under the name MANIC SUBSIDAL, THE OFFSPRING's lineup consists of Holland, Wasserman, bassist Todd Morse, multi-instrumentalist Jonah Nimoy and drummer Brandon Pertzborn.
Press photo credit: Daveed Benito
| +4 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
FINGER ELEVEN Releases New Song 'Adrenaline'
 As of August 2024, FINGER ELEVEN have officially crossed one billion overall career streams, averaging five million streams per week and therefore securing their status as one of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time.
To celebrate, FINGER ELEVEN have released a brand-new single "Adrenaline", available today (August 2) digitally.
Both hard-hitting and musically adventurous, the anthemic track about the thrill of being alive is the first sample of material from the band's upcoming 2025 album and debut release following their signing to Better Noise Music. The music video for "Adrenaline" will be released later this month on August 23.
"Sonically, I think 'Adrenaline' showcases a different side of the band," says lead vocalist Scott Anderson. "There's an exciting pulse in the music and I wanted the lyrics to keep up with that same energetic level. The song makes me want to go out and try something wild, or at the very least: turn it up real loud."
FINGER ELEVEN is currently on tour across North America as direct support to rock icons CREED on their "Summer Of '99" tour which features additional interchanging support from THREE DOORS DOWN, DAUGHTRY, SWITCHFOOT, TONIC and BIG WRECK. The band — Scott Anderson (vocals),James Black (lead guitar, backing vocals),Rick Jackett (rhythm guitar),Sean Anderson (bass) and Steve Molella (drums) — will make a stop at Louder Than Life festival during the jaunt and will also appear as direct support to CREED back in Canada for two arena shows in November.
FINGER ELEVEN is the alternative rock band originally from Burlington, Ontario and now based mostly out of Toronto. They are one of the best-selling Canadian bands of all time, have released a series of consecutive hit albums and become among the greatest live bands to ever emerge from the great White North. "The Greyest of Blue Skies", their debut, broke FINGER ELEVEN into the international mainstream, achieving gold status in the United States and platinum in Canada, and smashing the first single "One Thing", across the radio and Billboard charts. Their 2007 album, "Them vs. You vs. Me", launched the single "Paralyzer", setting radio records in the U.S., peaking at No. 1 internationally and going five times platinum, the band's second million-plus seller. They won the Juno Award for "Best Rock Album Of The year" the following year and set an incredible run at rock radio, with an unbeaten 14 weeks at the top spot. "Life Turns Electric", was nominated for a Juno Award for "Best Rock Album Of The Year". "Five Crooked Lines" continued to electrify audiences the world over and their 2023 "Greatest Hits" includes their biggest smash hit in a decade, "Together Right", which topped the radio charts for an amazing five-week run.
Photo credit: Jesse Milns | 0 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH Release Official "Top Of The World" Lyric Video
 Five Finger Death Punch have released an official lyric video for "Top Of The World", taken from their 2018 album, And Justice For None. Check it out below.
"Top Of The World" is available via digital platforms found here.
"This Is The Way" (feat. DMX), the latest single from multi-platinum, chart-topping hard rock powerhouse, Five Finger Death Punch, recently hit the #1 spot at Billboard’s Mainstream Rock radio chart, notably landing the Las Vegas-based band their 11th straight #1 hit on the chart. This extends the band’s 2023 record of holding the longest streak of #1’s in the chart’s history.
"This Is The Way" is the first #1 on the Mainstream Rock Airplay chart for legendary late rapper DMX and his very first appearance on the chart altogether. The single also claimed the #1 spot at Active Rock Radio this week giving Five Finger Death Punch its 16th overall #1 single at the format.
The band has shared a new video along with the following message:
"Take a look behind the scenes at the origins, inspiration and the collaboration that became 'This Is The Way Feat. DMX', which has now become our 11th consecutive no 1. song and 15th in total‼️ - the longest of any artist in the 43 year history of the Billboard chart!
We have always viewed DMX as 'the metalhead of hip-hop' because of his aggressive, raw, and untamed style. This is more than just a song; it's a salute to a legend, a way to honor DMX's memory.
The official music video was directed by none other than highly influential filmmaker Hype Williams, a longtime friend and close collaborator of the late DMX."
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
See HD Video Of CREED's Concert In Clarkston, Michigan
 Front Row Bobby has uploaded HD video of CREED's July 31 concert at the Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston, Michigan. Check out the clips below.
CREED's setlist was as follows, according to Setlist.fm:
01. Bullets
02. Torn
03. Are You Ready?
04. Never Die
05. My Own Prison
06. What If
07. Weathered
08. Overcome
09. Say I
10. Faceless Man
11. One
12. What's This Life For
13. With Arms Wide Open
14. Higher
Encore:
15. One Last Breath
16. My Sacrifice
CREED kicked off its first tour in 12 years, "Summer Of '99", on July 17 at Resch Center in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
With more than 53 million albums sold worldwide, CREED remains one of modern rock's most successful acts. Now, 30 years into their incredible journey, CREED is bigger than ever. In late 2023, the Texas Rangers made "Higher" their unofficial anthem, as it spurred them to their first World Series win. Earlier this year, the song appeared in a high-profile Paramount+ Super Bowl commercial, while a NASCAR Daytona 500 campaign also incorporated the hit single. Along the way, CREED has gained a new generation of fans, thanks to countless TikTok videos that feature their songs.
Last summer, after an 11-year hiatus, CREED announced their long-awaited reunion — returning to the stage for the first time in April 2024 at the sold-out Summer Of '99 cruise and Summer Of '99 And Beyond cruise. In May, meanwhile, the band's multiplatinum-selling "Greatest Hits" collection made its wide debut on vinyl (via Craft),this month landing the collection back into the Billboard Top 200 (currently No. 166, in a list of the most consumed albums in the U.S.),as well as hitting Top Hard Rock & Alternative Albums (No.48),Top Alternative Albums (No. 21),and moving up the Top Hard Rock Albums rankings (No. 11). Originally issued in 2004, the 14-track compilation spans the band's first three albums (1997's "My Own Prison", 1999's "Human Clay" and 2001's "Weathered"). In the months ahead, fans can catch the band on their "Summer Of '99" tour, running from July through September, where they'll be joined by the likes of 3 DOORS DOWN, FINGER ELEVEN, SWITCHFOOT, FUEL, BIG WRECK and DAUGHTRY. The band will be heading into arenas this November and December on the "Are You Ready?" tour with 3 DOORS DOWN and MAMMOTH WVH in the U.S. and MAMMOTH WVH and FINGER ELEVEN in Canada.
In a recent interview with Ryan McCredden of the I-Rock 93.5 radio station, singer Scott Stapp spoke about the fact that younger generations of fans have discovered CREED's music in the 12 years since he and his bandmates played their last concert. He said: "Yeah, a hundred percent. And the analytics don't lie. We've started seeing, in late 2020, CREED beginning to go viral on TikTok, Instagram and then Facebook. And then it just seemed like every two or three months… The first couple months in 2021, we went viral again, and it just kept happening every two or three months. And then you look at the analytics, and you realize that when you look at the numbers, it's three generations. And now it's gotten down into high school kids. And so, what a gift and what a blessing. And I do not take that for granted. I understand how rare that that is. And I think I can speak for all of CREED, because we've had these conversations in private, that it's something we definitely understand is a gift, it's rare and we're not taking it for granted and we're just so grateful and appreciative that this has happened. And I think we're in the nurture phase of this whole thing and not taking a single bit of it for granted and just want to just share how grateful we are and fortunate we are that all these years later [so many people are discovering our music."
Stapp went on to discuss the overwhelmingly positive response to the announcement of CREED's first shows together in 12 years.
"I learned this from Mark [Tremonti, guitar] the other day in a Guitar World interview that we did together," Scott said. "One thing about Mark, and I hope he doesn't get mad at me for sharing, but he's always in touch with our long-term agent from day one, Ken Fermaglich at UTA. He started with us when we were doing clubs and nobody was showing up, and he's still our agent today. And Mark checks in with him to get analytics and get numbers. And Ken shared with him that right now we are bigger in terms of sales and how things are moving than we were at our peak in 2001, 2002, which blows my mind. It still doesn't seem that way to me, but Mark made a comment. He goes, 'Oh, well, you'll see it when you step out and there's 25,000 people in front of you.' And I said, 'Don't scare me, man.' It's been a long time since I've stepped in front of an audience that big."
When McCredden suggested that "the social media world of TikTok and Instagram" played a huge part in generating interest in a CREED reunion tour, Stapp said: "I've learned in my journey in sobriety and in recovery that… I believe in God and I believe that God has a plan. And looking at this from a thousand-foot perspective, it just all just seems, to me, without a doubt that God's had a hand in it. And I'm just grateful that I'm included on the ride and I'm just not gonna take a moment for granted and [I'm gonna] try to deliver every night and give the fans what they're asking for." | 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
| +2 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
MARILYN MANSON Releases New Single 'As Sick As The Secrets Within'
 Marilyn Manson has released a new single, "As Sick As The Secrets Within". The track marks the shock-rocker's first release via his new deal with Nuclear Blast Records.
The news of a partnership with Nuclear Blast came in May, just weeks after rumors suggested that Manson had already completed work on a new album.
Prior to the arrival of "As Sick As The Secrets Within", Marilyn hadn't released new music since his 2020 "We Are Chaos" LP.
Manson's 30-date arena/amphitheater tour with FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is slated to kick off on August 2 at Hersheypark Stadium in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Over the past three years, Manson has been embroiled in a series of court battles and has been accused by several women — most notably "Westworld" star Evan Rachel Wood — of sexual, emotional and physical abuse.
Manson, who has denied all the allegations, has countersued a number of his alleged victims and judges have dismissed several of the abuse lawsuits against him.
The 55-year-old musician, whose real name is Brian Warner, has been off the road since the final August 18, 2019 date on the "Twins of Evil: Hell Never Dies" joint tour with Rob Zombie.
In 2022, Marilyn confirmed he was dropped by his record label, Loma Vista Recordings, and talent agency CAA after he was accused of sexual assault.
Manson has consistently denied sexually assaulting or abusing anyone, claiming that his "intimate relationships have always been entirely consensual with like-minded partners".
Photo credit: Perou (courtesy of Nuclear Blast Records)
| +15 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
DREAM THEATER Keyboardist JORDAN RUDESS Shares Video For New Solo Single 'Shadow Of The Moon'
 DREAM THEATER keyboardist Jordan Rudess has announced his brand new solo album, "Permission To Fly", due on September 6, 2024 via InsideOut Music.
No stranger to experimentation, Rudess is known for leading the charge in pushing creative, sonic, and technological boundaries. His latest endeavor, epitomizes this ethos, delving into the complexities of human existence within our multifaceted world.
Today, in conjunction with Lightricks, Jordan is pleased to launch the music video for "Shadow Of The Moon". Lightricks hosted a competition, inviting creators to submit unique music video concepts for Jordan's song. The winning filmmaker, Manny Walker, was whisked away to a state-of-the-art set in Serbia, where he was given the opportunity to co-direct the video alongside the Lightricks team, bringing his vision to life.
Jordan comments: "Creating the 'Shadow Of The Moon' video with Lightricks was an incredible experience. Working with such a talented team and the contest winner, and using Lightricks' new cutting-edge LTX studio software, brought my vision to life in ways I couldn't have imagined. This collaboration truly showcases how powerful it is to combine music with innovative visual storytelling."
While some previous releases were true solo pursuits, this time, Rudess assembled a core group of musicians to support and elevate his vision. The album features Jordan alongside That Joe Payne on vocals, Darby Todd (DEVIN TOWNSEND) on drums and Steve Dadaian on guitar, as well as guest guitar solos from Bastian Martinez.
As Jordan explains: "The essence of the album is deeply informed by the tumultuous events of 2023-2024, with motifs of peace and anti-violence woven throughout many of the songs."
With the music in capable hands, Rudess wanted to make sure to give the lyrics their proper attention. For that, he turned to a source close to home, his daughter.
"All the lyrics on the album were written by my daughter, Ariana," Jordan says. "While I enjoy writing lyrics myself, my primary focus tends to be on the sonic quality of the words. For this album, I wanted to delve deeper and offer something that resonated on a more profound and cerebral level. Ari did an exceptional job."
"Permission To Fly" will be available as a limited CD digipak and gatefold 180g 2LP (both including bonus material),as well as digitally.
"Permission To Fly" track listing:
01. The Final Threshold (04:08)
02. Into The Lair (09:31)
03. Haunted Reverie (05:14)
04. The Alchemist (08:36)
05. Embers (04:03)
06. Shadow Of The Moon (05:29)
07. Eternal (08:53)
08. Footstep In The Snow (04:02)
09. Dreamer (05:03)
10. Incarnation (03:31) (bonus track)
11. Chopin Fm (05:33) (bonus track)
To mark the announcement, Rudess launched the epic song "The Alchemist", with a video by Wayne Joyner. Also available is another previously released track "Embers".
Jordan recently made his live debut with Darby Todd and That Joe Payne, with two rapturously received sets on the 2024 edition of Cruise To The Edge, also marking the live premiere of "Embers".
Renowned as the "Best Keyboardist Of All Time" by Music Radar magazine, Rudess stands out as the extraordinary keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist for the platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winning progressive rock band DREAM THEATER. Embarking on his musical journey as a classical prodigy, Jordan initiated his studies at the illustrious Juilliard School Of Music at the age of 9, laying the foundation for a career marked by a distinctive fusion of classical and rock influences.
Beyond his role in DREAM THEATER and the power group LIQUID TENSION EXPERIMENT, Jordan's musical prowess has resonated across a diverse spectrum of collaborations. From DEEP PURPLE and David Bowie to Steven Wilson and Jan Hammer, he has left an indelible mark on the industry. Notable projects such as LMR (his side venture with Tony Levin and Marco Minneman),Steven Wilson's BLACKFIELD, guest appearances with DEEP PURPLE and THE DIXIE DREGS and collaborations with artists like Enrique Iglesias, THE PAUL WINTER CONSORT, Annie Haslam, and many others, underscore the breadth of his musical reach.
Venturing into the realm of cutting-edge technology, Jordan has emerged as a pioneer with a focus on state-of-the-art keyboard controllers and music apps. As the owner of the highly successful iOS app development company Wizdom Music, he has spearheaded the creation of award-winning apps, including GeoShred, MorphWiz, SampleWiz, Vythm, Polywave, Jam With Jordan and SampleWiz 2. GeoShred, Wizdom Music's latest triumph, was a collaborative effort with moForte, founding members of Stanford University's Sondius team. Rudess is currently working on an AI interactive project as Visiting Artist at MIT's Media Lab in the Responsive Environments group. | 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| +3 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
| 0 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
LACUNA COIL Enlists LAMB OF GOD's RANDY BLYTHE For New Single 'Hosting The Shadow'
 Italian goth metallers LACUNA COIL have released a new single, "Hosting The Shadow". After their successful collaboration with Ash Costello of NEW YEARS DAY on previous single "In The Mean Time", the new track includes a guest appearance by Randy Blythe from LAMB OF GOD.
LACUNA COIL comments: "'Hosting The Shadow' is a trip through light and dark, where silence reveals its hidden secrets. Obscure moments can become occasions to evolve, to learn to master one's own shadow — which is crucial in order to prevail.
"Randy Blythe did an incredible job on this track. We absolutely adore his voice and his evil laugh! Our admiration for him is infinite and to have him as a guest on this song is a dream come true. Partnering with a friend you respect immensely, that also kicks ass on stages around the world: it doesn't get any better than this. We're looking forward to the day we can perform 'Hosting The Shadow' live together!"
Blythe adds: "I was super excited when LACUNA COIL asked me to sing on a song with them. Not only am I a big fan of their music, they are truly beautiful souls who have been like family to me for 20 years now. We've played shows together all over the world, and I've always wanted to jump onstage and sing with them. I can't wait until it actually happens with 'Hosting The Shadow'!"
This past June, LACUNA COIL announced the departure of guitarist Diego Cavallotti.
Cavallotti, who joined LACUNA COIL in 2016, initially as a fill-in guitarist following the exit of Marco "Maus" Biazzi, later said in a social media post that "this decision is not the result of my dissatisfaction or desire to explore new opportunities."
When LACUNA COIL announced Cavallotti's departure on June 17, the band wrote in a statement: "As we step into a new cycle, writing and recording our next album, we are parting ways with Diego 'DD' Cavallotti. We thank him for the many unforgettable moments shared over the years and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours.
"All future live plans remain unchanged and the new songs are taking form, we can't wait to share them with our fans."
LACUNA COIL recently completed the "Ignite The Fire" U.S. tour with support from NEW YEARS DAY and OCEANS OF SLUMBER.
In April, LACUNA COIL released "In The Mean Time", featuring Costello. The song's title is a reference to the mean times the world is living in, as well as a reference to the state the band itself is in, between cycles.
In July 2023, LACUNA COIL released the official lyric video for a new track called "Never Dawn". For the song, the band partnered with CMON, the renowned board game publisher behind the popular game "Zombicide".
In a recent interview with Brazil's Sonoridades Inc., LACUNA COIL singer Cristina Scabbia spoke about the progress of the writing and recording sessions for the band's follow-up to 2019's "Black Anima" album. She said: "I can't really tell you a lot. I can tell you that we are progressing very fast. We are almost, like, 100… We completed, let's say, the demoing. We still have to record the rest of the songs, but we will soon — probably after the tour, after the [May 2024] North American tour. And if everything goes as projected, before the end of the year [it] will be released. And that's already a big news, because we always say, 'We don't know. Maybe.' … I absolutely love the songs. I'm part of the process. But I'm very pleased."
Asked if "Never Dawn" will be on the upcoming album, Cristina said: "I think it will be. I think it will be, 'cause it will make sense. And it also fits with the other songs — it really fits with the other songs. Many heavy songs."
LACUNA COIL has spent some of the last couple of years promoting "Comalies XX", the "deconstructed" and "transported" version of the band's third album, "Comalies".
"Comalies XX" was made available on October 14, 2022 via Century Media Records.
LACUNA COIL celebrated the 20th anniversary of "Comalies", by performing it in its entirety at a one-night-only concert on October 15, 2022 at Fabrique in Milano.
"Comalies" was originally released on October 29, 2002 through Century Media Records. The LP, which featured the band's breakthrough single "Heaven's A Lie", has reportedly gone on to sell over 300,000 copies in the United States alone.
Photo credit: Cunene | +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
Watch Pro-Shot Video Of STEPHEN PEARCY Performing On 'KLOS Helpful Honda Rock Room' Stage
 On Friday, July 26, RATT singer Stephen Pearcy appeared on the KLOS Helpful Honda Rock Room stage, the exclusive concert series featuring private interviews and performances. Check out Pearcy's performance and interview with Matt Pinfield below. Pearcy and Pinfield discuss Stephen's love of rock and roll growing up, the Sunset Strip in the 1980s, the early days of RATT, the 40th anniversary of RATT's "Out Of The Cellar" album and a whole lot more.
Pearcy is joined in his current solo band by drummer Blas Elias (SLAUGHTER),bassist Matt Thor (ROUGH CUTT),guitarist Johnny Monaco (ENUFF Z'NUFF) and longtime guitarist Erik Ferentinos.
In a recent interview with Rockin' 101's "The Johnny Rock Show", Pearcy spoke about his ongoing tour celebrating the 40th anniversary of RATT's classic debut album, "Out Of The Cellar", by performing it in its entirety and in sequence for the first time. Asked if he is really playing the entire record top to bottom, Stephen replied: "Yes, I am. And the difference here is I am literally playing the record top to bottom, which means I will be playing [RATT's biggest hit] 'Round And Round' third. I'm not gonna save it for the encore, because what we do is you kick your ass with the record top to bottom, which is insane because even the original band didn't try to take on that endeavor. So it's actually way cool because after we're done with 'Out Of The Cellar', we don't stop. We're gonna lay it down and go into the next, what would be 40 years of [1985's] 'Invasion [Of Your Privacy]' [RATT's second album] tour."
When the interviewer noted that Pearcy has to play the songs from "Out Of The Cellar" in the order in which they appear on the album "or it doesn't make any sense," Stephen concurred. "Correct. Correct," he said. "And people kind of trip out, they're, like, 'Whoa,' but I kind of explain [from the stage why we're doing it that way]. What's really refreshing is I haven't played these songs, nor have the original band, tried to do that with Robbin [Crosby, late RATT guitarist] in the band with the original guys. So it's very cool to go back and play some of these songs. They're so refreshing. 'Scene Of The Crime', 'She Wants Money', these are great songs that we never really played."
Prior to the launch of this year's "Back In The Cellar" tour, Pearcy most recently performed "Out Of The Cellar" in its entirety with his solo band on December 29, 2023 at the Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California. It marked Stephen's first time playing the LP from front to back.
RATT exploded on to the national scene in 1984 with the release of "Out Of The Cellar". Featuring an undeniable hook and legendary music video, lead single "Round And Round" hit No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, while "Out Of The Cellar" reached No. 7 on the Billboard Top 200 and was certified triple platinum. Two more charting singles followed with "Back For More" and "Wanted Man". RATT started the tour as an opening act, but by the end of the tour had climbed to arena headliner.
RATT returned in 1985 with its second full-length album, "Invasion Of Your Privacy". Certified double platinum and also reaching No. 7 on the Billboard 200, "Invasion Of Your Privacy" also featured the classics "Lay It Down" (No. 40 on Billboard Hot 100) and "You're In Love".
"Dancing Undercover" followed in 1986 as RATT toured North America with a then-brand new Los Angeles band called POISON as the opening act. Lead single "Dance" hit the Billboard Hot 100 and spawned another music video hit with "Slip Of The Lip", while "Body Talk" was featured in a key scene in the Eddie Murphy film "The Golden Child". "Dancing Undercover" became RATT's third consecutive platinum album and reached No. 26 on the Billboard 200.
1988's "Reach For The Sky" saw RATT return to the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 album charts, peaking at No. 17. Driven by the bluesy hit and MTV favorite "Way Cool Jr.", "Reach For The Sky" was also certified platinum and became RATT's fourth album in a row to move well over a million copies. "I Want A Woman" was also a successful single and the video captured the excitement and energy of RATT live.
RATT released its last full-length record of the Atlantic era, "Detonator", in 1990. Music was changing, but "Detonator" was still a success, peaking at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 and going gold. It was the first RATT album to feature major outside songwriting contributions (Desmond Child, Diane Warren) and guests (Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Schenker). Lead single "Lovin' You's A Dirty Job" hit No. 18 on the rock chart while the power ballad "Giving Yourself Away" reached No. 39.
In 1991, they released the single "Nobody Rides For Free" from the hit film "Point Break", starring Keanu Reeves and Patrick Swayze.
In January 2021, Pearcy told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" that he was open to the idea of making a new RATT album with all the surviving members of the band's classic lineup.
RATT hasn't released any new music since 2010's "Infestation" LP. | 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
MC5 Releases New Single 'Can't Be Found' From Upcoming 'Heavy Lifting' Album
 Detroit punk rock pioneers MC5 have released "Can't Be Found", the second single from their upcoming album, "Heavy Lifting", due out October 18. The track showcases the album's funky heavy rock fusion with electrifying guitar riffs, highlighting the soul of founding member Wayne Kramer. Kramer, alongside original MC5 drummer Dennis Thompson and LIVING COLOUR guitarist Vernon Reid, deliver a refreshing signature anthem, setting the stage for the album's release.
Emerging from the gritty streets of Detroit in the mid-1960s, MC5 revolutionized rock and roll with their blistering fusion of garage rock, blues, soul, free jazz, and proto-punk. Infamous for incendiary live performances and a radical left-wing stance, their status as pioneers of punk and protest rock has inspired many musicians like RAMONES, THE CLASH, RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE, THE WHITE STRIPES, Slash and countless others and continues to shape the sound of punk and alternative rock for generations to come.
earMUSIC will release the first new music from MC5 in more than 50 years (following 1971's "High Time") with the album "Heavy Lifting" due October 18 — one day prior to the band's induction into 2024's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame when they will receive the "Musical Excellence Award."
"Heavy Lifting" features guitar and vocals by founding MC5 member Wayne Kramer, who also co-wrote 12 of the album's 13 songs together with Oakland singer/songwriter Brad Brooks. Prolific for five decades, Kramer was the last remaining active member of MC5. He passed away suddenly in February, followed by the death of drummer Dennis "Machine Gun" Thompson in May. It is Thompson's final studio recording.
In an interview with Uncut in November 2023, Kramer discussed the album and said: "Live long and stay creative. This is my attitude. And this album continues from where 'High Time' left off. In that, I think it's an artist's responsibility to reflect the times they're going through. And I think that we made an album that is in sync with where we're at today and the challenges that we're facing, and that carries a positive message."
"Heavy Lifting" was recorded with iconic producer Bob Ezrin (LOU REED, ALICE COOPER, KISS) and features an all-star lineup of Kramer's friends and musical colleagues, including Slash (GUNS N' ROSES),Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE),William DuVall (ALICE IN CHAINS),Vernon Reid (LIVING COLOUR),Don Was and Tim McIlrath (RISE AGAINST),allowing for a collaborative effort that bridges the gap between generations of musicians inspired by MC5's fearless approach to music and activism. The breadth of MC5's impact can be heard by all the album's players, including Vicki Randle (ARETHA FRANKLIN),Stevie Salas (PARLIAMENT FUNKADELIC, ROD STEWART),Abe Laboriel Jr. (PAUL MCCARTNEY),Winston Watson Jr. (BOB DYLAN) and Joe Berry (M83). Far more than a trip down memory lane, "Heavy Lifting" is a resounding affirmation that the spirit of punk endures.
"It's very heavy," Ezrin reports on "Heavy Lifting". "It has a revolutionary message but also a good sense of humor. There's a little bit of heavy metal. There's quite a bit of funk. But it is a heavy record, and it's a guitar record left, right and centre. Just a wall of guitars most of the time, and mostly driven by Wayne and his ethos. It's a snapshot of a guitar man at the height of his powers. We all feel a responsibility to make sure that his work is heard, and he is celebrated. We poured our hearts into the project."
In addition to the 13-track album, a 2CD / 2LP bonus disc will be released including previously unreleased live recordings from the MC50 tour in 2018 celebrating the 50th anniversary of MC5's revered 1969 debut album "Kick Out The Jams", which features classic anthems like "Kick Out The Jams" and "Ramblin' Rose". Alongside Kramer, the MC50 live band features SOUNDGARDEN guitarist Kim Thayil, FUGAZI drummer Brendan Canty, FAITH NO MORE's bassist Billy Gould, and frontman Marcus Durant (ZEN GUERRILLA) with a special guest appearance by Mark Arm (MUDHONEY). See the full track listing below.
"Heavy Lifting" track listing:
01. Heavy Lifting (feat. Tom Morello)
02. Barbarians At The Gate
03. Change, No Change
04. The Edge Of The Switchblade (feat. William Duvall and Slash)
05. Black Boots (feat. Tim McIIrath)
06. I Am The Fun (The Phoney)
07. Twenty-Five Miles
08. Because Of Your Car
09. Boys Who Play With Matches
10. Blind Eye (feat. Dennis Thompson)
11. Can't Be Found (feat. Vernon Reid and Dennis Thompson)
12. Blessed Release
13. Hit It Hard (feat. Joe Berry)
Additional track listing (2CD/2LP):
01. Ramblin' Rose
02. Kick Out The Jams
03. Come Together
04. Motor City Is Burning
05. Borderline
06. Gotta Keep Movin'
07. Future/Now
08. Poison
09. Shakin' Street
10. Sister Anne
Photo credit: Jim Newberry (above) / Margaret Saadi Kramer (below) (courtesy of The Outside Organisation) | 0 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
SAMAEL: No New Music Before Early 2025
 In a new interview with Portugal's Caminhos Metálicos, frontman Vorph (real name: Michael Locher) of Swiss industrial metallers SAMAEL was asked when fans can expect a new studio album from him and his bandmates. He responded (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're on it. Part of the recording is finished. I did the vocal. Xy's [drummer Alexandre 'Xytras' Locher] still doing some editing. My original idea was to release at least one song this year, but as I see how it is working now, I think it's gonna be early next year. But we will have one song, at least, released before anything else."
In June 2020, SAMAEL announced the addition of bassist Ales Campanelli to the group's ranks.
A former member of SYBREED, OBSYDIANS and THE ERKONAUTS, Ales had been playing with SAMAEL guitarist Thomas "Drop" Betrisey for many years. He was no stranger to the machines-versus-humans music of SAMAEL and had known the band since its early black metal days.
Campanelli made his live debut with SAMAEL as part of Tohuwabohu, a worldwide, pay-what-you-want streaming metal event, in June 2020.
Ales joined SAMAEL as the replacement for Pierre "Zorrac" Carroz (SCARS DIVIDE, HEROD),who had played with the group since July 2018.
Longtime SAMAEL guitarist Marco "Makro" Rivao left the band in April 2018 "to do something different." Bassist Drop has since taken over guitar duties in the group.
SAMAEL's latest album, "Hegemony", was released in October 2017 via Napalm Records.
Photo credit: Johan Vergères
| +3 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
VIVIAN CAMPBELL Says There Will Be A New Studio Album From DEF LEPPARD
 In a new interview with Joe Rock of Long Island's rock station 102.3 WBAB, DEF LEPPARD guitarist Vivian Campbell spoke about the band's latest single, "Just Like 73". The official lyric video for the track, which features a guest guitar solo from Tom Morello, can be seen below.
Regarding the inspiration for the "Just Like 73" title, Vivian said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "We're all of a similar age, within a few years. And [the year 1973] was the time when we all came of age musically. That was our musical awakening. For me, it was Marc Bolan and T. REX. It was also the start of the 'Ziggy Stardust' era. I mean, '73 was an exceptional year for music. Some stunning albums were released that year. So, it was a great time to become aware of the magic of music, and we all share that in common, we all have that frame of reference in DEF LEPPARD, because we all sort of blossomed through that era of music. And 'Just Like 73' is just this tongue-in-cheek homage to that era and that time in our life. The drum beat of the song that that opens it is reminiscent of the glitter band or something. And then everything else, like the huge vocals, is typical DEF LEPPARD. And it's a catchy song, so it fits right in there. We've been playing it [live] right from day one. You can tell that only a certain amount of people in the audience are immediately familiar with it, but it has a familiarity. By the time you get to the second chorus, people are, 'Oh, yeah, here we go.' So it's it fits right in there."
He continued: "We don't wanna burden people with new music, per se, in this day and age. It's very, very difficult to get that across. You've gotta to be very strategic about how and when, where you place new music. For us, it's just the one new song this year. So it's not a big problem. We've slotted it in there. But we realize there's a fine balance to walk between playing new music and playing deep album cuts and playing the huge hits that most people know. But we've gotten very good at that. We've had a lot of practice."
When Rock noted that DEF LEPPARD likely doesn't have plans to release a new studio album, based on what Vivian just said, the guitarist clarified: "Well, there is [a plan to release an album], actually. I mean, 'Just Like 73' was actually left over from [DEF LEPPARD's latest album, 2022's] 'Diamond Star Halos'. The song just wasn't quite finished a few years ago. Plus we had an abundance of songs for 'Diamond Star'. And yes, we are constantly writing music, and yes, there will be another record."
Elaborating on what keeps him and his DEF LEPPARD bandmates motivated to keep creating new music, Vivian said: "We do it for ourselves. I mean, we make albums and record new music and write new music for selfish reasons. I mean, we sort of have to do it. That is what we do, and it keeps a relevance to DEF LEPPARD. Even if we have no expectations whatsoever that we're gonna have a hit song or anyone's gonna buy an album — that's a bonus if any of that happens — but there's a percentage, a core of our audience that craves us doing new music, and that's great, we absolutely appreciate that, but we do it for ourselves. We're a bunch of selfish bastards. But it keeps it relevant. We don't wanna just be a nostalgia act. And yeah, we realize that the great majority of people who come to DEF LEPPARD shows in this day and age wanna hear 'Animal', 'Hysteria', 'Rock Of Ages', 'Photograph', '[Pour Some] Sugar [On Me]', all these great, great songs. They're not necessarily coming to hear 'Just Like 73', but when we present it to 'em, they're going, 'Oh, okay. Yeah, that's good. I can hang with that.' You've gotta keep exercising the muscle. We are creative musicians and that's how we started and that's how we intend to end. So it's an ongoing journey."
Last month, DEF LEPPARD guitarist Phil Collen told SiriusXM's "Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk" about "Just Like 73": "We started it when we were doing 'Diamond Star Halos', and anyone who doesn't know, that's a line from a Marc Bolan song [from] T. REX. He says 'hubcap diamond star halo'. And me and Joe [Elliott, DEF LEPPARD singer] have always used that phrase to describe the time that we got really baptized into music. I remember seeing [David] Bowie on 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' and 'Top Of The Pops' and was, like, 'Oh my God. This is my guy.' I was, like, 14 or 15. I'd already seen DEEP PURPLE; it my first concert, which was amazing. So, then all of a sudden this glam stuff came out. So we would always describe that as 'Diamond Star Halos'."
Phil continued: "I was writing a song with Dave Bassett, who I wrote 'Kick' with. And the same deal — I really want to put a SLADE slant on the backing vocals and just make it very much about '72 or '73. And Joe heard the demo and he's, like, 'Why can't you have both?' So we did, and then Joe started writing some lyrics because he's obviously really tapped into that, and all the verse lyrics and all the imagery from exactly that 'Diamond Star Halos' period ends up on this song. We actually hadn't finished it, so the rest of the band hadn't even heard the demo, and we played it to everyone and they all loved it. They all put their stuff on it. Viv [guitarist Vivian Campbell] played guitar, Sav [Rick Savage] did [his bass tracks], Rick [Allen, DEF LEPPARD drummer] put his part on and then we had some vocals — everyone had sung on it — and before you know it, it came out like this. So, we're really thrilled. It actually sounds better than the stuff on 'Diamond Star Halos', to my ears. So I'm really excited about that. And it seems that everyone really digs it as well."
Asked if this is a one-off single or the seed of another DEF LEPPARD full-length album, Phil said: "Oh, it's absolutely the seed of another DEF LEPPARD record. I mean, it was a leftover from the album before, but it was also the start of a new album. So, without a doubt. [Joe and I] write all the time. We send each other things. Sav gets in on there. Just between the three of us, there's just a lot of stuff floating around already. So we've, yeah, got a bunch of stuff. It's really exciting. And it's a great place to be. It's never that thing where, 'Well, we've got to sit down and write an album.' It's, like, 'Wow, I can't wait to play this to the guys and see what the reaction is.' And we keep pushing the boat out even further."
Regarding whether he envisions a new DEF LEPPARD full-length album coming out this year, Phil said: "This year would be pushing it, I think this year. But once we kind of get into the groove, I think — yeah. Who knows? Next year [or] early the year after. But you know how these things go. We have these tours and everything, but we've got a new song. So that's really exciting. So that'll be on the go pretty soon."
"Just Like 73" will arrive on seven-inch vinyl on August 2, 2024 and will be available in a special color variant only through the band's D2C store and in black at all retailers.
"Just Like 73" notably marks the first collaboration between the iconic rock titans and the legendary guitarist, sonic innovator and co-founder of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE and AUDIOSLAVE. The single revolves around a classic DEF LEPPARD stomp fueled by a robust stadium-size beat, thick riffing, and a signature chant, "Rock with me, just like 73!" Meanwhile, a knockout gang vocal gives way to a signature fret-scorching solo from Morello. The instantly recognizable whammy bar wheezes as he shreds at lightspeed into one last head-nodding hook.
Of the collaboration, Elliott previously shared: "It encapsulates a time that burned deep into our DNA. We wanted to celebrate that very important and glorious time."
Morello said: "I had a blast rocking a solo on 'Just Like 73'. I played 'Rock Of Ages' in my college cover band almost 40 years ago and here DEF LEPPARD are still killing it in stadiums with a brand new tune that's one of their best."
DEF LEPPARD teased "Just Like 73" on social media in June, sharing an image with two different phone numbers for U.S. and U.K. fans to call.
"Light up the fuel. Just Like 73. Hotline Now Open," the band wrote in an accompanying caption.
Fans who called the phone numbers were able to hear Elliott singing lyrics from the song, which marks the band's first new original music since "Diamond Star Halos".
DEF LEPPARD's 23-city trek with JOURNEY is kicked off on July 6 in St. Louis, Missouri and will continue through September 8 in Denver, Colorado. Along the way, the two Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductees will bring their show to stadiums in major cities like Chicago, Nashville, Boston, Toronto, New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and more.
Elliott previously shared that DEF LEPPARD's set on the 2024 tour will celebrate specific parts of the rockers' history. "We may even have a surprise or two up our sleeves," he said in a statement.
The DEF LEPPARD/JOURNEY tour is being promoted by AEG Entertainment.
Both bands are offering VIP packages through their respective web sites.
DEF LEPPARD's VIP experiences include a premium seat, personal photo with the band, exclusive merchandise and more.
DEF LEPPARD's 12th studio album, "Diamond Star Halos", came out in 2022. A year later, the band followed it up with "Drastic Symphonies", a collection of reimagining of some of DEF LEPPARD's greatest hits with London's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at Abbey Road. The album spent 15 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Current Classical chart.
DEF LEPPARD's 2022 stadium tour across North America with MÖTLEY CRÜE reportedly sold more than 1.3 million tickets.
Photo credit: Ross Halfin | +1 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
LAMB OF GOD's MARK MORTON Says Writing His Memoir 'Wound Up Being A Mountain Of Work': 'It Was A Monumental Project'
 During an appearance on Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show, LAMB OF GOD's Mark Morton was asked what the most surprising thing was that he discovered about himself in the process of putting together his memoir, "Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir", which came out last month via Hachette Books. Co-written with Ben Opipari, the book explores both Mark's life in music and his tumultuous path through addiction and into recovery. Mark said: "Yeah, that's an interesting question. I went into this wondering, I went into the book project wondering if it would be cathartic or therapeutic or this process of self-discovery, as you alluded to. I'm not sure that it was, Jackie. I think the big takeaway for me… I essentially wrote the book just to see if I could do it, and it wound up being a mountain of work. And it was kind of — the joke was on me, because, yeah, I could do it, but it was a monumental project. But also, I think the big takeaway for me was just this sense of relief and gratitude that I had gotten past so much of the stuff that happens in the book.
"My life has by no stretch been a sob story," he continued. "There's a lot of just absolutely thrilling things that I've been fortunate enough to be a part of, and there's a lot of humor in the book, but there's some tragedy and some trauma as well. And so for me to be sitting where I'm sitting now and being able to reflect on that informs all of those experiences with a sense of hope. And I'd like to think that's one of the takeaways of the book, is that there's always hope and there's always a chance to get better."
When Full Metal Jackie noted that it must have been "a tough line to walk" in terms of how much of his "personal tragedies and low points" he wanted to share in the book, Mark concurred. "Yeah, it's a scary thing to try and balance how much you wanna let go of," he said. "'Cause there's some really, really personal stories in here. And those can be handled a lot of different ways, and you can go for shocking or you can go for guarded; there's a lot of different angles you can take with some of those stories. And that was a learning process for me. I'd never written a book. And I barely read books, frankly. When I do, they're usually rock memoirs. So I had some point of reference. So I think I had to learn that as I went.
"The big thing I found was to just be genuine and to try to tell those stories with a sense of respect, not only for the experience that I had, but for people who may have had a similar experience," Mark added. "So to try and be respectful of people who have lived through similar things as I have, but to also be genuine and not wear things as a badge or water things down to take the weight out of them, just to be authentic with it."
In a separate LiveSigning discussion with Opipari to promote "Desolation: A Heavy Metal Memoir", Mark revealed that the "hardest" chapter for him to write for the book was the one about the passing of his daughter. In 2009, Morton's baby, Madalyn Grace Morton, died the day after she was born after developing an infection during delivery. He wrote about the loss on the song "Embers" which came out on LAMB OF GOD's 2015 album, "VII: Sturm Und Drang", and in an essay that Noisey published.
Regarding why that chapter was especially difficult for him to write, Mark told LiveSigning: "It's not because I discovered anything new about that situation. I just think that I struggled to honor it and word it just right. And I remember telling you, 'I don't want a lot of notes on this one.' That was one of the things I was, like, 'If there's grammatical stuff…' I spent some time with that one. I was in a really bad mood those few days. So, in that sense, it just drummed up stuff. It's not something I bury. It's not something I forget. It's not something I wanna commodify either. I didn't want this to be a book about that, but I can't tell my story without touching on that. So it was more about finding the balance of all those things and kind of making it feel like I honored that, but didn't exploit it and told my authentic version of that. And I think that's what we did."
Morton also talked about the chapter that was "the most fun" for him to write, saying: "I really, really enjoyed kind of going through all the memories of the BURN THE PRIEST era of LAMB OF GOD and then the early LAMB OF GOD stuff and just really trying to characterize what an absolute just cyclone of chaos and idiocy we were back then. And that was fun to explore and to revisit. And even with the stuff before that, like my high school bands, I did a lot of checking in with folks and seeing if I was remembering this right. I even — when I talk about some of the early LAMB OF GOD days when we were playing, like, squats and warehouses in Philly and that kind of underground punk metal scene that we were a part of down there, I had a guy that I spoke to — he had reached out via one of my social media platforms and was saying he was at certain shows that I was kind of referencing as a touchstone from that point in time. And we got on the phone and I just checked my memory of that show versus his, and he gave me some real insight. And that was pretty cool. I thanked him in the book."
"Desolation" was described by the publisher as "the story of Morton's lifelong quest for clarity and self-acceptance, and shows how the pressures of career success and personal battles eventually came into conflict with Morton's dedication to the creative process. Intertwined with addiction, self-destruction, and the path to eventual surrender and recovery, Morton also reveals the greatest personal tragedy of his life: the death of his two-day old daughter, plunging Morton further into hopelessness. Surrounded by bandmates living their wildest dreams, Morton wanted nothing more than to disappear, ingesting potentially lethal cocktails of drugs and alcohol into his system on a daily basis.
"And yet, amidst the harrowing heartbreak, there were moments of triumph, hope, and incredible personal connection. Morton developed close relationships with his bandmates and crew members, sharing experiences that have made for some strange and hilarious tales. He's also gained a greater sense of purpose through interactions with his fans, who remind him that his work reaches people on a deeply personal level. Through the highs and the lows, Morton learns how to find presence and gratitude where he once found fear and resentment, a process that he considers a gift of spiritual awakening.
"'Desolation' is, at its core, about Morton's journey as a musician navigating self-doubt, anxiety and the progressive disease of addiction, and ultimately finding relative serenity. Perfect for fans, new and old, as well as anyone who has ever been tested and brought to their limits, "Desolation" is a highly satisfying, full-throttle investigation of the human experience."
When the book was first announced, Morton commented: "Initially, I started writing this book just to see if I could do it. But as the writing process unfolded, it quickly took on much more meaning. Unpacking my story, I was able to observe events in my life with an objectivity that I hadn't experienced while I'd lived them in real time.
"Through a lens of hindsight and recovery, I made friends with my past and found value in my most difficult days," he continued. "I hope that by offering my experiences, I can create a point of connection and commonality. There are a lot of fun stories in here and a few really sad ones. I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share them."
Morton co-founded LAMB OF GOD, which was initially called BURN THE PRIEST, in 1994.
In 2019, Morton released his debut solo album, "Anesthetic".
LAMB OF GOD's latest LP, "Omens", came out in 2022.
Earlier this month, Morton and the rest of LAMB OF GOD embarked on the "Ashes Of Leviathan" tour with MASTODON.
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| +3 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 àâã 2024
| +1 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| +4 | |
| |
2 àâã 2024
| +14 | |
| |
|
|
  |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Metallica
