|
| |
 |
  |
17 ÿíâ 2020
TESTAMENT Live At Summer Breeze 2019; HQ Video Of Full Performance Now Streaming
 WDR Rockpalast has released professionally-filmed footage of Testament's full performance last summer at Germany's Summer Breeze festival. Watch below.
Setlist:
Intro / "Brotherhood Of The Snake"
"The Pale King"
"More Than Meets The Eye"
"D.N.R. (Do Not Resuscitate)"
"Low"
"Into The Pit"
"Electric Crown"
"Practice What You Preach"
"The New Order"
"Over The Wall"
"Disciples Of The Watch"
"The Formation Of Damnation"
Testament is set to embark on The Bay Strikes Back Tour 2020 with Exodus and Death Angel. Dates below.
Dates:
February
6 - Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio
7 - Stockholm, Sweden - Arenan Fryhuset
10 - Helsinki, Finland - The Circus
11 - Tampere, Finland - Pakkahuone
13 - Hamburg, Germany - Docks
14 - Oberhausen, Denmark - Turbinenhalle
15 - Wiesbaden, Germany - Schlachthof
16 - Utrecht, Netherlands - Tivoli
18 - Berlin, Germany - Huxleys
19 - Wroclaw, Poland - Orbita Hall
20 - Vienna, Austria - Arena
21 - Munich, Germany - Backstage
22 - Filderstadt, Germany - Filharmonie
25 - Milano, Italy - Live Club
27 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz
28 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio Vistalegre
29 - Toulouse, France - Bikini
March
1 - Paris, France - Elysee Montmartre
3 - Bristol, UK - O2 Academy
4 - Dublin, UK - National Stadium
6 - London, UK - O2 Forum Kentish Town
7 - Manchester, UK - Manchester Academy
8 - Glasgow, UK - Barrowland
10 - Brussels, Belgium - AB
11 - Hannover, Germany - Capitol
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();  | +4 |  |
|  |
17 ÿíâ 2020
URIAH HEEP's MICK BOX On NEIL PEART: 'He Certainly Left A Musical Legacy That Will Go On Forever'
 URIAH HEEP guitarist Mick Box has paid tribute to Neil Peart, who died on January 7 in Santa Monica, California after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The iconic RUSH drummer was 67 years old.
Over the weekend, Box took to URIAH HEEP's social media to write: "Devastating news re Neil Peart. He certainly left a musical legacy that will go on forever and in his lifetime he inspired a million other drummers."
He went on to call Peart's passing "a great loss to the musical world." He added: "Our condolences go to his family and band mates Geddy [Lee] and Alex [Lifeson]."
In a 2019 interview with The Metal Voice, Box remembered how RUSH opened for URIAH HEEP on tour in 1974, with Peart performing his very first RUSH show on this trek.
"You know what?", Box said. "We gave them our audience and they took it by the throat and they won the day. They were always good musicians."
The guitarist also recalled that RUSH was being accused by some music fans as being nothing more than a LED ZEPPELIN copy on its eponymous debut. "I think in the early days Geddy was getting the Robert Plant comparisons because he's got a high voice and things like that," he said. "But they waded through all of that and came out stronger, and it was very obvious that they were going to be a force to be reckoned with, especially as a three-piece."
URIAH HEEP is continuing to tour in support of its 25th studio album, "Living The Dream", which came out in September 2018 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Peart joined RUSH in 1974. He was considered one of the best rock drummers of all time, alongside John Bonham of LED ZEPPELIN; Keith Moon of THE WHO; and Ginger Baker of CREAM. Peart was also RUSH's primary lyricist, drawing inspiration from everything from sci-fi to Ayn Rand.
Devastating news re Neil Peart.
He certainly left a musical legacy that will go on forever and in his lifetime he inspired a million other drummers.
A great loss to the musical world and our condolences go to his family and band mates Geddy and Alex.
Mick Box URIAH HEEP pic.twitter.com/jNPZU4Kitm
— Uriah Heep (@uriah_heep) January 12, 2020 | +3 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND’s 50th Anniversary Celebrated With Massive Career-Spanning Retrospective, Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection; Video Trailer, "Trouble No More" Demo Streaming
 When Berry Oakley, Butch Trucks, Dickey Betts, Duane Allman, Jaimoe, and Gregg Allman finally coalesced in 1969 as The Allman Brothers Band, after stints in other bands and musical endeavours - some alone, some with each other - the group’s very first informal jam together was the stomping Muddy Waters song, “Trouble No More”. Almost immediately the six musicians knew they were on to something special. Shortly after, it also became the very first song they officially demoed together for their eponymous debut record, an album that would begin their legendary, unparalleled, and often times, turbulent journey as one of the best American rock bands to ever exist.
The band’s original 1969 demo of “Trouble No More”, which has remained unreleased for more than half a century, fittingly opens the new, aptly-titled Allman Brothers Band career retrospective, Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection, releasing February 28 via Island Mercury/Ume/Universal Music Canada, to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of the pioneering Southern rock legends and their incredible body of work. Available as a 10LP or 5CD box set or digitally, Trouble No More - produced by Allman Brothers Band historians and aficionados Bill Levenson, John Lynskey and Kirk West -offers a massive selection of 61 Allman Brothers Band classics, live performances and rarities from across their 45-year career, and includes seven previously unreleased tracks that take you from the very beginning until the very end. The collection is bookended with a live performance of “Trouble No More” from the Allman Brothers Band’s final show at New York’s Beacon Theatre that brought the band’s legend to a close and which brings this retrospective full circle.
Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection is available for pre-order now. Ahead of the release, the previously unreleased demo recording of “Trouble No More” is available for streaming now and for immediate download with digital album pre-order. Preorder/listen here.
The deluxe vinyl box set of Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection beautifully presents the Allman Brothers Band’s legacy across 10 LPs packaged in five gatefold jackets housed in a wood veneer wrapped slipcase with gold graphics, accompanied by a 56-page book. The vinyl set will also be released as a limited edition colour vinyl collection via the online music retailer uDiscover with each LP pressed on orange and red splatter coloured vinyl evoking the insides of a peach. The 5CD edition will be packaged in a 12-panel softpack with a visually distinctive slipcase and includes an 88-page booklet. Both physical editions feature an insightful nearly 9000 word essay on the 50-year history of the band by John Lynskey, unreleased band photos along with newly shot photos of memorabilia from the Big House Museum in the band’s adopted hometown Macon, GA and a recap of the 13 incarnations of the band lineup. The digital version of the album will mirror the 5CD edition and be available for streaming and download, including Apple Digital Master. All recordings have been newly mastered by Jason NeSmith at Chase Park Transduction in Athens, Ga. and sound better than ever.
Arranged chronologically and thematically and representing all 13 lineups the band had, Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection is grouped into five distinct eras representing the various stages of the band’s recording and performance history, divided by the group's stints on the Capricorn, Arista and Epic labels, as well as the band's own Peach imprint. Starting with The Capricorn Years 1969 - 1979 Part I, the collection kicks off at the beginning of the Allman Brothers Band’s story with their first-ever recording, the previously unreleased 1969 demo version of “Trouble No More”, and includes highlights from their self-titled debut like the swaggering one-two punch of “Don’t Want You No More” and “It’s Not My Cross To Bear”, the musical maelstrom “Whipping Post”; standouts from their second album, Idlewild South, such as the classic “Midnight Rider”; Dickey’s first songwriting effort for the band, “Revival”; and “Don’t Keep Me Wondering”, with Duane’s slide guitar work centre stage. The original lineup’s legacy album, the legendary live At Filmore East, recorded in March 1971 at promoter Bill Graham’s East Village theatre, is represented here with the blues-rock shuffle of “Statesboro Blues”, a sultry take on “Stormy Monday” and the dazzling 13-minute instrumental odyssey, “In Memory Of Elizabeth Reed”, where every member is in perfect harmony. As Lynskey writes in the comprehensive liners, “There is no question, however, that The Allman Brothers Band was at their best up on a stage, playing live music for an audience. The group played with unbridled energy, and without constraints. While their set list did not vary all that much from night to night in the early days, the band’s desire to explore, create and improvise guaranteed that each show would be a different listening experience… Their marathon concerts became the stuff of legend, and that spirit was captured on At Fillmore East, the live set by which all others are measured.”
The Capricorn Years 1969 -1979, Part II collects together songs from the Allman Brothers Band’s double album, Eat A Peach, made with tracks recorded in 1971 with Duane before he tragically died in a motorcycle accident. Released in February 1972, the cuts featured on the set include “Blue Sky”, written and sung by Dickey; “Melissa”, Gregg’s tribute to his lost brother and “One Way Out”, recorded live in June ‘71, on the closing night of the Fillmore East. “Hot ‘Lanta” and “You Don’t Love Me” from a live performance at New York’s A&R Studios broadcast on WPLJ radio and “Ain’t Wastin’ Time No More”, recorded at Puerto Rico’s “Mar Y Sol Festival”, in April 1972, showcase the band in a variety of live settings. Songs from their #1 selling album, Brothers and Sisters, include Dickey’s country-infused hit single, “Ramblin Man” and “Wasted Words”, which were the last two songs to feature bassist Berry Oakley who also tragically died in a motorcycle accident at the same age as Duane, 24. Part II concludes with a previously unreleased outtake of “Early Morning Blues”, a standard blues number that eventually morphed into “Jelly Jelly”.
As The Allman Brothers Band experienced one blow after another, Brothers and Sisters tore up the charts and so they soldiered on through the pain and grief and did what they did best - play. The Capricorn Years, 1969-1979, Part III/The Arista Years, 1980-1981 launches with two live performances from their historic “Summer Jam” show in July ’73 with the Grateful Dead at Watkins Glen, NY which drew more than half a million fans to the grounds of the famed raceway. “Come and Go Blues”, released on the live album, Wipe the Windows, Check The Oil, Dollar Gas, is an especially grooving number of Greggs’ while “Mountain Jam” is a previously unreleased breathtaking version that grew out of a line from Donovan’s happy folk song “First There Is A Mountain” into a 12-minute jam. The band’s record Win, Lose Or Draw, recorded in 1975 after a couple years apart following the release and subsequent tours for Gregg and Dickey’s debut solo albums and is highlighted here with the moving title track, their inspired rendition of Muddy Waters’ “Can’t Lose What You Never Had” and the rollicking instrumental, “High Falls”. As a result of fractures in the band, they disbanded after the album’s tour and remained apart for four years. Eventually overtures were made and after an impromptu performance together made them yearn to be together again, the original members - Butch, Dickey, Jaimoe and Gregg - decamped to the studio and recorded 1979’s Enlightened Rogues. Included here are standouts “Crazy Love”, “Can’t Take It With You”, “Pegasus” and a live version of Gregg’s autobiographical “Just Ain’t Easy”. The end of the decade would also mark the end of their time with Capricorn, as a result of the label going bankrupt, and a new label home with Clive Davis’ Arista Records, which they signed to in 1980. “Hell and High Water”, and “Angeline” from the resulting album, Reach For The Sky, released in August 1980, had glossier production and synthesizers. Sadly, Jaimoe and the group would part ways after this. “Never Knew How Much”, a gorgeous ballad that originated during the sessions for Gregg’s solo album, Laid Back, and “Leavin’” a song that may have foreshadowed what was to come from their album, Brothers Of The Road, released in August 1981, round out the chapter.
In 1989, after years apart and several solo albums, the original members of the band were approached about doing a reunion tour to promote an upcoming career box set, and Butch, Dickey, Jaimoe and Gregg all agreed. For the tour, they recruited Warren Haynes, a guitarist that Dickey had been playing with, and went out as a seven-piece. The chemistry was palpable and the shows so well received that the band, now signed to Epic, recorded Seven Turns, their first album together in nearly a decade. The Epic Years, 1989-2000 includes the album’s title track, considered one of Dickey’s best songs and “Good Clean Fun”, which received solid airplay on MTV. The album was a resounding statement that The Allman Brothers Band were back. Not wanting to waste time, they quickly set to work on 1991’s Shades Of Two Worlds which saw Dickey take a dominant role as a songwriter, as heard on “Nobody Knows”, and Warren emerge as an influential member of the group, co-writing five songs with either Dickey or Gregg, including “End Of The Line”, which sounded like vintage Allman Brothers. Some of the many other highlights from this era include “Low Dirty Mean”, from the 1992 live album, Play All Night: Live At The Beacon Theatre, a rare live performance of Robert Johnson’s “Come On Into My Kitchen”, and songs from 1994’s Where It All Begins, including the stellar title track and the live fan favourite “Soulshine”, which displayed Warren’s singer/songwriter talents. It concludes with the unreleased “I’m Not Crying”, a composition written by Jack Pearson who replaced Warren after he left to focus on his band Gov’t Mule.
The final chapter, The Peach Years, 2000-2014, spans a variety of lineup changes, most notably the departure of original member Dickey Betts and the introduction of guitarist Derek Trucks, the nephew of Butch Trucks. The younger Trucks delivers an emotionally-charged solo alongside Dickey’s recent replacement, Jimmy Herring, on the previously unreleased, somber-and raw, “Loan Me A Dime”, recorded on August 26, 2000, the day bassist Allen Woody passed away. Gregg sounds especially emotional on the powerful performance. Woody’s death shook the band but it was out of this tragedy that Warren would make his way back to his brothers. Included here is a spectacular, never-released live performance from the band’s 2001 Beacon run of “Desdemona”, a new song that Warren and Gregg wrote together. The tune, along with the shimmering “The High Cost Of Low Living” and the poignant “Old Before My Time”, would be featured on The Allman Brothers Band’s final album, Hittin’ The Note, released in 2003, some of their best work in years. Two unreleased gems from the band’s 2005 annual stand at the Beacon Theatre include an extremely rare version of “Blue Sky” with Gregg handling the lead vocals and Derek’s and Warren’s solos augmented by lively piano work from longtime former bandmate Chuck Leavell, who was sitting in for the March 21 show; and Warren and Derek’s wonderful interpretation of Duane’s instrumental, “Little Martha”, from that same night. Appropriately the collection culminates with a live version of “Trouble No More,” the first song The Allman Brothers Band ever played together and the last song of their career. As Lynskey writes, “In those four minutes, 45 years came pouring out of the speakers; 45 years of superior blues/rock music, created by incomparable musicians. The final notes echoed through the theatre early in the morning of October 29, 43 years to the day that Duane Allman died.”
Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection eloquently demonstrates how The Allman Brothers Band weathered extreme adversity to pursue its singular musical mission and singlehandedly spawned the Southern rock genre while continually managing to reinvent themselves in the face of loss and tragedy and sell millions of records along the way. This new collection is a compelling summary of the Rock and Roll Hall Of Famer’s timelessly brilliant and influential contributions to American music.
On March 10, for one night only at Madison Square Garden in New York City, The Brothers - Jaimoe, Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, Oteil Burbridge, Marc Quinones-joined by Duane Trucks, Reese Wynans and special guest Chuck Leavell will celebrate 50 years of the music of The Allman Brothers Band. This one-time concert event, produced by Live Nation, will be a celebration of The Allman Brothers Band's illustrious career. It notably marks the first time in more than five years that these legendary players will be together on stage to perform their iconic hits, and the first time since the passing of founding members Gregg Allman and Butch Trucks. It will undoubtably be emotionally charged, and an unforgettable night not to be missed. The show sold out immediately upon going on sale.
Watch a video trailer for Trouble No More: 50th Anniversary Collection below, and find the complete tracklisting here.
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +1 | |
| |
![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif) |
|
  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 ÿíâ 2020
JUDAS PRIEST's RICHIE FAULKNER Slams ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME Over Latest Snub: 'To Not Be Included Is A Total Joke'
 JUDAS PRIEST guitarist Richie Faulkner has slammed the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame after the band's latest snub, saying the institution "holds no credibility" for him.
The British heavy metal legends were on the ballot for Rock Hall induction this year, but failed to receive enough votes to make the class of 2020.
Having been eligible for induction since 1999, PRIEST was previously on the ballot for the 2018 class of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, but was ultimately left out of the inductee list.
After this year's Rock Hall were announced this morning (Wednesday, January 15) one fan tweeted his disbelief, saying: "WAIT. Depeche Mode, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails and Biggie Smalls BEFORE @judaspriest in #RockHall2020? How do I explain this to my child if I don't understand it? #MetalForever #HeavyMetal" In response, Faulkner tweeted: "Doesn't make sense does it kenny? Hence why the rock hall holds no credibility for me and never has RHRF DOTF"
Richie continued in a separate tweet: "I've said it before but 50 years in and still making music, touring the globe to the best fans in the world is the biggest accolade I can think of. These institutions are founded on what these guys helped create and to not be included is a total joke. I have spoken haha"
He added: "If you wanna call it the ROCK hall, then you should START with a healthy foundation of ROCK (in all its forms) to build on. The founding brothers and sisters that created and developed our beloved style of music and aided it's evolution. Otherwise, what does it mean? "
Back in August 2018, Faulkner said that he was "on the fence" about JUDAS PRIEST's absence from the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, explaining that having a successful five-decade career and still making music that the band's fans love is "all the affirmation anyone needs."
Even though artists are eligible for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame 25 years after the release of their first album or single, iconic hard rock and metal bands like PRIEST, IRON MAIDEN and MOTÖRHEAD have yet to be recognized by the institution, which inducted GUNS N' ROSES in that group's first year of eligibility.
Rock Hall rules state that artists become eligible a quarter century after their first records were released, but the Hall also claims that other "criteria include the influence and significance of the artists' contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock 'n' roll," which is, of course, open to interpretation.
Eligible for induction since 1999, KISS didn't get its first nomination until 2009, and was finally inducted in 2014.
DEEP PURPLE was eligible for the Rock Hall since 1993 but didn't get inducted until 2016.
PRIEST singer Rob Halford said that he "would love" to see his band inducted into the Rock Hall. "I think we deserve it," he said. "We've put our 10,000 hours in and more. And beyond that, we just feel that heavy metal music deserves more space on the shelf at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame."
In 2020, PRIEST will celebrate its 50th anniversary by embarking on a special tour.
| +9 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
Watch Trailer For GLENN DANZIG's 'Verotika' Ahead Of Blu-Ray/DVD Release
 The official trailer for Glenn Danzig's feature film directorial debut, "Verotika", can be seen below. The title will be released as a three-disc Blu-ray/DVD set on February 25. According to the product's Amazon listing, the Cleopatra release will include both Blu-ray and DVD discs, along with a third disc featuring the anthology film's soundtrack.
When it debuted at the Cinepocalypse festival in Chicago last year, "Verotika" was compared by some reviewers to Tommy Wiseau's "The Room", the so-bad-it's-amazing drama which is considered one of the worst movies ever made.
"If you do something you love, it's difficult," Danzig said at Cinepocalypse. "On a movie set, there are tons of problems that happen that you would never foresee. So, you have to hit the ground running… Right from the start, it was very clear we're not making a Hollywood movie. A lot of my influences and the different films I like, especially European films, you can see them in here, and, lighting, colors, it's much different from a movie you will see nowadays."
"Verotika", which as originally supposed to come out on VOD this past Halloween, stars Ashley Wisdom, Scotch Hopkins, Alice Haig, Kayden Kross, Natalia Borowsky, Rachel Alig and Sean Kanan. The film also features a cameo appearance from Caroline Williams of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2" fame.
As previously reported, Danzig has set "Death Rider In The House Of Vampires" as the title of his next movie. Acording to the film's official entry on IMDB, it was written and directed by Danzig, with Glenn also acting as the executive producer, along with James Cullen Bresack. The cinematography is by Danzig and Pedja Radenkovic. The film stars Devon Sawa, Danny Trejo, Julian Sands and Kim Director, among others. | +1 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
TOMBS Streaming New Song "The Dark Rift"
 Season Of Mist recently announced the signing of Brooklyn, NY metal formation, Tombs. The band will make their official label debut on February 28 with the release of their brand new EP, Monarchy Of Shadows. The new song, "The Dark Rift", can be heard below.
Mastermind Mike Hill offers this cryptic comment on the offering: "Logic exists in a vacuum. The Universe is ruled chaos."
Monarchy Of Shadows EP can be pre-ordered here. The cover artwork was created by Valnoir.
Tracklisting:
"Monarchy Of Shadows"
"Once Falls The Guillotine"
"Necro Alchemy"
"Man Behind The Sun"
"The Dark Rift"
"Path Of Totality (Midnight Sun)"
"Monarchy Of Shadows":
The band have announced two local shows, including a record release show on February 28 at Brighton Bar in Long Branch, NJ. The dates are as follows:
February
28 - Long Branch, NJ - Brighton Bar (Record Release Show)
March
20 - Staten Island, NY - Mother Pugs (No advanced tix, walk up only)
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +2 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 ÿíâ 2020
BURNING WITCHES - The Devil's Archives, Part 1: New Lineup (Video Trailer)
 Burning Witches will release their third studio album, Dance With The Devil, on March 6 via Nuclear Blast. Pre-order the album here.
In this new video trailer, the witches tell us how singer Laura joined the coven for the album:
The cover artwork for Dance With The Devil, was designed by Hungarian artist Gyula Havancsák and Destruction/Gomorra guitarist Damir Eskic.
The group states, "Even before we had the album title, we knew that we wanted a cover design in the style of Ken Kelly, who did the legendary KISS, Rainbow, and Manowar covers. Our vision was to show the Burning Witches, larger than life, in this fantasy art style and with a special female touch. We love to work with the Hungarian artist Gyula and told him about our plan and he basically realized our dream of a very eye catching & energetic cover design! We hope our fans will enjoy it as much as we do!"
Tracklisting:
"The Incantation"
"Lucid Nightmare"
"Dance With The Devil"
"Wings Of Steel"
"Six Feet Underground"
"Black Magic"
"Sea Of Lies"
"The Sisters Of Fate"
"Necronomicon"
"The Final Fight"
"Threefold Return"
"Battle Hymn" feat. Ross The Boss & Michael Lepond
Bonus CD:
"Mansion In Darkness"
"Black Magic" (Acoustic)
"Executed" (live)
"Open Your Mind" (live)
"Hexenhammer" (live)
"Sea Of Lies" visualizer:
(Photo - Liné Hammett)
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +1 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
SERIOUS BLACK Premier "Let Me Go" Lyric Video
 German/American power metallers, Serious Black, will release their fourth studio album, Suite 226, on January 31 via AFM Records. You can pre-order the album on digipak CD and limited coloured vinyl here. Check out a lyric video for the album opener, "Let Me Go", below.
Unlike Mirrorworld and Magic, which are much more hard rock, Suite 226 features more driving guitars, catchy hooks and finest riffing. After Magic, which is a concept album about the story of mysterious Mr. Nightmist, a witch and a lot of magic, this time Suite 226 also tells a complete narrative of a mentally confused man who is torn between his own dreamworld, reality and evil. In real life the protagonist has been held captive for many years in this dismal, cold padded cell number 226, the inhuman condition of the rotten psychiatry have driven him to total distraction. In his imagination he is the mighty king who lives in his feudal castle, surrounded by courtesans, good food and wine, commands an invincible army. Staggering between illusion and reality, he continues to be drawn into the maelstrom of madness, his life becomes a ride through purgatory, accompanied by demons, anxiety attacks and paranoia.
Serious Black takes the listener on a musically journey between heaven and hell, Suite 226 is the perfect soundtrack for this trip to the place of damnation. Ruthless riffs meets catchy melodies, driven by a manic rhythm section, Urban Breed´s top-rated unleashed vocals add the necessary amount of insanity. After listening to this dervish of an album one may ask oneself what is actually fiction, what is reality. And who knows, after that you may also hear these soft voices in your head. Don't say nobody warned you.
Tracklisting:
"Let Me Go"
"When The Stars Right"
"Solitude Etude"
"Fate Of All Humanity"
"Castiel"
"Heaven Shall Burn"
"Way Back Home"
"We Still Stand Tall"
"Come Home"
"Suite 226"
"Let Me Go" lyric video:
"When The Stars Are Right" video:
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +2 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
HOLLYWOOD MONSTERS Featuring VINNY APPICE Release Thriving On Chaos Album; Guests Include DON AIREY, DANKO JONES, GLEN DROVER And Others
 Hollywood Monsters - Vinny Appice (drums), Steph Honde (vocals, guitars, keyboards, bass), Ronnie Robson (bass) - have released their third album, Thriving On Chaos.
The album was written and recorded over 14 months after French songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Steph Honde enlisted Canadian session and touring bassist Ronnie Robson as a partner for the new Hollywood Monsters project. During the recording process the Monsters once again invited various international recognized musicians to perform on this 12-track album, everyone involved collaborating via file sharing. Thriving On Chaos consists of nine original compositions and thee cover songs.
The album features the late Ted McKenna (Rory Gallagher, Michael Schenker Group) on drums for the song "Running Up Hill". Steph Honde approached Ted a few years back to record a demo for another song, which was recorded but never released. Another song was written around Ted's drum track and added to the album after Ted's unexpected death. This was done to pay tribute and respect to Ted's amazing talent and career.
Thriving On Chaos was produced by both Steph Honde and Ronnie Robson, Danko Jones was produced by Vic Florencia Toronto. The mixing and mastering was completed by Tommy Denander in Stockholm Sweden - who has worked with; Michael Jackson, Jeff Beck, Deep Purple, Rob Zombie, Paul Stanley, and Alice Cooper, just to name a few.
Glen Drover and Ronnie Robson had worked together previously on a few recording projects including; Sophia Radisch (Beautiful Sin), Hollentor (self titled debut album), and a cover of Pat Travers song "Untitled" (from the Radioactive album). When Ronnie heard the demo for "I'm The Best You Can Get", he knew Glen would fit perfectly for the lead guitar sections.
Cover Songs:
The Monsters covers the great Canadian cult band Goddo's song "Drop Dead (That's Who)", from the Who Cares album that was released in 1981. Ronnie Robson has been friends with the members of the band for years and noticed when this song was played live, the crowd would reacted ecstatically. It was decided to cover this song and have Greg Godovitz (Goddo and Fludd), perform a duet with Steph Honde. Ronnie stated, "Greg Godovitz's vocal track was done in one take."
Steph Honde created a demo for Thin Lizzy's "Cold Sweat", and it was decided to cover this song with Ronnie on bass and Vinny Appice on drums. Steph knew that Danko Jones was a huge fan of Thin Lizzy and contacted Danko who worked with the Hollywood Monsters on a few projects in the past. Ronnie met up with Danko in a downtown Toronto studio to record the various vocal tracks.
One of the first songs Steph Honde, Ronnie Robson and Vinny Appice recorded together was "I Don't Need No Doctor", in the Humble Pie tradition. Steph brought in New York State vocalist Jim Crean to do backup vocals for the song. Steph, and Ronnie have recently worked on a recent release for Jim Crean (two album release), also with an amazing lineup.
Steph Honde, Jim Crean and Ronnie Robson have also done a cover of Deep Purples "Sail Away", which will be released as a single at a later date. The rendition of this song has piano, guitar, vocals and bass, at a medium tempo, and very much different from the original.
Tracklisting:
"A Scream Looking For A Mouth"
"Speak Of The Devil"
"Something Wicked"
"Running Up Hill"
"Numb"
"In This House"
"I Dont Need A Doctor"
"Drop Dead (That's Who)"
"Thriving On Chaos"
"Fortune Teller"
"Cold Sweat"
"I'm The Best You Can Get" (Bonus Track)
Guest musicians:
Don Airey - hammond solo "Scream Looking For A Mouth"
Ted McKenna - drums on "Running Up Hill" (rest in peace)
Jim Crean - backing vocals on "I Don't Need No Doctor"
Tommy Denander - lead guitar on "Drop Dead (That's Who)"
Greg Godovitz - vocals on "Drop Dead (That's Who)"
Fred Mika - drums on "Fortune Teller"
Danko Jones - vocals on "Cold Sweat"
Glen Drover - lead guitar on "I'm The Best You Can Get"
Alexis Von Kraven - drums on "I'm The Best You Can Get"
Hollywood Monsters will be touring around the globe in 2020, with an all-star lineup (with special guests along the way).
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +1 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 ÿíâ 2020
MY RUIN Vocalist TAIRRIE B. MURPHY Offering Free Download Of MANHOLE Debut Album And Early Demo Recordings
 This week, My Ruin vocalist Tairrie B. Murphy made the Manhole debut album from 1996, All Is Not Well, available digitally to the fans for a price of their choosing, or for free, along with nine demo recordings from the band's early years in Los Angeles circa 1993 - 1995.
Tairrie: "This original album (before we were forced to change our band name to Tura Satana in 1997) is officially *out of print* and hard to find so for those of you who want to update your old school CD or cassette tape versions to include digital or have never heard it, here's your chance!
To accompany the link, I went into my rock vault and dug out the first review of the album which was written by wordslinger extraordinaire Steve Beebee for Kerrang! and features a photo by the legendary Edward Colver. I haven't read this in years but I remember why it was my favorite at the time.
'Manhole are quite possibly the angriest band in history.'
No matter what incarnation my various projects take (from hip hop to heavy metal) when it comes to my art, I will always stay true to myself and follow my own heart. Thank you for continuing to be with me on my musical journey from past to present day. May we never grow apart."
All Is Not Well by Manhole
The Early Years by Manhole
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();
| 0 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
POWERWOLF Re-Signs With NAPALM RECORDS
 German metallers POWERWOLF have re-signed wih Napalm Records.
Guitarist Matthew Greywolf (real name: Benjamin Buss) states: "We are pleased to inform you that we have extended our great collaboration with the Napalm Records team. To have people behind us that help to spread the word of metal with know-how, energy and — above all — passion is great."
Napalm Records managing director Markus Riedler adds: "We already achieved so much with POWERWOLF, it's excellent that we can continue our good and trustful cooperation with the band. They have everything to grow further and eventually be accepted to the Hall Of Fame of metal."
POWERWOLF's seventh album, "The Sacrament Of Sin", was released in July 2018 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2015's "Blessed & Possessed" was recorded at Fascination Street Studios in Örebro, Sweden with producer Jens Bogren, who has previously worked with KREATOR, DRAGONFORCE, SEPULTURA and PARADISE LOST, among others.
The story of POWERWOLF, beginning in 2004, reads like a true fairytale, but is the result of one of the most hard working and entertaining live bands on the heavy metal planet. POWERWOLF has not only received plenty of gold and platinum awards to date, numerous releases have entered the official album charts at the pole position. With "Blessed & Possessed" (2015), POWERWOLF achieved gold status for the first time and stayed at the top of the charts for more than nine weeks, while the predecessor, "Preachers Of The Night" (2013) — as well as the incredible DVD, "The Metal Mass" (2016) — hit the official German album charts at No. 1. POWERWOLF's holy mass in the name of heavy metal is unstoppable, their latest magnum opus, "The Sacrament of Sin", again entered the album charts at No. 1. The accompanying "Wolfsnächte" tour, in which POWERWOLF headlined large venues with their phenomenal stage performances, became a single major triumph — as well as the numerous summer festival shows in which the crowds were thrilled and completely captivated by the 'WOLF.
| +6 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
IGORRR Reveal Spirituality And Distortion Details; “Very Noise” Video Streaming
 On March 27, Igorrr will release their new album, Spirituality And Distortion, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of the record, a video for the new single, "Very Noise", is streaming below.
Spirituality And Distortion can be preordered in the following formats:
- digipak-CD
- box set (digipak CD, pink vinyl, cassette, 48-page artbook, puzzle, pendant - EU exclusive - limited to 1000 copies)
- "Magma" - red / black marbled vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 1100 copies)
- "Smoke" - clear w/ black smoke vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- "Ink and Paint" - black w/ white edge marbled vinyl (US exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- "Tiger's Eye" - amber marbled vinyl (Bandcamp exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- brown / black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 500 copies)
- grey / black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 400 copies)
- picture disc vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- red / black marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- grey / white swirl vinyl (EU shop exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- black / white split vinyl (EU shop exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- liquid vinyl (EU shop exclusive - limited to 50 copies)
* exclusive bundles with shirts, plus digital options are also available!
With 2017's Savage Sinusoid, Igorrr more than proved to be a truly unique musical force - and 2020's Spirituality And Distortion cements that well-earned reputation. Slamming together disparate musical styles ranging from death and black metal to breakcore, Balkan, baroque and classical music in a manner that is as unconventional and unpredictable as it is thrilling, Igorrr are unlike any other act, and Spirituality And Distortion displays just as broad a range of emotions as sounds. "Getting stuck in only one emotion is very boring to me; life is a wide range of emotions - sometimes you're happy, sometimes you're sad, angry, pissed off, nostalgic or blown away," states mastermind Gautier Serre. "Life is not only one color. These 14 tracks are a journey through different states of mind I've been through."
At no stage was there any plan, embracing the freedom offered in the wake of achieving Savage Sinusoid and going wherever ideas took him, embracing a small army of specialist musicians to help him attain his vision. Importantly, like its predecessor, this is not a predominantly electronic record. "The organization part has been more complicated as we had to fly traditional instrumentalists to our studio, so, lots of planes, trains and cars were involved to make it happen, but all the acoustic instruments have been recorded traditionally, with no help of the computer." These included violinist Timba Harris, bassist Mike Leon, pianist Matt Lebofsky, Oud player Mehdi Haddab, accordion player Pierre Mussi, Kanoun player Fotini Kokkala and harpsichordist Benjamin Bardiaux, among others. Vocally, the most prominent performer is Laure Le Prunenec, whose operatic strains are a longtime part of the Igorrr mix, while regular collaborator Laurent Lunoir also appears on a few tracks. Serre also invited Pierre Lacasa and Jasmine Barra back to the studio (known from their appearance on previous tracks like "Vegetable Soup" and "Cheval") to appear on "Kung-Fu Chèvre" and got to realize a dream with one guest performer.
"We had the honor to welcome my personal favorite musical hero on this album: George 'Corpsegrinder' Fisher of Cannibal Corpse. He screams on the track 'Parpaing', and his legendary voice brings the heaviness this track deserved. George is like the final boss of death metal. Like on a video game you have the final boss who is the strongest, George is the best in death metal singing. Due to the extreme heaviness and violence of his voice, I found it very much coherent to contrast it with a cheap tune of 8bit music which is the least heavy music on earth. The contrast is beautiful to my ears." However, lyrics are less important when he is creating, and often these are delivered in languages he does not even speak. "As with the previous albums, I'm entirely focused on the sound itself and how the sonorities of the voice speaks to the heart, not the intellectual meaning of the words."
Tracklisting:
“Downgrade Desert”
“Nervous Waltz”
“Very Noise”
“Hollow Tree”
“Camel Dancefloor”
“Parpaing”
“Musette Maximum”
“Himalaya Massive Ritual”
“Lost In Introspection”
“Overweight Poesy”
“Paranoid Bulldozer Italiano”
“Barocco Satani”
“Polyphonic Rust”
“Kung-Fu Chèvre”
“Very Noise” video:
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})();
| +7 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17 ÿíâ 2020
SAVATAGE Guitarist CHRIS CAFFERY Shares Rare Fan-Filmed Video Of 2001 Cleveland Show - "I Miss That Band..."
 Savatage / Trans-Siberian Orchestra guitarist Chris Caffery has shared some rare fan-filmed Savatage video footage sent his way recently, which was uploaded on January 12th, 2020. The video was shot on April 28th, 2001 in Cleveland, OH at the Odeon.
Caffery: "Got messaged this link yesterday...
This show was from the first round of USA shows we did on the Poets And Madmen tour with Savatage. This show was in Cleveland and of course we have a huge history there with TSO. I barely remember doing this, but I wore a TSO tux onstage at this show. I know I did it because of just how popular we were becoming there with TSO at that time. 2001 would mean we had toured twice with TSO at that time. The first tour we did three sold out shows in Cleveland; I believe we did five sold out shows there tour #2. The jacket and the shirt didn’t last very long!
I miss that band, those songs and mostly the fans. Touring the world with that music for all of them."
The setlist on the night was as follows:
"Commissar"
"Surrender"
"Labyrinths"
"Handful of Rain"
"The Wake of Magellan"
"Dead Winter Dead"
"Edge of Thorns"
"All That I Bleed"
"Awaken"
"Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)"
"Sirens"
"Unusual"
"By The Grace Of The Witch"
"Strange Wings"
"Morphine Child"
"Miles Away"
"He Carves His Stone"
"Chance"
Encore:
"Believe"
"Temptation Revelation"
"Gutter Ballet"
Encore 2:
"Power Of The Night"
"Hall Of The Mountain King"
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +3 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
MEDICO PESTE Reveal New Album Details; Single Streaming
 Polish black metal formation Medico Peste will be releasing ב :The Black Bile on March 20 via Season of Mist Underground Activists, making it the band's debut to the label. The album artwork, tracklist, and details can be found below. In conjunction with the album announcement, the band have shared the first single, "God Knows Why," along with an official music video. Find preorders at Season Of Mist.
Artwork by Inside Flesh:
Tracklisting:
“God Knows Why”
“All Too Human”
“Numinous Catastrophy”
“Were Saviours Believers?”
“Skin”
“Holy Opium”
“The Black Bile”
“God Knows Why” video:
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +2 | |
| |
17 ÿíâ 2020
STONE SOUR Releases Demo Version Of 'Blue Study' Song
 STONE SOUR has released a demo version of the song "Blue Study". The original track appeared on the band's self-titled debut album, which came out in 2002.
In a statement accompanying the YouTube release of the "Blue Study" demo, STONE SOUR guitarist Josh Rand wrote: "'Blue Study' was one of four songs written in 1997 but not recorded until 2000 during a break in the SLIPKNOT schedule. Three of those four songs made it onto the self-titled album and 'Come What(ever) May'."
Rand recently said that he has "no idea" when STONE SOUR will release a new studio album. Asked in an interview with Guitar World if the band has started working yet on a follow-up to 2017's "Hydrograd", Rand replied: "To be honest, the band is on hiatus right now with no timetable on a return. It's a mixture of needing a break, plus Corey wants to do a solo album, so I don't know when there will be new STONE SOUR music."
Rand hinted that the band will release something next summer which he can't talk about yet, but also told The Pulse Of Radio he's working on another project to keep fans happy during the hiatus. "I archive like everything that we've done, so starting at the top of [2020], every week I'm going to release a demo or an alternate version of a song, starting from the very beginning. And then throughout the entire year will get us up to 'Hydrograd'. So I'm pretty excited about that."
STONE SOUR has been off the road and out of sight since completing the touring cycle for its 2017 LP "Hydrograd". Taylor has been working with SLIPKNOT since then, recording and currently touring behind that group's sixth effort, "We Are Not Your Kind". Rand is currently promoting STONE SOUR's new live album, "Hello, You Bastards: Live In Reno", which came out on December 13.
Taylor also recently told WhatCulture that he has already written 26 songs for his long-in-the-works solo album, which he has hinted at recording over the years.
| +6 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 ÿíâ 2020
KHYMERA Feat. DENNIS WARD To Release Master Of Illusions Album In March; "Walk Away" Lyric Video Streaming
 Frontiers Music Srl announces the release of Khymera's new album, Master Of Illusions on March 6. Pre-order the album here, and watch a lyric video for the first single, "Walk Away", below. The single is available now on all digital music outlets.
While Khymera started out as an alliance between Italian producer/musician, Daniele Liverani and then Kansas singer Steve Walsh, it developed into a regular musical project when bassist and producer Dennis Ward (Magnum, ex-Pink Cream 69) entered the fold.
While known as a bassist, Dennis always sang background vocals with his bands, so he was more than ready and willing to take over the lead vocals on the Khymera albums A New Promise, The Greatest Wonder, and The Grand Design. While Khymera has been on hiatus for some time, Dennis is ready to come back with a new album, Master Of Illusions, which comes about four years after the release of the last album, The Greatest Wonder.
"I started writing in 2017," says Dennis. "It was a slow process. I first tried to collaborate with a pair of songwriters but it did not work out. I was actually having a very hard time trying to write the songs I was looking for. Fortunately, I was offered one song from Michael Palace that became the song 'After All This Time' and shortly after I collaborated with Pete Newdeck (Drums), Michael Klein (Guitars), Eric Ragno (Drums), and Jean Funes (Silent Tiger). Then everything fell into place pretty quickly. I was able to finalise melodies and lyrics and complete the recordings."
Musically, the new album very much follows the logical progression of the musical path that was started when Dennis joined the project. Master Of Illusions is a strong, extremely melodic release, which showcases the fantastic vocal abilities of Dennis and highlights his great skills as a songwriter and producer.
"One of my personal favourites is 'Rhythm Of My Life'," continues Dennis. "Not only because I like it, but because it was the last song I wrote. The lyrics are kind of summing of my life routine and my work as an artist and music producer and how I believe that no matter how stuck one can get if you just allow it things to happen they will, hence the song 'Just Let It Happen' which is another favourite not only because of the lyrics, but because of the mesmerizing atmospheric soundscape in the background. I had fun writing and playing that one. 'Paradise' is another favourite because I literally had the whole song written, including most of the lyric, in less than a work day. I think it has a catchy chorus and a good message."
Khymera still offers one of the most shining examples of what great European melodic rock is all about: crystal clear production, soaring vocals, killer musicianship and songwriting that reminds fans of the heydays of the genre when bands like Giuffria, Icon, and Signal roamed the Earth.
Tracklisting:
"Walk Away"
"The First Time"
"Master Of Illusions"
"The Sun Goes Down"
"Paradise"
"The Rhythm Of My Life"
"Follow The Sun"
"Father To Son"
"After All This Time"
"Victim Of Your Love"
"Let It Happen"
"Walk Away" lyric video:
Lineup:
Vocals and Bass - Dennis Ward
Guitars - Michael Klein
Keyboards - Eric Ragno
Drums - Pete Newdeck
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +4 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
GUNS N' ROSES To Be Supported By Rapper SNOOP DOGG At Miami's BUD LIGHT SUPER BOWL MUSIC FEST
 GUNS N' ROSES will be supported by rapper Snoop Dogg when the band performs at the second Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest on January 31 at AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida.
GUNS N' ROSES announced Snoop's addition to the bill in an Instagram post earlier today. The group wrote: "Miami, we're bringing @snoopdogg as our special guest to the Super Bowl Music Fest. See you on 1.31 #SuperBowlMusicFest"
Amit Dhawan, co-executive producer of the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest, said in a statement: "The Super Bowl is America's biggest cultural moment, so it attracts people from a variety of different worlds — it also is a mix of local, national, and international guests. We plan Super Bowl Music Fest to appeal to the broad demographic of Super Bowl weekend and book different genres nightly — this year, we have hip-hop for EA Sports Bowl on Thursday, classic rock on Friday, and global pop on Saturday."
GUNS N' ROSES' "Not In This Lifetime" tour, which began almost four years ago, recently became the No. 3 highest-grossing tour in the history of Billboard Boxscore.
Launched in April 2016, "Not in This Lifetime" features classic-lineup members Slash, Duff McKagan and singer Axl Rose backed by guitarist Richard Fortus, drummer Frank Ferrer, keyboardist Dizzy Reed and second keyboardist Melissa Reese.
About 70 people travel with the "Not In This Lifetime" show in addition to the truck drivers; that number goes upwards of five hundred, including the local workers, by show date once catering, security, etc. are factored in, according to the GN'R tour's production manager, Dale "Opie" Skjerseth.
GUNS kicked off its long-rumored and long-awaited reunion tour with a club show in Hollywood and appearances in Las Vegas and at California's Coachella festival.
The band is now reportedly going to work on a new studio album — the first under the GUNS banner since 2008's "Chinese Democracy" and the first to feature Rose, Slash and McKagan since 1993.
Photo credit: Katarina Benzova
View this post on Instagram
Miami, we're bringing @snoopdogg as our special guest to the Super Bowl Music Fest. See you on 1.31 ?#SuperBowlMusicFest
A post shared by Guns N' Roses (@gunsnroses) on Jan 15, 2020 at 1:12pm PST
| +4 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
INNO Feat. FLESHGOD APOCALYPSE, HOUR OF PENANCE, THE FORESHADOWING, NOVEMBRE Members Reveal Debut Album Details
 Italian dark metal outfit Inno have revealed the cover artwork and tracklist of their upcoming debut album. The Rain Under is set for worldwide release on February 28 via Time To Kill Records.
The album was produced by the band and mixed by Marco Mastrobuono and Giuseppe Orlando in Rome. Mastering was handled by renowned Danish producer Jacob Hansen (Katatonia, Volbeat, Epica). Last but not least, the cover artwork was created by Decline Design.
The band comment:
"We want you guys to get to know Inno in its entirety and to truly experience what our new album is about. With The Rain Under we’re telling a story about darkness, fear, nightmares and despair. We thought that nothing would complete our music better than what our singer Elisabetta (who happens to express her visions drawing as well as singing) would come up with when we asked her to visualize the story behind the songs. She went on and created an obscure and mournful picture, representing one of the concepts we based our writing on: sleep paralysis.
The result left us so chuffed, we decided to print a very limited amount of copies, hand number them and sign them, so that the first amazing fans who will preorder The Rain Under will have this unique and powerful item to complement the trip through the songs.”
The first 75 copies of the album will come with a painting by frontgirl Elisabetta Marchetti. Each print (21x21 cm) will be hand numbered and signed by the band. Preorders are now available on Bandcamp.
Tracklisting:
“Suffocate”
“The Hangman”
“Pale Dead Sky”
“The Last Sun”
“Night Falls”
“To Go Astray”
“Goliath”
“Scorched”
“Misericordia”
“High Hopes” (Pink Floyd cover)
Teaser:
Emerging out of the Roman metal scene in 2017, Inno was founded by four veterans with the aim to create something that would differ from their past experiences within the metal world.
After spending a few months exploring their dormant influences, Inno came to shape a dark, doomy, heavy and progressive sound akin to eclectic acts such as Katatonia and The Gathering.
Watch out for more news and audio previews in the weeks ahead.
Lineup:
Elisabetta Marchetti (ex-Stormlord, ex-Riti Occulti) - Vocals, Piano, Acoustic Guitar
Cristiano Trionfera (ex-Fleshgod Apocalypse) - Rhythm and Lead Guitar
Marco Mastrobuono (Hour Of Penance, Coffin Birth) - Bass
Giuseppe Orlando (ex-Novembre, The Foreshadowing, Airlines Of Terror) - Drums and Percussion
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 ÿíâ 2020
WOMBBATH Announce Choirs Of The Fallen Album; First Single “A Vulgar Declaration” Streaming
 Nearly two years after The Great Desolation, Wombbath are back with their fourth full-length album, Choirs Of The Fallen. The album will be released on CD, digital, and limited edition vinyl formats March 6 via Soulseller Records. Stream first single "A Vulgar Declaration" below.
Choirs Of The Fallen features ten tracks of full force death metal mixed by Maestro Tomas Skogsberg at the legendary Studio Sunlight. A penetrating mix of death metal sounds that will appeal to all fans of non-nonsense Swedish death metal, Choirs Of The Fallen is the genuine article, complete with chainsaw guitar tone.
Choirs Of The Fallen comes with a new lineup. On guitar is Thomas Von Wachenfeldt, known from Wachenfeldt, session bass playing for Entombed, and his work arranging the Entombed Symphony. On bass we find Matthew Davidson who took over after Johan Momqvist left in early 2019. Matthew is known from Repulsive Vision where he plays guitar. Jon Rudin of Just Before Dawn has been punishing the drums with the band since 2018. We can say without hesitation that Wombbath is now a rock solid team.
Formats:
- jewel case CD w/ 8-page booklet
- Limited edition black vinyl w/ double sided insert
- Limited edition brown vinyl w/ double sided insert
- Limited edition transparent green vinyl w/ double sided insert (Soulseller Exclusive)
Preorder here.
Tracklisting:
“Fallen”
“Crawling From The Pits”
“We Shall Remain”
“A Sweet Taste Of Death”
“From The Beggars Hand”
“Void”
“A Vulgar Declaration”
“Wings Of Horror”
“Choirs Of The Damned”
“In A Cloak Of Anger”
“A Vulgar Declaration”:
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +4 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
SNAKEYES Release “The Evil Dead” Single And Video
 SnakeyeS, the band started by José Pineda, Justi Bala, and Carlos Delgado (members of the recently reunited Spanish band Sphinx) together with Romanian singer Cosmin Aionita, has just released the official promo video for “The Evil Dead”, the first single from its upcoming third full-length studio album.
The video for “The Evil Dead”, produced by artist Leo Traverso, a good friend of the band, is an animated homage to classic horror movies and the cosmic terror universe created by H.P. Lovecraft.
The new SnakeyeS album, the band’s third full-length record, will be released March 28th 2020, during a launch party in Madrid, Spain. The event will take place in the Honky Tonk club and will feature a live performance from the band, as well as a press conference. Access to this release party will be free and fans will be able to pick up new the new album, as well as brand new SnakeyeS merchandise.
The new album’s title, track list, cover artwork, a series of “making of” videos, as well as new concert dates from the upcoming tour will be revealed in the weeks to come. The new record has been produced, mixed, and mastered by José Pineda, also responsible for the band’s previous studio albums.
Confirmed dates:
March
28 – Madrid, Spain – Honky Tonk Club
April
17 – Valencia – Paberse Club
18 – Bowie – Zaragoza
June
5 – Sevilla – Sala Even
6 – Cadiz – TBA
13 – Malaga – Sala Velvet
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +1 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
QUIET RIOT's FRANKIE BANALI: Music 'Streams Mean Nothing To Me'
 In a new feature by music writer Joel Gausten, legendary drummer Frankie Banali (QUIET RIOT, W.A.S.P.) discusses the new QUIET RIOT album ("Hollywood Cowboys"), the band's massive early 1980s success and keeping the group alive as he battles stage four pancreatic cancer. An excerpt from the piece appears below.
Of course, no QUIET RIOT gig would be complete without their legendary cover of SLADE's 1973 classic "Cum On Feel the Noize". Those four minutes and 51 seconds helped 1983's "Metal Health" become the first heavy metal album to ever top the Billboard chart, famously knocking THE POLICE's iconic "Synchronicity" off the throne and kickstarting the commercial hair metal boom that flooded MTV and record stores for the remainder of the decade. Nearly 40 years after "Metal Health"'s monumental success, Banali remains honored to have been part of the historic ride.
"We were really, really fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time, having written the right songs and having had the opportunity to have a SLADE song become a worldwide hit for QUIET RIOT," he said. "It was a combination of being at the right place, being at the right time, having the right lineup, having a great record and having MTV be a huge part of promoting us. All of those stars aligned themselves to make it possible for us not only to be a different sound, but to be able to have a Number One album on Billboard, which was unheard of. I still love the fact that we were able to do that and were afforded that opportunity."
Through Banali's determination and guitarist Alex Grossi and bassist Chuck Wright's unwavering presence, QUIET RIOT has been afforded a new opportunity to succeed in the present tense. After keeping the fire burning a full decade without late singer Kevin DuBrow, Banali insists that the band still has much more to do.
"What I would like to accomplish is have QUIET RIOT continue to record and create new music, even though the music industry is not what it was and most of the recordings are stolen," he said. "Streams mean nothing to me; what means a lot to me is the fans' support for the new material as much as they supported the previous records that have come out. When you write and record new music and release it, it's like getting a shot in the arm. I'm incredibly proud of QUIET RIOT's history and the music we've created, but a musician is not a musician if all they do is just play the same thing they've always played. I understand that the fans want to hear those songs, and I'm more than happy to play them because I love all the QUIET RIOT songs. But it's important to me as a musician to continue to write new music regardless of whether the critics like it or not.”
The complete feature is available at www.joelgausten.com. | +1 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 ÿíâ 2020
TRANSATLANTIC future
 As for TRANSATLANTIC — Portnoy's progressive rock supergroup also featuring Neal Morse, Pete Trewavas (MARILLION) and Roine Stolt (THE FLOWER KINGS) — the band plans to release its fifth album this fall. "It's penciled in for September," Portnoy said. "We're still working on it. We wrote it all and I tracked all my drums, but now, throughout the coming months, the other guys are going to have to be working on their tracks. It's underway, and it's amazing. We're excited by it. As far as touring goes, we have to wait and see. Pete's schedule with MARILLION, it's a very similar situation that we have with Steve and DEEP PURPLE. We'll see, and hopefully we can be touring ASAP after the album comes out."
| +9 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
MIKE PORTNOY On THE WINERY DOGS' 2019 Tour: 'I Think It Reignited Our Love For Each Other'
 In addition to SONS OF APOLLO — whose sophomore album "MMXX" will be released on January 17 — former DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Portnoy is currently a member of five other bands – TRANSATLANTIC; THE NEAL MORSE BAND; all-star metal collective METAL ALLEGIANCE; pop/prog supergroup FLYING COLORS; and THE WINERY DOGS.
During a recent interview with Rodrigo Altaf of Sonic Perspectives, Portnoy updated the current status of each, beginning with FLYING COLORS, who recently completed a brief European tour in support of its recently released third album, "Third Degree". "That was amazing," Portnoy said. "It's such a special band, and we all love playing with each other. We all wish we could do it more often. We're kind of restricted in that band with how much we can do and how often we can do it, but when we do, it's very, very special and very magical. It's a great, great group of guys and styles put together in that band. We filmed the last show in London for an upcoming live DVD and Blu-ray and live album. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it all around the world to play for everybody, but at least this live package will give everybody a chance to see the show."
Portnoy added that the London performance will probably be FLYING COLORS' last for the foreseeable future. "I never say never, and surely we would love to [tour more], but I don't think it's going to be likely," he said. "At least for me and Neal [Morse], FLYING COLORS is one of our three bands together, so we kind of have to be very strategic with how they hopscotch... [In regard] to FLYING COLORS, the problem is — not to blame anybody, but just to be realistic — Steve [Morse, guitar] has limited control over his schedule because he's kind of at the mercy of DEEP PURPLE. Neal and I can say can control our schedules and say, 'Okay, this window here is for FLYING COLORS,' and we just block it out, but Steve can't really have that kind of control over DEEP PURPLE. He has to kind of go according to what t hey're doing, so we're kind of at PURPLE's mercy, and they don't always let him know six to nine months in advance his availability. As long as they're still going, we kind of have to function this way in FLYING COLORS, which is frustrating, but it's the reality. If PURPLE ever slows down in the future, then maybe FLYING COLORS can be a little more active. Until then, we're happy with what we can get."
In 2019, THE WINERY DOGS — Portnoy's power trio with bassist Billy Sheehan and guitarist Richie Kotzen — reunited for its first shows in nearly three years. According to Portnoy, the tour was "just for the fun of it — just for no other reason than to play together again, because it had been a few years. I think it reignited our love for each other, and I think it showed us that there's still so many fans out there that love this band. It reignited our desire to make another record, so I think as soon as we can, we will. Right now, Billy and I are going to be busy with SONS OF APOLLO and Richie is busy with his 50th-birthday project, so hopefully, our fingers are crossed that by mid-[2020], we can get together to start work on an album and hopefully, if all goes well, maybe have it out in '21."
As for TRANSATLANTIC — Portnoy's progressive rock supergroup also featuring Neal Morse, Pete Trewavas (MARILLION) and Roine Stolt (THE FLOWER KINGS) — the band plans to release its fifth album this fall. "It's penciled in for September," Portnoy said. "We're still working on it. We wrote it all and I tracked all my drums, but now, throughout the coming months, the other guys are going to have to be working on their tracks. It's underway, and it's amazing. We're excited by it. As far as touring goes, we have to wait and see. Pete's schedule with MARILLION, it's a very similar situation that we have with Steve and DEEP PURPLE. We'll see, and hopefully we can be touring ASAP after the album comes out."
From there, Portnoy says, "NEAL MORSE BAND is back in line after the TRANSATLANTIC cycle. We always have to think at least a year ahead, so if TRANSATLANTIC is coming out at the end of 2020 and maybe touring at the beginning of '21, we would hope to have a new NEAL MORSE BAND album out by mid-'21, which means we have to start recording it [in 2020]. It's like this never-ending juggling of schedules that we have to do, but we want to make sure every band gets its fair share in the spotlight, because we're so proud of each of them."
It was also revealed in September that Portnoy recently recorded a covers album with guitarist Phil Demmel (ex-MACHINE HEAD), bassist Mark Menghi (METAL ALLEGIANCE) and vocalist Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth (OVERKILL). "That, I wouldn't even call a project or a band," Portnoy explained. "I remember Menghi hitting me up — he's, like, 'Hey, man. Let's just do an album of '70s American rock covers.' I was, like, 'Yeah, that sounds great. Is it going to be METAL ALLEGIANCE?' He's, like, 'No — it's not really METAL ALLEGIANCE. It's going to be something else entirely.' I was, like, 'Oh, God — I can't have another band. I already have six. I can't make it seven.' The whole idea was, it's not a band; it's not a project. It's just an album — a fun album with friends just jamming and hanging out. Basically, Mark and Phil Demmel and Bobby Blitz came to my house, and we just hung out and jammed all these covers. It's a lot of fun. It's a great album of all-American '70s bands — not necessarily metal bands. More rock bands like CACTUS and MOUNTAIN and GRAND FUNK [RAILROAD], but we metal everything up. That's going to be out some time [in 2020]."
During the interview — which was conducted prior to the passing of legendary RUSH drummer Neil Peart — Portnoy was asked whether he ever considered "reinventing" or "deconstructing" his playing as Peart did. "It sounds like a nice fantasy, but I think my life is very, very different from where Neil's was when he did that," Portnoy said. "Neil had one band, and he would tour for a year, but then he would probably have a few years off. He had the luxury of time off with RUSH, time at home. I don't have that. I literally am juggling six bands, so when one ends, the next begins, and when that ends, the next begins. It's just a never-ending cycle. I don't have that kind of available time. I have so little available time right now that when I do, the last thing I want to do is get behind a drum set. I spend my whole life behind a drum set with the six bands I'm a part of. Then there's also these other things like NOTURNALL [a Brazilian metal band with which Portnoy toured in late 2019] or the AMERICAN MADE thing... In a nice fantasy world, it would be great to reinvent myself and learn all these new techniques, but realistically, with my life and my schedule, it's merely impossible."
Portnoy will spend much of the first half of 2020 on the road with SONS OF APOLLO, whose world tour in support of "MMXX" kicks off January 23 in Sacramento, California.
| +3 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
TRACII GUNS, PHIL LEWIS Sue STEVE RILEY Over Usage Of L.A. GUNS Moniker
 On January 9, L.A. GUNS guitarist Tracii Guns and vocalist Phil Lewis filed a complaint in California District Court against their longtime former bandmate, drummer Steve Riley. Joining Riley as defendants in the case are the three musicians — including "classic-era" L.A. GUNS bassist Kelly Nickels — who perform in his recently launched rival version of L.A. GUNS; that group's manager, booking agent and merchandiser; and Australia's Golden Robot Records, which recently announced the signing of Riley's version of the group.
The complaint, which requests a trial by jury, alleges that Riley's version of L.A. GUNS (referred to in the case docket as "the infringing L.A. GUNS") is creating "unfair competition" through its unauthorized usage of the L.A. GUNS trademark. In addition, Guns and Lewis are seeking relief from and/or against false advertising, breach of contract and unauthorized usage of their likenesses.
At its core, the complaint calls into question Riley's claim of partial ownership of the L.A. GUNS name and logo and alleges that his usage of both has been unauthorized. In addition, Guns and Lewis claim — as Guns has done publicly in the past — that Riley has embezzled much of the group's publishing proceeds over the past two decades.
Despite leaving the band soon after the release of 2002's "Waking The Dead" to focus on BRIDES OF DESTRUCTION (his short-lived supergroup with MÖTLEY CRÜE bassist Nikki Sixx), Guns "is the owner of common law trademark righs" for the L.A. GUNS name and logo, the complaint claims. It notes that Guns founded the band in 1983, four years before Riley joined, and that Riley did not perform on the group's 1984 debut EP and contributed to just a single track on their 1987 self-titled full-length debut.
According to the complaint, Riley was fired from L.A. GUNS in 1992 for "assaulting" Lewis. He rejoined in 1996 after Lewis temporarily left the group. That same year, the complaint states that a company formed and controlled by Riley began to "collect performance and mechanical royalties of the L.A. GUNS albums and performances," but has since failed to pay out any of the "over $200,000" in royalties collected from "just one record label, as well as additional amounts from other sources."
Three years later, the complaint says that, "purporting to 'help' Guns protect the name of the band bearing Guns's own name," Riley registered a federal trademark for the L.A. GUNS name and logo — but now, two decades later, Guns claims that the "Stephen Riley and Traci [sic] Guns Partnership" "is not and was never a valid entity." "No such partnership was ever formed," the complaint alleges. "Guns never agreed to share ownership of the L.A. GUNS trademark with Riley or any such partnership." In addition, the complaint states that Guns "never agreed to allowed Riley to share ownership of the" L.A. GUNS trademark despite Riley's contention that he owns 49 percent of the rights.
"Guns never intended to convey any ownership interest to Riley (or any partnership) in the L.A. GUNS mark," the complaint states. "Riley and Guns had no written partnership agreement, nor did they have an oral partnership agreement, nor did they act in a manner consistent with the intent to create a partnership pertaining to the ownership of any L.A. GUNS mark."
The complaint further says that the "Stephen Riley and Traci [sic] Guns Partnership" never registered a fictitious business name, as required under California law; never filed a tax return; has no bank accounts; and has no accounting records of any kind.
Interestingly, the complaint acknowledges Guns's 2002 departure from the group, but describes it as "a brief hiatus from live performances and recording new music." It also stipulates that Guns "initially agreed to allow Riley to continue to tour and perform" as L.A. GUNS, but only for a two-year period, after which Guns would return to the group.
"However, shortly thereafter, Guns discovered that Riley had embezzled and/or converted royalties due and owing to Guns and other performers and songwriters," the complaint alleges. At that point, Guns allegedly "revoked Riley's license to use" the L.A. GUNS name.
It was because of this "falling out," the complaint says, that Guns "was not interested in rejoining" his own band, at which point he formed a competing version of the group. Still, the complaint alleges that because Guns founded the band and is its most recognizable member, any other version of L.A. GUNS should be considered "unauthorized" and "infringing."
"The Tracii Guns version of L.A. GUNS is the real version of the band in the public's mind," the complaint claims. "When the public goes to see L.A. GUNS or thinks they are going to see L.A. GUNS, they go to see the band containing its namesake... and they go to hear the signature voice of Lewis, who recorded the lead vocals on nearly every L.A. GUNS album. They do not go to hear Riley, a drummer who, though [he] admittedly played on a number of L.A. GUNS albums, is neither the face nor the sound of L.A. GUNS."
The complaint also states that Riley in 2015 received an advance of $13,750 from merchandiser Epic Rights, a company to which he purportedly claimed to be "the sole and exclusive owner" of the L.A. GUNS trademark.
According to the complaint, Guns "has been injured by Defendants' unfair competition," while he and Lewis have "suffered harm including damages and and irreparable injury to their goodwill." It also claims that Riley's L.A. GUNS was formed "with the intent of tricking and confusing consumers into believing that the infringing L.A. GUNS band is the original [Tracii] Guns version" of the group.
In addition to actual and punitive damages, Guns and Lewis are seeking a "permanent injunction" that restrains all of the named defendants from using the L.A. GUNS name, logo and likeness, as well as "a declaration that Guns is the sole owner of the common law trademark rights" for the L.A. GUNS moniker "and any related design marks."
For much of the 21st Century, there have been two competing versions of L.A. GUNS — one featuring Riley (which, until 2016, also included Lewis), and another featuring Guns. After Guns and Lewis reunited in 2016, Riley's version of the group disbanded, but the former W.A.S.P. drummer relaunched a new version last year with Nickels, guitarist Scott Griffin and vocalist/guitarist Kurt Frohlich. The group announced last month that it had completed recording its upcoming Golden Robot debut for a planned 2020 release. | 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 ÿíâ 2020
NIGHTWISH Announces New Album, 'Human. :II: Nature.'
 Finnish/British/Dutch symphonic metallers NIGHTWISH will release their ninth studio album, "Human. :II: Nature." , on April 10 via Nuclear Blast. The long-awaited follow-up to 2015's "Endless Forms Most Beautiful" will be a double album containing nine tracks on the main CD and one long track, divided into eight chapters on CD 2.
"Human. :II: Nature." was recorded from August to October 2019 at Röskö campsite, Petrax Studios and Troykington castle, as well as Finnvox Studios, by Tero Kinnunen, Mikko Karmila and Troy Donockley. The mixing was done by Mikko Karmila at Finnvox, with Tuomas Holopainen and Tero Kinnunen. Mastering was done by Mika Jussila at Finnvox.
The track listing will be as follows:
Disc 1:
01. Music
02. Noise
03. Shoemaker
04. Harvest
05. Pan
06. How's The Heart?
07. Procession
08. Tribal
09. Endlessness
Disc 2:
01. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Vista
02. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - The Blue
03. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - The Green
04. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Moors
05. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Aurorae
06. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Quiet As The Snow
07. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Anthropocene (incl. "Hurrian Hymn To Nikkal")
08. All The Works Of Nature Which Adorn The World - Ad Astra
The album pre-order will start on February 7.
NIGHTWISH frontwoman Floor Jansen recently told FaceCulture that she was "very, very happy" with how the new disc turned out. "Already with the first notes, I [was, like], 'Oh, yeah. There we go,'" she said. "It's as much NIGHTWISH thing you might expect from us as, 'Wow! What's this now? What's happening?'"
She continued: "I can't really say too much about it, because there are a couple of things that are the same, a couple of things that are different. But all I can say is I'm very happy with it and I'm very excited about it. And I think people that already knew NIGHTWISH will really enjoy this."
NIGHTWISH's new album will mark the band's second full-length effort with the Dutch singer, who has been touring with the group since 2012.
NIGHTWISH's latest release was the "Decades: Live In Buenos Aires" set, which came out on December 6 as a Blu-ray digibook, 2CD digipak, Blu-ray+2CD earbook and 3LP via Nuclear Blast. The effort was recorded on September 30, 2018 at Estadio Malvinas in Buenos Aires, Argentina during the "Decades" tour in support of the band's compilation album of the same name.
| +19 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
DREAM THEATER's MIKE MANGINI On NEIL PEART: 'His Influence Came At A Most Crucial Time For Me'
 DREAM THEATER drummer Mike Mangini has paid tribute to Neil Peart, who died on January 7 in Santa Monica, California after a three-year battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. The iconic RUSH drummer was 67 years old.
Mangini took to his social media on Sunday (January 12) to write: "Since I heard the news, I've been looking for a particular article I did specifically on Neil about a decade ago and can't find it : ( I wanted to post that but can't, so I'll rewrite the essence of it in brief before too much time goes by:
"By definition, a derivative does not exist without a source. Call that the prime. I'm the product of 7 main inspiring drummers, Neil being one of them. In Neil's case, his influence came at a most crucial time for me and the life-changing, mid-teenage years. The school band wasn't so cool to everyone outside of it. Neither was playing the 'bells' and mallet instruments. My buying 'A Farewell To Kings' without having a clue who RUSH was, changed the game for me. Neil's creativity and the music of RUSH made lightbulbs go off in my head. I now know that to mean those very important areas of the brain were ignited that can only be ignited via music. But the key is you have to LIKE the music. Even better if you LOVE the music. I loved that album more than any other! He made the bells cool. He made the triangle cool. He made all that percussion that us 'drummers' got stuck playing on some pieces cool now. I couldn't wait to get to band practice early just to play the tubular bell part in 'Closer To The Heart'.
"With that said, a derivative can never be greater than a prime. This derivative doesn't want to greater anyway. I, of course, want to be the best I can, but when I think of moves I play that come from my main influences and that come from current ones, I cannot help but be humbled and grateful because I'll never forget where and what I come from. That leads to a really great kind of happiness. With that sad, I'm extra sad that Neil passed so young."
DREAM THEATER paid tribute to Peart during its January 11 concert in Amsterdam, The Netherlands by holding a moment of silence in his memory.
Earlier that day, Mangini and his DREAM THEATER bandmates took to their Twitter to express their condolences for Peart's passing, writing: "We are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of one of the world's greatest artists, lyricists and drummers of all time. To say that Neil and the music he was a part of was an influence on DREAM THEATER is a gross understatement."
Peart joined RUSH in 1974. He was considered one of the best rock drummers of all time, alongside John Bonham of LED ZEPPELIN; Keith Moon of THE WHO; and Ginger Baker of CREAM. Peart was also RUSH's primary lyricist, drawing inspiration from everything from sci-fi to Ayn Rand.
Neil's survivors include his wife Carrie and daughter Olivia.
Since I heard the news, I've been looking for a particular article I did specifically on Neil about a decade ago and can...
Posted by Mike Mangini on Sunday, January 12, 2020 | +6 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
IRON REAGAN Fires Bassist Over Allegations Of 'Predatory Behavior'
 Richmond crossover deviants IRON REAGAN have parted ways with bassist Rob Skotis over apparent sexual misconduct allegations.
Earlier today, the band released the following statement: "Effectively immediately Robert Skotis is no longer an active member of IRON REAGAN. We apologize for our delayed response to the allegations against him and hope we haven't caused any further harm by not responding until now. We do not condone predatory behavior and would not knowingly associate ourselves with someone we felt was a threat or a danger to anyone.
"We encourage Rob to make a public statement to clarify this situation to us and the rest of the world."
Skotis's dismissal from IRON REAGAN comes just one day after he was ousted as a business partner at the Richmond restaurant/bar Cobra Cabana. A message on the Cobra Cabana Facebook page stated that the establishment was "sever[ing] ALL ties" with Skotis after hearing the allegations against him.
Skotis has since released the following statement denying the accusations that were made against him:
"Dearest friends,
"As some of you know, I have recently been blindsided by a baseless attack from an anonymous twitter account. This is a nameless and faceless account, whose sole purpose is to smear local RVA business owners.
"Unfortunately, this slanderous accusation has created enough noise to cause me to be alienated from my beloved restaurant, and compelled me to at least temporarily step back from my role in IRON REAGAN.
"This entire episode has been unspeakably painful and confusing. The one thing I can say with absolute certainty is that no part of this allegation is true.
"I strongly encourage everybody to consider the source of these fabrications and ask that you do not rush to judgement. Thank you friends and family, for continuing to support me through this difficult time."
IRON REAGAN's latest full-length album, "Crossover Ministry", came out in February 2017. Comprised of 18 tracks in just 30 minutes, the disc was mixed by Kurt Ballou and recorded by IRON REAGAN guitarist Phil "Landphil" Hall. "Crossover Ministry" was described in a press release as "a further continuation of the band's punchy, thrashy gallops and unique hardcore punk attitude."
Photo credit: Dennis Williford
Effectively immediately Robert Skotis is no longer an active member of Iron Reagan. We apologize for our delayed...
Posted by IRON REAGAN on Tuesday, January 14, 2020
| 0 | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16 ÿíâ 2020
ZZ TOP - New Clip Streaming From That Little Ol' Band From Texas Documentary
 ZZ Top’s big, brazen blues-rock, combined with a surrealist charisma that continues to intrigue fans, catapulted the band into worldwide stardom. Their history is deeply explored in ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, which will be released via Eagle Rock Entertainment on DVD, Blu-ray and digitally on February 28. The release is available along with exclusive That Little Ol’ Band merchandise bundles, here. Watch a clip from the documentary below:
Produced by the award-winning Banger Films (Super Duper Alice Cooper; Peabody/ International Emmy award-winning Netflix series Hip-Hop Evolution), ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas, presented through the unique Banger Films lens, delivers the story of this power trio in an artistic style that complements the distinctive ZZ Top vibe. Originally premiered at a sold-out showing at the Cinerama Dome in Hollywood earlier this year, the film experienced a successful 10-week theatrical run via 150 screens nationally.
It unveils the story of three teenage blues musicians: guitarist Billy F Gibbons, bassist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard, as they went on to become international sensations. The film traces ZZ Top’s rich legacy, from their bar gig beginnings to their defining MTV era and meteoric rise to fame. In addition to interviews with the band members, the disc features conversations with such high-profile fans as Billy Bob Thornton and Joshua Homme (Queens Of the Stone Age), as well as never-before-seen archival footage. Shot exclusively for this film, an intimate ZZ Top performance at the historic Gruene Hall – the oldest dance hall in Texas – is intercut throughout the documentary.
Alongside the film, the DVD & Blu-ray also includes two live performance segments. 18 minutes of the Gruene Hall performance, along with the Ham Estate Archive, which spotlights rare pre-Eliminator ZZ Top concert footage from 1976 and 1981, complete the set.
Currently celebrating their half-century career with extensive tours of both Europe and North America, ZZ Top continues to inspire fans 50 years after their inception. That Little Ol’ Band From Texas takes a deep dive into the band’s history that’s truly an interesting ride.
Tracklisting:
Documentary (90 minutes)
Extras:
Gruene Hall Bonus Performances (18 minutes):
"Shuffle In C" / "Fannie Mae"
"La Grange"
"Brown Sugar"
"Blue Jean Blues"
Ham Estate Archives Bonus Performances (17 minutes):
"Thunderbird"
"Tush"
"Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers"
"I’m Bad, I’m Nationwide"
"Manic Mechanic"
ZZ Top, are bringing their Celebration With ZZ Top tour to Canada in late April/May 2020. Kicking off April 29 in Victoria, BC, the real Tres Hombres will play dates across BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Cheap Trick will join on the dates as special guest.
ZZ Top still maintains the most consistently stable lineup in the history of rock music: Billy F Gibbons, Dusty Hill and Frank Beard. In 1969, BFG formed ZZ Top with drummer Beard and bass-guitarist Hill, both from the Dallas. Fifteen studio albums, 30 million record sales and 5 decades later, “That Little Ol’ Band From Texas” is still going strong, playing timeless hits like “La Grange,” “Legs,” “Sharp Dressed Man” and “Tush” to audiences the world over.
Dates:
April
29 - Victoria, BC - Save On Foods Memorial Centre
May
1 - Abbotsford, BC - Abbotsford Centre
2 - Penticton, BC - South Okanagan Events Centre
3 - Kamloops, BC - Sandman Centre
5 - Cranbrook, BC - Western Financial Place
6 - Lethbridge, AB - Enmax Centre
9 - Saskatoon, SK - SaskTel Centre
10 - Moose Jaw, SK - Mosaic Place
(function() {
var zergnet = document.createElement('script');
zergnet.type = 'text/javascript'; zergnet.async = true;
zergnet.src = (document.location.protocol == "https:" ? "https:" : "http:") + '//www.zergnet.com/zerg.js?id=70729';
var znscr = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0];
znscr.parentNode.insertBefore(zergnet, znscr);
})(); | +3 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
AEROSMITH To Perform At 2020 GRAMMY AWARDS
 AEROSMITH is among the artists that will perform at the 2020 Grammy Awards on January 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Also scheduled to appear are Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani. The event will once again be hosted by Alicia Keys.
AEROSMITH will be honored as the 2020 MusiCares Person Of The Year. The tribute will take place during the 30th-anniversary MusiCares benefit gala, two nights prior to the 62nd annual Grammy Awards telecast.
The Grammy Awards will air live on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
AEROSMITH recently extended its "Deuces Are Wild" Las Vegas residency with 15 more dates in early 2020 due to "extraordinary demand."
The band has been playing without drummer Joey Kramer, who is recovering after twisting his ankle during rehearsal. Filling in for him is Kramer's drum tech, John Douglas.
The legendary Boston rockers haven't released a new studio album since 2012's "Music From Another Dimension!" That effort was released when AEROSMITH's label, Columbia Records, was reportedly going through a leadership change, and it ended up becoming a commercial disappointment.
| +2 | |
| |
16 ÿíâ 2020
P.O.D. Guitarist MARCOS CURIEL Discusses Differences Between American And European Audiences
Pozzo Live conducted an interview with P.O.D. guitarist Marcos Curiel prior to the band's November 17 concert at Le Forum in Vauréal, France. You can watch the entire chat below. A few excerpts follow (transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET).
On the response to P.O.D.'s latest studio album, "Circles":
Marcos: "It's been a good response. A lot of people that like the 'Satellite' album like the 'Circles' album. They think that it has some familiarity, and we didn't do it because of that. We're selfish; we like to write music that we like first. When you're in an industry where you have people, executives with ties and suits, corporations, 'This is what's going on right now. This is what's hot. You guys need to do this,' we've always been the band that's, like, 'Nah. We do what we like. We do what we want to hear because we're the ones who have to go play it around the world.' Why would you write music that you hate? Like, 'I hate this song, man.' Everything that you hear we love because we wrote it from our heart and soul. Whether people like it, hate it, love it, that's awesome, but, we're glad that you like it, but we have to like it first."
On whether P.O.D. has started work on the follow-up to "Circles":
Marcos: "It's only been a year. We're always writing new music. I wouldn't say that we've started focusing on writing a new album quite yet because there's a lot of markets that we haven't hit touring-wise. We made a conscious decision as a band to be a worldwide band, not just 'We're just going to play in America and that's it.' We play Latin America, we play Europe, we'll play Australia, we'll play Asia, and that's because we have fans all over the world and we got to feed them. They're like seeds. You got to put some water on them, put some sunlight, let 'em grow. You put your best foot forward when you record new music and you want everyone to hear it. Like tonight, we'll play six or seven new songs. We're not a cover band. We're not going to sit and come and just play the stuff off of our records. We're going to play some new material because we're proud of it."
On the differences between American and European audiences:
Marcos: "Here's the thing: America is very [claps hands, wipes shoulder] done, gone. They go by fads real quick with all types of music, hip-hop, and you know, you have your loyal fans, we have our loyal fans in the U.S, but it's always about the next new thing. Where around the world, if fans love a band, they like love a band. That's the difference. America can be a little pretentious, but the fans that we have, thank god, they've all been really good to us. It just seems a little more enthusiastic. You'll have a line, a sold-out crowd in America, but everyone is more like a friend now, 'Hey, Marcos!' You go to South America, it's like you're THE BEATLES. Like, 'What the…?' [People are grabbing] my hat and it's, like, 'Hey man!' It's funny, but, dude, people are fanatics in different ways and I think western civilization with America, people got a little spoiled. They're just used to 'It's another band…' It's hard to get excited for anything. I think over here in Europe, for us, at least, people really appreciate a band continuing with the same band members and continuing to see us grow as musicians. I would like to think some bands they grow and they change members and the sound changes and they kind of went like…I don't know. I feel that we've been pretty consistent at staying true to our roots with regards to our culture, where we're from, our style and I think that's helped us a lot."
P.O.D.'s tenth studio album, "Circles", was released in November 2018 via Mascot. | +9 | |
| |
|
|
  |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Testament
