With an unyielding spirit and defiant energy, "Not Dead Yet" is the latest offering from ENVY OF NONE. Featuring the masterful musicianship of RUSH's Alex Lifeson (guitars),CONEY HATCH's Andy Curran (bass, keyboards, backing vocals),Alf Annibalini (guitar, keyboards) and Randy Cooke (drums),with the ever-compelling Maiah Wynne delivering lead vocals, ENVY OF NONE conjure a unique blend of classic, progressive rock and modern, vibrant textures.
Speaking on the song's meaning, Maiah, who penned the lyrics, shared that it was inspired by Andy's raw chorus line: "I'm not dead yet, come on along and see what I am good for." She describes the track as a cathartic anthem, one that embodies resilience and defiance against the forces that aim to tear us down. "You have to continue to exist, to create, and to fight. That's the heart of the song: keep going and enjoy the ride." The single is accompanied by a video inspired by the Mexican Dia De Los Muertos 'Day Of The Dead' holiday.
As the band blends their dynamic soundscapes, "Not Dead Yet" unfolds as a layered journey, driving forward with tight rhythms and Alex Lifeson's legendary guitar lines. The breakdown, Wynne's favorite part, is the song's emotional peak, offering listeners a moment of release before launching back into its resilient conclusion. The mix, by Annibalini, coupled with Harry Hess's mastering, guarantees that every element shines with clarity and force.
"Not Dead Yet" not only serves as a bold statement from the band but also as a testament to the unyielding human spirit, a reminder to keep fighting, creating, and pushing forward — no matter what.
Credits:
• Animation / directed by: Mariano Biotico
• Written, arranged, recorded, and produced by ENVY OF NONE
• Mixed by Alf Annibalini
• Mastered by Harry Hess at HBomb Mastering
ENVY OF NONE is:
Alf Annibalini - Guitar, Keyboards
Andy Curran - Bass Guitar, Background Vocals, Guitar
Alex Lifeson - Guitar, Mandola, Oud,
Maiah Wynne - Lead Vocals, Background Vocals, Keyboards
ENVY OF NONE is busy in the studio putting the finishing touches on its next album and the follow-up to 2022's self-titled debut, expected in spring 2025.
Cathy Rankin has released her debut single "Now You've Gone", featuring renowned musicians David Ellefson (formerly of MEGADETH) and Ken Mary (formerly of ALICE COOPER). The emotional track, inspired by deeply personal experiences, reflects on themes of love, grief, and ultimately hope, and will be accompanied by an official music video.
Rankin wrote the song as a tribute to legendary drummer Neil Peart, and her nephew, Christian. "Both had a permanent impact on my life," she shares. "Neil's music and lyrics were a huge influence for me, and my nephew was a light in this world for the 18 years he was here. The song is my way of expressing the void I felt when they were gone, and connecting with others who have experienced similar feelings of loss."
The project came naturally as Rankin, Ellefson, Mary and guitarist John Bronson were all connected through their music roots in Arizona, and their involvement with the Metal Hall Of Fame. They discovered their shared passion for RUSH which led to the development of the song. Rankin explains: "Ken co-wrote and produced the track while John and I have played and performed together for years. David jumped on board, and everything just clicked. The entire process was a fun and smooth experience and we formed lasting friendships."
Both Mary and Ellefson are proud of the project.
"Working with Cathy is amazing," said Mary. "She's a total pro, and when I heard her idea for this song, I wanted to get involved right away. She's an incredible talent, and I feel the song is the most moving tribute I've heard to date."
Ellefson added: "She did a fantastic job honoring Neil with this moving tribute. May this song continue to live to honor our prog hero from fans such as us."
Music enthusiasts will not want to miss the official video. Rankin shares her excitement, stating, "RUSH fans, especially, will catch the subtle metaphors and nods to the Professor, but rock fans in general will appreciate the exceptional musicianship and production."
Though "Now You've Gone" is Rankin's first original single, she's been active in the music scene for years, co-hosting the Metal Hall Of Fame with Eddie Trunk, the annual Bubba Bash with YYNOT (honoring Neil) and singing on countless stages with her successful cover bands. This release is the perfect introduction to Rankin as an original artist, and fans can expect more to come.
To celebrate the release of "Now You've Gone", Rankin is signing a limited amount of "Exit Stage Left"-inspired flats and making available the brand-new Cathy Rankin official t-shirt.
With the release of their third single, Finnish modern metal act Arctis is prepared to unleash their fast approaching self-titled debut album, out this Friday, November 1 via Napalm Records.
The feeling of being lost and hurt, especially after a betrayal can be devastating – but can also inspire a hymn for the strong-hearted as Arctis proves with their new earworm “Tell Me Why”. Despite the pain, stunning vocalist Alva Sandström insists she won´t be brought down and will keep fighting through tough times. An anthem for facing challenges while trying to stay strong, making it relatable to anyone who has felt heartache or confusion.
Arctis is set to take listeners on an exhilarating journey, blending the essence of nature with technological innovation. Inspired by Finland's dramatic seasonal changes, their storytelling captivates fans in ways that go beyond just the music. Arctis features production by Jimmy Westerlund (Sturm und Drang), mixing by Stefan Glaumann (Rammstein), and mastering by Svante Forsbäck (Rammstein). This fall, the band will join forces with Finnish metal legends Apocalyptica for an exciting tour, showcasing their self-titled debut album live on stage and solidifying their reputation as a must-see act.
Arctis comment on their new single: “We’re almost there. ‘Tell Me Why’ is the last echo before the ice shatters and the full force of Arctis is unleashed. Step into the cold, feel the frost creeping closer and let the shadows guide you. The album looms on the horizon... are you ready?”
Watch the official video for “Tell Me Why”:
Arctis is more than just a band—it’s an otherworldly experience, led by the enigmatic and powerful Ice Queen, Alva. Draped in her shining white battle suit, Alva’s ethereal presence transcends the stage, her voice weaving through realms both known and unknown, pulling her followers into a captivating journey. By her side stand the dark-clad warriors: Björn the Captain, whose unshakable command leads the band into uncharted sonic territories; Michael the Magician, a mysterious figure whose fingers conjure sounds that transport audiences across time and space; Mats the Rambler, the wild-hearted spirit who channels untamed energy into every note; and Mika the Sage, whose rhythmic pulse guides Arctis through the mystical realms they explore.
Together, these figures form a force unlike any other—a powerful and dynamic energy that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. On stage, they do not simply perform, they create an experience—one that immerses fans in the Arctis universe, where music, story, and atmosphere collide, leaving a lasting imprint on all who witness their journey. Arctis is not just a sound; it is a feeling, a moment suspended in time, an escape into a world where legends come to life.
Drawing inspiration on northern themes as metaphors, Arctis explores mental struggles and the internal battles within modern chaos. The strong opener, “I’ll Give You Hell”, delves into the complexities of romance, highlighting the inevitable downfall that arises from a relationship, where honesty and commitment are lacking. With its original version already amassing 5 million streams to date, Finnish modern metal act Arctis is set to add to the song's impressive reception with the release of their own rendition of “Bimbo" (Lambretta cover). With a 2000s pop-rock vibe, “Remedy” addresses drug addiction and the steep price one is willing to pay for it. The mystical “Tell Me Why” paints a starry landscape of anger and self-deception while the enchanting “Frozen Swan” showcases personal musical talent while exploring the concept of self-freedom. This smoothly transitions into the upbeat “Fire”, which explores the risks of drug consumption, before flowing seamlessly into “When The Lights Go Out” lyrically exploring nocturnal metaphors through vivid passages. Closing the album, “Theatre Of Tragedy” features powerful guitar riffs, underscoring the limitations of personal human struggle.
Whether through music, artwork, or storytelling, Arctis creates a multi-dimensional world that fans can immerse themselves in and explore, transcending genre boundaries and offering a truly unique experience. Prepare for an onslaught of powerful riffs, epic melodies, and the raw energy that has never been seen before.
Arctis about their debut album: “The moment we've been dreaming of is finally here, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you all. It’s been a long road, filled with hard work, late nights, and an unbreakable passion for music, but we’re thrilled to announce that our first single is out, our debut album is on the way, and we’re hitting the road for our first tour. Now, we’re ready to take on the world, bring our music to life on stage, and connect with each and every one of you. This is just the beginning, and we’re so happy to have you with us as we start this next chapter. Get ready, because we’re coming in full force – and we can’t wait to see you on the road.”
Arctis will be available in the following formats:
- 1LP Gatefold Aquamarine
- 1LP Gatefold Black
- 1CD Digisleeve
- Digital Album
"I'll Give You Hell"
"Bimbo"
"Remedy"
"Tell Me Why"
"Frozen Swan"
"WWM"
"Fire"
"Child Of The Night"
"When The Lights Go Out"
"No Slave"
"Theatre Of Tragedy"
Fan-filmed video of KING DIAMOND's entire October 25 concert at The Eastern in Atlanta, Georgia can be seen below.
Featured songs:
Funeral 0:00:00
Arrival 0:01:25
Mansion In The Darkness 0:07:20
Intros 0:12:14
Halloween 0:14:20
Voodoo 0:19:30
Them 0:24:17
Spiderlily 0:27:34
Two Little Girls 0:32:00
Sleepless Nights 0:35:00
Out From The Asylum 0:40:00
Welcome Home 0:41:46
The Invisible Guests 0:47:56
The Candle 0:53:13
Masquerade Of Madness 1:01:00
The Eye Of The Witch 1:06:09
Burn 1:10:40
Electro-Therapy 1:16:08
Abigail 1:23:42
Insanity 1:28:44
KING DIAMOND kicked off its long-awaited North American headlining tour on October 15 at Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas. The "Saint Lucifer's Hospital 1920" trek will run through December 6 in Dallas, Texas. Support is coming from OVERKILL and NIGHT DEMON. Additional backing vocals for the KING DIAMOND set are provided by the special guest Myrkur.
KING DIAMOND's setlist for the current tour includes two new songs, "Spider Lilly" and "Electro Therapy".
When the tour was first announced, KING DIAMOND's namesake frontman said about what fans can expect: "This is Saint Lucifer's Hospital. Enter if you dare!
"We have been busy putting this ever-growing horror story together, and it's still growing. I know the end of it, but how we will get there will be a long trip. There are so many characters, and so many unexpected things along this journey. It's a crazy family on another timeline in 1920, where I experienced some hard times, and they have to come to our time to steal from us to survive. This is the most elaborate thing we have ever done, that goes for the stage production as well.
"There will be additional backing vocals by Myrkur and she'll be playing organ for songs that need it. There will be some horrific surprises taking place on stage, but we are not to be held responsible since we are on a whole different timeline in 1920. It was back at the time when medicine was going through a dark period with lots of testing on human beings in order to progress medicine.
"This is Saint Lucifer's Hospital, also known as The Institute. Enter if you dare!"
KING DIAMOND 2024 touring lineup:
Andy La Rocque - guitar
Mike Wead - guitar
Pontus Egberg - bass
Matt Thompson - drums
Myrkur - additional backing vocals, keyboards
Titled "The Institute", KING DIAMOND's first studio LP in 18 years is tentatively due in 2025 via Metal Blade. It will be made available as a two-LP horror concept story, with the second part arriving at a later date.
In October 2023, KING DIAMOND released a music video for the 2019 single "Masquerade Of Madness". The clip was directed by David Brodsky and Allison Woest of MyGoodEye Visuals.
At the time of the video's release, King commented: "'Masquerade Of Madness' was released digitally in 2019 before our North American tour. During rehearsals, we took one full day to film 'Masquerade Of Madness' with David Brodsky and Allison Woest. We spent all day and all night recording while performing the song with our full tour stage show choreography. After the tour, Covid happened.
"The video was all but forgotten as the world came to a standstill — we never saw a single frame from all the footage. Years later, as things began to pick up and writing began for both new MERCYFUL FATE and KING DIAMOND records, we wondered, what happened to that video from four years ago? So we decided to check in with David Brodsky and a couple of weeks later, we had the first cut of the video.
"I was speechless! I had nothing to criticize and after just a few notes from Andy La Rocque, the video for 'Masquerade Of Madness' was finished! There's so much mood and black and white is used in a perfect way with Jodi's performances. The visuals fit the music flawlessly and this is now among my favorite KING DIAMOND videos along with 'Sleepless Nights' and 'Welcome Home' — and not to forget of course, our double live DVD."
A month after KING DIAMOND released "Masquerade Of Madness" in November 2019, KING DIAMOND guitarist Andy La Rocque told The Metal Voice that he came up with the music for the track first before passing it off to King, who "needed to arrange a few things and change just a small few things for making it work with his vocals. And then, of course, he wrote the lyrics for it," the guitarist revealed. "So we [went] a little back and forth until he felt like, 'Okay, this is cool, man. This is the right key to sing in,' and all that."
At the 2022 Bloodstock Open Air festival at Catton Park, Walton-on-Trent, United Kingdom, King spoke to Bloodstock TV's Oran O'Beirne about his plans for "The Institute". "Something with KING DIAMOND, we have a very special thing [planned] for that album," King said. "It's gonna be a two-album story. But KING DIAMOND, we are building something that you will never have seen on a stage before — not that way. And with the light guy, he's never done it that way either. … It's very different, very sick. You will not have seen musicians standing on stage in that type of light. It's gonna be very dark. They have to learn to play in dark areas. It's crazy. I know that our light guy, he can't wait for us to do it. I showed him some pictures that have the kind of feelings I want, the kind of backdrops I want, stuff like that. … This is gonna blow people's minds when they see it, I am a hundred percent sure."
La Rocque, whose real name is Anders Allhage, discussed his vision for the new KING DIAMOND album with The Metal Voice, saying that it will be filled with great "melodies, of course. Super important. Without melodies, there is no music," he explained. "I'm also envisioning a more organic sound of the album. If you look back to the older albums, when Mikkey [Dee] played [drums for the band], for example, it's, like, a little bit up and down in tempo, and that makes it dynamic and also organic. So that's one thing that I would like to hear on the next album, for sure. But building up a dynamic, kind of organic feel, the drummer is a really important thing here, of course. And I know that Matt Thompson [current KING DIAMOND drummer] is the right guy to do this, for sure."
In March 2019, King told Full Metal Jackie's nationally syndicated radio show that the next album from his namesake band will be "absolutely gruesome" with a story set in a 1920s mental institution. "I chose that because I think it's a very creepy scenario," he explained. "And some of the things that go on that we're gonna show onstage is also things that certainly was going on back then, when medicine was beginning to take a beneficial turn in history and actually being able to help human beings live longer. But there was some experimentation going on, too, that was absolutely gruesome. Some of that is involved in the story, but it's something totally different. Once you get to the second part of the story, you will begin to suddenly understand that, 'What the hell is going on here? What is this really about?' 'Cause there's a whole different story that will not come to you till second part. But in the first part, you're gonna get to know a lot people at a certain place… Some of it takes place here, this world, and some of it takes place in a parallel world. And there's a correlation between what happened to me and what happens to some people in this place and where they suddenly appear. And you will find out why they are there, how they appear there and the places down the road. I won't say too much right now, but it's gonna be very creepy."
KING DIAMOND received a Grammy nomination in the "Best Metal Performance" category for the track "Never Ending Hill" off the band's last album, 2007's "Give Me Your Soul … Please".
"Give Me Your Soul ... Please" sold 4,500 copies in the United States in its first week of release to debut at position No. 174 on The Billboard 200 chart.
KING DIAMOND released a DVD/Blu-ray, "Songs For The Dead Live", in January 2019 via Metal Blade Records. The set captures 1987's seminal "Abigail" album in its entirety, twice, and in very different locales: Belgium's Graspop Metal Meeting in June 2016 and Philadelphia's Fillmore in November 2015. The performances feature KING DIAMOND's current band, comprising of guitarists La Rocque and Mike Wead, bassist Pontus Egberg and Matt Thompson.
Portland, Oregon's Unto Others released their triumphant new LP Never, Neverland last month and now, the band announce a North American tour in support of the album. This November and December, Unto Others will traverse the U.S. and Canada featuring stops in Spokane, Vancouver, Calgary, Louisville, Montreal, Los Angeles and more, with additional dates to be announced very soon. Tickets go on sale on November 1 at 10 AM local time.
Unto Others' Gabriel Franco comments, "As many of you already know, 5 weeks ago our previously planned North American tour fell through. With very little time our excellent team has managed to keep us on the road. We are making a point on this run to hit cities we do not travel to very often, or have never played at all. There are still a few TBA's right now, but we will keep you updated as we finish up the booking process. This will be our first headlining tour of the USA in 3 years, so expect a long set that covers our entire catalog, in small sweaty venues. If you don't see your town here, we have plans to hit as many major U.S. cities as we can in 2025. Until then, thanks for your support."
Additionally, Unto Others have shared a music video for their Never, Neverland Digital Deluxe Bonus Cover "Pet Sematary" which you can check out below.
Never, Neverland marks a new epoch for Unto Others (rounded out by guitarist Sebastian Silva, bassist Brandon Hill and drummer Colin Vranizan). Having emerged in 2017, the band turned heads with the Don't Waste Your Time EP, followed by the beloved 2019 full length Mana and 2021's heavy hitting Strength LP. Now, Unto Others build upon the seductive and beguiling foundation they've hewn out of a bedrock of goth, classic rock, punk, black metal and heavy metal.
See Unto Others on the road to close out 2024; more dates to be announced soon.
Dates:
November
15 – Spokane, WA – The Big Dipper
16 – Vancouver, BC – Wise Hall
18 – Calgary, AB – Dickens
19 – Edmonton, AB – The Starlite Room
21 – Winnipeg, MB – The Park Theatre
25 – Louisville, KY – Mag Bar
27 – Mechanicsburg, PA – Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.
29 – Syracuse, NY – The Song & Dance
30 – Montreal, QC – Cabaret Fouf
December
1 – Quebec City, QC – L’Anti Bar & Spectacles
3 – Portland, ME – Geno’s
6 – Greensboro, NC – Hangar 1819
8 – Memphis, TN – Growlers
10 – Albuquerque, NM – Launchpad
11 – El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace
12 – Tucson, AZ – The Rock
13 – Los Angeles, CA – Knucklehead Hollywood
Singer, poet, songwriter, visual artist, film producer, activist and author Serj Tankian, lead singer and lyricist for the Grammy Award-winning rock band SYSTEM OF A DOWN, has released the official music video for "Life's Revengeful Son". The track is taken from "Foundations", his latest EP of new music, which came out in late September worldwide via Gibson Records.
"Foundations" track listing:
01. A.F. Day
02. Justice Will Shine On
03. Appropriations
04. Cartoon Buyer
05. Life's Revengeful Son
"Foundations" mines music and lyrics from previous decades and reframes them in a hard-hitting, intensely focused collection. Like all of Tankian's work, the five songs that comprise "Foundations" encompass a wide range of sounds and styles. It is music that traverses multiple eras and vast swaths of emotions. It is also very much a rock album — "music of rebellion," says Tankian.
"Foundations" kicks off with "A.F. Day", a raging, heavy-riffing track that sounds like classic Tankian. The origins of the song date back almost three decades, to his earliest days with SYSTEM OF A DOWN. Tankian never brought it to the band to record, and when he happened upon "A.F. Day" more recently he "felt it should finally be released." In doing so, he retained much of the original music, including his vocals — a decision that was partly pragmatic: "My voice has naturally changed over time," Tankian explains. As the lyrics demonstrate, his attitude has not. "Medieval educators locking horns at the playground at 5 / Real live police crime shows submission of the population at large," he rails, expressing disgust with indoctrination and blind deference to authority at every turn.
"A.F. Day" is followed the album's most anthemic track, and also its emotional centerpiece: "Justice Will Shine On". Another song whose compositional roots date back to the early SOAD days, the impassioned hard rocker is nonetheless instilled with a message that is as hard-hitting and vital today. Over potent riffs and pummeling rhythms, Tankian grapples with the atrocities of the Armenian genocide experienced by his grandparents firsthand. He addresses their suffering in jarringly personal and direct terms, singing, "Can you tell me dear grandfather of your childhood so far away / You can see the death of laughter in his teared eyes disarray / Can you tell me dear grandmother of your childhood from hunger and pain / Of the orphans you called brothers in her teared eyes disarray." As the song launches into its soaring chorus, Tankian declares that his grandparents' torment, and the anguish experienced by all Armenian victims, will not be in vain. "We are the children of all the survivors / Justice will shine on!"
Elsewhere on "Foundations", "Appropriations" (an older song I've 're-appropriated' to modern times," he says) juxtaposes a snake-y, arpeggiated verse with a crushing chorus in a clash of eastern and western modalities, as Tankian unspools lyrics that play off complementary sounds and contrasting sensibilities: "Resignation, provocation, segregation… imagination and creation," he croons. And "Cartoon Buyer", which dates to a period just prior to Tankian's first solo record, 2007's "Elect The Dead", begins in hushed, almost folk-y mode, and gradually builds — both in intensity and actual tempo — before exploding in sonic and spiritual catharsis. Throughout the track, Tankian scrutinizes the divides within humanity ("You see me without emotions / I see you across the oceans," he intones) before ultimately declaring our oneness: "California to Argentina…Saudi Arabia to Tunisia…Armenia to Australia…Israel to Indonesia / They are us and we are them."
Finally, "Life's Revengeful Son", originally recorded prior to Tankian's 2010 "Imperfect Harmonies" album, incorporates a variety of instrumentation, including acoustic and electric guitars and dramatic orchestration, into an epic closer with unmatched imagery: "The final revolution will occur when the arms of the clock fall," Tankian sings. "Jesus seen in the streets, dragging a car axel instead of the cross."
A true creative tour de force, Tankian recorded "Foundations" primarily at his own Serjical Strike Studios in L.A. He wrote, performed, orchestrated and produced all the material, as well as contributed the artwork — an original piece titled "Sunburst" — that adorns the album cover. Additional instrumentation on the record was provided by Dan Monti (guitars, bass and drum programming) and, on "Cartoon Buyer", by bassist Mario Pagliarulo and SOAD drummer John Dolmayan.
"Foundations", Tankian says, is "a retrospective of songs from different eras of my life, meant to complement the memoir," and caps what has been an incredibly prolific year for Tankian, from the release of his memoir The New York Times bestseller "Down With The System", to the massive, sold-out SYSTEM OF A DOWN headlining show at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco with over 50,000 fans. But even as he is now revealing his "foundations," Tankian is already looking ahead. "The next record will likely be a record of covers, collaborations and collages," he envisions.
Credit his restless, ever-curious creative spirit. "I'm always moving in different directions," Tankian says. "Repetition is boring, and the death of art."
As previously announced, on November 1, Tankian will release a diverse selection of limited-edition variants of the "Foundations" EP on colored vinyl with an etching featured on Side B of every package. The "Foundations" vinyl package includes a red-and-black starburst vinyl available on Tankian's own official webstore, and an opaque purple version only available in U.S. record stores nationwide.
In celebration of Tankian's fall 2024 Revolver magazine cover story, an exclusive and limited-edition vinyl in a striking dark blue marble, is bundled with a special edition of the cover story wrapped in a one-of-a-kind photo slipcase.
earMUSIC has set a January 24, 2025 release date for "Iggy Pop Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 2023".
Pop is an avant-garde icon and a punk pioneer. The Montreux Jazz Festival is a boundary-pushing event that brings the best of all musical genres to one gorgeous location every year. "Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 2023" captures the dazzling Iggy Pop performance that could only happen there.
First in a series of earMUSIC releases from the festival, this concert marked Iggy's third appearance at the 57th edition of Montreux. Backed by a seven-piece band, Iggy breathes new fire into STOOGES classics like "I Wanna Be Your Dog" and "T.V. Eye" and ignites the adoring crowd with visceral run-throughs of "The Passenger" and, of course, "Lust For Life".
2023 marked Iggy's return to the top 10 in major territories with his album "Every Loser". It was the perfect moment to showcase his classic songs and share new ones ("Modern Day Ripoff", "Frenzy") at the venerated Stravinski Auditorium.
With the artist going from strength to strength in this new phase of his career, "Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 2023" is the perfect mix of vintage Iggy and new Iggy with astounding audio (recorded in multi-track). It's a singular moment in a singular career.
"Iggy Pop Live At Montreux Jazz Festival 2023" track listing:
01. Five Foot One
02. T.V. Eye
03. Modern Day Ripoff
04. Raw Power
05. Gimme Danger
06. The Passenger
07. Lust For Life
08. Endless Sea
09. Death Trip
10. Sick Of You
11. I Wanna Be Your Dog
12. Search And Destroy
13. Mass Production
14. Nightclubbing
15. Down On The Street
16. Loose
17. Frenzy
Widely acknowledged as one of the most influential artists and dynamic live performers of all time, Pop is a singer, songwriter, musician, author, record producer, DJ, and actor whose epic body of work has earned him both worldwide critical acclaim and fanatic cult success. Beginning in 1967 with his era-defining group THE STOOGES, Pop merged primal rock, blues, and free jazz into something altogether dangerous and new, paving the way for punk, post-punk, hard rock, and grunge. His landmark solo career — which kicked off with 1977's David Bowie-produced "The Idiot" and "Lust For Life" — has seen Pop traverse a stunning span of musical genres, inspiring generation after generation of rock 'n rollers with his iconoclastic songcraft, uncompromising performance style, and one-of-a-kind charisma. Perhaps the greatest living embodiment of rock and roll, Pop has never slowed down, pushing the art form forward for more than half a century, including his 2019's contemplative, critically acclaimed full-length album "Free".
Neal Morse & The Resonance is the new band from Neal Morse (Transatlantic, Flying Colors) and a brand new set of young musicians from his local Tennessee area, who brought with them a sense of newness and immediacy.
Their new album entitled, No Hill For A Climber, will be released on November 8 via InsideOut Music; the title is taken from a resonant line in Barbara Kingsolver’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Demon Copperhead.
Earlier today, October 28, Morse shared a video of his first writing session with The Resonance, which took place in January 2024. In the clip below, Neal says to the band, "Let me play you this thing that I thought of on the plane." That "thing" is an early demo of "No Hill For A Climber".
“Awesome album! I can safely say this will be a fave of the year for me!” – Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater, The Winery Dogs)
Faithful to any Neal Morse prog album, No Hill For A Climber features two epics (the 28 minute "No Hill For A Climber" and "Eternity In Your Eyes", which clocks in at 22 minutes) as well as three shorter songs: "Ever Interceding", "All The Rage" and "Thief". The latter, Morse admits, is his current favorite: “It’s so different… it’s in all these different sections, and I’m really happy with the way each part has come out. It’s pretty crazy. There’s even a really cool King Crimson-style instrumental bit in the middle that Chris Riley originally came up with at the Radiant School a couple of years ago.”
For all of these reasons, Morse believes that the whole album is unique, but notes that “if I was going to compare its structure to an album I've done in the past, it might be along the lines of Bridge Across Forever or Spock's Beard’s V; it’s not that it sounds at all like those albums, it’s just structurally similar. It has voices and playing styles and soundscapes that many people will have never heard before! Everyone you work with changes you a little bit, so even I sound a little different on this one, but I hope that everyone will love it!”
The album will be available as Limited 2CD Digipak (incl. a second disc of instrumentals), Standard CD Jewelcase, Gatefold 2LP & as Digital Album. Pre-order here.
Tracklisting:
"Eternity In Your Eyes"
"Thief"
"All The Rage"
"Ever Interceding"
"No Hill For A Climber"
VENAMORIS, the project featuring legendary extreme metal drummer Dave Lombardo (SLAYER, FANTÔMAS, TESTAMENT, MR. BUNGLE, MISFITS, DEAD CROSS) and his wife Paula, has unveiled "Spiderweb", a haunting track and accompanying video conjured just in time for spooky season, giving fans a mesmerizing second glimpse into the spellbinding world created by the couple on their forthcoming album.
Paula says: "'Spiderweb' is a cinematic song that serves up the cathartic fantasy of pulling a thread from the sticky, cruel web of a narcissist and using it to choke the sound of their lunacy."
Last month, VENAMORIS announced that it had signed with Ipecac Recordings, prepping a 2025 sophomore release. Also made available was another new single, "In The Shadows".
Paula stated: "'In The Shadows' is a song that arose from real-life feelings. The pulsating drum wholly evocative of marching forward even when internal unrest is still close at hand. It is a call for self-acceptance with the heaviness of a life well lived."
Dave added: "VENAMORIS is such an intimate project for the two of us. To have our sophomore album in Ipecac's exceptionally skilled hands is a dream realized. We are estatic to be a part of this audacious label."
VENAMORIS captures the essence of a sound that is alluring and deeply emotional, blending sultry vocals with mesmerizing instrumentation to create an enveloping experience that is as hypnotic as it is emotionally charged. Like a whispered secret, there's something seductive yet provocative about the noir-tinged songs they create. Brooklyn Vegan, describing an earlier single, adeptly said VENAMORIS has "PORTISHEAD-meets-David Lynch vibes."
Founded in 2021 by what can only be called, astral influence, VENAMORIS was launched a result of some persistent persuasion on Dave's part. The 59-year-old musician, who was in charge of drums and production on VENAMORIS's debut album, 2023's "Drown In Emotion", explained: "Several months after meeting Paula in 2010, she hesitantly shared with me her past decade-long career as the lead backup singer for Wayne Newton. She later played me some of the demos she recorded throughout the years, and I was floored by her sonically soothing, rich tone and natural, instinctive ability to harmonize. I was determined to persuade her to return to her creative self. It's been a deeply gratifying journey witnessing this music come to life."
Canadian-born singer/songwriter Paula Lombardo, who performs vocals and piano for this project, bursts with vulnerability and intimacy, addressing a broad scope of emotion: anger, healing, pain, hope. It's evident that VENAMORIS was founded out of love, passion, communication, respect, and trust. One person thriving in music encouraged the other, who had abandoned music to find their way back. It is the result of many late nights with too much wine, and even more truth laid bare: an aural couple's journaling generously shared with the world.
During a question-and-answer session with the readers of U.K.'s Metal Hammer magazine, Lombardo was asked if he would play with SLAYER again if the band reunited and wanted him to be part of the lineup. He said: "I don't think that's ever going to happen. But, yeah, I'd listen to whatever it is they had to say. That's it. You can't go any further than that."
Lombardo, who has spent most of the recent years between crossover pioneers SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, horror-punk icons MISFITS, hardcore supergroup DEAD CROSS and MR. BUNGLE, was effectively fired from SLAYER after sitting out the group's Australian tour in February/March 2013 due to a contract dispute with the other bandmembers. He was later replaced by Paul Bostaph, who was previously SLAYER's drummer from 1992 until 2001.
Shortly after his dismissal, Lombardo said that he discovered that 90 percent of SLAYER's tour income was being deducted as expenses, including fees to management, costing the band millions and leaving them with about 10 percent to split four ways. While he and bassist/vocalist Tom Araya hired auditors to figure out what had happened, Lombardo said he was never allowed to see any of the information obtained.
In late September and early October, SLAYER played two reunion concerts — first at the Riot Fest in Chicago and then at the Aftershock festival in Sacramento. Joining Araya and Bostaph in the band's reunited lineup are guitarists Kerry King and Gary Holt.
Iconic melodic death metal pioneers, Dark Tranquillity, have released a video for "Neuronal Fire", the latest from their new album, Endtime Signals. Check it out below:
Endtime Signals not only marks the 13th studio album of the band, but also their 10th album collaboration with their label Century Media Records. Building on the success of previous releases such as Atoma (2016), which climbed up to #2 in the Swedish album charts, and Moment (2020), which earned the band a Swedish Grammis award, the band is set to continue to redefine and deliver a top-tier musical experience with Endtime Signals.
"Shivers And Voids"
"Unforgivable"
"Neuronal Fire"
"Not Nothing"
"Drowned Out Voices"
"One Of Us Is Gone"
"The Last Imagination"
"Enforced Perspective"
"Our Disconnect"
"Wayward Eyes"
"A Bleaker Sun"
"False Reflection"
itle Track "Hin Helga Kvöl" Available">
Legendary Icelanders, Sólstafir - meaning "crepuscular rays" in Icelandic - refers to those piercing rays of sunlight that break through dark clouds at dusk. This imagery perfectly captures the essence of their upcoming album, Hin Helga Kvöl, a beacon of light and hope shining through the heaviest of times. As the band confronts their inner demons, shrugging off the trappings of Rock and Roll decadence, their music resonates with the universal struggle and triumph over hardship. Hin Helga Kvöl is the holy war that we all face within.
HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD, the multi-platinum rap-rock powerhouse, has launched the next chapter of its storied career today with the release of brand new single "Hollywood Forever", an anthemic tribute to the exceptionally special bond the band have with their enduringly loyal fanbase. The track, accompanied by an official music video, marks the band's first release under their newly inked deal with globally renowned independent label, Sumerian Records.
The music video, alongside the artwork for the single, has revealed the reintroduction of the band's iconic masks, each with a brand new, dramatic design from legendary prosthetic artist Jerry Constantine, that matches the band's larger-than-life personas. "Hollywood Forever" embraces the band's trademark edge, both lyrically and sonically. Never pulling punches when it comes to gritty vulnerability and authentic honesty, the track perfectly displays the reason HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD have such a deep and unbreakable connection with their fans whilst also honoring it.
Sharing their excitement for the new release Johnny 3 Tears shares: "This song is for the fans. They've allowed us to live out our dreams and simple words can't express our gratitude — so we wrote this for them."
The release of "Hollywood Forever" heralds the start of an exciting new partnership between HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD with Sumerian Records, a label known for championing boundary-pushing acts in the rock and alternative scenes. The deal signals a fresh chapter for the band and ignites the fuse on a new season of creativity, continuing to push boundaries, buck trends and shape pop culture without seeking permission or approval.
"It's refreshing to find a group of people who share the same vision and are as passionate as we are about this next chapter for HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD," says Charlie Scene. "Our idea of what this band could be has never seemed so possible. Excited to get started."
Ash Avildsen, founder and CEO of Sumerian Records, adds: "HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD is a band who are unapologetically themselves. They are authentic, diehard for their art and never back down from taking a chance for what they believe. In an era where so much has been vitiated, these gents carry the torch for the attitude of rock that made me fall in love with it as a kid."
As HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD moves forward, the band is looking back to the fans who helped shape their path. From their breakout hits like "Undead" and "Everywhere I Go", to recent anthems like "City Of The Dead" and "House Of Mirrors" featuring rock-country crossover star Jelly Roll, the band's ability to adapt while staying true to their roots has ensured their longevity. Their continued success is a testament to the fierce loyalty of their fanbase and the relentless dedication of the band.
HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD continues to dominate across digital platforms. The band has now surpassed an astonishing 3.1 billion cross-platform streams and over 1 billion YouTube views, cementing their status as one of the most streamed rock bands of their generation with an ever-evolving sound that continues to resonate with a global audience. You're not going to want to miss the next era of one of modern rock's most important and enduring bands, so stay tuned for more coming from HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD soon.
Since the release of HOLLYWOOD UNDEAD's RIAA platinum-certified 2008 debut album, "Swan Songs", their distinctive and infectious music has incited a cult audience of millions of fans, resulting in sold out shows across the globe, in addition to receiving nods in the press from the likes of Consequence Of Sound, Billboard, Alternative Press, Rolling Stone and Revolver. The quintet have also garnered massive mainstream appeal, with their 2011 sophomore record, "American Tragedy", going gold and hitting No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart. Now, with over 3.1 billion cross-platform streams, one billion YouTube views and 4.1 million monthly Spotify listeners, they have firmly cemented their place as one of the most influential bands of the 21st century.
CREED and ALTER BRIDGE guitarist/songwriter Mark Tremonti will release the sixth album from his solo band TREMONTI, "The End Will Show Us How", on January 10, 2025 via longtime partner Napalm Records. The official music video for the LP's third single, "One More Time", can be seen below.
"One More Time" is a driving track backed by Mark's dark and brooding lyrics as he sings about the madness in the world brought upon so many differing opinions. Backed by Eric Friedman (guitars),Tanner Keegan (bass) and Ryan Bennett (drums),Mark delivers one of the most-memorable songs in the TREMONTI catalog.
Mark says: "It started with the pre-chorus and chorus idea. When I came up with the opening riff, it really solidified the song. Now, it's one of the heaviest tracks on the record. It's going to be one of those songs that translates well live. Thematically, it's based on all of the madness in the world. There's so much hatred and violence going on as well as so many polarizing ideologies. That led me to those lyrics."
With a musical catalog that includes 18 previously released full-length albums from his work with CREED, ALTER BRIDGE and various solo endeavors, Tremonti is back with a collection of 12 original compositions that continues his musical evolution while showcasing his ability to write memorable songs — something he has done for nearly three decades. Mark is backed in TREMONTI by Eric Friedman (guitars),Tanner Keegan (bass) and Ryan Bennett (drums). Each song on "The End Will Show Us How" will take the listener on a journey as Mark set out to create an album of a dozen individual compositions each unique from the other. The debut single "Just Too Much" is a perfect example of this. The song opens with a driving guitar riff — the basis for the entire song — as Mark delivers the message to keep pushing forward no matter what adversity is in front of you. An official music video for the single directed by J.T. Ibanez can be seen below.
TREMONTI's musicianship and songwriting is on full display on each song on "The End Will Show Us How". Tracks like the opener "The Mother, The Earth And I" the thought-provoking "It's Not Over" and the epic closer "All The Wicked Things" show that Mark continues to create compositions that continue to engage audiences — both old and new fans alike. "Nails" is a musical idea that Mark has had for years and finally found the inspiration to complete. "Tomorrow We Will Fail" is an inspirational piece that talks about not putting off until tomorrow something you can conquer today. "Now That I've Made It" is a message for anyone who has ever had anyone doubt them and try to hold them back from following their dreams. "The End Will Show Us How" was produced by longtime friend and collaborator Michael "Elvis" Baskette — the producer Mark has worked with exclusively since 2007.
The track listing for "The End Will Show Us How" is:
01. The Mother, The Earth And I
02. One More Time
03. Just Too Much
04. Nails
05. It's Not Over
06. The End Will Show Us How
07. Tomorrow We Will Fail
08. I'll Take My Chances
09. The Bottom
10. Live In Fear
11. Now That I've Made It
12. All The Wicked Things
Mark Tremonti is currently on tour across the United States with the recently reunited CREED. TREMONTI will tour around the globe in support of "The End Will Show Us How" in 2025.
After three decades, 18 full-length albums, and thousands of shows, Tremonti continues to relentlessly push himself as a guitarist, a vocalist, and a songwriter, above all. This unstoppable drive has underscored his catalog earmarked by a Grammy Award, cumulative streams in the billions, and total sales of 60 million units worldwide across his inexhaustible output with CREED, ALTER BRIDGE and solo band TREMONTI. Distinguished as Guitar World's "Guitarist Of The Decade," selected as a flagship PRS endorsee, and celebrated on the covers of numerous publications worldwide, he approaches the guitar with an insatiable curiosity and innate need to create. At the same time, he constantly stretches his voice, reaching new heights with each subsequent project. His voice, writing, and playing have supercharged TREMONTI as a force in its own right. The band has delivered a string of celebrated releases, including "All I Was" (2012),"Cauterize" (2015),"Dust" (2016),"A Dying Machine" (2019) accompanied by an acclaimed novel of the same name co-written by Mark with John Shirley, and "Marching In Time" (2021). Earning acclaim, Kerrang! hailed the latter as "another worthy chapter in its creator's well-populated book," and American Songwriter praised how "'Marching In Time' is structured around denser melodies and reflective epistles prodding around chunkier riffs." Loudwire applauded the title track as "hypnotically epic," and Guitar World readers voted "Now And Forever" as "The Best Riff of 2021."
On the heels of their successful cover of the Elvis Presley classic “Suspicious Minds,” Las Vegas rockers Velvet Chains announce another original single from their debut album scheduled for March 2025.
“Dead Inside” is the driving new rock track from the quintet comprised of Ro Viper (vocals), Lahi Cassiano (guitars/backing vocals), Von Boldt (guitars/backing vocals), Nils Goldschmidt (bass/backing vocals) and Jason Hope (drums).
The song’s verses and chorus are delivered with power by Viper as he delivers the haunting message of “My heart’s still beating but I’m dead inside.” The bridge turns the melody into something unforgettable as Goldschmidt, Boldt, Viper and Cassiano all trade lead vocal lines before returning to the final chorus. “Dead Inside” was produced by Mitchell Marlow (In This Moment, New Years Day, Cassadee Pope). The song is now available via all Digital Service Providers here.
Austrian power metallers, Dragony, have shared a new single, "Dreamchasers", from their recently released studio album Hic Svnt Dracones, out on Steamhammer / SPV. The song features Ambre Vourvahis from Xandria and is accompanied by a new music video, available below.
Singer Siegfried Samer on the track: "We are happy that Ambre Vourvahis from Xandria agreed to a guest performance on our new song 'Dreamchasers'. Xandria has been an important part of the symphonic metal scene for many years, and they have found a fantastic new singer in Ambre, who also added an amazing performance on our song 'Dreamchasers', that enhances the song considerably. We therefore absolutely wanted to release another video which would also feature Ambre."
The first tour dates for early 2025 are also already set for Dragon. On February 23, the band will visit their Greek friends at the "Ghostlands & Ravenlands" festival in Athens, followed by a European tour as a special guest for Serious Black from March 18 to March 30.
Watch the video for "Dreamchasers":
What started in the summer of 2007 as a studio project conceived by a handful of enthusiastic power metal fans from Vienna, Austria known as “The Dragonslayer Project,” Dragony has long since become an established name in the international metal world.
After completing their first headlining tour across Mexico in October 2023 and later touring as a support act for Warkings, the group has now begun a new chapter. For 2024, Dragony refreshed their lineup, welcoming Matt on guitars and Chris on drums. Having signed with the renowned metal label Steamhammer/SPV this rejuvenated ensemble is ready to write the next part of its story, combining new members' talents with the support of its esteemed new label.
"From The New World (1584)"
"Dreamchasers"
"Silver & Blood"
"Dragon Of The Sea (Sic Parvis Magna)"
"Ill Met By Moonlight"
"Perfect Storm"
"Hic Svnt Dracones (Here Be Dragons)"
"The World Serpent"
"The Einherjar (What Dreams May Come)"
"Twilight Of The Gods"
"Beyond The Rainbow Bridge"
"The Untold Story (Albion Online)" (Bonus Track)
Kings Of Mercia have released their sophomore album, Battle Scars, via Metal Blade Records. To celebrate, they are sharing the title track along with a new video, available below.
Now and again, art offers up the perfect storm. When creative worlds collide with a furious cacophony of power, licks, and lyrics, magic happens. Such is the case with Kings Of Mercia, whose second album, Battle Scars, is the continuation of a story as unlikely as it is glorious. The band is helmed by guitarist Jim Matheos (Fates Warning) and singer Steve Overland (FM) who are joined by drummer Simon Phillips (The Who, Toto) and bassist Joey Vera (Armored Saint, Fates Warning).
About "Battle Scars", Steve Overland shared the following: "That's about post-war distress syndrome. It's about a guy who comes back from fighting and can't really deal with real life. He realizes that he can never be what he was before he went away and did this. But he really, really wants to, but he's trying to get that across to everybody that loves him. But the problem isn’t him–it's what he's been through. I came up with the title ‘Battle Scars,’ and I think that suggested the subject matter.”
Kings Of Mercia's 2022 approachable, world-class self-titled debut was termed "truly a hybrid: it's heavy, but not metal. It's got tones of melodic AOR hard rock but with an edge." Now, 2024 brings the band's sophomore album written and recorded throughout 2023, Battle Scars sees the core writing team of Matheos and Overland expanding on their obvious chemistry.
"I think it was a bit easier this time around because we've established a good working rhythm," states Matheos, "I'll send Steve at least a few songs every couple of months, and I try to keep them varied. This allows him to work on whichever ones he feels strongly about."
"What Jim sends me is the first draft of that song," says Overland. "So once he's heard all the melodies and the harmonies I sing, he can chop it about and make it how he thinks it should be. He always sends me three or four different versions. He'll say, 'What do you think? Which do you like?' Then we work it out between us and come up with the one we're both happy with."
"Steve and I started working together in 2021," says Matheos. "I was aware of FM-they came up around the same time as Fates Warning - but I'd lost touch with them and wasn't familiar with their more recent work. When Steve was recommended to me, I checked out some of the newer releases and felt Steve was exactly what I was looking for."
"It's a different genre of music that I'm normally involved in," says Overland, whose voice has been likened to other British greats Paul Rodgers and Glenn Hughes. "Obviously, I'd heard of Fates Warning - they're a very big cult band in their field. Jim and I touched base, and I told him to send me one backing track. If it sounds great, then it's a win-win. If it doesn't, we'll just call it a day, knock it on the head, not take it any further. That song became 'Humankind' from the first album. I wrote the melodies and the title and put it all together. Jim got it and he was blown away. So we made a couple more. I loved doing it. It was just such a different challenge for me."
Those songs would become the self-titled debut album, which was released in 2022. Written during lockdown, bouncing tracks across the Atlantic, Kings Of Mercia found its mojo. Fans of Fates Warning, FM, and Armored Saint all rejoiced at the common ground on Kings Of Mercia, the sweet spot in the middle of the Venn diagram.
It's a true collaboration that has led to KOM's Battle Scars. However, despite the unfolding sound and clear chemistry between the four Kings, Overland has never met his bandmates i
Today, legendary German hard rockers, Bonfire, unveil their new single, “I Died Tonight”, via Frontiers Music Srl. The track is accompanied by a blazing new video, available below. Stream/download the track here.
Bassist Ronnie Parks says about the new track: “We are excited for the release of 'I Died Tonight.' The chemistry is really flowing, and we feel there will be some great things to come with these new songs. 'I Died Tonight' is a classic melodic AOR style track. We hope people enjoy it as much as we did making it."
Bonfire is one of the most seminal German hard rock bands of the past fifty years. Originally founded as Cacumen in 1972 by guitarist Hans Ziller in Ingolstadt, Germany, the group initially played local venues, steadily building a fan base before releasing their first album under the name Cacumen.
In 1986, the band rebranded as Bonfire, and their debut album as Bonfire, Don't Touch the Light, marked their international breakthrough. They followed it up with Fireworks in 1987, which further cemented their status in the rock and metal scene. Despite their success, Bonfire experienced several lineup changes, including the departure of key members. However, Ziller, the band’s driving force, kept Bonfire alive, continuously adapting to the challenges faced by the group.
In the 1990s, Bonfire briefly disbanded but returned in 1996, with Ziller reclaiming the rights to the band’s name. Since then, Bonfire has released numerous albums and maintained a strong presence on the international rock scene. Bonfire has remained a resilient force in hard rock, continuing to tour and release new material well into the 21st century.
Канада
Envy of None![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
США
Финляндия
Дания
Чили
Германия
Швеция
Исландия
Австрия
