La Armada - the Chicago by way of the Dominican Republic five-piece has completed production on its next album Anti-Colonial Vol. 2, which is set for release later this year via the band's own label Mal De Ojo Records in the U.S. The album will be released via Thousand Islands Records in Canada and Lockjaw Records in Europe and the UK.
The band writes, "'All We Know' is a groove-filled anthem written from within the eye of a hurricane. Our singer came up with the lyrics after having lived through Hurricanes Irma and Maria, devastating earthquakes, and the pandemic, all from his native town in Yauco, Puerto Rico. It’s an angsty first hand account of the indifference and corruption that surrounded the government response to these disasters and a reminder that at the end of the day, this is how it's always been, and that one way or another the people will always get by."
La Armada’s focus is to leave their mark on heavy music. A punk band at heart, they utilize elements of Afro-Caribbean rhythms and metal to create a style as unique as their story. Formed in the Dominican Republic in 2001 from where they dominated the Caribbean scene for years, the band opted to take a leap and relocate to Chicago in 2008, where they still reside.
Influenced by bands ranging from the Bad Brains to Death, they take elements from their native Island’s music to conjure a unique recipe; explosive live energy, and a clear cut narrative that highlights the effects of neo-colonialism on vulnerable communities.
Crystal Viper frontwoman Marta Gabriel recently announced the release of Metal Queens, her debut solo album which is a collection of cover songs, and a tribute to the female heavy metal and hard rock singers of the '80s. New single, a cover of Malteze's "Count Your Blessings", is streaming below.
"It's a celebration and tribute to some of my favorite female vocalists, and a solid piece of heavy metal that fans might enjoy even if they don't know original versions of those songs", says Gabriel. "It's not a random collection of covers - we made sure that it sounds like one big piece, like a real album, and it has this taking-no-prisoners attitude."
The album features Marta Gabriel on vocals and bass guitar, Eric Juris from Crystal Viper on guitars, and Cederick Forsberg from Crystal Viper and Blazon Stone on drums. Except that she invited three special guests: we will hear the Jag Panzer and Titan Force singer Harry Conklin in the Chastain cover "Light In The Dark", Riot V singer Todd Michael Hall in the Blacklace cover "Call Of The Wild", while Raven bassist John Gallagher plays bass in the remake of the Rock Goddess classic, "My Angel".
Marta Gabriel is a founder and frontwoman of the heavy metal act Crystal Viper, with whom she just released the new, eighth studio album, The Cult, via Listenable Records. She’s also a seasoned session musician, and performed with acts such as Jack Starr’s Burning Starr, Manilla Road, Vader, Majesty and Witch Cross.
Metal Queens will be released via Listenable Records on July 16 in Europe, and July 30 in North America, and will be available as vinyl LP, CD, and digital download. Preorder at the Listenable Records webshop.
Tracklisting:
"Max Overload" (Acid)
"Metal Queen" (Lee Aaron)
"Call Of The Wild" (Blacklace)
"Light In The Dark" (Chastain)
"Rebel Ladies" (Zed Yago)
"My Angel" (Rock Goddess)
"Count Your Blessings" (Malteze)
"Goin' Wild" (Wendy O' Williams)
"Bad Attitude" (Hellion)
"Reencarnacion" (Santa)
"Mr. Gold" (Warlock) - CD bonus track
Apocalyptica is streaming a clip of their performance of the Metallica classic "Seek & Destroy" at Pol'and'Rock Festival 2016. Check it out below.
Apocalyptica has had to postpone their upcoming North American tour for a third time. The trek, featuring special guests Lacuna Coil, will now take place in April/May 2022.
Says the band: "Despite our best efforts and although we held out hope for this tour to happen as planned, we have to announce the postponement of the US and Canada leg of the Cell-0 Tour to 2022. BUT to ease the pain we added 4 new dates to this tour! Dallas, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Albany – we’ll be coming for you too! All tickets stay valid and new tickets will go on sale this Friday, 10 AM, CT!"
New 2022 dates:
April
7 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
8 - Orlando, FL - The Plaza Live
10 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
11 - Dallas, TX - House of Blues
12 - Austin, TX - Emo's
14 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
15 - Phoenix, AZ - Van Buren
16 - Los Angeles, CA - The Belasco
17 - San Francisco, CA - The Regency
18 - Portland, OR - Crystal Ballroom
19 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Sodo
20 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
21 - Vancouver, BC - Commodore Ballroom
23 - Edmonton, AB - Midway
24 - Calgary, AB - The Palace
26 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
27 - Chicago, IL - House of Blues
28 - Detroit, MI - St. Andrew's Hall
29 - Pittsburgh, PA - Roxian
30 - Albany, NY - Empire Live
May
1 - Hartford, CT - Webster Theatre
2 - New York, NY - Webster Hall
3 - Boston, MA - Big Night Live
4 - Montreal, QC - MTELUS
5 - Toronto, ON - Queen Elizabeth Theatre 4
Modern heavy metal revivalist James Durbin recently released his boldest, heaviest album to date with the debut album from Durbin, The Beast Awakens. Check out a one take vocal performance of the song "Necromancer" below, and order the album here.
Tracklisting:
"The Prince Of Metal"
"Kings Before You" (Ft. Chris Jericho & Phil Demmel)
"Into The Flames"
"The Sacred Mountain"
"The Beast Awakens"
"Evil Eye"
"Necromancer"
"Riders On The Wind"
"Calling Out For Midnight"
"Battle Cry"
"By The Horns"
"Rise To Valhalla"
"Necromancer" One Take Vocal Performance:
"The Beast Awakens":
"Evil Eye" visualizer:
"The Prince Of Metal" video:
"Kings Before You" video:
Lineup:
James Durbin - Vocals. Rhythm Guitars
Jon Yadon Jr., Marc Putnam, Dylan Rose, & Nick Gallant - Guitars
Barry Sparks - Bass
Mike Vanderhule - Drums
The Compulsions' long awaited third album, Ferocious, was officially released in November 2020. Frontman Rob Carlyle drafted the very best New York-area musicians he could find, including world-renowned guitarists, Earl Slick and Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, best known for their work with David Bowie and Guns N’ Roses, respectively; along with former Raging Slab bassist, Alec Morton; former New York Dolls drummer, Brian Delaney; and current Guns N' Roses drummer, Frank Ferrer.
Additional personnel on Ferocious includes saxophonist, Craig Dreyer, who has worked with Warren Haynes and Keith Richards; and backing singer, Nicki Richards, whose resume includes Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Madonna and many others.
Check out the official video for new single "Band Of Thieves" below.
Ferocious tracklisting:
"Born On A Landfill"
"Band Of Thieves"
"Addicted"
"Dead Flowers"
"Dirtbag Blues"
"Funk #666"
"Killer In The Woodshed"
"Dust N' Bones"
"Ferocious"
"Man With No Name"
Georgia's Blackberry Smoke recently performed an acoustic session exclusively for Planet Rock. The video below features the band's stripped-back version of Aerosmith's "Hangman Jury":
The final trailer for "André Matos: Maestro Of Rock", the forthcoming documentary about former ANGRA singer André Matos, can be seen below. Due on on September 14 on what would have been André's 50th birthday, the film will include never-before-seen footage from his personal archives and interviews with friends, family and rock musicians from all over the world.
The project started back in 2018, when André himself authorized recording interviews where he would talk about his life and the different phases of his career. Directed by Anderson Bellini and produced and scripted by Thiago Rahal Mauro, the documentary had its starting point in a long interview where André spoke for over five hours about all sort of different subjects. With his sudden passing in June 2019, the family compiled this material, as well as hundreds of other clips from his personal archives, so that this film could be finalized.
Along with the aforementioned Matos interview, there will be outdoor footage filmed by Renato Villegas and Patrick Nicolas Korb, as well as commentaries by Matos's cousin Eco Moliterno.
"When we learned about this incredible tribute to André, all of us from the family decided to give our unconditional support so that this becomes the ultimate documentary about his life and work," Moliterno said. "This is why we provided them with all the pictures and videos of him at home with us, which is something so rare that no one else saw before. I am personally closely watching it to ensure that everything that will be released is accurate and true, and with the quality that André would have expected. He was that type of artist that is becoming harder to find these days: he liked to expose his work, but not his personal life. And due to the fact that he was so reserved, we know for sure that this project holds several pleasant surprises in store for his fans."
The documentary will include testimonials by worldwide renowned musicians such as Kai Hansen (HELLOWEEN), Blaze Bayley (IRON MAIDEN), Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Alex Holzwarth (RHAPSODY and session drummer for ANGRA's first album), Sascha Paeth (producer and Andre Matos's partner on the VIRGO project), Rafael Bittencourt (ANGRA), Luis Mariutti (SHAMAN, ex-ANGRA), André Bastos (ANGRA's founding member), André "Zaza" Hernandes (guitarist from André Matos's solo band and early ANGRA days), Kiko Loureiro (ex-ANGRA, MEGADETH), Felipe Machado (VIPER), Yves Passarell (CAPITAL INICIAL, ex-VIPER), Eloy Casagrande (SEPULTURA), João Gordo (RATOS DE PORÃO), Tatola, Gastão Moreira, Paulo Baron, Amanda Somerville and Robertinho de Recife, among others.
In addition to recording the vocals and keyboards on ANGRA's 1993 debut album, "Angels Cry", André was the composer and arranger of nine of the ten tracks on the LP, including "Carry On", which is still considered to be one of ANGRA's most popular songs. Matos also handled lead vocals on ANGRA's "Holy Land" (1996) and "Fireworks" (1998) albums.
Matos, along with bassist Luis Mariutti and drummer Ricardo Confessori, left ANGRA in 2000 and launched SHAMAN (later known as SHAAMAN due to legal issues). André then went on to pursue a solo career while continuing to stay involved with a number of outside projects.
André released three solo albums: 2007's "Time To Be Free", 2009's "Mentalize" and 2012's "The Turn Of The Lights".
KISS took the stage Friday night (June 11) for a special performance at the 2021 Tribeca Festival in New York City. For the first time ever, the band played at the festival directly following the screening of part one of its new A&E documentary "Biography: KISStory". The two-part documentary event is part of the festival's 2021 TV lineup.
KISS kicked off its five-song set with "Detroit Rock City" and performed "Shout It Out Loud", "War Machine" and "Heaven's On Fire" before closing the show with "Rock And Roll All Nite".
Prior to the last song of the set, frontman Paul Stanley addressed the crowd, saying: "We don't have a permit to make a long show. So this is a little short. It's like a sampling before you get your big meal in August," he added, referencing KISS's upcoming tour dates.
"Biography: KISStory" is set to premiere with a two-night event on June 27 and June 28 from 9 p.m. ET to 11 p.m. ET.
Directed by D.J. Viola, "Biography: KISStory" chronicles the band's five decades in the business as founders Stanley and Gene Simmons reflect on their historic career.
After 50 years of rocking and rolling all night and partying every day, the No. 1 gold-record-selling band of all time, KISS, shares their story of success before finally smashing their last guitar and extinguishing the fire-breathing demon. Stanley and Simmons, along with current members Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer as well as guests Dave Grohl (NIRVANA, FOO FIGHTERS), Tom Morello (RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE), manager Doc McGhee, music producer Bob Ezrin (ALICE COOPER, PINK FLOYD) and more tell the wild story of the most successful and influential band in the world.
Selling more than 100 million albums worldwide and over 40 years of record-breaking global tours, the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame band is giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at their rise to fame. Featuring original recording sessions, home movies, behind-the-scenes stories and rare footage, the film grants fans an all-access pass to the band's legendary journey. Fans will hear a first-hand account of the emotional story behind the band's start in New York City's gritty rock scene of the 1970s, their meteoric rise to fame, almost losing it all to drugs and alcohol in the 1980s and how they ultimately fought their way back to the top of the charts in the 1990s to become a household name synonymous with rock and roll.
"Biography: KISStory" is a Leslie Greif production, produced for A&E Network by Critical Content and Big Dreams Entertainment with Leslie Greif and Jenny Daly serving as executive producers and D.J. Viola serving as director. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serve as executive producers for A&E Network. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for "Biography: KISStory".
KISS last played a full concert this past New Year's Eve in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The concert broke Guinness world records for highest flame projection in a music concert and for most flame projections launched simultaneously in a music concert.
Death Pop Radio have cracked the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart at #100 with their self-titled debut album, available via Dark Star Records.
The band has released a video for "F#@k It!". Check it out below, and order the album here.
Death Pop Radio began their journey as a song, not a band. A fun collaboration that quickly blossomed into a full-blown hard-pop-grunge melting pot of backstories and musical experience.
"This album, for Death Pop Radio, was a perfect reflection of what happens when you take four guys with a wide range of tastes musically, mix in self-reflection, some humor, some horror, a pandemic, and heat it all up over a flame of desire to create something you were waiting for someone else to do." - Death Pop Radio.
"Death Pop Radio has the fire, the image, the sound and the songs that will destroy all in its path... the road ahead looks clear, once unleashed there will be no stopping this monster." - Jeffrey A. Swanson / President of Dark Star Records
Tracklisting:
“Monster TV”
“Ravens”
“Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em”
“Bitten Lips”
“Wake Up Drop Dead”
“Roses And Disdain”
“Knocked Down”
“Rat Tail”
“Flatliners”
“F@#k It!”
“Like A Bomb” (The Joy Thieves Remix)
“Fuck It” (Radio Edit)
“Knocked Down” (Radio Edit)
Pentral is the new Brazilian band that mixes hard rock and progressive metal music, and though the two brothers Victor Lima (vocals and guitar), and Vagner Lima (drums), and their third bandmate Joe Ferry (bass) had worked together before, under that current name they released their debut album, What Lies Ahead Of Us, May 7 independently. Pentral has been around since last year dropping some versions of classic rock songs from iconic bands through their YouTube channel, like Queen, The Beatles and Led Zeppelin. Purchase/stream What Lies Ahead Of Us here.
BraveWords is premiering new video, “The Shell I’m Living In”, check it out below!
Victor Lima comments on the video and song: “The Music video was recorded in our home town in Brazil - Belem, with many shots taken from the historic center of the city and some scenes in flashback from the previous recordings in the woods nearby, and the band playing in the forest as well. We had some issues doing that because many scenes were captured in the middle of people who were in their ordinary working days. This was intentional to make it more authentic, as many people there were doing their own things, and we naturally paid attention not to show anyone's clear image without their previous approval. The recordings of "The Shell I'm Living In" took us a couple of days. We've been graced with amazing days and nights, brilliant acting performances from the actresses Anne and Duda, an inspiring direction by Roger Elarrat and beautiful Photography by Lucas Escocio. The whole team was incredible and emotive, and this intense atmosphere really stood out through the video.
“‘The Shell I'm Living In ‘- One of the chapters of our debut album What Lies Ahead Of Us. The child and her mother in mourning after the death of her husband, roam around the city. This is meditative and emotional, but also fierce and energetic. An inspirational rock song to make you think and get some extra strength, thinking about the huge challenges many people face around the world.
“Poverty and hunger have no specific place or country. All around the world you see people who are socially deprived due to a lack of food, health, freedom, education, and many other needs. Brazil is no different and we’ve never been worse than we are now. In our “story” describing the daily reality – the mother and her child after running away from the forest that is being burned down and try to survive in the city, facing hunger and all sorts of harassment, with a spiritual presence always around them.”
The power trio music goes from progressive rock foundations to the heaviness of traditional and contemporary metal bands, without losing their links to the vibrant Brazilian groove and its diverse harmony. Beyond the three aforementioned major influences, Rush and Metallica are names that come to one’s mind when listening to these guys.
“It’s all about the song! It’s funny and challenging making music with uncommon time signatures and harmonies, and melodies that truly sound musical and heavy at the same time, but it’s not a matter of achieving this accomplishment for the sake of its complexity. It all comes to writing meaningful songs”, says Victor, who wrote music and lyrics of the ten tracks.
“By meaningful, I mean not only a song with good hooks, great tones, catchy chorus, rock-solid riffage, thunderous drums and pulsating bass guitar. It got to have a true message that deserves to be told and shared with real persons. You have to tell your truth that resonate with someone else” adds Victor.
These words above surely can explain the reason for the name of this three-piece act. “Pentral” stands for “Soul” in Latin.
What Lies Ahead of Us is a concept album and it portrays a story that is fictional but pretty common in Brazil and in many parts all over the world. A couple who lives in the woods gives birth to a child among the threat of the beast - which is pretty much the human being itself - interested in destroying the rainforest and making money with that. The woman has premonitions about the sad ending. Eventually, they have to run to survive as the invaders arrive. In the city, the characters have to deal with racism, selfishness, prejudice, and indifference. “Silent Trees” is the first single and the first chapter, and it’s a song that describes the trees who “talk” with the woman telling her to run away, protect her kid and warn her about all the suffering and sorrow that are to come, caused by greed. The trees can only witness the entire drama and warn humans who live in the woods of the danger.
Slow Death Lights has released a cover of the 1984 W.A.S.P. classic “I Wanna Be Somebody” featuring original guitarist Chris Holmes.
I Wanna Be Somebody (feat. Chris Holmes) by Slow Death Lights
The band comments: “It's huge, heavy and punishing. The sheer power and tone that Chris brings is untouchable, added some serious personality with his unmistakable sound. We slowed down our version to half-time, maintaining mammoth drums, haunting vocals, layers of rhythm guitars, and that iconic lead guitar that will melt your speakers.
“The message is simple: we all want to be somebody and leave a memorable mark before we die. Look out for more singles and a full-length album this fall.”
Following the release of their blistering first single from the upcoming debut album Redemption, out June 25 via Rat Pak Records, Georgia hard-rockers The CEO are out with their latest single and lyric video for "Behind These Eyes". Drums and bass lock in at the start to create the track's galloping and swinging heartbeat, immediately invoking shades of past groove metal greats. Layered guitars immediately create a shimmering soundscape before crashing into the hooky and brutal main riff. At the crux of the track, lead singer and lyricist Mack Mullins reflects on how failed opportunities can lead to bigger and better ones, as he sings "this setback's a setup, and I'm standing tall."
Check out the lyric video for "Behind These Eyes" below.
"With its mellow opening intro, harmony-laden bridge, and fastidious blend of melody and aggression, this song is one of my favorite tracks on the album," says Mack. "To me, 'Behind These Eyes' is about losing or not getting what you wanted, only to discover it was keeping you from achieving your true potential in the first place."
The band made a soft announcement in March 2020 and a week later, the entire world would be different due to the global pandemic. Now that things are trending in the right direction, the band comprised of Mack Mullins on vocals, Vince Hornsby (Sevendust) on bass, Chase Brown and Beau Anderson on guitar and Joseph Herman on drums are ready to release their debut album Redemption.
The CEO draw on various musical influences and puts them on full display on the upcoming debut. Redemption is scheduled for release on June 25 via Rat Pak Records and is now available for pre-order in various bundle configurations here.
From the driving guitar riff of album opener “Twin Flame” to the final vocal melody of album closer “Alone and Dead,” The CEO have created a sound that fits right in with Active Rock radio today. Songs like “Behind These Eyes,” “The Storm” and “Casting Shadows” showcase the band’s harder side.
Redemption was produced by Michael “Elvis” Baskette (Mammoth WVH, Alter Bridge, Sevendust, Myles Kennedy, Tremonti).
Redemption tracklisting:
"Twin Flame"
"Behind These Eyes"
"Redemption"
"Black Hearts"
"Dirty Tragic"
"The Storm"
"Alive"
"Beginning & The End"
"Bourbon Straight"
"Work Of Heart"
"Casting Shadows"
"Alone And Dead"
PAIN, the brainchild of multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer Peter Tägtgren, has released its first original song in five years: "Party In My Head".
Blending '80s synth, electro, and metal, PAIN delivers one hell of an anthem providing a powerful sonic vaccine against the distress and depression caused by the worldwide pandemic.
Tägtgren comments: "I decided to write a song about all the bullshit from the last year of lock-up and people's struggle, including my own, to adapt to the new way of life. Suddenly, all of us had to deal with our inner selves in our secluded new life, so this is the cheer-up song for people. Each of us has our own party in our head. Musically, it's a hell of a party song. I can't wait to play it live."
The video features a guest appearance by Joe Lynn Turner (RAINBOW, YNGWIE J. MALMSTEEN, DEEP PURPLE) and the return of the Alien from PAIN's biggest hit, "Shut Your Mouth".
PAIN was formed in 1996 by Tägtgren — known as the mastermind of iconic death metal veterans HYPOCRISY and producer for AMON AMARTH, CHILDREN OF BODOM, DIMMU BORGIR, IMMORTAL, and SABATON, among others, as well as Till Lindemann's collaborator on two No. 1 albums with LINDEMANN. Peter's life has been immersed in music, in pushing boundaries and taking ideas to both their logical and illogical extremes. It's a calling that has made him one of Europe's most respected musicians and producers.
For the recordings of "Gimme Shelter" and "Party In My Head", Peter has been joined by his son Sebastian Tägtgren playing the drums.
PAIN's latest album, "Coming Home", was released in September 2016 through Nuclear Blast.
Photo by Agata Nigrovskaya
Left to right in photo: Sebastian Svalland, Peter Tägtgren, Jonathan Olsson, Sebastian Tägtgren
The official Jim Louvau-directed music video for "G.A.A.D.", the latest single from Arizona's GO AHEAD AND DIE, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's self-titled debut album, which is being released today (Friday, June 11) via Nuclear Blast.
GO AHEAD AND DIE features vocalist and guitarist Max Cavalera (SOULFLY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY, SEPULTURA) along with his son, singer, guitar and bass player Igor Amadeus Cavalera, as well as Zach Coleman on drums. GO AHEAD AND DIE's sound mixes elements of death and thrash metal, with early CELTIC FROST influences and a punk attitude.
Max comments: "Pissed off! Angry! Unapologetic! Raw! This album is what happens when greed and injustice take over. We must use our music as a weapon!"
Igor Amadeus states: "'G.A.A.D.' is the anthem to this album and to these fucked up times. A middle finger to those in control, those that decide who lives and who dies."
GO AHEAD AND DIE's tempos are wild, with a contempt for modern social ills palpable, its riffs monstrous and captivating. They make angry, spiteful, utterly engaging, spirited extreme music for increasingly extreme times.
The self-titled debut sees Max and Igor splitting guitar and vocal duties, with utter madman style drumming from Coleman of the blistering BLACK CURSE and critically acclaimed KHEMMIS. It sounds like a relic from the glory days of thrash, proto-death metal, and filthy rotten punk, the kind of band that would inspire a teenaged thrasher in 1987 to carve the GO AHEAD AND DIE logo into a school desk.
Vocals weren't tracked over and over in the pursuit of some kind of "perfect" takes. Coleman didn't play to a click-track. The heart and soul of GO AHEAD AND DIE is all about just going for it, the traditional way. Engineer Charles Elliott captured the sessions with the help of Platinum Underground Studio owner John Aquilino. The album was mixed by Arthur Rizk, whose credits include POWER TRIP, CRO-MAGS, and CAVALERA CONSPIRACY. The artwork for the album was created by Stewart Easton while the Circle logo was created by Jeff Walker (CARCASS).
Max describes GO AHEAD AND DIE as a "one-of-a-kind father/son collaboration bringing the old school with a new attitude! Sick riffs and abrasive lyrics from Igor and brutal drumming from Zach Coleman (BLACK CURSE, KHEMMIS) inspired me," he says. "Extreme times call for extreme music!"
Igor states: "G.A.A.D. will deliver fast-paced, hate-fueled energy that hasn't been heard in years.”
Zach Coleman adds: "I feel like we were able to capture (extreme) aggression with the record. It's a mix of old-school (think '89-era metal/punk) style and newer sounds that reflect what's going on around us. Protest and survive!"
Mr. Bungle, whose Halloween 2020 streaming special, The Night They Came Home, captured the Northern California-born band performing songs from their freshly released album, The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo, interspersed with behind-the-scenes footage, surprise cameos and a few unexpected covers, release the nearly two-hour film on June 11 via Ipecac Recordings.
As an advance preview, Mr. Bungle has issued the live video of "Eracist", which can be seen below. Speaking to Emily Carter of Kerrang about The Raging Wrath Of The Easter Bunny Demo track, bassist Trevor Dunn explains, "'Eracist is a unique song in the Raging Wrath book. There was no initial demo, only a ‘moshy’ riff that [Mike] Patton had come up with in the ’80s, that somehow Trey [Spruance] remembered. Once that was unearthed Patton completed the tune with a double-time bridge and some lyrics about erasure and denial."
"It seems to me that it somehow feels contemporary while fitting in with our teenage songwriting style. I guess that’s because it was written over a span of 35 years! You may notice that it’s one of the only songs on the ‘demo’ that actually has a vocal melody. Back in the ’80s we were mostly thinking about drums and guitar, which of course, is really all that metal is about."
The Night They Came Home, which was directed by Jack Bennett, is available as a CD + Blu-Ray, CD + DVD, VHS, and digitally. The CD portion features remastered audio, while the film features Bungle’s performance, Neil Hamburger’s opening set, three official music videos (“Raping Your Mind,” “Eracist,” and “Sudden Death”), as well as extended behind-the-scenes footage. The VHS release, limited to 1000 collectible copies, is an edited, performance-only portion of the film.
Watch the "Bungle Grind" and "Loss Of Control" videos below, and pre-order The Night They Came Home here.
The Night They Came Home tracklisting:
"Won’t You Be My Neighbor" (Fred Rogers cover)
"Anarchy Up Your Anus"
"Raping Your Mind"
"Bungle Grind"
"Methematics"
"Hell Awaits"/"Summer Breeze" (Slayer/Seals & Croft medley/cover)
"Eracist"
"World Up My Ass" (Circle Jerks cover)
"Glutton For Punishment"
"Hypocrites/Habla Español O Muere" (S.O.D. cover)
"Spreading The Thighs Of Death"
"Loss For Words" (Corrosion Of Conformity cover)
"Sudden Death"
"Loss Of Control" (Van Halen cover)
"Bungle Grind" video:
"Loss Of Control" (Van Halen cover):
Mr. Bungle was formed in an impoverished lumber and fishing town by a trio of curious, volatile teenagers. Trey Spruance, Mike Patton and Trevor Dunn beget the amorphous “band” in 1985 up in Humboldt County, Calif., sifting through a variety of members until around 1989 when they settled on a lineup that managed to get signed to Warner Bros. Records. No one really knows how this happened and it remains a complete mystery that even the algorithms of the internet can’t decode. Up until 2000 they released three albums (Mr. Bungle in 1991, Disco Volante in 1995 and California in 1999), toured a good portion of the Western hemisphere and avoided any sort of critical acclaim. Some argue that the band subsequently broke up but there is also no proof of this. What is true is that they took 20 years off from performing under said moniker while they pursued various other musics that, in contrast, paid the rent.
Mr. Bungle have also confirmed their first live outing of 2021, performing at Riot Fest (Chicago) in September. The festival marks the first time Mike Patton has performed on the same bill with both Mr. Bungle and Faith No More, and marks the band’s first tour date since the Fall album release.
The Quireboys are back! June 18th sees the launch of their new version of the classic track "7 O'Clock" which also features this superb version from their Iconic "35 & Live" set from London's Kentish Town Forum in 2019 as a good 'ol fashioned Double A side.
It's the news we've all been waiting for - The Quireboys' A Bit Of What You Fancy Anniversary Edition is confirmed to land on July 2nd initially with the CDs, and then Blue Vinyls six weeks after that. This studio re-recording of their iconic first album will reflect the current Gypsy Rock n Roll sound of The Quireboys, and prove to be powerful, inspirational and full of all the quality of a modern-day recording.
This is a must for all Quireboys fans worldwide and will be available on CD and vinyl, both on limited runs, with a new modern cover and a couple of live bonus tracks on the CD - "Man On The Loose" and "Mayfair" - while the vinyl collector's version will be restricted to a run of 750 copies only, on blue vinyl. Pre-order links below:
Quireboys frontman Spike commented, "It's where it all began, it was an incredible album that launched our careers, but the way we sound n play now doesn't give it the justice it needs. Henceforth, it's been a pleasure updating it to our modern-day Gypsy Rock n Roll Sound. I'm sure everyone will enjoy this new version in all its glory!"
Tracklisting:
"7 O’Clock"
"Man On The Loose"
"Whippin’ Boy"
"Sex Party"
"Sweet Mary Ann"
"I Don’t Love You Anymore"
"Hey You"
"Mislead"
"Long Time Comin’"
"Roses And Rings"
"There She Goes Again"
"Take Me Home Tonight"
Following the recent release of portentous new song "Run", Zeal & Ardor have premiered the unsettling and sinister official video for the track.
Frontman Manuel Gagneux exclaims, "Very excited to share this video for 'Run'. Garrick Lauterbach, who directed it, and I share a fascination with deep dreams and AI. Being able to weave it into a narrative of mental diaspora was an incredible treat. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do."
Lauterbach adds, "Manuel Gagneux's smashing track enabled us to condense certain current fears through our digital consciousness — what a trip it was. Hold on to your tin foil hats and get ready to "RUN!'"
Gagneux previously commented on the song, saying, "'Run' is the first single we are releasing off of our self-titled album because, while there are definitely familiar elements present, it sets the tone for things to come. It is surely one of our most aggressive songs yet, but that is just a vanguard of what lies ahead. So run while you still can."
Ian Parry celebrates his 40th year as a professional singer songwriter with the release of the new album by his melodic power rock / neo classical metal band, Rock Emporium. The album, Brute Force, was released last Friday via Metal Mind Productions.
"One Vision", a track originally written by Queen, is one of the songs included on the album. Says Ian Parry: "I wanted to capture the essence of the original Queen recording embracing the analogue drum and bass sounds, but without trying to copy Brian Mays classic guitar sound and Freddie’s unique voice. I am very proud of the performance from my musicians Ivar de Graaf (Within Temptation) for his authentic kick ass drums, but adding his own modern groove in parts. Jeroen van der Wiel (Rock Emporium “Society of Friends”), for his amazing Orchestral keyboard intro, piano, organ and sequencer hook line. Jeroen is a huge Queen fan so for him and all of us. My old Elegy colleague and friend bassist Martin Helmantel also added his own touch with a driving bass part in the solo section. Finally the rhythm and lead guitars with a traditional Marshall Amp sound from Dimitris Goutziamanis with an extra lead guitar part from Fabio Calluori. The music is finally complimented with what I regard as being my own powerful and emotional vocal performance supported by the fantastic choir & lead parts from Wade Black (Crimson Glory) and Stamina vocalist Stefano Sbrignadello. It was a great please to make such a tribute to Queen and now 30 years later after we sadly lost one of the greatest rock pop voices of all time, in memory of the late great Freddie Mercury."
Brute Force was produced by Ian and mixed by engineer / producer/ guitarist Fabio Calluori at Sonic Temple Studios Italy (Heimdall/Stamina/Sellitto).
Brute Force features heart breaking and powerful performances and songs, which go from strength to strength with a compelling impulse to listen again. Alongside Ian Parry are musicians/singers out the world of metal & members of well-known bands such as:
Beth-Ami Heavenstone (Graham Bonnet band)
Timo Somers (Delain)
Martin Helmantel (Elegy)
Barend Courbois (Blind Guardian)
Allan Sorensen (Royal Hunt / Pretty Maids)
Patrick Rondat (Jean-Michel Jarre / Consortium Project)
Patrick Johansson & Svante Henryson (Malmsteen)
Kris Gildenlöw (Pain of Salvation / Dial)
Luca Sellitto (Stamina)
Walter Cianciusi, Enrico Cianciusi & Dario Parente (Jeff Tate Band / Headless)
Ivar De Graaf (Within Temptation / Kingfisher Sky)
Bob Wijtsma (Ayreon)
Jeroen van der Wiel (Odyssice / Rock Emporium 1)
Sander Zoer (Leah/Delain)
Special guest singers include Wade Black (Crimson Glory / Leatherwolf / Seven Witches); Stefano Sbrignadello (Stamina) and Ani Lozanavo (Ani Lo Band). Additional guest: guitar solo on the bonus track "One Vision" performed by Fabio Calluori (Heimdall).
Tracklisting:
"In Isolation"
"Darkest Secrets"
"‘Til The Day I Die"
"My Confession"
"Brute Force"
"Fairytale"
"Lethal Injection"
"Rings Of Fire"
"Dreamworld"
"Where Do We Go From Here"
Bonus track for Japan & Sub-licensing:
"One Vision" (Tribute to Queen & Freddie Mercury)
The official music video for "She's On Fire", the latest single from ZZ TOP frontman Billy Gibbons, can be seen below. The track is the fourth single from Gibbons's new solo album, "Hardware", which was released on June 4 via Concord Records. The LP was recorded at Escape Studio in California's high desert, near Palm Springs, and was produced by Gibbons along with Matt Sorum and Mike Fiorentino, with engineer Chad Shlosser providing additional production.
Sorum, veteran of GUNS 'N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER and THE CULT, also serves as "Hardware"'s drummer and was joined in the album's core band by guitarist Austin Hanks. The same Gibbons-Sorum-Hanks aggregation recorded "The Big Bad Blues", Gibbons's earlier solo effort for Concord and winner of the Blues Foundation's Blues Music Award.
In contrast to "The Big Bad Blues" and "Perfectamundo", Gibbons's debut solo album, almost all of the "Hardware" repertoire is original and rock-oriented with eleven of the album's twelve songs written by Gibbons, Sorum, Fiorentino and Shlosser. The sole exception is "Hey Baby, Que Paso", originally recorded by the TEXAS TORNADOS. The album's title is a tribute to legendary recording engineer the late Joe Hardy who worked with Gibbons and ZZ TOP dating back to the mid-1980s. Sonically, the album was influenced by the high desert circumstance of its recording. Says Gibbons: "The desert settings, replete with shifting sands, cacti and rattlesnakes makes for the kind of backdrop that lends an element of intrigue reflected in the sounds created out there."
"Stackin' Bones", one of the album's standouts, features a guest appearance by LARKIN POE, with whom Gibbons has been familiar and friendly for quite a while. He initially met them through the good offices of Tyler Bryant, husband of LARKIN POE's Megan Lovell; he had toured extensively with ZZ TOP in the past. LARKIN POE also shared a bill with Billy at New York's "Love Rocks NYC" benefit in 2019 and the "Hardware" collaboration grew from there.
While a truly broad spectrum of approaches is notable on the album's hard driving tracks there is, to be sure, no mistaking the remarkable tone and growling vocals that are hallmarks of Billy Gibbons's artistry. Elements of traditional hard rock, neo-metal, country rock, new wave, blues and even surf music make "Hardware" difficult to categorize and it would be a fool's game to do so. In fact, "Desert High", the album's last track, is a spoken-word piece accompanied by a sinewy guitar that evokes the legend Graham Parsons, whose death 48 years ago took place very close to where "Hardware" was recorded.
Billy sums up the album's ecumenical construct: "We holed up in the desert for a few weeks in the heat of the summer and that in itself was pretty intense. To let off steam we just 'let it rock' and that's what Hardware is really all about. For the most part, it's a raging rocker but always mindful of the desert's implicit mystery."
Frontiers Music Srl has announced the release of the debut album from one of its most exciting new projects, a collaboration between powerhouse Finnish vocalists Noora Louhimo (BATTLE BEAST) and Netta Laurenne (SMACKBOUND), under the banner LAURENNE/LOUHIMO. "The Reckoning" will be unleashed on July 9 on CD/LP/digital. Today, fans can get another taste of the album with second single and music video, "The Reckoning".
Laurenne says: "With this album, I wanted to capture the essence of classic heavy metal and hard rock and combine it with great melodies and lyrics that have value. It was clear from the beginning, having two strong voices on the album, that this album was going to be full of power, energy, attitude and emotion. I envisioned it lovingly kicking everyone's ass, my own included, and I think it does just that. It's pushing us to do better and evolve, yet having great empathy towards the struggles we all face as humans."
Adds Louhimo: "My inspiration was definitely the thought of empowering and the songs giving a feeling of strength and sensitivity. And us interpreting the songs from our hearts and souls with full force, leaving no question about how passionate we are as vocalists and artists."
Serafino Perugino, Frontiers president/head of A&R, said: "I believe Netta is a truly gifted and talented artist, and this is one of a few records besides SMACKBOUND that we will start a fruitful creative and artistic cooperation with her on. To pair her with Noora, who literally blows everyone away with her smashing vocals in not only her main band BATTLE BEAST, but also on MAGNUS KARLSSON'S FREE FALL and HEART HEALER records, is incredibly exciting and an honor."
After Perugino approached Netta about the possibility of some new projects for the label, including a duets album, Netta realized this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill her idea of a collaborative album with Noora. And now, these two incredible singers have put together a storming melodic metal album.
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