Dutch death metal legends, Pestilence, have released a guitar playthrough video for their single, "Morbvs Propagationem". It's the first song taken off the band's new album, Exitivm, which is set to be released on June 25 via Agonia Records. Watch below:
Watch a drum playthrough video for "Morbvs Propagationem":
A new album, on a new label armed with a whole new lineup and a new dynamic: no matter what, Pestilence - or more specifically their maestro Patrizio Mameli - is like the phoenix, rising from the ashes, over and over again. An official website has been launched for Exitivm, providing access to all relevant information surrounding the new album, here.
Back in 1986, in the small town of Enschede in the Netherlands, nearby the German border, a true metal phenomenon was born. More than three decades later, not only is Pestilence alive and well, but about to once again reaffirm their place in the extreme metal pantheon, with their ninth studio album entitled Exitivm, which is Latin for "total destruction".
As controversial as he can be to some, nobody will ever deny the band’s undisputable driving force, Patrizio Mameli, and his constant ability to reinvent himself. Unlike most of the bands in the scene, Pestilence just keeps evolving. From the raging thrash leanings of their cult 1988 debut Malleus Maleficarum to the jazz-infused versatility of 1993’s Spheres or 2009’s Resurrection Macabre frontal assault, not to mention the fans’ favorite and Scott Burns-produced Testimony Of The Ancients from 1991, he never did the same record twice. No matter who playes with him on any Pestilence album, Mameli always gets the best out of the musicians he is working with. But first and foremost, the man has a one-of-a-kind vision, instantly recognizable style and yet always stretching musical boundaries. And it’s never more true than on Exitivm.
After a vast reissue campaign in between 2015 and 2018 and an acclaimed new album Hadeon, the band got seemingly stopped in their mission to conquer the death metal scene in early 2020, like everybody else, by the global pandemic, going as far as forcing some of the band’s Hadeon line-up members to drop the towel. But what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger and instead of letting that whole situation drag him down, Mameli chose to do the exact opposite and write the best and darkest album possible to date. And he just did that. With its ambitious lyrical concept about "global domination", "induced mental illness", "inner and outer demons" and malicious external entities, Exitivm is propelling the band one again to the forefront of the death metal movement with yet another original and brilliant artistic overhaul.
Mind you, as soon as you’re past the very cinematic introduction "In Omnibvs", you’re instantly caught up by "Morbvs Propagationem" whose intense riffing will take back to the Testimony days. Except that their core sound has been revived, with now extra layers of ominous soundscapes ingeniously suggesting an atmosphere of suspence and horror, boosted by Mameli’s jazz-fusion impressive solo works and a renewed sense of urgency. This rejuvenation, with emphasis on "new musical landscapes but also sick and twisted riffs" as stated by Mameli himself, is no accident though. Not only has Mameli been extremely inspired by the turmoil humanity had to face since March 2020 but with a line-up once again, entirely based in the Netherlands and made up of only super-seasoned players – besides former Dew Scented and Creepmime Joost van der Graaf on bass and Bleeding Gods’ Rutger van Noordenburg on lead guitar, former God Dethroned Michiel van der Plicht joined on drums last year – Pestilence is more than ever a BAND where everybody feeds off of each other's musical talent. And it definitely shows.
With the exception of the drums - tracked down by van der Plicht himself at his home studio - the album was recorded over a period of two months in between June and August 2020 at Pitchnote Productions. The album has been produced, like all Pestilence albums, by Mameli and is co produced, recorded, mixed and mastered by Jory Hogeveen (Shinigami and Ancient Rites). Last March, the band filmed their second ever official video – three decades after Land Of Tears – for the song "Morbvs Propagationem". Exitivm will be available in various formats, including supra-limited picture, pin-wheel, "firebreath" and clear vinyl versions. The cover artwork once again brought the band’s iconic sphere and was done by Michal "Xaay" Loranc, known for his various cover for Nile, God Detheroned or Evocation and who had already worked on "Hadeon".
Both a reinvention and a confirmation of everything the band has been standing for since 1986, thirty-five years later Pestilence are more than ever breaking new grounds and exploring the further outposts of the extreme metal sound on Exitivm.
Formats:
- Jewelcase CD
- Digi CD
- Box CD
- Black LP
- Ultra Clear LP
- Blood Vanilla LP*
- Picture LP**
- Pinwheel LP***
- Firebreath LP***
- Digital
* Bandcamp exclusive
** With antistatic all-print slipmat only at Agonia Webshop
*** Agonia Webshop exclusive
UK alt-metal upstarts, Vexed, will release their debut full-length, Culling Culture, on May 21 via Napalm Records. The band have released a drum playthrough video for their new single, "Misery", which can be seen below:
Watch a a guitar playthrough video for "Misery"
Facing very personal experiences, Culling Culture is a tribute to hate, betrayal and anger, whilst also reflecting post-modern society with strikingly honest songwriting and heavy groove. Moreover, for as confident as they are musically, Vexed is as poignant lyrically. The title of the album, Culling Culture, and portions of its contents deliver the band’s unfiltered response to the world’s latest social phenomena of public ostracism, “cancel culture”.
Unrelenting lead vocalist Megan Targett’s vicious vocal assault blending venomously low growls, soaring cleans and razor-sharp rap-like deliveries (see “Fake” and “Weaponise”) is backed by the pure technical proficiency of bandmates Willem Mason-Geraghty (drums), Jay Bacon (guitar) and Al Harper (bass). The warning instrumental “Ignorant” prefaces the record’s menacing atmosphere and provides a flawless basis for smashing wake up call “Hideous” and fiery, threatening tracks “Fake” and “Narcissist”. Ghostly “Aurora” and disrespectfully heavy album-closer “Lazarus” showcase Targett’s multi-faceted clean vocal delivery while clashing otherworldly auras with resonating, melodic rhythms. “Epiphany” blends both, offering a bold message of moving past self-loathing, while superciliously weighty offering “Weaponise” seethes between violent hatred and ambient darkness.
Pre-order Vexed’s debut album Culling Culture here.
Culling Culture will be available in the following formats:
- 1-CD Digipak
- 1-LP Gatefold Vinyl (Black)
- 1-LP Gatefold Vinyl (Orange transparent, strictly limited to 100 copies)
- 1-CD Digipak + T-Shirt Bundle
- Digital Album
Pain has always been known not only for the exciting mix of catchy melodies, majestic harmonies, and powerful industrial metal rhythms, but for also having a fine sense for combining current world affairs with all-time classics, uniting people across generations and borders. Today, mastermind Peter Tägtgren proves this gifted instinct once more and releases an unique interpretation of the Rolling Stones masterpiece, "Gimme Shelter". Watch the video below.
Peter about the single: "I had an idea of covering 'Gimme Shelter' for years… and now it feels like it’s the perfect time to do it 'cause today this song appears as important as it was when it first came out 52 years ago. Back then it was the Cold War, today it is the war on Covid."
Tägtgren issued the following update at the end of 2020:
"My next year will start of with the release of a couple of new songs from Pain and Hypocrisy beginning of summer, new project album somewhere in between. Stay safe and see you soon."
Fans who missed symphonic extreme metal masters Chthonic’s triumphant return to the stage to headline Taiwan’s massive Megaport Festival in March will have the opportunity to experience the show with the release of the Chthonic Megaport 2021 live album and video on May 19.
Chthonic Megaport 2021 will be available digitally and as a special limited “anti-epidemic bundle” including a physical CD, Chthonic medical-quality mask, a Chthonic mask lanyard, large and small Chthonic mask containers and a small Chthonic spray can for sanitizer will be available. Pre-orders are available here.
For a special preview, watch “Set Fire To The Island” below.
After making history by successfully managing the COVID-19 pandemic, Taiwan was able to move forward with the Megaport Festival, the first large-scale rock festival since the unprecedented global lockdown. Taking place March 27-28 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, the festival featured more than 100 artists on 10 stages. Founded in 2006 by Chthonic’s Freddy Lim, who left the organizing team after being elected as a member of Taiwanese Parliament in 2016, Megaport Festival attracts tens of thousands of people every year, with this year’s festival selling out its 20,000 tickets within five minutes. For their performance, Chthonic was joined by Audrey Tang, a longtime Chthonic fan who currently holds the seat of Digital Minister in Taiwan's cabinet.
“I felt very excited and grateful when I stood on the stage,” Lim says. “I cherished the connection between the crowd and me, and I also wanted to cheer up the people around the world who watched the show through the live broadcast so much.”
Lim also used the Megaport appearance as an excuse to reclaim his once-fit body, which he shows off on the album’s cover and in the “Set Fire to the Island” video. “I have always been fit in the past,” he says. “But after entering politics and having a baby, I didn't have enough time to exercise, so I was a little out of shape. Last year I promised the fans that if the Megaport Festival was held as scheduled, I will get my fit body back and take off my shirt in this show. So, I take off my shirt later in the song! Good to have my fit body back!”
In an October 2020 interview with BraveWords, Ayreon mastermind Arjen Lucassen revealed he was planning on returning to his Star One project, saying "each album I do is a reaction to the previous one, so I want to do a heavy album after Transitus. I want to do a colder album now (laughs). I think the last Star One album was 10 years ago, so I think it's time for a new one."
Lucassen recently confirmed that a new Star One album is indeed in the works. He has issued a new update on the album's progress, revealing the concept for the record. Check it out below.
Lucassen launched Star One in 2002 with the debut album, Space Metal, and followed it up in 2010 with Victims Of The Modern Age. The line-up included Lucassen, Russell Allen (Symphony X), Floor Jansen (Nightwish), Dan Swanö (Edge Of Sanity), Damian Wilson (Threshold), Ed Warby (Gorefest), Peter Vink (HDK) and keyboardist Joost van den Broek.
Star One toured for Space Metal in 2002, recording filming their show in Rijssen, Netherlands for the live album / DVD release, Live On Earth.
Nightwish have released a new trailer for their upcoming livestream show, An Evening With Nightwish In A Virtual World. Watch below:
The interactive An Evening With Nightwish In a Virtual World concert experiences that will kick off the Human. :II: Nature. World Tour has been rescheduled from March to May due to changes in the band’s touring schedule. The new dates are Friday, May 28th and Saturday, May 29th.
Nightwish will perform in a tavern called The Islanders Arms built in a virtual world for two nights in May. On both nights, the fans will experience an unforgettable 1.5-hour performance, hearing songs live off the latest album, Human. :II: Nature. for the first time ever. These two nights will have their own, slightly different setlists.
- Friday, May 28th: Europe: 8pm CET / 7pm GMT, duration approx. 90min
- Saturday, May 29th: North and South America: 8pm ET (UTC-5) / 5pm PT (UTC -8) / 10pm BRT (UTC-3) / 7pm CST (UTC -6), duration approx. 90min
Virtual VIP sessions with the bass player will be held on both dates before the show (schedule to be confirmed later).
The live events to be experienced at Burst.fi. A recording of the concert will be available for 48 hours after the event for all the ticket holders. More details and tickets at Nightwish.com.
Tickets purchased for the original March dates are automatically valid for the new May dates and do not need to be exchanged.
If you have purchased a two evening ticket and would like to upgrade to a VIP package:
Choose the addition option VIP Europe upgrade or VIP World upgrade on www.nightwish.com. Customers in Europe can choose either one of the options. VIP packages will go on sale February 15th. Limited quantity.
If you have purchased a two evening ticket + t-shirt bundle and would like to upgrade to a VIP package:
The t-shirt sold with the VIP package is different from the one in the prior ticket + t-shirt bundle (additional print on the back). It is not possible to cancel or exchange a previously purchased t-shirt for the shirt sold with the VIP Europe package. You can complement your order by choosing the addition option VIP Europe upgrade (in addition to a two evening ticket and a virtual session, you will receive 2 different shirts and a VIP pass) or VIP World upgrade (you will receive a two evening ticket and a virtual session, but not the VIP shirt or a VIP pass) on www.nightwish.com. Customers living in Europe can purchase either one of the options. VIP packages on sale February 15th. Limited quantity.
The t-shirts and VIP passes will be mailed during the spring.
Nightwish keyboardist / founder Tuomas Holopainen was recently a guest on the Breaking Absolutes podcast, hosted by Peter Orullian, and during the chat he discussed the band's upcoming livestream show. He also revealed the replacement for bassist Marco Hietala, who left the band in January, will be revealed only a few hours before they play.
Following is Hietala's original statement regarding his departure.
Hietala: "Dear people. I am leaving Nightwish and my public life.
For a quite a few years now I haven’t been able to feel validated by this life. We have streaming company big guns demanding 9/5 work from artists of inspiration while unfairly sharing the profits. Even among the artists. We’re the banana republic of the music industry. Biggest tour promoters squeeze percentages even from our own merchandise while paying dividends to Middle East. Apparently some theocrasies can take the money from the music that would get you beheaded or jailed there without appearing as hypocrites. Just a couple of examples here.
This past year forced me to stay home and think. And I found myself very disillusioned about these and a lot of things. I found out that I am in need of that validation. For me to write, sing and play, I need to find some new reasons and inspirations. 'My Walden' so to speak. And it’s even in my book that I’m a chronic depressive. It’s dangerous for me and the people around me, if I continue. Some of the thoughts a while back were dark. Don’t worry, I’m fine. I have my two sons, a wife, the rest of the family, friends, a dog and lots of love.
And I don’t think that I’ll be gone for good.
Conspiracy is the word of the day. For the people who like them I need to say that my 55th birthday is now on 14th of Jan and I’ve certainly done my time for now. Blaming for instance Tuomas is an insult to both him and my free thinking. This is a very sad thing to all of us too. Have a care please. But of course now we’ll know, if some go there on purpose.
There are a couple of things agreed on that I will do on 2021. Otherwise I kindly and with respect ask the media, bands, artists projects etc. to not ask me for anything within the next year. I have some reinventing to do. I hope to tell you about it on 2022. It’s not a promise though.
I am so sorry about this.
Marko Hietala
P.S.: Tony Iommi is an exception to the 'no contact whatsoever.' Childhood hero takes a precedence."
Nightwish issued the following statement in the wake of Hietala's announcement:
"Marko's resignation has left us with some difficult decisions and choices to be made. After much thought and consideration, we have, in mutual understanding, decided to perform the upcoming 'Human. :II: Nature. world tour as planned, but with a session bass player. The live line-up will be announced at a later date.
We respect Marko's decision and wish him all the very best. We will not comment any further."
From the bottom of our hearts we'd like to thank everyone for the amazing response to our new album Monuments. We are humbled and can't wait to present the songs to you live sooner rather than later. Looking forward to going back on tour next year on our own European headline tour in February and March and the one we have planned with our pals in Opeth in the fall of 2022!" - The Vintage Caravan
The Vintage Caravan released their new album, Monuments, back on April 16 via Napalm Records. As a thank you and to shorten the time until they can play on big, international stages again, the band has come up with a surprise gift for their fans, presenting a high-voltage studio performance video for their track “Sharp Teeth”, cut from their new album. With this track and the accompanying video, the band once again prove that they are not only full of pure talent, but also reach the absolute top in terms of technical expertise.
The Vintage Caravan adds: "‘Sharp Teeth’ is probably the heaviest song on Monuments and hits you flat in the face right from the beginning. It's an unusual one with heavy riffs, funk influences and all out epic harmonies. Accompanied by a video shot in Hljóðriti studios, we hope you enjoy!"
On 11 diverse tracks, these fast-rising musicians from Reykjavik truly cast a spell on fans of bewitching, guitar-driven classic and blues rock influences. The album opener, “Whispers”, clearly showcases the band’s musical progression without sacrificing their tried-and-true, retro-inspired sonic trademark. “Crystalized '' convinces with light blues influences, encircling the listener in enchanting guitar lines and quickly rising to the full extent of its power while evoking anecdotes of retro nostalgia. “Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind” takes its listener on a blistering ride through pounding drums, intense guitar solos and an undeniably catchy chorus, while tracks like “This One’s For You” represent a stunning blueprint in The Vintage Caravan’s musical universe with unconventional, surprisingly calm melodies and Óskar’s gripping, tranquil vocal power. In contrast, bold drumming merges with fast-paced riffs, enveloping an impressive galloping vortex and pronouncing tracks like “Dark Times” and “Said and Done” as top notch rock pieces. The softly plugging, atmospheric sound of album closer “Clarity” symbolizes the crowning culmination of a 60-minute journey through the eternal landscapes of Iceland and the poetic lyricism of the trio.
With their new studio-album, Monuments, and its captivating, stellar arrangements, these rising stars definitely know how to put their very own stamp on the retro rock wave.
Monuments is available in North America in the following formats:
- 1 CD Digipak
- 2 LP Gatefold Vinyl Black
- 2 LP Gatefold Vinyl Marbled Yellow/Red - limited to 300 copies
- Limited Diehard Edition - 2 LP Gatefold Vinyl Multicolor Splatter + Patch, Slipmat - limited to 200 copies
- Digital Album
"Whispers"
"Crystallized"
"Can’t Get You Off My Mind"
"Dark Times"
"This One’s For You"
"Forgotten"
"Sharp Teeth"
"Hell"
"Torn In Two"
"Said & Done"
"Clarity"
“Can’t Get You Off My Mind” video:
“Crystallized” video:
"Whispers" video:
The Vintage Caravan are:
Óskar Logi Ágústsson – lead vocals, electric guitar
Alexander Örn Númason – bass guitar, backing vocals
Stefán Ari Stefánsson – drums, percussion
Greek modern metal five-piece, Scar Of The Sun, will release of their third full-length, Inertia, on May 14 via Napalm Records. After releasing the first powerful harbinger, “I Am The Circle”, followed by exciting title anthem, “Inertia”, the unit now sets free “Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence”, along with an captivating live video that was recorded when Scar Of The Sun supported the mighty Rotting Christ in Athens on the last show before the pandemic hit with undeterrable force.
The song marks the second instalment in the album’s “Quantum Leap Zero”-trilogy and wanders between harsh elements and intense, almost calm moments, giving way to singer Terry Nikas’ hard-hitting lyrics and showcases Scar Of The Sun’s multifaceted nature, stirring up the anticipation for Inertia even more.
Scar Of The Sun’s Terry Nikas adds: “The third video of Inertia, second installment of the ‘Quantum Leap Zero’ trilogy, ‘Transition To Turbulence’ is the most indicative song of the album in my eyes! This was filmed at our last show before COVID hit, a magnificent sold out show as direct support to the legendary Rotting Christ in front of 2,700 people in Athens, Greece. This is probably my favorite song on Inertia and definitely the one that I am most looking forward to playing live again when the time comes!”
On Inertia, Scar Of The Sun utilizes scientific terminology to transmit their impassioned messages of difficult trials and social awareness lyrically, conveying an overarching theme that reflects one of society’s heaviest burdens – that financial gain has flourished at the expense of humanity and the livelihoods of everyday people.
Terry Nikas about the album: “Third strike, this album is our punch to the world disarray! The most aggressive album we’ve done so far indicates our current intentions! The main concept of Inertia deals with how financial interests act against the lives of everyday normal people, no matter where you come from, since profit knows no ethics and nationalities. We become lab rats and we struggle in our everyday life while at the same time that extreme minority that runs the financial interests see people like numbers and value our lives like ants. These are matters that concern and annoy me and I had to get them out of my chest.”
Instrumental intro “Hydrogen” stirs things up before kicking in with hard-hitting title track “Inertia”, evoking a truly thunderous verse and, propelled by blasting drums, leads into an undeniably catchy chorus, while the “Quantum Leap Zero”-trilogy conveys very intense and dramatic events that occured in Greece in 2015: Suppression, rise/revolution and huge defeat in the end. Beginning with “Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control”, Scar Of The Sun unveils a whole new instrumental facet of the record, splicing their soundscapes with distinctively desolate vibes. “Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence”, on the other hand, calls for an untamed storm to annihilate everything, followed by atmospheric “Oxygen”, smashing “The Fallible Experiment” and poignant trilogy-closer “Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust”. Inertia ends with “Anastasis” (Greek for “resurrection”), an intense track about the terrible pain of losing someone you love. With this closer, Scar Of The Sun manages to put agony into words and turn this palpable despair into emotive music.
Inertia was recorded and mixed by singer and songwriting mastermind Terry Nikas at Zero Gravity Studios in Athens, Greece and mastered by the legendary Jens Bogren (Opeth, Katatonia, Dimmu Borgir) at Fascination Street Studios, Sweden.
Inertia will be available in the following formats:
-1LP Gatefold Transparent Green + Black Marbled
-1LP Gatefold Black
-Shirt & Digpack Bundle
-CD Digipack
-Full Digital Album
"Hydrogen"
"Inertia"
"I Am The Circle"
"Quantum Leap Zero I: Torque Control"
"Quantum Leap Zero II: Transition To Turbulence"
"Oxygen"
"The Fallible Experiment"
"Quantum Leap Zero III: Thrust"
"Singularity Collapse"
"Zenith To Minos"
"Anastasis"
Madman's Lullaby has released their debut single, "In Your Mind", from their upcoming album Nocturnal Overdrive Part 1, to be released worldwide via MR Records on May 27. The music video for "In Your Mind" can be found below, and you can stream and purchase the single and the album here.
"MR Records is excited to announce the new album release from US rockers Madman's Lullaby titled "Nocturnal Overdrive Part 1". This is Madman's Lullaby's 5th album and the second on MR Records, this album lives up to its name big-time full-on hard rock... just how it should be. Nocturnal Overdrive will certainly rock your soul." - Peter Hoffmann, Director MR Records
“In Your Mind” was the very first song written for Nocturnal Overdrive. The song has always had such a great flow to it, so we had to sneak it into the live setlist at some select shows. The crowd response was enough to tell us, this song deserves to be the first single. We can’t wait to get back out to share all the songs with everyone” - Madman's Lullaby
Tracklisting:
"Love Rain Down"
"Next Show"
"Drive Me Crazy"
"Love Don't Come Easy"
"In Your Mind"
"Never Too Late"
"In Your Mind" video:
Lineup:
Chris Michaels - Lead Vocals
Mr. Brett - Lead Guitar
Luis Barillas - Bass/Vocals
Eric Arbizu - Drums/Vocals
Myles Kennedy recorded an acoustic cover version of the Black Sabbath's classic, "The Mob Rules", especially for Planet Rock. Watch the video below:
Watch "Get Along" and "In Stride" from the Planet Rock session below:
Kennedy showcased the musical diversity of The Ides Of March (out May 14 via Napalm Records) with the unveiling of the pensive ballad, “Love Rain Down”. The song displays the softer side of the upcoming album.
The genesis of the track has been around for years and is reminiscent of what fans and critics were drawn to on his debut solo album Year Of The Tiger. The acoustic introduction builds until the band - drummer Zia Uddin and bassist/manager Tim Tournier - joins in on the second verse and rides out the rest of the track. Lyrically, Myles delivers a plea born out of the longing for answers and solace from all of the dark possibilities of the day as he sings “Let your love rain down. Let it wash away the sorrows I’ve found.”
Watch the lyric visualizer for "Love Rain Down":
The Ides Of March will be available in the following formats:
- Digital Album
- 1 CD Jewel Case
- 1 CD Digipack (Napalm mailorder, limited to 500 worldwide)
- 2 LP Gatefold Black Vinyl
- 2 LP Gatefold Grey Vinyl (RoW only)
- 2 LP Gatefold Bottle Green Transparent Vinyl (Napalm mailorder, limited to 400 worldwide)
- Die Hard Limited Edition: 2 LP Gatefold Clear Splatter Mint/Violet/White Vinyl + Aluminium Print (Napalm mailorder, limited to 300 worldwide)
- Limited Deluxe Box: Glow In The Dark Vinyl + Cover Artprint + 7” Glow In The Dark "A Thousand Words” Vinyl Demo Single + Pendant + Slipmat (Napalm mailorder, limited to 700 worldwide)
"Get Along"
"A Thousand Words"
"In Stride"
"The Ides Of March"
"Wake Me When It’s Over"
"Love Rain Down"
"Tell It Like It Is"
"Moonshot"
"Wanderlust Begins"
"Sifting Through The Fire"
"Worried Mind"
"Get Along" video:
“The Ides Of March” video:
"In Stride" video:
Myles will be hitting the road to promote his new album on a socially distanced tour. Dates below.
June
23 - Kansas City, MO - Uptown Theater (Headline Show)
24 - Lincoln, Ne - Bourbon Theatre (Headline Show)
26 - Hoffman Estates, IL - Now Arena *
27 - Oshkosh, WI - Ford Festival Park *
* with Halestorm, Blackstone Cherry, Ayron Jones, From Ashes To New, Eva Under Fire
EVANESCENCE performed the song "Better Without You" on Monday's (May 10) episode of the daytime talk program "The Kelly Clarkson Show". You can now watch video of the band's appearance below.
Clarkson introduced EVANESCENCE by saying: "My next guests have been rocking it out for nearly two decades, earning two Grammys with their first album out of the gate. It's been 10 years since they've put out a new album, but they spent their time during the pandemic digging in creatively, and the result is a new LP that's certainly been worth the wait. Now performing 'Better Without You' from their new album, 'The Bitter Truth', give it up for EVANESCENCE."
EVANESCENCE and HALESTORM have announced a fall 2021 U.S. tour. Produced by Live Nation, the trek will kick off Friday, November 5 in Portland, Oregon, and take the bands to arenas across the country before wrapping up in the Northeast right before the holidays.
EVANESCENCE's next livestream event, "Driven to Perform Livestream Concert", will take place on May 13. Presented by Cooper Tires and hosted by Alice Cooper, the free concert stream will include several songs from "The Bitter Truth" performed live for the first time.
Fans can tune in at 8 p.m. CT on May 13 (2 a.m. on May 14 BST) via DrivenToPerformConcert.com or through EVANESCENCE's Facebook page.
Upon its release, "The Bitter Truth" charted at No. 4 in the U.K., making it the band's fourth Top Five album in the country. EVANESCENCE's first full-length release of all-new material in a decade, "The Bitter Truth" also debuted as the top-selling rock and alternative album in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music Connect.
Shortly after its arrival on March 26, "The Bitter Truth" rose to the top of the iTunes album charts in 22 countries. Recorded during the pandemic, it confronts the dark realities of the world head-on. Yet its resounding message is one of light, and that pushing through is better than giving up.
A kiss-off to the naysayers and the cheats in the rearview mirror, "Better Without You" explodes with the "metal catharsis" that runs through 'The Bitter Truth'" (Los Angeles Times). The official music video for the track was directed by filmmaker Eric D. Howell ("Ana's Playground", "Voice From The Stone"), who also directed the video for EVANESCENCE's "Use My Voice".
EVANESCENCE's new music was produced by Nick Raskulinecz, who also worked on 2011's self-titled LP.
On May 6, SYSTEM OF A DOWN frontman Serj Tankian was joined by students from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) to perform "Bari Aragil" at the Hope For Armenia virtual event hosted for Teach For Armenia.
The program in support of education in Armenia and Artsakh drew many attendees, including cameos by actress and singer Cher and entrepreneur Kim Kardashian.
Modeled after Teach For America, Teach For Armenia is a partner of the Teach For All global network, putting an emphasis on the importance of education so that children can continue to grow and thrive.
Serj previously performed "Bari Aragil" with his father Khatchadour Tankian more than a decade ago, and they even filmed a very special video for the track showcasing the two of them singing it together. It was featured twice on the Thanksgiving day Armenia Fund Telethon broadcast worldwide in 2009.
In November 2020, SYSTEM OF A DOWN made new music available for the first time since 2005 in order to rally for Armenia. They released "Protect The Land" and "Genocidal Humanoidz" and pledged royalties earned, including from purchases on Bandcamp, to the major non-profit Armenia Fund. Along with other donations from fans on their social pages, they have raised over $600,000.
Tankian was born to Armenian parents, with four grandparents who escaped from Armenia to Lebanon during the persecution of the Armenians.
Finland's Steve'N'Seagulls and Samy Elbanna (Lost Society) performed the classic Mötley Crüe tune, "Kickstart My Heart", on Seagulls’ Nest Episode 3. You can watch the performance below.
A message states: "We had a blast with this one - make sure to check out our friends Samy & Lost Society!"
One of the biggest names in Brazilian metal, Claustrofobia, recently released the single "Riff Cult" on all streaming platforms. The band have now released a bass playthrough video for the single, which can be seen below, along with the official music video.
The playthrough, recorded at the Swamp Loco Agency in Las Vegas, shows Caio D’Angelo installing the EMG pickups model 35 DC / 35 CS on the bass Jackson (set signed by Megadeth bassist's David Ellefson).
Yamada shows the composition of the bass for "Riff Cult", the second song that the musician composed with Claustrofobia and says: “Check it out, guys! It was in this song that I realized the importance of a more rhythmic bass, 'following' the drums more than the guitar itself, an experience that influenced me a lot in the compositions of the band's new album. It was recording this single as well that I realized the difference in using EMG pickups. The sound was much more defined and solid, with well balanced bass and medium basses, we arrived at the sound we used to record the next full album”.
"Riff Cult" was produced by renowned Brazilian producer Adair Daufembach who has worked with names like Megadeth, Angra, Kiko Loureiro, Aquiles Priester, Dirk Verbeuren and Tony MacAlpine. For Claustrofobia, the song is a tribute to the Riffs, a key component of metal. Vocalist Marcus D'Angelo emphasizes this aspect by stating “We consider a culture, a cult. It is the hook of all Metal, everything is born from the guitar riff. And Riff by Riff we are fueling our passion for Metal, fueling our desire to continue the legacy. The Riff is what addicts us in a good way. In this quarantine the love for Metal became more evident, without shows and without contact with the fans, so we decided to pay tribute and celebrate”.
GRETA VAN FLEET has released a performance video for the song "Tears Of Rain" as part of the Grammy-winning band's "Candlelight Sessions". The track is taken from the group's sophomore studio album, "The Battle At Garden's Gate", which came out on April 16 via Lava/Republic Records.
A bold evolution from the band's 2018 full-length debut "Anthem Of The Peaceful Army", "The Battle At Garden's Gate" came together primarily on the road or while in the studio after the runaway success of 2017's "Highway Tune" led to the band packing up, leaving home, and eagerly soaking up new experiences on an extended road trip around the world.
Over the past three years, GRETA VAN FLEET — vocalist Josh Kiszka, guitarist Jake Kiszka, bassist Sam Kiszka, and drummer Danny Wagner — played to hundreds of thousands of people across North America, Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and New Zealand. While driving to gigs, the first-time world travelers passed many unfamiliar sights, from the favelas in Sao Paulo to the Gold Coast of Australia and everywhere in between, meeting and enjoying conversations with fans and other musicians that opened up new worlds to them. To cap off the change-filled era, the quartet moved from Michigan to Nashville, immersing themselves in Music City's rich history. The melding of all these experiences opened their eyes to amazing new worlds of culture, history, philosophy and spirituality — and ushered in an entirely new way of looking at life and the approach to their music.
Accordingly, GRETA VAN FLEET poured everything they experienced into these new songs — the music reflects their spiritual and intellectual growth, increased awareness of the inequalities plaguing the modern world, and deep empathy for what other people are going through.
"We realized that while growing up, we had been shielded by many things, and we were unaware of a lot of things," says Wagner. "And then we were thrown out into this huge world, and it was a bit of a culture shock at first. But as we started to travel a lot, meet new and different people and experience different cultures, our definition of 'normal' changed."
"I suppose that everything has changed except what got us here in the first place," adds Sam Kiszka. "Everything — our perception of the world, perception of life itself, what it means to be an artist, what it means to be part of a beautiful, gorgeous society. We've gained a larger understanding of why we're all here."
In general, the album's arrangements are spacious and leisurely, giving the music pleasing dynamics, as the band touches on all manners of rock 'n' roll. "The Battle At Garden's Gate" is cinematic, capturing the breathtaking energy of an exciting fight scene or the smoldering passion of a brooding, heroic protagonist saving the day. The new music also illustrates that the members of GRETA VAN FLEET are paving the way for a new generation of musicians — ones that use rock 'n' roll's foundational elements to build an entirely new sonic blueprint.
Sonically, "The Battle At Garden's Gate" also feels bracingly modern, an embodiment of genre-blended musical freedom. Recorded in Los Angeles with Greg Kurstin (FOO FIGHTERS, PAUL MCCARTNEY), the album is ambitious and expansive, marked by epic journeys such as the second single, "Age Of Machine", and the Top 5 rock hit "My Way, Soon", which boasts a towering chorus hook and rip-it-up-and-start-again lyrics.
Josh explains: "It's very dynamic, lyrically speaking. And that's the human experience. It's much more than pain or fear; it's also beauty. People need people, and love is important." Lyrically, "The Battle At Garden's Gate" muses about the influence of technology on modern life; the role conflict plays in the global sphere; the deceptive fulfillment of tangible riches; and philosophical questions about life, love and power.
"There was a lot of self-evolution happening during the writing of this album that was prompted by experiences I had, experiences we all had, so a lot of contemplation occurred," Josh says, while Jake adds, "It's reflecting a lot of the world that we've seen, and I think that it's reflecting a lot of personal truth. What Josh does very well with the lyrics is telling ancient tales with a contemporary application."
For Josh, working with Kurstin provided the confidence he needed to push his songwriting into these vivid dimensions. "I'm always a little bit hesitant about my abilities as an artist; I think a lot of artists feel that way," he says. "But Greg hovering over me while I'm on the piano, taking an interest in what I was doing — that was really important for me."
That added confidence is obvious. Josh sounds commanding on each song, stretching his already-acrobatic voice to newer heights, while the instrumentalists fearlessly push themselves into new territory. Easy going organ and acoustic folk-rock riffs drive one song, while another ends in a torrent of guitar noise that rivals Neil Young's onstage guitar freakouts with CRAZY HORSE. "For all of us, the performances — and the aspects of them that are captured — preserve where we're at musically in time right now," Jake says.
The future is unwritten, and the sky's the limit for these curious travelers and truth-seekers. Josh says, "certainly after this, we've grown in so many ways. This album has taught us a lot, about life in general, about ourselves, about all of us, about the world we live in."
KK'S PRIEST, the new band featuring former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar) and Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals), along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE), bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX) and drummer Sean Elg (DEATHRIDERS, CAGE), will release its debut album, "Sermons Of The Sinner", on August 20 via Explorer1 Music Group/EX1 Records. Original KK'S PRIEST drummer Les Binks (ex-JUDAS PRIEST), unfortunately, sustained a wrist injury, but will make special guest live appearances when the band tours.
Today fans are able to pre-order the LP in various configurations, including an exclusive limited-edition autographed metal vinyl (silver disc) with bonus CD album, via the band's online store. The album can be pre-saved via all global digital streaming partners as well.
The powerful first single from, "Sermons Of The Sinner", titled "Hellfire Thunderbolt", is also available today and features a stunning new performance video. Of the song, Downing explains: "We are delighted to finally be able to release our first track to the world. It gives a real flavour of the sound and showcases the amazing players I've got in this band. We can't wait for the fans to hear the record."
"Sermons Of The Sinner" track listing:
01. Incarnation
02. Hellfire Thunderbolt
03. Sermons Of The Sinner
04. Sacerdote Y Diablo
05. Raise Your Fists
06. Brothers Of The Road
07. Metal Through And Through
08. Wild And Free
09. Hail For The Priest
10. Return Of The Sentinel
KK'S PRIEST, which pays homage to Downing's past, will play select shows to mark the 50th anniversary of PRIEST and Downing's career as a founding member. KK'S PRIEST's setlist will consist of PRIEST classics and new songs.
Owens joined PRIEST in 1996 and recorded two studio albums with the band — 1997's "Jugulator" and 2001's "Demolition" — before PRIEST reunited with Rob Halford in 2003.
Downing left PRIEST in 2011 amid claims of band conflict, shoddy management and declining quality of performance. He was replaced by Richie Faulkner, nearly three decades his junior.
In 2019, Downing said that he reached out to JUDAS PRIEST about taking part in the band's upcoming 50th-anniversary tour but that their response was that they were not interested in including him in the celebrations.
In 2018, Downing revealed that he sent two resignation letters to his bandmates when he decided to quit JUDAS PRIEST. The first was described as "a graceful exit note, implying a smooth retirement from music," while the second was "angrier, laying out all of his frustrations with specific parties."
Downing later said that he believed the second letter was "a key reason" he wasn't invited to rejoin PRIEST after Glenn Tipton's decision to retire from touring.
Downing, Owens and Binks performed a full-length set of PRIEST classics with MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson in November 2019 in Wolverhampton, United Kingdom. Joining them on second guitar was Mills of HOSTILE, the British metal band whose two albums, "Eve Of Destruction" and "The New World Disorder", were both produced by Downing.
Binks played drums on PRIEST's "Stained Class", "Hell Bent For Leather" (released as "Killing Machine" in the United Kingdom) and "Unleashed In The East" albums.
Brazilian/Dutch death metal band CRYPTA will release its debut album, "Echoes Of The Soul", on June 11 via Napalm Records. The official lyric video for the LP's second single, "Starvation", is available below.
Formed in June 2019, the four-piece consists of vocalist and bassist Fernanda Lira and Luana Dametto on drums (both former members of Brazilian thrash metallers NERVOSA), plus supremely talented guitarists Sonia Anubis (COBRA SPELL, ex-BURNING WITCHES) and Tainá Bergamaschi (ex-HAGBARD). They enforce a heightened level of potency and experience from their successful past and current projects, enhancing influences from both classic and modern death metal genres, plus significant extreme and black metal elements, to create a sound of their own.
"Echoes Of The Soul" was recorded in January 2021 at the Family Mob Studio (Brazil), mixed by Arthur Rizk (CODE ORANGE, POWER TRIP) and mastered by Jens Bogren (OPETH, DIMMU BORGIR, SEPULTURA). The cover artwork was created by Wes Benscoter, who is internationally famous for his stunning covers for bands such as SLAYER, KREATOR, BLACK SABBATH and many more.
Atmospherically dark and threatening, the 55-second intro "Awakening" prepares the listener for the oncoming ferocity of "Echoes Of The Soul", dispensing murky, fiery fuel into the death metal machine. Their significant sonic texture derived from various death metal subgenres and traces of classic thrash becomes instantly evident as the album begins, reflective of the entirely vicious, infernal aura the 10-track debut is about to unleash. CRYPTA unbridle high-powered sonic demons and nourish cumulative, explosive energy with raging guitar riffs, Lira's unmistakable vocal color and Damettos's menacing drums. Tracks like "Starvation", "Kali" and "Blood Stained Heritage" incite an uncontrollable storm of pure rage and belligerence, while offerings like "Under The Black Wings" and "Dark Night Of The Soul" deliver a message of pure hardness in perilous atmosphere. "Death Arcana" provides its listener further insight into CRYPTA's sonic mastery and captivates with sprawling solos reminiscent of earlier times, yet spiced with a modern twist.
"Echoes Of The Soul" track listing:
01. Awakening
02. Starvation
03. Possessed
04. Death Arcana
05. Shadow Within
06. Under The Black Wings
07. Kali
08. Blood Stained Heritage
09. Dark Night Of The Soul
10. From The Ashes
The first single and music video, "From The Ashes", was released last month.
Lira stated about the track: "The song is basically about the well-known tale of the phoenix, but in a more philosophical sense. It talks about the ever-changing cycles of life, about the many endings and beginnings we have to go through, about how many old versions of ourselves need to figuratively die in order for us to keep growing and evolving as human beings, and finally, about building resilience to endure all these rebirths."
The first audiovisual work immediately takes the viewer into the funeral spectra of CRYPTA's universe and also reveals full commitment on a cinematographic level. The track itself is an infernal omen of the album's sinister stories and already presents a first spark of their impressive interplay: Lira's forceful vocals, Anubis and Bergamaschi's bold axe attacks and Dametto's prominent sophisticated drumming summon the phoenix to rise from the ashes — with the last crackle of this debut full-length conjuring screams for more.
André Gustavo, movie director at O2 Filmes, said: "I believe the song perfectly matches the current moment we're living, during which all humanity needs to reinvent itself and be reborn 'From The Ashes'. The videoclip preparation itself can also be translated through it: building up such a big production during this terrible moment we're living was a big challenge to all of us. I believe, for all of that, from the creative and cinematographic perspective, we had a great final outcome for the video".
Goth metal icon Jyrki 69 (The 69 Eyes) takes us down the rabbit hole on his new 7" single with guitar legend Steve Stevens (Billy Idol).
Featuring a dark and compelling rendition of Jefferson Airplane's psychedelic classic, "White Rabbit", preformed with Stevens b/w a new song in collaboration with
UK goth rockers Rosetta Stone.
Pre-order the limited edition black and white splatter 7" vinyl here, and watch an official visualizer for "White Rabbit" below:
Frontiers Music Srl announces the signing of the Swedish melodic rock combo, Rian, to the label for a multi-album deal. The first release will be the band's sophomore album, Twenty-Three, on July 16. Fans can get their first look at the album via the release of the single and video for "Stop". Watch the clip below, and pre-order/save Twenty-Three here.
"Music is all about creating feelings. On this album we wanted to give credit to the desperate feeling we got listening to music when we were much too young to understand it," says vocalist/guitarist Richard Andermyr.
Twenty-Three took shape under the direction of producer Daniel Flores (Find Me, The Murder Of My Sweet) with these new songs being written during 2018-2020. They are based on melodies and lyrics written by vocalist/guitarist Richard Andermyr. The initial ideas from Richard were crafted into songs that the band arranged together, first with Richard and drummer Jan Johansson and later on with the full band.
Talking about the album's first single, "Stop", Andermyr continues, "I wrote the song 'Stop' in my living room, changing between acoustic guitar and my old upright piano. With the band, Janne just had to add that cowbell, Jonas came up with this cool bass riff, and Tobbe went crazy on the strat. In the studio, Daniel filled in the blanks on the keys. Seriously, all this stuff lifted the song from a nice rock track to the first single of the album."
Rian released their debut album Out Of The Darkness in July 2017, which was well received by fans and melodic rock media alike. The band made its live debut during 2018, which began the process of the band becoming more and more of a live unit. Add the amazing lead guitars of Tobias Jakobsson into the mix with the band and you have the cocktail that makes up the Rian 2.0 sound.
"We are really pleased to sign with Frontiers Music Srl. Since our first contact, the label has been nothing but helpful. We feel right at home with the support we’ve received so far and look forward to using this relationship to enable us to provide our fans with a steady supply of quality music for the years to come. Our sound can, in the easiest way, be explained as a modern version of classic melodic rock music, the way it was produced in the second half of the 80’s. The sound is American, but the melodies and chord progressions have very strong Swedish roots. Influences such as Bon Jovi, Dokken, Europe, Queensryche, Survivor, and Winger can be heard in the sound. Also, more modern vibes the likes of Alter Bridge have a presence in our music,” explains Richard Andermyr.
Tracklisting:
"Stop"
"In The Dark"
"Where Do We Run"
"Twenty-Three"
"For Your Heart"
"We Belong"
"My Ocean"
"Body And Soul"
"The Passenger"
"Stranger To Me"
"Your Beauty"
"Stop" video:
Lineup:
Richard Andermyr: Vocals / Guitar
Jan Johansson: Drums
Jonas Melin: Bass
Tobias Jakobsson: Lead Guitar
JOURNEY vocalist Arnel Pineda has collaborated with guitarist Joel Hoekstra (WHITESNAKE) and bassist Billy Sheehan (MR. BIG) on a quarantine cover version of STEVE MILLER BAND's "Abracadabra", taken from the 1982 album of the same name.
Arnel said: "Big thanks to my good friends for this awesome collaboration."
Recording lineip:
Arnel Pineda - Vocals
Joel Hoekstra - Guitar
Billy Sheehan - Bass
Van Romaine - Drums
Ollie Marland - Keys/Backing vocals
Lenny Castro - Percussion
Mixed by Chris Collier
Video by Tony Dickinson
Born in the Philippines, Pineda has been fronting the legendary rockers since 2007 when JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon discovered him leading a Manila cover band on YouTube. A vocal doppelganger for JOURNEY's longtime vocalist Steve Perry, Arnel has helped put JOURNEY back in arenas once again. But some fans were not happy about the addition of Pineda, complaining about his ethnicity and dismissing his voice as a "copycat" of Perry.
As a member of JOURNEY, Pineda has co wrote and performed on a pair of studio recordings, 2008's "Revelation" and 2011's "Eclipse", as well as a concert DVD, 2009's "Live In Manila".
Arnel is also a philanthropist, whose foundation, Arnel Pineda Foundation, Inc. (APFI), is a non-stock, non-profit, and independent Philippine foundation that provides underprivileged children quality education, health services and medical attention.
Pineda has overcome a tremendous number of obstacles throughout his life including, the loss of his mother at a young age, homelessness and borderline starvation, making him an inspiration and providing hope for millions of people around the globe. Blessed with the ability to give back, Pineda mobilized his team to join the battle against poverty and its ensuing havoc on Philippine youth.
For millions of youth in developing countries like the Philippines, education is seemingly beyond reach. Poverty and inadequate government support stifle the future aspirations of Filipino children. Hence, Arnel Pineda Foundation, Inc. was formed in 2010, principally to address their sad plight by preparing them for a brighter future through education.
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