UK alt-metal upstarts, Vexed, will release their debut full-length, Culling Culture, on May 21 via Napalm Records. The band have released a guitar playthrough video for their new single, "Misery", which can be seen below:
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
Playing blackened death metal, Saille built a firm reputation for their impressive live performances on festivals all over Europe in the past years. Saille is a five-piece, with members residing in The Netherlands, Spain and Belgium.
Saille have released a video for "Fetid Flesh", taken from their fifth album, V, out now on CD/digital formats via Black Lion Records. Watch the video below.
The fifth full-length album from Saille, entitled V, is another landmark in the band’s existence. After a rough period of time, Saille felt the need for a dramatic make-over, seeking a deeper darkness, both live and in the studio. Visually and sound wise Saille improved immensely and a new frontman from the Netherlands was announced. Jesse Peetoom is two metres of charisma, musical talent and vocal power.
The artwork for V, which can be seen below, was drawn by French artist Vincent Fouquet of Above Chaos (Inquisition, Tsjuder, Kataklysm).
Lyrically, Saille deals with "The fearful, the uncanny and the weird. Therefore, the album contains eight creepy tales, sarcastic stories with somewhat funny twists. It will make the listener quiver and shiver, with a grin on their face."
With the release of his sophomore solo album, The Ides Of March, just days away, Myles Kennedy performed his song "In Stride" as part of a recent Planet Rock acoustic session. Check it out 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
Apocalyptica is streaming a clip of their performance of "Riot Lights" at Pol'and'Rock Festival 2016. Check it out below.
Apocalyptica have released an official video for their recently released new single "White Room" featuring Jacoby Shaddix (Papa Roach). The song is available on all platforms. Listen to it here, and watch the new video below.
Apocalyptical recently stated: "We were really looking forward to this release. Doing a cover of such a legendary song, originally by Cream, was great fun and having Jacoby Shaddix as featuring artist is a big pleasure for us! We hope you like the song just as much as we do! Produced by Howard Benson at West Valley Recording Studios in Woodland Hills, California and mixed by Chris Lorde-Alge, we tried to give this all-time classic a new interpretation together with our friend Jacoby Shaddix."
July 30, 2021 sees the release of Common Ground, the self-produced new album from Big Big Train on their own label, English Electric Recordings. The new album, recorded during the worldwide pandemic, sees the band continue their tradition of dramatic narratives but also tackles issues much closer to home, such as the Covid lockdowns, the separation of loved ones, the passage of time, deaths of people close to the band and the hope that springs from a new love. New video for the title track, created by Christian Rios, is streaming below.
"This is unashamedly a love song. It is about finding things that we share and have in common with other people. When my partner and I first came together as a couple, we lived not far from Avebury in Wiltshire, a very Big Big Train kind of place. The chalk hills and standing stones were part of the imagery of our ‘Folklore’ album, and once again I was writing what was literally happening in the location in which we found ourselves. I remember seeing my white chalk dust footprints upon the black of the car mats after we'd been walking around Avebury. I'm pleased that we both get to have this time with each other and ‘Common Ground’ is about finding out the things that we have in common with each other and deciding what we want to do in life together." - David Longdon
Common Ground sees the band taking in wider musical and lyrical inspiration from artists such as Elbow, Pete Townshend, Tears For Fears, Elton John and XTC, as well as acknowledging their more progressive roots. As ever, Big Big Train will take listeners on a journey, be it waiting for the UK 5 PM pandemic press conferences (“The Strangest Times”) to the library of Alexandria (“Black With Ink”) to the bottom of the ocean (“Atlantic Cable”).
For the Common Ground tour, which will be their most extensive to date and which will culminate in the UK with a show at the prestigious London Palladium, Greg Spawton (bass), David Longdon (lead vocals, flute), Nick D’Virgilio (drums, vocals) and Rikard Sjöblom (guitars, keyboards, vocals) will be joined by Carly Bryant (keyboards, guitars, vocals), who contributes vocals to ‘Common Ground’, Dave Foster (guitars), who plays on two tracks on the new album, Clare Lindley (violin, vocals) and by a five piece brass ensemble. The band expect to announce North American tour dates shortly.
Big Big Train has taken lyrical and musical inspiration from periods of history that are recognised as great leaps forward. Now with Common Ground, they are making such a surge themselves. Preorders available on Bandcamp.
Tracklisting:
“The Strangest Times”
“All The Love We Can Give”
“Black With Ink”
“Dandelion Clock”
“Headwaters”
“Apollo”
“Common Ground”
“Atlantic Cable”
“Endnotes”
“Common Ground” video:
UK Tour 2022:
March
15 – York – Barbican
16 – Cambridge – Corn Exchange
18 – Birmingham – Symphony Hall
19 – Bath – Forum
21 – Glasgow – Royal Concert Hall
22 – Manchester – Bridgewater Hall
23 – London – Palladium
"Red Brick City", the first music video from HEAVY WATER, the new project featuring SAXON's Biff Byford and son Seb Byford of NAKED SIX, can be seen below. The song is the title track of HEAVY WATER's debut album, which will be released on July 23 via Silver Lining Music.
Soaked in gritty, riff-baked blues, yet rich with the sound and metre of classic hard rock, "Red Brick City"'s ten songs refuses to let you go. From the taut, elastic swing of the "Solution" riff to the rich, layered balladic strains of "Tree In The Wind", the LP moves with the class and cadence of a cracking journey uniting vintage rock 'n' roll sensibilities with the crackle and excitement of a fresh, youthful perspective.
With Seb on guitar and Biff on bass duties and both providing their vocal talents, the foundations for HEAVY WATER's sound are set in both that incredible father-and-son chemistry and a lifetime of know-how and experiences. Take the title track — and first single — "Red Brick City", all steam and smoulder wrapped around a riff SOUNDGARDEN would've been proud of, and then there's the sun-soaked smile of "Follow This Moment" with harmonies evoking the BEACH BOYS relayed through LED ZEPPELIN, a gorgeous 1970s trip right down to the fadeout.
"We decided to do something together in these dark times and the family came together to help get this album off the ground," explained Seb and Biff.
Seb Byford recorded and engineered "Red Brick City" at the Big Silver Barn in York, U.K., while the drums were recorded by Ben Hammond at Reel Recording Studio in York. Seb produced the album with Biff, and Jacky Lehmann mastered. "Red Brick City" sees Seb take the reins on guitar and vocals, with Biff taking up the bass and vocal mantle. Tom Witts plays the drums, while Dave Kemp rounds out the HEAVY WATER lineup on keyboards and saxophone. To cap off this family affair, the packaging photos were taken by Steph Byford.
"We had great fun doing this album, working together on the songs and recording during lockdown," concluded Biff and Seb. "It's all recorded without samples or profiles... just loud and proud!"
This past March, Biff told Sweden's RockSverige that HEAVY WATER is musically similar to that of Byford's first solo album, "School Of Hard Knocks", which came out in February 2020. "The songs are also, stylistically, very similar to the [SACXON's] 'Inspirations' album," he explained. "There's some laid-back stuff and there's some heavy stuff. I wouldn't say there's any prog rock on there, but there are definitely two or three metal tracks on there. Seb's a great songwriter, and he likes to play heavy guitar riffs, so I'm sure people will be interested."
Asked what it's like working with his son, Biff said: "It's pretty cool. We're both pretty set in our ways, so it's working really well. It's great for me and for him, really. I'm getting off on his excitement and his first time doing things, and he gets off on my that wisdom that I've learned over the years."
"Inspirations" was released in March via Silver Lining Music. The 11-track effort contains some of the classic rock songs that influenced Biff and the rest of SAXON.
Styx drummer Todd Sucherman and Overkill skinsman Jason Bittner teamed up for a drum duet.
Sucherman says: “My pal Jason Bittner asked me about doing a duet with him during this quarantine time in 2020, so I wrote this little samba based piece for us to play. We both had some fun, and hope you all out there enjoy some drumming brotherhood camaraderie! Thanks for asking me, Jason— and thanks to Eric Dorris for the editing too.”
Sucherman released his debut solo album, Last Flight Home, via Aqua Pulse Records back in May. Below is the official video for the song "Ad Lib Everything":
Paying homage to Todd’s deep well of musical influences, Last Flight Home is a melodic and deeply personal expression of the human experience. Each of the 10 compositions features Todd’s vocals and deep pocket drumming.
Says Todd: "This record was something I didn’t know I could do on many levels and I’m thrilled to be able to put this out, even at this difficult time. Voluminous thanks to you all for the support, kind words, and the inspiration to move full steam ahead!"
In November 2020, Lindemann - the duo of Rammstein frontman Till Lindemann and Pain / Hypocrisy mastermind Peter Tägtgren - announced they have decided to go their separate ways:
"As Till Lindemann and Peter Tägtgren confirm today, the two artists have ended their collaboration on the project Lindemann. Both will be pursuing their own plans in the future. Till Lindemann will be active under the name Lindemann within a new set-up in the future.
Lindemann and Tägtgren will say goodbye with the release of Live In Moscow on CD and Blu-Ray on May 21st, showcasing their March 15th, 2020 performance at the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia. Check out the official video for "Home Sweet Home" from the show below.
Till Lindemann and Peter Tägtgren released two album under the Lindemann moniker; Skills In Pills (2015) and F & M (2019). They released a total of seven singles and eight videos.
KK'S PRIEST has set "Sermons Of The Sinner" as the title of its debut album, due later in the year via via Explorer1 Music Group. Pre-orders for the LP will begin on Wednesday, May 12.
A snippet of the official music video for what is apparently the "Sermons Of The Sinner" title track is available below.
KK'S PRIEST consists of former JUDAS PRIEST members K.K. Downing (guitar), Tim "Ripper" Owens (vocals) and Les Binks (drums), along with guitarist A.J. Mills (HOSTILE) and bassist Tony Newton (VOODOO SIX).
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, Binks and Owens 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.
Announcing ‘Sermons of the Sinner’ - the new album from @judaspriest founder KK Downing.
"This weekend we want to wish all of the moms a Happy Mother's Day," says Union. "To celebrate, here's a rare clip of Bruce Kulick and John Corabi doing one of our more mellow tunes, 'October Morning Wind', in Munich on German television in May of 1998 as part of the promo tour for our debut album."
Union, along with Lindsley Records and Blackbird Entertainment, have announced an exclusive license with eOne Music to release both their self-titled debut album and The Blue Room on 180 gram remastered vinyl. There will be multiple formats, limited color vinyl, and tons of extras. Stay tuned for more details and release dates as they become available.
Union is comprised of vocalist / guitarist John Corabi (Mötley Crüe, The Scream), guitarist Bruce Kulick (KISS, Grand Funk Railroad), bassist Jamie Hunting (David Lee Roth, Vince Neil), and drummer Brent Fitz (Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy & The Conspirators, Vince Neil).
Formed in Los Angeles, California in 1997, Union released two studio albums and one live album: Union (1998), Live In The Galaxy (1999), and The Blue Room (2000).
One of The Big Four turns the Big 4-0 this year and is celebrating with a number of special activities and events to honor the landmark anniversary. Formed by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, NY on July 18, 1981, Anthrax was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth.
Active over the past five decades, Anthrax has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with The Big 4. The band has built a strong reputation with fans as well as the record industry. With the lineup including Ian, bassist Frank Bello, drummer Charlie Benante, singer Joey Belladonna, and guitarist Jon Donais, the band is being feted on their 40th anniversary by a wide range of friends and music contemporaries.
Each week, on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and wrapping on the band's official founding anniversary of July 18, Anthrax's social media accounts will offer a series of video testimonials sent in by former band members, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what Anthrax's legacy has meant all these years on. These videos will honor each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, Fistful of Metal. Go here for the full schedule, and watch the first three below.
The 11-week series will include video contributions from Chuck D, Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Dave Mustaine, Gary Holt, Gene Simmons, Henry Rollins, John Carpenter, Kerry King, Mike Patton, Nergal, Norman Reedus, Michael Poulsen, Rob Zombie, Robert Trujillo, Roger Miret, Darryl McDaniels (Run DMC), Slash, Tom Morello and more. There will also be video clips from former Anthrax band members Dan Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin, and Rob Caggiano.
The finale will come as a very special Livestream performance from Anthrax on Friday, July 16, featuring a deep cuts set that will pull from the band's entire career-spanning catalog. All details including ticketing information will be announced shortly.
Fans will also be able to get their hands on a special 40th anniversary-edition bottle of Anthrax bourbon to enjoy during the Livestream and keep as a commemorative keepsake. More details will be coming soon.
Episode #1:
Episode #2:
Episode #3:
Twenty-twenty-one marks Anthrax's 40th anniversary, during which time the band has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple Gold and Platinum certifications, six Grammy nominations, and a host of other accolades from the media, the music industry, and fans. In 1991, the band helped break down race and genre barriers when they collaborated with Public Enemy on the track "Bring The Noise," and was the first metal band to have its music heard on Mars when NASA played "Got The Time" to wake up the Mars Rover in 2012.
Along with Metallica, Slayer, and Megadeth, Anthrax is a card-carrying member of The Big Four, the four bands that defined the speed/thrash/metal genre. Anthrax has also introduced a series now sold-out signature whiskeys and bourbons and partnered with the Stockholm-based NEZUMI Studios for a high-end, limited-edition Baleine dive watch.
Twenty-twenty-one will see the release of Z2 Comics' "Among The Living" graphic novel with a track-by-track storyline inspired by Anthrax's iconic 1987 album, Among The Living. The book pulls together a "who's who" of names from the worlds of comics and music who created "bubble dialogue" and original artwork to express what the songs meant to them. Taking advantage of COVID-19's prohibition of concert touring, the band has been hard at work writing the next Anthrax album.
The At The Movies project - launched by Pretty Maids guitarist Chris Laney due to the COVID-19 pandemic - caught fire over the course of 2020, and project has now moved on to movie soundtrack covers from the '90s. Check out their take on the Bananarama / Shocking Blue hit "Venus", which comes with a message from the At The Movies crew:
"Since we messed up last time we now have a track that is in at least SEVEN movies! Taken from the movies: Grumpier Old Men (1997), Romy and Michelle's High School reunion!(1999), The Brady Bunch (1995), Alles Nur Tarnung (1996), True Love and Chaos (1996), Outside Providence (1999), Forever Fabulous (1999)... 'Venus' performed by Bananarama."
"Venus" is a song by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue, initially released as a single in the Netherlands in the summer of 1969. Written by Robbie van Leeuwen, it topped the charts in nine countries. In 1986, Bananarama covered "Venus" for their third studio album, True Confessions, which reached #1 in six countries.
The core At The Movies players are:
Björn "Speed" Strid (Soilwork) - lead / backing vocals
Linnéa Vikström Egg (Therion) - lead / backing vocals
Chris Laney (Pretty Maids) - guitars
Allan Sørensen (Royal Hunt, Pretty Maids) - drums
Morten Sandager (Pretty Maids) - keyboards
Pontus Norgren (HammerFall) - guitars
Pontus Egberg (King Diamond) - bass
AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson joined FOO FIGHTERS on stage during the May 2 filming of Global Citizen's "Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World" at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California to perform the AC/DC classic "Back In Black". Professionally filmed video footage of his appearance can be seen below.
"Vax Live: The Concert To Reunite The World" aired on Saturday, May 8 on ABC, ABC News Live, CBS, YouTube, iHeartMedia broadcast radio stations and the iHeartRadio app. With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), European Commission president Ursula Von Der Leyen, prime minister of Italy and G20 chair Mario Draghi, and president Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, prime minister of Norway Erna Solberg, prime minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, and the State of California, the special, hosted by multi-platinum recording artist, actress and producer Selena Gomez, included a night of musical performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, FOO FIGHTERS, J Balvin and H.E.R.
Two months ago, FOO FIGHTERS frontman Dave Grohl told "Anders Bøtters Tiny TV" about the first time he met AC/DC. He said: "I wasn't performing at the Grammys; I was presenting an award or something. I'm lucky to say that Paul McCartney is a friend, and I love him very much. As much as he's a hero of mine, he's also a very sweet man and a friend. And so he was in town too. And he called and said, 'What are you doing after the Grammys?' I said, 'I think maybe me and [FOO FIGHTERS bandmates] Pat and Taylor are just gonna have dinner.' And he said, 'Do you mind if me and Nancy [Paul's wife] come?' I'm, like, 'No. That'd be great.' So then he bumps into AC/DC in a hotel or something. And then they say, 'What are you doing after the show?' And he says, 'I'm gonna go have dinner with the FOO FIGHTERS.' And Paul said, 'Do you wanna come?' So Paul's wife calls my wife, and then my wife says, 'Hey, do you mind if AC/DC comes to dinner?' And I had never met AC/DC.
"When I was maybe — I don't know — 10 years old, I went to see that movie 'Let There Be Rock', the [AC/DC] live concert film, in a movie theater," Dave continued. "This is before I was punk rock. That was the first time I saw a performance and heard music that made me wanna fucking break something. And still to this day, I use that as reference for how I like to play a show. I wanna be like AC/DC 'Let There Be Rock'. That's a live band."
Circling back to the first time he met AC/DC, Dave concluded: "So then we had this beautiful night. And there was this jazz band. And it was one of the greatest nights of my entire life."
After Malcolm Young died in November 2017, Grohl posted a touching tribute to AC/DC's founding rhythm guitarist on social media. He wrote: "37 years ago, my friend Larry Hinkle and I went to see a midnight movie on a Friday night at the Uptown Theater in Washington D.C. It was 1980. We were 11 years old. The movie was 'Let There Be Rock'. And it changed my life.
"That film, a live AC/DC performance from Paris [in] 1979, is everything that live [rock] and roll should be. Sweaty. Loose. Loud. A relentless performance from the perfect band. It was the first time I lost control to music. The first time I wanted to be in a band. I didn't want to play my guitar anymore, I wanted to smash it.
"Thank you, Malcolm, for the songs, and the feel, and the cool, and the years of losing control to your rock and roll."
FOO FIGHTERS are continuing to promote their latest album, "Medicine At Midnight", which recently landed at No. 1 on Billboard's Top Album Sales chart with first-week sales of 64,000 copies in the U.S.
FOO FIGHTERS previously topped the chart with 2017's "Concrete And Gold" and 2011's "Wasting Light".
23,000 of "Medicine At Midnight"'s first-week sales came from vinyl LP sales, with CDs and digital albums registering 20,000 each.
"Medicine At Midnight" came out in February via Roswell Records/RCA Records. The LP is a nine-song, 37-minute effort which was produced by the FOO FIGHTERS and Greg Kurstin.
In the new video below, classical guitar virtuoso Thomas Zwijsen performs acoustic classical fingerstyle guitar covers of Iron Maiden's "Fear Of The Dark", Rainbow's "Temple Of The King", Deep Purple's "Smoke On The Water", Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and Survivor's "Eye Of The Tiger".
Thomas Zwijsen is most known for his arrangements of Iron Maiden on classical guitar; Nylon Maiden. Tabs and tutorial videos for all these songs are available here.
It's time to dust off the champagne flutes, pour a sparkling drink and dance through your living rooms again. Today, Sweden's one and only classic rock cabin crew embrace the first sun rays of a promising summer with their new single, "White Jeans".
Together with the sweet tunes of a summer anthem-to-be, Sweden's one and only classic rock cabin crew shares a video featuring the well-known Swedish TV personality Frederik Lexfors. Check out the video below.
The band states: "If this song doesn't make you wanna get up from your worn out brown velvet couch and throw on your crisp snow white jeans and throw a dance-off in the streets with your neighbors, nothing will! Spring is here, time to strut!"
The Night Flight Orchestra released their last album, Aeromantic, in February 2020 via Nuclear Blast Records.
Lineup:
Björn Strid – Lead and Backing vocals
David Andersson – Guitars
Sharlee D’Angelo – Bass
Sebastian Forslund – Guitars, percussion
Jonas Källsbäck – Drums
John Manhattan Lönnmyr – Keyboards
Anna Brygård – Backing Vocals
AnnaMia Bonde – Backing Vocals
Artillery have released their tenth full-length, X, via Metal Blade Records. For a new preview of X, a video for the album track "In Your Mind", produced by Morten S. Madsen / Popshit Film, can be viewed below.
In the mid-1980s, Denmark's Artillery established themselves as being at the cutting edge of the thrash movement, and nearly forty years later, they continue to destroy. Returning with their tenth - and aptly titled - full-length X, they prove once again that they have not missed a step, delivering a record that's ruthlessly heavy, catchy and pure molten metal.
"We wanted to have the typical Artillery trademarks, like the riffs and hook lines in the usual combination together with aggression and melody. We always try to combine melodic thrash metal with elements from the heavy sounds of the 70s and the 80s, and this time with new elements in some of the songs," says guitarist Michael Stützer. "We don't have to push ourselves hard when we're writing a record because we love what we're doing."
Sadly, guitarist - and Stützer's brother - Morten Stützer passed in 2019, which understandably affected the band. Having played a big part in shaping Artillery's songs and appearing on every album up to 2018's riveting The Face Of Fear, his loss is a real blow. "It was tough, even if he did not play live with us since 2016, he was always supporting us. Morten was a unique musician and writer and a very humorous guy, and following his death was the first time ever I thought about stopping playing music. But, he always said that I had to go on with Artillery and continue playing if he was not there anymore. He will be missed so much." Admitting it was very strange entering into the writing process without him, the brothers typically playing off each other a lot, they still managed to pull things together, helped by the contributions of new guitarist Kræn Meier, who has been playing live with the band since 2017.
X was tracked in Medley Studio in Copenhagen, Denmark with producer Søren Andersen, who the band have worked with on every record since 2009's When Death Comes. As well as his production work, Andersen contributed some keyboards to "The Ghost Of Me", also adding some effects to a few other songs, and the band recruited their drivers/merch men to contribute some backing vocals on four tracks. With the record in the can, the band are able to start to look toward what is next, hoping the Coronavirus pandemic passes soon so that they can get back on the road, but now is also a good time for reflecting on what they have achieved at this point in their lengthy career. "It feels great and awesome to have been going for nearly forty years. I'm so glad, and I am so lucky that I can do what I love the most, making albums and touring for our awesome fans. If anyone had told me forty years ago that I would have made ten albums and played in over sixty different countries, I wouldn't have believed it."
The album can be ordered here in the following formats:
- ltd. digipak-CD (incl. 2 bonus tracks)
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- blood red / blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 300 copies)
- viole(n)t blue marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- blue / red / white melt splatter vinyl (limited to 200 copies)
X tracklisting:
"The Devils Symphony"
"In Thrash We Trust"
"Turn Up The Rage"
"Silver Cross"
"In Your Mind"
"The Ghost Of Me"
"Force Of Indifference"
"Varg I Veum"
"Mors Ontologica"
"Eternal Night"
"Beggars In Black Suits"
"In Your Mind" video:
"Turn Up The Rage" video:
"In Thrash We Trust":
Unboxing video:
Artillery lineup:
Michael Bastholm Dahl - vocals
Michael Stützer - guitars
Kræn Meier - guitars
Peter Thorslund - bass
Josua Madsen - drums
One of the "Big Four" turns the Big 4-0 this year and is celebrating with a number of special activities and events to honor the landmark anniversary. Formed by guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker in Queens, New York on July 18, 1981, ANTHRAX was one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast and quickly became regarded as a leader in the genre alongside METALLICA, SLAYER and MEGADETH.
Active over the past five decades, ANTHRAX has released 11 studio albums, been awarded multiple gold and platinum certifications, received six Grammy nominations, toured the world since 1984 playing thousands of shows, including headlining Madison Square Garden and playing Yankee Stadium with the "Big Four". The band has built a strong reputation with fans as well as the record industry. With the lineup including Ian, bassist Frank Bello, drummer Charlie Benante, singer Joey Belladonna and guitarist Jon Donais, the band is being feted on their 40th anniversary by a wide range of friends and music contemporaries.
Each week beginning today (Monday, May 3), on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and wrapping on the band's official founding anniversary of July 18, ANTHRAX's social media accounts will offer a series of video testimonials sent in by former bandmembers, fellow musicians, colleagues, and industry veterans sharing behind-the-scenes stories of working with the band and what ANTHRAX's legacy has meant all these years on. These videos will honor each album in chronological order beginning with the original release, "Fistful Of Metal". Check out the second clip below.
The 11-week series will include video contributions from Chuck D, Corey Taylor, Dave Grohl, Dave Mustaine, Gary Holt, Gene Simmons, Henry Rollins, John Carpenter, Kerry King, Mike Patton, Nergal, Norman Reedus, Michael Poulsen, Rob Zombie, Robert Trujillo, Roger Miret, Darryl McDaniels (RUN DMC), Slash, Tom Morello and more. There will also be video clips from former ANTHRAX bandmembers Dan Lilker, Dan Spitz, John Bush, Neil Turbin and Rob Caggiano.
The finale will come as a very special livestream performance from ANTHRAX on Friday, July 16, featuring a deep cuts set that will pull from the band's entire career-spanning catalog. All details including ticketing information will be announced shortly.
Fans will also be able to get their hands on a special 40th anniversary-edition bottle of ANTHRAX bourbon to enjoy during the livestream and keep as a commemorative keepsake. More details will be coming soon.
Former ACCEPT guitarist Herman Frank has released an official music video for the song "Teutonic Order". The clip, which was created by Kai Swillus, can be viewed below.
"Teutonic Order" is taken from Frank's fifth solo album, "Two For A Lie", which is due on May 21 via AFM Records. The disc was once again mixed by Arne Neurand at Horus Sound Studio in Hannover, Germany, while mastering duties were handled by Robin Schmidt at 24-96 Mastering in Karlsruhe, Germany.
"Two For A Lie" track listing:
01. Teutonic Order
02. Venom
03. Hate
04. Eye Of The Storm
05. Liar
06. Hail The New Kings
07. Just A Second To Lose
08. Danger
09. Stand Up And Fight
10. Open Your Mind
Frank's band lineup is as follows:
Rick Altzi (MASTERPLAN, AT VANCE) - Vocals
Herman Frank (ex-ACCEPT, VICTORY) - Guitar
Mike Pesin (MAGISTARIUM, VICTORY) - Guitar
Michael Müller (JADED HEART) - Bass
Kevin Kott (AT VANCE, MASTERPLAN, HEAVEN'S TRAIL) - Drums
Herman joined ACCEPT in 1982 shortly before the release of the band's "Restless And Wild" album and exited the group for the first time after the arrival of 1983's "Balls To The Wall" LP.
When ACCEPT reunited for festival appearances in 2005, Herman handled second-guitar duties alongside founding axeman Wolf Hoffmann, with Stefan Schwarzmann sitting behind the kit.
Frank and Schwarzmann were involved in ACCEPT's comeback with Tornillo and appeared on the reunited group's first three studio albums: 2010's "Blood of the Nations", 2012's "Stalingrad" and 2014's "Blind Rage".
Frank's fourth solo album, "Fight The Fear", was released in February 2019 via AFM.
Two years ago, Herman told All That Shreds about his decision to exit ACCEPT in December 2014: "It was just time to leave the band. Let's put it this way: I wanted to do music the way I started to. I wanted to have my own band. I wanted my own music and just wanted to just play my own leads. Not to follow somebody's guitar. I was getting too old for it. It's fine to be a backup, but after a couple of years, it's time for a different thing."
Asked how it was different playing with current ACCEPT singer Mark Tornillo after performing with Udo Dirkschneider during the band's early years, Herman said: "Mark is a really nice guy and really promising. It's kind of a different voice and Mark really doubles Udo in his personal way. I prefer the style of Udo's singing. He is original ACCEPT. There is this voice sticking in your head. On the new songs, which Mark sings for the first time in ACCEPT, it's a different character, but it's very good. You can't compare them, really. They are a match for certain things, but they are quite different people. I do like them both. I couldn't have the decision which one I would prefer. It would have been great if they would put a couple of albums with Udo and Mark together. That would be awesome."
Paying respects to the Soviet Union forces in WWII and in time for the Russian Victory Day on May 9, Swedish heavy metal heroes SABATON have released their new single, "Defence Of Moscow". The song is a cover from Russian superstar Radio Tapok who has a huge following in Russian-speaking countries and who gained popularity by covering rock and metal songs in the Russian language.
"Defence Of Moscow" follows last year’s successful collaboration between SABATON and Radio Tapok on the live version of "The Attack Of The Dead Men". Covering the song in English and giving the song their unique SABATON style, the band is about to release another epic masterpiece that once again highlights an important turning point in European war history.
In order to give "Defence Of Moscow" the salute it deserves, SABATON created an extraordinary and strictly limited seven-inch vinyl single in red with a beautifully etched B-side. This rarity is only available for pre-order between May 7 and May 9, so make sure you place your order before it is too late.
SABATON bassist Pär Sundström states: "May 9 is celebrated as V-Day in Russia, the day to commemorate the victory over the Nazis in WW2. This year we participate in the memory of this event by releasing a song dedicated to the brave men who fought in the battle of Moscow.
"This track was originally written in Russian by our friend Radio Tapok. It's a very strong song and we thought it made sense that SABATON should give it a try to make a honorable cover of this song.
"We love to surprise everyone, and this is a great surprise."
Last month, SABATON released the English-language version of its latest single, "Livgardet" ("The Royal Guard").
SABATON's first new music since 2019's "The Great War", "The Royal Guard" honors the Swedish Royal Guards first established in the year 1521.
SABATON is arguably one of the most important bands to emerge from the modern metal scene, journeying forth with confidence on a steady ascendence that's rewarded them with five Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards (including "Best Live Band" three different years) and multiple nominations for the Swedish equivalent of the Grammy Awards, the Grammis. In 2016, "The Last Stand" debuted at No. 1 in three different European countries and cracked the Top 3 in four others. Joakim Brodén, Sundström, Chris Rörland (guitars), Hannes Van Dahl (drums) and Tommy Johansson (guitars) curate a festival of their own, Sabaton Open Air, that started back in 2008, as well as their own forward-thinking Sabaton Cruise, that is being held since 2009.
SABATON's ninth album centered on World War I, often referred to as "The Great War." "The Last Stand" delved into various "last stands" throughout history. "Livgardet" strengthens the band's well-known reputation as experts, aficionados, and storytellers regarding the triumph and tragedy of battle.
SABATON headlined London's Wembley Arena in February 2020. JUDAS PRIEST chose them as main support on their "50 Heavy Metal Years" tour of North America, scheduled for September and October 2021. The group will kick off 2022 with an unprecedented 29-city tour of their home country.
THE DEAD DAISIES have released a music video for their latest single, "Like No Other". The animated clip was created by Creative Works London using Epic Games' Unreal Engine, the software that provides tools for game developers
"Like No Other" features a ground-breaking multi-platform interconnecting narrative based around a gunslinging heroine named Daisy, who who was first introduced in THE DEAD DAISIES' clip for "Bustle And Flow". She now dominates in the Daisys Revenge mobile game, setting player challenges in Daisyland as her journey continues with THE DEAD DAISIES' latest single release as the soundtrack. The story picks up as Daisy travels to the future to face a new enemy.
"Like No Other 2021" is a radio edit featuring the monstrous beats of drummer Tommy Clufetos, who recently returned to the DAISIES lineup.
Influenced by 1970s rock, THE DEAD DAISIES have gone from strength to strength since their debut album in 2013, releasing five studio LPs and playing live to a growing army of fans worldwide. The band's current lineup includes Glenn Hughes (DEEP PURPLE, BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION) on bass/vocals, Doug Aldrich (DIO, WHITESNAKE) on guitar, Tommy Clufetos (BLACK SABBATH, OZZY OSBOURNE) on drums and David Lowy (RED PHOENIX, MINK) on guitar.
THE DEAD DAISIES' latest album, "Holy Ground", was released in January. Recorded at La Fabrique Studios in the south of France with producer Ben Grosse, the LP is the band's first to feature Hughes, who joined the group in 2019 as its new bassist and vocalist, replacing John Corabi (MÖTLEY CRÜE) and Marco Mendoza (THIN LIZZY).
Drummer Deen Castronovo announced his exit from THE DEAD DAISIES in January, two days after the band's publicist revealed that Clufetos will rejoin THE DEAD DAISIES when they hit the road in support of "Holy Ground". Clufetos previously toured with THE DEAD DAISIES in 2015.
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