Joel Hoekstra, best known to rock fans as the current guitarist for Whitesnake and Trans-Siberian Orchestra (and also known for his work with Night Ranger and the Broadway show Rock Of Ages), returns with his second album, Running Games, from his electrifying solo project, Joel Hoekstra’s 13. Joined by Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards), Joel and company pick up where his debut, Dying To Live left off.
Hoekstra stopped by Guitar World to teach the solo to his new single, "How Do You", from Running Games. Check it out below:
On Running Games, Hoekstra once again handles the bulk of the creative process, overseeing production, songwriting and arranging (music and lyrics), and crafting his vision for this powerful hard rock gem. Add Chris Collier’s masterful mixing and the result is ‘70s/’80s classic hard rock with 2020’s muscle. As with the debut, Running Games features an all-star cast of musicians including none other than Russell Allen (vocals), Tony Franklin (bass), Vinny Appice (drums), and Derek Sherinian (keyboards). The amazing Jeff Scott Soto also lends a helping hand with background vocals.
Says Joel, “Years ago, I released three solo albums that were mainly instrumental guitar music. With Joel Hoekstra's 13, I have started to work on something that showcases my production, writing, and playing in the genre that I'm known for, which is melodic hard rock.”
Like Dying To Live, Running Games can be described as Dio’ish at it’s heaviest, but is also influenced by the blues- based sound of Whitesnake as well as melodic bands like Foreigner, Journey, and the like.
Hoekstra says, "‘Hard To Say Goodbye’ definitely represents the more melodic sound of the album, but rock fans can also look forward to some aggressive tracks."
On Running Games, lyrically Joel focuses on escaping problems both past and present by providing playful, imaginary, and serious takes on the situations.
Long hailed for his fiery, tasteful guitar playing, Hoekstra’s playing here raises the bar to a new level.
Tracklisting:
"Finish Line"
"I’m Gonna Lose It"
"Hard To Say Goodbye"
"How Do You"
"Heart Attack"
"Fantasy"
"Lonely Days"
"Reach The Sky"
"Cried Enough For You"
"Take What’s Mine"
"Running Games"
"Lay Down Your Love" (Bonus Track - Digital)
"How Do You":
"Finish Line" video:
"Hard To Say Goodbye":
Lineup:
Joel Hoekstra (Whitesnake/Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - guitars
Russell Allen (Symphony X, Adrenaline Mob) - lead vocals, backing vocals
Vinny Appice (ex-Black Sabbath, DIO) - drums
Tony Franklin (ex-The Firm, Blue Murder) - bass
Derek Sherinian (Sons Of Apollo, Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) - keyboards
Jeff Scott Soto (Sons Of Appollo, Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - backing vocals
Special Guests:
Lenny Castro (Toto) - percussion
Chloe Lowery (Trans-Siberian Orchestra) - backing vocals
Dave Eggar (Evanescence, Coldplay) - cello
Katie Kresek (Adele, Five For Fighting) - violin, viola
Swedish heavy metal commando, Enforcer, will release their second live album, Live By Fire II, via Nuclear Blast Records on March 19. Today, the band releases a live video for the second single, "Destroyer". Watch below.
Olof Wikstrand comments: “'Destroyer'! The song where the title says it all. It’s another live classic from the previous five years that kicks the audience in their ass and get’s them going. Among my all-time favorites to open with and to play live.”
Live By Fire II offers an intense and passionate performance captured in front of a truly dedicated and wild audience in Mexico City, 2019. Live By Fire II lets you experience Enforcer at the top of their game and marks an outstanding live record documenting the group’s steady path to global recognition in recent years. It also serves as a stunning reminder of how many heavy metal anthems ENFORCER have crafted on their total of five studio albums so far! From the speed metal attack of "Destroyer." "Searching For You," "Midnight Vice" to perfect sing-alongs like "From Beyond," "One Thousand Years In Darkness." and "Take Me Out Of This Nightmare," the enthusiastic crowd and powerful sound of Live By Fire II result in a captivating and extremely entertaining listen.
Physical formats of the release will be including extensive booklets containing a tour program, liner notes and tons of photos compiled and designed by vocalist/guitarist Olof Wikstrand recapturing ENFORCER’s touring cycle for the albums From Beyond and Zenith during the years 2015-2020. Live By Fire II will be released as Gatefold 2LP with 16-LP sized booklet, CD with 28-page booklet, and digital album.
Pre-order the album in the format of your choice, here.
The full video of the entire show will be premiered on the release date. Set a reminder here.
Tracklisting:
"Die For The Devil"
"Searching For You"
"Undying Evil "
"From Beyond"
"Bells Of Hades" + "Death Rides This Night"
"Zenith Of The Black Sun"
"Live For The Night"
"Mesmerized By Fire"
"One Thousand Years Of Darkness"
Guitar Solo + City Lights Jam
"Scream Of The Savage"
Drum Solo
"Run For Your Life"
"Take Me Out Of This Nightmare"
"Destroyer"
"Katana"
"Midnight Vice"
"From Beyond" live video:
Lineup:
Olof Wikstrand - vocals, guitars
Jonas Wikstrand - drums, piano & keyboards
Tobias Lindqvist - bass
Jonathan Nordwall - guitars
Temperance will release their new acoustic EP, Melodies Of Green And Blue, on February 19 via Napalm Records. The new single, “Paint The World", is one of the six acoustic renditions of songs from their album, Viridian, found on the melodic/symphonic metal outfit’s new EP. After many years of band history and tours with genre giants like Nightwish, Luca Turilli's Rhapsodey and Tarja, Temperance will release Melodies Of Green And Blue – a gift to their loyal fans.
On this acoustic version, sparkling musical production hits multi-layered vocal harmonies in a dense and catchy acoustic composition. With “Paint The World”, Temperance invites you into a stripped back musical setting, offering glorious melodies and rich chords to pleasantly get lost in.
Singer Michele Guaitoli about “Paint The World”: "Together with the emotion of going acoustic, we also had the chance to write some brand new tracks for this acoustic EP, moving away from the original style of the band. Even though we released tracks like “Gaia” or “Scent Of Dye” before, “Paint The World” is a semi-acoustic ballad that would have been hard to include in any other Temperance’s record as it too much in between the acoustic world and the electric world. Like many other times in Temperance’s history, we immediately took advantage of this possibility that Napalm gave us, to experiment with something different and new. I believe in this song as you can clearly feel the influences of our youth, the alternative rock of the early 2000s, and the beginning of our musical dreams: the dreams of a bunch of kids who wanted to paint their own picture of this world.“
Watch the music video for “Paint The World” below:
Michele Guaitoli comments on the Melodies Of Green And Blue EP: "We’ve been talking about recording some acoustic versions of our tracks for a long time, as we all love the intimate and emotional feeling that this particular style can offer to any tracks. If you think of it, this is how most of our songs are composed: it’s Marco on his guitar or me on the piano. Everything for us begins in acoustic before going metal. This EP is a little dream come true, as we can finally show the heart of our music in its purest version."
In August 2019, power metal newcomers Northtale released their successful debut album Welcome To Paradise and recently announced their new vocalist, 30 year old Guilherme Hirose from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Today, the band is happy to reveal a new clip of the song "Bring Down The Mountain" with Hirose on vocals.
"After getting such amazing feedback on our new singer, you asked us to hear him singing some of the songs from Welcome To Paradise. Based on your feedback and your votes, we present you the first video of Guilherme Hirose singing 'Bring Down The Mountain'. That being said... just wait to hear him on our new album," comments guitarist Bill Hudson.
Hudson issued the following statement regarding Hirose coming on board as Northtale's new singer:
"Guilherme blew my mind through his initial auditions, nailing the songs from the first album as if they were written for his own voice. But he really shined on our new songs. When he sent me the first recording, I knew he was the guy. I had no doubt. When I presented him to the band to get their opinions, they unanimously voted for him! We’re a band once again! We’re currently recording vocals at Dharma Studios in São Paulo, Brazil with engineer Rodrigo Oliveira partnering up with Dennis Ward to deliver amazing performances. We’re once again ready to hit the road!"
Guilherme Hirose adds: "Well it’s just amazing being in a band with such great world class musicians. We’ve been talking since June, and in August I received a Bill’s call, telling I me was the chosen one. Things were shaping just great since, and the new songs sound just awesome (I know it’s a cliché, but that’s exactly how it feels). I’m very much looking forward to hitting the road, as soon as possible, having fun with the guys and with you in your city!"
Northtale recently announced European tour dates with Striker and headliners Unleash The Archers. Dates are as follows:
November
24 - Berlin, Germany - Columbia Theater
25 - Hamburg, Germany - Kronensaal
26 - Kassel, Germany - Goldgrube
27 - Zlin, Czech Republic - Winter Masters Of Rock **
28 - Wroclaw, Poland - Pralnia
30 - Ljubljana, Slovenia - Orto Bar
December
1 - Vienna, Austria - Szene
2 - Budapest, Hungary - Barba Negra
3 - Geiselwind, Germany - Christmas Bash **
4 - Mannheim, Germany -7er Club
5 - Leipzig, Germany - Hellraiser
7 - Lyon, France - Warmaudio
8 - Paris, France - Backstage
9 - Toulouse, France - L’usine à Musique
10 - Bilbao, Spain - Stage Live
11 - Madrid, Spain Shoko
12 - Barcelona, Spain - Razzmatazz 2
14 - Milan, Italy - Legend Club
15 - Aarau, Switzerland - Kiff
16 - Siegburg, Germany - Kubana
17 - Aarschot, Belgium - De Klinker
18 - Eindhoven, Netherlands - Dynamo
19 - Munich, Germany - Backstage Halle
This past Valentine's Day, Cleveland masked metallers MUSHROOMHEAD kicked things into high gear with the reveal of their first ever grindhouse-style "Shroomhouse" double feature: a 25-minute trip inside the minds of the masked madmen featuring two extravagant new music videos for recent fan favorites "Carry On" and "Madness Within". Both clips can now be viewed below.
The "Shroomhouse" double feature not only included the aforementioned music videos, but also twisted film trailers, cinema featurettes and more, all produced by the distorted minds of the members of MUSHROOMHEAD themselves.
MUSHROOMHEAD's eighth album, "A Wonderful Life", was released in June 2020 via Napalm Records. The follow-up to 2014's "The Righteous & The Butterfly" is accented by the sharp production of MUSHROOMHEAD mastermind and drummer/percussionist Steve "Skinny" Felton, as well as the standout mixing prowess of Matt Wallace (FAITH NO MORE, 3 DOORS DOWN), also recognized for his work on the band's classic offering "XIII".
"A Wonderful Life" was MUSHROOMHEAD's first album since the March 2018 departures of longtime vocalist Jeff "Jeffrey Nothing" Hatrix and guitarist Tommy Church. They have been replaced by Steve Rauckhorst and Tommy Shaffner, respectively. Longtime touring vocalist Jackie LaPonza was also named a permanent member.
"Those guys have been in the Cleveland scene for like 20 years and we've been friends forever," Skinny explained to American Songwriter. "They were actually part of our road crew 17-18 years ago, so there was no getting to know you period. We've all been on buses stuck with each other overseas and same with Jackie, she's been touring with us for over six years, so it was easy to work with all three of these guys. It was a seamless transition."
Boston five-piece, Wilderun, have released a new music video for their cover of Iron Maiden's "Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son". Watch the music video, which is off of the band's recent full-length album Veil Of Imagination, below.
"I originally chose this song as a cover because I felt like we could really give it the Wilderun 'treatment', if there is such a thing. Obviously, we are partial to longer and more epic tracks, so choosing this song just made sense. I always enjoy when bands make cover songs their own, and try to make it less discernible from their core discography than you might expect, so that's what we attempted here. Much of the guitar work still pays homage to Maiden, but we tried to match some of the atmosphere of "Veil of Imagination" with the symphonic elements, so it feels like it belongs to that same world," states Wilderun vocalist Evan Anderson Berry.
Just this past July, Wilderun re-released their third album Veil Of Imagination via Century Media Records. The album is available to purchase and stream here.
Formed in 2012, Wilderun have previously released two albums, 2012's Olden Tales & Deathly Trails and 2015's Sleep At The Edge Of The Earth. With a slightly different approach to creating music, the forthcoming re-release of Veil of Imagination transforms and expands upon Wilderun's already indefinable style, resulting in an album that is beautiful and fierce. Clean vocals transform into deathly growls as the band alternates between exquisitely-composed orchestrations and savage metal, all executed with technical prowess. Veil of Imagination is an epic, emotional and whimsical odyssey through landscapes of earth and mind.
Wilderun is:
Evan Anderson Berry (vocals, guitars)
Dan Müller (bass)
Jon Teachey (drums)
Joe Gettler(guitar)
Wayne Ingram (guitar)
WHITESNAKE celebrates the blues sound that helped inspire its multi-platinum career on a new collection that features remixed and remastered versions of the group's best blues-rock songs. "The Blues Album" is the third and final release in the band's "Red, White And Blues" trilogy, a series of compilations organized by musical themes that began last year with "Love Songs" (red) and "The Rock Album" (white).
"The Blues Album" is available for pre-order now, and will be available on February 19 digitally and on CD and as a double-LP set pressed on 180-gram, blue vinyl. Like "The Rock Album" and "Love Songs", all the tracks on "The Blues Album" have been revisited, remixed, and remastered.
A new video in which WHITESNAKE singer-songwriter David Coverdale unboxes the "The Blues Album" double-LP set can be seen below.
Coverdale says the music reflects how blues artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, and the three Kings (Albert, B.B. and Freddie) continue to inspire him. In the album's liner notes, he writes: "It's hard to find the words to show how profoundly they connected with my soul. But 'blues' to me is a beautiful word that describes emotional expression… feelings, be it feelings of sadness, loneliness, emptiness… but also those that express great joy, celebration and dance, sexiness and love!!!"
The new compilation delivers a potent mix of hits and deep tracks that originally appeared between 1984 and 2011 on six WHITESNAKE studio albums and Coverdale's solo album, "Into The Light".
"The Blues Album" showcases two of the band's biggest songs: "Slow An' Easy", a Top 20 Mainstream Rock hit in 1984 from WHITESNAKE's double-platinum album "Slide It In", and a brand new guitar-based remix of the smash hit "Give Me All Your Love" from the band's 1987 self-titled album, which was certified multi multi platinum. Other choice tracks from WHITESNAKE are also featured: "Looking For Love" and "Crying In The Rain" and "Steal Your Heart Away", which is available now.
"Restless Heart" (1997), "Good to Be Bad" (2008) and "Forevermore" (2011) are all represented on "The Blues Album" by multiple tracks ("Too Many Tears", "A Fool In Love" and "Steal Your Heart Away"). The collection also includes "If You Want Me", a studio recording released in 2006 as a bonus track on the live album "Live… In The Shadows Of The Blues". Coverdale also taps his 2000 solo album, "Into The Light", for "River Song".
BUTCHER BABIES have released the official music video for their latest single, "Yorktown". The song, which features a guest solo from guitarist Andy James (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH), was produced and co-written by Matt Good (FROM FIRST TO LAST). It is the third taste of the band's forthcoming EP, tentatively due later this year via an as-yet-undisclosed record label. Previously released tracks "Bottom Of A Bottle" and "Sleeping With The Enemy" are also available below.
BUTCHER BABIES singer Carla Harvey said: "What the hell is Yorktown, you ask? Well, it's our very own little Gotham, a world we've created wherein two vamps patrol the city at night while stalking each other like prey! The magic happens when our two anti-heroines form an alliance to defeat the seedy Yorktown underbelly.
"It's one of my favorite BUTCHER BABIES songs that we've written as of late; a true nod to our love for building characters and storytelling over heavy riffs. We scream, we sing…we save Yorktown from impending doom."
BUTCHER BABIES co-vocalist Heidi Shepherd said: "When writing the song 'Yorktown', it was fairly obvious as to what the video was going to look like. A superhero with nine lives! But this is BUTCHER BABIES, and what is better than one superhero? TWO SUPERHEROES! Offering a nod to female empowerment, when strong females unite, we can take over the world. Our two characters form a bond and promise to defend the residents of Yorktown together.
"From concept to edit, we had a hand in all aspects of our very own 'Gotham'. This video was filmed in Orem, UT at my parents' film studio, Shepherd Grip & Lighting, where the entire family joined forces to bring this idea to life. You can definitely say that this was a family affair. Both of my parents and all of my five siblings created the set design, lighting design, ran all the equipment, and took on many roles in front of and behind the camera. We were lucky to snag my brother-in-law, famed VFX artist Aaron Sorensen as our director.
"From the all of stunts to the performances, we are so excited to show the world the silly, comic side of BUTCHER BABIES. After all, we all have a little superhero in us waiting to break free!"
Asked in a recent interview with Syfy Wire's "Metal Crush" how BUTCHER BABIES' new material differs from 2017's "Lilith", Shepherd said: "It differs a lot. You still have the classic BUTCHER BABIES metal behind us, but I found myself wanting to sing more.
"When I first started BUTCHER BABIES, I was an angry young girl, and I had a lot to scream about. I'm a happy 35-year-old woman now, so I have a lot that I wanna sing about."
During a recent appearance on the "Hardcore Humanism With Dr. Mike" podcast, Shepherd and Harvey discussed their decision to part ways with their longtime record label. Century Media released the band's first three albums, including "Lilith", which reached No. 11 on the Billboard Independent Albums chart and No. 15 on the Hard Rock Albums chart.
"When we decided to exit our record label, it was a really hard decision," Heidi said. "We had the opportunity, and they were offering us money, to stay. And we didn't feel like it was going well, in a way. So, we just kind of, like, we dipped out. And ever since then, we've gone back and forth, like, kicking ourselves: Did we make the right decision? Did we not make the right decision? Like, how could we — we've always been signed, you know, and what kind of decision was that to not be signed? It felt almost, like, 'Shit, what did we do?' And I think that's where we were when we were writing the songs — like, why did we make this sort of decision? Well, now fast forward, as the songs are coming out. I don't feel as, like, 'Oh, crap.' I feel, like, okay, maybe we did make the right decision, because things are just fine. And it was a gamble. And having that gamble, I think, puts you in a really vulnerable state, by all means, and it was a huge decision. And in the end, I'm glad we made it. But I spent a couple of years really kicking myself about it. But the end result did turn out okay, and we've had it where the end result didn't turn out okay. We've had both."
Added Carla: "But that's okay, because the other special thing about our band — at least the three of us, the core members that have been together for so long — we're adaptable in all areas of our life, and that's a huge, huge thing to have on your side. And I've found that most people are not. If something changes in their life, it really sets them off, and they go off the deep end. But with us, we analyze the situation and really think about what we can do to put it back in our favor, and we're all committed to fixing it, even if it takes a while."
In July 2019, longtime BUTCHER BABIES bassist Jason Klein announced his departure from the band. He has since been replaced by Ricky Bonazza.
Symphonic metal opera Avaland has released "Rise From The Ashes", the new single taken from Theater Of Sorcery, due April 2nd via Rockshots Records.
"Rise From The Ashes" features Zaher Zorgati (Myrath), Jeff Kanji, Heli Andrea (Mobius, Olane), Emmanuelson (Rising Steel, Ellipsis), Zak Stevens (Savatage, TSO), Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear, Gamma Ray), Madie (Nightmare, Faith In Agony).
Inspired by heroic fantasy, history, mythologies, and esoterism, 22-year-old prodigy Adrien G. Gzagg. decided to create an epic story album with eight characters. Entitled Theater Of Sorcery, the debut will be a theatrical metal adventure that tells the story of a young sorcerer, Adam Wilstorm, who could be the salvation of bringing back the light to the kingdom of Avaland and during his journey, he must learn to control his powers linked to the Storm.
About the new song: "This is the great finale! And what is a great finale without all the actors of the show? That’s why I decided to make everyone sing on this song, to reunite the whole Avaland Family on a powerful chorus. With the first track, they are the two hymns of Avaland. It’s for these kind of emotions I created Avaland; I’m impatient to sing this song on stage! Every character comes back to Avaland and the light shines again. It’s a bit cliché but I like this happy end for this first album. It results perfectly of all the efforts we put in this first opus, and trust me, it was a long and hard road!" adds Adrien G. Gzagg.
Tracklisting:
“Theater Of Sorcery” feat. Emmanuelson
“Gypsum Flower” feat. Scheepers/Emmanuelson/Zorgati
“Let The Wind Blow” feat. Zorgati/Heli/Kanji
“Storyteller” feat. Zak Stevens
“Escape To Paradise” feat. Zorgati/Kanji
“Holy Kingdom Of Fools” feat. Jeff Kanji
“Never Let Me Walk Alone” feat. Madie
“Deja-Vu” feat. Emmanuelson
“I’ll Be Ready For Your Love” feat. Heli Andrea
“War Of Minds” feat. Zorgati/Madie
“Rise From The Ashes” feat. Zorgati/Madie/Stevens/Heli/Kanji/Emmanuelson/Scheepers
Millennial Reign spent several days last fall filming in the studio as they recorded the Triumph song “Allied Forces”. Anyone who has seen the band’s live set knows that this song was frequently played as their show closer.
The members of Triumph commented on Millennial Reign's version of the title track to their 1981 album Allied Forces, saying, "Great vocals; well done by everyone involved!"
Millennial reign also recently released a limited edition 4 song EP from their first album Carry The Fire, which has been aptly named Carry The Fire Again. The songs are updated with new vocal tracks by their current vocalist, Tiffany Galchutt and completely remixed and remastered.
Tiffany fronted the band as they supported Accept, Stryper and Y&T in late 2019 through early 2020. The new EP includes “Way Up High”, “Millennial Reign”, “Innocent Cry” and “Men Stand Alone”. The first single “Way Up High” was released in January, and a second video single will be released mid-March.
Turbulence, a new progressive rock/metal band hailing from Lebanon, will release their new album, Frontal, via Frontiers Music Srl on March 12. Pre-order the album here, and watch a lyric video for the song "Ignite" below.
Coming from a region not exactly famous for prog music, Turbulence has emerged from their local scene and is ready to compete on a world stage. The band is preparing to unleash their sophomore album, Frontal, a concept album which showcases Turbulence's ability to combine compelling musical storytelling with modern sounds and production.
Turbulence was founded in 2013 by two extremely gifted composers, guitarist Alain Ibrahim and keyboardist Mood Yassin. Omar El Hage (vocals), Sayed Gereige (drums) and Anthony Atwe (bass) round out the band's line-up. The band started when Mood sent Alain a sample of a song that really piqued his interest. The meeting of the two men felt like an inevitable event and the two prog-loving songwriters, both among the most skilled and proficient musicians and instrumentalists in their country, teamed up with the rest of the line-up to complete their shared vision. Turbulence's goal is to bring their unique style of progressive music from the Middle East to the world.
"Our first release with Frontiers will be our second album, titled Frontal, on which we were able to incorporate compelling musical storytelling with a modern sound that fuses a bit of everything. From rhythmic illusions, polyrhythms, somber melodies, a melting pot of crunching synths, soaring vocals, complex drumming, and a never ending stream of riff carnage that fuses jazz virtuosity with prog metal tension, all the way to ambient soundscapes and textures layered with memorable and heart-piercing clean vocals; it's an emotional roller coaster of a journey filled with surprises and details on every corner," adds the band.
"'Madness Unforeseen' sets the mood for Frontal. It is aggressive and moody, carried by soaring vocals over one of the catchiest choruses on the album. Dark themes of madness haunt the lyrics, banging riffery drives the music. It is definitely the perfect appetizer for the album," concludes the band.
This band will be a stunning revelation for all prog metal lovers, so be sure to start following them now and get ready for Frontal on March 12.
Tracklisting:
"Inside The Gage"
"Madness Unforeseen"
"Dreamless"
"Ignite"
"A Place I Go To Hide"
"Crowbar Case"
"Faceless Man"
"Perpetuity"
"Ignite" lyric video:
"Madness Unforeseen" video:
Lineup:
Omar El Hage - vocals
Alain Ibrahim - guitars
Mood Yassin - keyboards
Sayed Gereige - drums
Anthony Atwe - bass
Emerging from the Finnish coastal town of Kotka, melodic death/doom metal strikers Marianas Rest will unleash their third studio album, Fata Morgana, on March 12 via Napalm Records. The band have released this guitar playthrough video for the album's first single, "Glow From The Edge":
The Finns - featuring Jaakko Mäntymaa on vocals and Omnium Gatherum’s Aapo Koivisto on keys - showcase a true virtuosity of heavy riffs, hypnotizing soundscapes and impetuous tempo-changes on their new work of art. Fata Morgana combines intense melodic death metal spiced with significant doom elements and breathes an overall melancholic theme with every note, which the first output, “Glow From The Edge”, is proof of. Atmospheric guitar tones set the stage for this gloomy melodic death and doom metal offering. Spoken words permeate the listener’s brain, soon erupting in harsh and intense growling while the dreamlike backing vocals of guest musician Lindsay Matheson/Schoolcraft are carried along with sophisticated melodies.
Fata Morgana marks the final chapter of a trilogy that began when Marianas Rest released their first full-length, 2016’s Horror Vacui, followed by the critically acclaimed full-length Ruins (2019). The series encompasses themes of isolation, eventual mental collapse and emergence from that woeful state, respectively - however, the band invites fans to experience the concept from their own perspectives.
The upcoming eight-song epos delivers atmospheric melodies that are as endless and fascinating as the overwhelming beauty of Finnish nature, which tracks like the expressive “The Weight” or authentic “Pointless Tale” are evidence of. Topped by guest appearances of Timo Virkkala, who shares his awesome cello magic, and the bewitching backing vocals of Lindsay Matheson/Schoolcraft (ex-Cradle Of Filth), Marianas Rest take their creative output to the next level and make Fata Morgana a must-have for fans of bands like Insomnium and My Dying Bride.
Marianas Rest on Fata Morgana: "Fata Morgana is a voyage into isolation. A passage to a place where minds get distorted by the cold."
This melodic melancholy is produced by Teemu Aalto (Insomnium, Omnium Gatherum) and Marianas Rest, recorded and mixed by Teemu Aalto at Teemu Aalto Music Productions and mastered by Svante Forsbäck at Chartmakers, who received a Grammy nomination with Candlemass feat. Tony Iommi for Best Metal Performance.
Fata Morgana will be available in the following formats:
- 2LP Gatefold Marbled Black/White (Napalm Mailorder Only)
- 2LP Gatefold Black
- CD Digipack
- Digital Album
"Sacrificial"
"Glow From The Edge"
"Pointless Tale
"The Weight"
"Horrokseen"
"Fata Morgana"
"Advent Of Nihilism"
"South Of Vostok"
“Glow From The Edge” video:
“Glow From The Edge” behind the scenes:
As a special bonus, Marianas Rest will release a limited edition reissue of their aforementioned second studio album, Ruins, on vinyl for the first time ever on March 12 via Napalm Records. Unleashed back in April 2019, the Finns’ full-length tells the story of how a mind slowly crumbles, about introversion, putting up mental walls and eventually disappearing inside your own head.
Available as a 2LP Gatefold Marbled Black/White vinyl (limited to 300 copies), this is a must have for fans of this somber manifest of heavy riffs and grieving melodies.
Hard rock/metal band, Prey For Sunday, have released their new single, "Don't Let It End", to all digital platforms. The single is off of their new self-titled EP, available now. Watch the clip below.
Prey For Sunday was formed in Los Angeles, California in 2018. Founded by guitarist/songwriter Neal Grusky, lead singer/songwriter Tony Persico, and bassist Shad.
Neal and Tony worked with producer/songwriter Peter Strzelecki to write and record the first Prey For Sunday album. Realizing the immediate chemistry they shared a vision; a need to create a unique, memorable sound that would go on to become Prey For Sunday - music that’s made to stand the test of time. They pride themselves in creating musically dynamic songs, with meaningful, melodic, and “like it is” lyrical content.
The collective members of Prey For Sunday have been involved in bands that have released over seven albums worldwide, participated in world tours, received extensive radio play, magazine exposure, and featured in three books. As well as having sold CD’s, and music streams that have exceeded over 100,000 plays/streams thus far.
Prey For Sunday works as a band that dedicates themselves to their fans and the pursuit of meaningful successful songs, With music and songwriting as one of its strongest assets, the band continues to improve, evolve, and commit themselves to the music that moves weary hearts.
Tracklisting:
"Don't Let It End"
"Broken Hearted Man"
"Mary Go Round"
"Zombies Restored"
"Right From Wrong"
St. Louis synth metal trio, The Lion's Daughter, will be releasing their fourth full-length, Skin Show, on April 9 via Season Of Mist. The band have released the unnerving and NSFW music video for the new single, "Sex Trap". The clip features visuals from Mothmeister and Guilherme Henriques, the latter of whom created the video. Check it out below.
Skin Show could serve as the soundtrack to Times Square in the 1970s - the epicenter of sin and salacious misdeeds; a haven for sex, drugs, and crime beneath the inviting glow of neon signs from sleazy adult video stores; a place one would not dare walk alone after midnight unless tempted by devil himself. Its deviant, raw, nasty, disturbing, and yet, the most lively, evolved, and polished version of the trio yet.
Canadian prog-metal veterans, Empyria, have called it quits. A message from the band follows:
"After 30 years, Empyria is officially over. Thanks to everyone who supported us and all the bands we had the privilege to play with. Thank you!!! All Empyria will still be available through Scrape Records. One last video for "Returning Home" with archived/unseen video & photos from 1991-2021."
Swiss-Italian progressive metal masters, Virtual Symmetry, have just released the video for the new single, “Safe”. The song is taken from their sophomore full-length album, Exoverse, released in June 30, 2020. Watch the video below, and order the album at this location. Additionally, Exoverse is now available on Spotify.
Exoverse is their first concept album, telling the story about a hero traveling to a new dimension beyond the known universe in order to discover himself.
The opus was recorded at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios in Bath, UK and it features many special guests, such as legendary drummer Thomas Lang, Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess, saxophonist Ruben Paganelli and the symphonic orchestra Sinfonietta Consonus, Evergrey’s Tom S. Englund, singer Jennifer Vargas and the gospel choir NuVoices Project.
Virtual Symmetry are a revelation in the progressive metal universe, stunning their fans and listeners. Influenced by classical music and contemporary metal, the band showcases a unique style characterized by epic suites and cinematic elements. Balancing melody and technique, they lead the listeners through a dynamic and emotional journey in each track.
The newly reunited Blu Bones have released a video for "She's Got A Way With Love", which can be seen below.
The band consists of current and ex-members of Honeymoon Suite, Roger Hodgson, Harem Scarem, Kim Mitchell, Corey Hart, Gypsy Rose, Carl Dixon and more. Two time Grammy award winner Matty Green mixed the track. He's also worked with Weezer, Sir Paul McCartney, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, U2 and Coldplay to name a few.
Blu Bones are:
Gord Prior - vocals
Boris Novosel - guitar
Barry Donaghy - bass
Steve Thomas - drums
Ray Coburn - keyboards
Neonfly have announced their worldwide signing with German powerhouse label Noble Demon, who will release the band’s upcoming full length record, The Future, Tonight, on June 18th.
Joining the already eclectic and growing artist roster of Noble Demon, Neonfly guitarist Frederick Thunder offers:
“This album has dominated our lives for the past five to six years. We’ve put so much time, money and effort into it, and we did it because we really feel like this is the best and most important album of our careers. With the stakes being so high, it was extremely important for us to work with the right group of people for its release. Noble Demon is a relatively new name. But Patrick, the head of the label, has been in the business for years. He’s really passionate about the bands he works with, and he was recommended by pretty much everyone I know in the business. So far everything’s worked out great. I think we found the right partners to take the band to new heights, and I’m really excited for the future. I think this will be the start of a long and fruitful collaboration!”
In anticipation of the upcoming full-length release, Neonfly have forged a creative relationship with renowned Instagram star and fetish goddess, Dani Divine, who graces and defines the band’s brand new single and music video: a cover of the 1970’s Shocking Blue classic "Venus" accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek video homage to female empowerment.
The Neonfly cover track was produced by Grammy award nominated producer Romesh Dodangoda (Bring Me The Horizon, Motörhead), with keyboards and orchestra produced by Miro Rodenberg (Avantasia, Kamelot) and the video features a stand-out performance from the divine Ms. Divine who gives the band short shrift throughout. Furthermore, and even if you don't expect it, Dani not only shines with a breathtaking performance, but also makes her vocal debut in "Venus", which gives the whole song a very special and unforgettable touch:
"When I first heard about the idea, I was psyched about the song choice! I have a thing for sexy metal covers of cheesy songs. This was my first time professionally recording vocals, and I enjoyed it so much! Shooting the video with the guys was a full day of non-stop hilarious shenanigans - all the while channeling my inner 'Venus' dressed head to toe in latex," Dani Divine explains.
Furthermore, guitarist Frederick Thunder adds:
"Last year during lockdown, we were releasing some fan-picked acoustic covers on YouTube, and this was one of the songs that was suggested. I started working on the arrangement, messing around with some ideas on the acoustic guitar… I like to mess around with covers. I like to come up with my own version, and to offer something different and unique, rather than just a carbon copy of the original. So I came up with some really metal riffs, and then I came up with this dark, moody interlude in the middle, and I thought: ‘Wouldn’t it be fun if I wrote a little paragraph and managed to convince Dani Divine to play the part of Venus in the song? But then we’d have to do a full band cover of this, not just an acoustic…’ so I texted Dani, told her about the idea… and on the music video you can see exactly what happened next!"
SUNSTORM, a project created, overseen, and directed by president and A&R director of Frontiers Records Serafino Perugino, was originally designed to showcase a musical style similar to singer Joe Lynn Turner's melodic rock/AOR roots. After five successful releases, SUNSTORM will now be a vehicle for one of the most impressive vocal talents to emerge in recent years in the form of RAINBOW singer Ronnie Romero. Romero's debut album with SUNSTORM, "Afterlife", will be released on March 12. Fans can get another taste of the album with the release of the single and video for the track "Afterlife".
Given Turner's lack of interest in continuing with SUNSTORM, it appeared the project might be at an end. But Perugino decided to follow his instincts and keep the project alive and move it back towards the original musical style that was established with the early albums. But with Turner out of the picture, who could replace the formidable vocalist?
Ronnie's name came about when the label decided that continuing the successful project was a must and that the music being crafted would put it back at the forefront of the scene… assuming the right vocalist was involved. And who better than Romero with his powerful vocal style?
With producer Alessandro Del Vecchio as usual handling the songwriting and Perugino overseeing the A&R and creative direction, the new SUNSTORM album will surely catch many in the melodic rock fanbase by surprise. For the first time, the amazing Ronnie Romero enters into melodic hard rock territory… and with outstanding results.
On joining SUNSTORM, Romero says: "For me, it's very special to join and take part in the new SUNSTORM album since it always was one of my all time favorite Frontiers projects. To accept the huge task and responsibility of replacing JLT is a challenge I just couldn't pass on. To work with Alessandro was fantastic. We have very melodic and strong songs throughout the album and I'm pretty sure the SUNSTORM fans are gonna love every track, as I do. Can't wait for the fans to listen to the album!! At this point, it's cranking in my car every day."
Lineup:
Ronnie Romero - Vocals
Simone Mularoni - Guitars
Alessandro Del Vecchio - Keyboards, backing vocals
Nik Mazzucconi - Bass
Michele Sanna - Drums
Track listing:
01. Afterlife
02. One Step Closer
03. Swan Song
04. Born Again
05. Stronger
06. I Found A Way
07. Lost Forever
08. Far From Over
09. Here For You Tonight
10. Darkest Night
11. A Story That You Can Tell
Turner, who recorded five albums with SUNSTORM between 2006 and 2018, addressed his decision to walk away from the project in a recent interview with Vintage Rock Pod. He said: "First off, I had no idea they [Frontiers] were continuing the SUNSTORM brand. And I had no idea that they would use a replacement singer. And that's not even so much as what I was sort of disgruntled about it all.
"I realized I had to make a statement [addressing my reasons for no longer being involved with SUNSTORM] when I saw all the legion of my fans, who are vicious sometimes — which I love about them — complaining to me, and saying how immoral and how lack of integrity in all this was.
"Yes, I left the project," Joe confirmed. "But I left the project not because of what they think. That's why I had to make a statement to clear this up. I made two statements to clear this up, especially for the fans, because I wanted them to know I don't hate AOR, classic rock, as they [Frontiers] sort of pointed out that I was leaving classic rock for a heavier sound.
"Look, an artist moves around and evolves and does different types of genres and experiments," Turner explained. "It's like a painter or anything else. So that was the truth, so I just wanted to clear that up. Then it got into the fact that Frontiers started saying, 'Oh, well, it's like a band. You can change the lead singer anytime you want.' And that is not entirely true at all. This project was made for me specifically because of a tape that Serafino had found [of] all of my old demos. And there was a lot of demos that never made it to my solo albums — I had done a lot of writing. And then he said, 'Why don't we record these? They're great songs.' So, I said, 'Yeah. That sounds like a great concept.' So this was an actual Joe Lynn Turner project, SUNSTORM. And I worked, like, 12 [or] 14 years on these things, sporadically, over five albums. The first three were closer to the truth. Then it started to drift. So, as it started to drift, lose its purpose, lose its meaning, lose its direction, and they were taking over more and more creative control, et cetera, and there were a couple of business deals in there — I don't wanna get into it — I said, 'Look, I'm not going to supply you with old material, or even new material, if this is gonna be the case.' So, naturally, my interest waned — I became very disinterested in the whole thing. And I said, 'Look, I'm not getting any validation out of this.'
"What it was originally was fantastic, and I think those albums are very strong and will last the test of time," Joe continued. "But it started to change. So I basically wrote the second statement because I needed to really define exactly what was going on. I didn't like what they were saying, twisting my words like that. Actually, just twisting the truth — it wasn't my words. And I wanted the fans to know I could do an AOR album tomorrow. I could be doing AOR as well as any other type of heavy metal album or whatever else I wanna do. That doesn't stop me from doing it. What stopped me was the total control of creativity [and] lack of respect, I think. So my issue was not so much as — they own the brand. It's their record company. SUNSTORM's their brand. But if you're gonna do something like that, call it something else. Just simply call it MOONSHINE, or whatever. No problem here. But don't try to sell the fans on this B.S. that, well, I wanted to leave, and it's all my fault, and it's okay to change singers, and all this. That's what aggravated me. So I set the record straight. And the fans did the rest. They are just amazing; I wanna applaud them. Thank you so much, guys. I didn't have to do anything after that.
"I don't have any animosity towards [anybody] or anything like that; it's just that, don't lie about it," Joe clarified.
Drum-cam footage of MACHINE HEAD drummer Matt Alston performing the song "Halo" with his bandmates during their January/February 2020 North American tour can be seen below.
MACHINE HEAD frontman Robb Flynn spoke to France's HEAVY1 about the addition of Polish guitarist Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka (DECAPITATED) and British drummer Alston (DEVILMENT, EASTERN FRONT) to the group's ranks. Kiełtyka and Alston joined MACHINE HEAD in time for the 25th-anniversary tour for the band's classic debut, "Burn My Eyes", which kicked off in Germany in October 2019.
"We were doing auditions for a while, and Vogg's audition just fucking blew my mind — it was so fucking tight and fucking accurate," Flynn stated about how the guitarist ended up landing the gig. "He sent over [a recording of] 'Imperium' as his first song just as a test. We always had all the dudes do a sound test, just to make sure the levels are good and stuff. I was, like, 'Oh my God! This dude is playing 'Imperium' better than I can right now.' [Laughs] It was crazy. And we ended up talking. Super-nice guy. Matt, same thing. We flew him out, jammed with him, and he killed it."
Each show on MACHINE HEAD's latest tour was described in a press release as "a three-hour musical extravaganza," comprised of two parts: part one features a battery of MACHINE HEAD's modern classics, such as "Imperium", "Halo" and "Now We Die", featuring Flynn and bassist Jared MacEachern performing alongside Kiełtyka and Alston. Part two features "Burn My Eyes" played in its entirety for the first time ever, with original drummer Chris Kontos and guitarist Logan Mader joining in.
Asked how all the musicians are getting along and whether they are traveling together, Flynn told HEAVY1: "We're all in the band together — we all live together. The band's all on the bus — all six of us. And it's a great ride, man. Everybody is very respectful; everybody knows their role and just kind of doing it here and enjoying it. Everybody is out here having a blast. It's so nice to have people who are in a positive frame of mind, 'cause it wasn't like that in the past. And now it is, and it's fucking awesome."
Kontos left MACHINE HEAD before the release of the band's second album, 1997's "The More Things Change", and was replaced by Dave McClain.
Mader contributed to two MACHINE HEAD albums, the aforementioned "Burn My Eyes" and "The More Things Change", before exiting the group and being replaced by Ahrue Luster and, later on, Phil Demmel.
McClain and Demmel both left MACHINE HEAD in October 2018.
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