"My new podcast, "Musicians Having Coffee & Talking About Stuff" is now live," says Neal Morse. "For the first episode, I’m joined by my friend Mike Portnoy and we get into all kinds of topics: the McRib, Spotify, The Bee Gees... you name it. Watch the video on YouTube or listen to the audio on the waterfall streaming app (here)."
"Caroling, Caroling!"
"All You Need Is Love On Christmas"
"Worldwide Sleigh Ride"
"It’s Christmas Time At Last"
"Silver Bells And Promises"
"On This Most Holy Night"
"Mrs. Claus"
"Everything I Want For Christmas"
"‘Tis The Season To Be Blue"
"Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming"
"O Come, All Ye Faithful"
Classical guitar virtuoso, Thomas Zwijsen, has released an acoustic fingerstyle 12-string ukulele cover of Iron Maiden's "Fear Of The Dark". Watch the performance below.
A message states: "'Fear Of The Dark' (written by Steve Harris) was released in 1992 on the Fear Of The Dark album and became one of Iron Maiden's biggest live hits, often featured on live releases such as Rock In Rio, Flight 666, En Vivo, Live At Donington and more. It also became Thomas' most popular guitar arrangement. This arrangement aims to include vocal melodies, guitar, bass, some drums and even guitar solos at the same time. It's performed on the Hydra Double Neck Ukulele by Ortega Guitars."
Zwijsen previously released the video below, performing a classical acoustic fingerstyle solo guitar cover of Helloween's "Power".
Swedish heavy metal band Lion's Share has made its tribute to Lemmy and Motörhead available on streaming services and digital service providers here on the fifth anniversary of Lemmy's death, December 28th, to celebrate his memory and music.
Lion's Share singer Nils Patrik Johansson says: "Lemmy is truly the definition of rock 'n' roll - and even though Lion's Share is more heavy metal than rock 'n' roll, Motörhead and Lemmy has been a great inspiration over the years. We've been talking about giving our friends and fans a surprise, and when I came up with the idea to cover 'Killed By Death', Lars (Chriss / guitarist) was all in and made a great arrangement that just didn't copy the original, which would have been pointless."
Chriss adds: "We had the pleasure of supporting Motörhead, Dio and Manowar on the Monsters Of The Millennium tour, and all the bands treated us so extremely well. Lemmy was such a great and funny person to be around. I have so many great memories from that tour. Very cool to have fellow Swede Mikkey Dee (Motörhead, Scorpions) doing the introduction to our video for the song as well. Plus, of course, the inclusion of all the great photos that Lemmy fans from all over the world sent in."
In late 2018, Lion's Share released a new five-track EP, plus its complete catalog - remastered with new artwork - on streaming services and digital service providers for the first time. The band have since released a few more digital singles, some of which will and some of which won't end up on the forthcoming full-length album.
"I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, now I'm looking forward to a great new year 2021, with lots of love and rock 'n roll," says Maryann Cotton. "Damn! I can't wait to get back on the road and to rock with all of you! Check out our new video for 'Get It On'."
"Get It On" is from Maryann Cotton's debut album, Free Falling Angels.
Last year at this time, drum legend Mike Portnoy (ex-Dream Theater, Sons Of Apollo, The Winery Dogs, The Neal Morse Band...) faced off against his daughter Melody Portnoy in a Beatles: Name That Tune challenge. Melody kicked her father's ass in 2019; watch what happened this year.
Mike Portnoy: "Forget about Ali / Frazier 2 or Tyson / Holyfield 2.... Ladies & Gentlemen, THIS is THE REMATCH we’ve all been waiting for! After Melody wiped the floor with me last year, the reigning Queen granted me a rematch this Christmas! Will she retain her title as Beatles Name That Tune Champion? Or will King Portnoy reclaim his rightful crown?"
"In 2019 and 2020 a crack team of insane goblins covertly captured stage footage of our Galactic Terrortour," says symphonic power metal band GloryHammer. "Due to the lack of shows this year, Ralathor set upon a death defying mission to retrieve this footage, and thanks to his success we now present it to you as a wonderful X-mas gift!"
Enjoy "Questlords Of Inverness, Ride To The Galactic Fortress!", from GloryHammer's second album, Space 1992: Rise Of The Chaos Wizards, released in 2015 via Napalm Records.
Italian death metallers, Across The Swarm, have shared a bass video playthrough for the song "Own Life", taken from their latest album, Projections, available via Time To Kill Records. Check it out below.
The album was produced by Simone Mularoni and Simone Bertozzi at Domination Studios (Rhapsody, Labyrinth, Gory Blister) and mixed by Steve Wright (Dying Fetus, Misery Index). All songs feature Raphael Saini (Iced Earth, Cripple Bastards) on drums.
Tracklisting:
"Monito"
"Knowing Became Doing"
"Projections"
"Own Life"
"The Friction"
"Waiting For The Hyenas"
"Motionless"
Death thrash metal quartet Rapture (GRE) have unveiled details and first track off their upcoming full length effort. Entitled Malevolent Demise Incarnation, it has been set for March 26th, 2021 official release on CD and Vinyl by FDA Records and tape by Headsplit Records. The album's title/opening track is now available for streaming as an official video clip.
Full album tracklist:
01. Malevolent Demise Incarnation
02. Inanimate Frigidity
03. Predatory Menace
04. After your Eternity
05. I Am Become Death
06. Birthrape Leftovers, Praising The Maggots
07. Herald Of Defiance
08. Requiem For A Woeful Dynasty (Memento Mori)
10-year-old music prodigy Nandi Bushell, who recently defeated Dave Grohl in a drum-off, has uploaded a video of her playing along to SLIPKNOT's song "Unsainted".
In a message accompanying the YouTube release of the one-minute clip, she wrote: "Yes! I am a total metal head! I love how awesome the drumming is in @Slipknot ! This is my first attempt at double pedals! Taking my playing to the next level. This song is called I #unstainted by #slipknot! Incredible drumming Jay Weinberg! This song brings my A game Corey Taylor #metalhead #metal #heavymetal #doublepedals. Thank you Ludwig Drums my new kits is sounding awesome! Zildjian Company Vicfirth Drum Sticks Roland #roland #vicfirth #zildjian #ludwig #zildjianfamily #zildjiancovers".
Several hours after Nandi posted the video, SLIPKNOT drummer Jay Weinberg retweeted the clip and wrote in an accompanying message: "Nandi!! You're unreal! I'm blown away by your passion and energy. Keep shredding on those drums! Next time we roll through your town, give me a shout — you gotta show me how you do that stick flip right there".
The young multi-instrumentalist, who lives in Ipswich, England, started playing the drums when she was just five years old. She now plays several instruments, including bass and guitar, and is said to be learning piano.
Last month, Grohl and Bushell announced that they were co-writing a song for Nandi to someday perform with the FOO FIGHTERS. They also met virtually for the first time, with Grohl asking her: "When the FOO FIGHTERS finally come back to the U.K., do you think that you would get up onstage and jam with us? But it has to be at the end of the set, because you're gonna steal the show. It can't be at the beginning of the set, because if you come out first, it's just all downhill from there."
"Yes, definitely, 100%," she responded.
Grohl is not the first high-profile rock musician who was impressed by Bushell's videos. Her cover of RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE's "Guerrilla Radio" was noticed by the band's guitarist Tom Morello, who later sent her one of his guitars.
Nandi!! You’re unreal! I’m blown away by your passion and energy. Keep shredding on those drums! Next time we roll through your town, give me a shout — you gotta show me how you do that stick flip right there ???? https://t.co/5JPvbPoALL
Toronto-based punk n' rollers Piffbreak Arcade are showing fellow Canuckleheads Honeymoon Suite some love with a cover of the band's classic "Stay In The Light", taken from the self-titled debut album from 1984. Check it out below.
Piffbreak Arcade: "Cover-Alls EP is streaming everywhere now! What’s you’re favourite song on it? Check out 'Stay In The Light' by Honeymoon Suite.
A great tune by a classic Canadian band. This was a fun one to speed up and crank the distortion. Stoked on the guitars and vocals and how this song turned out! Stay up, stay safe, stay in the light!"
Check out Piffbreak Arcade's official Facebook page here. Go to the band's Spotify page here.
Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess has posted his Christmas Eve livestream on YouTube. Check it out below. Fans can check out the entire livestream via Rudess' Patreon page here.
Dream Theater have announced the Images, Words & Beyond Live in Japan 2017 streaming event, on January 30 at 7 PM, EST.
Filmed at the historic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, in September of 2017, this historic performance has never before been released worldwide. January 30, 2021 marks the first official release from Dream Theater’s Images, Words & Beyond tour, featuring a live performance of the classic album, Images & Words, captured in its entirety during their September 11, 2017 appearance in Tokyo. Don’t miss this presentation, in full HD, initially broadcast only for Japanese audiences, and now for the first time available to audiences worldwide.
Get tickets here, and watch a video trailer below:
In July 2020, iconic Los Angeles rock radio station KLOS-FM, and legendary Sunset Blvd. nightclub The Viper Room joined forces with L.A.'s hottest new rock band Dirty Honey for Lockdown Live at The Viper Room, a global pay-per-view concert event.
As their Christmas gift to you, Dirty Honey has now made that performance available for free:
Primal Fear bassist and Rock Meets Classic master of ceremonies Mat Sinner has posted a new video clip along with the following message:
"Hope you had a great Xmas, stay safe guys! Here's some great unreleased footage of Eric Martin and RMC - check out the full video..."
The footage was shot on March 27th, 2015 in Regensburg, Germany at the Donau Arena. The song is taken from Mr. Big’s 1991 hit album. Lean Into It.
Rock Meets Classic recently confirmed Twisted Sister frontman Dee Snider for the 2021 run of the annual tour. Snider will perform a Best Of Twisted Sister set for the duration of the tour.
Rock Meets Classic also confirmed that Europe frontman Joey Tempest will return as the headliner for the annual tour in 2021. This will be Tempest's second time with Rock Meets Classic, having headlined the 2016 run. Mike Tramp (White Lion), Midge Ure (Ultravox, Thin Lizzy) and Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, Lords Of Black) have also been confirmed.
Below is the curent tour schedule for RMC 2021.
Snider previously performed with Rock Meets Classic with a special one-off set at Wacken Open Air 2015. Check out pro-shot footage below.
Portuguese melodic death metal titans Apotheus have released a new video for "Save Our Ship", which is taken from their latest release, The Far Star. Heavily inspired from Asimov sci-fi stories, Apotheus creates their own world which they describe in music and in a physical book. With the global pandemic, withdrawn from the stages, the band entered Redbox Studios to record a raw intimate performance.
"'Save Our Ship' is a song about obstacles, however it is also about overcoming those same obstacles," explains Apotheus. "We think that, given the circumstances in which we currently live, this topic becomes even more relevant. This song comes from our latest album The Far Star, and is a part of a more comprehensive story. In this story, as in real life, obstacles become part of what defines us. We too, in the present, will have to overcome this obstacle that haunts us now so much. We need to learn from it, and make our future a brighter one. As a way of lamenting, but never giving up, we decided to put our uniforms aside and record our most raw and heartfelt performance to date."
The Far Star artwork and tracklisting:
"Prelude"
"Caves Of Steel"
"Redshift"
"Resolve To Remake"
"The Darkest Sun"
"The Pull Of Plexeus"
"Save Our Ship"
"Under A New Cloudy Sky"
"The Brightest Sun"
"Staring The Abyss"
"A New Beginning"
Hranice Abyss seeks the union of visceral with aesthetic beauty, from pure catharsis to sublimation. Inspired by these concepts, the band releases the single together with the debut video “Violation Of Human Condition” through Slam Worldwide.
With several influences, ranging from The Black Dahlia Murder, Cattle Decaptation, Necrophagist, Death, Lamb Of God and Slayer, mixing with more modern views of bands like Meshuggah, Slipknot and Decapitated, and contemplating productions from Dream Theater and Porcupine Tree, Hranice Abyss is the new bet of death metal / deathcore and delivers a professional, modern work with reflective lyrics, which bring to philosophical issues of the cultural industry of Adorno and Horkheimer, of nihilism and the liberated life of Nietzsche, of the liquid relations of Bauman and Baudrillard simulations.
"We visited Freudian psychoanalysis and using the Byronesian poetics, to raise questions about where the postmodern man fits, of its complexes and traumas, the resignification of life, of affective relationships. In this media world where everything is a product and mental spaces are getting smaller, we want to face the abyss and contemplate the void that plagues our soul to find our meaning and transform it into art,” explains the band.
In August 2020, Brazilian guitarist Henrique De Fina and Brazilian vocalist Vic Ferreira joined forces to create Hranice Abyss, a modern and artistic project, which believes that it is possible to produce a lot, with quality and with little resources. The band gains notoriety for being DIY (Do It Yourself), producing, directing and recording all their material, from the videos to the EP. From the beginning, the idea was to do everything and be in control to present a quality and professional project.
“Violation Of Human Condition” marks the band's debut in the music market, and anticipates the first EP of their career, entitled Aphagy, which will be released in 2021.
Swedish-American power metal supergroup Northtale are complete again and today, they introduce their new vocalist, Guilherme Hirose (Traumer) from Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Guitarist Bill Hudson states: "After a long and grueling audition process, we are ready to announce our new singer! I’ve auditioned about 40 of the best vocalists in the world, from very famous to complete newcomers, spread through 11 countries. I wish I could’ve hired more than one, but since we needed to make a decision, I’m happy to announce Guilherme Hirose as our new frontman! 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 are:
Guilherme Hirose - vocals
Bill Hudson - guitars
Mikael Planefeldt - bass
Jimmy Pitts - keyboard
Patrick Johansson - drums
Video of DREAM THEATER singer James LaBrie belting out a cappella versions of several of the band's songs — including "Take The Time" and "Barstool Warrior" — can be seen below.
LaBrie sang a couple of lines from each track while filming a new video message on Cameo, which lets users hire celebrities to record brief, personalized video messages about virtually any topic.
Cameo reportedly features more than 20,000 celebrities — from musicians and actors to drag queens and from YouTubers to Olympic gold medallists — who, for fees from $1 to $2,500, will offer video messages that mention another person by name. Happy birthday messages are common, as are baby announcements, but some celebrities have also recorded messages for Cameo users looking to quit their jobs or ask a potential date to a prom. The price for a video is determined by the celebrity.
Last month, guitarist John Petrucci confirmed that DREAM THEATER is using the coronavirus downtime to commence the songwriting sessions for the follow-up to last year's "Distance Over Time" album.
"Distance Over Time" marked DREAM THEATER's first album for for Sony Music's progressive imprint InsideOut Music. The group spent the past 25 years recording under various labels in the Warner Music Group system, most recently Roadrunner Records, which released five albums by the band between 2007 and 2016.
DREAM THEATER recently released its ninth career live album, "Distant Memories - Live In London". Recorded at DREAM THEATER's sold-out show at the Apollo Theatre in London, the live release documents the band's popular world tour in support of "Distance Over Time" and the 20th anniversary of their seminal concept album "Metropolis Part 2 - Scenes From A Memory".
Former METALLICA bassist Jason Newsted's official YouTube channel has just shared a video of him and his THE CHOPHOUSE BAND performing a cover version of the Johnny Cash song "Big River" in March 2019 at the Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta, Florida. Check it out below. Also available are previously released performances of the blues classic "Cocaine Blues", Tom Waits's "Jockey Full Of Bourbon" and Neil Young's "Rockin' In The Free World".
Named after Jason's four recording studio facilities around the U.S. and featuring a fluid roster of players, THE CHOPHOUSE BAND began in 1992 when Newsted founded The Chophouse Records Studio in San Francisco.
THE CHOPHOUSE BAND is led by Newsted, playing acoustic guitars and performing lead vocal, accompanied by close friends/musicians of all walks and styles, sharing some great American songs from familiar and unfamiliar heroes.
Jason told the Palm Beach Florida Weekly about THE CHOPHOUSE BAND: "We all get along great because there's not money involved. They've got their own bands, their own families, their own gigs. We do benefit gigs, six a year, and that's it. I record and write and play songs the whole rest of the time. They could all run circles around me musical theory-wise. They could tell you everything they're playing, and all the relating chords. I surround myself with the bad-asses, and they make me look really good. I'm playing cowboy chords the whole time, and they're doing their fancy shit to make me look good. I just concentrate on singing, and getting across the things I want people to hear."
Asked by Boca magazine how deep his song archive is with THE CHOPHOUSE BAND, Newsted said: "I keep two bibles — heroes, and my songs. I try to stay at about 100 in the bible of heroes — everything from [LED] ZEPPELIN to John Prine to Dolly Parton. My [personal] song bible is probably between 24 and 32, most of them in the last 10 months. The band's favorite band collectively is JASON ISBELL AND THE 400 UNIT. I've become friends with [Isbell] over the past couple of years, and taken time to learn 20 of his songs. We always perform at least one in the set, trying to make it my own — kind of the idea with all of them."
Jason left METALLICA back in 2001, but was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, along with Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett and the man who replaced him, bassist Robert Trujillo, in 2009.
Six years ago, Jason shelved NEWSTED, the heavy metal project he operated between 2012 and 2014, saying that it cost him "an awful lot of money — hundreds of thousands of dollars." He added: "I couldn't continue because the business is such a harsh thing now and so different than what I had known."
Rock 'N' Roll Fantasy Camp has uploaded a video interview with Leslie West, the legendary guitarist, vocalist and original founding member of MOUNTAIN, which was recorded less than four months ago — on September 3, 2020 — as part of the Camp's "Labor Day Open House Party." The chat, which was conducted by Brittany Denaro, better known as Britt Lightning, the host and co-producer of the Rock' N' Roll Fantasy Camp Masterclasses, and the current lead guitarist in VIXEN, can be seen below.
West died Wednesday (December 23) at the age of 75. The iconic guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and storyteller suffered cardiac arrest at his home near Daytona, Florida on Monday (December 21) and was rushed to a hospital, where he never regained consciousness.
Weinstein was born in New York City, and first emerged in the scene as a member of THE VAGRANTS. A few years later, he and Felix Pappalardi formed MOUNTAIN, a band that was amongst the first to pioneer the genre later to become known as heavy metal. Hits that include "Mississippi Queen", "Theme From An Imaginary Western" and others established an indelible voice and guitar tone that remains legendary to this day. In 1969, West brought his presence to the stage at Woodstock.
As the decade turned, he formed WEST, BRUCE AND LAING with his bandmate from MOUNTAIN drummer Corky Laing and CREAM's Jack Bruce. In, 1971, West contributed to THE WHO's "Who's Next" sessions in the city, performances which can be heard on the 1995 and 2003 reissues of that cornerstone album.
Alongside his significant contribution to pop culture as the face of MOUNTAIN, West appeared in films that include "Family Honor" (1973) and "The Money Pit" (1986). He was a regular guest on "The Howard Stern Show", and over the course of decades remained a periodic visitor alongside enjoying a decades-long friendship with the talk show host.
West was inducted in to the Long Island Music Hall Of Fame in 2006, and appeared on dozens of other recordings from a vast universe of artists. Samples of his performances lived a secondary life on the masters of a who's who of hip-hop and rap stars.
The guitarist is renowned for helping popularize the Gibson Les Paul Jr. model with P-90 pick-ups to create a tone that is undisputedly his own. More recently, he enjoyed a long relationship with Dean Guitars, releasing several signature models.
West is survived by his wife Jenni — whom he married on stage after MOUNTAIN's performance at the Woodstock 40th-anniversary concert in Bethel, New York on August 15, 2009 — brother Larry and nephew Max.
The Agonist vocalist Vicky Psarakis has recorded another cover, this time it's Bring Me The Horizon's "Teardrops" along with guitarist Quentin Cornet. Check it out below.
Vicky: "Merry Christmas! It's been a hell of a year and I think a lot of us are wishing for a much better 2021.
I don't have much else to say, aside from a big THANK YOU!
To my boys in The Agonist and all the amazing musicians I've had the pleasure of working with this year. To Cody & Quentin for being a solid rock in our covers, to the bands that wanted me to be a part of their album and to a few more out there who I've created music with which will be released next year... you know who you are!
To my students who trusted me with their voices, to my patrons for helping me create and inspire me to be better and to all my fans for their continuous support.
Last but most importantly, to my husband, family and friends (and doggos!) for being by my side in everything and filling my life with happiness.
Hope you all have a wonderful holiday and surround yourselves with love and kindness."
Check out Psarakis' and Cornet's previous cover of At The Gates' "Blinded By Fear".
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