METALLICA took part in an interview and short performance on "The Howard Stern Show" last Wednesday (August 12).
Recorded live from METALLICA's headquarters in San Rafael, California, the group's set consisted of the following songs:
01. Wherever I May Roam
02. The Unforgiven
03. All Within My Hands
You can now watch video footage of the performance below.
METALLICA announced its appearance on the long-running talk show airing on SiriusXM satellite radio on August 10. The band wrote: "Our great friend, and ever loyal METALLICA supporter, Howard Stern has invited us to pay a virtual visit to his show this Wednesday, August 12. It's going to be yet another first during this very unusual time as we'll be hanging in Northern California at HQ and chatting with Howard while he's camped out in his home studio. Tune in for lots of conversation and some morning metal! Listen on @SiriusXM Channel 100 and in the SiriusXM app."
METALLICA last performed on "The Howard Stern Show" in September 2016, two months before the arrival of the band's latest album, "Hardwired…To Self-Destruct".
On August 10, METALLICA also confirmed its return to the stage for the first time since the September 2019 "S&M²" concerts that opened Chase Center in San Francisco. METALLICA will be the first rock band to be featured in the Encore Drive-In Nights series, with a full set showing August 29 at hundreds of drive-in and outdoor theaters across the United States and Canada. The show will be shot specially for the Encore Drive-In Nights Series at a location near the band's Northern California headquarters and will subsequently be edited and mixed by METALLICA's award-winning production team to the highest standards possible. The concert, the band's first show in nearly a year, will feature material from throughout their near-four-decade career and provide METALLICA fans with an intimate, unique and truly memorable concert experience.
In early May, the four members of METALLICA overcame social distancing to record a new version of their song "Blackened", with each member separated in his own home. The split-screen video was posted to the band's social media channels.
Back in April, drummer Lars Ulrich revealed in an online chat that the band could get together to write and record a new album while in quarantine.
METALLICA has been largely out of the public eye since last fall when the band canceled an Australian tour and announced that frontman James Hetfield was returning to rehab for the first time since 2002 to battle his addictions.
In March, METALLICA announced that its South American tour, which was originally planned for April, has been postponed until December. In addition, the band's appearances at five Danny Wimmer Presents-produced festivals in May, September and October have been canceled: Epicenter in Charlotte, Welcome To Rockville in Daytona, Sonic Temple in Columbus, Louder Than Life in Louisville and Aftershock in Sacramento.
Founded back in 2001 and after being active as a top-notch offering in the genre for almost 20 years, Sirenia serve a new, exquisite pearl of symphonic metal: The four-piece around mastermind Morten Veland releases its tenth studio album, Riddles, Ruins & Revelations, on February 12 via Napalm Records.
On this magical output, the French-Norwegian quartet combines a heavy symphonic sound with modern influences, which their most recent record, Arcane Astral Aeons (2018), is proof of. This time, Sirenia offer an exciting new twist to their songs, spicing them with electronic vibes, but never losing sight of their musical core. Riddles, Ruins & Revelations was produced, mixed and mastered by Morten Veland himself – which marks his first time doing so.
Today, the band has unleashed a bewitching new music video for the first single “Addiction No. 1”. As the album opener, it immediately showcases the direction Sirenia are aiming in with their new epos, and is a prime example of how modern melodies chime together with classic symphonic instrumentation. Electronic vibes merge with harsh riffing, while the catchy chorus draws the listener straight into the unique symphonic world of the four-piece, all topped with the outstanding vocals of Emmanuelle Zoldan.
Morten Veland about “Addiction No. 1”: "This is our first single taken from the upcoming album. Musically I feel that this song really shows a modernised and new side of Sirenia. I find the song very catchy, but heavy at the same time. Furthermore we have given the electronic elements a bigger role in this song. We hope you'll enjoy it!"
Watch the official video for "Addiction No. 1" below.
With Riddles, Ruins & Revelations, Sirenia, around mastermind, bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, composer, songwriter and producer Morten Veland, remains as true to their album title word-play as they do to their dedication to symphonic soundscapes, drawing the listener into a pounding narrative about the darkest aspects of life. All eleven songs accumulate step by step to an integral sound artwork, where the versatile mezzo soprano voice of singer Emmanuelle Zoldan always shines in high-profile. In addition, there are many enchanting, instrumental surprises lurking on the way that absolutely need to be discovered.
"We Come To Ruins" offers a contrast of harshness to the more modern-orientated songs on the record, like “The Timeless Waning”, and skillfully portrays the multi-faceted nature of the band. On "Downwards Spiral", Emmanuelle is supported by the remarkable voice of longtime friend Joakim Næss on clean vocals, who has joined the symphonic metal outfit on previous releases. Sirenia’s tenth full-length ends with a cover of Desireless` 1986 hit “Voyage Voyage”, where the unit again impressively combines symphonic sounds with electronic atmosphere, which doesn’t count only for this final epos, but for Riddles, Ruins & Revelations as a whole.
Morten Veland on the album: "Riddles, Ruins & Revelations is Sirenia's tenth studio album. The album is very diverse, as a Sirenia album should be. There's a lot of material that shows the band from a new side, and there is lots of material that is to be expected from the band musically. All in all the album will take the listeners through a journey that will cover both familiar and unexplored musical landscapes. We hope that you will enjoy the journey.”
Riddles, Ruins & Revelations will be available in North America in the following formats:
"Addiction No. 1"
"Towards An Early Grave"
"Into Infinity"
"Passing Seasons"
"We Come To Ruins"
"Downwards Spiral"
"Beneath The Midnight Sun"
"The Timeless Waning"
"December Snow"
"This Curse Of Mine"
"Voyage Voyage"
"Addiction No. 1" video:
Sirenia is:
Morten Veland - guitars, bass, vocals, keyboards, programming
Nils Courbaron - lead guitar
Emmanuelle Zoldan - vocals
Michael Brush - drums
Grammy Award-winning singer / songwriter, actor, and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Corey Taylor, is celebrating another year around the sun today with the release of a new animated lyric video for his single, “Everybody Dies On My Birthday”.
Speaking earlier this year, Taylor elaborated on the song’s significance stating, “We’re all born, and we all die. It’s those two things we all have in common; it’s everything in between that can be changed.”
“Everybody Dies On My Birthday” is featured on Taylor’s acclaimed first-ever solo album, CMFT, which is available on all streaming platforms.
Furthermore, in celebration of his birthday, Taylor has launched a new limited-edition coffee collaboration: CMFT Private Blend. Taylor collaborated with Menotti’s Coffee in Venice, CA on this unique blend for friends that love darkish roast flavor, with just a hint of excitement peeking around the corner ready to ride a Rainbow in the Dark. Fans can order a 12oz bag now, here
Taylor commented, “We wanted to create something that gave you that same comfortable and cozy feeling you get from a really good cup of diner coffee after you’ve been riding on HWY 666.”
Fans can also visit this location for a brand new “Everybody Dies On My Birthday” t-shirt design released today.
Earlier this year, Taylor made history as he reached #1 at Active Rock Radio with his powerful single “Black Eyes Blue”. The achievement put Taylor in a class all his own, making him the first artist in the history of the format to reach #1 with three separate projects, following chart-topping efforts from his band’s Slipknot and Stone Sour. “Black Eyes Blue” is featured on Taylor’s acclaimed first-ever solo album, CMFT which is available is available now on all streaming platforms.
CMFT made impressive debuts on charts around the world this month entering at #1 on Billboard’s Current Hard Rock Albums chart, while claiming #2 on Current Rock Albums, #6 on Vinyl Albums, and #9 on the Top Albums charts. Furthermore, CMFT landed Top 10 on the official album charts in Australia, Germany, Switzerland and Austria, with Top 20 debuts in the United Kingdom, Finland and Japan (international chart).
CMFT has been a long time coming for Taylor, with newly written tracks alongside some dating back to his teens. Recorded at Hideout Studio in Las Vegas, with producer Jay Ruston and his band—Christian Martucci [guitar], Zach Throne [guitar], Jason Christopher [bass], and Dustin Robert [drums]— the album traces a wild and exhilarating roadmap through Taylor’s musical psyche.
Tracklisting:
"HWY 666"
"Black Eyes Blue"
"Samantha’s Gone"
"Meine Lux"
"Halfway Down"
"Silverfish"
"Kansas"
"Culture Head"
"Everybody Dies On My Birthday"
"The Maria Fire"
"Home"
"CMFT Must Be Stopped" (Feat. Tech N9ne & Kid Bookie)
"European Tour Bus Bathroom Song"
Former KILLSWITCH ENGAGE and current LIGHT THE TORCH singer Howard Jones performed a cover version of LYNYRD SKYNYRD's "Simple Man" for a recent episode of "The Oyster" podcast. Video footage of his rendition can be seen below.
Jones left KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in 2012 and battled manic depression and bipolar disorder before forming a new project, DEVIL YOU KNOW, with guitarist Francesco Artusato (ALL SHALL PERISH) and drummer John Sankey (DEVOLVED). Along with bassist Ryan Wombacher (BLEEDING THROUGH), they recorded and toured behind two well-received albums, 2014's "The Beauty Of Destruction" and 2015's "They Bleed Red". In 2017, the band changed its name to LIGHT THE TORCH following a bitter dispute with Sankey, a part owner of the name.
Asked what made him get back into music after leaving KILLSWITCH ENGAGE, Howard told Heavy New York: "Honestly, I think it was because I was just kind of tired of doing nothing and I don't do much else other than music. I felt like I needed to venture out because I was basically agoraphobic for three years. It's kind of well known. I went off the grid. I didn't have a cell phone for three years — I was gone. It felt, like, 'Okay, maybe I should dip my toe in. I don't have to do it full time. I don't have to do what I don't want to do.' That's all I was thinking. I started moving, I started doing things. It was definitely a struggle, especially for the first few years. I was, like, 'What am I doing?' There's been few things in my life that has been consistent other than music. I just did it. It just took some time, then all of the sudden, the spark showed up. I fell back in love with what I was doing. I really can't explain it. It just sort of happened."
In a 2014 interview with Fishing World, Jones stated about his musical influences: "Well, just about anything I can listen to. AC/DC and KISS were the first bands that introduced me to heavy music. After that, I just absorbed anything I could get my hands on. Some favourites are FAITH NO MORE, HIM, ALICE IN CHAINS, PORTISHEAD ... My taste is kind of all over the place."
Jones makes an appearance on KILLSWITCH ENGAGE's latest album, "Atonement", contributing guest vocals to the song "The Signal Fire".
Just in time for the holidays, Grammy-nominated California rock heavyweights BLINK-182 have released "Not Another Christmas Song". The new track comes with an official claymation video by animator Johnny McHone that follows the band through Santa's workshop as chaos ensues. Watch the crafted-from-scratch, stop-motion animated video below.
BLINK-182 is featured on two high-profile collaborations — "P.S. I Hope You're Happy" with THE CHAINSMOKERS and "It's All Fading To Black" with XXXTentacion — both out today..
BLINK-182's latest album, "Nine", is out now on Columbia Records and includes singles "I Really Wish I Hated You", which is approaching Top 10 at Alternative Radio, "Darkside", "Happy Days", "Generational Divide" and "Blame It On My Youth".
Since its humble beginnings in 1992 in San Diego, BLINK-182 has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and rocked audiences around the globe, becoming one of the defining and inspirational rock bands of its generation.
BLINK-182 is Mark Hoppus (vocals/bass), Travis Barker (drums) and Matt Skiba (vocals/guitar). A guitarist and singer with ALKALINE TRIO, Skiba replaced original BLINK-182 singer Tom DeLonge in 2016.
BLINK-182 released its first post-DeLonge album, "California", in 2016.
Enslaved are being honoured with an elaborate 12-part television documentary named Heimvegen (The Way Home), which is broadcast every Saturday on Norwegian TV (TV Haugaland) and on YouTube. All episodes are subtitled into English.
The documentary offers a detailed insight into the history of the band, following Ivar Bjørnson and Grutle Kjellson as they guide us through the journey of Enslaved's formative years.
Five episodes are available to watch online now (see below), with more to follow every Saturday.
Grutle Kjellson commented, "Doing the documentary for TV Haugaland has turned out to be one of the biggest, positive surprises in our career. It pretty much came out of the blue as well; we were asked early in the summer of 2020, and we were like “oh ok, a local tv network wants to have a little chat, why not?”. That it has ended up as a 12 part documentary was far beyond all of us involved could imagine, and such a great surprise!! Director Dag Olav Husås has really outdone a hell of lot of productions made by a lot bigger networks around the globe in my opinion. He has somehow made us re-discover ourselves, our roots, and going down this memory lane had been an utter pleasure. I hope not just our fans, but also new acquaintances will appreciate watching this as much as we did making it."
Episode 1:
Episode 2:
Episode 3:
Episode 4:
Episode 5:
Enslaved recently announced a celebratory Winter Solstice streaming event for Saturday, December 19, which will be followed by a live Q&A with some band members. The event will be repeated the next day, Sunday December 20, on the Enslaved YouTube channel.
The digital event will feature all three parts of Enslaved's recent Cinematic Summer Tour, the revered filmed performances titled Chronicles Of The Northbound, Below The Lights and Utgard The Journey Within.
The performances will be repeated the next day, Sunday, December 20, on the Enslaved YouTube channel. The events are also collaborations with respected European festivals Roadburn, Beyond The Gates and Summer Breeze.
Stream the Winter Solstice event here on Saturday, December 19th at 12 PM, PT / 3 PM, ET / 9 PM, CET.
Tune into the live band Q&A here on Saturday, December 19 at 2:30 PM, PT / 5:30 PM, ET / 11:30 PM, CET.
Watch the Winter Solstice repeat here on Sunday, December 20 at 11 AM, PT / 2 PM, ET / 8 PM, CET.
Viking metal pioneers, Einherjer, will release their eighth studio album, North Star, on February 26, proving their status as the pioneers of blending Nordic black metal and folk metal genres to pure Norse heavy metal once again. On North Star, the band around singer / guitarist / bassist Frode Glesnes and drummer / keyboarder Gerhard Storesund adds more modern, mass-appealing facets while staying true to their roots.
The album marks the band’s return to Napalm Records after 25 years, and the release of their legendary Dragons Of The North album (1996), which will be re-released as a re-mastered version on February 26 as well. The Norwegian metal outfit remains musically true to themselves and reinforces their exceptional position.
Stomping drums and gloomy guitar chords paired with ice-cold vocals guide the way to the first single taken off North Star - "Stars" draws the listener into the icy, dark world of Einherjer!
Einherjer on “Stars”: “’Stars’ have many meanings. The night sky is vast and can be overwhelming. Throughout history man has turned to the stars to find answers to all kinds of questions. "Stars" takes you on a musical journey in classic Einherjer style. A timeless journey. Without borders. Limited only by your own imagination. And as usual, no bullshit! Just proper Norse Heavy Metal!”
Watch the official video for “Stars“ below.
North Star was recorded in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic at the in-house Studio Borealis, owned by founding member and mastermind Frode Glesnes. The raw production ties in seamlessly with its predecessor Norrøne Spor and makes North Star probably the most powerful Einherjer album to date! North Star is Einherjer's musical mission towards something bigger - the search for guidance by the North Star in a constantly changing world that is searching for stability.
Einherjer on North Star: ”North Star is our 8th full length album, and follows in the (Norse) tracks of Norrøne Spor. The North Star is a symbol with numerous meanings. It can be guidance, or it can be a personal mission. Something to reach for. It's the Anchor of the Northern Sky. We need something steady in this rapidly shifting world we live in. The North Star album is us reaching for something greater. Developing ourselves through a musical journey in classic Einherjer style – no bullshit, just proper Norse Heavy Metal!”
North Star will be available in the following formats:
- LP Gatefold Vinyl Marble Green transparent with black + Slipmat + Poster - strictly limited to 200 copies (Napalm Records mailorder only)
- LP Gatefold Vinyl Gold – strictly limited to 300 copies (Napalm Records mailorder only)
- LP Gatefold Vinyl Red
- LP Gatefold Vinyl Black
- 1 CD Digipack
- Digital album
"The Blood And The Iron"
"Stars"
"West Coast Groove"
"Ascension"
"Higher Fire"
"Echoes In Blood"
"Listen To The Graves"
"Chasing The Serpent"
"Stars" video:
Einherjer will re-release their groundbreaking debut album, Dragons Of The North, in the year of its 25th anniversary in a remastered version. The seminal work of Einherjer has stood the test of time and has a legacy that continues to this day. The 1996 classic album Dragons Of The North has paved the genres path for years to come and will now be re-released after its initial release on Napalm Records 25 years ago!
Dragons Of The North will be available in the following formats:
- LP Gatefold Vinyl Inkspot Blue/White & Poster – strictly limited to 300 copies (Napalm Records mailorder only)
- LP Gatefold Vinyl Black & Poster
- 1-CD Jewel Case
- Digital album
One of the biggest names in Brazilian metal, Claustrofobia, returns with the release of their new single, entitled "Riff Cult". Produced by Adair Daufembach, the single, along with the music video, are an appetizer for the band's next album.
The video clip was produced by the band itself and edited by drummer Caio D`Angelo during the quarantine and shows the action in the purest commitment to heavy metal. “Quarantine made it impossible for people to leave, so we decided to produce a 'do it yourself ' video. We recorded everything in the garage at Swamp Loco Studio in Las Vegas, where we stored our equipment and rehearsed. Just the three of us playing with a lot of intensity and an edition with a lot of adrenaline. We added images of the tattoo I did on my fingers with Carlos Aguilar (Blackshadows Tattoo) at the High Voltage studio in L.A. that gave the necessary atmosphere,” said vocalist Marcus D`Angelo.
The song is a celebration and homage to guitar riffs, explains Marcus D`Angelo: “We consider it a culture, a cult. It is the hook of all Metal, everything is born from the guitar riff. And Riff by Riff, we are fueling our passion for Metal, fueling our desire to continue the legacy. The Riff is what addicts us in a good way. In this quarantine the love for Metal became more evident, without shows and without contact with the fans, so we decided to pay tribute and celebrate.”
"Riff Cult" is the first single from the new Claustrofobia album, which is being produced by renowned Brazilian producer Adair Daufembach, who has worked with Megadeth, Angra, Kiko Loureiro, Aquiles Priester, Dirk Verbeuren, and Tony MacAlpine. Regarding the new album, Marcus says: "We work a lot on new songs and we can't wait to show them to our old fans and the new fans that we are conquering in this new phase."
Back in September, a mere three months ago, Frontiers Music Srl released the sophomore album, Time For A Miraclem by Sweden's Perfect Plan. Though they had certainly established themselves as melodic rock kings with their debut, All Rise, this second album truly cements their status.
A couple weeks ago, the band recorded a quarantine style live performance for your enjoyment. Here's them performing the song that put them on the map, "In And Out Of Love".
Bark, the metal group from Antwerp, Belgium, presents "Mass Lobotomy", their new official music video. It follows from what will be the band's third studio album, Written In Stone, a work that will be released on December 10.
With this audiovisual material, the band intends to show how easy it is to build a parallel reality with the tools that are, today, available to anyone. "Fake news is something that abounds today, but the worst thing is that we feed on them constantly," says Bark. "This occurs through mobile applications, television channels, newspapers, social networks, and more channels of communication that function as channels of disinformation."
Bark invites us to immerse ourselves in this world, to experience what really happens behind all this parallel reality.
Martín Furia, guitarist and producer of the album, said the following in relation to the launch of the video clip: "We wanted to keep the video as simple as possible, but with a lot of editing work to show that, through the means we all have at our disposal, we become victims of this mass lobotomy."
"Traditional media and social networks are capable of building, through the use of simple and accessible tools, this aforementioned parallel reality in order to generate antagonisms, rivalries and misinform according to their interests."
"Mass Lobotomy" was directed by filmmaker Jeroen de Vriese. The cover of the single was designed by Brazilian artist Alcides Burn, who has worked with such artists as Krisiun, Obituary, Lockup, among others.
The band has recorded their new LP where the limits have been pushed even further, turning it into an album of extremes, in which brutality meets melody in a more than wild way. Produced, mixed and mastered by Martín Furia (Nervosa, Evil Invaders, Destruction, Flotsam And Jetsam) at Trix in Ambers, this LP will set the bar high for the whole.
Written In Stone will be Bark's third studio album and will be available on December 10 on all digital platforms. It will be released in Latin America by the Your Poison Records label. The album cover was also designed by Alcides Burn.
Tracklisting:
"I'm A Wreck"
"Hitman"
"They Are All Dead"
"Mass Lobotomy"
"Devil Inside"
"Written In Stone"
"The Count Of Monte Fisto"
"Fistful Of Diamonds"
"The Spirit Of The Streets"
"Chain Reaction"
"It Won't Last Forever"
"Last Breath"
"To The Grave"
Sammy Hagar's performance of "No Worries", which was included as part of the December 5, 2020 streaming event "Love You Madly - A Stream For Santa Cruz Fire Relief", can be seen below.
The 90-minute stream of music and personal messages featured performances from other musical luminaries, including Boz Scaggs and Bonnie Raitt, Kevin Cronin, Joe Satriani, LOS LOBOS, Colin Hay, and more. Other acts featured in the stream included Rogue Wave, Laurie Lewis, The String Cheese Incident, T Sisters, Victor Krummenacher, Twiddle and Prairie Prince. Also included were original artwork, moving photography, and examples of how funds have already been put into action to help families. The event was hosted by featured guest emcees, including acclaimed journalist Ben Fong-Torres, radio personality Bonnie Simmons, Santa Cruz journalist Wallace Baine and others.
Santa Cruz County has been deeply impacted by the CZU Lightning Complex Fire, a historic wildfire resulting in the evacuation of 77,000 people, covering over 80,000 acres, and destroying over 900 structures. Thanks to heroic work by firefighters local and from afar, these wildfires — the most destructive in Santa Cruz County history — are now contained. The community now shifts focus to the overwhelming task of recovery and rebuilding, which is estimated to take over a decade.
100% of all donations raised will go directly to the Fire Response Fund managed by partner organization Community Foundation Santa Cruz County (CFSCC). CFSCC has already granted over $600,000 from the fund, strategically distributed where they are most needed, and will continue throughout the entire recovery process.
Since Love You Madly launched its weekly campaign in September, performances from over 50 artists have been shared to raise awareness and funds. "This streaming event continues that work, kicking it up a notch with incredible music from a new collection of artists with hearts as big as their talent," said Love You Madly producer Jon Luini. "We recognize the arts as a critical tool to supporting those impacted by the fires and all of this music is just one representation of the outpouring of love and support for our community. It's really incredible to see these artists take time to share personal messages along with their music. It helps to lift spirits, raise funds that go directly into helping the long road to recovery, but especially makes for a great virtual concert to enjoy!"
"Santa Cruz County has been a haven and inspiration for musicians, artists, poets, and storytellers for generations," shared CFSCC CEO Susan True. "Their creativity is as much a part of our home as the redwoods, ocean, and strawberry fields. Now, through music and art, they are giving voice to our loss, but also our strength and resilience, as we rebuild and heal from the CZU fires, together. We are grateful to all of the artists that are contributing their hearts and art to this fundraiser, and to the community of listeners who are giving so generously."
TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy recently teamed up with the four members of SEPULTURA to record a quarantine version of the SEPULTURA classic "Slave New World". Check out video below. The original version of the track appeared on SEPULTURA's 1993 album "Chaos A.D.".
Guitarist Andreas Kisser told Metal Hammer about SEPULTURA's approach on the LP, which was recorded at the legendary Rockfield Studios in South Wales with producer Andy Wallace: "You have to understand that we had spent two years touring with 'Arise'. It was the first time that we'd seen the world, and actually could analyze and understand what it was like being Brazilian outside of the country. We saw Brazil from a different angle — one that changed the way we felt. Even with 'Arise', we were still writing lyrics that were very heavy metal, very based in fantasy. But now we began to get more social and political. We wrote about things that were going on in our country — the poverty, the repression — because these things made an impact on us. Musically, we'd also developed. We had learnt what worked, and what didn't, from playing so much live, and getting to know people like Ozzy [Osbourne]. We had made the jump from boys to men.
"Andy helped enormously. We learnt so much form him during our time together, not just in terms of studio experience, but he also got us to think more about how we wrote songs."
SEPULTURA's latest LP, "Quadra", was released in February via Nuclear Blast Records. It is a concept effort created at Sweden's Fascination Street Studios with renowned producer Jens Bogren.
SEPULTURA comprises Kisser, vocalist Derrick Green, bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr., and drummer Eloy Casagrande.
SEPULTURA was formed in Belo Horizonte by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, who are no longer with the band.
"Quadra" is the follow-up to "Machine Messiah", which was SEPULTURA's fourteenth studio album and the eighth since Green joined the ranks.
Singer and songwriter Elise Trouw has teamed up with BLINK-182 drummer Travis Barker, Australian musician Carey Watkins and Paul Raci, co-star of the new Amazon Studios movie "Sound Of Metal", to reimagine METALLICA's classic song "Enter Sandman" in celebration of the film's release. The official music video for their version of the song can be seen below.
Darius Marder's "Sound Of Metal" stars British-Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed as a heavy-metal drummer whose life goes into freefall when he faces the first signs of hearing loss.
"Sound Of Metal" premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival, with IndieWire's Eric Kohn praising Ahmed's performance as Ruben and writing that Marder's narrative directorial debut featured "the best use of sound design in recent memory." The film also stars Olivia Cooke, Mathieu Amalric and Lauren Ridloff.
"Sound Of Metal" is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.
As the opening cut on METALLICA's self-titled album, "Enter Sandman" became bigger than the band could have imagined. It was a game changer for METALLICA, which ended up selling more than sixteen million copies of the album in the U.S. alone. Meanwhile, the song itself turned into a staple at athletic events, including professional baseball games and wrestling matches.
In a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone, METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich reflected on "Enter Sandman" and its influence behind the so-called "Black Album." "There was a riff on Kirk's [Hammett] riff tape," he explained. "The whole song is just that riff. 'Enter Sandman' was the blueprint. The rest of the record appeared over two months."
After the "Black Album" was first released, a number of people commented that the "Enter Sandman" introduction and dominant musical riff were similar to that of a song that came out two years earlier, "Tapping Into The Emotional Void" by the Los Angeles quartet EXCEL.
MEGADETH mainman Dave Mustaine, who was a member of METALLICA for less than two years, from 1981 to 1983, famously told Metal Maniacs magazine in a 2004 interview that "Enter Sandman" "was ripped off from a band called EXCEL."
METALLICA co-manager Cliff Burnstein told the Los Angeles Times that he had never heard of the EXCEL song. But he chalked up the songs' similarities to coincidence.
"If EXCEL could write that one (as good as that), I'm sure they can write more," Burnstein said. "Then they'll be successful."
"Enter Sandman" still stands as the biggest hit of METALLICA's career, having peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart back in August 1991.
Norwegian rockers LEPROUS have released a new single titled "Castaway Angels" via InsideOut Music. The song was recently tracked at Ocean Sound Recordings in Norway and then mixed by Adam Noble (PLACEBO, BIFFY CLYRO, NOTHING BUT THIEVES).
The official video for "Castaway Angels", directed by Tobias Hole Aasgaarden of South Coast Creative, can be seen below.
LEPROUS singer Einar Solberg comments: "This year, we've all had to readjust our lives, do new things. Missed out on things we were supposed to do, and find new things to do.
"One day in the beginning of the corona outbreak in Norway, I came to TorO's [guitarist Tor Oddmund Suhrke] house with a song we were supposed to work on together. The problem was that I was already finished with the sketch we were supposed to be working on (which was later on thrown away as it wasn't that good after all), so we just sat down to try to make something new. Him with the acoustic guitar, and me with my voice. During a quite short time, we came up with the main structure of what was later to become 'Castaway Angels'. Very basic, very pure and no technology to distract us. Just the melody and the guitar. So once we got in the amazing Ocean Sound Recording near Aalesund, Norway we continued that approach with the full band. We recorded the song together in the studio (when we were not busy sitting in the Jacuzzi being in awe by the view) in one take, after jamming together for one evening.
"It's so typical to get obsessed with details, perfectionism and layers. But here we just wanted to play together. Do something pure and simple. I'm very pleased with the result, and can't wait for everyone to hear how we've been spending time together when we were supposed to be on tour."
In related news, Solberg will for the first time ever do a completely stripped down piano and vocal livestream concert, where he plays music from a big part of the LEPROUS discography. The concert will take place this Sunday, December 6, 2020 in the beautiful Telemark gallery in Notodden, the town where Solberg grew up and where LEPROUS started.
LEPROUS's sixth and most ambitious studio album, "Pitfalls", was released in October 2019 via InsideOut Music. The LP was once again recorded with David Castillo at Ghostward Studios (OPETH, KATATONIA). The disc was mixed by Noble.
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT has released has released the official lyric video for "O Little Town Of Bethlehem". The song is taken from BLACKMORE'S NIGHT's latest EP "Here We Come A-Caroling", which is being released today (Friday, December 4) via earMUSIC, the global independent rock and contemporary music label of Edel Germany GmbH.
BLACKMORE'S NIGHT was founded in 1997 by Ritchie Blackmore and Candice Night to stage their mutual love for traditional medieval and folk-rock music. Blackmore has shaped the hard rock scene for decades as one of the most influential and notorious guitarists ever, first with DEEP PURPLE and later with RAINBOW.
"Nature's Light", BLACKMORE'S NIGHT's eleventh studio album, will be released in the spring of 2021, followed by a reissue of the band's entire catalog later in the year.
To bridge the time while waiting for "Nature's Light" to be finally released, BLACKMORE'S NIGHT decided to record a new Christmas-themed EP and give their fans something special to celebrate the holy days with. "Here We Come A-Caroling" will become available on limited-edition 10-inch translucent green vinyl as well as a limited-edition CD digipak and digital.
"Nature's Light" is an honest declaration of love to the folk music of the Renaissance era, deeply inspired by myths and legends of times that are long gone and driven by the fiery relationship between the two married songwriters.
Max Vaccaro, general manager of earMUSIC, says: "We celebrate the 'homecoming' of a true music legend: BLACKMORE'S NIGHT started its wonderful musical journey with Edel in 1997. Today, decades later, it is a joyful occasion to welcome Ritchie and Candice back and to plan many years of exciting collaboration with them for their new music and a catalog that has reached the heart of millions of fans over the years."
Blackmore and Night add: "On June 2, 1997, we released our first Renaissance folk-rock debut album: 'Shadow Of The Moon'. With devotion and professionalism, our new record label, Edel, brought 'Shadow Of The Moon' to the top of the charts, where it remained for 17 weeks, earning us our first gold record as BLACKMORE'S NIGHT, a project close to our hearts and as untouched territory, a new genre for us to bring to the world.
"Our music is an escape from the stress and pressure of modern times. Journey back through time with us, to a simpler, magical time where music enters your heart and soul.
"We are honored to be 'back home again' with our friends and colleagues of Edel.
"BLACKMORE'S NIGHT has returned with our new CD, fans have been waiting for five years, and we are excited to be able to pair up again with Edel to bring it to them."
Modern guitar virtuoso/content creator Jared Dines and Grammy Award-nominated TRIVIUM frontman Matt Heafy have joined forces for the groundbreaking "Dines X Heafy" EP.
Bridging the gap between online content creators and recording artists, the five-song EP is available today on all streaming platforms as well as on Soundtrack By Twitch, giving Twitch streamers a way to add licensed music from the EP to their Twitch live streams during a 30-day period.
"Matt was pre-Internet in the way he launched his career, releasing records, playing shows, and signing to a label," observes Dines. "I'm post-Internet in the way I launched my career by using YouTube, Facebook and all of these other video apps. It is interesting to see the crossover, though. Matt has done everything traditionally. At the same time, he embraced new technologies instead of shutting them out. By doing this together, we get to be in both worlds.
"The EP was recorded in a raw and real manner," he adds. "So, it has a different element. It would be cool to show everyone it does not matter if you are a guitarist from Instagram or you are in a big band, you can do things together. At the end of the day, the goal is simple — we're just trying to write good songs and create some cool shit."
Heafy adds: "Streaming actually helped me improve as a singer and as a guitarist, because I'm practicing all day in front of people. The culture is very regimented. However, I have always had that mentality, because my mom is Japanese, and my dad was a marine. Now, it is a combination of three things: streaming, training, and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Those practices made me better at what I do and prepared me to jump into something new. I took a very different approach to 'Dines X Heafy'. It all came very organically without any planning."
To celebrate the release, Dines and Heafy have unveiled the music video for the single "Dear Anxiety". On the track, airtight riffing collides with a seismic refrain upheld by Heafy's soaring delivery. It spirals out into a flurry of soloing. Watch it below.
Dines and Heafy first crossed paths back in 2017 when Heafy blindly messaged Dines on social media. He went on to participate in Dines's popular "Shred Wars" series, amassing 2.2 million views on their matchup. A year later, Dines filled in when Heafy exited TRIVIUM's fall tour to be present for the birth of his twins. Around the same time, Dines shared a folder of ideas and set the stage for what would become "Dines X Heafy". Mixed by Will Putney, Dines laid down guitars, bass, and drums in Washington, while Matt handled vocals and select solos in Florida. They unlocked an inimitable chemistry, striking a balance between arena-ready hard rock hooks and technically proficient metallic fireworks.
"Dines X Heafy" EP track listing:
01. Dear Anxiety
02. Can We Turn Back Yesterday?
03. Dying At The Sight Of The Rain
04. To Save Me From Myself
05. We Lost It All
Heafy extends a fascinating presence beyond music. Among rock artists, he remains one of the most trafficked and consistent Twitch streamers, with 186,000 followers on the platform, in addition to his 358,000 Instagram followers. Renowned for viral covers as well as impeccable video game acumen, he engenders fervent interaction. As a solo artist, he has racked up millions of streams on "Toss A Coin To Your Witcher" and "My Mother Told Me". Simultaneously, he distinguishes himself as a passionate foodie and skilled chef with appearances on "Taste Of Metal" alongside chef Brian Tsao and numerous cooking videos and food photos regularly posted to his heavily followed channels. Outside of TRIVIUM, he has collaborated with everyone from platinum sensation DRAGONFORCE to black metal pioneer Isahn and active rock phenomenon ICE NINE KILLS. The Japanese-born "Renaissance Man" resides in his native Florida with his wife and twins. This presence only continues to grow.
Dines has redefined the very idea of a guitar hero online. His YouTube channel boasts a staggering 2.88 million subscribers and 680 million views and counting. He also has collaborated with everyone from Post Malone to BREAKING BENJAMIN. His recorded output includes "Rest", "Repose", "Daddy Rock" and "Dissimilator", to name a few. He made history as "the first YouTuber" to grace the cover of Guitar World magazine. Meanwhile, he teamed up with Music Man for a signature Stingray guitar.
Professionally filmed video of METALLICA's Kirk Hammett and ZZ TOP's Billy Gibbons performing a cover version of the FLEETWOOD MAC classic "The Green Manalishi (With The Two Prong Crown)" can be seen below. The footage was filmed on February 25, 2020 — mere days before the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in the United Kingdom, as the ongoing pandemic necessitated the suspension of modern society — at a very special concert at the legendary Palladium in London celebrating the songs of Peter Green and the original incarnation of FLEETWOOD MAC.
The audience at that sold-out show witnessed something unique at what would be the last live concert anyone would attend until further notice. This show also now takes on a particularly poignant meaning, with the unfortunate passing of Peter Green in July 2020.
The players gathered were an all-star cast and all of the musicians present that night had a deep and frequently far-fetched, cosmic connection to the songs.
This music had changed their lives, impelled them to play, and for one of them, inspired the formation of their now very famous band. This music has continued to rouse and arouse, and that night, on the verge of an historically dark and sobering moment in human history, it was given a glorious observance.
The participants that night included Neil Finn, Noel Gallagher, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Kirk Hammett, John Mayall, Christine McVie, Jeremy Spencer, Zak Starkey, Pete Townshend, Steven Tyler and Bill Wyman. Legendary producer Glyn Johns joined as the executive sound producer and the house band featured Mick Fleetwood himself along with Dave Bronze, Jonny Lang, Andy Fairweather Low, Ricky Peterson and Rick Vito.
Mick Fleetwood, who curated the list of artists performing, said: "The concert was a celebration of those early blues days where we all began, and it's important to recognize the profound impact Peter and the early FLEETWOOD MAC had on the world of music. Peter was my greatest mentor and it gave me such joy to pay tribute to his incredible talent. I was honoured to be sharing the stage with some of the many artists Peter has inspired over the years and who share my great respect for this remarkable musician. 'Then Play On'..."
The incredible one-off celebration will be screened on March 23 / March 28, 2021 in cinemas across the U.K., distributed by Cinema Live. Details will be announced in the new year. Additionally, the film will be released on physical formats — gatefold 4LP, 2CD/Blu-ray mediabook — and digital audio on April 30, 2021 via BMG.
BRAVE THE COLD, the new project led by longtime NAPALM DEATH axeman Mitch Harris, has released the music video for its latest single, "Apparatus". The track is taken from BRAVE THE COLD's debut album, "Scarcity", which was released in October on all digital outlets worldwide via Mission Two Entertainment. Limited-edition, colored vinyl and CDs will be available December 11. The album was produced by Logan Mader (MACHINE HEAD, SOULFLY).
The "Apparatus" concept reflects on the division of neighbor versus neighbor, harvesting unrest due to compromised ethics, intended to destroy the frayed internal infrastructure of adapting society on a global level. The video is a collaboration with Italian filmmaker Donato Sansone adapted from the original animation of "Robhot". Harris contacted Donato with a rough edit of "Apparatus" and Donato made an enthusiastic effort to make a final edit that’s sure to get the energy flowing for unsuspecting viewers in a world of uncertain times.
Harris explains: "'Apparatus' is about a socially repressive cabal whose sole agenda is maximizing the transfer of wealth and power from poorer, middle class consumers to a thin sliver of the wealthiest via submissive fear ideology. Through an intensive program of isolation, bombardment with propaganda and behaviorally suggestive content before reaching the global eye, the 'Apparatus' is distressing civil liberties in an era of inconceivable technological corporate wizardry, oppression, censorship and domination."
Fronted by Harris and rounded out by MEGADETH drummer Dirk Verbeuren, BRAVE THE COLD is a two-piece formed in 2018 as the two metal conglomerates focus their energies into a new level of aggression. The culmination is "Scarcity", an eleven-track collection of ferociousness breathing much-needed life into the heavy metal scene of 2020. The disc was produced by Logan Mader, who has previously worked with GOJIRA, FEAR FACTORY, CAVALERA CONSPIRACY and W.A.S.P., among others.
BRAVE THE COLD's glitchy, byzantine death metal doesn't just shift gears — it whips, stutters and jumps sideways into heavyweight dimensions. The entire "Scarcity" theme is a well-researched, scenic debate combining dystopian views ranging from anti-elite, anti-media, anti-division, anti-oppression, end of days philosophies, post-apocalyptic poetry, mind control, economic instability, educational infiltration and global political deceit that compromises our spirituality of one collective voice. This is a global agenda that was a long time coming. It's a reflection on how government can create urgency out of necessity.
Harris has been taking a leave of absence from NAPALM DEATH since late 2014 to focus on his family life.
Canadian progressive rockers SAGA will release a new studio album, "Symmetry", on March 12, 2021 via earMUSIC.
After going on tour in spring 2020, SAGA went straight into its home studios. The result: an album full of acoustic originals.
"Symmetry" offers a unique listening experience by bundling complex and delicate arrangements with familiar melodies and sounds. It gives the listener the possibility to explore and discover SAGA classics like "Wind Him Up", "Say Goodbye To Hollywood" and "Tired World" once more and in a completely new way.
SAGA managed to create more than just new versions of their songs; they created a sonic world full of little details that invites the listeners to dive deeper into the complex musical phenomenon that is SAGA.
"Tired World", the first single from "Symmetry", made its first appearance on SAGA's debut album as one of two pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that is "The Chapters", a continuous narrative revolving around a central theme and character (Albert Einstein), and spread out over several albums throughout much of SAGA's extensive body of work.
While "Tired World" is considered by many to be one of the band's iconic classics, this new interpretation of the song brings a new life and new energy to the track with its thoughtful and creative re-imagining — without sacrificing the integrity of the original recording. This new version also features guest performances — as do a majority of the songs on "Symmetry" — along with new acoustic instrumentation and fresh perspectives, highlighting the intricacies and arrangement of the song.
Ian Crichton states about the album: "After opening for 'ourselves' on our 2017 European tour acoustically, the decision to record an acoustic record was born. This is different SAGA, everyone! We invited, from Ontario, Canada, Shane Cook on fiddle, and Stefany Seki, Beth Silver on cello to accompany us on our offside interpretation of music we've played for years. [We] had a lot of fun doing so!
"Acoustic SAGA!?!?!... It's like construction work for an electric guitar player."
"Symmetry" will be available as a CD jewelcase, 2LP gatefold and as a digital download.
Track listing:
01. Pitchman
02. The Perfect Time To Feel Better - Time To Go - The Perfectionist - We Hope You’re Feeling Better
03. Images – Chapter 1
04. Always There
05. Prelude # 1
06. Say Goodbye TO Hollywood
07. Prelude # 2
08. The Right Side Of The Other Hall - Footsteps in the Hall -On The Other Side You Were Right
09. La Foret Harmonieuse
10. Wind Him Up
11. No Regrets – Chapter 5
12. Tired World – Chapter 6
SAGA formed in 1977 in Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and released its first album in 1978. Since that time, SAGA has sold ten million albums and performed in over 20 countries to over 15 million people.
For over 40 years, SAGA has led the way in music innovation and audience interaction. Throughout this time, the band has released nearly two dozen studio-recorded CDs under the umbrella of major record companies and has filmed over twenty music videos. Their hits include "Don't Be Late", "Wind Him Up", "On The Loose", "The Flyer" and "Scratching The Surface".
SAGA is widely regarded as one of the most influential progressive rock bands in Canada and around the world.
SAGA is: Michael Sadler, Dusty Chesterfield, Ian Crichton, Jim Gilmour and Mike Thorne.
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