Sahil Makhija aka Demonstealer has released a brand new song and video, "A Festering Wound", off of his upcoming And This Too Shall Pass EP. "No God will save you," screams Makhija halfway into this scathing, blastbeat-heavy ripper that channels his abject hatred for religion and all the ill it's spawned.
Makhija adds, “It refers to humanity and how we're almost like a cancer on this planet; how we've created God, religion and blinded the masses with these man made creations.”
The video for "A Festering Wound" is now available to stream on Demonstealer's Facebook page, or below:
And This Too Shall Pass EP is set for a worldwide release on December 11.
The 4-song EP is being self-released with the help of a crowd-funding campaign that Makhija personally set up in July earlier this year. It was the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant lockdown in the country that provided Makhija with a new perspective and the inspiration to write new music. And This Too Shall Pass sees Makhija return to his absolute roots. All music on And This Too Shall Pass has been written, played and recorded by Makhija — making it truly a solo effort — a feat he hasn’t performed since his debut album released in 2008. Pre-orders for the digital release are now available here.
Tracklisting:
"This Crumbling Earth"
"A Festering Wound"
"Systemic Failure"
"From Flesh To Ashes"
"This Crumbling Earth":
Credits:
All music written, played & arranged by Demonstealer
All music recorded by Demonstealer at Demonic Studios, India
All music mixed & mastered by Hertz Studio, Poland
Album artwork & layout by Adi Dechristianize
MSG have released a first video trailer for the new album, Immortal, out January 8 via Nuclear Blast. In the clip, Michael Schenker discusses the recording of the album. Watch below.
MSG is a legendary name. After two phenomenal records under the guise of Michael Schenker Fest, a true guitar hero is returning to his roots. By forming Michael Schenker Group (MSG) back in 1979, Michael Schenker laid the foundations for one of hard rock’s most glorious solo careers of all times. And while nobody expected anything less from a former guitarist for Scorpions and UFO, it’s close to impossible mentioning everything Michael has built over the past 50 years, or the countless people he influenced or played with. This, truly, is the stuff that hard rocking myths are made of.
“I never looked back,” is how Michael dryly sums up an extraordinary career. Due to this mindset, he only realised much later what a huge impact his playing had made on the world of metal and hard rock. Very few guitarists can be cited as a primary influence for the likes of James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Dave Mustaine, Dimebag Darrell, Slash or Kerry King. However, to understand Michael Schenker means to understand one primary thing: he’s not here to be worshipped or adored, he’s not here to get rich, he’s here to play. And at 65, he’s doing it with the same swagger, verve and dizzying artistry as always. “I’m still 16 in my head,” he laughs.
Right in time for his 40th anniversary as a solo artist and his 50th birthday as a musician, he resurrects the immortal Michael Schenker Group. Immortal is also the name of his new album, recorded by likely the strongest line-up in his long history. Its a lightning bolt of an album that sounds fresh, bloodthirsty and agile. Immortal showcases the gargantuan vocal talents of Chilean hard rock prodigy Ronnie Romero (Rainbow), backed by singers Ralf Scheepers (Primal Fear), Joe Lynn Turner (ex-Deep Purple) as well as Schenker’s brother in arms, Michael Voss (Mad Max) who again produced the record alongside Michael Schenker – flawlessly, punchy and at full steam as if their very lives depended on it.
Next to Michael Schenker caressing his iconic black and white Dean Flying V, we hear bass player Barry Sparks (Dokken), keyboard player Steve Mann as well as the three drummers Bodo Schopf, Simon Phillips (ex-Toto) and Brian Tichy (ex-Whitesnake) pumping gallons of fresh blood through the tracks. And that’s not all, keyboard wizard extraordinaire Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Black Country Communion) gives the listener a baptism of fire in the blistering, heavy hitting opener “Drilled To Kill”, powered by Ralf Scheepers’ unbelievable vocal tornado.
Michael Schenker doesn’t live to play, he plays to live, and there’s no better way of summing up his relationship to his music than this – now for half a century and counting. The most emblematic representation of this relationship is the monumental closing track “In Search Of The Peace Of Mind”, a new recording of the very first song he ever wrote. “I composed this track in my mother’s kitchen back when I was 15,” he looks back half a century and smiles broadly: “The solo is just so perfect, I wouldn’t change a single note even today. This is the most important song of the last 50 years for me. It’s what started it all.”
When it finally got released in 1972 on the Scorpions’ debut Lonesome Crow, Schenker had already moved on to UFO. What followed were several decades of pure hard rock ecstasy on and off stage, featuring a rotating cast of stellar players, always pressing the pedal to the metal. Now, in 2020, he reaps what he sowed. Alongside many of his peers, friends and contemporaries, he is celebrating 50 years of hard rock – fittingly with an album that is something like a zeitgeisty reminiscence of everything he’s ever done. The massive midtempo smasher “Don’t Die On Me Now” sees Joe Lynn Turner going all in, Ronnie Romero works his magic in “Knight Of The Dead” while Michael Voss cuts a grand figure before the microphone as well as behind the mixing desk on the furious second single “After The Rain”.
Towering above them all, Michael Schenker and his guitar prove they’re truly and utterly invincible. The celebrated icon pulls out all the stops – including his legendary “howler”, the fabled magnet he’s used on his fingerboard for a while now. And here’s yet another thing that’s just so archetypically Schenker, when bringing up his fiery and dedicated performance on “Immortal” he nonchalantly shrugs it off: “I simply played from the heart, as always.” This, dear Michael, is the understatement of the year – all the more so for a record that is already one of the top contenders for hard rock/metal album of the year.
"Drilled To Kill" (feat Ralf Scheepers)
"Don’t Die On Me Now" (feat Joe Lynn Turner)
"Knight Of The Dead" (feat Ronnie Romero)
"After The Rain" (feat Michael Voss)
"Devil’s Daughter" (feat Ralf Scheepers)
"Sail The Darkness" (Feat Ronnie Romero)
"The Queen Of Thorns And Roses" (feat Michael Voss)
"Come On Over" (feat Ronnie Romero)
"Sangria Morte" (feat Joe Lynn Turner)
"In Search Of Peace Of Mind" (feat Ronnie Romero, Gary Barden,Doogie White, Robin McAuley)
IN THIS MOMENT, BODY COUNT, CODE ORANGE and POWER TRIP are among the "Best Metal Performance" nominees at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 Surround Sound on the CBS television network on Sunday, January 31, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.
"Best Metal Performance" nominees:
* BODY COUNT - "Bum-Rush"
* CODE ORANGE - "Underneath"
* IN THIS MOMENT - "The In-Between"
* POPPY - "Bloodmoney"
* POWER TRIP - "Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe) - Live"
The 63rd annual Grammy Awards will be hosted by "The Daily Show" host Trevor Noah, who previously received a nomination for best comedy album, "Son Of Patricia". It will mark his first time hosting the awards show.
"Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the Grammys have refused to have me sing or be nominated for best pop album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event," the comedian said in a statement. "I think as a one-time Grammy nominee, I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artists who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award. (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I'm not trying to catch Corona).
"See you at the 63rd Grammys," he added.
Earlier this year, it was announced that the 63rd annual Grammys would not be delayed despite the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.
"The amount of music released has actually increased during the pandemic, so we would not want to delay our date with so much great music coming out," the Recording Academy's interim president and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. told Variety in June. "I also think it's important and helpful to have shows like this, when there's been so much uncertainty and unrest — to have something you know is coming around every year and to know there's a time when we all sit down together and watch great entertainment and art."
In September, Mason teased to Variety, that the upcoming ceremony is "going to be a spectacular show." "Obviously, this is a very unique year. We've been looking at all of the shows really closely and I've been talking with some of the people who put them together — the creative and also the business side," he said. "I think there have been some great examples of how to present music and awards at these shows, and I think there's some other things that we're gonna do pretty differently."
This year, TOOL was honored with a Grammy in the "Best Metal Performance" category in the pre-telecast ceremony at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, which was held on January 26 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. TOOL was nominated for "7empest", a track from its 2019 album "Fear Inoculum".
ELLEFSON, the solo band of MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson, released its covers album, "No Cover", on November 20 via earMUSIC (Europe) and Ward Records (Japan). The effort was made available in conjunction with Ellefson's revived Combat Records, which issued the album in North America via Amped.
ELLEFSON's music video for its cover version of the AC/DC song "Riff Raff", taken from "No Cover", can be seen below.
"Riff Raff" recording lineup:
David Ellefson - Bass
Jason McMaster - Lead Vocals
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal - Guitar
Dave Lombardo - Drums
ELLEFSON has cited some unexpected medical situations for pushing back the "No Cover" release date by more than a month. Vocalist/co-producer Thom Hazaert states: "There's no easy way to say it, but in July, right in the middle of recording the album, I had massive heart failure and went into full cardiac arrest. My heart literally stopped for several minutes, and I was revived at the hospital. There was a long recovery, but we managed to finish the record, and secure amazing deals with our friends at earMUSIC and Ward, but obviously we had to revisit our timeline a bit. And literally, maybe a month and a half later we were in Los Angeles, at Al's house, shooting the video for 'Auf Wiedersehen'. I'm just extremely humbled and thankful to be here to be able to, not only, finish this incredible record, but be able to see it released worldwide with incredible label partners, which really almost wasn't the case."
He adds: "Originally we had envisioned 'No Cover' as a smaller, limited-release 'quarantine project' we were doing for fun with a bunch of our friends, really just to not have to release our studio album during the pandemic. But as it neared completion, and we really got to see what it was turning into, we realized it was worthy of so much more. I have a long history and friendship with Max at earMUSIC, and they are an incredible label, and home to some of our favorite artists, and friends — ALICE COOPER, DEF LEPPARD, and more — and we are ecstatic to be able to partner with them for not only this release, but future ELLEFSON releases as well. Ward had already released 'Sleeping Giants' for us last year in Japan, and we had secured a deal with them for our upcoming 2021 studio album, so it was a natural fit when we went to them with the idea of partnering with us on 'No Cover'."
Adds Ellefson: "It really was a crazy, whirlwind process, not only making such an involved album so fast, but also remotely, during a pandemic, with not only dozens of guests, but the entire band, spread around the globe. And then almost losing our singer in the middle of it. But at the end of the day, it turned out better than any of us had hoped, and really was one of the most fun records I've ever made. It's been great to pull so many great and positive things out of 2020, despite all the challenges."
Produced by Ellefson and Hazaert, with additional production by guitarist Andy Martongelli and Matt LaPlant (NONPOINT, SKINDRED, LIL' JON), mixed by Alessio Garavello, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum (FAITH NO MORE), "No Cover" includes ELLEFSON-ized versions of 19 classic tracks from MOTÖRHEAD, W.A.S.P., DEF LEPPARD, CHEAP TRICK, QUEEN, JUDAS PRIEST, TWISTED SISTER, FASTWAY, FIGHT, DEAD KENNEDYS and more. Featuring cover art by Melody Myers (ALTITUDES AND ATTITUDE, ESCAPE THE FATE), an homage to the legendary DEF LEPPARD debut "On Through The Night", "No Cover" is the second release under the ELLEFSON banner, the follow-up to 2019's "Sleeping Giants", a double-disc compilation combining new tracks, with unreleased Ellefson solo and F5 material.
ELLEFSON, featuring Ellefson on bass, vocalist Thom Hazaert, guitarists Andy Martongelli and Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal (SONS OF APOLLO, YES, ex-GUNS N' ROSES), and drummer Paolo Caridi, are joined on the album by a who's who of legendary guests including Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Eddie Ojeda (TWISTED SISTER), Brandon Yeagley (CROBOT), Dirk Verbeuren (MEGADETH), Frank Hannon and Troy Lucketta (TESLA), Mark Slaughter, Jason McMaster (DANGEROUS TOYS, ex-WATCHTOWER, EVIL UNITED), Greg Handevidt (KUBLAI KHAN, ex-MEGADETH), Chuck Behler (ex-MEGADETH), Gus G., John Aquilino (ICON), Doro Pesch, Dave McClain (SACRED REICH, ex-MACHINE HEAD), Dave Alvin (WHITE TRASH), Todd Kerns (SLASH FEATURING MYLES KENNEDY AND THE CONSPIRATORS, Andrew Freeman (LAST IN LINE), Jacob Bunton (Mick Mars), Al Jourgensen (MINISTRY), Russ Parrish (FIGHT), DEAD BY WEDNESDAY, and more.
Track listing:
Disc one:
01. Freewheel Burning (JUDAS PRIEST) (featuring Jason McMaster, Gus G, Andy James, Dave McClain)
02. Tear It Loose (TWISTED SISTER) (featuring Eddie Ojeda, Dave McClain)
03. Love Me Like A Reptile (MOTÖRHEAD) (featuring Doro Pesch, Greg Handevidt, Chuck Behler)
04. Holiday in Cambodia (DEAD KENNEDYS) (featuring Charlie Benante, Bumblefoot)
05. Rebel Yell (BILLY IDOL) (featuring Paolo Caridi)
06. Wasted (DEF LEPPARD) (featuring Frank Hannon, Jacob Bunton, Dave McClain)
07. Riff Raff (AC/DC) (featuring Jason McMaster, Dave Lombardo, Bumblefoot)
08. Nailed To The Gun (FIGHT) (featuring Andrew Freeman, Russ Parrish, Jimmy DeGrasso)
09. Not Fragile (BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE) (featuring John Aquilino, Paolo Caridi, Bumblefoot)
10. Auf Wiedersehen (CHEAP TRICK) (featuring Al Jourgensen, Brandon Yeagley, Charlie Benante)
Disc two:
01. L.O.V.E. Machine (W.A.S.P.) (featuring Dirk Verbeuren, Dave Alvin, Bumblefoot)
Ellefson says: "Before any of us started writing our own songs, we all began playing cover songs by our heroes during our formative years as musicians. So it's fun to go back in time and revisit those songs which helped us to become the artists we are today, especially when, ironically, many of those artists have now become peers and friends.
"During the process of recording some covers for B-sides and bonus tracks for the upcoming ELLEFSON solo LP, Thom and I just said, 'This is a blast. Let's just do a whole album of covers.' Literally, within two weeks, we had the songs recorded, and began calling our friends to join us, many of whom we had just performed with on the Megacruise back in October. From there, the album just fell into place."
He continues: "A lot of our buddies have been playing covers and quarantine jams on the Internet during the pandemic, so this is really just an extension of that, but we took it the next level and actually recorded a full studio album. We've been working remotely anyway, as we're all over the globe, so it was easy to incorporate some guests jumping in with some outstanding performances of their own. It's been a really fun nod to making great music with our friends, who are kick-ass players, and many legends in their own right, which is the whole reason we got into this in the first place."
Says Hazaert: "It's all songs and artists that really mutually influenced both myself and David, especially a lot of early 'metal' and harder classic rock. Some stuff I picked, some stuff he picked, but for the most part is was all artists that we both loved. What's funny, as there's a bit of an age gap, we were sometimes more influenced by different eras of the same bands. But it was really him saying, 'Let's do this song,' and me saying, 'Yes!!! And let's do this song.' And before we knew it, we had over 15 songs. And it's a lot of album tracks, deep cuts, early tracks, stuff people might not expect, which was what was so fun."
He adds: "It was also great that we were able to work in a lot of nods to David's history, getting Chuck Behler to play with us, bringing in original MEGADETH guitarist Greg Handevidt to play on 'Love Me Like A Reptile', a song they used to play in cover bands together before they moved to L.A. (which we wrote about in 'More Life With Deth'), and Randy Burns is going to mix a track or two. As a singer, these are literally bands I've listened to, and covered all my life, and for me, getting to play with Eddie Ojeda, the TESLA guys, Charlie Benante, Jason McMaster, Mark Slaughter, etc, and sing these songs that mean so much to me. I mean, literally, the entire record is my bucket list of people I'd love to play with, and some of my favorite bands. So, it's truly an honor to put together something so fun, and really as effortless as this was. It truly is a love letter to rock n' roll, an homage to what made us, musically, who we are today."
2019 saw the release of Ellefson's "More Life With Deth" memoir, co-written with Hazaert, which led to the pair collaborating on the ELLEFSON compilation release "Sleeping Giants", released as a companion album to the book. Ellefson and Hazaert followed up the release of "Sleeping Giants" with an extensive U.S. and European tour, dubbed "More Live With Deth", with HATCHET guitarist Clayton Cagle, as well as FLOTSAM AND JETSAM's Steve Conley, stepping in on second guitar in the U.S., including several now-legendary shows featuring MEGADETH alumni Chuck Behler and Chris Poland.
The European "More Live With Deth" tour saw the permanent addition of guitarist Andy Martongelli and drummer Paolo Caridi into the recording lineup, as well as the return of Bumblefoot to the fold, and ELLEFSON was born. March 2020 brought the release of the single "Simple Truth", which was premiered on SiriusXM by Eddie Trunk, followed in May by the release of their re-imagined Post Malone cover "Over Now", both of which garnered national airplay.
ELLEFSON is set to tentatively release its debut full-length studio LP in 2021.
On January 15, Dread Sovereign will release their third full-length, Alchemical Warfare, via Metal Blade Records. For a first preview of the record, a video for the new single, "Nature Is The Devil's Church", can be found below.
Alchemical Warfare can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:
- digipak-CD
- 180g black vinyl (EU exclusive)
- slate blue / grey marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 200 copies)
- raisin rouge marbled vinyl (EU exclusive - limited to 150 copies)
- gold / black dust vinyl (Kings Road exclusive - limited to 100 copies)
- white / black marbled vinyl (US exclusive)
Dread Sovereign was formed in Dublin, Ireland in 2013 by Primordial vocalist Nemtheanga to give praise to filthy cult old doom, black and heavy metal. Their first EP, 2013's Pray To The Devil In Man, came out on Roadburn/Burning World Records to coincide with the band's live debut. Soon after, two full-lengths were released by Van Records: All Hell's Martyrs (2014) and For Doom The Bell Tolls (2017). And now, in early 2021, the band will release their new album, Alchemical Warfare, through Metal Blade Records.
"Our motto when we started was 'The World is Doomed'…and it seems life is imitating art…as we are looking like filthy prophets!" says vocalist/bassist Nemtheanga. "Several years in the making, the new Dread Sovereign is ready for the End of the World, which might be next year in case you didn't know! A bit more reckless and up-tempo than the previous releases, yet the template remains doom, Alchemical Warfare just has a bit more Venom and Motörhead thrown into the mix. If it's the end of days we might as well go out with middle fingers raised right?"
Alchemical Warfare tracklisting:
"A Curse On Men"
"She Wolves Of The Savage Season"
"The Great Beast We Serve"
"Nature Is The Devil's Church"
"Her Master's Voice"
"Viral Tomb"
"Devil's Bane"
"Ruin Upon The Temple Mount"
"You Don't Move Me (I Don't Give A Fuck)" * CD+digital bonus track only
"Nature Is The Devil's Church" video:
Dread Sovereign lineup:
Nemtheanga - vocals/bass
Bones - guitars
JK - drums
Since the pandemic began, Alan/Nemtheanga has also started a podcast, entitled Agitators Anonymous. Well over 30 episodes with almost 75,000 listens, Agitators Anonymous is a mixture of tour stories, politics, the occult, culture, history, travel, black humour, special guests, deep dives into books, events, writers, and characters from the past - and of course, metal.
Fans can listen at the below links and across all podcast platforms:
The stunning beauty of Fleshgod Apocalypse's music video for "Monnalisa'"has not gone unnoticed: The visual masterpiece has been selected for this year's British Horror Film Festival (November 27 - 30) lineup, in the category "Short Movies".
The festival stated: "'Monnalisa', directed by Giovanni Bucci, is a visually stunning feast for the eyes, with atmospheres that normally belong to fashion films, paired with cinematic camera work and beautiful color grading."
Find more information about the festival here, and watch the music video for "Monnalisa" below:
Fleshgod Apocalypse unplugged for a stunning new rendition of their song "The Day We'll Be Gone". The acoustic two-track digital single features an instrumental version and is accompanied by a studio performance video clip directed by Martina Lesley (Sanda Movies).
The artwork was created once again by renowned visionary artist Travis Smith. The original song is found on the band's critically praised fifth album, Veleno.
Stream "The Day We'll Be Gone" (Acoustic) here, and watch the studio performance video below:
The band recently announced their new official lineup, featuring Veronica Bordacchini (vocals), Fabio Bartoletti (guitar) and Eugene Ryabchenko (drums).
Frontman Francesco Paoli states: "In these uncertain times, we wanted to bare our inner souls and let the music speak for itself. This track pushes us out of our comfort zone as musicians and performer, proving that art in any form can survive the most dreadful circumstances. Given the current situation, it was the right time to do something truly experimental, a once in a lifetime musical exploration for the band.
"Our recent live streaming concert introduced our new band members to a worldwide crowd, but this song really shows how strongly open minded and skilled they are. Me, Francesco and Paolo have been through this journey together for over a decade, but we haven't felt this good for a long time. That's why we're glad to announce them as official band members. Expect much more, sooner than you think."
Francesco adds: "This is the best line-up we could ask for. Eugene is an absolute phenomenon on drums, so I'm really glad to pass the torch to a great successor. Fabio is a true guitar hero, extremely tight and tasteful. Veronica has been with us for 7 years now and even today her incredible talent never ceases to amaze me, so I know she can push her limits further in the future. Now our rehearsal room feels like home again."
New Jersey-based extreme metal band, Lorna Shore, have released their new drum playthrough for “Death Portrait”. Watch the playthrough from drummer Austin Archey below.
“Death Portrait” is off the band’s latest full-length, Immortal, which came out earlier this year via Century Media Records. The band have released music videos for “King Ov Deception”, “Death Portrait”, and “ Immortal” off the new LP, which was written by guitarist Adam DeMicco and drummer Austin Archey and was produced by Josh Schroeder (The Color Morale, In Hearts Wake). Immortal is available to stream and purchase here.
In the new video below, Helloween singer Michael Kiske reflects on the song "Kids Of The Century" from the Pink Pubbles Go Ape album. How did the song come about, how was the video shooting with director Storm Thorgerson back in the day and why is it still relevant today?
The "Pumpkins United" lineup of Helloween have been working on their yet to be named, new album. The record will see the boys going “back to the roots,” with the band recording fully analogue and Dani Löble drumming on Ingo Schwichtenberg’s original drum kit, as used in the legendary Keeper Of The Seven Keys recordings.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Helloween were forced to postpone the United Alive European Tour Part II. Initially scheduled to take place from the end of September until mid of November 2020, the tour has been rescheduled from April to June 2021. Dates below.
United Alive World Tour Part II - Europe 2021:
April
16 - St. Petersburg, Russia - A2
18 - Moscow, Russia - Adrenaline–Stadium
24 - Barcelona, Spain - St.Jordi Club
25 - Madrid, Spain - WiZink Center
27 - Milan, Italy - Lorenzini District
28 - Zurich, Switzerland - Samsung Hall
30 - Hamburg, Germany - Sporthalle
May
1 - Stuttgart, Germany - Schleyer-Halle
3 - Budapest, Hungary - Papp Laszlo Sportarena
4 - Vienna, Austria - Gasometer
5 - Prague, Czech Republic - O2 Arena
7 - Katowice, Poland - MCK
8 - Zvolen, Slovakia - Ice Stadium
11 - Tallinn, Estonia - Noblessneri Valukoda
13 - Helsinki, Finland - Black Box
15 - Gothenburg, Sweden - Partille Arena
22 - Manchester, England - Manchester Academy
23 - London, England - Brixton Academy
24 - Paris, France - Olympia
26 - Lyon, France - Le Transbordeur
28 - Luxembourg, Luxembourg - Rockhal
29 - Bochum, Germany - Ruhrcongress
Lord Of The Lost have released an official video for “We Were Young” featuring Heaven Can Wait Choir, cut from their latest classical ensemble album, Swan Songs III.
The heart-wrenching version includes intimate reminiscences from Chris Harms’ childhood and showcases a touching new facet of their bold universe. Told through genuine memories and clearly narrated through the style of a vintage Super8 camera, the audiovisual symbolizes the most personal output to date. The outstanding band proves once again that the greatest inspiration and the best director is life itself.
"With the new video for 'We Were Young' I would like to say thank you to my parents. The video is a reflection of my happy childhood, thanks to them, which paved the way for me to become who I am today. The video shows real Super8 film footage from my birth in 1980 until 1994, when the magnetic tape slowly replaced the celluloid. In the credits of the video you can see the time before my birth, which my parents have captured on film for themselves since 1967. The director of this video was life itself and it shows here an origin story that could not have been more personal". - Chris Harms
Watch the official video for “We Were Young” below:
The one-off version of "We Were Young", off their latest album, was created in cooperation with the senior choir Heaven Can Wait. The whole story, a lot of background details and many impressive shots can still be seen on the official ZDF Doku here and within the heart-wrenching live version below:
It has been 30 of your Earth "years" since your Lords and Masters GWAR released what many consider to be the band's career-defining album "Scumdogs Of The Universe". In celebration of this momentous occasion, GWAR is pleased as piss to unveil 30th-anniversary versions of "Scumdogs Of The Universe". The album will be available on October 30 on CD, double LP, cassette and digital and is available for pre-order here.
Today the band unleashes a classic performance video, featuring the newly remixed and remastered audio version of "Cool Place To Park". Watch it below.
Since GWAR's formation, the band has released fourteen studio albums, two live albums, numerous music videos and have sold over 800,000 records in the United States alone. Known for its outrageous violence and sexual humor often incorporating social and political satire, GWAR has attracted acclaim and controversy for both their music and live performances.
The story of GWAR begins in the deepest reaches of outer space. Long ago, the beings who would become the infamous shock rock band GWAR were part of an elite fighting force, the Scumdogs of the Universe. For eons, they served as thralls to a supreme being known only as the Master. But one by one, each member of the band earned a glaring reputation for being an intergalactic fuck-up. And so, they were banished, sent away on a fool's errand to conquer an insignificant shit ball floating in a dark corner of the universe; the planet Earth. Once here, GWAR shaped the face of the globe, destroying and rebuilding the natural world, and giving rise to all of human history before settling into their role as the most outrageous rock band in history. Aliens to some, gods and demons to others, GWAR is eternal.
Dave Brockie, who fronted GWAR under the name Oderus Urungus, was found dead in his home in Richmond, Virginia in March 2014. According to Virginia's State Medical Examiner's Office, he died from acute heroin toxicity by accidental means.
Brockie was last remaining original member of GWAR, which was founded 36 years ago. He was 50 years old.
The satirical metal band earned a following for its macabre, over-the-top costumes, offensive lyrics and graphic, gore-soaked shows, in which the bandmembers performed as the descendants of alien warriors who arrived on Earth to enslave and slaughter the human race.
Born of life, love, and spirituality, Ascension Of The Watchers features pioneering vocalist Burton C. Bell, John Bechdel, and Jayce Lewis. Bell's unmistakable, harmonious inventory once renowned in one of metal's finest trailblazing acts has brought life to a new concept, a genre of its own: ambient atmospheres, melodies, and introspective lyrics that shed light of Bell's visions, as seen in their purest form.
Following a decade-long journey of writing and recording, from California, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wales, the trio released their Apocrypha full-length last month via Dissonance Productions. In commemoration of the release, the band has unveiled a clip recounting its creation. The observational documentary was filmed during the making of Apocrypha, and takes viewers through the history, collaboration stories, and recording process of what became the band's second album.
Industrial gothic rockers Ascension Of The Watchers released their new album, Apocrypha, in October via Dissonance Productions.
A music video for the song "The End Is Always The Beginning" can be found below. Says Bell: "Now, more than ever, my words are a true reflection of my mind. 'The End Is Always The Beginning' is a true statement, in every aspect of life, it all depends on the individual perspective. The video was created by Victor Hugo-Borges and is another surreal snippet into Ascension Of The Watchers. The meaning is unique for every listener and viewer. There is no incorrect analysis. Take what you will from it. For me, this is the beginning of a whole new chapter, and this song validates my personal strength to truly understand what it means to move forward."
The recording is available on CD, two limited vinyl formats and through all major digital outlets. Order on CD and vinyl here, or via streaming platforms here.
Tracklisting:
“Ghost Heart”
“The End Is Always The Beginning”
“Apocrypha”
“A Wolf Interlude”
“Honoree”
“Stormcrow”
“Cygnus Aeon”
“Key To The Cosmos”
“Bells Of Perdition”
“Wanderers”
“Sign Your Name”
“Ghost Heart” video:
Ascension Of The Watchers lineup:
Burton C. Bell - vocals and guitar
John Bechdel - keyboards
Jayce Lewis - drums, backing vocals and programming
A breed of hard rock that carries a heavy, stripped-down sound is what Dead Original continues to produce. "Let It Burn" is the next single from their debut album, Bought And Sold, due out in January 2021.
Former Trivium drummer turned frontman Paul Wandtke (Rock Of Ages), drummer Sean McCole, and bassist Mike Petrasik (Bedlem) signal that the feel of their rock maintains "less is more."
"'Let It Burn' is a little bit different from our whole album, as it’s a slower paced groove track with a big vibe and lyrics centered around embracing one's problems and misfortunes," explains vocalist / guitarist Paul Wandtke.
Bought And Sold artwork and tracklisting:
"Move"
"Hard To See"
"Bored Again"
"Restrained"
"Bought And Sold"
"Blasted"
"Let It Burn"
"My Friends"
"Beached"
"Fade To Light"
"Searching"
"Die Alone"
"Circles" [intro]
"Circles"
"Restrained":
"Bought And Sold":
For further details, visit Dead Original on Facebook.
Devin Townsend has checked in from quarantine with a new song. Check it out below.
"I know it’s early, but I guess the plan is to record songs over the next month so I just kind of started. I dunno...been a year.
Such a tired old song… tried to make it nice. There have been people in my immediate family asking me to do Christmas songs for years, and I just haven’t had the energy… but its a rough year, so here you go. If Youtube isn’t sufficient, I've put it up on Bandcamp for a dollar if you’d like.
Hope you guys are doing ok, hang on through the season, it can be rough on some of us I know. take care of yourself.
Love, Dev"
Townsend made a new livestream Christmas show announcement yesterday:
"Hey all, as this year grinds to a chaotic close, I think it would be nice to do a more chilled out show for the holidays. If any of you caught the acoustic tours I had been doing over the past few years, I would like to do something like that for this stream. It has been five Quarantine concerts so far this year, and I'm wanting to bring this one back to the vibe of the first few. I know it's a trying time lately and it's easy to let the thoughts get away from us, but let's try to have a lovely afternoon and I'll play you some songs. Half of the proceeds will go to the food bank, as they need it now more than ever in many ways. I hope to see you there."
The show will take place on December 23rd at 1pm PST / 4pm EST / 21:00 GMT / 22:00 CET. Tickets are 10 USD each and can be purchased here.
Melbourne based band Shotgun Mistress recently returned with another nose-to-the-grind indie hard rock onslaught, "Collide", out now via Crusader Records. Check out the official video below.
Shotgun Mistress was formed by Matt Wilcock (The Berzerker, Akercocke, Abramelin), internationally renowned death-metal demon guitarist best known for playing at light speeds. He hooked up with “Diamond” David Lee on drums to jam out LA Strip-era rock. Ben Curnow (Earth) joined on bass, along with vocalist Glenn Patrick (Collegians).
Shotgun Mistress is the first Australian band to join Golden Robot’s new metal label Crusader Records.
This is your last chance to dance to a new Sick Of It All live session for now. While everybody is dying to see live-shows the band filmed a series of live clips – straight in their homes! After releasing “Alone”, “The Bland Within”, “Paper Tiger”, “Hardcore Horseshoe” and “Never Back Down” make sure to check out “Deep State” below.
The band comments: “Here it is the last Quarantine Jam we have recorded. We went ‘Deep’ off the latest album ‘Wake The Sleeping Dragon!’ for this one. The heavy pounder that got that SOIA groove, ‘Deep State’ we saved this for last because we love how it came out, the performance, the visuals, the sound! Also the lyrics to remind everyone that no matters who’s in charge they don’t care about you and want to keep us at each other’s throats! Thank you for all the love you have shown these videos and we hope you love this one as well. We don’t know if this is the final one yet. But to produce these ain’t free and we ain’t touring! So we will see what’s next!”
"Never Back Down":
The previously released "Hardcore Horseshoe", "Paper Tiger", “Alone” and “The Bland Within” are available below:
Powerhouse all-star band Disciples Of Verity (D.O.V.) continues to build momentum with the release of the fourth single and video, “I Am I,” from their upcoming debut album, Pragmatic Sanction.
“My hat goes off to the folks doing all that hard work to make this video,” says frontman Corey Glover. “The director and the crew did a great job. The story they told was one of struggle and overcoming a system that more often than not, puts people (women) in financial and physical danger. I am proud of everyone who was involved in telling this story.”
Adds guitarist Mark Monjoy, “We had a great couple days of shooting with Tony at Kennette Productions. We trusted his vision of what the video needed to capture, and we made it happen. Once you have a good team in place it makes our job that much easier.”
Fueled by an insatiable urge to create and collaborate, D.O.V. combines the broad range of talent of its all-star lineup - which also includes drummer Corey Pierce (God Forbid) and George Pond (Negative Sky) - to forge a new breed of crossover metal. The band’s debut, scheduled for a late summer/early fall release via The Label Group, features guest performances from numerous Platinum-selling and Grammy-winning artists including Morgan Rose (Sevendust), Phil Demmel (Machine Head), Jeff Loomis (Arch Enemy), Tara McLeod (Kittie), JJ Sammataro (Negative Sky) and solo artist Joe Gareri.
D.O.V. released a lyric video for the track “The Flow,” featuring a guest appearance by Sevendust drummer Morgan Rose, followed by a cover of X Ambassadors’ “Unsteady” and “The Lost Ones.”
Pragmatic Sanction is scheduled for release next year via The Label Group. The album was produced by George Pond and Charlie Berezansky, co-produced by Corey Pierce and Jay Muench, mixed by Charlie Berezansky at Rival Sound, and mastered by Alan Douches at West West Side.
“Lying To Myself” (feat. Phil Demmel)
“The Flow” (feat. Morgan Rose)
“Worthy” (feat. Jeff Loomis)
“The Lost Ones” (feat. JJ Sammataro)
“Confiding In Shadows” (feat. Joe Garen)
“Remember The Living” (feat. Tara McLeod)
“Unsteady” (X Ambassadors cover)
“I AM I” (feat. Joe Garen)
Lord Of The Lost's new classical ensemble album, Swan Songs III, proclaims its mission statement almost immediately, not least due to Chris Harms’ distinctive voice and the sophisticated arrangements of this extraordinary line-up. Being the first band of their genre to release a cover of John Cage's piece 4’33”, the dark metal sensation proves that they can’t be pigeonholed.
The original piece is based on occasional noises, created and perceived by the listener during a performance – thus 4'33" is a composition that differs from other arrangements primarily because it recreates itself every time it’s played or performed.
The track symbolizes the fleeting nature of the moment turning all the ambient noises, usually hidden behind harmonies and sounds, inside out whilst emphasizing a new level of tonal sophistication.
Lord Of The Lost takes the composition to a new meta-level and sets a statement according to the currently prevailing pandemic and the resulting, mostly silent, music and live culture.
Lord Of The Lost talks about the new single and the video:
"The idea to record a cover version John Cage's legendary piece, '4'33”', was born from a joke, yet by the fascination of its message: silence is as much a part of music as notes or sounds of any kind. What happens if you extend the silence to the conceivable maximum? Is it still music? And if not, why? What provides us with the right to judge? When you have a look at the past - most of those appearances once being declared as “noise” are now a solid part of our culture.
Not only talking about rock or metal, but also about modern classical music or jazz. The last genre is the living proof that a rebellious movement against the establishment can become an important part of itself.
Nowadays the average attention on social media stories has dropped down to 15 seconds, so it becomes unmistakably clear how long 4 minutes and 33 seconds appear – unbearably long and silent. Due to the developments over the course of the current Covid-19 pandemic and the partially necessary shut down of the entire music- and live- culture, '4'33"' was turning from a joke, or modern auditory artwork, into a memorial. A memorial to the oppressively loud silence surrounding us, all our fellow musicians and billions of music fans around the world."
Watch an unboxing video for Swan Songs III below:
The standard version of Swan Songs III consists of new songs, all recorded with The Lord Of The Lost-Ensemble, and brand new versions of a hand-picked selection of Lord Of The Lost classics, including the standout 18-minute-long song “Letters To Home”.
For all dark metal connoisseurs, Swan Songs III comes with a high quality deluxe box, including the instrumental Swan Symphonies III-versions of all songs and previously unreleased demo versions of eight new songs. As a special bonus, there is a full live set, recorded at their 10th anniversary show in 2019 in their hometown of Hamburg. More than five hours of Lord Of The Lost in all facets on seven CDs.
Swan Songs III will be available in multiple formats, including a high-class Earbook, a box set and a 2LP Gatefold Vinyl. The album is a gift to all music fans and marks the next highlight in Lord Of The Lost's musical career. Pre-orders available here.
Lord Of The Lost on the album: "The Swan Songs project started as a musical infidelity, continued in a beloved carry-on and became like a second musical DNA. Meanwhile, we feel at home in our second musical facet, as well as in our classifying Lord Of The Lost sound / shell. Swan Songs III has a musical depth that even surprises ourselves with a certain distance to its finishing. It is by no means the last part of a trilogy, but so far our personal highlight of Lord Of The Lost’s classical-career.”
Swan Songs III CD1 tracklisting:
“A Splintered Mind”
“A One Ton Heart”
“Dying On The Moon” (feat. Joy Frost)
“Zunya”
“Unfeel”
“Deathless”
“Agape”
“Hurt Again”
“Amber”
“We Were Young” (feat. Heaven Can Wait Choir)
“4’33””
“Dying On The Moon” (Joyless Version)
“We Were Young” (feat. Heaven Can Wait Choir - ZDF Version)
Swan Songs III CD2 tracklisting:
“Loreley” (Swan Songs III Version)
“Morgana” (Swan Songs III Version)
“Black Halo” (Swan Songs III Version)
“Cut Me Out” (Swan Songs III Version)
“In Silence” (Swan Songs III Version)
“Seven Days of Anavrin” (Swan Songs III Version)
“My Heart Is Black” (Swan Songs III Version)
“Letters To Home” (Swan Songs III Version)
Swan Symphonies III CD1 tracklisting:
“A Splintered Mind” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“A One Ton Heart” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Dying On The Moon” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Zunya” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Unfeel” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Deathless” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Agape” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Hurt Again” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Amber” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“We Were Young” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
Swan Symphonies III CD2 tracklisting:
“Loreley (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Morgana” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Black Halo” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Cut Me Out” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“In Silence” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Seven Days of Anavrin” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“My Heart Is Black” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
“Letters To Home” (Swan Symphonies III Version)
Swan Songs Demos tracklisting:
“A Splintered Mind” (Demo)
“A One Ton Heart” (Demo)
“Dying On The Moon” (Demo)
“Zunya” (Demo)
“Unfeel” (Demo)
“Hurt Again” (Demo)
“Amber” (Demo)
“We Were Young” (Demo)
Opus X CD1 tracklisting:
“Lament For The Condemned” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Morgana” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Prison” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Sex On Legs” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“I.D.G.A.F.” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Die Tomorrow” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Black Lolita” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Dry The Rain” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“One Day Everything Will Be Okay” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Credo” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
Opus X CD2 tracklisting:
“Raining Stars” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Full Metal Whore” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Loreley” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Voodoo Doll” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Forevermore” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Blood For Blood” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Six Feet Underground” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“La Bomba” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Trisma” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
“Drag Me To Hell” (Live In Hamburg 2019)
The Lord Of The Lost Ensemble 2020:
Chris Harms: Vocals, Violoncello, Semi Acoustic Guitar
π: Acoustic Guitar
Bengt Jaeschke: Acoustic Guitar
Class Grenayde: Acoustic Bass
Gared Dirge: Grand Piano
Corvin Bahn: Organ, Harpsichord, Celeste
Maline Zickow: 1st Violin
Felicitas Fischbein: 2nd Violin
Ida Luzie Phlipp: Viola
Miriam Göbel: Violoncello
Julia C. Pfänder: Contrabass
Niklas Kahl: Percussions
Daniel Möhrke: Percussions
Henrik Petschull: Percussions
Accuser recently released their new self-titled album via Metal Blade Records. Get it here, and watch a guitar playthrough video for "A Cycle's End", below:
Since they began flying the flag for German thrash in the '80s, Accuser have gone on to prove themselves one of the most enduring forces in global metal. With eleven full-lengths behind them, they return in 2020 with their latest masterwork: a blistering collection that captures everything that makes the band so vital, produced by longtime collaborator Martin Buchwalter (who has worked on five Accuser albums) and mastered by Dan Swanö.
Accuser tracklisting:
"Misled Obedience"
"Phantom Graves"
"Temple Of All"
"Lux in Tenebris"
"Be None The Wiser"
"Rethink"
"Psychocision"
"Contamination"
"The Eliminator"
"Seven Lives"
"A Cycle's End"
Album stream:
"Phantom Graves" video:
Accuser lineup:
Frank Thoms - vocals/guitars
René Schütz - guitars
Frank Kimpel - bass
Olli Fechner - drums
Aaron Lewis was joined by his STAIND bandmate Mike Mushok for the first-ever acoustic performance of the group's song "Mudshovel" during Lewis's November 20 "From The Couch" paid livestream. The 10-song concert included selections from STAIND's debut album "Dysfunction" as well as music from Aaron's 2011 EP "Town Line".
Lewis's second "From The Couch" show will take place on November 27 and will feature music from his 2012 solo country debut album "The Road" as well as songs from STAIND's multi-platinum "Break The Cycle" LP.
This past June, Lewis confirmed that STAIND was finally working on its first new music in nearly a decade.
STAIND played its first full live show in five years in September 2019 at the Louder Than Life music festival in Louisville, Kentucky.
The band was scheduled to support DISTUBED on "The Sickness 20th Anniversary Tour" throughout North America this summer. The amphitheater trek has since been postponed to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe.
STAIND has released seven albums since 1995, the latest being the 2011 self-titled effort. The band has had a number of hit songs during its first two decades, including the Top 10 smash "It's Been Awhile" from the No. 1 album "Break The Cycle". Follow-up LPs "14 Shades Of Grey" and "Chapter V" also topped the Billboard chart.
Lewis released his third full-length country album, "State I'm In", in April 2019 via Big Machine imprint Valory Music.
Mushok and ex-THREE DAYS GRACE vocalist Adam Gontier unveiled SAINT ASONIA in early 2015, releasing a self-titled debut album and scoring a Top 10 rock single with "Better Place". SAINT ASONIA's second full-length effort was released last year via Spinefarm Records.
Индия
Demonstealer![=]](/img/news-bord-shr.gif){kind=small}
Германия
?
США
Ирландия
Италия
Великобритания
Канада
Австралия
