Great events are once again foreshadowed: nearly 18 months after the release of their debut album, Mama Said Rock Is Dead, which saw John Diva & The Rockets Of Love go straight to the top 25 of the German album charts in spring 2019, the band are returning with their latest single: “Bling Bling Marilyn” has arrived at the physical and digital stores on Steamhammer/SPV, heralding the upcoming album American Amadeus, scheduled for a January 2021 release. “Bling Bling Marilyn” was written by frontman John Diva and Hannes Braun (Kissin’ Dynamite), who also features as guest vocalist.
“We’re super happy about the collaboration,” the band members enthuse, “especially since the fans are bound to recognise his voice.” Naturally, ‘Bling Bling Marilyn’ will also be supported by a spectacular video clip which features the five musicians John Diva (vocals), Snake Rocket and J.J. Love (both on guitar), Remmie Martin (bass) and Lee Stingray Jr. (drums) the way they are: sexy, laid-back, wearing cool outfits, long hair, and striking self-confident poses.
At the same time, “Bling Bling Marilyn” opens a new chapter of the band’s history and presents John Diva & The Rockets Of Love even more diverse and consistent stylistically than ever before. “Our extensive Mama Said Rock Is Dead tour had a positive impact on us in lots of ways,” explains Snake Rocket. “Thanks to the unanimously positive responses to our first album and the amazing audience reactions at our shows, we felt confident enough to explore a number of different extremes even further on American Amadeus: our rock songs are tougher and faster still, the pop-oriented numbers even more catchy. In addition, American Amadeus includes a number of tracks with a spirit that goes back to the seventies and bands such as early Kiss and Black Sabbath.”
American Amadeus will be released on January 15, 2021 through SPV/Steamhammer as CD digipak, 2LP gatefold edition (with three bonus tracks), download and stream here.
Rock duo Ledfoot & Ronni Le Tekrø have released a new single for “Shut Up”, the song is taken from their new album A Death Divine, which will be out on October 2, 2020 via TBC Records. The “Shut Up” video permiere is set on September 16 at 10 AM CET via YouTube. A Death Divine is a meeting of giants between two unique guitarists, Ronni Le Tekrø and Ledfoot. It's stadium rock in duo format.
Ronni Le Tekrø is best known for his unique playing style and as one of the founders of legendary TNT, and he has several times ranked as one of the world's best guitarists regardless of genre. In addition to TNT, Ronni has released several solo albums and collaborated with a number of artists, including Terje Rypdal.
Ledfoot (Tim Scott McConnell) recently won Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) in the blues class for his latest album ‘White Crow’. Leedfoot has developed his own playing style using a 12-string guitar with extra thick strings, steel plates and brass slide, often accompanied by stomp-box. In addition to four albums as Ledfoot, he has released several solo albums under his full name, played in The Havalinas, been covered by Bruce Springsteen (High Hopes) and played in the NRK series Exit.
Together they are Ledfoot & Ronni Le Tekrø, armed with a bunch of fantastic songs, a lot of guitars and the amplifiers set to 11 to blow you off the field.
Tracklisting:
“Cold Lonely Night”
“This Town”
“High Time”
“A Death Divine”
“A Part Of Me”
“Shut Up”
“Imperfect World”
“Open The Door”
London, Ontario, Canada-based atmospheric sludge rock unit THE WHITE SWAN, spearheaded by KITTIE's Mercedes Lander, will release its new EP, "Nocturnal Transmission", on September 18. The effort contains four tracks, including a moving cover of Tracy Bonham's "Tell It To The Sky", the lyric video for which can be seen below.
Lander comments: "I've always thought that 'Tell It To The Sky' was a fantastically well-written song.
"I always try to really think outside the box when it comes to choosing covers and I tend to pick songs that you wouldn't expect a band like THE WHITE SWAN to cover. Tracy Bonham's 'The Burdens Of Being Upright' was released the same year I started playing drums and started my first band and this was my favorite song from that record when it was released. I did my best to capture the soaring vocal melodies and we added some layered EBow for the verses which creates a bit of a darker vibe from the original."
In December 2019, the trio — Lander with Kira Longeuay and Shane Jeffers (BLOODMOON COLLECTIVE) — recorded what can only be described as three love songs (as well as "Tell It To The Sky"). Lander penned lyrics that chronicle the joy, desire, longing, and eventual feeling of completeness that comes with a romantic relationship. From the night drives through the snow in the early days, right through to the handcrafted guitar built as a wedding gift from her now husband, the intricacies of true love permeate every moment of "Nocturnal Transmission".
Reprising a longtime creative relationship with producer Siegfried Meier, Lander felt both at home and re-energized by the familiarity and collaborative nature of their work. Recording took just two days, retaining many of the hallmarks of THE WHITE SWAN's earlier output, but adding a slightly polished sheen to the proceedings. With vocal layering and touches of psychedelic synths adding textural elements to the songs, the result is an enveloping experience of fuzzed out guitars and molasses-like melody. Describing "Nocturnal Transmission" as a "turning point" for the band, the album art by collage artist Caitlyn Grabenstein reflects the feeling of standing on the precipice, staring into the unknown. Acknowledging that there will always be a constant sound to THE WHITE SWAN, Lander states that their main intention is to "grow and grow." With an ever-developing sound and a solid combination of creative musicians in their ranks, "Nocturnal Transmission" is the latest in what is sure to be an ever-expanding back catalog of triumphs.
"Nocturnal Transmission" will be released digitally and on limited edition vinyl via War Crime Recordings.
CRO-MAGS kingpin Harley Flanagan is back with "Between Wars", the gripping new music video from the band's latest opus, "In The Beginning". The track lends its name to "Between Wars", the independent film starring Flanagan and "The Sopranos" star Michael Imperioli, due out later this year.
"This song was a lot of fun to work on as it gave me a chance to do something completely different," says Flanagan about the instrumental track. "I recorded the song with just bass and drums, followed by all the arpeggiated guitar parts, and eventually I added the cellos and did Mongolian-style throat singing. I was inspired to add the cellos when I first heard Carlos 'Lamont' Cooper playing in the New York City subway where he plays to make a living. Turns out he's an ex-gangbanger from New Jersey who has had a hard life, and although we have had very different experiences, we have a lot of things in common; PTSD will do that."
Imperioli adds: "Harley's involvement and performance in 'Between Wars' is organic, natural and necessary. He fit into the role like a glove. The life experience he brings to the project is authentic and true and he made us all raise our games."
Imperioli and Flanagan sat down with the movie's director Tom Phillips to discuss the music video, the film, and the importance of music scores and soundtracks. "Between Wars" takes an intimate look at the struggle of re-entering civilian life post-combat. The film follows veteran marine Franny Malloy (Shaun Paul Costello) as he struggles with integrating himself back home in New York City after returning from the war in Afghanistan. Battling PTSD and self-destructive behaviors, he finds his only hope in fellow marine-turned-PTSD-psychologist Sarge, played by Imperioli. Flanagan plays McManus, an old-school Bronx Irish gangster and general madman.
It's been a few productive years for Flanagan lately, who, after forming the CRO-MAGS in 1983, legally asserted his original rights to the band name last year in a well-publicized lawsuit. "In many ways, it is a new beginning and also a tribute to where it all began," reflects the frontman on the band's first album in 20 years, "In The Beginning".
As part of YouTube's #StayHome campaign, THE WHO closes a six-week celebration of its incredible live performances with a two-part digital premiere finale.
The weekly series — "Join Together @ Home" — is on the band's official YouTube channel (accessed via www.join-together.org). Each featurette (available digitally for the first time) appears as a YouTube Premiere, streaming live and rarely seen footage, mini videos and special screen footage. Culminating over two weekends with five and four songs respectively from a sensational show at Piazza Grande, Locarno, Switzerland in July 2006, these performances include the band's first ever live performance of "Greyhound Girl".
Singer Roger Daltrey said: "It's a very special show, I didn't even remember this film existed! We were getting together after a three-year hiatus. The show was in an extraordinary place, in the town square, with people dancing on their balconies. I have very fond memories of it."
"Join Together @ Home" is in partnership with THE WHO and Eagle Rock Entertainment and will stream exclusively on YouTube. "Join Together @ Home" is free to view, but fans are encouraged to donate to co-beneficiaries The Teenage Cancer Trust and Teen Cancer America — directly via the link provided on the YouTube page.
As patron of both charities, Daltrey has raised much-needed awareness and funds to help support young people with cancer, both in the U.K. and the U.S. He has been the driving force behind Teenage Cancer Trust's iconic comedy and music shows, held at the Royal Albert Hall for the last 20 years.
Teenage Cancer Trust has always had incredible support from the music industry and relies on donations but due to coronavirus, saw essential income generating activity, like the Royal Albert Halls shows, canceled. With income estimated to drop by as much as half this year; the charity needs to raise £5 million to maintain frontline services so events like "Join Together @ Home" are more important than ever.
With Teen Cancer America fundraising events also cancelled, they face a shortfall and need your help more than ever. Your donation can help to continue improving the lives and outcomes of teens and young adults with cancer. Nearly 90,000 adolescents and young adults face a cancer diagnosis every year in America, and every hour another young life is lost. The coronavirus is not just impacting fundraising, but increasing the risks for immunocompromised cancer patients, and adding to the growing burden of hospitals and caregivers.
As you have faced the inconvenience of isolation these past months, please think of the many teenage cancer patients who are in the fight of their lives. Follow your local guidelines, stay safe, relax and watch THE WHO, and do one of the most important things you can do today, donate to help teens facing cancer.
What: THE WHO "Join Together @ Home" special footage #THEWHO #WITHME
When: September 5 and September 12 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. U.K.
Where: Streaming exclusively on YouTube via www.join-together.org
YouTube Premieres is a feature that lets artists and their teams build anticipation and create a unique moment around a music video release on YouTube. The feature transforms the way fans view and engage with content by creating an event where fans and artists directly engage and enjoy the experience together in an interactive way. Premieres radically change how music video content is released, turning the watching experience into a communal moment.
A newly released "all-black metal" version of STEEL PANTHER's "Let's Get High Tonight" video can be seen below. The original Frankie Nasso-directed version of the clip was made available in April and showcased STEEL PANTHER members Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia as a black metal band, a Spanish mariachi band, a boy band, a Baroque classical quartet, and a country/western band.
"You've never seen STEEL PANTHER like this before," explained Zadinia at the time.
"Let's Get High Tonight" is taken from STEEL PANTHER's latest album, "Heavy Metal Rules", which was released in September 2019. The disc, which is described in a press release as a "heavy metal version of a self-help manual and ultimate party album combined," was once again produced by Jay Ruston, who collaborated with the band on all of its previous recordings, including 2017's "Lower The Bar".
Last month, STEEL PANTHER played its second virtual concert event, "Rockdown In The Lockdown", from the ultra-sanitized, production-filled, multi-camera Drum Channel Studio at Drum Workshop, located in Oxnard, California. The performance was streamed live globally.
STEEL PANTHER specializes in imitating and exaggerating the less flattering aspects of 1980s hair metal, with unrepentantly crude, non-PC sexual content as a favorite lyrical theme.
The group's music has been described as "VAN HALEN meets MÖTLEY CRÜE meets RATT meets 'Wayne's World', complete with operatic shrieks, misogyny, shredding guitar solos and libidinal overdrive."
Twelve years ago, STEEL PANTHER changed its name from METAL SKOOL to its current moniker and shifted the focus of its act from '80s metal covers to originals.
SMITH & MYERS — the duo comprised of SHINEDOWN members Brent Smith and Zach Myers — has released the official music video for its grungy, re-imagined version of Billie Eilish's "Bad Guy". The track is taken from SMITH & MYERS's recently announced full-length album "Smith & Myers Volume 2", due out October 23 via Atlantic Records. It will follow the release of "Volume 1" on October 9.
"Smith & Myers Volume 2" is available for pre-order now and features five original tunes and five re-imaginings of fan-submitted songs including OASIS's "Don't Look Back In Anger", Peter Gabriel's "Sledgehammer", Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell", and R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" (full track listing below). Additionally, both the CD and LP — which collect volumes 1 and 2 in one package — are also available now for pre-order. The double LP is pressed on 180-gram vinyl and available in an exclusive limited edition shiny black vinyl in the SMITH & MYERS store. The vinyl will be released November 13.
The announcement of "Volume 2" comes on the heels of SMITH & MYERS' recent release of their original single "Not Mad Enough", which was written in the immediate aftermath of George Floyd's death, expressing the intense emotions that followed and laying bare a plea for racial justice through direct and urgent lyrics over acoustic guitar. The song was released alongside a poignant version of "Rockin' In The Free World" highlighting Neil Young's timeless lyrics that are just as relevant today over lone piano. These two songs, featured on "Volume 1", share a vision for change and equality and introduced SMITH & MYERS' eloquent songcraft, indelible melodies and glorious vocals created with nothing more than a microphone and an instrument or two.
"Smith & Myers Volume 1" is available for pre-order now and features five original tunes and five re-imaginings of fan-submitted songs including Post Malone's "Better Now", INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart", Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse's "Valerie", and THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS' "Unchained Melody" (full track listing below).
With two hearts and one truth, lifelong musicians, longstanding friends, and eternal brothers Smith and Myers put forth a body of work encompassing vulnerability, fearlessness, honesty, outrage, love, and understanding. "Smith & Myers Volume 1", produced by Grammy Award winner and longtime collaborator Dave Bassett, is the duo's first full-length album and first original music since releasing a pair of acoustic cover EPs, "Acoustic Sessions, Part 1" and "Acoustic Sessions, Part 2", in 2014 when fans first fell in the love with the magic that is created between Brent and Zach in the studio and on stage, leading to SMITH & MYERS live shows that instantly sold out. With no boundaries on what their songwriting could discuss on the new album, Brent and Zach explore everything from certain personal topics that they have left largely unexplored until now, to commentary on children being ripped from their parents at the border, to the reactive nature of social media, to our national reckoning with racial and systemic injustice– focusing not on politics, but on right and wrong and our connection as human beings.
On October 8, SMITH & MYERS will co-headline "Come Together", a virtual music festival organized by Sound Mind Live in celebration of World Mental Health Day (October 10), with all proceeds supporting mental health resources and programs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event, which will also feature performances from Jason Isbell, Kiiara, American Authors, Jade Bird and more, will be streamed live on Thursday, October 8, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT via the Relix YouTube channel in support of the cause. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City is a founding partner of this landmark event, and AbbVie is the presenting sponsor. Experts from Mental Health America, MusiCares, and National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City will provide information on virtual mental health resources, support programs, and best practices for self-care as the individuals and families navigate these challenging times. Viewers will have the opportunity to access a live interactive chat and donate in real time, with proceeds benefiting affiliates of National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) from around the country and their pandemic-response mental health programs.
Latin American metal supergroup DE LA TIERRA has released the official music video for its new song "Distintos". The clip was edited and directed bu Penumbrart Studios.
DE LA TIERRA features Brazilian guitarist Andreas Kisser (SEPULTURA), Argentine singer/guitarist Andres Gimenez (A.N.I.M.A.L.), Cuban/Mexican drummer Alex Gonzalez (MANÁ) and Puerto Rican bassist Harold Hopkins (PUYA).
Earlier this week, Gonzalez told "In The Trenches With Ryan Roxie" about the status of DE LA TIERRA: "Right now we're in the process of recording our third record. We were supposed to start the record this year, but, as you know, COVID came and everything just stopped. But what we did was we did a new single that's actually gonna be released this Friday. And the cool thing about this is that, like all musicians, we still need to play, we still need to create, so we all went into our home studios and we did this amazing song that, I think, fits perfectly with the times and what's going on right now. So that's the gonna be released this Friday — the single and the video. And then the idea is for us to start working on a new album in February. We already have about 15 songs."
Gonzalez also talked about the addition of Hopkins to DE LA TIERRA. Hopkins replaced Argentine bassist Sr. Flavio (LOS FABULOSOS CADILLACS), who left the band in 2017.
"Harold, he's an amazing, amazing bass player, and he's from a very, very awesome band from Puerto Rico called PUYA," Alex said. "And the great thing about PUYA is that they do a fusion of metal but with salsa and with music from the island. And it's awesome. And they sing in Spanish and they sing in English. So, talk about coming full circle — you [also] have [members from] Brazil, Argentina and Mexico."
Alex added: "The new album, because Harold is also bringing a lot of also Latin influence, Caribbean influence… It's so heavy but at the same time… You'll see."
DE LA TIERRA's second studio album, "II", came out in November 2016 via Sony Music Latin. It followed the band's 2014 self-titled debut which received rave reviews and support from critics and fans.
DE LA TIERRA found massive success following the release of its first LP. The record allowed the band to tour and share the stage with bands like METALLICA and SLIPKNOT and perform at festivals such as Rock In Rio, Santiago Gets Louder and Vive Latino as well as gain a strong following of fans throughout North and South America.
For their follow-up record, DE LA TIERRA worked with renowned producer Ross Robinson (SLIPKNOT, KORN, DEFTONES, THE CURE, SEPULTURA) who helped the band craft a furious set of songs.
"II" was recorded in Los Angeles, where DE LA TIERRA laid down the music live to analog tape machines. Each of the band's members has a unique, individual style that Robinson helped blend and balance with their influential roots for a rich music experience that transcends language barriers.
ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS, the project led by ex-FEAR FACTORY vocalist Burton C. Bell, will release its second full-length album, "Apocrypha", on October 9 via Dissonance Productions. The recording will be available on CD, two limited vinyl formats and through all major digital outlets.
The official music video for "The End Is Always The Beginning", the second single from "Apocrypha", can be seen below.
Comments 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 for 'The End Is Always The Beginning', created by Victor Hugo-Borges, 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."
Born of life, love and spirituality, Bell's unmistakable, harmonious inventory once renowned in one of metal's finest pioneering acts has brought life to a new concept, a genre of its own.
Ambient atmospheres, melodies and introspective lyrics shed light of Bell's visions, as seen in their purest form. An intimate nature that ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS envisioned, to draw the minds, hearts and aspirations of a people to a higher level of thinking to a feeling with cohesive celebration and reflection in the beauty of existence.
In early 2002, Burton retreated to the quiet, simplicity of rural Pennsylvania for seven months with his friend and musical confidant John Bechdel, escaping the onslaught of Los Angeles, and industry alike. A mentor in music, philosophy and demeanor, Bechdel unwittingly guided Bell along the creative path of this new conceptual movement.
With Burton's unprecedented vocal sound and style, coupled with the brilliantly orchestrated musical compositions of both Bell and Bechdel (synonymous with pioneering tags to the industrial/metal genre), the pair began experimenting with textured melodies of melancholic tones, best attributed to the 1980s and 1990s underground scene. ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS echoes the sounds of a prophetic hallucination, fears and dreams with remorse of things lost and forgotten; but with a hope of redemption and light in the future.
In 2004, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS independently released "Iconoclast", printed only on CD and vinyl to a limited number.
In 2008, with the help John Bechdel and Paul Raven, Burton brought ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS to MINISTRY legend Al Jourgensen's label, 13th Planet. With the guidance and special collaborations with Jourgensen during the recording and mixing in El Paso, Texas, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS added the guitar talents of Eduardo Mussi. It also featured Paul Raven's last contribution as a bass player on the track "Mars Becoming".
That same year, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS' debut LP, "Numinosum", came out through 13th Planet. Upon release, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS performed special, intimate shows, including the album release performance at Alex Grey's Chapel of Sacred Mirrors in New York. They also had the honor of supporting KILLING JOKE for their reunion tour in honor of their fallen friend, Paul Raven.
In 2017, the friendship between renowned U.K. solo artist Jayce Lewis and Burton brought in the essential camaraderie, talents and studio that perfectly suited the recording of "Apocrypha".
Northstone Studios, based in the countryside of South Wales, connected to the 250-year-old Court Colman Manor, the studio built by Lewis's own hands using the ancient stones of the monastery that once stood there, the rustic detail proved a perfect setting for ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS' very own Jayce Lewis to record, produce and mix the "Apocrypha" album, a recording process that literally stirred the souls that remain within the stone walls of Lewis' Northstone Studios. During the vocal recordings of the title track, a recording was inadvertently captured from the aether; an eerie, unrecognizable and untranslatable, syllabic phrase whispered within the vocal booth. The event is now the intro to the title track, "Apocrypha".
In truth, the making of "Apocrypha" has been a decade-long journey of writing and recording, from California, Pennsylvania, New York and Wales. In 2018 the band decided to utilize the crowdfunding platform PledgeMusic to jumpstart the project. After a very successful campaign, raising 124% of their goal, PledgeMusic went into administration, eventually declaring bankruptcy. and in turn, would never release any of the funds dedicated to ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS. Nevertheless, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS persevered to complete the album.
After ten years of writing and recording, along with reflection on the very personal nature of this project, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS will renew its journey in 2020.With plans of conceptualized touring, ASCENSION OF THE WATCHERS continues to grow as Bell's main creative endeavor, well into the future.
Spanish melodic death band Æolian, who recently signed with Black Lion Records, has cehcked in with the following update:
"After having to cancel several live shows across Europe including shows in Poland, Germany and Mallorca due to the current Covid 19 situation, we now want to perform a live streaming show for our fans. Look forward to seeing you all there! Keep safe and stay heavy!"
Æolian will release their new album The Negationist on November 20th. They have unleashed a lyric video of new song, "Momentum". The band comments:
"'Momentum' is a call to action, a warning for those who still do not realize the seriousness of this environmental situation. It talks about the last chance to mend all the damage we have done to our planet and how our behavior begins to affect our own survival too. Corporations, governments and our sometimes greedy selfish way of life have put us to sleep while 'Momentum' tries to remind us that sadly for we people... it's now or never."
The Negationist marks the sophomore release by the Spanish quintet. Picking up where they left off on the critically acclaimed Silent Witness, the band bring a blistering attack to bear. Through ten tracks, the band weave a dynamic spell of melodic death metal, with threads of black, folk, and occasionally thrash metal threads to sew it all together. Variations in pacing, excellent mixing, a cohesive and rock solid rhythm section, and memorable riffing all combine to draw in the listener to the albums earnest beauty. Passionate vocals rest comfortably in the fabric of the mix, steering the album with lyrical content from an environmentalist perspective. The Negationist provides the type of fist pumping soundtrack sure to energize any listener.
With their second album titled ‘The Negationist’ where darkness and hope merge in an introspective trip marked by the damage we are doing to our own planet and how this is affecting us severely. This album has been mixed and produced by Miquel A. Riutort (Mega) (The Unity, Cryptosy, The Agonist, Vltimas) at Psychosomatic Recording Studio and mastered by Dan Swano at Unisound Studios. The cover artwork has been done by Juanjo Castellano Rosado (The Black Dahlia Murder, Gates of Ishtar, Trident).
Tracklist:
"Momentum"
"We Humans"
"Animals Burned"
"Unseen Enemy"
"Blackout"
"Golden Cage"
"Bleeding Garbage"
"The Flood"
"Children Of Mud"
"Ghosts Anthem"
"Reborn"
Folk metallers have issued new single, “The Hawthorn”, the first single from their upcoming album.
2020 has been a tumultuous time for band leader Ketih Fay: "A number of long-term members have chosen to leave the band, but it is a time rebirth for the band and it can only be a positive thing."
Alongside the new band members, Cruachan have also signed a new record deal with forward-thinking Swedish label Despotz Records. Despite the upheaval behind the scenes, one thing has never faltered; and that is Keith’s passion for folk and metal music, and Cruachan’s unique way of bringing the two together.
A track steeped in Irish folklore, “The Hawthorn” is set in Ireland during the 1700's when the population were heavily under the influence of the Catholic Church while still holding onto old Pagan beliefs. It balances the band’s love of Irish traditional folk music with uncompromising metal, a style of music the band helped develop back in the early 1990’s.
Fay comments, “The Hawthorn tree is a fairy tree, you will see them all over Ireland growing in strange unlikely places where other trees would have been cut down. It is extremely unlucky to cut down a hawthorn tree else you anger the Faerie folk. In the song, the woman is taking her dead baby to bury under the tree, to give her baby to the faeries. We don't know how the baby died or what has led to this decision but she is set in her ways and the baby will not have a Christian burial.”
Apocalyptica have released footage of their performance of Metallica's "Fight Fire With Fire" at With Full Force Festival 2018. Watch below:
Apocalyptica recently released their new digital single, "Talk To Me" featuring Halestorm's Lzzy Hale. Get it here, and watch a lyric video below.
"After years of friendship we are more than happy to release a song together with the amazing Lzzy of Halestorm! This song has been in our minds for quite some time and we have been waiting for the right moment to finish it, and getting Lzzy to join us and perform in her outstanding way was a dream come true! We want to thank Lzzy and the whole Halestorm team for their great work and friendship." - Eicca Toppinen
“Apocalyptica and I have for years talked about doing something together, and the last time I saw Eicca Toppinen, in Helsinki, Finland during the 2019 Tuska Festival, he brought up the idea that we finally make that talk a reality. I’m so excited for the world to hear this song! Thank you so much to the entire Apocalyptica camp for being a part of our family all these years and for including me in this project!” - Lzzy Hale
Today, metal masters Blind Guardian kick off the pre-order for the special 25th anniversary edition of their Imaginations From The Other Side album. This edition will contain live recordings and other special versions of the Blind Guardian classics featured on the album.
Hansi Kürsch comments: "What can I say? A brilliant album celebrates its 25th anniversary. It is great to celebrate this in such a bombastic manner. Luckily we filmed our 2016 show in Oberhausen when we performed the entire album live. This is the perfect moment for us to present this master piece in so many different facets. An ideal resurrection of precious memories long gone by, but not, yet, forgotten. This album is made for eternity... I hope. Enjoy."
Imaginations From The Other Side 25th anniversary edition will be available in the following formats:
- CD
- Earbook (40p Earbook LiveCD, RemixedCD, original instrumental/demos CD, Blu-ray - limited to 2000)
- CD-Boxset (Box incl. 40p Earbook (LiveCD, RemixedCD, original instrumental/demos CD, Blu-ray) + puzzle - limited to 1000)
- 2LP Black Vinyl
- 2LP Picture Vinyl (limited to 1000)
- 2LP Burgundy Vinyl (limited to 500)
- 2LP Pearl White Vinyl (limited to 500)
- 2LP Bronze Vinyl - Band Exclusive (limited to 300)
Pre-order the album here in the format of your choice.
To celebrate this special occasion the band releases a brand new live video for "Born In A Mourning Hall". Watch below:
Stargazer have released a video for "Sentimental Guy", a track from their latest album, The Sky Is The Limit, released in October last year via Mighty Music. Watch the new clip below:
Stargazer’s first album received great reviews from the hard rock-based media all over Europe back in 2010. In 2019, nine years on, Stargazer was back with their second album entitled The Sky Is The Limit. After years of struggle on the tiny hard rock scene of Norway playing festivals and support for bands like Jorn, Stage Dolls, DAD, Gary Moore, Nazareth and more, Stargazer were now ready to take on the world.
With a worldwide release provided by Mighty Music at hand, Stargazer set out to be a beacon on the hard rock scene. A bright shining star emerging with energy and power, capacity and skills, and a lyrical universe that both explores and recognizes the heart of darkness in humanity, yet fighting with passion always to light up a light in the gloom of nothingness. With Stargazer, you can hear and see evidence of the will to keep on keeping on.
If you are into “in your face” classic melodic hard rock with elements of Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, Whitesnake, Dio and Deep Purple; then Stargazer is a band for you.
"Metal For Kids United - All-Star Charity Jam" will celebrate its fifth anniversary with the worldwide release of an all-star video jam tribute to the fathers of heavy metal with an extended version of DEEP PURPLE's classic "Burn", featuring 25 metal artists from around the world.
The Italian organization will once again support the Peter Pan Association, a voluntary association helping children with cancer and their families since 1994 through free hospitality in Rome during treatment at Child Jesus Hospital.
"Due to sudden spread of the coronavirus pandemic, we were forced to cancel the 2020 edition of the annual benefit show booked in Rome for April," says Fabrizio Troiano, president of "Metal For Kids United" and organizer of the event. "During the spring lockdown period, we asked old and new friends of 'Metal For Kids United' to jam together from their own place to celebrate our fifth anniversary and keep the promise made to the association."
Rock and metal lovers will have the chance to enjoy a new and contemporary rendition of the DEEP PURPLE classic for free and will be invited to support the initiative with donations or by purchasing the merchandise.
The lineup of 25 performers includes thrash metal legends such as bassist David Ellefson (MEGADETH), guitarist Scott Ian (ANTHRAX), along with classic-power metal artists from around the world like German screamer Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR), Bay Area singer Brian O'Connor (VICIOUS RUMORS), Brazilian guitarist/singer Rafael Bittencourt (ANGRA), Japanese guitar virtuoso Syu (GALNERYUS), drummer Thomen Stauch (BLIND GUARDIAN, MENTALIST) and guitarist Jens Ludwig (EDGUY) from Germany as well as Italian keyboard player Mistheria (VIVALDI METAL PROJECT, BRUCE DICKINSON).
The list includes also other well-known and internationally established Italian heavy metal/rock musicians from bands like DORO, EXTREMA, VISION DIVINE and LABYRINTH, to name a few, reunited with the aim of raising awareness of children cancer and raising funds for voluntary associations which are striving to carry out their daily mission in such hard times.
By releasing the all-star video, cultural association "Metal For Kids United" will make an initial donation of 2,000 euros (approximately $2,300) to the Peter Pan Association to kick off and boost a fundraising campaign available on link textGoFundMe platform.
Over 12,000 euros have been donated to non-profit organizations working in Italy to help children with the four past editions.
"We are very proud of the achievements over the years and we hope, despite the impossibility of making a physical event as in our tradition, we can once again share fun together, raise funds for the kids in need and give the chance to the people from all over the world to experience the 'Metal For Kids United' spirit of solidarity," Troiano adds. "Don't forget to play it loud, make metal horns, headbang and share the video."
"Burn" extended version recording lineup:
Vocals
* Brian O'Connor (VICIOUS RUMORS, DEADLANDS, CONSFEARACY)
* Roberto Tiranti (LABYRINTH, WONDERWORLD, KEN HENSLEY LIVE FIRE)
* Rafael Bittencourt (ANGRA)
* Ralf Scheepers (PRIMAL FEAR, GAMMA RAY)
* Morby (DOMINE)
* Tiziano Spigno (EXTREMA, KINGS OF BROADWAY)
* Fabio Dessi (ARTHEMIS, HOLLOW HAZE)
* Gianluca Mastrangelo (DE LA MUERTE)
Guitars
* Scott Ian (ANTHRAX)
* Luigi Schiavone (Enrico Ruggeri band, solo artist)
* Rafael Bittencourt (ANGRA)
* Syu (GALNERYUS)
* Jens Ludwig (EDGUY)
* Tommy Massara (EXTREMA)
* Andy Martongelli (ELLEFSON, ALTITUDES & ATTITUDE, ARTHEMIS)
* Luca Princiotta (DORO)
* Olaf Thorsen (LABYRINTH, VISION DIVINE)
* Aldo Lonobile (SECRET SPHERE, ARKON ANGEL, KINGS OF BROADWAY)
AC/DC will release "Shot In The Dark", the first single from the band's long-awaited comeback album, on Wednesday, October 7 at 12:00 a.m. EDT / 9:00 p.m. PDT (Tuesday night). The follow-up to 2014's "Rock Or Bust", "PWR/UP" features AC/DC's 2020 lineup of Brian Johnson (vocals), Phil Rudd (drums), Cliff Williams (bass), Angus Young (guitar) and Stevie Young (guitar).
A brand new teaser for "Shot In The Dark" is available below.
Last month, images seemingly taken from a new video shoot were apparently posted on the band's official web site before being swiftly removed. The photos, which were obtained by a Brazilian fan site, appeared to show Johnson joined by Rudd, Williams and Angus and Stevie Young. The pictures were the first of Phil and Stevie sharing a stage, adding weight to the rumor of Rudd's return.
Earlier in the year, prior to the coronavirus outbreak, it was rumored that AC/DC was about to announce a world stadium tour. The trek will apparently include Johnson, who was forced to leave the band mid-tour four years ago due to a dangerous level of hearing loss. He was eventually replaced on the road by GUNS N' ROSES vocalist Axl Rose.
More than two years ago, Brian and Phil, along with Angus and Stevie, were photographed outside Vancouver's Warehouse Studios. Based on the pictures, the assumption was that AC/DC was in the midst of making — or at least planning — another album, with Rudd and Johnson both back in the lineup.
Ever since AC/DC completed the tour cycle for its 2014 album "Rock Or Bust" four years ago — a turbulent trek that weathered the forced retirement and eventual death of co-founder Malcolm Young, plus the departures of Johnson, Rudd and Williams — fans have wondered whether sole remaining founding member Angus Young would keep the band going or decide it was time for AC/DC to pack it in.
In February 2019, a photo surfaced on social media suggesting that Williams has also returned to AC/DC and will appear on the comeback album.
A September 2018 report from JAM! magazine cited a "reliable source inside the AC/DC camp" as indicating that the band was recording a new LP which would utilize previously unreleased guitar tracks from Malcolm Young on all the songs.
Rudd was ousted from AC/DC when he was sentenced to eight months of home detention by a New Zealand court in 2015 after pleading guilty to charges of threatening to kill and drug possession.
Rudd, who has appeared on all but three of AC/DC's 18 studio albums, toured in support of his 2014 solo debut, "Head Job". It was the release of that album that led indirectly to Rudd's arrest, with the drummer allegedly so angry at a personal assistant over the way the record was promoted that he threatened to have the man and his daughter killed.
Australian guitarist Orianthi (ALICE COOPER, RSO, Michael Jackson) has released the official music video for her new single called "Impulsive". The track is taken from her first new studio album in seven years and her first new music as a solo artist in six years, "O", due on November 6 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Says Orianthi: "'Impulsive' is a fun track. I wrote it pretty fast with my friend and producer Marti Frederiksen. The video was was a blast to make at the Dollhouse in Los Angeles with the great director Jim Louvau."
"O" track listing:
01. Contagious
02. Sinners Hymn
03. Rescue Me
04. Blow
05. Sorry
06. Crawling Out Of The Dark
07. Impulsive
08. Streams Of Consciousness
09. Company
10. Moonwalker
In other news, Orianthi will host a livestream of a set from the world-famous Whisky A Go Go in West Hollywood, California on Saturday, September 19 at 9 p.m. EST / 7 p.m. CST / 6 p.m. PST. Tickets are available here.
This past April, Orianthi told the "Australian Rock Show" about her upcoming fourth solo album: "I'm so excited about this record — really excited. "We did it in 28 days in Nashville. [I made the record with] Marti Frederiksen, who's a dear friend of mine, an amazing songwriter, producer. I just go out to Nashville, where my management is at, and I love it over there. I made actually my last record too, with Dave Stewart there, at Blackbird [studio]. There's some kind of energy in Nashville — it's just a great feeling when you get there. So many musicians are there. And we just jumped right into the studio. Marti and I wrote and recorded, in 28 days, all the songs. And, yeah, it was just a great, fun experience."
Regarding the musical direction of her new material, Orianthi said: "This record is not too much of a departure from my past stuff, but it is different. So I think people will get what they sort of expect, with that heavy riffage and big solos, but there's a lot of different sounds going on and textures, with drum loops and synths. It's not just staying with one tone throughout the whole record… There's some heavy tracks on there. There's some lighter tracks [and] bluesy tracks. As I said, it's different, but it's kind of what people were sort of expecting.
"The thing is you have to keep on evolving and changing," she explained. "You don't make the same record over and over again; I would just bore the hell out of myself and everyone else. So I wanna keep on changing. And I'm already thinking about the next record right now. Marti+- and I are writing next week for it."
Asked if all the songs for the follow-up to 2013's "Heaven In This Hell" were written specifically for this project or there were some which she had previously written that were later "finessed for inclusion," she said: "A couple were finessed, but pretty much the majority of them were just all written for this record. A song called 'Sinners Hymn', which I had for a minute, I brought that in, and we added the chorus to it, 'cause it had a different chorus, and made it sound a little heavier. And I think that's kind of it. 'Cause the rest of it was just written all for this record. And one was written with Nikki Sixx from MÖTLEY CRÜE, which was amazing. [He wrote] killer lyrics. He e-mailed them to me, and I was, like, 'Woah! These are amazing.' So, yeah, we wrote a song with those lyrics — Marti and I. I'm really excited for everybody to hear this record. And hopefully they dig it as much as we enjoyed making it."
Born in Australia, Orianthi was inspired to learn guitar at a young age after discovering her father's vinyl collection. She rose to international fame at age 24 after the release of her hit single "According To You" and a high-energy performance backing Carrie Underwood at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Although she had already been invited to jam with the likes of Carlos Santana and Steve Vai, mainstream audiences had not previously heard of this captivating guitar prodigy.
Her recognition increased even further when Michael Jackson called with an offer to be his guitarist for his dates at the O2 Arena in London. Although the concert series was not to be, the release of the behind-the-scenes documentary "Michael Jackson's This Is It" showcased Orianthi's masterful playing as well as her creativity and collaboration.
Video footage of Scorpions performing their hit "Rhythm Of Love" in Berlin, Germany in December 1990 has been posted by the band. Watch the clip below:
The band previously posted footage of "The Zoo" performed at the same show.
"A little while back I did this little collaboration with my very talented friend Kati Cher of 'Broken' by Seether," says Blacktop Mojo frontman Matt James. "It was fun to be able to make music with someone on the other side of the world while we were all locked in our houses. Many thanks to (BTM guitarist) Chuck Wepfer for helping me lay my part down."
Seether, with special guest Amy Lee of Evanescence, originally released "Broken" in 2004. It's since been certified Platinum in The United States and Australia.
To mark what would have been John Lennon's 80th birthday, YES has released "Imagine" as a single through BMG Records. The track was recorded at the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas during the encore on the final night of YES's 2019 U.S. "The Royal Affair Tour" and will be included on "The Royal Affair Tour Live From Las Vegas" album, due for release on October 30.
Lennon would have celebrated his 80th birthday on October 9. As one of the creative forces in THE BEATLES, he remains one of the most influential musicians of all time and "Imagine" is one his best-loved songs. It was recorded in May 1971, after THE BEATLES' split, in Lennon's studio at his home in Berkshire and featured soon-to-be YES drummer Alan White who was a member of Lennon's PLASTIC ONO BAND ensemble.
YES first covered a BEATLES track on its eponymous debut album and chose to include "Imagine" in its set for "The Royal Affair Tour" in recognition of White's part in this iconic recording, almost 50 years before. As YES played "Imagine", a film was shown behind the band of John Lennon recording the song in his studio with George Harrison, Klaus Voormann and a very youthful Alan White.
"They put a special film together with footage from that time. We played 'Imagine' on the YES tour, and they'd run it behind me. The first time I saw it, I turned around and went, 'Who the hell is that guy?!'" Alan laughed.
"The Royal Affair Tour: Live From Las Vegas" features many classic tracks across the period 1970 - 1980. The set opened with "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed", the Richie Havens cover from YES's second album "Time And A Word" (1970). "Tempus Fugit" was taken from "Drama" (1980), Geoff Downes's first as a member of YES, while "Going For The One", "I've Seen All Good People" and "Siberian Khatru" are from some of YES's iconic mid-'70s albums. The set included a rare live performance of YES's cover of Paul Simon's "America".
"The Royal Affair Tour" live set and album, recorded at the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas in July 2019, reaches a climax with two of the best-loved YES tracks "Roundabout" and "Starship Trooper", always a high note on which to close the set.
YES is Steve Howe (guitar), who joined in 1970; Alan White, drums since 1972; Geoff Downes (keyboards), who first joined in 1980; vocalist since 2011, Jon Davison; Billy Sherwood, who played guitar/keyboards in the 1990s and was the late Chris Squire's choice to take over bass/vocals in 2015. Jay Schellen played additional drums.
"The Royal Affair" tour also featured an exhibition of original art by Roger Dean whose artwork is synonymous having designed the iconic YES logo and the band's best-loved album covers. Roger Dean recently painted "The Royal Affair" tour album artwork live on Facebook while also fielding questions from fans.
"The Royal Affair Tour: Live In Las Vegas" track listing:
01. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed
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