Alter Bridge's Mark Tremonti played the Louder Stage with his solo band, Tremonti, at the 2018 edition of Germany's Wacken Open Air festival. Professionally-filmed footage of the show can be seen below.
Setlist:
"Cauterize"
"You Waste Your Time"
"Another Heart"
"My Last Mistake"
"So You're Afraid"
"Catching Fire"
"Flying Monkeys"
"Radical Change"
"Bringer Of War"
"Throw Them To The Lions"
"A Dying Machine"
"Wish You Well"
Palace, the brainchild of Swedish vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Michael Palace, returns on December 4 with the new melodic rock album, Rock And Roll Radio.
Nostalgia paints everything in brighter colors and Palace delivers 80's AOR/melodic rock exactly the way we remember it. With dreamy keyboards, layers and layers of soaring guitars, big drums and thundering bass, Rock And Roll Radio will put you right in the front seat of a fast Italian sports car, as you cruise down the neon streets of memory lane. Fans can get their first taste of music with the new single and video, "Way Up Here". Watch the clip below.
"This is an uplifting tune that I wrote with Oscar Bromvall that is guaranteed to brighten up your day! The video was shot by Anders Roos at Quality Hotel Globe, who were generous enough to provide this stellar location with a beautiful view of Stockholm city," says Michael.
Rock And Roll Radio marks the beginning of a new journey for Palace and the new album is a huge milestone in his career as a producer.
"Since the release of Binary Music, I've been putting in hundreds of hours in the studio honing my craft and building up the courage to become a full time music producer. Rock And Roll Radio is the first rock album that I've fully produced, mixed, and mastered and I'm incredibly excited for everyone to hear what that sounds like," explains Michael.
Michael Palace has been featured on many releases in different capacities the past couple of years. Some of his songwriting, guitar playing, and singing can be heard throughout an ever growing selection of rock classics by acts like Angelica, Crazy Lixx, Find Me, Creye, Platforms, Hank Erix, Jim Jidhed, and many more. Michael Palace first began collaborating with Frontiers as a songwriter and guitarist for First Signal, which of course features legendary Harem Scarem vocalist Harry Hess, Cry of Dawn featuring Goran Edman, Kryptonite featuring The Poodles vocalist Jakob Samuel, and Pride Of Lions vocalist Toby Hitchcock. These successful (and musically delightful) collaborations led to a worldwide record deal with Frontiers where Michael was given the opportunity to realize his lifelong dream and make the AOR albums he always dreamed of.
"Working with Frontiers has literally changed my life and I'm so grateful for all the opportunities they keep providing for me to grow as a person and a musician," concludes Palace.
Tracklisting:
"Rock And Roll Radio"
"Castaway"
"Way Up Here"
"Cold Ones"
"Eleonora"
"Hot Steel"
"My Gray Cloud"
"Origin Of Love"
"She's So Original"
"Strictly By The Rules"
"When It's Over"
"Fight"
"Way Up Here" video:
Lineup:
Michael Palace - everything
Oscar Bromvall - lead guitar on "Hot Steel"
Jordan Cox - backing vocals on "Castaway"
Lost Symphony, the classical-metal ensemble headed up by multi-instrumentalist and producer Benny Goodman with a host of accomplish guest musicians, has released the third single from their upcoming Chapter II album, a track entitled “A Murder Of Crows”, inspired by the memory of late guitarist Oli Herbert, who was an early contributor to Lost Symphony.
During the funeral for the All That Remains guitarist nearly two years ago, a group of crows were said to have collective above the gathering. “It was often thought that a large group of crows decided the outcome of other birds,” Goodman says. “A large gathering is called a murder of crows and was often an omen of bad things to come.”
“A Murder Of Crows” features guest appearances by guitarist Jon Donais (Anthrax, Shadows Fall) and Jimi Bell (Autograph, House Of Lords).
"Working with Lost Symphony was such a blast for me,” says Donais, “It's an honor to play on a project with some of the best heavy metal and rock guitarists out there. This is a must for anyone who loves shred guitar!"
Lost Symphony was set in motion when Benny Goodman invited guitarists Kelly Kereliuk and Conrad Simon to add another dimension to the classical demo he had composed. An early recording of “Leave Well Enough Alone,” which appears on Chapter II, made its way to All That Remains co-founder and guitar hero Oli Herbert, who quickly jumped aboard as a chief collaborator. Upon arrival, Chapter I immediately received widespread critical acclaim.
"The World Is Over" (feat. Marty Friedman & Jeff Loomis)
"Leave Well Enough Alone" (feat. Jason Costa & Conrad Simon)
"Negation Delirium" (feat. Oli Herbert, Joey Concepcion & Jimi Bell)
"No Exit" (feat. David Ellefson, Jeff Loomis & Jimi Bell)
"The Garden Of Earthly Delights" (feat. Oli Herbert, David Abbruzzese, Rusty Cooley, Jimi Bell, Joey Concepcion, Matt LaPierre & Conrad Simon)
"Conflagration" (feat. Oli Herbert, Matt LaPierre & Conrad Simon)
"A Murder Of Crows" (feat. Jon Donias, Matt Bachand & Jimi Bell)
"The Long Wait For The End" (feat. Oli Herbert, Conrad Simon & Matt LaPierre)
Joe Satriani has released the new video below, along with the following message:
"My good friend Phil Campbell asked if he could play over 'Littleworth Lane'. I told him what the song was about, what it meant to me, and how happy I was that he picked that track. Major key ballads are the hardest to perform. You’ve got to dig deep and not be afraid to get emotional. All the good stuff comes when your guard is down and you play from the heart."
"At the heart of it is my love for composing unique and moving music for the electric guitar. I love the journey as much as the end result. With this compilation of backing tracks you get to peak behind the curtain a bit and experience that journey as I built the songs in the studio. And, of course, you can play along!" - Joe Satriani
Stripped x Three features full backing tracks from the complete Shapeshifting, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards and"Is There Love in Space? albums, a special digital compilation booklet with original liner notes and credits and it is all packaged within a replica Joe Satriani Ibanez signature guitar USB stick and custom case. Pre-order here.
Satriani on Stripped x Three: "This collection represents three albums of backing tracks released years apart from each other spanning 16 years: Is There Love In Space? from 2004, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards from 2010, and 2020's Shapeshifting. Three remarkably different albums recorded and mixed in remarkably different locations. At the heart of it is my love for composing unique and moving music for the electric guitar. Each album project I undertake pushes me to discover new ways to write , play, produce and record. I love the journey as much as the end result. With this compilation of backing tracks you get to peak behind the curtain a bit and experience that journey as I built the songs in the studio. And, of course, you can play along!"
The second instalment of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's greatest-hits collection, "A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2", will be released on digital and CD formats October 9, with a two-LP set arriving on November 20 via Better Noise Music.
"A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2" includes four previously unreleased tracks: "Broken World", a Steve Aoki remix of "Bad Company", a Joe Hahn remix of "Wash It All Away", a Felmax remix of "Trouble" and a new acoustic version of "Wrong Side Of Heaven", which can be streamed below.
"A Decade Of Destruction - Volume 2" track listing
01. Blue On Black [taken from "And Justice For None"]
02. The Tragic Truth [taken from "American Capitalist"]
03. Broken World [previously unreleased]**
04. I Refuse [taken from "And Justice For None"]
05. The Pride [taken from "American Capitalist"]
06. Hard To See [taken from "War Is The Answer"]
07. When The Seasons Change [taken from "And Justice For None"]
08. Cradle To The Grave [taken from "The Wrong Side Of Heaven, Vol. 2"]
09. Sham Pain [taken from "And Justice For None"]
10. M.I.N.E. (End This Way) [taken from "The Wrong Side Of Heaven, Vol. 1"]
11. Hell To Pay [taken from "Got Your Six"]
12. Never Enough [taken from "The Way Of The Fist"]
13. Walk Away [taken from "War Is The Answer"]
14. Wrong Side Of Heaven (new acoustic version – original version taken from "Wrong Side Of Heaven, Vol. 1")**
15. Trouble (Felmax Remix) [original version taken from "And Justice For None"]
16. Wash It All Away (Joe Hahn Remix) [original version taken from "Got Your Six")**
17. Bad Company (The Five Finger Dim Mak Steve Aoki Remix) [original version taken from "War Is The Answer"]**
** Previously unavailable
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's latest album, "F8", was released in February. The follow-up to 2018's "And Justice For None" capped a turbulent period for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in which singer Ivan Moody finally got sober after a near-fatal struggle with addiction, while co-founding drummer Jeremy Spencer bowed out of the band due to physical issues.
Much of "F8"'s lyrical content deals with Moody's battle with addiction, its aftermath and his recovery. The singer celebrated two years of sobriety in March.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's new disc was once again helmed by Kevin Churko, the Canadian record producer/engineer and songwriter who currently lives in Las Vegas, where he works out of his private studio, The Hideout Recording Studio. The drums on the LP were laid down by Charlie "The Engine" Engen, who made his live debut with the group during its fall 2018 tour with BREAKING BENJAMIN.
In an interview with Berlin, Germany's Star FM, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH guitarist Zoltan Bathory spoke about the inspiration for the title of "F8". He said: "Originally, we were just gonna call it '8', sort of. We thought it's the eighth record, and if you wanted to be esoteric about it, we figured, well, if you turn the '8' sideways, it's the symbol of infinity. There was some play with the visuals. I do most of the design and the graphics for the merch in the band in general… So, I was playing around with the graphics and I thought it maybe needs a bit more. And we were bouncing around ideas, and we added the letter 'F.' So it was, like, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's eighth record. At the same time, if you want to read it phonetically, it could be 'fate.'"
Bathory told The Pulse Of Radio the band felt a different kind of vibe when it finally got into the studio to make "F8". "After eight records, I don't think we have to say, 'Well, we are here to stay,'" he said. "But there was this image of getting into the studio and 'Let's light this on fire.' This was this different sort of power, this different sort of energy that was driving us."
Releasing their debut album, Luggage Falling Down, this past April, Los Angeles' Lufeh (a band of both Brazilian and American musicians) have been sharing a series of music videos for each individual track from the full-length over the last few months to showcase their blend of progressive rock injected with jazz styles, heavy metal foundations, and rhythmic Brazilian influences.
Today, the band shares video of them performing the new album, Luggage Falling Down, in its entirety. The live album performance was recorded at The Rose, Pasadena, CA on January 21st.
Lufeh's debut album was a trying, yet successful first recording for these recently banded musicians who lived together for two weeks throughout the process. Having lost the original singer a month before recording began, the intrepid bunch found hope with Dennis Atlas who fell in step with the rest of the band immediately. This bond between the members can be heard on the new record along with the series of videos that the band has released in support of it.
The band comments on the album: "The album is both melodic and highly energetic and aggressive. With a strong foundation in jazz and classical musicality, the band brings a metal edge to a unique melodic story. These metal warriors have become tycoons of song structure and, throughout the album, display highly refined expertise in making music that is captivating to listen to, addictively technical, and uplifting."
For fans of Dream Theater, Incubus, and Haken, Lufeh is smooth and rhythmic progressive metal; heavy chords followed by light melodies and the occasional crazy guitar solo. Luggage Falling Down is available for stream and download on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music.
Mexican Ape-Lord, "the raw and epic mountain metal band" featuring Meliah Rage founding guitarist/songwriter Anthony Nichols, The Bags vocalist/bassist Jon Hardy, drummer named Steve Fry (Crotalus, Graveheart) and lead guitarist Dan Dykes (Triphammer), have debuted the first riveting video from their upcoming album, Survival Cannibalism, due out on October 9th via Unable Records. The songs on Survival Cannibalism were inspired by a true story of the Nottingham Galley shipwreck and the cannibalism that took place on Boon Island, Maine in 1710. “I wanted to get inside the heads of these tormented guys, whose suffering drove them to do the unthinkable,” says Hardy. “It’s an grim subject, obviously, but a great one for Tony, Dan, and Steve, because they are masterful at covering the full range, musically - from utter darkness to the thrill of cheating death.”
Watch the stirring "Situation" video clip below:
Friends since high school, Nichols and Hardy found success in different branches of the Boston rock scene in the late eighties. After signing to Epic Records in 1988, Meliah Rage went on to release nine albums and built a loyal following over the course of multiple international tours. The Bags won the Boston Rock ’n’ Roll Rumble in 1989, released six albums, and had their song “Cavemen Rejoice” featured on the PlayStation 2 game Guitar Hero. Playboy described The Bags sound as “Thrilling guitar-bash riffs that pound like the sound of a herd of giant woolly mammoths going over a cliff, with just enough melody rasping though shredded vocal cords.”
“I always had Jon’s voice in the back of my head,” says Nichols. “I like his style and creative sensibilities, and had long thought he would be a great vocalist/lyricist for the way I write music.”
As for making a record during the pandemic, guitarist and background vocalist Dan Dykes points out that there were pros as well as cons. “I used the downtime to record my parts at home, which seemed convenient at first, but sometimes meant pushing through the apocalyptic negativity of the situation to get in the right head space. I think a lot of that fear, anxiety, and dread found its way into the music. I hear an urgency - a doom-like, foreboding quality that I don’t think would be there if not for the crisis. It turned out to be a good time to make a metal record!”
Eclipse recently announced their first ever official live release, Viva La VicTOURia, which follows the success of their last studio release, Paradigm. Available on 2CD/DVD, Blu-ray, and 3xLP on November 6, Viva La VicTOURia showcases the band’s performance in Gothenburg (Göteborg), Sweden on December 21, 2019 during their tour in support of the aforementioned album. See below for details on the bonus material included on the release.
Watch a performance of "Runaways" below, pre-order/save Viva La VicTOURia here.
"We've talked about properly documenting a live show for ages. Well, if anything good came out of the pandemic that brought touring to a halt, this is it. Thanks to this record, Viva La VicTOURia will live forever although it ended up being our shortest tour," says vocalist/guitarist Erik Mårtensson.
"Fans have asked us for a live album and video for a long time now. Well, here it is. Eclipse live, raw, and naked. Enjoy!" adds Magnus Henriksson.
Bonus material on the CD and LP versions of Viva La VicTOURia include the studio track “Driving One Of Your Cars” (a Lisa Miskovsky cover), acoustic versions of "The Downfall Of Eden" and "When The Winter Ends", as well as three live tracks from the band's Live From The Quarantine pay-per-view special, which was recorded at Studio Grondahl in Stockholm, Sweden on April 1, 2010. The 3xLP version also includes the exclusive bonus tracks "Hurt" and "Mary Leigh".
Bonus footage on the DVD and Blu-ray features interviews with the band around the creation of Paradigm and Viva La VicTOURia, additional footage from the Paradigm Tour (backstage, tour bus, behind the scenes, etc.), and some interviews with the band around the development of Eclipse, from the early days up until now, including some historic footage.
Live in Göteborg (Gothenburg) was recorded live at Tradgarn, Goteborg on December 21, 2019. Live from the Quarantine was recorded at Studio Grondahl in Stockholm, Sweden on April 1, 2020.
This first official live product from the band closes out the Paradigm album cycle and serves as a document of this very successful, but at the same time, super weird period in time for the band (and all of us).
Tracklisting:
CD1
"Viva La Victoria"
"Mary Leigh"
"Blood Wants Blood"
"The Storm"
"Vertigo"
"Jaded"
"Shelter Me"
"United"
"The Downfall Of Eden"
"When The Winter Ends"
"Take Me Home"
"Battlegrounds"
CD2
"Black Rain"
"Blood Enemies"
"Stand On Your Feet"
"Runaways"
"I Don't Wanna Say I'm Sorry"
"Never Look Back"
"Driving One Of Your Cars" (Studio Version)
"The Downfall Of Eden" (Acoustic Version)
"When The Winter Ends" (Acoustic Version)
"Battlegrounds" (Quarantine Live)
"Driving One Of Your Cars" (Quarantine Live)
"Delirious" (Quarantine Live)
Joe Satriani has released the new video below, along with the following message:
"Bumblefoot can play so inside, then so outside, all within eight bars, it makes my head spin. But, I like it! He is a complete original who sings, writes and plays guitar like no other. His take on 'Gnaahh' is insane. Watch how he nails my Whammy Pedal parts without a Whammy pedal!!!"
"At the heart of it is my love for composing unique and moving music for the electric guitar. I love the journey as much as the end result. With this compilation of backing tracks you get to peak behind the curtain a bit and experience that journey as I built the songs in the studio. And, of course, you can play along!" - Joe Satriani
Stripped x Three features full backing tracks from the complete Shapeshifting, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards and"Is There Love in Space? albums, a special digital compilation booklet with original liner notes and credits and it is all packaged within a replica Joe Satriani Ibanez signature guitar USB stick and custom case. Pre-order here.
Satriani on Stripped x Three: "This collection represents three albums of backing tracks released years apart from each other spanning 16 years: Is There Love In Space? from 2004, Black Swans And Wormhole Wizards from 2010, and 2020's Shapeshifting. Three remarkably different albums recorded and mixed in remarkably different locations. At the heart of it is my love for composing unique and moving music for the electric guitar. Each album project I undertake pushes me to discover new ways to write , play, produce and record. I love the journey as much as the end result. With this compilation of backing tracks you get to peak behind the curtain a bit and experience that journey as I built the songs in the studio. And, of course, you can play along!"
It’s been half a decade since Fuck The Facts' last release, Juno-nominated Desire Will Rot, but the band continues right where they left off, offering up another slab of their patented “bastardized” grindcore full of all the twists and turns that fans have come to expect.
Their new album, Pleine Noirceur, set for release on November 20 via the band’s very own Noise Salvation label, is introduced with a video single for the release's title track, which can be viewed below.
Fuck The Facts has amassed a respectable discography over the years, and this new offering joins the 7 LPs and 6 EPs released to date. The considerable amount of time the band has been working together shows in the natural chemistry that courses through each of the 12 tracks.
Fuck The Facts comments on the album: “We took a long break before working on this album, I feel like it’s a collection of bits and pieces; old and new, short and long. It’s us working back into the groove, just in time for a pandemic. This album also could have easily been 3 EPs, you really have to listen to the whole thing in order to fully enjoy it. It opens the door for what is next.”
What started as a basement recording project in the late 90s has blossomed into one of the most prolific bands in the Canadian extreme underground scene. Fuck The Facts have always been more about making albums than just writing songs, using what’s left over for a separate EP, but this time around they decided to put the extra songs as bonus tracks on the different physical copies of the release, so the vinyl, CD and cassette versions will each have a different bonus track that’s not available on the digital release.
The unapologetic, experimental album probably needs a few listens in order to fully enjoy. Put some noise-canceling headphones, choose your drug of choice, close your eyes, and enjoy.
"Doubt, Fear Neglect"
"Ailleurs"
"Pleine Noirceur"
"Aube"
"Sans Lumiere"
"Sans Racines"
"Everything I Love Is Ending"
"A Dying Light"
"Dropping Like Flies"
"L’abandon"
"An Ending"
"_cide"
Australian progressive rock band, Teramaze, have announced the release of their new album, I Wonder, on October 9 via Wells Music. To celebrate the announcement, Teramaze premiere the music video for the single “Sleeping Man”, which was directed by the band. Watch the clip below.
Lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Dean Wells states; "'Sleeping Man' I started writing for another major artist in our field but soon realized it was a Teramaze classic straight away. The deeper we got into the writing for this album we quickly realized we needed a 'Her Halo / From Saviour To Assassin' type single to even out the soundscape. 'Sleeping Man' has one of the best choruses on the album and it's a super energetic fun song to play with the band and we can't wait to play this one live very soon."
Wells adds; "I Wonder is an album I’ve personally wanted to write for a very long time. Having Andrew, Chris and Nick in this chapter of Teramaze was the perfect formula to do so. I believe we achieved everything we set out to within this body of music. It’s the most emotional and honest I have been as a songwriter in my life and it’s been a great challenge. I’ve truly enjoyed the process of writing, singing and recording lead vocals as well. If you are a true Teramaze fan, then you are going to love this album!”
With I Wonder, Teramaze have delivered yet another stunning piece of modern progressive metal. It will inevitably build upon the progress achieved by previous releases Her Halo and Are We Soldiers.
"Ocean Floor"
"Only Daylight"
"Lake 401"
"A Deep State Of Awake"
"Here To Watch You"
"Sleeping Man"
"Idle Hands/The Devil’s Workshop"
"RUN"
"This Is Not A Drill"
"I Wonder"
"Sleeping Man" video:
Lineup:
Dean Wells - Guitars, Vocals
Andrew Cameron - Bass
Nick Ross - Drums
Chris Zoupa - Guitar
Dark folk project, The Devil's Trade, has released a live video for the highly emotional track, "Dead Sister". The song is taken from TDT's debut album, The Call Of The Iron Peak, which is out now. The video was recorded during the very special album release show in Budapest last month.
The Devil's Trade comments: "After a seven months long hiatus in playing live, especially in these times of uncertainty and resignation, stepping on a stage was such a moving experience! I know I am among the luckiest musicians to have the chance to do what I love the most and can't give enough thanks the people who made this possible. The venue Dürer Kert is one of the last independent underground facilities in Hungary that is home for so many musicians and music lovers since 2008. It is now the next victim of the greed of our government. Not only do we have all these beautiful memories of the concerts of the bands we admire or our own shows but a few hundred bands had their rehearsal places and studios here. Both of the last two The Devil's Trade albums were recorded here. This place was a shelter for us but we have to move out and the venue has a hopeless future too. The release show of 'The Call Of The Iron Peak' was the last one for me there."
"The Iron Peak"
"Dead Sister"
"III"
"No Arrival"
"Expelling Of The Crafty Ape"
"IIIIIIIIIIII"
"Három Árva"
"Eyes In The Fire"
"IIIIII"
"Dreams From The Rot"
"The Call Of The Iron Peak"
West Virginia metal outfit, Byzantine, pay special tribute to late Megadeth drummer Nick Menza on the 30th anniversary of Rust In Peace.
Says the band: "Today marks the 30th anniversary of Megadeth's Rust In Peace! It made sense to not only celebrate this monumental record but to also honor the man behind the kit; the late, great Nick Menza! Using footage from his final studio recording - we bring you, 'Tornado Of Souls'! Hope you guys enjoy!
"Nick rightfully earned his place as heavy metal's fiercest drummer during Megadeth 10-year peak at the top."
- Byzantine Videography: Screaming Butterfly Entertainment
- Audio engineering: John Gasper at Seven West Studio and Jay Hannon at 7over8 Recording Studio
- Mixed and mastered by Jay Hannon at 7over8 Studios
German death metal unit Act Of Creation are back with The Uncertain Light, the follow-up to their 2014 offering Thion, which is set to be released on October 16th via Black Sunset / MDD.
This five-piece was previously known as E605, being among the veterans of the German death metal scene. They have just issued a new video for the track "Break New Ground", which can be seen below.
The drums for The Uncertain Light were recorded at Kohlekeller Studios, while the other parts were set up at Cursed Studios. Mix and mastering was done by Dennis Koehne (Sodom, Exhumer, Caliban), while the artwork was conceived by Timon Kokott.
Tracklisting:
"The Burning Place"
"Break New Ground"
"Violet Red"
"Reflection"
"Sector F"
"Legion"
"State Of Agony"
"Confused Illusion"
"Hatefriend"
"The Uncertain Light"
On February 16th, Evanescence vocalist / founder Amy Lee joined Japan's WagakkiBand on stage as part of the band's Premium Symphonic Night Vol.2 Live & Orchestra for a performance of Evanescence's breakthrough hit, "Bring Me To Life. It took place at at Osakajo Hall in Osaka, Japan.
Wagakki Band, launched in 2012 features the band playing rock music with wagakki (traditional Japanese musical instruments). Check them out via Facebook here.
Evanescence will release their first album of new original music in nine years, The Bitter Truth (BMG) over the course of this year, beginning with the first song and video, "Wasted On You", in April.
The video for “Wasted On You” was shot by each band member - lead singer-songwriter and pianist Amy Lee, bassist Tim McCord, drummer Will Hunt, lead guitarist Troy McLawhorn, and guitarist Jen Majura - on their iPhones while currently in isolation. Building on the piercing intensity for which the band is known, the intimately shot video (directed by P.R. Brown in collaboration with the band) breaks through the emotional stillness and numbness of the current time to reflect the internal highs and lows that each of us cycles through now, on a daily basis.
Perfectly encapsulating the current moods of disconnection from the world, lack of control, and purposelessness felt by so many, the video finds the band members alone at their homes and with their families, biding time and trying to create in a world and for an audience that seems smaller than ever. Paired with Amy Lee’s stunning vocals and the band’s signature pure-rock sound, the song’s central refrain is shockingly timely & universal:
I don’t need drugs
I’m already six feet low
Wasted on you
Waiting for a miracle
I can’t move on
Feels like we’re frozen in time
I’m wasted on you
Just pass me the Bitter Truth
As Amy explains, “We were recording this music right up until we couldn’t go into the studio anymore and finished it remotely through file sharing and phone calls. Tweaking mixes, adding background vocals, creating the video and album art all from home has been like water in the dessert for me, my light in a dark time. We are still writing and have a lot more work to do on this album, but this time we wanted to release the songs individually, as we create, to live more in the moment with our fans and our music.
"'Wasted On You' wasn’t the song we were planning to release first, but when the whole world went into indefinite lockdown and everything changed, so did the feeling and meaning of what we wanted to say right now. I didn’t write these lyrics about what we’re all now going through, but somehow that’s exactly what they are.
"The whole video was shot by the band and our families on our iPhones, in isolation in our homes many miles apart, then edited together by Paul Brown. We can’t be together to make a video right now, but we took that and used it to tell the story of our real lives in this moment, and to show that although we are apart, we are all still connected.
"As far as business is concerned, this is considered a terrible time to release. But we believe that people need music now more than ever. We do, and we’re not going to wait to share it because who knows what tomorrow brings. Who knows if it even comes? This is who we really are and we’re calling out across the world for a connection.
"One thing that has come from this crazy time is it’s stripped away the illusion of control- from all of us. Proof that we really don’t have any when it comes down to it. A big new theme in the new music so far is disillusionment. Growing up and realizing life can be so hard, nobody’s gonna come rescue you, and fairy tales aren’t real- BUT, standing up and saying I’ll take the truth rather than live in denial. Rising up, through the ashes of death and pain and everything just rising up even though it hurts and taking it to move forward. No more lies. The bitter truth is all that impossibly hard stuff. And I’m taking it. Choosing to live.”
Director P.R. Brown adds, “It's a time where nothing makes sense and we are all forced to see a reality we don't want to believe exists. It was clear that we all collectively needed to create something, we needed to say something.
"After we started looking at the footage it was clear that the band members were each going through similar things. I started building an edit and seeing those scenarios play out over and over again and linked them together to tell their stories.
"The band inspired me and is helping me through all of the madness around us through their vulnerability and creative grace. The hope is that it helps others get through it as well and see that there is a light at the end, even if it's dark outside.”
The Bitter Truth takes its foundation in the epic, signature sound that has earned Evanescence two Grammy awards and more than 23 million album sales worldwide beginning with their landmark debut Fallen, and blends it with the thought-provoking lyrics, musical sophistication, and heavy themes that Amy Lee has become known for. Producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Rush, Deftones) has been tracking with the band in Nashville since late January. In a break from the past, the band will be rolling out a series of songs from the album incrementally, culminating in the release of the full album.
Smackbound, the new hard rock/metal band from the robust and acclaimed Finnish music scene, released their debut album, 20/20, via Frontiers Music Srl back in June. An official video for the song "Run" can be seen below.
The album was recorded at Sonic Pump Studios, produced by Tuomas Yli-Jaskari mixed and mastered by Jesse Vainio (Sunrise Avenue, Apocalyptica, Poets Of The Fall).
Tracklisting:
"Wall Of Silence"
"Drive It Like You Stole It"
"Close To Sober"
"Run"
"The Game"
"Those Who Burn"
"Hey Motherfuckers"
"Troublemaker"
"Date With The Devil"
"Wind And Water"
"Run" video:
"Wall Of Silence" video:
"Close To Sober" video:
"Those Who Burn" lyric video:
"Drive It Like You Stole It" video:
"The Game" video:
Lineup:
Netta Laurenne - Vocals
Teemu Mäntysaari - Guitars
Rolf Pilve - Drums
Vili Itäpelto - Keyboards
Tuomas Yli-Jaskari - Bass
New York City hardcore legends SICK OF IT ALL have released a live session of "The Bland Within", the second video of the band's quarantine sessions.
SICK OF IT ALL vocalist Lou Koller comments: "Here's the second video from our quarantine jams! Off of the excellent album with an ugly cover, here the track 'The Bland Within'. This track would the whole place jumping crack in the early 2000s it was hard not having room to groove when we recorded here! One of our favorites off that album!"
SICK OF IT ALL's twelfth studio album, "Wake The Sleeping Dragon!", was released in November 2018 via Century Media. The follow-up to 2014's "The Last Act Of Defiance" was produced by Jerry Farley (EVERY TIME I DIE, DEMON HUNTER) over a two-and-a-half-week period at Nova Studios in Staten Island, New York and was mixed and mastered by Tue Madsen (MESHUGGAH, THE HAUNTED, MADBALL). The cover artwork was created by Ernie Parada.
"Wake The Sleeping Dragon!" features guest appearances by RISE AGAINST vocalist/guitarist Tim McIlrath and HOT WATER MUSIC frontman Chuck Ragan.
Italian modern death metal force, Hideous Divinity, get back to business whilst releasing a brand new video for their song, “Actaeon”, taken from the 2019 released album, Simulacrum.
The band states: “Time for some pretty special video content: a timelapse video of Simone "Strx" Strige creating a new, astounding design based on the concept of the song 'Actaeon' from our latest album Simulacrum. Join us in the nightmare where the hunter becomes the hunted."
Set your sails for an intoxicating, symphonic reverie backed by the marvellously talented Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague. Visions Of Atlantis reveal their second live single, “Release My Symphony”, along with an atmospheric music video, cut from their very first live DVD / Blu-Ray / CD, A Symphonic Journey To Remember, out October 30 via Napalm Records.
Delicate violin lines encircle the marvellous intro, exploding in fast-paced drums and electrifying riffs until it has unfolded to the full potential of the symphonic vanguard. With the orchestra's backing and heart-wrenching duets of Clémentine Delauney and Michele Guaitoli, Visions Of Atlantis present a new peak in their musical output and underline that they’ve arrived in the royal symphonic league.
Enter the maritime depths with Visions Of Atlantis and watch the live video for “Release My Symphony”:
In 2019, Visions Of Atlantis realized their dream of captioning their symphonic experience at the highest level. Supported by the orchestral accompaniment of the Bohemian Symphony Orchestra Prague for the very first time, the quintet captivated the audience once again with their impressive headliner set at last year’s Bang Your Head!!! festival. This unique experience is captured on Blu-ray/DVD and audio formats - 17 atmospheric tracks guide listeners and viewers through the unparalleled, powerful discography of Visions Of Atlantis. The outstanding symbiosis of Clémentine Delauney’s and Michele Guaitoli’s vocals, accompanied by the band’s breathtaking soundscapes and impressive scenery, will guide fans through the deep valleys of the untamed seas.
This unforgettable live experience will be available as a special Blu-ray/DVD/Audio CD bundle as well as a double vinyl Gatefold, as an exclusive deluxe edition and via all audio streaming services.
This unique experience will be available in the following formats:
- Blu-ray / DVD / CD Digipak, vertical format
- Blu-ray / DVD / CD Digipak, vertical format + Shirt Bundle
- 2 LP Vinyl Gatefold Black (incl. DVD)
- 2 LP Vinyl Gatefold Splatter Blue/White (incl. DVD)
- Deluxe Fan Gym Bag (incl. Flag, blu-ray/DVD/CD Digipak Bundle + signed Booklet, VIP Pass & Laynard)
- digital via all audio platforms
Intro
"The Deep & The Dark"
"New Dawn"
"Ritual Night"
"Lost"
"The Last Home"
"Memento"
"Release My Symphony"
"Words Of War"
"Heroes Of The Dawn"
"Wanderers"
"Seven Seas"
"A Journey To Remember"
"The Grand Illusion"
"Nothing Lasts Forever"
"Passing Dead End"
"Return To Lemuria"
Canadian progressive metal outfit and one of the hottest rising bands in heavy music, Spiritbox, have announced that they have signed with globally renowned label, Rise Records in association with Pale Chord.
To celebrate this new partnership, the band have launched pre-orders today for a special 7" vinyl limited to only 1,000 copies of their hit single "Holy Roller". The vinyl will feature the original version of the single as well as a previously unreleased remix with guest vocals from Ryo Kinoshita of Crystal Lake which will be released on Friday, October 2nd. Vinyl pre-orders are available here.
Spiritbox released "Holy Roller" in July to huge acclaim from both fans and media. The track debuted at #25 on Billboard's Hot Hard Rock Songs and has spent the last 6 weeks at #1 on SiriusXM Liquid Metal's "Devil's Dozen", clocking up an impressive 3.7 million global streams and 976k views on YouTube to date. Watch the nightmarish music video for the track, inspired by the recent cinematic horror masterpiece, Midsommar, below:
Speaking on the announcement of their new signing and the upcoming release of the 7" vinyl, Spiritbox vocalist, Courtney LaPlante says, "We have always dreamed of partnering with a label that embraces our DIY mentality and respects our independence, a label that understands immediately what we want to accomplish and how we want to get there.
"It has been surreal getting to know the team at Rise Records, never feeling like we have to be anything other than our authentic selves. They are not some monolithic corporation, but individuals with a passion for music. They understand us and allow us to just be Spiritbox, now with the resources and guidance that we have always wanted. I keep thinking I am going to wake up from some fever dream and it was all in my head.
"To our fans. We are so excited to celebrate this milestone with you. We know how hard you have worked to spread the word about our band and we are so grateful for the time, energy and belief you have invested in us. We understand that with more resources comes higher expectations. We will not let you down, I promise!"
Sean Heydorn, Head of Rise Records adds, "We’re very excited to welcome Spiritbox to the Rise Records family and kick off this partnership with Pale Chord. The band caught our attention some time ago, and watching their exponential growth throughout an otherwise tough year for artists has been really inspiring. Despite all the band have already accomplished and done with Pale Chord, we feel it’s just the beginning."
The husband and wife duo Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringer made their debut with a self-released EP in October 2017, quickly building a cult following. In 2018 the duo found their musical counterpart in bass player Bill Crook and partnered with Pale Chord Music to continue to create and release music in single and EP formats.
Spiritbox have quickly become hotly tipped as one of the most exciting, creative, and unique new forces to erupt from the world of heavy music. Pushing boundaries both sonically and visually with their beautifully haunting music videos that perfectly match the the juxtaposition of the ethereal, velvet textures of Courtney's singing voice and the visceral power of her screams as they soar over complex soundscapes that ebb and flow between brutally heavy riffing and and progressive, other-worldly, electronic-tinged passages. Drawing their name from a device that some believe is capable of communing with the dead, the band have a paranormal undertone that runs through everything they do, using EVP (electronic voice phenomena) recordings both at their live shows and within their tracks. A quick look at the music videos for fan favourites such as Belcarra, Blessed Be, and Rule of Nines and it's clear to see that the band are no strangers to the macabre or paranormal.
Having toured the world many times over with their previous bands - metal outfit iwrestledabearonce (Courtney and Mike) and pop punk band Living With Lions (Bill) - Spiritbox absorbed the highs and lows of living as working musicians and decided to try a different and more sustainable approach when it came to releasing their music. They took the concept of supply and demand and applied it to their release model, focusing on making fans across the globe by using the social media tools available to them, releasing shorter bodies of music and removing touring from the plan until a demand was built. In doing so they quickly garnered a cult-like online following which has lead to over 15,000,000 streams across all platforms and sell outs on every physical release and most merch items they've released to date.
In February 2020, Spiritbox jumped on a plane and finally went on tour in support of After The Burial across Europe, which was unfortunately cut short due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Despite having to return to Canada early, Spiritbox have remained busy - recording Holy Roller, shooting its accompanying video, launching their new Patreon and working on their debut LP expected out in 2021.
Lineup:
Courtney LaPlante - Vocals
Mike Stringer - Guitar
Bill Crook - Bassist
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