The official music video for "Torch The Faith", the title track of the debut album from PSYCHOSEXUAL, the new rock band fronted by former FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH drummer Jeremy Spencer, can be seen below. The disc was released on July 31 through Spencer's own independent label 6ex Records. The effort was co-produced by Spencer with DROWNING POOL producer Shawn McGhee.
"This year has been uniquely challenging, to say the least — for all of us — but releasing 'Torch The Faith' is an actual dream come true," said Spencer, who sports a Mephistophelian mask as singer/frontman Devil Daddy alongside guitarist Crucifier, bassist Astaroth and drummer Volac.
The platinum-selling drummer's loyal fan support has been overwhelming, with PSYCHOSEXUAL's eye-popping music videos for "Baby On Fire", "Lady Killer" and "Let The Sin Begin" amassing over 340,000 views on YouTube.com/Psychosexual.
"To be able to write, create, produce, shoot videos and release your first album on your own label during these uncertain days under months of lockdown and fear is an incredible accomplishment," Spencer added. "I can't wait to finally share my new music with fans."
Spencer left FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH at the end of 2018, but in his mind the persona of Devil Daddy had occupied part of his creative consciousness for several years. Never one to rest on his laurels creatively, he released a series of '80s-like new wave originals in early 2019 as a precursor to the band — including some arresting and entertaining videos such as a remake of TYPE O NEGATIVE's "Love You To Death".
Spencer said: "I've been such a fan of so many types of music from Bowie to DEVO to black metal bands, PSYCHOSEXUAL really is the outlet I've needed to bring all these things together in one big Evil Stew."
Jeremy, who co-founded FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH with guitarist Zoltan Bathory, left the band so that he could undergo back surgery in the fall of 2018 that required a significant recovery period.
Spencer's replacement in FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH is Charlie "The Engine" Engen. Engen made his recording debut with the band on the "F8" album, which came out in February.
California rock heavyweights BLINK-182 have dropped their brand-new track, "Quarantine". This relevant and timely song features strong drums and killer guitars matched with angsty vocals to stress just how hard we all have been hit by this time spent in isolation and social distancing. Alongside the song comes a music video that intermixes the lyrics and raw footage of the band shot on iPhones.
"This song is about the sadness, confusion, anger and frustration we are all experiencing right now," says Mark Hoppus. "I hope that everybody is safe and that we can get through this very soon. Can't wait to see you all on the other side." Travis Barker adds: "The song was inspired by the quarantine and the crappy punk rock music we have loved to play since day one. All the drums are one take and I even sang some backup vocals. Mark sounds more pissed off than I've ever heard him, and I really like it."
Alongside the brand-new song, BLINK-182 has scored two MTV VMA nominations for "Best Rock" and "Best Music Video From Home" for its fan-driven montage to the song "Happy Days".
BLINK-182's latest album, "Nine", is out now on Columbia Records and includes singles "I Really Wish I Hated You", "Darkside", "Happy Days", "Generational Divide" and "Blame It On My Youth".
Since its humble beginnings in 1992 in San Diego, BLINK-182 has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and rocked audiences around the globe, becoming one of the defining and inspirational rock bands of its generation.
BLINK-182 is Mark Hoppus (vocals/bass), Travis Barker (drums) and Matt Skiba (vocals/guitar). A guitarist and singer with ALKALINE TRIO, Skiba replaced original BLINK-182 singer Tom DeLonge in 2016.
BLINK-182 released its first post-DeLonge album, "California", in 2016.
Finnish troll horde FINNTROLL has an animated music video for "Forsen", the second single from its highly anticipated seventh studio album — the first in long seven years. "Vredesvävd" will be out on September 18 via Century Media Records. The title translates to "Wrath-woven," which aptly implies what the vigorous, unapologetic and ill-spirited record is all about.
Says the band of the beautifully animated video, which was created by Animaatiokopla: "The shaman's journey into the other is portrayed in myriads of ancient art. Often symbolized by a stream that flows into the earth, riding the rapids one can unravel mysteries, deep within the layers of consciousness. There one can find oneself, if one dares to search deep enough."
Recorded and mixed at the renowned Sonic Pump Studios, mastered at Chartmakers and produced by keyboardist-composer Henri "Trollhorn" Sorvali with vocalist Mathias "Vreth" Lillmåns acting as his right hand, "Vredesvävd" presents the pointy-eared gang of misfits at their finest.
FINNTROLL stated about the new LP: "'Vredesvävd' is shamelessly untrendy, fierce and a catchy album. Raising a mushroom-cladded middle finger towards lazy rock music, it whips and whacks the poor listener in a way that only FINNTROLL is capable of delivering. Combining something old, something new and a ton of something black."
"Vredesvävd" track listing:
01. Väktaren
02. Att Döda Med En Sten
03. Ormfolk
04. Grenars Väg
05. Forsen
06. Vid Häxans Härd
07. Myren
08. Stjärnors Mjöd
09. Mask
10. Ylaren
FINNTROLL is:
Trollhorn - Keyboards, Orchestrations, Guitars, Banjo, Mouth Harp
Night Demon have released a new single "In Trance" Live In Germany, featuring Uli Jon Roth.
Says the band: "Dreams do come true… were you there? Relive this special moment in heavy metal history by picking up your limited-edition vinyl copy of 'In Trance' performed live in Hamburg, Germany with legendary Scorpions guitarist Uli Jon Roth.
"You can purchase the vinyl directly from the band at nightdemon.net/shop. There are also links there to our officially licensed worldwide merch outlets.
"This 7” single is limited to 800 copies - 250 in red, 250 in yellow, and 300 in black - colors which represent the German flag!"
Listen to the single here, and watch the video below.
March 2, 2019 will be remembered as one of the most important nights in Night Demon history. The location was Hamburg, Germany, long a second home for the band on their frequent European sojourns through the years. The occasion was the sold-out Hell Over Hammaburg Festival, which Night Demon had the honor of headlining. That night, the famous Markthalle venue was teeming with 1,000 die-hard metal maniacs from around the globe, waiting impatiently for the Ventura, California-based trio to put an exclamation point on the weekend’s festivities. But Night Demon had a special surprise up their sleeves for the Hammaburg faithful. You see, on this night they did not come alone.
Over the previous few months, Night Demon had been working in a spine tingling cover of the Scorpions’ classic “In Trance” into their live set for certain high-profile gigs, to rapturous crowd response. For the Hammaburg gig, revered former Scorpions guitar slinger Uli Jon Roth, who was an integral part of the In Trance album in 1975, agreed to join Night Demon onstage for a two-song vintage Scorpions encore consisting of “In Trance” and “Top Of The Bill.” Roth’s appearance was a scrupulously guarded secret, unknown to all outside of the inner circle of band and fest organizers. When the big moment finally arrived at the end of a sweat-soaked, 15-song pummelling, it was nothing short of magical.
Mixing country music with the hard-hitting stomp of rock and roll, Canadian star Cory Marks makes his debut on Better Noise Music with the release of his album "Who I Am". Also available now is the video for one of the standout tracks on the album, "Out In The Rain", a duet with Lzzy Hale, frontwoman of the band HALESTORM.
"What inspired me to be featured was really Cory's heart; you could really hear that he was speaking from his truth and you could just feel the pain and the purgatory of whatever was happening to him at the time that inspired him to write that song," says Hale. "And my favourite part of the whole song is this conversation that Cory and I are having. It's such a realistic look at love and a couple's journey together. My favorite part is that you can't really tell no matter how many times you listen to it. Are they breaking up? Are they getting back together? Are they just weathering the storm? I think you should decide."
The album also features the global hit "Outlaws & Outsiders", which not only hit the Top 10 at rock radio in the U.S. and Top 12 in Canada, but spent over a month at No. 1 in the UK on Kerrang's Airplay chart as well as being one of the most played tracks on Planet Rock radio of 2020. It is currently at No. 5 at rock radio in Germany.
"Who I Am" was produced by award-winning Kevin Churko (FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, Shania Twain, Ozzy Osbourne) and his son the Juno Award-winning producer, songwriter and engineer Kane Churko (PAPA ROACH, SKILLET). All together, the album consists of 13 songs, including other fan-friendly tracks like "Blame It On The Double", "Devil's Grin", "Better Off" and the latest single, "Drive" — telling stories of heartbreak, hell-raising, and everything in between.
"I'm really excited to finally have this record out! 'Who I Am' tells stories of the last 5 years of my life," says Marks. "The good, the bad and the ugly. The highs and lows of life and I think everyone is going to relate to at least one song on this album. It's a mix of rock, country and a bit of metal. I like to think of it as if Ozzy Osbourne, Merle Haggard and Eric Church created an album it would sound like this. There's nothing out there both in country or rock like this and I'm really proud of that. I hope to steer country music in a whole new direction with this project, turn it up and enjoy!"
"Outlaws & Outsiders" (featuring Ivan Moody of FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH, Travis Tritt and Mick Mars of MÖTLEY CRÜE) has over 12 million streams and over 17 million video views globally. It is trending globally on the Shazam discovery charts ranking among the greatest songs of all genres — including songs by BLACK EYED PEAS, Billy Joe Armstrong and G-Easy — illustrating the appeal of country rock music that transcends beyond genre lines. The song is also included in the "sno babies" movie soundtrack, a powerful film that deals with the topic of substance use disorder in the places you would least expect — middle class suburbia. Cory's song "Blame It On The Double" will appear in the soundtrack of another Better Noise Films release, horror spectacular "The Retaliators".
"Growing up on country and rock music — being inspired by songs like THE ROLLING STONES' 'Honky Tonk Woman', bands like DEEP PURPLE and the iconic Ozzy Osbourne, the original outlaws and outsiders Merle Haggard and Waylon Jennings — shaped my musical style. It's a true honor to be working with the country music outlaw of my generation the great Travis Tritt," explained Cory. "He is such a down-to-earth guy and a great pleasure to work with, he's the real deal and I'm very thankful to be working with him".
"I was flattered to be asked to contribute my vocals to the Cory Marks single, 'Outlaws & Outsiders'. I'm excited to see what the future holds for this talented young artist," Tritt explained.
Video footage of METALLICA performing the song "Moth Into Flame" from the upcoming "Metallica And San Francisco Symphony: S&M²" release can be seen below.
METALLICA and San Francisco Symphony's September 6 and September 8, 2019 "S&M²" concerts were historic on multiple levels: They served as the grand opening of San Francisco's Chase Center, reunited the band and Symphony for the first time since the 1999 performances captured on the Grammy-winning "S&M" album, and featured the first-ever symphonic renditions of songs written and released since those original "S&M" shows.
The sold-out concerts were rapturously received by the 40,000 fans who traveled from nearly 70 countries, as well as the media: Rolling Stone raved "the group proved that anything was possible," Variety noted an atmosphere "buzzing with excitement," while the Mercury News witnessed "a concert that fans will be talking about for decades to come," and Consequence Of Sound hailed "a true celebration of METALLICA and their musical prowess."
On August 28, "S&M²" comes to life once more with the release of "Metallica And San Francisco Symphony: S&M²". "S&M²" will be available in a staggering array of formats, ranging from a digital album on all leading streaming outlets, to 4LP vinyl, 2CD, DVD and Blu-ray versions, to a limited edition color vinyl 4LP + 2CD + Blu-ray Deluxe Box featuring sheet music, guitar picks, poster and more, all the way up to a Metallica.com exclusive Super Deluxe Box, limited to 500 copies, each featuring actual sheet music used by the Symphony during the shows and hand-signed by all four band members (in addition to including everything in the Deluxe Box). With this long-awaited Blackened Recordings release, "S&M²" can be fully experienced by others beyond those who squeezed into the Chase Center over those two unforgettable evenings.
"S&M²" is a landmark release in the METALLICA catalog, both sonically and visually. Produced by Greg Fidelman with James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich, the "S&M²" live album captures more than two and a half hours of James, Lars, Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo joining forces with the nearly 80-strong San Francisco Symphony, legendary music director of the orchestra Michael Tilson Thomas, and conductor Edwin Outwater. The concert film is a brand-new edit done by Joe Hutching ("Through The Never") and both the audio and visuals have been taken to the next level from the October 2019 theatrical version that played in over 3,700 cinemas worldwide.
The three-hour concerts were split into two parts and included a rendition of "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)" from METALLICA's debut album, "Kill 'Em All", performed as a solo by the Symphony bassist Scott Pingel in tribute to METALLICA's late bassist Cliff Burton.
Ulrich told Kerrang! magazine: "The 'Anesthesia' bass solo was incredible. The way the fans reacted to that was goosebump-city. I loved the dare of playing 'Iron Foundry'. I loved revisiting songs we don't play so often like 'The Outlaw Torn' and 'The Call Of Ktulu'.
"I loved how Edwin brought one sort of dynamic when he was conducting the more rock stuff, and how Michael Tilson Thomas — the maestro, the elder statesman of his world — brought in some different pieces and encouraged the fans to understand where the symphonic and rock worlds overlap.
"Most of all, though, the fact that there was no barricade stood out. When was the last time you went to a rock show of that size without one? What does that barricade do? What does it mean? It's a safety thing, but in essence it's something that separates people. I loved just being able to walk out with the fans. At one point, I leaned back and let myself go into their embrace. That was a great moment."
"S&M²" is available for pre-order now, preceded by the "S&M²" versions of "All Within My Hands" and "Nothing Else Matters", both now available across digital platforms.
"Metallica And San Francisco Symphony: S&M²"
Configurations:
* Deluxe Box (limited edition 4LP color vinyl, exclusive photobook, 2CDs, Blu-ray, sheet music, five guitar picks, poster, download card)
* Super Deluxe Box (all of the above + original sheet music signed by the band. Limited to 500 via Metallica.com)
* Black 4LP set w/photobook and download card
* Color 4LP set w/photobook and download card (exclusive to indie retail + Metallica.com)
* 2CD set w/36-page booklet
* 2CD/Blu-ray set w/36-page booklet
* 2CD/DVD set w/36-page booklet
* Blu-Ray
* DVD
* Digital Album
* Digital Movie
Track listing:
CD 1
01. The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)
02. The Call of Ktulu (Live)
03. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)
04. The Day That Never Comes (Live)
05. The Memory Remains (Live)
06. Confusion (Live)
07. Moth Into Flame (Live)
08. The Outlaw Torn (Live)
09. No Leaf Clover (Live)
10. Halo on Fire (Live)
CD 2
01. Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)
02. Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)
03. Intro to The Iron Foundry (Live)
04. The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 (Live)
05. The Unforgiven III (Live)
06. All Within My Hands (Live)
07. (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth (Live)
08. Wherever I May Roam (Live)
09. One (Live)
10. Master of Puppets (Live)
11. Nothing Else Matters (Live)
12. Enter Sandman (Live)
DVD / Blu-ray
01. Menu (features "Moth Into Flame")
02. Intro (features "Wherever I May Roam" and "All Within My Hands")
03. The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)
04. The Call of Ktulu (Live)
05. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)
06. The Day That Never Comes (Live)
07. The Memory Remains (Live)
08. Confusion (Live)
09. Moth Into Flame (Live)
10. The Outlaw Torn (Live)
11. No Leaf Clover (Live)
12. Halo on Fire (Live)
13. Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)
14. Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)
15. Intro to The Iron Foundry (Live)
16. The Iron Foundry, Opus 19 (Live)
17. The Unforgiven III (Live)
18. All Within My Hands (Live)
19. (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth (Live)
20. Wherever I May Roam (Live)
21. One (Live)
22. Master of Puppets (Live)
23. Nothing Else Matters (Live)
24. Enter Sandman (Live)
25. Credits
26. Behind the Scenes: Making of the Show
27. All Within My Hands Promo
LP 1 / Side One
01. The Ecstasy of Gold
02. The Call of Ktulu
03. For Whom the Bell Tolls
LP 1 / Side Two
01. The Day that Never Comes
02. The Memory Remains
03. Confusion
LP 2 / Side Three
01. Moth Into Flame
02. The Outlaw Torn
LP 2 / Side Four
01. No Leaf Clover
02. Halo on Fire
LP 3 / Side Five
01. Intro to Scythian Suite
02. Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God and the Dance of the Dark Spirits
03. Intro to The Iron Foundry
04. The Iron Foundry, Opus 19
05. The Unforgiven III
LP 3 / Side Six
01. All Within My Hands
02. (Anesthesia) - Pulling Teeth
03. Wherever I May Roam
LP 4 / Side Seven
01. One
02. Master of Puppets
LP 4 / Side Eight
01. Nothing Else Matters
02. Enter Sandman
Digital Film
01. Intro (features "Wherever I May Roam" and "All Within My Hands")
02. The Ecstasy of Gold (Live)
03. The Call of Ktulu (Live)
04. For Whom the Bell Tolls (Live)
05. The Day That Never Comes (Live)
06. The Memory Remains (Live)
07. Confusion (Live)
08. Moth Into Flame (Live)
09. The Outlaw Torn (Live)
10. No Leaf Clover (Live)
11. Halo on Fire (Live)
12. Intro to Scythian Suite (Live)
13. Scythian Suite, Opus 20 II: The Enemy God And The Dance Of The Dark Spirits (Live)
Chris Jericho (FOZZY), Nita Strauss (ALICE COOPER), Phil Demmel (VIO-LENCE, ex-MACHINE HEAD), Johnny Christ (AVENGED SEVENFOLD) and Nita's longtime boyfriend Josh Villalta, who also plays drums in her solo band and manages her career, have formed a new "supergroup" called THE WHEELBLOCKS. The band's first recording, a cover version of the IRON MAIDEN classic "Aces High", will make its online debut on Thursday, August 6 at 11:00 a.m. A teaser clip is available below.
Asked in a recent interview with Rock 95 if it was true that Alice Cooper himself is involved with THE WHEELBLOCKS, Jericho said: "Well, that's not quite true. It's kind of still under wraps. But it's another supergroup. If [Jericho's other side project] KUARANTINE is the worst supergroup ever, I'd have to say THE WHEELBLOCKS is a lot more star power in that one. And Alice Cooper is not involved, but a prominent member of his band is involved. It's probably the second most recognizable person from that band, if you've seen Alice Cooper live over the last three or four years."
Jericho is also a member of another rock "supergroup", the aforementioned KUARANTINE, which performs cover versions of songs from the non-makeup era of KISS. That band has released two singles so far, "Heart Of Chrome" and "No No No", via Madison Records with distribution by The Orchard. Jericho is joined in KUARANTINE by drummer Kent Slucher (LUKE BRYAN), guitarist Joe McGinness (KLASSIK '78) and bassist PJ Farley (TRIXTER).
Former GUNS N' ROSES and current SONS OF APOLLO guitarist Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal has released the official music video for his acoustic cover version of SOUNDGARDEN's "The Day I Tried To Live". The song is taken from Bumblefoot's latest acoustic EP of cover songs, "Barefoot 3", which was made available on June 5 exclusively via Bandcamp.
"Barefoot 3" takes the "Barefoot" series up a notch, with intricate guitar arrangements, big backing vocals, and drummer Kyle Hughes.
Track listing:
01. Sleepwalking (BUMBLEFOOT acoustic cover)
02. Tiny Dancer (ELTON JOHN acoustic cover)
03. The Day I Tried To Live (SOUNDGARDEN acoustic cover)
04. Only Time Will Tell (ASIA acoustic cover)
05. Come On Eileen (DEXYS MIDNIGHT RUNNERS acoustic cover)
06. Tell Me Something Good (RUFUS & CHAKA KHAN acoustic cover)
Check out audio samples in the YouTube clip below.
In May, Bumblefoot released "Barefoot 2", featuring acoustic covers of songs by IRON MAIDEN, BILLY JOEL, THE POLICE, THE YOUNG RASCALS and PAUL MCCARTNEY.
In April, Thal released a new instrumental song called "Planetary Lockdown" which he said was "inspired by [the] feeling of urgency" during the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Thal joined GUNS N' ROSES in 2006, replacing Buckethead. He played with the band for eight years and performed on "Chinese Democracy". He has also released nine full-length solo albums over the past 23 years, most recently 2015's "Little Brother Is Watching", which was reissued on CD and vinyl in August 2017 by MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson's EMP Label Group.
Three years ago, Thal said that he agonized over his decision to leave GUNS N' ROSES, explaining that he "wanted it to be something that [he] knew it wasn't ever gonna be."
Thal never officially announced his departure from the GN'R, but a source confirmed to Detroit music writer Gary Graff back in 2015 that the guitarist had been out since the end of the band's second Las Vegas residency in 2014.
SONS OF APOLLO, which also features drummer Mike Portnoy, keyboardist Derek Sherinian and bassist Billy Sheehan), released its second studio album, "MMXX" (pronounced: 20/20), in January via InsideOut Music/Sony.
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS performed their iconic album, "Core", in its entirety for a livestream event on Friday, July 31 on Nugs.tv.
Video footage of the first song of the set, "Dead & Bloated", can be seen below.
A short time after the perormance, STP posted on social media: "Thanks to everyone who tuned into our Core PPV event tonight! ICYMI you can still buy a pass and watch the show on nugs.net through the end of the weekend."
"Core", STP's breakout debut album features smash hits "Sex Type Thing", "Wicked Garden" and "Plush", which won the Grammy Award in 1994 for "Best Hard Rock Performance."
STONE TEMPLE PILOTS guitarist Dean DeLeo told The Pulse Of Radio that the idea for the event came from his brother and bandmate, bassist Robert DeLeo. "I think it was just a matter of sheer boredom and thinking of what to do," Dean said. "[Robert] said, 'Hey, man, maybe we should get in a small room and play this first record and if all goes well we should just do each record,' and we all loved the idea.
"Look, we're all itchin' to just get out and play," Dean continued. "You know we had over a hundred shows pulled out from under us this year. Everything. Not rescheduled — canceled — and there's nothing on the books for 2021, so it's just, like, 'Let's do something! Let's play!'"
Dean went on to say a couple of the "Core" songs hadn't been performed live in a very long time. "There's two songs that haven't been played in forever," he said. "One of them is 'Naked Sunday'. I think the last time we played that was on 'Saturday Night Live', maybe 1993? So that one is one that's been locked away, and also 'Where The River Goes'. We haven't played that in many, many, many years — a couple decades."
In addition to the "Core" livestream event, STP released live audio from past shows beginning with August 3, 2011 at Hampton Beach Ballroom in Hampton Beach, New Hampshire with Scott Weiland, and June 13, 2019 in London, UK at O2 Forum Kentish Town with lead vocalist Jeff Gutt.
Gutt joined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS three years ago. His recording debut with the group was on its self-titled seventh LP, which arrived in March 2018.
Gutt, a 44-year-old Michigan native who spent time in the early-2000s nu-metal act DRY CELL, among other bands, and was a contestant on "The X Factor", joined STONE TEMPLE PILOTS in 2017 after beating out roughly 15,000 hopefuls during an extended search that began more than a year earlier.
Original STONE TEMPLE PILTOS singer Scott Weiland, who reunited with the group in 2010 after an eight-year hiatus but was dismissed in 2013, died in December 2015 of a drug overdose.
Chester Bennington, who joined STP in early 2013, departed nearly three years later to spend more time with his main band LINKIN PARK. Bennington committed suicide in July 2017.
Let us know in the comments if you watched our live Core PPV event yesterday! If you missed it, don’t worry, you can...
Infinite Visions drummer Pawel "Pavulon" Jaroszewicz (ex-Hate/Vader) has recorded playthrough videos for five songs on the upcoming Infinite Visions demo, which will be finalized this month. The tracks include "Sonata Black", "Infinite Visions", "You Rock My World", "Dangerous", and "Voice Of Tomorrow". The full drum playthrough videos (with the final versions of the songs) will be released periodically starting at the end of August. Here is a 30-second preview from "Sonata Black" with the backing guitar track, not the final, finished version: Check out the clip here.
Infinite Visions is the new band formed by ex-Stratovarius guitarist/songwriter Timo Tolkki (guitars), and includes in its lineup ex-Stratovarius bandmate Jari Kainulainen on bass, and keyboardist Jimmy Pitts (Eternity's End / NorthTale). Pawel first came to the recent attention of Infinite Visions through the Stratovarius drum audition videos he made several years ago (video links below). The band were very impressed with his performance, and thereafter asked Pawel if he would like to join Infinite Visions.
Pawel states: "I am happy to announce that I will be a part of Timo Tolkki’s Infinite Visions. Although not many associate me with this style of music, it always had it’s place in my life alongside the more extreme genres. It will definitely be an interesting experience to see what I can bring to the table and hopefully create some new quality music with a distinct sound."
"Father Time"
"Coming Home"
Infinite Visions' lineup includes Timo (guitars), Jari Kainulainen (bass), Jorge Segersbol (vocals), and Jimmy Pitts (keyboards). The debut album will be titled Union Magnetica, and will feature 10 songs, including "Voice Of Tomorrow", "You Rock My World", "Sonata Black", "Dangerous", and "Infinite Visions". The band is scheduled to record their debut album at the end of 2020, with plans to tour for the album when it is released next year, and to perform at festivals as well in 2021.
Their upcoming debut album, Union Magnetica, will be produced and mixed by Timo Tolkki, whose producer credits include the Stratovarius classics Episode, Visions, Destiny and Elements Pts.1& 2. Additionally, he has produced/mixed albums by Vision Divine, The 69 Eyes, Allen/Lande, Amorphis, Ring Of Fire, Avalon, Symfonia, and Revolution Renaissance, among many others. Timo is currently available to work on select projects as a producer and/or mixer and can be contacted via email at Timo@timotolkki.net
For more information about Infinite Visions visit the band's official Facebook page here.
Japanese avant-garde metallers Dir En Grey have released the radio edit of their new single, "Ochita Koto No Aru Sora" (translated. "The Sky That Has Fallen"). Check it out below.
The band revealed details of the release during a July 24th audio livestream.
According to JRockNews.com, the single was initially due to be exclusively released via all digital platforms. In more recent updates, however, the band specified that all three tracks will be available through purchase at download services (iTunes, Google Play Music, Amazon Music), while subscription services such as Spotify will only receive an edited version of the title track, leaving out the re-recording of "Clever Sleazoid" and the live take of "Followers" at Islington Assembly Hall on February 5th.
It was also announced that a special physical package with bonus content is available. This edition can only be obtained in exchange for a ticket to their canceled performance at Pia Arena MM on July 23rd and 24th, 2020. The physical format comes with a DVD featuring their live shows at Elysée Montmartre in Paris France on February 2nd, and at KT Zepp Yokohama, Japan on March 28th.
Digital edition:
"Ochita Koto No Aru Sora"
"Clever Sleazoid"
"Followers" (live)
Special Edition:
CD
"Ochita Koto No Aru Sora"
"Clever Sleazoid"
"Followers" (live)
DVD
"Zetsuentai"
"Keibetsu to Hajimari"
"Aka"
"Downfall"
"Values of Madness"
"Keigaku no Yoku"
"Ranunculus"
"The World of Mercy"
"Ningen wo Kaburu"
"Keibetsu to Hajimari"
"Merciless Cult"
"Saku"
"Zetsuentai"
"Aka"
"Downfall"
"Fukai"
"Keigaku no Yoku"
"Ranunculus"
"The World of Mercy"
"Sustain the Untruth"
"Utafumi"
On September 25th, Stockholm's Lik will unleash their third full-length, Misanthropic Breed, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of Misanthropic Breed, the video for the first single, "Decay" (directed by Mathias Blom), can be viewed below.
Sweden has long been held in high regard as one of the hotbeds of global death metal. With Misanthropic Breed - produced, mixed and mastered by Lawrence Mackrory (Obey Mastering) - Lik only add fuel to this fire. "The title of the record is Misanthropic Breed, because it describes the world today and the generations that are emerging," states vocalist / guitarist Tomas Åkvik. "In a way, it's more applicable than ever with the quote 'It's every man for himself' being so suitable, and it's also a 'hidden' homage to both Dismember and Entombed."
Far darker in tone and with fewer jokes than included on their previous releases, when it came to lyrical subject matter, the band were influenced partially by movies and books, but most of their inspiration came from looking back at their own catalogue. "The songs are inspired by older Lik songs, and where we could take a new direction from that. Of course there are other bands that we love involved as well, but for example, 'Female Fatal To The Flesh' is an evolved take on 'The Deranged' from Carnage mixed with 'Skin Necrosis' from Mass Funeral Evocation, while 'The Weird' is an even more brutal 'Ghoul' from the same record. Then there's 'Corrosive Survival', which was inspired by the disaster of Chernobyl, and 'Morbid Fascination' is like a Metallica / Entombed / Dismember track which turned out really cool. I think the main inspiration is still drawn from old school death metal, which we think is how death metal should be played."
Misanthropic Breed cover art (by Mark Riddick) and tracklisting:
"The Weird"
"Decay"
"Funeral Anthem"
"Corrosive Survival"
"Female Fatal To The Flesh"
"Misanthropic Breed"
"Flesh Frenzy"
"Morbid Fascination"
"Wolves"
"Faces Of Death"
"Becoming"
Mt Pleasant, MI based hard rock / heavy metal band Nagazi has released the official music video for "Triumphant". Filmed by Will Moss (Hive Minds Media) live on location at two stops on the November Pain Tour with Smile Empty Soul and Cinder in the fall of 2019 (at Growlers in Memphis, TN on 11/19/2019, and at Stickyz in Little Rock, AR on 11/23/2019), "Triumphant" was engineered by Matt Dalton (Rock Hill Sound [formerly Metro 37 Studios]) in Rochester Hills, MI) and mastered by Ulrich Wild (The Wilderness in Los Angeles, CA).
“There are a lot of people in this world that want to get close to you, use you, take what they can, chew you up, and spit you out. 'Triumphant' is about challenging these loathsome people, and fighting for what is yours,” says Nagazi.
Formed in 2014, Nagazi have shared the stage with the likes of: Devildriver, HedPE, Nonpoint, Deicide, Flotsam & Jetsam, Hammerfall, Whitechapel, Lorna Shore, Raven Black and 36 Crazy Fists, among others. And with a uniquely brutal yet captivating sound, Nagazi immediately resonates with the heavy metal masses and elitists alike.
AC/DC are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their 50 million-unit selling 1980 album, Back In Black. The band continue the new video series, The Story Of Back In Black, with Episode 5: "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution", available for streaming below:
“We were in London at the time and there was a big deal about noise pollution with clubs around the city,” explains late rhythm guitarist Malcolm Young. "They wanted to ban them. We’d gone in with nine tracks and we needed another song and we left it to the end.”
"The title was already written by Malcolm and Angus and it was more anthemic than anything else,” singer Brian Johnson adds.
The Story Of Back In Black, Episode 1:
The Story Of Back In Black, Episode 2:
The Story Of Back In Black, Episode 3:
The Story Of Back In Black, Episode 4:
Last week, AC/DC released a video for the Back In Black album track, "Let Me Put My Love Into You". Check it out below:
The band previously released the rare videos below, featuring performances of "What Do You Do For Money Honey" and "You Shook Me All Night Long", live from Nihon Seinenkan, Tokyo, 1981.
Back In Black, the band’s seventh studio album, was their first to feature vocalist Brian Johnson, following the death of Bon Scott. The album, produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange, spawned the singles "You Shook Me All Night Long", "Hells Bells", "Back In Black", and "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise Pollution".
Former LAMB OF GOD drummer Chris Adler is appearing as a guest music celebrity judge on Banger TV's original competition series "Shredders Of Metal" this summer as part of the show's third season.
Eight drummers entered the contest and only one will be left standing and named this season's "Shredders Of Metal" champion.
Each episode features a one-versus-one drum duel, with the winner moving on until the final episode crowns the season's champion.
Adler said in a statement: "[I] took a few breaks from my band FIRSTBORNE to head up to Canada to meet up with my good friend Sam Dunn and crew at Banger Films.
"I loved the time spent filming the entire new #shreddersofmetal season 3 DRUM edition. Incredible talent and personalities."
The first six episodes of "Shredders Of Metal"'s third season are available below.
Chris officially left LAMB OF GOD in July 2019. His replacement is Art Cruz, who has previously played with PRONG and WINDS OF PLAGUE, and filled in for Adler on several LAMB OF GOD tours in 2018 and 2019.
This past June, Adler announced the formation of a new project called FIRSTBORNE, also featuring fellow MEGADETH alum James LoMenzo.
FIRSTBORNE's self-titled debut EP marks the acclaimed drummer's first dedicated band release since his departure from MEGADETH and LAMB OF GOD.
FIRSTBORNE features Girish Pradhan on vocals and guitar, Myrone on guitar, LoMenzo on bass, and Adler on drums.
The debut EP from FIRSTBORNE is now available at Bandcamp and across all streaming services.
In addition to LAMB OF GOD and MEGADETH, Adler has played drums with a number of metal artists, including NITRO, BLOTTED SCIENCE and PROTEST THE HERO.
In 2018, Adler launched a management agency, Kintsugi Management.
FROM ASHES TO NEW has debuted a new version of "Scars That I'm Hiding" that was created for the soundtrack for the Better Noise Films release "The Retaliators" (out on demand in late October 2020). With guest vocals from Anders Fridén of IN FLAMES, this version of "Scars That I'm Hiding" is the newest focus track from "The Retaliators Original Motion Picture Soundtrack". A version without Fridén's vocals will be included on the band's upcoming release titled "Panic", due out August 28.
Of the track and film, frontman Matt Brandyberry says: "There is nothing more badass than being able to act alongside so many talented artists, and 'The Retaliators' gave us that opportunity.
"As kids, we grew up with dreams to be musicians and actors, and we are beyond grateful to be able to bring both dreams to fruition through this project.
"We can't help but feel that all of this is building the hype we know our new album, 'Panic', deserves. This is only the beginning for what FATN is about to do!"
The video for "Scars That I'm Hiding" features the members of FROM ASHES TO NEW, Anders and footage from the upcoming film. Horror spectacular "The Retaliators" will star, among many other prominent rockers, the members of FROM ASHES TO NEW. The film revolves around a single father and local pastor, John Bishop (Michael Lombardi; "Rescue Me") who serves as a righteous role model for his faithful flock and his two daughters. When tragedy strikes, detective Jed Sawyer (Marc Menchaca, "Ozark") offers him a secret chance for vengeance, forcing not only a reckoning with himself, but the unleashing of a terrifying underground horror. Also featured in the film are members of MÖTLEY CRÜE, FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH and PAPA ROACH, among others.
Fridén says of the collaboration: "We've had the pleasure of touring with FROM ASHES TO NEW a few times, so I was excited when they asked me to do a feature on their new song. The end result sounds awesome. Can't wait to hit the road together again hopefully soon."
The title track to FROM ASHES TO NEW's third full-length release, "Panic" has hit the Top 20 at active rock radio. The song has amassed over 1.5 million streams and 1 million video views in less than a month and has been featured on playlists like Rock Hard, Adrenaline Workout, New Metal Tracks, Kickass Metal, Metal Charge 180 BPM and Rock Rotation on Spotify as well as Apple's Breaking Hard Rock playlist.
"Panic" features the same lineup as FROM ASHES TO NEW's 2018 breakthrough release "The Future" — vocalists Brandyberry and Danny Case as well as guitarist Lance Dowdle and drummer Matt Madiro. Brandyberry credits the undeniable musical magnetism of these eleven songs to the enduring lineup.
"The chemistry between us is there and fans who have seen us recently have been very vocal about the fact that we are firing on all cylinders," he says.
That unified feeling was solidified on the road, performing songs like the Billboard-charting single "Crazy" and enabling the band to further refine their sound and move creatively to the next level.
"We know what our vision is and we know what we want to do, so we were able to really accomplish that on this album because the structure is there," he adds.
Multi-camera fan-filmed video footage of AC/DC's entire last concert with GUNS N' ROSES singer Axl Rose, which took place on September 20, 2016 at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, can be seen below (courtesy of YouTube user markit aneight).
The setlist for the show was as follows:
01. Rock Or Bust
02. Shoot To Thrill
03. Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
04. Back In Black
05. Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder
06. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
07. Rock 'N' Roll Damnation
08. Thunderstruck
09. High Voltage
10. Rock 'N' Roll Train
11. Hells Bells
12. Given The Dog A Bone
13. If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
14. Live Wire
15. Sin City
16. You Shook Me All Night Long
17. Shot Down In Flames
18. Have A Drink On Me
19. T.N.T.
20. Whole Lotta Rosie
21. Let There Be Rock
Encore:
22. Highway To Hell
23. Riff Raff
24. Problem Child
25. For Those About To Rock (We Salute You)
AC/DC postponed the last 10 dates of its spring 2016 North American trek after singer Brian Johnson was advised to stop playing live or "risk total hearing loss." The band went on to complete the European and North American legs of its "Rock Or Bust" tour with the GUNS N' ROSES frontman as a "guest vocalist."
AC/DC's North American tour ended in Philadelphia in September 2016, and despite initial fan trepidation, Axl got generally good reviews for his performances. Guitarist Angus Young said at the time: "I mean, under the situation that we had, it was very good that he volunteered and said, 'Hey, if I can help, let me try.' So he's been very good. And he had to learn a lot of songs very quickly, and he's done a great job."
Duff McKagan, who is one-third of the reunited partial classic lineup of GUNS N' ROSES, got a chance to watch Rose and AC/DC play in June 2016 in London, England and in September 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Duff spoke about Axl's collaboration with AC/DC during a 2019 appearance on "The Church Of What's Happening Now" podcast. He said: "The way [Axl] did that was amazing. He was, like, 'If you guys don't mind, I'm gonna go try out. They need a hand here.' [Late AC/DC frontman] Bon Scott's his all-time [hero]. [We said], 'Dude, you know you don't really have to try out for AC/DC.' But he was really nervous. 'I'm gonna go try out. It fits in with our touring perfect.' And Slash and I were, like, 'You've got the gig.' But he went to Atlanta and tried out, quote-unquote, and got the gig. I saw him twice on that tour. I flew to London to see him, and I flew to Cleveland to see that. It was great."
McKagan added: "I think what it did for [Axl]… We got to know Angus through that. Angus has now come out and played with us a bunch of times. That was that thing when he was 14 or 15, 'Man, one day, if I ever got to be in AC/DC…' He was singing with a broom, and he finally got to do it. Amazing."
Two years ago, Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd, along with guitarists Angus Young and Stevie Young, 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 bassist Cliff 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 rumored comeback album.
BREAKING IN A SEQUENCE (a.k.a. BIAS), the band featuring former KORN drummer David Silveria, has released a new single called "Delusional". The track was recorded at Mint Potion Studios in Santa Clarita, California and CMC21 Productions in Las Vegas, Nevada with producer Chris Collier.
The "Delusional" visualizer video, which was created by Rob Cisneros, can be seen below.
David is joined in the Orange County, California-based group by bassist Chris Dorame, guitarists Joe Taback and Mike Martin and singer Rich Nguyen.
Silveria, Dorame and Taback previously played together in CORE 10, which "imploded" in 2018 after releasing a couple of singles and playing a number of local shows.
Taback said about BIAS: "We received hundreds of submissions from all over the world and heard a lot of amazingly talented people. Rich came in and we just instantly vibed. The songs flowed without a hitch. We were able to get a lot done with him in a very short span of time."
Added Dorame: "I felt that he immediately connected with what we are trying to portray musically; he fit right in. His style is unique, yet familiar enough to be the perfect voice for our music."
Silveria concurred. "Rich's work ethic drives us all to work harder in the studio; it's amazing," he said.
BIAS made a big splash with its first single, "Pity", which came out in January 2019. The track rapidly reached No. 23 on the Billboard (BDS) Indicator chart and No. 9 on the Foundations (SMR) chart.
"The lyrics that I write are both personal and abstract. Every song I write has two meanings; mine and your interpretation," Nguyen told OC Weekly. "I try to write my lyrics vague enough for people to relate to and form their own opinions. However, if you know me personally, you may be able to figure what I'm talking about, maybe."
"This band doesn't feel like work; it feels like getting together with buddies and just having fun," Silveria added. "This is how it should be."
As for the name of the band, Silveria said: "We chose BIAS because everyone has their own opinions and preferences that influence their actions in some way or the other. Whether we know it or not, we all have our own version of bias." Nguyen added: "It's also short and simple."
Sabaton has issued a live music video for "Swedish Pagans", taken from The Art Of War: Re-Armed album (2010). The clip was filmed on stage during 2020's The Great Tour in Gothenburg, Sweden
The Sabaton History Channel has released Episode 078, "Coat Of Arms" - The Greco-Italian War. Watch below.
A message states: "Morning of October 28th, 1940. The Italian ambassador to Greece had entered the house of Greek Prime Minister Ioannis Metaxas. An unacceptable ultimatum in hand, he demanded subjugation under Italian rule. Refusal would mean war. An ardent Ochi! was the answer. No, the Greek would not bow to fascist demands, but instead fight for the defense of their country and their honor. What followed were months of bitter fighting in the harsh environment of Epirus and the Macedonian mountains. The Greco-Italian War."
Finnish modern power metal band Dyecrest have released an official video for the acoustic version of the song "Winterblood", directed by Saara Leutola (Gallacas Films).
"Winterblood"'s acoustic version was recorded by Teemu Velin (Stam1na), mixed by Miitri Aaltonen (Stam1na, Mokoma) and mastered by Mika Jussila (Nightwish, Stratovarius). The song’s lyrics are based on a Finnish fantasy book "Talviverinen" ("Winterblood" in English - the book is not yet translated) by Helena Waris. The director Leutola has co-operated with Waris already earlier, when Leutola filmed a short film based on her books.
Dyecrest drummer Niko Takala: "I got to know Saara through Helena back in the days. As a band, we started to work with Saara on our video 'Fading/Reaching' (2018). Now we have kinda three artistic visions of the same source combined here in the video of 'Winterblood'. And this discussion was in a way the 'fire starter' to the acoustic version of 'Winterblood'. Saara and Helena asked us to 'create something out of 'Winterblood' that could be used on a soundtrack or something. Luckily, we decided to do it. The original version of the song is great, of course, but I think we managed to capture the spirit of 'Winterblood' even better in the acoustic version.
Leutola and Waris have been talking about making more short films and/or tv-series, even movies based on Waris’ books.
"Winterblood" was filmed completely in outdoor locations. The actors/actresses on video are Peik Carpelan, Pilvi Mäkeläinen and Minni Lilja. More than 20 people took part in the crowd funding of the video.
Takala: "We are enormously grateful for each and every person who were involved. This participation made the whole video – which is most of all our and Saara’s tribute to Helena’s mighty books – happen!"
Dyecrest is currently recording a new album, scheduled to be released in 2021. At the moment (in July 2020), six songs are done when it comes to the drums, bass and the rhythm guitars. The sessions are continuing in early September.
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