German guitar wizard, Axel Rudi Pell, releases a new digital single and video for the song "Bad Reputation" (single edit) today. The song is taken from the new studio album, Sign Of The Times.
Axel Rudi Pell: "'Bad Reputation' is one of the most melodic songs we ever recorded with a cool riff and a catchy chorus, so it was obvious choosing that track for a video clip. Everybody filmed himself at home and even in Corona times we had much fun doing it, as you can see! This is the “Single Edit” version, which is a little shorter than the album version!"
You can watch the video below:
Sign Of The Times is available via SPV/Steamhammer in the following configurations:
- Ltd. DigiPak
- Jewel Case Clear Tray Edition
- 2LP Gatefold, 140 g, red vinyl with black swirls, printed inner sleeves
- 2LP Gatefold exclusive editions at EMP and Nuclear Blast
- Download / Streaming
- Ltd Boxset incl.: CD Digi, 2LP with different color, A1 Poster, Magnet, Sticker, A5 Photocard, Button and much more
- CD/LP Bundle with Shirt (Steamhammer shop exclusive)
"The Black Serenade" (Intro)
"Gunfire"
"Bad Reputation"
"Sign Of The Times"
"The End Of The Line"
"As Blind As A Fool Can Be"
"Wings Of The Storm"
"Waiting For Your Call"
"Living In A Dream"
"Into The Fire"
"Wings Of The Storm":
"Gunfire" lyric video:
Lineup:
Johnny Gioeli - Lead and Backing Vocals
Axel Rudi Pell - Lead and Rhythm Guitars
Ferdy Doernberg - Keyboards
Volker Krawczak - Bass
Bobby Rondinelli - Drums
Frontiers Music Srl will release Latvian hard rockers Bloody Heels' new album, Ignite The Sky, on July 10. Watch a 360° music video for "Farewell To Yesterday" below, and pre-order/save the album here.
Bloody Heels recently joined the Frontiers label’s rapidly expanding pool of young talent and one listen to their debut album will easily explain why the label HAD to sign them up. With nods to the great ‘80s hard rock scene, but also bordering on heavy metal (listen to those kicks drums on first single ‘Criminal Masterminds’), this band is a delightful mix of catchy and driving. With a great whisky-soaked sounding throat, vocalist Vicky White provides the perfect voice for the thunder and lightning that guitarist Harry Rivers, bassist Gunn Everett, and drummer Gus Hawk are raining down upon us.
Formed in 2012 in Riga, Latvia, Bloody Heels have a musical style that could be best described as a sort of missing link between Crashdïet and Crazy Lixx, with heavier elements like early W.A.S.P. and Kissin’ Dynamite. The band have already made a name for themselves with the EP Summer Nights (2014) and the album Through Mystery (2017). They’ve played shows all around Europe including Sweden, Finland, Norway, Germany, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, and the Baltic States.
Tracklisting:
"Ignite The Sky"
"Criminal Masterminds"
"No Matter"
"Sugar & Spice"
"Farewell To Yesterday"
"Black Swan"
"Stand Your Ground"
"Thin Line"
"Silhouette"
"Healing Waters"
"Streets Of Misery"
German symphonic metallers BEYOND THE BLACK have released the official music video for "Human", the latest single off their new album "Hørizøns", out now via Napalm Records.
"Human" features an almost daunting glimpse at the future, but also symbolizes the sophistication of another modern and equally gloomy melodic rock piece. Their new single is a flagship example of bittersweet-yet-strong melodies merging with dystopian narratives. Delicate guitar lines blend with Jennifer Haben's remarkable, strong voice and ascend to a powerful epos of self-autonomy. Along with an artful, suspenseful and reflective music video, BEYOND THE BLACK take their audience on a journey through the range between melodic mellifluousness and uncompromising energetic rock fragments. The symphonic combo questions the essence of life and immerses the audiovisual in a gritty atmosphere of the fabled beginning of mankind.
Haben comments: "More than one year of hard work, blood, sweat and tears was put into this album. 'Hørizøns' became an enormous part of our lives and it's hard to find the right words to describe what this release means to us. We are more than ready to go and start this new BEYOND THE BLACK journey. This is going to be huge!"
The female-fronted quintet unbolts their unequalled, differentiated spectra of symphonic and melodic rock spiced with sonorous melodious metal soundscapes in 13 manifold songs. The album kicks off with its heavy, yet atmospheric title track, spanning the range of intumescent soundscapes and Haben's crystal clear, striking vocals.
Beautiful yet strong harmonies, emotional storytelling and powerful vocal lines weave throughout "Wounded Healer" (featuring Elize Ryd from AMARANTHE) and will light your way in gloomy times. Dark subliminal grooves coalesce with harmonizing guitar lines and form the prevailing nexus of "Human" and its unmistakably catchy chorus. Another facet rises with "You Are Not Alone", which is dominated by electronic influences as well as symphonic sounding violins.
"Hørizøns"'s atmospherically dark harshness creates the stylistic bow over the distinctive melodic rock meets pop sound in symbiosis with fragile yet strong fragments. The charismatic outfit persuades with a rousing, emotional clout and their strong, confident message off self-assertion.
Track listing:
01. Horizons
02. Misery
03. Wounded Healer (feat. Elize Ryd)
04. Some Kind Of Monster
05. Human
06. Golden Pariahs
07. Marching On
08. You're Not Alone
09. Out Of The Ashes
10. Paralyzed
11. Coming Home
12. I Won't Surrender (feat. Tina Guo)
13. Welcome To My Wasteland
This autumn, BEYOND THE BLACK joins forces with AMARANTHE for a co-headline tour.
Neal Morse, Mike Portnoy and Randy George recently announced their return to the "Cover To Cover" series of albums with "Cov3r To Cov3r", the brand new third instalment. Featuring their renditions of classic tracks by the likes of KING CRIMSON, JETHRO TULL, Gerry Rafferty, David Bowie and more (including their cover of "No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed" featuring vocals from YES singer Jon Davison), the album will be released on July 24 as CD, gatefold 2LP + CD and as a digital album.
Today, Morse, Portnoy and George are pleased to reveal a video for their cover of "It Don't Come Easy", originally by Ringo Starr.
Portnoy comments: "Having done solo BEATLES covers from both Paul ('Maybe I'm Amazed') and George ('What Is Life') on the first 'Cover To Cover', it was time to represent Ringo this time around...
"I had the honor of singing the lead vocals on this one and am so proud to have none other than my daughter Melody doing the backing vocals, marking our first daddy-and-daughter duet!! And totally appropriate for it to be a BEATLES-related song as she's just as much of a BEATLES fanatic as I am!"
As well as this, the "Cover To Cover Anthology (Vol. 1 - 3)" will be released on the same day, collecting all three instalments together over three discs. The first two albums have also been newly re-sequenced and remastered, and will also be available on all digital services. All the albums have also been given brand new artwork, created by Thomas Ewerhard (SONS OF APOLLO, THE NEAL MORSE BAND, AVANTASIA).
Portnoy commented: "Well, here we are... 'Cover To Cover' Volume 3! Been looking forward to finally doing another one of these as I absolutely love the first two we did! In fact, these 'Cover To Cover' albums are some of my favorite albums in my catalog and are always the CDs I give to family and friends to enjoy. Mainly because they help show the music that helped shape myself, Neal and Randy. Everybody expects the obvious prog classics (or in my case some of the more metal stuff), but the range of artists on these 'Cover To Cover' albums as just as important ingredients, I hope you enjoy listening to them as much as we did recording them."
Morse, Portnoy and George first worked together on Neal Morse's "Testimony Live" project back in 2003, and since then they have devised and recorded countless Neal Morse albums, including three with THE NEAL MORSE BAND. The three friends have also released music as MORSE, PORTNOY & GEORGE: so far, two "Cover To Cover" albums have been produced, each being a collection of covers of their favorite songs.
Portnoy explained: "One of the first things myself, Neal and Randy usually start talking about what we can cover when we gather for one of Neal's solo albums, should we have some leftover time at the end of the session. Most of the songs are rooted in the '60s and '70s and are songs / bands we grew up with." George added: "We all share an attachment for this era of music, so we each throw out song ideas, see what sticks, and record the ones we like the most."
The trio has covered songs from such greats as Paul McCartney, CREAM, THE WHO, JETHRO TULL, STEELY DAN, and many more. They also have also covered some prog classics from the likes of KING CRIMSON and YES.
The full track listing for all three "Cover To Cover" volumes can be found below.
"Cover To Cover":
01. Where The Streets Have No Name (U2)
02. I'm The Man (JOE JACKSON)
03. What Is Life? (GEORGE HARRISON)
04. Badge (CREAM)
04. Maybe I'm Amazed (PAUL MCCARTNEY)
05. Day After Day (BADFINGER)
06. Pleasant Valley Sunday (THE MONKEES)
07. Tuesday Afternoon (THE MOODY BLUES)
08. Can't Find My Way Home (BLIND FAITH)
09. I'm Free / Sparks (THE WHO)
10. Where Do The Children Play (CAT STEVENS)
11. Feelin' Stronger Every Day (CHICAGO)
12. Rock N Roll Suicide (DAVID BOWIE)
"Cover 2 Cover":
01. (What's So Funny About) Peace, Love & Understanding (Elvis Costello)
02. Lido Shuffle (BOZ SCAGGS)
03. Crazy Horses (THE OSMONDS)
04. Driven To Tears (THE POLICE)
05. Come Sail Away (STYX)
06. Rikki Don't Lose That Number (STEELY DAN)
07. Lemons Never Forget (THE BEE GEES)
08. The Letter (JOE COCKER)
09. I Saw The Light (TODD RUNDGREN)
10. Teacher (JETHRO TULL)
11. Southern Man/Needle And The Damage Done/Cinnamon Girl (NEIL YOUNG)
12. Starless (KING CRIMSON)
"Cov3r To Cov3r":
01. No Opportunity Necessary, No Experience Needed (YES)
Legendary YES singer and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Jon Anderson has released "WDMCF" ("Where Does Music Come From"), the third single off of his highly anticipated new solo album, "1000 Hands", an effort nearly 30 years in the making.
"1000 Hands" will be Anderson's first release via his new partnership with Blue Élan Records. The album will be available digitally as well as on CD and a deluxe 180-gram double vinyl package on July 31.
When speaking about the new single, Anderson says: "'WDMCF' originates from me singing the first ideas that come to mind each morning. I start by creating vocal rhythmic sounds, very much like the Pygmies in Bambuti and Burundi in West Africa who go foraging and hunting and sing all the time. They sing like the sounds around them…insects, birds, frogs etc.." He adds: "I always dream and think that my best work is yet to come, or there would be no point in creating at all. I just feel so energized, happily surrounded by this world of music.”
A brand new video for "WDMCF" can be viewed below.
Anderson began the album (originally called "Uzlot" — "it means a lot of us") nearly 30 years ago, working with a group of musicians that included YES drummer Alan White and bassist Chris Squire. However, due to his heavy touring commitments with YES, Anderson had to put the record on the back burner. "Before you knew it, I started getting involved in other projects and tours, and years went by," he explains. "I would listen to the tapes from time to time and think, ‘This could have been a great album! One day I'll finish it.'"
Grammy-nominated producer Michael T. Franklin (Bruce Hornsby, Brian Wilson, Roger McGuinn) had at one point begun working on orchestrations for the album, but once again Anderson's jammed schedule required the project to be put on hold. Finally, a year and a half ago, Anderson and Franklin got the album back on track and were determined to see it through. "Our ideas still matched," Anderson says. "Michael knew everything I wanted to do and how I wanted the music to sound, so we agreed to go for it."
Setting up shop in Franklin's Solar Studios in Orlando, Florida, Anderson laid down backing vocals to his original lead tracks, and Franklin called in an astonishing array of rock and jazz luminaries to fill out the songs: fellow YES alum Steve Howe, Ian Anderson, Jean-Luc Ponty, Billy Cobham, Chick Corea, Steve Morse, Rick Derringer, Jonathan Cain, and the TOWER OF POWER HORNS are just a few of the guests on 1000 Hands.
"That's where the title '1000 Hands' comes from, all of the brilliant musicians who played a part in making the record," Anderson says. "Michael acted like something of a casting director, bringing so many great players. It was really exciting to hear the record open up and become what I had always envisioned."
The sessions turned out so well, in fact, that Anderson decided to include four new songs on the album, with brand-new lead vocals.
"Jon is such a remarkable writer and singer," raves Franklin. "His newer songs were fabulous, and they fit seamlessly with the rest of the album. Everything came together beautifully."
Anderson's celestial voice — one of the most recognizable sounds in rock — is in stunning form throughout "1000 Hands", an album that features some of his most breathtaking compositions. Bookended by the starkly beautiful acoustic ballads "Now" and "Now and Again", the record features electrifying new prog masterpieces ("Activate", "Come Up"), glorious poly-rhythmic wonders ("WDMCF") and delightful reggae pop ("First Born Leaders"). Listeners will be mesmerized by the cavalcade of sumptuous vocal harmonies on the frisky "Ramalama", and they'll be singing along merrily to the horn-driven funk of the aptly named "Makes Me Happy".
"Gears", the new music video from Richmond, Virginia-based metallers LAMB OF GOD, can be seen below. The song is taken from the band's self-titled album, which is being released today (Friday, June 19) via Epic Records in the U.S. and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe. The follow-up to 2015's "VII: Sturm Und Drang" marks LAMB OF GOD's first recordings with Art Cruz, who joined the band last year as the replacement for the group's founding drummer, Chris Adler.
Guitarist Mark Morton states: "The day has finally arrived! We are absolutely thrilled to be releasing our new, self-titled album today. We're all so proud of this collection of songs and feel like they rival some of our best work. As a band, we have a reawakened energy and a renewed creative spark that is evident in these songs and pulses through the entire album. Everyone involved in this project is beyond anxious for the world to hear it. We hope you enjoy it and we thank you for your support."
Morton will host a LAMB OF GOD Twitter listening party tonight with Newbury Comics at 7:00 p.m. EST. Follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #LambOfGodXNewbury.
"Lamb Of God" was recorded with longtime producer Josh Wilbur (KORN, MEGADETH, GOJIRA, TRIVIUM) and includes special guest appearances by Jamey Jasta (HATEBREED) and Chuck Billy (TESTAMENT).
As previously reported, the first leg of LAMB OF GOD's North American tour with MEGADETH, TRIVIUM and IN FLAMES is being rescheduled for 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic which is sweeping the globe. The 55-date trek was slated to be split into two legs. The first leg of the tour was supposed to kick off June 12 at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, Virginia, and wrap August 1 at the Concord Pavilion in Concord, California. The second run was due to launch October 2 at iTHINK Financial Amphitheater in West Palm Beach, Florida, and conclude on November 13 at the Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada.
German power metallers PRIMAL FEAR will release their 13th studio album, "Metal Commando", on July 24 via Nuclear Blast. The official music video for the disc's second single, "I Am Alive", can be seen below.
Bassist and producer Mat Sinner comments: "'I Am Alive' is the opening track of the new album and a statement in these rough times. Between the speed of the double-bass drumming plus grooves and fat guitar riffs is one of the best PRIMAL FEAR hooks ever. You can look forward to a real banger of a song that is representative of our new album — 'Metal Commando'."
"Metal Commando" was produced by Sinner and mixed by Jacob Hansen. It will be available as a 2CD digipack, 2LP and as an exclusive mailorder box.
"I don't want to throw around superlatives, but each of us went to their utmost limits and we are all very happy with the sound and song material," adds Sinner. "It's pretty safe to say that this is a top album and maybe even our strongest record to date. It's the perfect mix between our origins and our current style, a perfect balance and all bandmembers did an awesome job playing and recording it. For me, 'Metal Commando' is the right album at the right time."
Charlie Benante (ANTHRAX), Rob Caggiano (VOLBEAT, ex-ANTHRAX), Roberto "Ra" Diaz (SUICIDAL TENDENCIES) and Darryl "DMC" McDaniels (RUN-D.M.C.) have teamed ip to record a medley of RUN-D.M.C. songs as part of Benante's ongoing series of quarantine jams.
Benante uploaded a video of the performance to his YouTube channel, writing in an accompanying message: "I always wanted to do a medley of RUN DMC songs, so back in March I decided to put an arrangement together and asked these amazing people to be a part of it.
"How can you do a RUN DMC medley without the KING of ROCK- Darryl McDaniels DMC. I have been a RUN DMC fan from back when I first heard 'It's Like That/Sucker MCs' they had my attention immediately! It's no secret that our 'I'm the Man' song was inspired by RUN DMC and the BEASTIE BOYS...that's how much we loved them.
"I asked Ra once again because he has the groove and creativity to adapt to any song. I love how he placed a familiar line at the end of the song that Just fit so well. I asked Rob Caggiano because I always loved his style. I love the way he attacks his guitar and plays the tastiest shit. He throws this great Black metal riff in here that raises the tune to another level. We all came together to create this piece of music that makes US move. I hope it YOU move! Maybe it inspires you to make music, play your instrument, write lyrics..."
Credits:
Arrangement, Beats, Samples - Charlie Benante
Vocals - Darryl "DMC" McDaniels
Guitars - Rob Caggiano
Bass - Ra Diaz
Audio - Andy Lagis
Download the song at this location. Proceeds of this track go to MusicUnites.org.
On July 10, Ensiferum will release their new album, Thalassic, via Metal Blade Records. For a preview of Thalassic, a video for the new single, "Andromeda" (directed by Vesa Ranta and recorded on Rankki Island, Finland), can be seen below:
On Thalassic's release day (July 10), Ensiferum will host a record release show - "Studio Live" - at 9 PM, EET / 8 PM, CET / 7 PM, GMT / 12 PM, EST / 9 AM, PST. The band will be performing a selection of new, classic and rare tracks "live" from Sonic Pump Studio in Helsinki, Finland that will be streamed at Keikalla.fi. The band will also be chatting with fans in between the live performance and after the show.
For those not able to catch the show when it airs, the performance will be available online for 7 days immediately following the end of the show.
Thalassic can be pre-ordered here in the following formats:
- Ltd. box set (incl. Digipak, bonus CD, flag, pendant)
- Ltd. box set (incl. Digipak, bonus CD, flag, pendant, drinking horn - EMP excl.)
- Ltd. Digi (incl. 2 bonus tracks - EU excl.)
- CD
- Ltd. LP + 7" + drinking horn (ltd. 1000 - EMP excl.)
- 180g Black Vinyl (EU excl.)
- Red/Black Marbled Vinyl (ltd. 700 - EU excl.)
- Purple/Blue Marbled Vinyl (ltd. 300 - EU excl.)
- Finish Flag Vinyl (ltd. 200 - Nuclear Blast excl.)
- Gold Vinyl (ltd. 200 - Ensiferum store excl.)
- Night Blue Marbled Vinyl (ltd. 100 - Levykauppa excl.)
- Red/Orange/Yellow Glow (ltd. 100 - Kings Road excl.)
- PIC-LP (ltd. 300 - EU excl.)
- Jade Green Vinyl (ltd. 400 - US excl.)
- Arctic Blue Vinyl (ltd. 300 - US excl.)
Thalassic tracklisting:
"Seafarer's Dream"
"Rum, Women, Victory"
"Andromeda"
"The Defence Of The Sampo"
"Run From The Crushing Tide"
"For Sirens"
"One With The Sea"
"Midsummer Magic"
"Cold Northland (Väinämöinen Part III)"
"Merille Lahteva" (Bonus Track)
"I'll Stay by Your Side" (Bonus Track)
In this new video from Guitar World, Ian Jekelis and Harrison Patuto play through Aborted's song, "Serpent Of Depravity", from the La Grande Mascarade EP, out now.
La Grande Mascarade contains the studio recordings "Gloom And The Art Of Tribulation", "Serpent Of Depravity", and "Funereal Malediction". Featuring nasty art courtesy of Mitchell Nolte and produced by Kristian ‘Kohle’ Kohlmannslehner, La Grande Mascarade is available as limited edition CD (international), jewelcase (North America) and digitally.
Exclusive bundles are available here. More ordering options available here.
"Serpent Of Depravity" visualizer:
"Gloom And The Art Of Tribulation" lyric video:
"Gloom And The Art Of Tribulation" bass playthrough:
Aborted lineup:
Svencho - Vocals
Stefano Franceschini - Bass
Ken Bedene - Drums
Ian Jekelis - Guitars
Harrison Patuto - Guitars
ANTHRAX guitarist Scott Ian recently joined the four members of SEPULTURA for a live playthrough of the Brazilian band's song "Cut-Throat", recorded and filmed while in quarantine. Check it out below.
SEPULTURA's latest LP, "Quadra", was released on February 7 via Nuclear Blast Records. It is a concept effort created at Sweden's Fascination Street Studios with renowned producer Jens Bogren.
SEPULTURA comprises vocalist Derrick Green, guitarist Andreas Kisser, bassist Paulo Xisto Pinto Jr., and drummer Eloy Casagrande.
Kisser previously stated about working with Bogren on "Quadra": "He is so full of passion, it's unbelievable, man. He's really there, he really cares about the projects he's doing. For SEPULTURA, he's like the fifth member of the band. The chemistry was so amazing, 99 percent of what we were trying do to actually worked. That was insane!"
Green added: "The experience was like no other time in the studio. I felt the preparation was key in making the recording process go as smooth as possible. We were relentless each day giving everything that we had until complete exhaustion of the mind, body, and soul. This album is a direct result of the sign of times. The music is an evolution needed to push ourselves to go further than we ever have."
SEPULTURA was formed in Belo Horizonte by brothers Max and Igor Cavalera, who are no longer with the band.
"Quadra" is the follow-up to "Machine Messiah", which was SEPULTURA's fourteenth studio album and the eighth since Green joined the ranks.
Richmond, VA-based groove metal trio, Artusha, has revealed a new video for their single, “Zero Label", through BraveWords!
“’Zero Label’ has to do with feeling boxed in by stereotypes and particular judgements. In today's day and age, individual mind frames should be celebrated, but many still look down on individuality. If you don't feel exactly like they do or say exactly what they want you to say, then they look down on you. How are we supposed to grow as people? How do you even begin to have a conversation with someone who has placed you nice and neatly in a little box labeled ‘Trash?’ A lyric line from the song says, ‘I wipe my ass with your label's son.’ That pretty much sums up our sentiment on those stereotypes and judgements. Sorry, not sorry." - David Landers
Artusha is completed by David’s brother Caylon Landers on drums and Brian Hase on bass, all of whom are multi-instrumentalist who have written and recorded solo projects. With this in mind, the trio has elected to follow the advice of Rush’s Neil Peart when it comes to songwriting, with everything written under consensus. “This ensures there isn't always someone on the losing end of creative decisions,” David Landers says.
The band is currently in the studio working at David’s own Zero Label Studio to finish their debut album, scheduled for release later this year. The studio, which now dually serves as Artusha’s headquarters and production office, is open to the public by appointment and offers full-service music production with the brothers engineering and producing.
Artusha is:
David Landers - guitar/vocals
Brian Hase - bass
Caylon Landers - drums
The official music video for a new FILTER song called "Thoughts And Prayers" will make its online debut on Thursday, June 18 at 8:00 a.m. PDT / 11:00 a.m. EDT. The track was written as a collaboration between FILTER mainman Richard Patrick and fellow FILTER founding member Brian Liesegang, who reconnected for several months in 2018 and 2019 before scrapping their planned reunion album.
"Thoughts And Prayers" will appear on FILTER's forthcoming album, "Murica", tentatively due before the end of the year. Also set to appear on the disc is another track called "Come Take My Guns", a preview of which is available below.
Patrick said the "Thoughts And Prayers" video is "controversial" because "it's extremely blunt. I had to take some of the footage out," he said. "I directed it, and I'm really stoked."
Richard has successfully led and spearheaded FILTER for the last 20 years, releasing many platinum records, including "Title of Record" and "The Almagamut".
The reunion of Patrick and Liesegang reportedly happened after they were challenged from the stage in mid-performance by their mutual friend Louise Post of VERUCA SALT, who stopped her concert to admonish them "to bury any bullshit, forget the crap, and get their shit together." The two had an interesting conversation on the drive home. After initially treating their renewed collaboration as an experiment to see what "might happen," they rediscovered not only their friendship, but also their unique "yin and yang" working style.
FILTER's most recent LP, "Crazy Eyes", came out in April 2016 via Wind-Up Records.
San Francisco Bay Area metallers MACHINE HEAD have released "Civil Unrest", a two-song digital single featuring A-side "Stop The Bleeding" and B-side "Bulletproof", with the former featuring additional guest vocals from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach. This pair of fierce protest anthems were both written days after the back-to-back murders of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. They are not for the faint of heart.
The gritty "Stop The Bleeding" performance video was directed and edited by Mike Sloat, shot on location on the streets of Oakland, California, with Jesse's part filmed in Kingston, New York with David Brodsky.
Vocalist/guitarist Robb Flynn shares the inspiration behind the release: "I wrote and sang the lyrics on Wednesday, May 27th 2020, the day that the four officers who murdered George Floyd were (originally) not charged with anything. This day was engulfed in protests and riots across America. I drove into Oakland past large demonstrations already happening and in a fury wrote down everything I was feeling after watching the horrific footage. Within hours, what I wanted to say, what I needed to say had been recorded in the song.
"I decided to sing it over a song called 'Stop The Bleeding', that we had recorded back in December. 2018 with Jared [MacEachearn, MACHINE HEAD bass guitar] and Carlos Cruz [WARBRINGER] on drums."
"Stop The Bleeding" features a guest appearance from KILLSWITCH ENGAGE frontman Jesse Leach, with Flynn and Leach trading lyrical lines that spit anger and frustration at current events.
Flynn continues: "I had been speaking with Jesse for maybe six months about singing on the song, as it always had a little bit of a KILLSWITCH vibe to me. Unfortunately (or fortunately), our schedules hadn't lined up, but with the subsequent lockdown from coronavirus, we had time to make it work. After what happened to George Floyd, I sent him the lyrics I'd written and he replied saying he was '100% on board.' Jesse is someone I consider to be a pioneer and in many ways, one of the men who changed the face of metal. His contribution to this song made it extremely powerful and it's an honor to have him be a part of it."
Jesse Leach mirrors the sentiment, stating: "Being asked to be part of this song is an honor. Yes, because it's MACHINE HEAD, but more importantly, this is a message that needs to be heard and spread. These issues concerning abuses of power and racism are timeless. I have written about these previously and I'll write about them again. I think Robb really nailed this one, both lyrically and sonically. My hope is this song helps awaken those who hear it. Robb has been a frequent voice of the voiceless in these times, so teaming up with him is a no brainer. We need more of our metal community to speak out on social issues and help raise awareness, especially during these crucial times. Music is the soundtrack to our lives; it transcends language and culture. This is the reason we as musicians need to do our part to spark thought and discussion on these types of issues. We can make a difference through music and we can help stop the bleeding."
MACHINE HEAD is donating a significant portion of the streaming proceeds from "Stop The Bleeding" to Grassroots Law Project, the organization representing George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.
The B-side, "Bulletproof" is a new song, also recorded with Carlos and Jared back in December 2018.
Flynn adds: "The lyrics for 'Bulletproof' were finished in the aftermath of not only the Ahmaud Arbery murder at the hands of white supremacist, but everything twisting out of control in our world. The isolation and craziness of the pandemic, the lockdown protesters storming government buildings with AR-15s, as well as the blatant lies and conspiracies pouring out of our political leaders' mouths, hour by hour, day after day."
The songs needed something visually provocative as "sleeve artwork," so the band looked to longtime collaborator Strephon Taylor who hand illustrated various elements from this moment in time, to make a powerful statement about America and the World. Both tracks were produced by Flynn and engineered by Zack Ohren at Sharkbite Studios in Oakland, California, with the devastating mix being handled by longtime MACHINE HEAD collaborator and producer extraordinaire Colin Richardson, together with Chris Clancy at Audioworks Productions UK. The tracks were mastered by Ted Jensen at Sterling Sound.
"Stop The Bleeding" lyrics
The endless scroll of human tragedy
I swipe along as the days go by
Another brother murdered out in the streets
I connect to the shame, we don't know what it's like
Bass player Phil Buckman (FUEL, PETTY CASH, ex-FILTER), guitarist Phil Demmel (VIO-LENCE, BPMD, ex-MACHINE HEAD), drummer Brian Tichy (SILVERTHORNE, ex-WHITESNAKE, FOREIGNER, BILLY IDOL), and vocalist Lukas Rossi (ex-ROCK STAR SUPERNOVA, THE HALO METHOD) have teamed up for an "At Home/Collab-A-Jam" cover and video of the MUSE song "Hysteria".
"I saw one of Phil's 'Collab-A-Jam' videos," said Buckman. "I had been wanting to do some of these with some of my bandmates and friends, so I texted Phil and said, 'I want in!' He said, 'Cool! Pick a song!' and 'Hysteria' was my first thought." Demmel then called their mutual friend Brian Tichy, and he jumped on board. For vocals, Buckman knew that his STOWAWAYS bandmate (ShipRocked's "all-star" band) Lukas Rossi would be the perfect guy to crush these vocals.
The guys recorded their parts in their own home studios — Buckman and Tichy in Southern California, Demmel in Northern California, and Rossi in Nashville. The files were then sent to Gabe Lopez for the final mix.
Buckman said: "Gabe is a friend of mine, who is best known for working with Belinda Carlisle and NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK, as well as producing my wife's band, BETTER OFF BLONDE. I knew that, with his background in the pop world, his mix would make the song sound amazing."
The foursome also shot their own video footage.
"I've gotten really into photography and videography in the last year or so, and I knew I wanted to edit the video myself, so I told the guys how I wanted them to shoot, and they did a great job. Especially because Demmel and Tichy only had access to iPhones," added Buckman. Considering it's the first music video I've edited, and my biggest project to date, I'm pretty happy with the outcome."
Buckman, who is also an actor and voiceover artist, can be seen as Nick Murray on the CBS show "Broke" this Thursday, June 18 at 9:30 p.m. He is currently working on new FUEL material and is looking forward to making up a lot of cancelled FUEL and PETTY CASH dates as soon as possible.
Demmel's debut BPMD album, "American Made", is now available through Napalm Records, and a new VIO-LENCE self-titled record is slated to be released on Metal Blade.
Tichy's band SILVERTHORNE's new EP, "Tear The Sky Wide Open", is now available everywhere through Golden Robot Records.
Rossi's new single "Lock 'N Load" from his forthcoming album "Summertime", is available now on Apple Music/iTunes.
"Sowing Discord", the new video from NOT MY GOD, the project featuring two leaders of hardcore industrial music, Tim Sköld (ex-MARILYN MANSON, SHOTGUN MESSIAH) and Nero Bellum (PSYCLON NINE), can be seen below.
The pair are no strangers to working together, having both served as live bandmembers for the other's projects — Sköld as the guitarist for PSYCLON NINE and Bellum as the keyboardist for SKOLD. However, NOT MY GOD marks their first artistic collaboration, writing and recording together on a studio album.
NOT MY GOD's self-titled release features 13 all-new compositions and while some might brand this release as industrial, Sköld and Bellum have crafted a majestic new take on electronic music that showcases experimentation while perverting pop sensibilities. The duo also teamed with renowned video director, Vicente Cordero of Industrialism Films, for a spectacular video for the lead-off single, "Fiction".
"Not My God" is available on digital platforms everywhere as well as on digipak CD and a very limited (only 300 made) 2LP clear vinyl pressing via Cleopatra Records.
Track listing:
01. Fiction
02. Until The Pain Is Gone
03. Sowing Discord
04. Murder Suicide
05. Equalizer
06. Birthright
07. Decay, Decay
08. First Blood
09. Nevermore
10. Right Now
11. Persephone
12. Cold Black
13. 13
Sköld has been one of few lasting Swedish music exports since the 1980s as frontman for one of that country's earliest and more successful metal bands, SHOTGUN MESSIAH. After the suspension of that outfit in the mid-90s, Sköld struck out on his own and released the debut album for his industrial metal project, the self-titled SKOLD album, in 1996. The album was hailed as a triumph with songs such as "Chaos" and "Hail Mary" landing in major motion pictures as well as mainstream video games. Since then, Sköld has gone on to work in a numerous other major bands, becoming a member of KMFDM and MARILYN MANSON as well as playing live with Taime Downe's THE NEWLYDEADS and Nivek Ogre's OHGR, all the while composing, performing, and producing for other artists, for example MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, as well as several SKOLD albums.
METALLICA has posted another video as part of its new concert series, "#MetallicaMondays", where the band is streaming a complete live show for fans on the group's YouTube channel and on Facebook every week. The latest concert to be shared was recorded on March 1, 2013 at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
The group's setlist was as follows:
01. Hit The Lights
02. Master Of Puppets
03. The Four Horsemen
04. Harvester Of Sorrow
05. Welcome Home (Sanitarium)
06. Leper Messiah
07. My Friend Of Misery
08. Sad But True
09. Fade To Black
10. All Nightmare Long
11. One
12. For Whom The Bell Tolls
13. Blackened
14. Nothing Else Matters
15. Enter Sandman
Encore:
16. Creeping Death
17. Damage Inc.
18. Seek And Destroy
The band said in a statement, "While we're all doing our part and staying home, we find ourselves missing live music, so how about we dive back into a few of our favorite shows at a socially responsible distance?"
METALLICA has been largely out of the public eye since last fall when the band canceled an Australian tour and announced that frontman James Hetfield was returning to rehab for the first time since 2002 to battle his addictions.
Hetfield made his first major public appearance since entering rehab on January 30, when an exhibit featuring 10 of his classic custom cars opened at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
In March, METALLICA announced that its South American tour, which was originally planned for April, has been postponed until December. In addition, the band's appearances at four Danny Wimmer Presents-produced festivals in May and September have been canceled: Epicenter in Charlotte, Welcome To Rockville in Daytona, Sonic Temple in Columbus and Louder Than Life in Louisville.
Guitarist Kirk Hammett told The Pulse Of Radio not long ago that METALLICA has to be in better than average shape to play its music live. "There's a physicality to our music that we cannot ignore, so we just kind of have to keep ourselves in a certain sort of physical sort of state where that we can't let ourselves get to a point where we can't play these songs," he said. "That's just not allowed. When we write this music, we have to make sure that we can play it and play it when we need to play it."
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH recently launched a new video series, "Guitar Zero: Legends Of The Fail", in which singer Ivan Moody embarks on a journey to learn to play guitar. In episode six, which can be seen below, Ivan gets a video lesson from TRIVIUM's Matt Heafy, who runs him through a couple of those all-important basic warm-ups.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's latest album, "F8", was released on February 28. The follow-up to 2018's "And Justice For None" caps a turbulent period for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in which 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 spring tour with PAPA ROACH, I PREVAIL and ICE NINE KILLS has been postponed and rescheduled for the fall. The trek was originally due to run from April 8 to May 20, but will now kick off on September 28 in Sunrise, Florida.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH has also launched the "Quarantine Theater 2020" series. Taking inspiration from "Mystery Science Theater 3000", it features Moody, guitarist Zoltan Bathory and bassist Chris Kael offering commentary on the band's past music videos.
People know the all-too-famous stories of 'N SYNC, BACKSTREET BOYS, O-TOWN and countless others that rose to the top of the pop charts. The one band that got away from Lou Pearlman (the man behind their success) was the little-known boy band F.P.C. (FOUR PUMP CHUMPS). The band was known for their infectious tracks that combined more rock sensibilities than the usual pop music of the more known boy bands of the day. The band started to get some notoriety with one of its early songs, "Let's Get High Tonight", that almost got them a meeting with Pearlman. The meeting never happened and Michael Starr, Satchel, Lexxi Foxx and Stix Zadinia would eventually ditch the choreography for a return to spandex and hair spray as the now world-famous STEEL PANTHER. The song has found a new life on the band's latest release "Heavy Metal Rules" and the F.P.C. version can be seen below.
STEEL PANTHER's new video release comes on the heels of the band's first-ever livestream concert it played on June 7. The virtual "Concert To Save The World" was a global success among critics and fans alike. The concert aired from The Drum Channel Studio at Drum Workshop in California and featured full stage production, multiple cameras, crowd noise and special guest appearances by Rudy Sarzo and Rob Riggle. Tickets cost just $15.00, with proceeds going to benefit Heavenly Pets Animal Rescue (the location that hosted the band's recently announced All Day Kitty Cam) and Live Nation's Crew Nation fund (benefitting all touring personnel affected by the COVID-19 pandemic).
STEEL PANTHER is currently in deep internal discussions and planning to figure out a time for another livestream and more information will be made public as soon as it is available.
"Heavy Metal Rules" was released last September. 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".
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.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH singer Ivan Moody has weighed in two of the biggest hot-button issues facing the U.S.: the government response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the alleged murder of a black man who died while in a Minneapolis police officer's custody,
Late Thursday night (May 28), Moody shared a five-minute Instagram video message in which he began by discussing COVID-19 crisis, which has killed more than 100,000 Americans and devastated the economy.
"What's up, everyone. So as we sit here holding our breath collectively, I figured I'd be the one falling on the sword at this point," he said.
"First off, COVID-19 exceeding a hundred thousand deaths here in the United States. I'd like to send my condolences to the families. And to the essentials and to the first responders, I'd like to send my respect and my love. I'm sure I speak for thousands when I say we appreciate you're going through and do.
"I'd also personally like to say that I believe that our government — left and right — right now is failing us," he continued. "The country is opening up, I believe, prematurely, and anybody who doesn't see that, I also believe, is oblivious to the fact that this is affecting thousands and thousands of families and lives.
"All of this can be avoided with small preparations — things that were taken for granted," he added. "Some of us do it, I'm assuming, because we're just naïve to the fact of human life, I guess. I don't understand it, and I don't see why any of us would look to the people we put in power, at this point, to lead the way when it seems as if they can't lead themselves.
"Again, I'm aware that I'm gonna catch heat for saying most of this, but I believe in my heart it needs to be said."
Moody also condemned the killing of George Floyd, an unarmed black man, by Minneapolis law enforcement officers, and spoke out against police brutality.
Floyd died on Monday (May 25) as police arrested him outside a convenience store on a report of a counterfeit bill being passed. The 46-year-old was seen on a bystander's video gasping for breath during an arrest in which an officer knelt on his neck for almost eight minutes. In the footage, Floyd is heard pleading with officers, "I cannot breathe... Don't kill me," while the officers ignore his pleas. He eventually stops talking and moving.
"When it comes to the situation in Minnesota, anyone who's seen that film that doesn't believe that those men should be in shackles awaiting trial for murder charges?" Moody said in his video. "I don't think I have to say anything. This is an obvious fucking need for justice. This is something that can't be overlooked. No longer is it geographical either; it doesn't just pertain to one city. This is a national fucking problem, and it needs to be addressed immediately.
"I come from a household and a family of people that people are people. There isn't a definition of a person from their color or from their race, their ethnic background or their religions. We are American, and we stand as so. So this injustice needs to be rectified immediately.
"To those of you that are rioting out there right now, or are thinking of doing so, remind yourself that there are a million cops out there right now who have their head in their hand, going, 'What the fuck?', because they started doing what they're doing with the right intentions. They're good people, they're honorable police, and they would never do such things. So please don't hold to account an entire section of American people for the few that are really fucking this up.
"So, my condolences to the family and to those whose are affected by this. I truly apologize and I hope that justice is served."
Later in the video, Moody threw his support behind families who are struggling financially as a result of business closures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: "To all the men and women out there trying your hardest just to bring food to the fucking table right now, I know your struggle; I've been there. And as a parent, I know how fucking painful this is right now, trying to supply our children with answers, between home schooling and providing and parenting in general and just being good people. My heart and my hat is off to you. We're in this together — straight up. I'm not just saying that — we are."
Ivan closed the video by clarifying that "these are all personal opinions. These have no weight when it comes to anyone else in my band or anyone in my family," he said. "These are things that I just feel need to be said."
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's latest album, "F8", was released in February. The follow-up to 2018's "And Justice For None" caps a turbulent period for FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH in which 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.
FIVE FINGER DEATH PUNCH's spring tour with PAPA ROACH, I PREVAIL and ICE NINE KILLS has been postponed and rescheduled for the fall. The trek was originally due to run from April 8 to May 20, but will now kick off on September 28 in Sunrise, Florida.
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