Pittsburgh, PA-based slamming deathcore powerhouse, Signs Of The Swarm, have unveiled a new music video for "Lost Within Reflection", off of their latest album, Vital Deprivation. Watch the video below.
The band recently launched their Patreon where they will give anyone who signs up access to unreleased music, watch new music videos before they are premiered to the public, free SOTS merch, tablature, & much more.
The band commented, "We are excited to bring you another video from our latest album Vital Deprivation with 'Lost Within Reflection'. We filmed this on the last tour we did with Shadow of Intent, watching this makes us miss you guys that much more. We can't wait to get back out on the road and see you all again. Video shot/edited by Dylan Gould of Stay Goulden."
Ministry today unveils the complete playthrough for new track “Alert Level”, partnering with Guitar World for the video that features guitarist Cesar Soto running through the instrumentals of the provocative new track. Watch below.
The “Alert Level” playthrough also marks the final instalment in Ministry’s limited Riff Of The Week series - archived on the band’s official social media pages - that features Soto providing guitar guides to several fan favorites in the band’s catalog, from With Sympathy’s “Effigy” to “Hero” off Psalm 69 and more.
"Alert Level" is the first new material from Jourgensen in two years and has a timely message as America - and the global population - faces epidemics, environmental crises, political corruption and one of the biggest elections of our lifetime.
Regarding “Alert Level,” Jourgensen says, “We finished the song in January and it sounded great during rehearsals for our Australia/Japan tour dates, before we went into quarantine. The original plan was to finish the new record before the July ‘Industrial Strength’ US tour so we could have an Election Day release, but in lieu of the circumstances - and how relevant the song feels for these bizarre times - we decided to release ‘Alert Level’ now. Considering that this song features the question ‘How concerned are you?’ I’ll be interested to see how folks answer it themselves.”
With the release of “Alert Level,” fans are asked to be a part of the larger conversation by answering the question posed by the song’s central message, “How concerned are you?” Fans should upload videos, 30 seconds or less, to their social media profiles with the hashtag #MinistryAlertLevel. All the members of Ministry will be watching from home and selecting the videos most meaningful to them, which will be later shared.
Ministry also encourages fans to voice their concerns by voting in the upcoming 2020 elections and has partnered with Head Count to help voters to become registered in time. More info can be found here.
“Alert Level” will be included on Ministry’s upcoming 15th full-length release and the follow-up to the 2018 record, AmeriKKKant, which was a return to form for the industrial juggernaut and garnered international tour dates, a collaboration with Wax Trax! and a support slot on Slayer’s final tour.
Credits for “Alert Level” include:
Al Jourgensen - vocals/guitar/keys
Cesar Soto - guitar/bass
Dan Cleary - bass
Roy Mayorga - drums
Arabian Prince - scratch
Michael Rozon - keys, drum programming
Liz Walton, Chad & Jill Smith - backup vocals
Engineered by Michael Rozon
Mixed by Al Jourgensen & Michael Rozon
Produced by Al Jourgensen
Mastered by DNA Mastering
Due to ongoing restrictions regarding social gathering amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ministry will be rescheduling the July and August dates of the upcoming Industrial Strength Tour, originally scheduled to begin July 1. The new dates will kick off March 31, 2021 in Seattle and run through May 1, 2021 in San Francisco, hitting all the previously announced markets with an additional date added for Salt Lake City (on sale date TBA).
The tour’s special guests KMFDM and Front Line Assembly remain on the lineup for this one-of-a-kind celebration that honours the 30th anniversary of Ministry’s revolutionary album, The Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Taste.
Original tickets will be honoured for the new show dates in 2021; or, ticket holders can receive refunds at the point of purchase. For the Dallas show date only, original ticket holders have been automatically refunded and will need to repurchase tickets for the new 2021 date, starting today, here.
Rescheduled dates (* indicates a new date not included on the original run)
March
31 - Seattle, WA - Showbox Sodo
April
1 - Portland, OR - Roseland Theater
2 - Missoula, MT - Wilma Theatre
3 - Salt Lake City, UT - The Union* (on sale date TBA)
4 - Denver, CO - Ogden Theatre
6 - Minneapolis, MN - First Avenue
8 - Pittsburgh, PA - Stage AE
9 - Detroit, MI - Royal Oak Music Theatre
10 - Chicago, IL - Riviera Theatre
11 - Niagara Falls, NY - Rapids Theatre
12 - Cleveland, OH - Agora Theatre
14 - Boston, MA - House of Blues
15 - Huntington, NY - The Paramount
16 - Montclair, NJ - The Wellmont
17 - Philadelphia, PA - Franklin Music Hall
18 - Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Soundstage
20 - Atlanta, GA - Tabernacle
21 - Orlando, FL - Hard Rock Live
23 - Houston, TX - House of Blues
24 - Dallas, TX - Gas Monkey Live!
25 - San Antonio, TX - Aztec Theater
27 - Albuquerque, NM - Sunshine Theater
28 - Phoenix, AZ - The Van Buren
29 - San Diego, CA - House of Blues
30 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues
"Save Me From Myself" is the blistering new track from Melbourne’s Shotgun Mistress. Following on from their debut "No Friend Of Mine", the latest release captures all the raw, uncompromising energy of the band’s live shows and merges it into a powerful contemporary hard rock sonic spectacle, replete with hypersonic riffs, hooks and pounding grooves.
Shotgun Mistress’ latest is an exuberant taste of their forthcoming album, due for release late in 2020. "Save Me From Myself" might be a fiery, all guns blazing aural assault but it’s reflective; it has a heart aching for self-control and a soul yearning for redemption. Visceral and passionate, "Save Me From Myself" digs deep to discover a universal resonance at its core.
Secure your copy of "Save Me From Myself" at this location.
Shotgun Mistress was formed by Matt Wilcock (The Berzerker, Akercocke, Abramelin), internationally renowned death-metal demon guitarist best known for playing at light speeds. He hooked up with “Diamond” David Lee on drums to jam out LA Strip-era rock. Ben Curnow (Earth) joined on bass, along with vocalist Glenn Patrick (Collegians).
Shotgun Mistress is the first Australian band to join Golden Robot’s new metal label Crusader Records.
Frank Godla of Metal Injection presents excerpts from the Slay At Home festival. Check out the cover collaboration for Cannibal Corpse's "The Pick Axe Murders" featuring Pustulus Maximus (GWAR), Dirk Verbeuren (Megadeth / Cadaver), Ra Diaz (Suicidal Tendencies) and Trevor Strnad (The Black Dahlia Murder).
Slay At Home, a first of its kind virtual metal music and art festival organized by Frank Godla of Metal Injection, aired this past weekend (May 29 & 30). The event raised funds in support of two great charity organizations; Musicares and Global Giving. Watch for more clips in the coming days.
Seattle space shredders Xoth have released their first-ever music video for "Casting The Sigil," a track from last year's Interdimensional Invocations album. The video was filmed at the historic Georgetown Steam Plant in Seattle, using practical effects and done in homage to 1980s science fiction. The clip brings the album artwork of Mark Richards to life! Check it out below.
Mixed by Joe Cincotta (Obituary, Suffocation), the group’s fourth overall release reveals a mature, otherworldly sound that is vaguely reminiscent of Death, Bal-Sagoth, and Emperor. Xoth appeals not only to the aficionado of complex time signatures, key changes and melodic composition, but also to the good ‘ol heavy metal enthusiast. Thematically, Xoth mixes themes including sci-fi, ancient mysteries, emerging catastrophes, and social commentary, lined with a layer of humor that is as magnetic as it is unsettling.
Tracklisting:
“Casting The Sigil”
“Mountain Machines”
“Back To The Jungle”
“Unseen Abductor”
“Haruspex”
“Plague Revival 20XX”
“The Ghost Hand Of God”
“Melted Face Of The Soul”
Cherie Currie recently released her all-star album, Blvds Of Splendor, digitally via former Runaways guitarist Joan Jett’s Blackheart Records. The album was previously released on vinyl only for Record Store Day 2019.
The album features a cover of Sweeney Todd's 1975 hit, "Roxy Roller". For this special, one-of-a-kind “At Home” performance, 17 year old Runaways fan (Isaac Valiente) edited the video.
Cherie (vocals) enlisted special quests Suzi Quatro (vocals), Nick Gilder (vocals), her son Jake Hays (rhythm guitar & backing vocals), Perry Farrell guitarist Nick Maybury and Phil Leavitt (drums) & Joie Calio (bass) of the bands Dada & 7 Horse on the standout track "Roxy Roller" (also written by Nick Gilder).
"With life in lockdown and the surprise release of Blvds of Splendor, the first song that came to mind for a quarantine video was 'Roxy Roller'. My son Jake and I sat down in front of a camera and singing to an acoustic electric we filmed the building block of the song. I am so lucky and blessed to have amazing musicians as friends to reach out to and all were more than giving of their time for this. I then reached out to my dear friend Suzi Quatro, then Nick Gilder who again were so giving of their time. The cherry on top was meeting Isaac Valiente on FB. He's a 17 year old self taught video editor who stole my heart with his love for music and a giant ball of humble talent. And there you have it. A great video born of love and support in a time where that’s really all that matters." - Cherie Currie
"Was asked by my good friend Cherie to be part of this. After her wonderful contribution to my documentary Suzi Q (premiering in July in the US), and even writing a song about me, which was the closing song of the film... well... excuse me... did I have a choice!! I didn't even have to learn the song because I recorded it myself in 1976. Good old Roxy, she certainly has made the rounds hasn't she!! (wink, wink)." - Suzi Quatro
"Making this video with Cherie and Suzi is especially poignant for me. I met Cherie and her twin sister Marie at my very first show in LA back in the day at the iconic Doug Weston's Troubadour. Having Cherie cover my song 'Roxy' on her fantastic new CD Blvds Of Splendor is simply wonderful! It really rocks and to have Suzi who also recorded an impressive version help with this video is an absolute treat I hope you all enjoy our efforts, thanks!" - Nick Gilder
The Blvds Of Splendor album features guest appearances by Billy Corgan, Guns N’ Roses’ Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Juliette Lewis and Brody Dalle, among others.
“Cherie’s voice tells it all, she is the real deal,” Sorum said in a statement. “And now more than ever that voice tells the story of where’s she’s been in her life. This record is about who Cherie Currie is now. We’ve waited a long time to hear this icon of rock and roll do what she does best. I’m very proud to be a part of this album by one of the best female singers of all time.”
“Mr. X”
“Roxy Roller”
“You Wreck Me”
“Black Magic”
“Blvds of Splendor “
“Force To Be Reckoned With”
“Bad And Broken”
“Rock & Roll Oblivion”
“Shades”
“Draggin’ The Line”
“Breakout”
“The Air That I Breathe”
“What Do All The People Know?” (bonus track)
“Gimme” (bonus track)
“Queens Of Noise” (bonus track)
Dukes Of The Orient, which features John Payne and Erik Norlander, will finally release their eagerly anticipated second album, Freakshow, on August 7 via Frontiers Music Srl.
Freakshow is the second album from Dukes Of The Orient, the international AOR band with a mid-Atlantic prog accent, following their impressive self-titled debut that successfully launched the group in 2018. The first taste of music from the album comes in the form of the single and video, "The Monitors". Watch the video below.
Stream "The Monitors" and pre-order/save Freakshow here.
John Payne says, "Working on the second Dukes Of The Orient album has been a very cathartic experience. The addition of Alex Garcia, guitar, and Frank Klepacki, drums, was a very positive move for a more signature, cohesive sound. As with the previous album, we continue our rich analog keyboard approach layered with guitars by myself and Alex. Mixed and recorded on a traditional board with vintage outboard, we wanted to create an echo to the past and write songs with strong melodic content."
"Freakshow is much more focused both in concept and in sound as it was written and recorded in a single year with a tight group of musicians," says Erik Norlander. "Our debut album came out fantastic, but it was recorded over a period of 10 years with many different contributing musicians, and in many ways, it sounds like that. Freakshow has the cohesiveness of vision where the same five musicians performed all the material that was written expressly for this album. I also think our writing on this album is more focused for the same reasons. After working together for so many years, I can write a vocal melody for John, he can write a keyboard part for me, and the parts just work right out of the gate.”
Dukes Of The Orient is a collaboration between vocalist John Payne (ex-Asia, GPS) with keyboardist Erik Norlander (Last In Line, Lana Lane, Rocket Scientists). Payne’s powerful arena-seasoned vocals carry soaring melodies and lush harmonies over the sea of classic synthesizers and keyboards artfully painted with Norlander’s signature sonic palette.
Dukes Of The Orient origins lay in 2007 with Asia Featuring John Payne, a band that continued on after Asia keyboardist Geoff Downes left the band to re-form the original 1982 lineup. Payne recruited Norlander to join the band for tour dates in the US and that’s where their partnership began. Eventually Asia Featuring John Payne would come up with the track “Seasons Will Change,” which was released as a video in 2013 and that eventually found its way onto the Dukes of the Orient debut.
Following the death of original Asia vocalist, John Wetton, in early 2017, Payne and Norlander decided that these recordings they had been working on for Asia Featuring John Payne should give birth to a new band, both out of respect for Wetton and for clarity with the Downes-led Asia. Dukes Of The Orient are however the legitimate successors of John Payne’s Asia. If you like albums such as “Aqua,” “Aura,” or “Silent Nation” then Dukes Of The Orient is for you!
Tracklisting:
"The Dukes Return"
"The Ice Is Thin"
"Freakshow"
"The Monitors"
"Man Of Machine"
"The Last Time Traveller"
"A Quest For Knowledge"
"The Great Brass Steam Engine"
"When Ravens Cry"
"Until Then"
"The Monitors" video:
Lineup:
John Payne - Vocals, Bass, Guitars
Erik Norlander - Keyboards
Frank Klepacki - Drums
Alex Garcia - Guitars
Eric Tewalt - Saxophone
Angel, the solo project of Helena Iren Michaelsen (Imperia), will release a new album entitled A Woman's Diary - Chapter II, on July 24 via Massacre Records. Pre-order the album here. Watch the official video for the first single, "Happy Birthday", below.
This album is the diary of Helena Iren Michaelsen's life turned into lyrics and music, and captured on an album. All songs and lyrics are personal, raw, and uncensored.
Featuring cover artwork by Jan Yrlund (Darkgrove Design), A Woman's Diary - Chapter II was mastered by Tom Müller at Flatliners Studio, and produced & arranged by Oliver Philipps.
Tracklisting:
"Never Again"
"Streetchild"
"Don't Believe"
"Imprisoned"
"Do You Hear My Cry"
"Eg Ser"
"Happy Birthday"
"My Desire"
"Rock In The Sea"
"Silence"
"Angel Maria"
"Goodbye"
"Angel Maria's Poem"
"No Time For Goodbyes" is the new video from the Dutch metal legends, Martyr. Watch the clip below.
Recorded and produced (one person at a time because of the COVID-19 safety regulations) in their headquarters, "No Time For Goodbyes" has also been released on all streaming and download platforms.
BPMD - the new juggernaut featuring heavy metal icons Bobby Blitz (Overkill) on vocals, drummer Mike Portnoy (The Winery Dogs, Sons of Apollo), bassist Mark Menghi (Metal Allegiance) and guitarist Phil Demmel (Vio-lence, ex-Machine Head) - recently announced the release of their upcoming full-length album of '70s rock covers, American Made. The 10-track homage to some of rock music's greatest treasures drops on June 12 via Napalm Records.
The band recently shared their re-energized version of the blues standard "Evil", originally written by American blues musician Willie Nixon. BPMD's version is actually inspired by another popular re-imagining of the song by hard rock greats Cactus. A guitar playthrough for the song has just been released. Watch below:
Watch a drum playthrough video for "Evil":
Bassist Mark Menghi says about "Evil": “Cactus is a lost American treasure that needs more recognition. They were doing things on their instruments (and as a band) before many of their contemporaries, peers and labelmates of the time. We were fully aware that the great Willie Dixon wrote this tune for Howlin’ Wolf in the early 1950’s... Cactus reimagined the song for the their time of the early '70s, we reimagined Cactus’ version for our generation in the early '20s... so for a tune that is 65+ years old that’s still being covered says something... a good tune can stand the test of time.”
Frontman Bobby Blitz adds: "I choose my cuts on the record for two reasons: 1) how they would fit my voice, and 2) a deeper, heavier cut. I really love the grit in Rusty Day's voice on the Cactus track and wanted to replicate it with my own, not copy per se, but for sure not lose that grit. The song to me, though blues based, is the perfect bridge into the heavy metal that followed. I used the basic vocal line as to not lose the integrity but reimagined it with more of a 'metal' phrasing. 'Evil' is really one of the BPMD tracks I am most proud of. You're a long way from home..."
Acclaimed drummer and Cactus member Carmine Appice says about the cover: “A new twist on ‘Evil’, one of the best, kick-ass blues/rock songs of all time. This version will appeal to BPMD's heavy metal fans. I was glad to hear the Cactus arrangement of the song, but with the bass, drums and guitar heavied up even more.. Phil's guitar solo revs up with lots of energy... with Portnoy and Menghi kicking under it, while keeping that energy going. Bobby's vocals sit nicely on top and I really liked the change in some of the phrasing. Great job guys!"
Watch the lyric video:
It’s evident within the initial seconds of BPMD’s American Made, as the legendary Bobby Blitz chants the introductory lyrics to Ted Nugent’s “Wang Dang Sweet Poontang” in his signature skyscraper-high howl, that he and his equally iconic bandmates are here to have a damn good time. Featuring 10 unforgettable rock classics reimagined as heavy bangers, American Made is a party on wax. Tracks such as the raucous “Toys in the Attic” (Aerosmith) and rager-ready “Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers” (ZZ Top) prove that BPMD not only manages to capture the essence of each original track on the album, but skillfully transforms each classic into an unforgettable metallic anthem for a new age. The seasoned quartet flex their musical muscles on renowned classics such as “Saturday Night Special” (Lynyrd Skynyrd), “We’re an American Band” (Grand Funk Railroad) and “Walk Away” (James Gang), and introduce a whole new heavy generation to deeper cuts like blues standard “Evil” (Cactus/Willie Dixon) and “Never In My Life” (Mountain). Channeling nostalgia while maintaining a fresh attitude, American Made is a summer soundtrack for all ages.
After connecting over their mutual love for the classics and forming their current line-up, the members of BPMD traveled to drummer Mike Portnoy’s home studio in Pennsylvania and set up shop. Since the whole concept of the band was born the night Menghi was listening to “Saturday Night Special”, BPMD were determined to record the song for the album. Beyond that, each musician picked two ‘70s rock tracks and everyone had to learn them!
American Made was mixed and mastered by Mark Lewis, also known for his work with Metal Allegiance (featuring Mark Menghi), as well as artists such as DevilDriver, Trivium, and many others.
American Made will be available in the following formats:
- 1-CD Jewel Case
- 1-LP Gatefold Black
- 1-LP Gatefold Red/White/Blue Splatter (NPR Mailorder exclusive)
- American Made T-Shirt + Jewel Case Bundle (NPR Mailorder exclusive)
- American Made T-Shirt + Vinyl Black Bundle (NPR Mailorder exclusive / North America ONLY)
- American Made T-Shirt + Vinyl Red/White/Blue Splatter Bundle (NPR Mailorder exclusive / North America ONLY)
- Digital Album
"Wang Dang Sweet Poontang"
"Toys In The Attic"
"Evil"
"Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers"
"Saturday Night Special"
"Tattoo Vampire"
"D.O.A."
"Walk Away"
"Never In My Life"
"We're An American Band"
"Toys In The Attic" video:
"Toys In The Attic" drum playthrough video:
"Toys In The Attic" guitar playthrough video:
“Absolutely f*cking brilliant! God bless the real music krankers of America! Godspeed!" - Ted Nugent
”Turbocharged version of D.O.A. by BPMD. These guys are rocking!” - Michael Anthony (Chickenfoot, ex-Van Halen)
ALAIN JOHANNES TRIO, led by Alain Johannes, co-creator of the highly influential '90s alternative rock band ELEVEN as well as a key contributor on releases from QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, THEM CROOKED VULTURES and Chris Cornell, has released a cover of Cornell's "Can't Change Me". The song was the first single off Chris Cornell's 1999 solo debut, "Euphoria Mourning", an album which included Johannes and his partner in ELEVEN, Natasha Shneider, as co-producers and also co-writers on several songs. Both Cornell and Shneider passed away, and Johannes is the lone survivor that gave life to the record. The song comes just two weeks after the third anniversary of Cornell's death and a little more than a week after what would have been Shneider's 64th birthday.
"It's really meaningful for me to present this tribute,", says Johannes from Santiago, Chile, where he is spending his days in quarantine. "I lived 'Euphoria Mourning' with Chris and Natasha and now with my musical brothers in Chile, the country where I was born, so we are excited to revisit this music 21 years later. I feel very proud of what we've accomplished."
Remembering the days of the making of the album, Johannes says: "It was a very special time. The three of us locked ourselves up in the studio and invited some friends, like Josh Freese and Matt Cameron. We had all the time in the world, no rush, so we created those atmospheres for each song. Those are definitely some of the happiest days of my life as a musician, the fact that with my family — as Natasha and Chris were — we ended up with such a beautiful record."
ALAIN JOHANNES TRIO is the current touring band for Johannes in South America and includes the Chilean musicians Felo Foncea on keyboards and Cote Foncea on drums. For the cover of "Can't Change Me" the TRIO added two special guests, both also Chilean: Cristobal Aedo on vocals and acoustic guitar and Ignacio Ibarra on electric guitar.
ALAIN JOHANNES TRIO's first single was "Luna A Sol", available via Ipecac Recordings. A full-length album is in the works.
"Can't Change Me" credits:
* Alain Johannes: Vocals and electric guitar
* Felo Foncea: Vocals, Moog Bass, Wurlitzer and Hammond
* Cote Foncea: Vocals and percussion
* Cristóbal Aedo: Lead vocal and acoustic guitar
* Ignacio Ibarra: Electric guitar
* Mixed by Chris Cuevas
* Video edited by Ignacio Ibarra
ELEVEN released five albums between 1991 and 2003. Johannes and Shneider became sought-out contributors, having also lent their talents to QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE's chart-topping 2005 "Lullabies To Paralyze" and the subsequent two-year touring cycle that followed its release. Along the way, Alain either wrote, produced, or engineered projects for NO DOUBT, Mark Lanegan, JIMMY EAT WORLD, Brody Dalle and ARCTIC MONKEYS, to name a few. Not to mention, he performed in PJ Harvey's live band as well as THEM CROOKED VULTURES where he shared stages worldwide with Dave Grohl, Josh Homme and John Paul Jones. A sought-after composer for film, television, and video games, he has penned music for HBO's "Eagles Of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends)" as well as Tom Clancy's "Ghost Recon: Wildlands" and "Breakpoint". Plus, Grohl enlisted him as part of the Sound City Players, co-writing and performing various cuts on the soundtrack for "Sound City". Following Natasha's passing, he unveiled his first solo effort, "Spark", in 2010 before delivering the follow-up "Fragments And Wholes, Vol. 1" three years later.
Johannes will release "Hum", his third solo album, on July 31 via Ipecac Recordings.
A newly recorded acoustic version of the KORN song "Can You Hear Me" premiered earlier today (Thursday, May 28) on SiriusXM Octane. The original track appeared on the band's latest album, "The Nothing", which came out last September.
Regarding KORN's decision to record a more laid-back rendition of "Can You Hear Me", Davis told SiriusXM's Jose Mangin (see video below): "We just got together — me and the guys — and we just did this from sending files to each other, 'cause we're all stuck in our houses. We came up with this acoustic version of the song that's really stripped down. And I love it.
"If it's a good song, it usually translates well to any form you put it in," he added. "I learned that… I remember [producer] Rick Rubin saying it's a good song if it translates well with just an acoustic guitar and vocals. So we just got together and vibed it out, and it's a really cool, different version of it.
"I love the song. It was a song I wrote back — it was around 2014 on the road, actually. I wrote the melody. I woke up and put it in my computer and I didn't touch it for another couple of months and came back to it. It's a special song to me. It's a song about depression… I'm glad people are digging it. And hopefully they dig this version."
"The Nothing" debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart with 33,000 equivalent album units earned (of which 29,000 were in album sales) in its first week of release. KORN tied VAN HALEN for the fifth-most top 10s on the chart among rock bands; ahead of them: THE ROLLING STONES, with 37, THE BEATLES (32), DAVE MATTHEWS BAND (16) and SANTANA (16). "The Nothing" was KORN's 14th Billboard 200 top 10 album.
"The Nothing" was released via Roadrunner/Elektra. The follow-up to 2016's "The Serenity Of Suffering" was once again produced by Nick Raskulinecz.
In a statement around the time the album was announced, Davis explained his vision of "The Nothing". "Deep, within our Earth lives an extraordinary force," he said. "Very few are aware of the magnitude and significance of this place where good/evil, dark/light, bliss/torment, loss/gain and hope/despair all exist as one — pulling at us every moment of our lives. … There is a miraculous and small realm within this vortex and it's the only place where balance between these dynamic and polarizing forces exists —where the soul finds its refuge. Welcome to…..The Nothing."
Godfathers of sludge -(16)- have shared their official video for "Sadlands" today. The track comes off the band's forthcoming eighth full-length Dream Squasher, set for release next month via Relapse Records.
The unsettling clip was directed by Michael Panduro (Devourment, Dead Cross, Job For A Cowboy). Comments guitarist/vocalist Bobby Ferry, "I wrote this song about witnessing an all too common injustice perpetrated by those who are supposed to care for the vulnerable but end up being the root cause of the suffering, where the victim's only revenge is to escape the perpetrator's clutches and leave them to self-destruct."
Dream Squasher is due out June 5 on LP/CD/Digital. Physical packages are available for pre-order via Relapse.com. Digital Downloads / Streaming Services are available here.
Artwork by Maraldart:
-(16)- return with their new album, Dream Squasher. A testament to the power of loss, every moment of Dream Squasher casts the San Diego band into new, deeper depths. The tragic, violent intent in this expression won't be lost on listeners either; at any given moment of Dream Squasher, -(16)-'s bouldering guitars crash into one another, set atop equally pulverizing bass and drums. Thunderous riffs express equal parts melancholy and fury. For the first time in the band's 29-year career, Dream Squasher sees Bobby Ferry stepping forward and taking the helm on lead vocals, rounding out the band with both monumental moments of singing and pained screams of pure vitriol. From standout tracks like "Candy In Spanish", to bruisers like "Agora (Killed By A Mountain Lion)" and the mountainous melodies of "Sadlands", Dream Squasher proves to be -(16)-'s return to form - where riffs dominate and anger reigns supreme.
Frontiers Music Srl will release Latvian hard rockers Bloody Heels' new album, Ignite The Sky, on July 10. Watch a video for the album's title track below, and pre-order/save the album here.
"Ignite The Sky has some pretty heavy songs, but at the same time there’s plenty of melodic stuff, harmonies and big choruses. I like to call this album ‘Dark AOR’, haha! We managed to blend everything we love about music, to be honest. But one thing is for sure, we’ve never felt such a strong connection with the songs before,” says singer Vicky White of the upcoming album.
Regarding the first single, White continues, "'Criminal Masterminds' is definitely one of our heaviest songs to date. It was also one of the last songs we wrote for the album, just a month or so before we headed to the studio. Me and Harry were waiting on the other guys in our rehearsal room, messing around with some different guitar tunings and came up with the main riff. Then Gus and Gunn came and the rest is history. It's one of those songs that came together in just a couple of hours. We wanted to release this song as the first single because I think that it captures what Bloody Heels is about now. It's a bit heavier and more in your face, but still quite melodic, with a big chorus and lots of harmonies. It's quite different from anything what we've done before, but doesn't abandon who we are."
"We made the music video with Ivo Skanstins (director) and his team, which was a no-brainer as we'd done two videos together already that we were really happy with. He knows us well and we know him well. It was filmed in one day right before our European tour last October. A magical day for us, really. I also want to give a big thanks to all the people that were involved in the video and who volunteered their time and talent. We filmed the video outside in quite cold weather while the water was pouring on us was FREEZING. Luckily, we didn't got sick because we had to leave for tour 48 hours later," explains White.
Adds White, "I also want to say that of course we all know what's happening right now in the world. Hopefully we can cheer some people up with this song and video! We have to remember that we are all one in spirit and the only way we're gonna crawl out of this mess is together! Stay home, stay healthy, and keep up the positive vibes!"
Latvian hard rockers 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"
Thor has released a video for "The Rut", a track from the band's new album, Rising, out now via Cleopatra Records. Order the album here, and watch the new clip below.
Rising features Thor’s classic ’80s metal sound combined with modern influences to create a potent blend of old and new that has kept this metal viking thriving for over four decades. Available on both CD and on limited edition gold vinyl.
Tracklisting:
"Wormhole"
"Defend Or Die"
"The Game Is On!" (Stadium Mix)
"We. Will. Destroy. You"
"The Rut"
"Rising"
"The Party Never Ends"
"Power Mask"
"Son Of Thunder"
"Starmaster"
Sepultura recently launched the SepulQuarta sessions, a weekly event where the band will give insight into the band’s colourful history, do a Q&A session and perform a song live. The newest sessions features the playthrough of "Resistant Parasites", taken from 2017's Machine Messiah.
The Brazilians have also posted a live Q&A with Faith No More’s Billy Gould:
“SepulQuadra was born out of the necessity to express ourselves in a different way since we’re all facing a new situation. We came with this idea still influenced by the concept of our last album Quadra, using geometry, numerology and numbers. Wednesday, which is the fourth day of the week, was chosen for an event ”, explains Andreas Kisser.
Join the band every Wednesday at 4 PM, Brazilian official time (Noon, PST and 9 PM, CET) for a new SepulQuarta, here.
Guitarist Andy Susemihl, who has recorded albums with U.D.O., Sinner, and as most recently former Accept vocalist David Reece, also works as a solo artist. His brand new 7-track EP, Burning Man, will be released on June 12th, via SM Noise Records / Feiyr as a harbinger of his sixth solo album, which is due to be released this fall.
Check out the video for "Burning Man" below. The track features former Accept bassist Peter Baltes.
Canadian rock icon Lee Aaron has posted the first video from her Rockin' From Home series, "Diamond Baby", along with a short update:
"We plan to do a series of Rockin' From Home videos but it's not as easy as one might expect, living in different locations across Canada. We're hoping to bring you one or two a month, so stay tuned!"
Lee Aaron's first official live album, Power, Soul, Rock N' Roll - Live in Germany, is available now via Metalville Records.
A special CD/DVD set, Power, Soul, Rock N' Roll – Live in Germany features a career-spanning set that highlights the vocal power, hit songcraft, and dynamic stage presence that has defined Lee Aaron as one of the world's great rock 'n' roll performers. Recorded live over two nights on the Fire and Gasoline German tour, Power, Soul, and Rock N' Roll captures both the intimate setting of a packed music hall in Nuremberg, as well as her killer open-air performance in 2017 for 20,000 fans at the famed Bang Your Head festival in Balingen.
The set includes Lee's classic anthems like "Metal Queen", "Barely Holdin’ On", "Powerline", "Hot To Be Rocked", and "Whatcha Do To My Body." Fans are treated to a stunning version of Deep Purple's "Mistreated" along with new fan favorites from Aaron's "return to rock" offerings on 2016's Fire and Gasoline and 2018's Diamond Baby Blues.
With Sean Kelly on guitar, Dave Reimer on bass, and John Cody on drums - a band whose resume includes work with Nelly Furtado, Bryan Adams, and BTO to name but a few - Lee and her band inspire the spirit of great "live" classic rock albums of the '70s with performances that move and live and breathe, putting the listener in the center of the concert magic. Power, Soul, Rock N' Roll is a "no fixes and no tricks" off-the-floor recording of two incredible performances in front of Lee's much-loved German fans, beautifully recorded and expertly mixed by legendary Canadian producer John Webster, with the striking DVD visuals rendered by Frank Gryner (Def Leppard).
Tracklisting:
CD
"Mistreated"
"Tomboy"
"Rock Candy"
"Metal Queen"
"Fire And Gasoline"
"Powerline"
"I'm A Woman"
"Some Girls Do"
"Sex With Love"
"Barely Holdin' On"
"Whatcha Do To My Body"
"Diamond Baby"
"Hot To Be Rocked"
DVD
"Mistreated"
"Tomboy"
"Rock Candy"
"Metal Queen"
"Fire And Gasoline"
"Powerline"
"I'm A Woman"
"Some Girls Do"
"Sex With Love"
"Barely Holdin' On"
"Whatcha Do To My Body"
"Diamond Baby"
"Hot To Be Rocked"
"American High" (Music Video)
"Diamond Baby" (Music Video)
"I'm a Woman" (Music Video)
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